Semillas...en tierra migrante.

I come from the northwestern desert of Mexico. In my part of the world it’s hard to find green fields. The rains are scanty. That’s why the green fields of western New York State amaze me, especially when the spring flowers burst into bloom everywhere. I look at the life of our migrant community and our migrant pastoral ministry as a contrast between desert and fertile land. Sterility and fertility persisting at the same time, hope and despair. It seems to me that our whole pastoral effort develops within this dynamic contrast. We believe that the Spirit acts tirelessly and effectively to strengthen our commitment while at the same time thousands of limitations and obstacles emerge that hinder the growth of the Kingdom of God among us. Our team of pastoral “apostles” take risks every day and every day put their faith in the fertility of the seed that flowers even in the driest, most barren ground and there bears fruit. Those who have ears, let them hear! Last March, without our being sure till the last moment that it would actually happen, Jaime Cortez gave a miniconcert for the migrant community of Sodus, New York. Luci, pastoral minister to the migrant community of Sodus, had been gathering together a large group of adolescents and young adults in order to teach them to play the guitar and sing. And now here’s Jaime Cortez, this outstanding musician and composer from Arizona, leading an intensive, inspiring workshop for that same group of thirty boys and girls! Since then, Luci, assisted by Dick Bolt, a teacher of music, has been molding the talents, encouraging the desires, and soothing the musical anxieties of those who will one day become the musical core of the liturgies and other celebrations of this community. On the other side of the diocese, in Brockport, I’ve sat in admiration of the rehearsals for the theatrical presentation of Jesus’ Passion. The Brockport migrant community’s pastoral minister, Sandra, encourages the participation of families, couples, youth, and children— people who, though they might not be actors, still desire to play roles in this work. On April 14th, on the evening of Good Friday, the live drama of the Passion moves the emotions of the attending community. That happens because the actors and actresses, though lacking previous experience, bring to life with deep feeling each one of the characters. The performance is a success. There is even a DVD available of this migrant version of the Lord’s Passion. I don’t have to tell you that migrant workers of both sexes experience a real drama and a real passion in their daily lives. Over in Geneva, at St Francis de Sales Church, I enjoy finding an enthusiastic group of young girls whom we’ve known since the time they were preparing for their First Communion. Now those same girls are members of the team that helps with the faith formation of the children of the St Francis community, both Anglo and migrant. Xochitl ( whose name is usually shortened and pronounced “Soshi”) is in charge of guiding migrant ministry in Ontario and Yates Counties. It’s still the Lenten season, and now we’re gathering in a field in a migrant camp in Avon. Debbie has organized this celebration and has invited the migrant community of Livingston County. We divide into three groups to reflect on the Word of God and to listen to our stories. Later we share our experiences as we present our offerings for the Eucharist. When we finish, Debbie invites the participants to share some food. Meanwhile several young men and women tell me they want me to hear their confessions and to talk with me. It’s 10 PM and I’m still listening to the sufferings, struggles, and concerns of the brave young workers… I feel the force of their faith. Later, during April, the debate over laws affecting migrants intensifies. Every migrant community, as well as every migrant family, nervously follows the course of this debate. When the debate reaches the House of Representatives, we gather together to go out to the streets to demonstrate. We share the position of the Catholic Bishops, in demanding a comprehensive reform of the current immigration laws. Uniting our voices we proclaim, “No human being is ‘illegal.’” Even in this tense atmosphere, with its exaggerated political positions and proposed solutions that are partial and ignore people’s inherent dignity, we continue to believe that the Kingdom of God is becoming a reality, little by little, right here where the most fragile of people welcome the fertile seed of a society more just, more worthy. I invite you to become a part of this mission of welcome as well.