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IWBS Sisters Lenten Appeal to aid CCRGV
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South Texas Catholic
preparation. Items needed are gift cards, underwear isters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacand shoes. rament (IWBS) Immigration Action Group in She is collaborating with similar agencies from Corpus Christi hosted a Zoom meeting with Brownsville to Laredo. “We’re trying to make sure that Sister Norma Pimentel, a Missionary of Jesus we all are connected so that we know what our status (MJ) and executive director of Catholic Chariis, where capacity is, what our needs are,” she said. ties of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV). Sister Norma She has invited local leaders from every city as part and CCRGV volunteers have led the effort to provide of the collaborative effort. “We’re going to have a lot humanitarian assistance to immigrants and refugees of work as far as taking care of through the Humanitarian Respite Centhose families that are coming in ter in McAllen. and providing shelter.” The Jan. 28 meeting included an Some days Sister Norma says hour-long session of information gathshe gets overwhelmed, but “I thank ering concerning immigrants and refGod at the end of the day. I go to ugees’ current conditions at the Mexbed tired, but I go to bed in peace ican/U.S. border, and a debrief on the because I know He has accomChristmas drive of “Project Restoring plished a lot of good. And so that Human Dignity,” a border fund project makes me happy.” which started in November 2020. Her advice to potential volunSister Colette, a member of the Immiteers is “never be afraid to do good. gration Action Group, reported that Step up, and do your part because through their Christmas Appeal they you’ll be happier if you do.” were able to send $450, 20 boxes of Screenshot of Sister Norma Members of the Immigration items to Brownsville Catholic ChariPimentel, MJ Action Group are IWBS Sisters ties, and a check for $10,000, half of Colette Brehony, Barbara Netek, which was designated for tents and Anna Marie Espinosa, Mary Paul Hon, Rose Miriam tarps donated by the Sisters of Charity of the IncarGansle and a visiting Sister Anna Le. nate Word in Houston. After discussion, the members agreed to send $3,000 Sister Norma provided the group with an update. to the Respite Center. She said that more people are beginning to trickle “Project Restoring Human Dignity” is now a Lenten in from the border––some 100 immigrants daily (as appeal that the IWBS Sisters are promoting (see ad on opposed to the 900 daily from last year) ––mostly page 32) to assist Sister Norma and aid the immigrants pregnant women with children. Some days she wakes on Texas southern border. up at 5 a.m. and stays at the Center until 10:30 p.m. Through their 2021 Lenten Appeal, “Project Restor“Families are hurting. Some families have been over ing Human Dignity” your donation will help with there [Matamoros] for over a year––living in conditions legal and health care assistance, medical supplies, that are so inhumane, but through the generosity and COVID-19 quarantine housing, essential items and prayers of many, such as yourself––we have provided other necessities. The drop off location is 5201 Lipes them with some relief,” she said to the IWBS Sisters. Boulevard in Corpus Christi (78413). Donation hours According to Sister Norma, an attorney in Brownsare Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mail checks to ville is helping her put together a team of attorneys Sister Colette Brehony, 5201 Lipes Boulevard, Corpus by providing pro bono services to the immigrants. Christi, TX 78413. Make checks payable to: IWBS They will need additional staff—people who know Border Fund. their way around a computer to input information. For more information contact Sister Colette Brehony Their greatest need now is monetary donations for the at (361) 455-1802 or scobrehony@iwbscc.org. legal team, medical aid, places to quarantine and meal M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E
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SPRING 2021
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