MERCY SISTERS AID AT THE BORDER

MERCY SISTERS JOIN OTHER WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN HELPING AT THE BORDER

BY RICHARD SZCZEPANOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

MCALLEN, Texas (CNS) —In early May, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious asked members for urgent help in ministering to migrants when families, minors and others were increasingly coming across cities and towns close to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mercy Sister Patricia Mulderick, who’d had previous experience in advocacy work on behalf of migrants and experience in Latin America, was one of several women religious who answered the call.

One of the places she chose to volunteer was the “respite center” run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in McAllen, Texas, a type of ground-zero in the current immigration debate, which has been the backdrop for welcome as well as rejection of migrants cutting across the nearby border.

“As Sisters of Mercy, we joined with volunteers from all over the USA, religious and lay, who come to be that welcoming presence for those who are tired, poor and yearning at the Mexican-American border,” Sister Mulderick wrote in a joint letter with Mercy Sister Terry Saetta, who also volunteered at the center in May.

From handing out clothes, food and sometimes just providing a friendly ear, the sisters put into action one of the main missions of LCWR, the largest organization for women religious in the country: “to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.”

Working side by side with members of other congregations, the sisters were able form a community of their own, one in which they could discuss with other women religious themes related to immigration even after they left the region.

“You’re really doing community service

MERCY SISTERS TERRY SAETTA, FAR LEFT, AND SISTER PATRICIA MULDERICK, FAR RIGHT, POSE FOR A PHOTO MAY 7, 2021, AT THE “RESPITE CENTER” IN MCALLEN, TEXAS, WHERE THEY VOLUNTEERED TO HELP MIGRANTS. BOTH HEEDED A CALL IN EARLY MAY FROM THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS, WHO ASKED MEMBERS TO HELP MINISTER TO MIGRANTS NEAR THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER. PHOTO: COURTESY SISTERS OF MERCY / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

together,” said Sister Mulderick. “So, you with chairs of people clutching their doc- ick told CNS. “Maybe they’ve been weeks bond quickly.” uments and waiting to be helped regard- or months or a year in those camps in

They worked Sisters of St. Joseph, ing the next leg of their journey. Mexico ... so they they just finally come to Dominican sisters, Franciscan sisters, “Tired and anxious, yet somewhat re- a place where someone says ‘welcome.’” among others, but “all coming to volun- lieved. Young children run around, some In the evenings, the Mercy sisters teer, it’s kind of you’re all in this together,” in bare feet and diapers until they can get gathered to pray by name for those they Mulderick said. other clothes donated by generous people had met and talked about their experi-

Even in tough moments, when some wanting to help in some way. Like salve ences with the migrants. of them witnessed the hardship of mi- for body and soul! They get shampoo, Out of those discussions, they got the grants who had arrived damp after the soap and other essentials ... also donated idea to print out cards in Spanish that river crossing, confused or just needing by others.” said, “Remember, you’re special. God is basics to survive, the experience affected In a May 19 interview with Catho- with you,” as well as, “Have courage, keep some of the sisters more than others. lic News Service, Sister Mulderick said going. Don’t be afraid. I’m with you on

The community of women religious, something as simple as giving someone a this journey.” though from different orders, helped toothbrush elicited a hug and tears from Sister Mulderick said she was aware “create camaraderie,” collaboration, one of the migrants. that even some Catholics wouldn’t agree and a sense of empathy and support for “I thought, you know, there’s some- with the work of helping migrants, but those who hadn’t before handled situa- thing more essential here than the little that for those occasions, she keeps a mestions such as the one they witnessed and things that are in this bag. It was the sage on her dresser that says: “No matter sometimes brought with it tears, Sister welcome,” she said. “And so, the center I what the question, love is the answer.” Mulderick said. think, the respite center, is so well named “I think that goes with Jesus’ com-

Along with Sister Saetta, Sister Muld- because it’s this respite in between the mand to love one another as we have erick wrote down impressions and sights long journey to the (United) States.” been loved,” she said. “You welcome me and sounds they experienced in their The help that the sisters were able to when you welcome the least of my brothtime at the respite center. provide the migrants, she said, wasn’t ers and sisters. I don’t know how much

“As these people from many differ- to solve their problems, whatever those clearer that can get. I mean, we can all ent countries walk through the Respite might be, but just to be with them in a disagree with policy but when you stare Center’s many doors, they stop at security particular moment. in the face of people, flesh and blood, love to get their temperatures and credentials “It’s just being with people in their is the only answer. Rejection is for me checked,” they wrote. “One room is filled most vulnerable moment,” Sister Mulder- not an option.” C

POPE TELLS STUDENTS: REDISCOVER IMPORTANCE OF FACE-TO-FACE RELATIONSHIPS

BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) —After going so long without in-person learning and face-to-face contact with others, young people now should be more discerning and judicious concerning their time online, Pope Francis told students.

Having grown up in a digital world, they know the many new ways that have been opened up to them when it comes to learning and communication, the pope said during a private audience at the Vatican May 22 with a group of students and administrators from an Italian public high school.

“Yet we already know very well that there is the danger of closing oneself off and of always seeing reality through a filter, which only seemingly expands our freedom,” he said.

The pope asked the students to make sure that the pandemic’s forced “abstinence” from physically being with friends and others help them develop an even more “critical sense in the use of these (digital) tools so that they remain just that -- instruments, subject to our intelligence and will.”

The students were from the “Ambrosoli” vocational high school in the small northern city of Codogno, where the first locally acquired case of COVID-19 had been diagnosed in Italy.

Known as “Patient 1,” a hospitalized 38-year-old man was found positive for the coronavirus Feb. 21, 2020, presaging a massive surge in cases and deaths throughout the area and the greater Lombardy region.

The pope said he and the students originally were scheduled to have their audience at the Vatican closer to the oneyear anniversary of that first outbreak and the start of the pandemic in Europe.

The meeting was important, he said,

POPE FRANCIS GREETS FACULTY AND STUDENTS OF THE AMBROSOLI INSTITUTE IN CODOGNO, ITALY, DURING AN AUDIENCE AT THE VATICAN MAY 22, 2021. MEETING PEOPLE FROM CODOGNO, THE EARLIEST EPICENTER OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN ITALY, THE POPE PRAISED THEM FOR NOT LOSING HOPE. HE ALSO ASKED THAT THEY REDISCOVER THE IMPORTANCE OF IN-PERSON RELATIONSHIPS. PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

because their school represented “a sign strength and desire they possess. He said thing, that is, the importance of interof hope” in such a difficult situation, and when that is stimulated, nurtured and personal -- not virtual -- relationships,” he congratulated them for “never losing “accompanied with wisdom and passion he said. heart” during this trial. by adults, it brings amazing fruits.” Pope Francis told the students he

Many students and teachers have sent The pope recognized the difficulties hoped the imminent end of the school the pope letters about their pandemic students and teachers faced with online year would go well, not just grade-wise, experiences, describing a variety of pos- learning, which hurt the relational but also and most of all, people-wise. He itive experiences they have had, he said, aspect of their schooling, and he said asked they see school as a place to mawhich shows that when the “generative” he hoped they could restart fully again ture and grow in their hands, head and power of teachers and the “dreams” of soon. heart, learning to be open, respectful students come together, “there is no “But I invite you to learn something and constructive in their relationships virus that can stop them.” from this absence, that, in a certain way, and to become aware and responsible

He urged the students to cultivate the this bad experience may teach some- citizens.” C

Moments in our JourneyMoments in our Journey

The Chapel in the Sky is a hidden treasure at the top of the Tower of Hope on the campus of Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. The 130-seat ecumenical chapel boasts breathtaking panoramic views of Orange County. —Photo by Josh Sudock

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