El cardenal guatemalteco, Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri de Huehuetenango, Guatemala y conocido por el trabajo de justicia social en su país, visitará la Diocesis de Jackson en diciembre de este ano. En su agenda tendrá visitas a parroquias afectadas por las redadas de inmigración, en las cuales viven muchos ciudadanos guatemaltecos. En su vista se reunirá además con autoridades eclesiásticas de la diocesis.
JACKSON – Parroquianos de Santa Teresa se reunen, el tercer año consecutivo, alrededor de un altar construido por el grupo de jovenes, para celebrar la vida de sus difuntos. (Foto Berta Mexidor)
Por Berta Mexidor
RIDGELAND – El padre Odel Medina, sacerdote de St. Anne-Carthage y St. Therese-Kosciusko expresó las preocupaciones, frustraciones y esperanzas de su comunidad y del resto de los católicos de la diócesis, preocupados por las familias afectadas después de las redadas de inmigración, durante una audiencia pública celebrada por el congresista estadounidense Bennie Thompson, presidente demócrata del Comité de Seguridad Nacional, el jueves 7 en Tougaloo College, tres meses después de las redadas que arrestaron a 680 inmigrantes y que impactaron directamente a tres parroquias de la diócesis y siete comunidades en el estado.
El representante Thompson estuvo acompañado de la representante Sheila Jackson Lee, de Texas, el representante Al Green, Texas y Steve Cohen, Tennessee, todos demócratas y también miembros de su comité, para pedir cuentas a la Oficina de Investigación del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Nueva Orleans, representada por el agente especial Jere Miles.
Miles defendió a su agencia diciendo que cumplieron con la ley y como resultado de la redada se han encontrado 400 casos de uso ilegal del número de seguro social (SSN, por sus siglas en inglés) para robo de identidad. Al padre Odel se unieron seis líderes comunitarios, públicos, policiales y de organizaciones que tuvieron la oportunidad de expresar sus testimonios, dentro de los que estaba Lorena Quiroz Lewis, organizadora de Working Together Mississippi.
Durante la audiencia, Monserrat Ramírez y Roberto Tijerina, miembros de Southerners on New Ground (SONG) mostraron una habilidad tecnológica para ayudar a los hispanos a comprender la audiencia. Transmitieron la audiencia en la página de Facebook de Mississippi Resiste, y para aquellos que no pueden hablar inglés, hubo un número de teléfono al que podían llamar y recibir la traducción al momento.
Decenas de personas portaron carteles con mensajes como” Dejennos trabajar”, “Vinimos a Trabajar, Progresar y Amar” y “A más redadas, mas familias separadas.”
Con la anuencia del obispo William Houck, la acción de varias personas que reconocieron la necesidad de comunicarse en español con una comunidad en crecimiento y un equipo dedicado a informar se creó una idea. Es así como el 10 de octubre de 1997 salió a la luz la primera edición de “El Mensajero Católico”, hace ya más de 22 años.
Elsa Baughman comenzó a trabajar en 1996 en la diócesis para el periódico diocesano, llamado en ese entonces” Mississippi Today”.
Venezolana de nacimiento, graduada de Periodismo en la Universidad del Zulia en Venezuela, y con una maestría en Comunicación de Masas de la University of Southern Mississippi (USM), madre y abuela, Elsa trajo al periódico su rica experiencia, su cultura y el deseo de romper con estereotipos.
Elsa recuerda que llegó a Mississippi en el año 1976, cuando eran pocos los hispanos en el estado. Después de graduarse, casarse y trabajar en varias empresas internacionales y ser maestra de español, comenzó a trabajar en Mississippi Catholic.
En diciembre del año 1979 el Padre Mario Viscaíno, fundador del SEPI, celebró una misa para conmemorar el aniversario de la Virgen de Guadalupe en la Catedral de San Pedro, junto al Obispo Houck y desde allí se estableció la tradición de la Misa en español y la necesidad de atender a la comunidad Latina que cada vez crecía más.
“ … Una de mis mejores memorias y que guardo con mucho cariño fue la visita a la Misión de Saltillo en México, por invitación del Obispo Kopacz, después de haber reportado por muchos años acerca de la importancia de esta misión en la diócesis,” concluye Elsa.
Al principio el Mensajero Católico de Mississippi solo se publicaban cuatro ediciones al año. Con el aumento de la población hispana y las actividades en cada parroquia a las que asistían, el periódico paso a publicarse mensualmente, como hasta ahora.
“Mississippi Today” cambio su nombre el 3 de diciembre de 1999, a Mississippi Catholic como es conocido hoy. El nombre de “Mensajero Católico” cambió también, a “Mississippi Católico” en junio del 2008.
Entre las muchas personas que contribuyeron a promover el periódico en español hay que mencionar a Janna Avalon, quien por más de 40 años dirigió “Mississippi Catholic,” Fabvienen Taylor, quien escribió el primer artículo acerca de las diferencias y similitudes de los Latinos, Elizabeth Ayala, quien escribió acerca de los sacramentos, la hermana Patricia Brown, que fundó y dirigió el Ministerio Hispano, la hermana Day, Ligia Fenton, Susan Falkner, y los sacerdotes Jerry Mattingly- Hazlehurst, Richard Smith- Forest, Anthony Quyet-Forest, quienes siempre apoyaron las celebraciones de los Hispanos y su divulgación en el periódico en español.
Como editora, reportera y católica comprometida, todo el mundo conoció a Elsa. Hoy todavía, después de su jubilación, Elsa sigue los aconteceres de su comunidad y aún se le ve tomando fotos en la Parroquia Santa Teresa en Jackson, donde continúa activa como parroquiana. Actualmente disfruta su tiempo libre con su esposo, Brian, sus hijas, Carla y Verónica y sus nietos, Arianna y Roman.
Por la hermana Patricia Brown y Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – La primera celebración de la Virgen de Guadalupe en Jackson, hace exactamente 40 años, no fue sólo un éxito sino también la semilla que, con el tiempo, diera inicio a la creación del ministerio hispano de la Diócesis de Jackson.
En esa ocasión, un domingo 16 de diciembre de 1979, a las 4:30 p.m. el Obispo Joseph Brunini, el Obispo Auxiliar William Houck, el Padre Mario Viscaíno y el Padre Paul Madden celebraron la primera Misa en español en la Catedral de San Pedro.
Cerca de 200 hispanos del área de Jackson asistieron a esa celebración que prosiguió con una fiesta y una charla del Padre Viscaíno, el cual estaba de visita en Jackson para promover el establecimiento de un consejo pastoral hispano en Jackson. En su presentación el padre Vizcaino mencionó su deseo e inquietud en que se realizara una Misa en español continuamente en Jackson. El Padre Viscaíno era el director de la Oficina de Asuntos Hispanos del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI) con sede en Miami, Florida.
En enero de 1980 se organizó en Jackson un consejo pastoral que se reunía regularmente y se continuó con la celebración de la Misa dominical en la Catedral de San Pedro en las tardes, cambiando el horario de tiempo en tiempo a petición de la feligresía. Se ofrecían además clases de religión, de inglés, se celebraban fiestas sociales y religiosas y se distribuía un boletín informativo que se enviaba a 95 familias.
Para ese entonces la comunidad hispana del área de Jackson era pequeña. El censo de los Estados Unidos en 1980 indicó que la población de hispanos en Mississippi era menos del uno por ciento. Muchos de estos eran trabajadores migrantes del campo dispersos en la zona del Delta y en procesadoras de pollo en el centro del estado.
Había una preocupación real por identificar a los hispanos residenciados e identificar sus necesidades. Un reporte de la Diócesis de Jackson en 1988 indicó que en Jackson se estaba realizando una misa en español regularmente en el Delta para el aniversario de la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Aunque la Hermana Thea Bowman, difunta, no hablaba español, ayudó a la comunidad hispana para que continuara sus actividades y celebrara la Eucaristía en español en el área de Jackson.
Durante los años de 1980, el Padre Michael Flannery y el Padre Richard Smith asistieron a los trabajadores migrantes que trabajaban cerca de Clarksdale con servicios religiosos y sociales.
El censo de 1990 contó 9,752 hispanos en los 65 condados de la diócesis. La diócesis de Jackson le solicito a la hermana Patricia Broderick que hiciera un estudio de la comunidad hispana y pusiera un plan para atender sus necesidades. Las sugerencias de esa propuesta, escrita en noviembre de 1990, permanecen validas actualmente, solo los números han aumentado y las necesidades se han multiplicado.
En 1991, el padre José Daniel López, originario de Cuba, fue ordenado sacerdote en la diócesis de Jackson y comenzó a celebrar la Misa del domingo en la Catedral de San Pedro. Su presencia motivó a los hispanos a asistir con más frecuencia a la Misa dominical. El diacono Roberto Jiménez comenzó a asistir al padre López en la celebración de la Liturgia en Jackson y el padre Anthony Quyet en la iglesia St. Michael en Forest celebró la primera Misa en español el 7 de abril de 1991, para los trabajadores de las plantas procesadoras de pollo en el condado de Scott. Antes de esta celebración litúrgica en Forest, el Padre Madden celebraba misa en español en la residencia de la familia Echiburú en Morton. En 1993, la hermana Jeroma Day comenzó a visitar hogares hispanos en Rosedale y a los hispanos en la penitenciaria en Parchman.
En septiembre de 1994 la Diócesis de Jackson estableció la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano bajo la dirección de la Hermana Patricia Brown.
La Hermana Patricia Godri llegó a Carthage, en septiembre de 1994 a la iglesia St. Anne, coordinó la Misa en español y clases de inglés. En 1995 los misioneros de la Orden Glenmary enviaron al Padre Francisco Pellissier para servir como ministro sacramental en seis condados del noreste de Mississippi y el 17 de diciembre celebró la primera misa bilingüe en la Misión San Christopher en Pontotoc.
La hermana Nancy Schreck, el Padre Jerry Peterson, Padre Steve Pawelk, y el Padre Gerry Richardson fueron uno de los primeros que sirvieron en la comunidad hispana en New Albany. Las Hermanas Patricia Sullivan, Rosemary Empen y Kris Vorenkamp estuvieron a cargo de los servicios pastorales, litúrgicos y sociales en los condados Chickasaw y Calhoun.
En 1996 se inauguró el Centro Católico en Morton. La primera misa en español en Ripley, Condado Tippah, se celebró el 12 de diciembre de 1997 en honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe.
El Padre Jerry Mattingly, pastor asociado de la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Madison, estuvo celebrando Misa en español en la Misión San Martín en Hazlehurst desde 1997.
Además de los ya mencionados, los sacerdotes y religiosas que han participado activamente en el ministerio hispano en Jackson desde su comienzo en 1979 incluyen en orden cronológico: Padre Robert Olivier, Hermana Marcela García, Padres Aedan Manning, Joseph Dyer, John Rietti, Patrick Noonan, Monseñor Noel Foley, Hermana Leah Couvillion, Padre Domingo Rodríguez, Hermana Magdalena McNemar, padres Daniel Gallagher y Patrick Farrell.
En 1999, el hermano Ted Daush asumió el liderazgo de la oficina del Ministerio Hispano hasta junio de este año, dando veinte años a este ministerio.
El establecimiento del ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Jackson permitió el aumento de servicios religiosos, sociales y culturales a la comunidad hispana en los 65 condados de la diocesis.
(Este artículo fue publicado en Mensajero Católico el 17 de diciembre de 1999. Elsa Baughman, actualizó el mismo para esta edición. Lea el artículo en su totalidad en Mississippicatholic.com/español)
(Debajo. En un artículo titulado”?Yo parezco Mexicano? de Fabvienen Taylor, se presentó la diversidad de la comunidad Latina. En esta foto de archivo de 1997 se ven las primeras caras de hispanos, en el primer número de “El Mensajero Católico.” (Foto por Fabvienen Taylor)
(Editors note: The following is an excerpt from the “Diocese of Jackson, Parish Finance Council, Decree and Guidelines” of the Required Financial Practices section, that details how financial donations are to be handled and accounted for in the Diocese of Jackson.)
Financial Reporting
a) Record financial transactions and prepare financial statements: Financial transactions are recorded and monthly financial statements are prepared using ParishSoft ConnectNow Accounting software.
b) Financial records: All financial records documenting transactions should be available to the parish as needed. Records should not be kept offsite at the residences of employees or volunteers where access to the financial records may be limited. Financial records are the property of the parish and must be kept on the parish premises.
c) Regular financial report preparation: Financial reporting is made regularly and timely to facilitate control and corrective action. The financial reports should be presented in detail capturing bank accounts held at local financial institutions and Diocese accounts (not just operating accounts) and debt obligations. Financial statements should contain all activity of the Parish.
d) Communication of financial results: Parish financial results are reported each month to the pastor and finance council. In addition, results should be shared with parishioners on at least an annual basis including sources and amounts of income, parish debt obligations, unpaid bills and parish savings.
Sunday and Holy Day Collections
a) Count teams: Collection bags should be maintained in the safe until the next business day when the count team is assembled and ready to begin counting. At least two (preferably three) unrelated people, not employees, should be present when collections are counted. No one should ever sort and organize money prior to the arrival of the count team.
b) Proper rotation of count team duties and members: Multiple count teams that are periodically rotated should count collections. If there is only a single count team, then count duties should be rotated.
c) Collections are handled properly: All checks are restrictively endorsed during counting procedures, and a cash collection report is compiled and signed by each of the count team members. It is helpful to establish written cash handling guidelines indicating names and duties of team members.
d) Adequate physical safeguards: All cash receipts should be deposited intact daily or locked in a safe and deposited the next day. Limit entry to the safe to two people requiring such access, each should have the safe combination and/or key. The safe combination and/or key should be adequately safeguarded. Use your bank’s drop bag process whenever possible to ensure safe/timely deposit of funds.
e) Segregating collection duties: Ideally, different individuals complete the receiving, processing, recording and bank reconciliation functions. This option is not always possible especially if there are only one or two individuals available to perform these duties. Separate and rotate these duties among the available people as much as possible. Perhaps the pastor, or a volunteer parishioner with the proper background, can perform or review one of these functions monthly.
f) Parishioner contribution statements: Someone who is independent of the counting, depositing and recording of collections prepares and distributes year-end parishioner statements whenever possible. Reported variances between the donation and collection are investigated and resolved.
g) Tracking parishioner contributions: Do not back date envelopes to the Sunday date printed on the envelope; use the date of the collection. For instance, families submitting multiple envelopes (for previous Sundays on one Sunday) should be entered with the Sunday date on which the multiple envelopes were received, not the date printed on the envelopes.
h) Reviewing parishioner donor contribution summary report: Periodically (quarterly) print the donor contribution summary report and compare it to the Sunday collection worksheets for accuracy. Make corrections as needed.
(If you suspect proper procedure is not being followed with regard to church donations, call Nancy Meyers (601) 960-8458, Cathy Pendelton (601) 969-2135 or Carolyn Callahan (601) 346-6038)
By Jordan Nettles
GREENVILLE – On Friday, Oct. 25, loved ones gathered at St. Joseph Church in Greenville, Miss. for the funeral Mass of Rev. Jeremiah Francis Corcoran, known lovingly as Father Frank. Father Frank passed away on Oct. 17 at Delta Regional Medical Center at the age of 88.
Born in Nenagh Co. Tipperary, Ireland to a devout Catholic family, Father Frank answered a call from God to bring the Gospel to Mississippi, where he served for 65 years as a priest. In answering that initial call, he offered a resounding “yes” to God, which he continued to offer throughout his many years of ceaseless prayer and service.
The sanctuary in Greenville was packed with fellow priests, former parishioners, and friends and family members of Father Frank. Among the congregation were two of Father Frank’s nieces from Ireland, Michael Shalloe and Eimear O’Farrell. The service began with loving words from both of them.
“Today is a celebration of a great life,” said Shalloe, setting a tone for a Mass that would remember and honor the life of Father Frank. She recalled her uncle’s great love for family saying, “Family, to Father Frank, was everything.” O’Farrell spoke in Gaelic for several minutes, with a nod to loved ones watching the live-stream from Ireland.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz presided over the Mass and led concelebrants to the altar to the processional hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You.” Father Mark Shoffner, Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Basilica and Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary in Natchez, gave the Homily.
Father Shoffner, who grew up in Greenville, spoke with love and humor about Father Frank. “Today we gather for Father Frank, one who golfed, and ate, and prayed, and ate some more,” he began. Father Shoffner then spoke in detail about the example Father Frank set for the many people whose lives he touched, often in a deeply personal way through the holy sacraments.
“It is important for us to live a life ordered towards God,” Father Shoffner said. “That is the great end in all of us, is to be ordered towards Him whom created us, who willed us forward from Himself. And [Father Frank] was showing that, and we know in his story has lived that, as an example.”
Father Shoffner highlighted Father Frank’s devotion to prayer and his acceptance of God’s plan, which led him to bring the word of God to communities thousands of miles away from his own in Ireland. “We’re blessed by that example,” Father Shoffner said. “He gave us a picture of fidelity, and that is what the Lord asks of us. A life of fidelity.”
Father Frank began his priesthood in Pascagoula, Miss. in 1954. He served across the state, also taking assignments in Jackson, Vicksburg, Meridian, Greenville, Crystal Springs and Hazlehurst. He retired to Greenville, Miss. in 2004.
Father Frank planned his own funeral, down to the hymns that should be sung and the priest who should give the Homily. This included informing Father Shoffner that he wanted him to preach at the funeral, before Father Shoffner was even in seminary.
Of course in the midst of sadness, there was great joy at the Mass, as well. As Father Shoffner pointed out, “He’s able to behold God [in] a way he has never been able to see Him before.”
(Jordan Nettles is the Marketing Assistant and Digital Publishing Coordinator at University Press of Mississippi. She graduated from the The University of Southern Mississippi and attends St. Richard Church.)
JACKSON – Over the last year, federal authorities have conducted an investigation into events at our parishes in Starkville and Macon that involved Father Lenin Vargas.
One year ago those federal authorities executed search warrants at those parishes and at the offices of the Diocese of Jackson.
The Diocese remains steadfast in stating that neither Bishop Joseph Kopacz, nor any Diocesan Official, committed, condoned or covered up fraudulent activity. In late 2017, when the Diocese learned there might be problems with parish finances at St. Joseph Starkville, Bishop Kopacz ordered an audit be conducted and based on those audit findings, took actions to bring the parish back into compliance with Diocesan policy. No Diocese official had any knowledge that Father Vargas was asking individuals for money until the affidavit was unsealed in November 2018.
During the course of the investigation the Diocese has worked to bring forth the truth that will lead to a just resolution and reconciliation throughout our Catholic community. To wit:
• The Diocese has cooperated fully with federal investigators.
• The Diocese has reached out to those who donated to Father Vargas and returned parishioners’ contributions. If you gave directly to Father Vargas but have not spoken with the Diocese, please do so. We want to hear from you.
• Father Vargas was stripped of his priestly facilities and authorities in the Catholic Church in Mexico were notified of his standing.
• Diocese-wide protocols were implemented for “special collections.”
Yet there is still work to be done. The Diocese will continue to seek reconciliation and restorative justice for the communities impacted by this investigation. The Diocese will also continue to reach out to those who donated, but feel betrayed, to seek a just resolution with them and continue to support those communities to rebuild trust and confidence. Additionally, the Diocese will continue to be transparent in our dealings with all Diocesan leadership and ministries.
Finally, continue to pray for our St. Joseph and Corpus Christi parishes and all those in the Starkville and Macon communities who have been hurt by this investigation. We hope in Christ for new life and peace.
JACKSON – Michael Earl Raff, a bold champion of civil rights, public service, the Arts and the city of Jackson, died on Oct. 23, 2019, at Hospice Ministries following a long illness. He leaves behind a broken-hearted family and a legion of relatives, friends and associates.
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Michael was the son of the late Mary Nash and Earl Raff. The eldest of five children, his childhood was spent attending Catholic schools where he excelled in academics and sports, especially football. He developed a work ethic for which he later became famous. The family moved frequently during his childhood, and Michael often recalled the difficulty of attending seven schools in a five-year span. This gave him the resilience and the appreciation for friendship that marked his character.
Michael attended Notre Dame, majoring in business and earning membership in the coveted Blue Circle Honor Society. After graduation, Michael answered the call from God to the priesthood. He attended the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, earning a BA with Honors in Philosophy in 1965 and an MA in Theology, with Honors, in 1969.
His abiding sense of justice and disdain for bullies propelled Michael to Mississippi to join the fight for Civil Rights. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese by Bishop Joseph B. Brunini, on May 24, 1969 at St. Peter’s Cathedral, in Jackson – the church he served so faithfully, first, as an assistant pastor and, later, as a beloved parishioner. This is the same church where his extraordinary life was be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 28.
From 1969 to 1971 Michael served as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs, after which he returned to Jackson as executive director of the Mississippi Council of Human Relations to improve racial relations, to advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, and to act as a liaison for businesses, labor and government to work towards equal employment in state jobs. It was a fateful assignment for it was during this time that Michael met Linda Glass, whose commitment to racial equality was the same as his own. His resignation from the priesthood and marriage to Linda created a partnership for social justice that is unequaled in our time. They each supported the other in their ministries to care for “the least of these.” Their marriage has been a source of delight and inspiration to all who know them.
Instrumental in the founding of Legal Services, Michael developed legal assistance to the poor from 1978 through 1983. He brought his skill in advocacy to the Mississippi Legislature. His experience with Legal Services and battles against unfair energy services led him to run for Public Service Commissioner, a race he lost by a heartbreakingly small margin. Michaels’ expertise in public service led him to work for two governors and for several Jackson mayors, as he developed and administered programs for the poor, the homeless, the young, the old, the hungry and the otherwise forgotten. Along the way, he has accumulated honors only Princes of the Realm accrue: The NAACP Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner Award to Individuals Contributing Most to the Political Power for All Citizens; The Southern Center for Human Rights “Founders Award for Advancing the Cause of Justice;” the Association of Community Action Award for Outstanding Dedicated Service; the Mississippi Religious Leadership Founder Award for Exemplifying Ideals of Peace and Justice; the Center for Justice’s Champion of Justice Award; and the Friendship Ball Honoree in 2000.
But most people reading this will remember Michael best as the Pasta Man and, later, as the consummate and abiding host at Thalia Mara. Beginning in 1989, Michael opened “My Favorite Spaghetti,” in a closed service station on the corner of Jefferson and High Streets. A total departure from his public service career, My Favorite Spaghetti was a great success; Jackson’s first healthy option for fast food. Doris Ward was his mainstay, but he hired his children and many of their friends and taught them the famous Raff work ethic, which is still talked about to this day. Michael talked about them too, relishing in and taking pride in their successes in life.
A kind and gentle single-mindedness of purpose is what folks remember about Michael’s work as Director of Cultural Services for the City of Jackson, his final and, according to him, favorite job. As Director of Cultural Services, Michael oversaw Thalia Mara Hall, Smith Robertson Museum, The Arts Center and the Municipal Art Center. He supported the efforts of the Museum of Art, Ballet MS, the IBC, the Symphony, the Muslim Museum, MS Opera and Very Special Arts.
At Thalia Mara, Michael advocated for and oversaw the refurbishment of the auditorium, a Herculean effort, completed in 2014. No one who saw him, battling arthritis and struggling to walk, will ever forget the transcendent joy the gift of being at Thalia Mara brought him. He retired in November 2018.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Richard and Mark Raff and Linda’s parents, Marvin and Mary Emma Glass. Surviving him are his beloved wife Linda; daughter Lauren (Ney) and children Clayton and Olivia; and son Matthew (Ginger) and children Mary Emma and Nash. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Kelly (Jerry); his sister Margie Labelle (Ron) and their children and grandchildren; and Linda’s sisters, Sandra Waide (David) and Mary Beth (Roland) and their children and grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Catholic Charities or The Mississippi Center for Justice.
STAFF REport
By Daisey X. Martinez
JACKSON – I went to a detention center in Louisiana to visit a Mississippian who has been there since Aug. 7th. Honestly, I was hesitant about going inside and thought about backing out. Then, I thought about all of the times that I heard Matthew 25:34-40 growing up and made up my mind to go inside.
While I was waiting for the guards to bring in my potential new friend, I looked around the bare room. There were men in beige-colored uniforms sitting with women and children. I saw many smiles and happy tears, but the sadness of the situation lingered. The young man to my left was making a flower out of candy wrappers for his little sister. When he was finished, he turned around and called to one of his block mates; the young man introduced him to his mother and two sisters. The older man smiled and told the young man’s mother that her son was a good kid.
As I felt tears gathering in my eyes, a man with a curious look on his face approached me. It was the person that God wanted me to visit. I immediately apologized to him in case he had hopes that it would be his wife and daughter sitting at the plastic table and then asked him if it was okay that I had come. He turned down my apology and thanked me instead. Visitors are rare, but when he does get a visitor, it helps him escape from his current reality and he’s thankful for that.
I learned that he loves scary movies, enjoys playing video games (so much that his daughter’s middle name is the name of a character from one of his favorite games), adores playing soccer and that his wife basically rejected him when they first met. We laughed about that last part. He is from the same state in Mexico that my father is from, so we talked about the traditions and foods from that beautiful place. He told me that his daughter just had a birthday and has been asking when he will be coming home. He tells her he is on vacation because the truth would be harder for his young daughter to understand.
I was so happy that this man was starting to open up to me because I was worried about him. He was in the same detention center where just a few weeks before, a prisoner of ICE had committed suicide. I wanted to let him know that there are so many people outside of this place that cared about him and all of the others who are in this situation. I told him that not everyone sees him as a criminal. Some people understand the reasons he had to come into this country. I’m not sure if he believed me.
He told me that he understands that he broke some rules, but has been living a quiet life for the past two decades. He was hard at work when ICE showed up and took him away. He knows of others who would get arrested for a DUI or some other crime and then let go. He doesn’t understand why people who were working were separated from their families.
I wanted to keep talking to him, but time was running low. I looked at him and asked him if I could pray for him right then and there. He nodded and we conversed with God. We then stood up and I asked if I could hug him. My brother in Christ hugged me back and I pray that he knows that God loves him and hasn’t abandoned him. With a promise that I would return, I said goodbye.
I really wish that there wasn’t a language barrier so that we could all hear the struggles and stories of the immigrants in our state. People can argue about the methods used to get here, however, for a brief moment, I wish we could live the words of Matthew 25 “…When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?”
(Daisey X. Martinez is the Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocesan Office of Intercultural Ministry. She is part of a network of volunteer drivers who pick up released people from the ICE detention centers and work together to get them home to their families in Mississippi. If you would like more information on how to be a volunteer driver, please email daisey.martinez@jacksondiocese.org.)
