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Posts Tagged "Arizona"

CSA Sisters Welcome Student Learners

January 03, 2020
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

Students at the border

From December 14-21, seven students and three chaperones, including Sister Belinda Monahan, OSB, from Northwestern University visited and participated in the lives of those whose faith life and human dignity are threatened. During their trip they stayed with in the home of Sister Mary Rose Obholz and Susan Kolb. 

Sister Mary Rose was thrilled with the experience. "They brought youthful energy to the Nieves de la Rosa house. ... They talked with an asylum seeker from Mexico who is now living in Naco Sonora - the place she fled.  They saw people from Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and parts of Mexico. The experiences each day moved them to the questions, 'what can we do?' 'How can we bring the message to others?'"

They journeyed from Naco, Sonora to Agua Prieta to Tucson (Casa Alitas)to learn first-hand about how immigration works for asylum seekers, migrants, and immigrants and experienced challenges and hope as did the Sisters of St. Agnes.

Student and chaperones recorded a brief reflection each day, which can be found on the website of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.

Students at the border

The students talked with asylum seekers waiting in line at the "tent city" near Agua Prieta. 

Learning from the Sisters

Prayer Request from Tucson

June 10, 2019
By Sister Eileen Mahony, CSA

Today I request your prayers. Our monastery respite center for asylum-seeking refugees is wearing out. We need someone to generously donate a new site. A possibility is under consideration.

For months up to 500 guests have been housed daily in the monastery which at one time housed 40 Sisters. The plumbing system has totally worn out. Electricity has been intermittent. As of this weekend, port-a-showers and port-a-potties have been added. Up to 200 guests continue to arrive daily and are assisted with journeys to their families in 48-72 hours. With the 100 degree Tucson weather, few parents sit outside under the tress to watch their children play. Many sit on the floor in the corridors or on the few folding chairs or stairs. Because of longer and more difficult detentions at the border, more arrive with greater stress, dehydration and illness. Needless to say, the stress level of guests and volunteers is increasing while at the same times smiles and words of appreciation are shared repeatedly.

Tags: Arizona

The Experience of Encuentro 2018

November 29, 2018
By Sister Mary Rose Abholz, CSA

The weekend of November 16-18,2018 brought much solidarity and peacebuilding as I walked with the young and old, the Mexican people, those from Central American people, United States people. It was a time to confront the evil policies that cause division, hatred and violence. It was a time not to remain silent and to walk the walk and talk the talk of transformation. As I walked from the Americana Hotel in Nogalas, AZ to the border wall and crossed into Mexico, I did not walk alone- I walked with a Notre Dame Sister and a volunteer that I’ve ministered with in Douglas, AZ/Agua Prieta, Mexico into the welcoming community of Nogalas, Mexico. The spirit of the Mexican people and bienvenido was the gift. A stage was set and people from the School of the America Watch spoke and gave much insight ‘’into the stances they have taken for many years and continue to do so. The organizers than invited the people to speak of experiences of pain and suffering and the support they have received from so many. Some especially touching stories included the pain a woman suffered as the marines from Mexico invaded her home, threatened her with death and kidnapped her husband in March,  2018. Another spoke of the disappearance of her son and how she continues to look for him; this mother continues to weep for her son. Then there were stories of U.S. veterans who have been deported and separated from family and friends. The stories touched my soul and the people shared the hope that life will become better. It took 2 hours to pass through customs into the United States. The conferences in the afternoon connected me with other advocates for change and brought more stories of those who continue to minister for those in borderland communities in Arizona and Texas. What a wonderful group of ministers. I do not want to forget that there were those from many parts of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. And this was Saturday, November 17.

On Sunday, the experience was on the U.S. side of the border wall and pulled at the heart strings of all of those who have died from the early 1980’s on. It was a litany that lasted over an hour and ended in a gravesite that honored the people and those who continue to die. On the U.S. side, unlike former years we were forbidden to be near the wall. A large iron built fence prevented us from touching others on the Mexican Side. Also wire prevented the human connection of touch. In spite of all of this we found ways to make our voices heard. The experience brought young and older people to take a risk and use the space between the iron built fence and the wall to depict a cemetery of those who have died and those who will die. This was a risk that people took; there was a possibility of arrest. Border Patrol did not interfere.

There is much more to tell and I will be in Fond du Lac during the month of December if anyone wants to hear more.

 

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Tags: Arizona, Border, peace

Sister Eileen Mahony Participates in Nuns on the Bus

September 25, 2018
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

Sister Eileen Mahony participated in the Nuns on the Bus campaign during the Tucson, Arizona leg of their tour. She was joined by Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of NETWORK .

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