Summer 2024 newsletter
Coralis Salvador, U.S.-Mexico Border
Our Lady of the Desert at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona.
The desert will lead you to your heart where I will speak (Hosea 2:16).
When I recently went to the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona, to meet a long-time colleague from Mombasa, the above quote on its chapel wall spoke to my heart. I have always pondered why I was led to the El Paso desert since I have lived and worked all my life next to an ocean.
The quote is God’s voice, loud and clear, in the asylum seekers. The oneness I seek is found through them. “Look at the border through the eyes of migrants,” a recent powerful article by El Paso’s Bishop Seitz in America magazine, spoke of such a call.
Ruben Garcia speaks at a march on May 9 expressing solidarity with Annunciation House
As you know, in my ministry at the border, I have been working at different shelters run by Annunciation House. On May 8, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed another application for a temporary injunction against Annunciation House after the case he had filed in February had not moved from the court’s docket. Outrageously and falsely, Paxton accuses our ministry of “systemic criminal conduct in Texas,” including facilitating illegal border crossings or concealing “illegally present aliens from law enforcement.” For more background on this ongoing controversy, read the National Catholic Reporter article tinyurl.com/AHouse-Paxton.
In spite of these accusations, we continue to open the doors to migrants and to live out our faith. A march was organized the following day in protest of these false accusations and in support of Ruben Garcia, the founder and executive director of A-House. On June 6, the Washington Post ran an in-depth feature on Annunciation House and Ruben’s work, which included a number of photos from Casa Papa Francisco, where I continue to work. See tinyurl.com/WaPo-AHouse.
Sadly, anti-immigration policies are enjoying bipartisan support at this moment. In early June, President Biden issued his own anti-immigration executive order. Unfortunately, it was not a surprise that migrants were once again used as a political ploy. Speaking for the bishops’ conference, Bishop Seitz said, “We are deeply disturbed by this disregard for fundamental humanitarian protections and U.S. asylum law…. There is a crisis of conscience at the U.S.-Mexico border.” You can read his statement at tinyurl.com/seitz-statement.
Encuentro Project participants join in prayer before serving dinner at El Paso’s Holy Family shelter.
Our border immersion program, Encuentro Project, which started in December 2018, has hosted a total of 89 groups. Our participants have varied from high school and university students to teachers from various universities, members of non-denominational churches and groups of friends. The experience transforms people’s hearts and gives them new perspectives about the marginalized asylum seekers.
Through education, service, activities, reflection and community living, the encounter motivates them to make a difference in their lives. To quote one: “Come and see, form your group and be amazed with this encounter.” Visit encuentroproject.org.
Personal note: Last May I moved to a new home, an extension of the Maryknoll Intentional Community. We have not yet named our new home, but we call ourselves the “Groguettes” since my housemates Heidi and Megan are most fond of Grogu, a Mandalorian movie character.
Until next time, I appreciate and thank you for your donations, prayers and encouragements. Have a funtastic Summer!
Much love and many blessings,
Coralis
Please consider supporting my mission work at the U.S.-Mexico border with a donation through the link below.
I invite you to walk with me as a “COMPANION IN MISSION.” Companions in Mission are friends and generous donors who give financial gifts on a regular (usually monthly) basis. For more information, visit Become a Companion in Mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Coralis is a community volunteer at a shelter for asylum seekers released from ICE or CBP detentions and at “La Tilma” feeding program of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas. She previously served with Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Kenya for 19 years. She is the co-author of the Orbis book What’s So Blessed About Being Poor?
