Sister Joan Sullivan and Sister Mary Helen Beirne, both members of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Philadelphia, spent a week (July 5-12, 2021) at the Catholic Charities of Laredo’s La Frontera respite care center serving immigrants who entered the United States via the border with Mexico. A journal of their reflections about their service follows.

July 5

On our flight to Laredo, we sighted a rainbow through our plane window. We decided that it was a sign for our journey. During these days, we hoped to be blessed with new eyes as we experienced life with our immigrant brothers and sisters. We offer you our graced moments.

July 6

Graced moment:
Today was our first day and we were not sure what to expect. Very soon we were working hard cleaning bathrooms and figuring out other ways to serve our families who would have only one day in this shelter before moving on. As we were nearly finished for the day, a tall, thin young man appeared after everyone had eaten. He seemed so hungry. We rustled up a ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of noodles, all of which he inhaled. When offered another sandwich, he ate it just as quickly. When finished, he looked up. We saw in his eyes both gratitude and gentleness — we didn’t need words.

Reflection:
Pondering our guest’s hunger and his thankful eyes, we considered all the hungers of life, including God’s hunger for us and our hunger for God.

July 7

Graced moment:
Today we served three meals. The first two were breakfast and lunch to those who had arrived yesterday without food or rest. After completing paperwork, showering, and getting fresh clothes from the used clothes room, the guests would gaze at the wall map of the U.S. seeing the distances yet to come as they prepared to continue their journey to a family, friend, or neighbor contact. In midafternoon, a new group of 60 families arrived. We served them a simple lunch of rice and a sandwich and a cookie. They said it was the most delicious food they’d had. It was then we learned that most of the families had not eaten a meal in nearly 10 days.

Reflection:
Despite all they had been through, our guests were not “grabby.” They were all attentive first to their little ones, then to the others with them, and then to themselves. We pondered how often we can be “grabby” and impatient rather than waiting for others and for God.

July 8

Graced moment:
The weather — torrential rains and flooding — was the challenge of today. Yet this terrible weather did not dampen the spirits and generous hearts of our immigrant sisters and brothers here in Laredo. Due to a dramatic increase in the number of arrivals (now about 100 people), we had to set up dining services in the church hall across the street from the respite center. Carts for lunch loaded with large hot pots of ramen noodles and platters of foil-wrapped, bean-filled tortillas had to be transported in pouring rain across the street to the hall. We no sooner headed out the door when some of the young fathers jumped to help navigate the carts across the rugged terrain of the street and flooded church grounds.

Reflection:
Our guests’ thoughtfulness and generosity taught us that language knows no barriers and love knows no bounds.

July 9

Graced moment:
The people we met each day were seeking asylum in the U.S. and would only get it if they could prove a “credible fear.” We wondered what makes fear credible. Is it torture? Is it starvation? Is it assault? Is it paying extortion money to the local cartel? Is it no money for food?? Is it domestic violence? When the young father in the hallway hugged his registration papers and his little “guy” on his lap, we tried to imagine the depth of his courage. When the mother who asked for deodorant and powdered milk for her 8 month old daughter held tight to her travel money order — hope for a new beginning in Iowa — we saw the fierceness of her protecting love.

Reflection:
Based on our encounter with each person we have met here, we prayed to learn anew the following: “Do not fear to hope….for our God sees not as we see … look to God whose mighty hand brought forth the day from the chaos of the night.”

July 10

Graced moment:
Today shoes were very important. On the way to La Frontera, we shopped at Family Dollar for necessities: 20 pairs of men’s pants, 30 deodorants, 15 pairs of children’s shoes with laces or velcro straps, and five men’s belts. Soon after our arrival, a family of four stood before us needing everything: clean clothes, a shower, food, and personal hygiene items. We searched the clothes room and had new wares for them after their showers. The two children were shyly delighted with colorful sneakers but, alas, we had no adult shoes. The father and mother did their best to hide their disappointment. While pondering another quick run to Family Dollar, we had visitors. An older couple drove up with their SUV trunk stuffed full of marked bags of clothing including adult shoes! We were so excited to find the young parents for “shoe try-ons” after lunch.

Reflection:
Sometimes “ancient” prayers rise up at moments like this: “Divine Providence can provide, Divine Providence will provide, Divine Providence does provide.”

July 11

Graced moment:
After serving two meals to our immigrant guests in the church hall, there was a Sunday pause which gave time for conversation with Becky Solloa, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo, which oversees La Frontera. The discussion became a lesson on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, the two international bridges at Laredo, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the multiple beliefs and perceptions in the U.S. about immigration. We sat around a worn table under the bingo sign in the church hall, while many of our guests napped on Army cots with thin Red Cross blankets. As Becky explained succinctly interconnections of local and national policies and politics, we were challenged by the complexities.

Reflection:
We are reminded again that immigration is not a single issue. May we listen with an open mind and heart in conversations with all kinds of people so that we can act with charity and justice for all.

July 12

Graced moment:
Tonight was our last at La Frontera and in Laredo. Laredo is so close to the border that we could see the Rio Grande from our hotel windows. This evening, we drove to the river’s edge. Standing there we tried to imagine the experiences of our sisters and brothers as they crossed over the Rio Grande into our country. What must they have felt? Uncertainty? Joy? Fear? Hope? Sadness? As we stood on the bank of the river with our co-volunteer from Manhattan College, Lois Harra, we prayed and sang, “peace is flowing like a river…..setting all the captives free.” We deeply desired that our newly arrived sisters and brothers would find peace and healing in their lives.

Reflection:
As we left Laredo, the words of our federation prayer — “to be a healing presence” — took on greater meaning. We prayed that we may always be both a healing presence and a voice for our immigrant brothers and sisters.