Friends,
If I didn’t believe in miracles before, now I surely do. Last week we went from getting the news that the entire community of la Iglesia de San Romero was in detention, to one by one hearing that individuals were safe, to finally bailing out the two who were in fact detained. The community is together again, and I think it is a miracle. On Sunday I went in to work at the nursing home and found my desk covered with cookies to use at the coffee hour after Mass on Thursday nights, gifts from folks at Churchville United Methodist. It felt like a blessing, and a sign of hope. All is well.
On Thursday, Peter Veitch and I drove out earlier than usual and brought supper to the community. When this first happened I asked God to use it for a blessing, and you know what – God can use anything for a blessing! Mexican Independence Day was the next day, so I made a cake and decorated it like the Mexican Flag, and we stood around eating supper and then cake, and talking. We had a serious talk about the terrible situation they are in, and then we celebrated the Mass.
The reading was the one about the guy who gets forgiven a huge debt, then turns around and threatens someone who owes him a little bit of money. When I preached about that on the weekend, I talked about how we are a nation of immigrants, mostly people who came here to find a better life --- and yet now, we turn around and deny hospitality and safety to people who need a better life as much as our own ancestors did. (And we harm ourselves with it, wasting gazillions of dollars on a wall that doesn’t work, only brings more harm and waste).
I told them, “you already know all that!” and they nodded. Then I gave them a different sermon, and talked about Oscar Romero. No one had heard of him, or of liberation theology. We will have a lot to talk about in the weeks to come. So that’s one blessing to come out of this!
Another thing that will happen in the weeks (or months) to come is court dates in Buffalo. And I think St. Romero’s needs a bail fund. But for now, we can breathe and be grateful. Thank you, God of Love, God of the Poor, for walking with us every step of the way. Amen!
We had a lovely, loving first anniversary Mass on Sunday. Boy do I love this little church. Do you realize what a gift it is, to be such a little church? No budget worries, no personnel issues. Just worship and love and service. What a gift.
Sending prayers for Wally Ruehle, who suffered a bit of a health crisis this week but is on the mend. Thank you for all you have done for our immigrant brothers and sisters over the years, Wally! All shall be well.
Mary Wilkins and I continue to have breakfast each week, conversing only in Spanish. You are always welcome to join us. Usually we meet at 8 am on Wednesdays at Pat’s Coffee Mug on Clinton Ave, but this week it will be Thursday at 8:30. Bienvenidas/os!
If you are thinking of joining us for the migrant Mass, kindly send me a note or call.
On Wednesday, Sept 21, we will have a table at the GRCC fair at Asbury United Methodist (5-7, with Jim Wallis speaking at 7). I made a new flier for the church to hand out there – it’s attached if you’d like a copy. Hang it up, give it out, tell people about what we do. If you want!
Blessings and love to all,
Chava
This quote has been in my heart all week:
“The world is desperately in need of people who are building deep, genuine relationships with fellow strugglers along the way, and who actually know the faces of the people behind the issues they are concerned about.” –
Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution
If you are receiving this on Tuesday night, it is not too late to sign an on-line petition in defense of Troy Davis, who is scheduled to be executed tomorrow in Georgia:
http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Stop_the_Execution_of_Troy_Davis.php
Two upcoming events:
On October 6, Paul Finkelman will speak on Constitutional rights and immigration, first at St John Fisher at 3 pm, later at MCC at 7:30 pm.
On Wednesday, October 12, Fr Anthony Ruff will speak at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School at 7 pm, on the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal: “What do we do NOW?”
Hope to see you on Sunday – please keep everybody at Iglesia de San Romero– and all those they work with – in your prayers.
Oscar Romero Church
A Community of Liberation, Justice and Joy
Worshiping in the Catholic Tradition
Mass: Sundays, 11 am
St Joseph's House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave, Rochester NY 14620