​On November 5, our Bishop’s Warden, Lou Duncan, and I, along with a
group from our diocese, visited a migrant shelter in Mexicali, Mexico. The
volunteer coordinator for the shelter had asked for sleeping bags, hoodies,
sweats, and other warm clothing for the migrants, who fled their homes
with only the clothes on their back. Now it is getting cold at night, so winter
clothing is needed. The people of St. George’s and others responded to
this call by generously donating these items. We brought what we could
carry across the border, and the rest will be delivered when other groups
visit Mexicali. There are currently 400 people in the shelter of whom 186
are children. These families and individuals are fleeing violence. Family
members have been killed and they have been threatened. They have
testified against gang members who have committed murder. The children
have been threatened with kidnapping. Even the journey to the border is
dangerous, but the migrants are courageous, and have no other option.
Currently 25 people from this shelter are allowed to cross the border 2
times a week. The migrants are simply waiting their turn.
We lent a listening ear, prayed with the migrants and played with the
children. Thanks to a retired Catholic nun from the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet, Sr. Susanne Jabro, we were well prepared and accompanied
to the border. Her ministry is to inform and accompany people who want to
visit. She asks for a sizeable monetary donation so that there is money to
feed the migrants, and she keeps track of the volunteer schedule. Suzanne
herself is a tremendous inspiration. 
We are grateful for having had the opportunity to be part of the migrants’
lives that day, and will keep them in our prayers and in our hearts.