Thread: Looking for hope

Looking for hope, those affected by raids turn to prayer


Looking for hope



Vanessa Delgado, (Bio) vdelgado@greeleytribune.com
December 16, 2006



Nearly 150 people from the community crowded into Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on Friday for a special mass held for the families and friends of those who were taken in the immigration raid on Tuesday at Swift & Co. meat packing plant.

"Before us is a challenge to give one another a chance," said Rev. Bernie Schmitz to a diverse crowd. "We need to make ourselves a community. Not just a Latino community, not just a Catholic community."

Since the raid, the church has played an important role in aiding the families affected by hosting prayers throughout the week and a forum on Wednesday offering legal advice at which almost 300 attended, he said.

"These crises give us an opportunity to show the power of Christ," Schmitz said. "We need comprehensive immigration reforms."

Many of the those who were taken in the raid were members of the church and attended mass before going to work. Tuesday was El Dia de Guadalupe, a religious holiday that recognizes when the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego.

Many of those who attended the mass on Friday were not members of the church, but came to support the families. Jeer Shepherd of Greeley was joined by other members of Family of Christ Presbyterian Church.

"I think that it's important that all of us support our community and immigrants are part of that community," Shepherd said, who came ready with candles to light to honor the families affected. "I understand it's not an easy issue but we have to find a way a way to integrate people in the community."

Schmitz has visited and offered religious support to the affected families and said the church will continue to play a role in aiding them through the holidays and into the new year.

During Friday's service, Schmitz invited four guest priests, one of whom traveled from Chihuahua, Mexico, to pray with the families.

Today the church is hosting its annual Alvin Garcia Christmas Party with a visit from Santa Claus, a piñata and gifts for the children.

"

These crises give us an opportunity to show the power of Christ," Schmitz said. "We need comprehensive immigration reforms."

The thing that infuriates me most about this article is that they are trying to use Christ as leverage to try to show there is nothing criminal about what they are doing!!!! DO they truly believe that Christ is on their side when he is always on the side of right and justice?

"I understand it's not an easy issue but we have to find a way a way to integrate people in the community."

Since when did finding a way for immigrants to assimilate become America's responsibility?
Obviously this bonehead doesn't realize that the responsibility lies on the immigrants head to assimilate, not us. It is THEIR responsibility to learn English, etc.

I hear you ...it is ridulous not to mention outrageous!