October 21, 2011
Ferdinand Benedictines, local community, pray for DREAM Act
Editor’s note: The following article and the accompanying photos were provided by Greg Eckerle on behalf of Monastery Immacualte Conception, Ferd-inand.
The moving testimony of two Hispanic immigrants spoke loudly at the “Pray for the DREAM” prayer service held by the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand Oct. 7 at Monastery Immaculate Conception Church.
They were supporting the DREAM Act proposal, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, which would allow students who were brought to the United States as children — who have lived in the United States for at least five years, have graduated from high school, and are of good moral character — the opportunity to earn legal status by completing at least two years of college or military service in good standing.
One undocumented, anonymous immigrant had a personal story, which clearly points out the dilemma, read to the 70-plus in attendance. The person’s parents moved the family from El Salvador to escape rampant violence and to work for a better future. The writer received awards as the best math student in both eighth and nineth grade in a local school, and now dreams of attending college to become an accountant.
But it’s “only a dream,” the writer says. “I cannot see a way to use the intellectual gifts that God has given me, because I don’t have the necessary papers to be a college student.”
The writer, concluded, “say yes to the DREAM Act and my dream will be a reality.”
Grisel Barajas-Espinoza, the Latino liaison for Catholic Charities in Evansville, spoke passionately of the difficulties faced by undocumented immigrant students.
“It shouldn’t be hard for somebody to educate themselves,” she said. “There are a lot of smart people, but they are not allowed to do anything with it.”
After the service, Barajas-Espinoza said many of the attendees thanked her, and “some had eyes filled with tears and all they could do was hug me.” About half the audience was Hispanic adults and children.
She also said, “By not supporting the DREAM Act, we are telling many youth that we do not plan to achieve a better tomorrow. By allowing more immigrants to obtain an education, poverty in the United States would begin to decrease. By supporting the DREAM Act, we are supporting a more successful, more educated America.
“The service meant love and hope for the many immigrants who remain struggling to become the best they can be. It’s a strong movement that shows faith and fights for justice and help for those in need in the most peaceful way there is, by praying. The sisters’ prayer service gives others a chance to see the situation through God’s love, and educates in the same way that God would, by prayer.”
Benedictine Sister Karen Durliat, director of Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Evansville, helped coordinate the prayer service with Sister Paulette Seng.
“Having the Hispanic community join my Benedictine community for prayer is always special,” said Sister Karen.
“In 1867 our Benedictine foremothers came to Ferdinand to educate the children of German immigrants. It seems only right to do what we can to see that children of the new wave of immigrants are able to receive an education. We can pray for the DREAM Act,” she said.
“As the opening song said, ‘O Love of God make us one, so that we can share the gifts we are given, for the upbuilding of the community.”