News & Events

 

Ministry at the Border


Click here to view more updates from the OSP-IHM Border Community.


Updates from the OSP-IHM Border Community by Sister Mary Elaine Anderson, IHM

Recently, Monsignor Daniel Flores, Bishop of Brownsville, received a letter from Pope Francis, thanking him for the multiple ways that the people of God in his diocese are accompanying migrants at the Texas-Mexico border. Pope Francis wrote: "I have no doubt that the current situation [of migrants] should impel us to seek the promotion and integration of those who share the same condition in which the Lord found himself.”

Welcoming and accompanying migrants who are fleeing violence and searching for a more humane way of life for themselves and their families is the loving work of all God’s people, not just those living along the southern border. The collaborative efforts of OSP-IHM sisters, associates and friends testify to the importance of encountering the migrant wherever he/she may be—on the border, in the classroom, in our churches and in our neighborhoods.

The OSP-IHM Core Community in Texas, is grateful to the larger OSP-IHM family for their collaboration and the creative and multiple ways inwhich they engage to welcome and accompany migrants both at the border and throughout the US.

Many have asked how they might donate to our OSP-IHM collaborative ministry. Monetary donations will help us to buy food, clothing, medicine, toiletries and activity materials for migrants at the Casa del Migrante or Senda de Vida II in Reynosa, Mexico, and at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas.

Checks can be made payable to: Sisters of IHM.

They can be mailed to:
Sister Rose Patrice Kuhn, IHM
Mary, Comfort of Migrants
905 N. 50th St.
McAllen, TX 78501

Schools and youth groups may prefer to collect school supplies or other articles rather than money. Donated articles might include: travel size toiletries, shoelaces, underwear, socks, t-shirts, gloves, hats and scarves. Clothing should be new. We will probably be putting together more backpacks for school-aged children and will need: #2 pencils, large erasers, glue sticks, colored pencils and crayons. No scissors or rulers please! Boxes with donated goods can be mailed to the address above.