The International Presentation Association supports and encourages its global membership as they respond to injustices and build bridges across challenging divides. At the U.S. – Mexico border, a wall stands as a stark reminder of just such a divide. And Presentation Sisters have engaged deeply with local individuals and organizations to address the immediate needs of migrants. Their stories inspire Presentation People everywhere to act in support of women, children, migrants, and all people in need.
Marge Healy, PBVM, IPA Justice Contact from Dubuque, Iowa, shares her experience of one month in Nogales, Mexico supporting the Kino Border Initiative. This Initiative “strives to respond to the most critical needs by respecting the God-given dignity of the human person and by fostering bi-national solidarity through humanitarian assistance, education and research/advocacy.”
With support from a grant by the Hilton Foundation, the Kino Border Initiative was able to invite sisters with experience working in Latin America and proficiency in Spanish such as Marge to live in Nogales, Mexico for a month. The shared living space was occupied by other volunteers and Presentation Sisters, including Yliana Hernandez PVBM, who shares her own insight on this blog. During this time, the sisters work directly with migrants attempting to cross the border, their families, or those who have been turned away from entering the United States.
“We too are invited to follow in Nano’s footsteps and fan into flame the gift of God in our own lives and in our own time. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of the soul in shadowy times like these – to be fierce and to show mercy towards others – are both acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. Do Not Lose Heart.” – Christina Pinkola Estes
