- December 3, 2021
Sisters once again serve migrants in Texas
On Nov. 4, Sisters Maureen Freeman, Jo Ann Geary and Patrice Coolick traveled to Laredo, Texas, to continue working with immigrants seeking entrance to the United States at La Frontera, the Catholic Charities shelter. The following events of the sisters' work in Laredo are adapted from Facebook posts by Sister Maureen.
November 8
The shoes tell the story of walking to freedom. No shoelaces speak of his days in detention. Leaving them with me and receiving a new pair means his journey to citizenship has just begun. Today Sisters Jo Ann Geary, Patrice Coolick and Maureen Freeman began the journey with this young man from Haiti.
November 10
Today was hospital and food day. S. Jo Ann and I helped put all the ingredients into the clamshell for supper. Fortunately for the immigrants, we did not do the cooking. Bishop Tamayo stopped by in the morning just to say hello, not just to us, but all the immigrants and workers.
Thankfully, Sisters Patrice and Jo Ann are nurses because we had a little emergency for one of the volunteers and also one of the immigrants whose blood pressure was too high, and so off to the hospital. So a good part of the afternoon was spent at the hospital and filling prescriptions.
Every day is different. But thanks to all our donors we have been able to be there for the people when they need us.
November 16
Life on the border continues to give us surprises every day. A group of women gathered one morning to pray before they separated, each going to a different place in the U.S.A. Tears and prayers. The guys just wanted to show off their new jeans. They really thought they were something and they are.
The numbers coming to us are increasing. Before yesterday, we had 90 staying overnight, and I’m not sure how many we had yesterday. We are beginning to see more families.
Please keep us in your prayers and all of these women, men and children who are experiencing a sense of loss and an excitement of starting a new life.
November 17
Nurses to the rescue! Yes, S. Jo Ann caught a case yesterday that turned out to be an appendicitis. After checking with Patrice, she decide to call the ambulance. Although the paramedics weren’t so sure, Jo Ann knew something was not right. The young man had surgery last night and was back at the shelter this afternoon. Had Jo Ann not diagnosed the problem and he had traveled, who knows what would have happened. If for no other reason, that’s why we have been here these two weeks—to save this young man’s life.
November 19
Last day … mixed feelings as we say our good byes. Last evening meal served outside. The immigrants helped us make the Thanksgiving bags that the Knights of Columbus will distribute to the poor in Laredo. How’s that for irony? These folks are always so willing to help out and so grateful for whatever they receive.
Today was our last run to the shoe store. Being with these people who have walked so far has given me a new sense of the importance of shoes. They are a lifeline, not just something that is part of an outfit.
Goodbye, Laredo. You have changed us forever!