Tuscon, Arizona
12,837 Farmworkers Total in Arizona-the entire gamut of green vegetables where the months from November to April are key. More than 8000 cross the border for seasonal work. Many farmworkers migrate to other areas of the US for seasonal planting to harvesting work. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Sembrador Initiative
On Saturday, August 27, after much preparation and excitement, we began the Sembrador, Formation of Communities of Accompaniers program at the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Somerton Arizona. Eighteen persons participated from the Yuma Vicariate who themselves were agricultural workers. They came with the hope of preparing themselves to accompany the men & women farmworkers in their region.
During the first session each of the participants made it clear their deep sense of solidarity with the migrant & resident farmworkers, and their commitment to learn how to accompany them in a respectful and mutual manner.
The second session two weeks later used the hybrid method of zooming in to board members who spoke about their work in migrant camps around the country and the significance of accompaniment by the local Catholic Church.
We are grateful to the Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network and the executive director, Fr Thomas Florek, sj, who coordinated the first two Sembrador formation sessions. We also have heartfelt gratitude for the zoom presenters, Nelly Dominguez of Brownsville, Texas and Jose Lopez of Stockton, California. And Adan Martinez who works behind the scenes coordinating the technological details.
El sábado 27 de agosto iniciamos con mucho entusiasmo el Programa Sembrador- Formación de Comunidades de Acompañantes en la parroquia de Inmaculado corazón de Maria en Somerton AZ, con la participación de 18 personas en su mayoría campesinos y campesinas inmigrantes pertenecientes al Vicariato de Yuma Arizona, todos ellos con la ilusión de capacitarse para acompañar a los campesinos y campesinas de nuestra región.
Durante la primera sesión del programa Sembrador, cada uno de los integrantes del grupo hicieron patente su profundo sentido de solidaridad con el pueblo campesino migrante e inmigrante y sus compromiso de aprender a acompañarlos de una manera respetuosa y reciproca.
La segunda sesión, dos semanas después, usó el método híbrido de acercarse a los miembros de la junta que hablaron sobre su trabajo en los campamentos de migrantes en todo el país y la importancia del acompañamiento de la Iglesia católica local.
Nuestra gratitud para la Red católica del Campesino Migrante, a su director ejecutivo, Padre Thomas Florek quien impartió las dos primeras sesiones del programa; agradecemos de corazón a los colaboradores que nos acompañaron por Zoom y a los que trabajan tras bambalinas.
¡El programa Sembrador es un signo de esperanza y bendición!
Description
Daily an average of 20,000 men & women cross the U.S. Mexican border in the middle of the night to begin work at 6:30 am. The Yuma region home to Cesar Chavez, has a rich history of labor organization for securing human rights and of Church involvement. And his important labor achievements live on in people’s lives today.
The times are changing. This is noted in the increasing number of H-2A workers who are aging, and an anti-immigration environment impacting the protection, dignity, health, housing, working conditions and a living wage of the legal migrant agricultural workers as it impacts society’s mindsets. The COVID 19 pandemic has also added to the health needs of the workers along with diabetes, stress and domestic issues.
Where there is challenge there is also hope. The involvement of the Diocese, various pastors and numerous men and women with a desire to serve, offers hope. In addition to parishes interested in aiding the workers are a network of organizations already involved in some for of migrant assistance: Campesinos w/o Borders, the Mexican Consulate, et al.
Fast Facts
The Diocese of Tucson includes nine Arizona counties comprising nearly 43,000 square miles, making it the fifth largest diocese in the continental United States as far as area is concerned.
These counties are Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal (not including Gila River Indian Community), Cochise, Santa Cruz, Pima, Yuma, and La Paz.
Pope Pius IX established the Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona in 1868, taking its territory from part of the Diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Diocese of Tucson was canonically erected by Pope Leo XIII as a diocese on May 8, 1897.
As of 2019, there are more than 220 priests serving the Diocese. This number includes diocesan priests, religious order members and international priests.
The Diocese’s territory has been reduced three times: In March 1914 to establish the Diocese of El Paso; In December 1939 to establish the Diocese of Gallup; and in June 1969 to establish the Diocese of Phoenix.
Contact us.
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111 S Church Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 792-3410
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Teresita Kontos (Represents Southwest)
Coordinator of Farmworker Ministry
Vicariate of Yuma/Diocese of Tucson
Yuma, AZ
(928) 920-1592 Cell
teresitakontos@gmail.com
The CMFN office is currently located at: 13818 South Ave. 14 E Yuma, AZ 85367
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Sr. Gladys Echenique, O.P.
Coordinator
(520) 838-2540
gecheniquediocesetucson.org