Sembrador Initiative
The Sembrador Initiative is the formation of parish communities to provide continuous accompaniment in the area im-migrant farmworkers. The project development begins with a pilot program in the Kalamazoo Diocese and then is made accessible to multiple dioceses through both in-person & virtual formation courses.
Time Stamps of Interviews
42:09 Father Thomas Florek, Director of CMFN
33:04 and 38:19 Martha & Manuel, Husband and Wife and Former Farmworkers
36:00 Veronica Rodriguez, Hispanic Ministry Associate Director
Three Phases
Phase I
The first phase, Llamados a Servir / Called to Serve is about embracing one’s immigration and labor history as the fertile ground to serve others. Beginning with the participants who often have farm worker histories, the focus is on their life experience which now moves them to serve other farmworkers, not as individuals but as a faith community. The formation process includes the human understanding of the lives, cultures, hopes and challenges of the im-migrant and H-2A seasonal and year-round agricultural workers.
Phase II
The second phase, Discípulos Misioneros / Missionary Disciples, builds upon the accompanying experience of the parish communities following Phase I and the agricultural season. The curriculum intends for the participants to give voice to their experience through the popular study of biblical practical theology, Church documents and relevant signs-of-the-times. In addition, are tools to help the participants understand the faith/justice issues in the lives of im-migrant workers.
Phase III
The third phase, Vayan y den Fruto / Go and Bear Fruit, includes a dialogue with farmworkers, social workers, health & legal experts to broaden the horizon of the accompaniers. The desired outcome is for the parish communities of accompaniers to expand their membership for a long-term commitment to accompany farmworkers.
Veronica Rodriguez, Kalamazoo Diocesan Director - Hispanic Ministry: Youth, Young Adults, Migrants
The Sembrador Initiative Communities of Accompaniment Formation
Sharing farmworker experiences in the Kalamazoo Diocese
Retired Agricultural Workers in Formation CMFN Sembrador 2021
