Making Meaningful Connections Among Migrant Women and Our Sisters

L-R: Carolann Hazelton, Director of Activities, and Sisters Judy O’Brien, Mary Ellen Coyne and Patt Walsh at Our Lady of Peace, Scranton, PA

Thanks to the Sisters of IHM Ministry Grant Fund (Monroe, MI), the OSP-IHM Collaborative Border Community initiated a project that engaged migrant women in making environmentally friendly bags with the OSP-IHM Border Ministry logo. The
funds from the grant supplied the materials needed to make the bags and to pay the women for their work. The bags were completed in November and sent to the retirement communities of the three IHM congregations and the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Rose, Carmen, and I asked each migrant woman to pray for the sister who would receive the bag that she made. We also assured them that our sisters will continue to pray for them as they struggle to make a better life for their children and their families.

Sisters Marie Claire Matsinger, Dorothy Goodrich, Doris Kane and Helen Marie Gates at Camilla Hall, Malvern, PA

Sisters Angela Cerna-Plata
and Camille Brouillard
(Monroe IHMs)

We have heard from some of the sisters who, after receiving their bags, expressed appreciation, love, and concern for the migrant women and their families. “The totes are beautifully made and will be very useful in many ways. The Latino-Hispanic women have a nice touch and are very creative. Please tell them all that we love them and wish them health and happiness” Martha Gardiner (Scranton IHM). “In the name of all the Sisters here in Camilla, we thank you for these beautiful bags made with your loving hands!”

We are grateful to all our sisters who not only support our OSP-IHM Community and Ministry at the US-Mexico border but also advocate and pray for our migrant brothers and sisters throughout the US and Mexico.