Report of the International Vincentian Mission in the US prepared by Fr. Art Kolinsky, C.M.THE ARRIVAL
Newark airport was filled with travelers. The screen at the International Arrivals confirmed that Continental Flight #36 had arrived from Costa Rica. Where is the delegation from the Costa Rican Province?. The nuns, laypeople from Panama were there. The Vincentian priest and lay couple from Los Angeles were there. The entire group awaiting the arrival of the 5 Costa Ricans. What happened? They should have arrived an hour ago. Should we leave or are they still in immigration and customs getting cleared to come out. Finally, they came through the passageway. A cheer went up from the other missionaries as they greeted the newly arrived. What happened? A big delay at the immigration inspection. But here they are.
This scene was repeated all afternoon and into the night of August 1st as the members of the International Vincentian Family began arriving to participate in the orientation at Princeton and then the mission week. They came from 13 countries: Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Salvador, Mexico. Others did not have to go through immigration as they arrived from California, Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina, Florida.
THE EXPECTATION
The look of excited anticipation was on the faces of all. What will this be like? The first time to do a mission with the people from my country that live in the United States. Most of the missionaries were not known to each other. Some had met at other mission experiences, but for the most part they were meeting each other for the first time. There was so much energy in the group as the Mexicans explained how they conducted missions in Mexico. The Panamanians listened and said we do it a little different in Panama. The Dominicans were anxious to describe their mission process. All sharing and being open to this totally new experience of mission in a new environment – what a richness.
The 20 member Organizing Committee was both relieved and anxious. Relieved that the moment had finally arrived and the more than one year of preparation work would be completed. Hoping and praying that the experience be a positive one, that the people in the parishes turn out for the mission. They were anxiously hoping that there would be no need to use the Accident/Medical Insurance policy that was taken out on each of the visiting missionaries from Latin America. Concerned that the generous financial assistance from the Eastern and Southern Province swould suffice to realize the “mission impossible”.
One could sense the apprehension of the visiting missionaries. “Will the people participate the same as in our National Missions in Panama”? Will we have to speak a lot of English?” The United States is known as a Non-Catholic country, can we celebrate the mission in the streets like in the Dominican Republic? Is it true that there are 100,000 Salvadorans in New York? What do the Mexican immigrants do in New York? How do the Puerto Ricans live in Philadelphia? And many more questions filled the minds of the visiting missionaries as they went through the days of orientation in Princeton.
THE ORIENTATION BEGINS
Orientation sessions were given. “The Reality of the Immigrants in the United States: where is the biggest increase, how many are there”; What is a mission like in the USA”; “Inculturation for the missionary to be able to minister in a new environment and reality”. There was so much to try to cram into the few hours available to prepare ourselves. Then, the missionaries were divided into eight teams of 10 or 15 to get to know each other and to work together preparing the mission for the parish. Eight parishes had expressed a willingness to host the mission: in New York , four in the Rockville Centre Diocese, one in Brooklyn Diocese, and three in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Each of the groups prepared the themes that they would present to the adults, youth and children.
Finally, on Saturday after lunch, the vans and cars were marked with the specific destination and the missionaries searched out the vehicle that would go to the parish of mission. It was an exciting and emotional moment as the vehicles pulled away heading toward New York and Philadlphia. It must have pleased St. Vincent, St. Louise and Frederick Ozanam as they watched the Vincentian Family Missionaries go off to evangelize the poor.
THE ARRIVALS AT THE PARISHES
With the group of 11 missionaries from many countries, I was driving the van that took us to St. Hugh of Lincoln Parish in Huntington Station, New York. It was a little tense as we found ourselves in a traffic jam on the Belt Parkway. Tense, because we had asked the parishioners to be at the parish hall at 4pm to receive the missionaries. Now it was getting late and clearer that we were going to arrive late. My question was: Will they be there? Will then wait for us? I hope they don’t get annoyed and go home. Finally, one hour late, we pulled into the parking lot of St. Hugh’s parish. Leaving the bags in the car, we went into the hall. What a surprise to see the balloons, decorations, the youth group band playing and all singing to greet us.
What a reception! A reception that was organized by the people of the parish. I had no idea it would be so exciting. A big meal had been prepared and many of the parishioners were present to give us the “Bienvenida” “Welcome”. We enjoyed the music and the good food. Everyone was content. Then came the moment when one by one we announced the name of the host and the missionary. The host came forward and then the name of the missionary was called. It was a real Christian sharing moment. The Latinamerican missionary had generously left home and family in the country of origin. Bags were packed to take off for an unknown place to live in an unknown house with an unknown family. The hosts who generously offered to give lodging and food for a whole week to the unknown missionary. This was an experience of church in the true sense. What generosity on part of the missionary and on the part of the family that opened their home and hearts to this new friend from Latinamerica. In many homes, the presence of the missionary meant that the children of the house or the parents had to double up or sleep on the couch at night. Surely there were moments of inconvenience for all, but in the spirit of the mission, all was accepted and appreciated.
Then the mission began at the 8:15am Sunday Liturgy. All the missionaries, priests, sisters and laity along with the liturgical ministers of the parish walked out in procession. You could see the excitement on the faces of the parishioners as they saw this long line of 12 missionaries processing into the Mass. The church was filled and the music of the Carismatic Choir lifted each one’s spirits. It was clear from the very first days that the mission would be a great success.
THE MISSION WEEK
Early on Monday morning, at 6am, all the missionaries and some of the local parish missionary met at the “Corral” a fenced in area on Depot Road where the unemployed immigrant men come each morning to look for work for the day. They are called “Day Laboreres”. They do not have a steady job, but come to the “Corrall” each morning to see if they have the luck to have someone come by and offer them a job for the day. It was sad to see so many young men in the group. The desire to work certainly present, but perhaps due to lack of papers, or language, they are unemployed. Still they looked for their daily bread and to earn a living working honestly and not stealing from others.
Our task here was a simple one of presence and solidarity. Just to sit and talk with the men in small groups as they waited for a vehicle to come by and take them to work. As much as we enjoyed the conversation with each one, we were trained to accept the fact that when work presented itself, the individuals would run off to the entering truck or car to see if they would be picked to work that day. None of us were hurt or insulted by the rapid departure of a person with whom we were talking. The conversation always centered around the workers family in el Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, etc. Picturs were shown of beautiful wives and adorable children. Sometimes tears would well up in the eyes of the daylaborer as he talked about his family and how long it has been since he saw them. IT was so good to be able to spend this quality time with the men to help them feel better. Some mornings we brought sandwiches for them to eat. But what was appreciated was that we were there at their side, learning their names and spending time together.
The first day we just got to observe this phenomenon. In our evaluation, we thought it would be nice to offer something more to the men. That is when the Youth Group said that they would go and sing some songs for the men while they waited for work. So began the early morning concerts for the daylaborers. Hymns were sung and a brief scripture reading and short reflection was offered to the men as they began their day at the “Corral”. Their eyes were fixed on the musical combo that was playing music and singing. Little by little they began moving their lips to form the words of the hymns. It was a touching moment. Not much preaching, but lots of presence and witness.
The rest of the morning was spent in prayer and preparation for the nightly mission sessions. In the afternoon, some visited homes, others looked for the shut-ins and sick. After supper we had the night session of the mission with all the families.
The mission week passed too quickly. The missionaries and the people did not want it to end. It was so nice to get together every day to pray, reflect, sing, enjoy the dynamics of the mission. Finally, the night before the missionaries gathered together for the closing liturgy, there was another gala celebration and dinner hosted by the leaders of the community and the Charismatic group. The food was delicious and the music animated everyone. After the going away party, once again tears were present as young and old bid farewell to the visiting missionaries from Latin America. The next day, Sunday, August 11, 2002 the missionaries processed into the church for the closing liturgy. Again, tearful goodbyes and requests to come back again to do another mission soon.
THE REUNION AT ST. JOHN’S
The excitement at OConnell hall that Sunday night was electric as the returning missionaries were reunited after a week of separation. Those from Philadelphia sharing their stories, those coming in from Brooklyn with their unique experiences, the others from Long Island adding their adventures to the session.
Exciting is not the word to describe the scene. Each of the eight parishes was different. In each parish were missionaries from various countries. Imagine what went on as they each came to relate the mission experience from each ones own point of view and culture. How rich these days would become as we shared our evaluations, and sought to learn as much as possible about Popular Missions in the USA with the immigrant population. The days went fast as we responded to questions of how the mission affected us, affected the parish, what were the blessings and mistakes. How could we do it better for ourselves and for the people.
Wednesday, after two days of dialogue and evaluation, we headed into New York City. It was only fair that there be some time for these tired missionaries to relax a bit in the “Big Apple” after their busy schedule and before leaving for home. All traveled on the famous New York Subway system. Some went uptown, some midtown, some downtown. We all met downtown at the campus of St. John’s very close to Ground Zero. There we enjoyed a fine closing dinner. All were tired when they arrived – have never walked so far.
THE RETURN TRIP
A good nights rest and the the next morning off to Newark airport to board the planes ready to go back to Latin America. All content for having had the experience. They were thrilled with their new friends among the Vincentian Family, new friends among the immigrant population in the United States. All feeling like better missionaries for the wonderful and enriching experience.
