The Provincial's weekly letter to the Salesian Family:
November 13, 2014
Dear Salesian sisters and brothers,
Last night I flew back to Los Angeles after four days in Tijuana, Mexico and Ciudad Juarez. As I had mentioned in my last letter to the Salesian Family, Fr. Guillermo Basañes, the delegate for the Missions, was here with us for several days. His visit was a beautiful experience of fraternity, accompaniment, encouragement and challenge.
Fr. Guillermo Basanes arrived into Los Angeles last Thursday evening, November 6th. During his time in the southland, he visited the different communities, schools, parishes and Boys and Girls Clubs. Guillermo gave goodnights, spoke with small group of students, celebrated the Eucharist with the students and staff of Salesian High School, Los Angeles and at St. Dominic Savio, visited the novices and relaxed with the Brothers at meals and social gatherings. He even attended a football game at St. John Bosco High School.
On Sunday, after celebrating the 8am Spanish Mass at St. Dominic Savio, Juan Carlos Montenegro and I drove Fr. Guillermo to Tijuana, to visit our Salesian presence there. After visiting three different oratories and celebrating the Eucharist at St. Joseph the worker oratory, we visited the immigration offices where Mexicans who have been arrested or caught without documentation on the United States side, are deported to Mexico. It was an eye-opening experience to be at the gate (literally, a gate) where thousands of Mexicans pass from one country to another and to see the process they go through to get them somewhat situated back in their country of origin. Unfortunately, if these Mexicans, mostly young males, do not get situated somehow, with family, work, etc., in a very short time they become homeless and many, addicted to drugs. It is sad to see so many young men and some women, whose lives have been ruined by drugs and their lack of future possibilities. There is no easy solution but a reflection must be made on both sides of the border. This situation is not only a Mexican problem or only a United States problem. Where young people are involved, we are all involved and we must be concerned. The following day, Monday, early in the morning, we drove to the Desayunador, the dining hall that feeds close to a 1000 homeless men and women every day. The Salesians and many volunteers begin their day with Mass in the dining room and, after a quick coffee and pan dulce, the doors open to the hundreds who are already lined up outside. A full breakfast is offered plus possibility for showering, haircuts, simple medical assistance and other services. The ministry is still growing and plans for another building, more rooms for long term residency and educational opportunities are already underway. It is impressive the number of dedicated volunteers who give of their time every day to help assist at the Desayunador.
Later that morning, we walked to the border area where thousands of homeless men and women live. Although, I have seen many homeless environments throughout my life, it was sad and surprising to see so many homeless young men and women, as far as the eye could see. Again, many of these homeless folks seem addicted to drugs. The Salesians in Mexico continue to reflect on what they can do to make a difference. Something that impressed me was how many young people had spent most of their lives in the United States. They came from the neighborhoods of Long Beach, Boyle Heights, Pico Rivera, Garden Grove, etc. And, many also came from other States. They had been taken to the United States at a very early age and were now deported. Some found themselves in their country of origin but unable to speak the language (Spanish) or understand the culture. This was not the world they had grown up in but now, by force, this was their new home.
On Monday afternoon, Juan Carlos and I flew to El Paso, Texas from San Diego. We were greeted by two volunteers who are spending some time in Ciudad Juarez with the Salesians and entered the program through Juan Carlos Montenegro’s efforts. They drove us to Ciudad Juarez where we met up with Fr. Basanes and Hugo Orozco, the provincial of Guadalajara. The Salesians, lacking rooms in their house (there are five Salesians and five volunteers living in the Salesian House) offered us accommodations at a nearby hotel.
The next morning, four of us, including Fr. Guillermo, were driven to the Salesian house in a nearby neighborhood, and we celebrated the Eucharist in the small chapel with the community. After a hearty breakfast, we were taken to visit the central offices in a different part of town. The offices are situated in a building with other non-profit organizations. We met the team and had an enlightening dialogue with them and listened to their future plans. We were then treated to a wonderful lunch at a cooperators’ son’s restaurant. We then continued our tour of the three oratories. Two are situated in poor and dangerous neighborhoods. After a full day, the whole community was hosted for dinner at the home of some benefactors. On Wednesday, after our Eucharist with Fr. Guillermo and another great breakfast at the Salesian house, Juan Carlos and I spent a good amount of time sharing our experiences with the two volunteers from our Western Province. Frs. Guillermo and Hugo were taken to the airport to fly to Mexico City and I was driven to El Paso to fly back to Los Angeles.
I will need to sit down and reflect more deeply on my experience in the border towns of Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. The Congregation is asking us to work together as a region and, especially, as the two provinces of United States and Mexico, to establish a significant presence together at the border.
The Congregation is challenging us to work together for the many young people who are poor, abandoned and at risk. This is a wonderful vision! We will need the courage and faith to move forward.
On December 9, 10 & 11, a committee of 12 has been formed to meet in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to dialogue on what can be done with migrant kids at the border. Fr. Mike Gergen, Juan Carlos Montenegro and I have been asked to be part of that committee. I, unfortunately, will be in Laredo and San Antonio, Texas, at a provincial council meeting with the FMA—planned a long time ago. I will try to join the group on one of the mornings or afternoons.
There is so much more reflection and dialogue needed, but I have gone long enough. So, for now, let us pray for the success of this endeavor and ask God, through the intercession of Don Bosco, to fire us up and give us the passion and vision that he had which changed the world of the young. Today as we celebrate the feast of Blessed Artemidis Zatti, let us ask him to pray for us and help us reach out as he did, in ways that are new and effective, to alleviate the sufferings of so many. We wish to welcome back Tim Ploch, who will be visiting us for several days. Fr. Tim arrives Sunday, November 16 and leaves Thursday, November 20th. Tim will spend some time with the provincial council and help us continue to reflect on ways we can move forward, especially, with the recommendations given to us by Fr. Pascual Chavez after our extraordinary visitation. We thank God for Guillermo Basanes and Fr. Tim Ploch’s visits. These are blessings for our province, which God gives to us to help us grow stronger and encourage us on our journey toward a great future!
With warm regards,
Ted
Rev. Ted Montemayor, SDB
Provincial
