This is my view when I leave the house of the Sisters of Charity on my way to El Paso, about 30 minutes away. It is ruggedly beautiful but imagine yourself carrying your toddler across this terrain for days seeking a safe shelter. 

Yesterday I traveled back and forth to the airport with families and fortunately, Southwest airlines gives me a pass to be able to accompany them to their gate. For all of them it was the first time they've ever been on a plane. Each family gets a bag of some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a couple pieces of fruit some crackers excetera from the shelter to tide them over till they get to their destinations. The hotel that Annunciation house is renting and I'm serving, doesn't have any clothing so many times, children are in short sleeves and on their way to northern ports where it's cold and snowing. One has to remember that it's in the thirties at night here too. 

You don't see two parents with their children because the father's would be placed in a detention center and send back to their country of origin. They are traveling with nothing but the clothes on their backs with hopes of being welcomed by a family member or friend someplace in the United States. The hopes of making a home and having a life to raise their children just like any parent would. 

All of the adults have to wear ankle bracelets to identify where they are  for immigration. It struck me today when I brought a young mom and her sick baby to the airport that if Mary was living today, she would have to wear an ankle bracelet to ensure she went to Bethlehem and that Joseph would have been detained and deported back to Nazareth.

Mom and daughter I accompanied to the airport.

At the end of the day I return to the community of Sisters of Charity. They have been on the border almost 30 years working with people on the move. What a witness and they are so gracious and welcoming.

As we near the end of Advent, anticipating Emmanuel, God with us being on the border has opened my eyes to the reality of the Holy Family seeking welcome. All the more reason I find I need to be here these days to be a face of welcome and being part of a community that wishes to help.

Know I carry you all in my heart and in each encounter with each person I meet.

La Paz,
Hermana Donna