Situation in Postville still dire

Carrie Kirsch, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, may be miles away from Postville, Iowa, but she is working hard to make sure people do not forget what happened that day in May.“Several hundred families are still suffering from the immigration raid against Agriprocessors, Inc.,” says Sister Carrie. “The needs are great.”

According to Sister Carrie, volunteers and monetary donations are needed most. “Individuals willing to help assist with transportation arrangements or triage phone calls would alleviate some of the work faced by the staff at St. Bridget’s Parish.” Bilingual individuals are strongly encouraged to consider volunteering for the parish.Monetary donations are also appreciated. “Travel, housing and emergency expenses are covered by St. Bridget’s Hispanic Ministry Fund,” says Sister Carrie. “That fund has supported several hundred Hispanics—many are children who must stay in Postville, and these needs won’t end soon.”

Sister Mary McCauley, BVM, former administrator of St. Bridget’s, expresses, “Sincere gratitude for the generosity of the thousands of people who have donated to the Hispanic Ministry Fund.”

Recently the State of Iowa awarded a grant of approximately $600,000 to aid the families affected by the shut down at Agriprocessors. But, Sister Mary explains, “This money can only be given to U.S. citizens. This means that the Hispanic families who remain in Postville—very likely because they have GPS devices on their ankles, or have been asked by the government to serve as witnesses in future litigation—continue to need help from the St. Bridget Hispanic Ministry Fund.”

Sisters Mary says, “The last thing the families want to do is to ask for charity, but the reality is that they have no other means to support their families. They are therefore most grateful for the ongoing care and concern of the members of our various faith communities.”

Rigoberta Mench, Nobel Peace Prize winner, visited the Postville community, and asked all present to continue to be in solidarity with those who suffer from the raid. She emphasized the need to continue to work towards comprehensive immigration reform. She also urged us to make known at every level possible the abuses that these people suffered in the judical process and continue to suffer.

Anyone wishing for more information regarding volunteer opportunities should contact St. Bridget’s Parish at 563- 864-3138. Monetary donations should be mailed to St. Bridget's Hispanic Ministry Fund, c/o Paul Rael, PO Box 369, Postville, Iowa 52162.

This article is courtesy of Sisters United News.