Our Migrant Ministry recognizes the dignity and needs of migrant workers and offers hospitality to these members of our global human family. We strive to be responsive to their physical, spiritual, and social needs with welcome bags, transportation to Mass, food, friendship, and celebration of their culture, leading to a mutual enrichment.
Current Need
Reach out to ministry leaders if you are interested in this ministry and we will add you to our email list.
Background
Every spring many farm owners in North Carolina send a bus to various states in Mexico to pick up workers to pick crops. The workers are given a special, very limited, visa allowing them to work in North Carolina through the summer, though not permitting travel too far outside of the farm area.
The buildings that house the workers are inspected by North Carolina but many do not have enough beds for the workers and are very primitive. The workers must provide their own meals and living needs. The work is extremely hard in very hot conditions.
Our Effort
Our annual Migrant Ministry Drive provides for our welcome bags. Welcome bags include basic toiletries, a pair of chemical resistant gloves as they are very susceptible to nicotine poisoning, and usually hats and socks.
Every Sunday during the summer months June, July, August and September, St. Francis parishioners drive migrant farmworker to and from Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Louisburg, N.C. Once a month volunteers provide food and host a fiesta with games, good food and comradery.
This is an awesome opportunity for the entire family. We need volunteer drivers and donations of food items.
Ministry Leaders | Tom Carlson and Carlos Panameno
