This is what we are about: We plant
seeds that one-day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they
hold future promise. We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our
capabilities.
-
Oscar Romero (1917-1980), Archbishop of San Salvador
Thirty years ago, the Missionary
Oblates in San Antonio Texas (formerly Southern US Province) responded to the
challenges of the time when refugees and asylum seekers from Central Americans
arrived into Texas after fleeing the civil wars in Honduras, El Salvador,
Nicaragua and Guatemala.
The Missionary Oblates became founding
members of the Refugee Aid Project, which began to assist Central American
refugees and asylum seekers. The Refugee Aid Project provided food, clothing,
language classes, housing, medical and legal referrals to these migrants. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate donated a building to the Refugee Aid project, which
is now called RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal
Services).
Today, RAICES (Refugee and
Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) still located in San Antonio is doing remarkable work; assisting vulnerable members of the community especially refugees, asylum
seekers, unaccompanied migrant children and women, and immigrants in detention.
More information about services and programs of RAICES, visit www.raicestexas.org
Commenting on the recent article published in Subpoena Magazine-
the monthly magazine of the San Antonio Bar Association about RAICE - Refugee
and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, Fr. Rufus Whitley OMI
wrote, “It is nice to see something that started over 30 years ago is still
flourishing and the Oblate part is still remembered.”
Reflecting on the Oblate
contribution to the migrant center, U.S Provincial Fr. Bill Antone
OMI said, “Planting seeds comes to my mind and it is nice to see
that we (Oblates) are remembered for our part in this.”
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