By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Many reach out to help immigrants, migrants

Last January, the Catholic bishops of the United States and Mexico issued a joint pastoral letter titled "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope," in which they assert that persons unable to find economic opportunities in their homelands have a right to migrate to other countries to support themselves and their families.

This case is indeed a reality for the two countries. The bishops estimate that 800,000 Mexicans enter the United States each day, and each year, migrant workers send $10 billion of their wages back to relatives in Mexico.

In their letter, the bishops stress that immigration policy in both countries needs to respect the human rights and dignities of all people. They urge Catholics to welcome migrants and immigrants into their communities and to respect their rights, regardless of religion.

In the Diocese of Superior, there are several areas with populations of Mexican and Somalian laborers. Some Catholic communities have programs, or are planning to start programs, to aid the migrant workers and welcome them into their communities.

Hispanic laborers

There are 300 to 400 Hispanic migrants and immigrants in Merrill and an estimated 3,000 in Lincoln County and the surrounding communities. The majority hold minimum-wage seasonal jobs, such as agricultural labor or jobs at evergreen wreath factories.

Some members of St. Francis Xavier Parish and the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross are involved in a community-wide, multi-denominational group in Merrill, called the Outreach Center, that hopes to address and meet the needs of these workers.

Douglas Leonard, the communications and development director for the Holy Cross sisters, explained that a number of area churches and the University of Wisconsin Extension office are involved. Also, several dental professionals have agreed to offer low income dental services, while two doctors from the Marshfield Clinic have stepped forward to offer free medical services.

"There are quite a few involved besides the sisters and the Catholic community," said Leonard. "And that's how we want it to be, because the issue is too big for any one group to go after."

According to Leonard, the group is hoping to set up a comprehensive help center where Spanish is spoken and Hispanics and other low income persons can go for whatever assistance they might need, whether it be for food, clothing, medical and dental care, or counseling, educational or employment services.

Speaking from the sisters' point of view, Leonard said, "We're looking to meet the needs of the time, and it's not often that we're given the opportunity to do something tangible for the needy. We feel honored to provide assistance and help them, especially with longer term needs like education and job improvement."

Mexicans migrants

Elsewhere in the diocese, there are 200 to 250 Hispanic migrants in Cumberland and surrounding area. Most come from Mexico in late spring and stay through the fall to do agricultural work for a bean factory in town.

Vern Altmann, a member of St. Anthony Abbot Parish, takes part in an interdenominational group dedicated to helping the migrant workers.

Altmann said that in Mexico some of the workers are only paid 54 cents an hour. Working for minimum wage in the United States, they are able to increase their earnings tenfold, allowing them to send money back home to their families. Other workers, he said, return summer after summer and bring their families with them.

He called the Hispanics "hard workers with a strong work ethic," and said they are an asset to the community not only because Seneca Foods needs workers. They also bring with them their rich Mexican heritage, helping to "make us more broad-minded," Altmann said.

He added, "It's (also) good for the community that we're all involved in helping them. We're all involved together, and it gives us something to work at as a Christian community."

Altmann participates by assisting the workers in finding housing when they first arrive in Cumberland. He said the group has been successful; the workers that arrived this summer all have a place to stay. Altmann explained that the migrants usually rent an apartment with a group of other workers, often even living there in shifts by sharing a bed with someone who works the opposite shift at the factory.

For the last five years, St. Anthony Parish has been providing a location where people can bring in donated food, clothing, household goods and furniture for the migrant workers.

The spiritual needs of the Hispanics are also a priority, Altmann said.

The interdenominational group runs a Bible study program for the Hispanic children on Wednesday afternoons at St. Anthony. Each congregation takes turn leading the class, which usually involves a Bible study, craft projects, lunch and field trips. One member of St. Anthony Parish comes in on occasion to teach the children about nutrition. One of the Lutheran churches in town hosts a Bible study for adults.

In past summers, St. Anthony held Spanish Masses complete with a Spanish choir. The program, however, is not in place this summer.

The Cumberland-Almena cluster recently added a third parish, St. Ann in Turtle Lake, and according to the secretary, Sue Jacobson, the parish resources are drawn much thinner than they once were.

While some migrants do attend the regular Sunday Mass, Altmann is convinced more would attend if a Spanish Mass were offered at a time that fit their work schedules. He hopes that in the future a Spanish speaking priest will be able to celebrate Mass, even if it only takes place on a monthly basis.

Somali immigrants

In nearby Barron, a significant number of Somali immigrants work year-round at a turkey factory behind St. Joseph Church or at Seneca foods in Cumberland.

Kim Franzden, a member of St. Joseph Parish, is the English as a Second Language teacher at Barron High School. Her position was created recently to better accommodate the growing number of students who do not speak English as a first language.

Of the 56 ESL students Franzden taught last year, 43 were Somali and the remainder Hispanic. There were 7 Somali graduates in 2002. In 2003, that number jumped to 33.

The reason for this increase? Franzden said the Somalis she works with left the Minneapolis area, which has the largest Somali population in the country, in search of employment and better educational opportunities.

In order to get a high school diploma in Minnesota, the Somali students are required to complete four years of high school and then pass the Minnesota State Standards test. There are no accommodations for students who speak English as a second language, and most are unable to pass the test, she said.

While most Somali students have already studied English for a year or two, "They can't be expected to be at the same level as other high schoolers," Franzden said.

Most of the students she works with are 18-21 and have already graduated from high school in Africa. The Barron school district will honor their African credits. Often they only need to complete a semester or a year at Barron High School to receive a diploma.

The Somali students, in general, are very eager to learn English, Franzden said. "I think they come to Barron because they're getting a lot more help here. They aren't a number and can get one-on-one help if they ask."

Her students also tell her they get more practice speaking English in Barron, because the Somali population is much smaller than in the Twin Cities.

A challenge in teaching the students, Franzden said, rests in the fact that they did not come to the United States with their parents and often have to work full-time to support themselves. Consequently, they tend to be tired while at school and are tardy and truant more often than other students.

The Somali students have three huge disadvantages, in Franzden's opinion. These are language, skin color and the religion. The first two, she said, are more easily overcome, but the general public has a hard time accepting Muslims into the community.

"Since September 11, people are more cautious with them. For the most part, people in Barron accept the Mexicans," who have lighter skin and the same Christian faith, she said.

As an example, she cited a two-part series about the Somali people in the Leader Telegram that received many complaints and negative feedback from readers.

Religious beliefs are also an issue. "Muslims say they are not allowed to go into churches,"she said, so many churches decide not to have programs.

Last summer, Franzden and a group of teachers organized a program called "Talk Time," in which they hoped to create a dialogue between the Somali students and members of the community.

"I know that if we can see (the Somalis) as people, we won't say such mean things or judge them. There are so many myths out there that are really hurting their population," she said.

Every other Saturday, members of both groups met to discuss culture, religion and other areas of interest. The program was successful for a month or two, but it fizzled away after people lost interest and stopped participating.

Franzden is now working to create a mentorship program for the Somali students. She said that without the guidance of parents or relatives, the students could use some extra help, especially when it comes to preparing for college and applying for admission.

"They all want to go to college and realize that education is important, but they're not all ready," she said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003