Parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh reach out to migrant farmworkers who work in our fields to help produce our food. Each year, the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship organizes the “Encuentro Católico de Campesinos” (Gathering of Catholic Migrant Workers).
Services such as haircuts, medical check-ups, live music, games and soccer tournament are offered at the event. An annual collection is also made of personal hygiene products. The diocese collects the items donated by parishioners and are given to the migrant workers during the event.
Deacon Joshua Klickman, diocesan Coordinator for Human Life and Dignity, explains how his office supports migrants and refugees throughout the year:
In the Diocese of Raleigh, there are multiple lines of effort that have grown organically in order to welcome the migrant and refugees by Christians and other people of good will. For some parishes, the crops are visible from the sanctuary, and many of these churches have developed relationships with the farmers and landowners who welcome visits from the community to our brothers and sisters in the fields. There are also partnerships between these parishes and other parishes that do not have migrant workers in their surrounding area but who do have a vibrant ministry that collects donated articles like clothes, hygiene items and prayer aids. The main purpose of the ministry is not to supply food or items but rather to fellowship with our brothers and sisters and accompany "Jesus in the fields."
These charitable works have also grown into works for justice, as genuine charity always does (cf. Pope Benedict, Charity in Truth §6). For decades, the Diocese of Raleigh has supported the North Carolina Congress of Latino Organizations, a membership-led organization that builds power among Latino institutions to advance social, racial and economic justice. In addition, the diocese is helping to expand justice through support for the Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice, which seeks to organize migrants in the Carolinas so their voices can be heard and provide input to achieving a more equitable agricultural system.
These ministries and activities have grown organically from Christians who recognize that justice is the primary way of charity and that we promote the building of society not merely by rights and duties but through relationships of gratuitousness, mercy and communion. "Charity always manifests God's love in human relationships...it gives theological and salvific value to all commitment for justice in the world." (Benedict § 6).
Editor’s Note: Deacon Josh’s article recently appeared in the Catholic Migrant Farmworker Newsletter. For more information about that organization and how you can get involved, please visit www.cmfnsembrador.org.
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