Each day between 1,500 and 2,000 would-be immigrants attempt to cross the desert near Sa’sabe, Mexico, to get to America. “Right in that area between Nogales and Yuma (Arizona) is where the most ‘crossing over’ is happening,” says Fr. Henry Beck, campus minister at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP). “It’s the least guarded and has the most rugged terrain.”

Wherever you stand on the issue of illegal immigration, two things are clear: Some of these travelers—lost, tired, dehydrated—are dying in the desert. And those who make it are leaving behind a trail of garbage that has nearby Native Americans and local landowners up in arms. Anxious to address both concerns, Henry worked with David Buer, a friar from St. Barbara Province, to organize a service trip to Tucson from May 15-19. Accompanying Henry were four UTEP students, two Americans and two Mexicans.

At their home base, the University of Arizona, they were welcomed “like family,” by a community of Dominicans and students from St. Thomas More Newman Center. Henry and the students spent one day cleaning and painting the future home of St. Francis Cooling Center, a sanctuary for the homeless where David ministers. On May 17, they drove to Nogales to cross the border into Mexico. “We went to BETA, a federal office in Mexico for migrants who come north looking for work in ‘maquilas’ (factories and warehouses) or trying to come across into the United States. The young officer we were talking to said they normally encourage people to stay in Mexico.” But since the average pay is $6 a day, the temptation to leave is strong. “You could make $50 a week on the Mexican side and make $500 a week for the same labor on the U.S. side,” says Henry.

The UTEP contingent also visited a “common bank” set up by the U.S. and Mexican governments, Catholic Relief Services and an independent Methodist group called Border Links. “The bank offers $800 loans for four months” to individuals to encourage the development in Mexico of small business ventures such as food stalls and hairdressing or leatherworks shops. “That’s what’s exciting is that there is a real strong interfaith coalition of groups that is each taking parts of the immigration concern and trying to make a difference,” Henry says. And that raises the question, “Are there ways we can think beyond our own national interests to start thinking about developing this part of the world? My brother-in-law says, ‘We can’t solve Mexico’s problems.’ There’s truth to that, but there are reasons why Mexico is not developing a middle class. In some literature I’ve been reading, people are talking about a Marshall Plan for Mexico and Central America.”

On May 18, the UTEP group took part in a “Basura Day,” joining volunteers of the interfaith Samaritan organization in cleaning up desert trails followed by migrants. “Their concern is partly the immigrants and partly the environment,” since discarded plastic and garbage create hazards for cattle grazing the land and monetary headaches for local administrators. “The rancher (who owned the land) was very happy we were coming.” Primarily, “We were doing the ‘washes’ (gullies that dry up between rains) protected by overhanging trees. That’s where most of the trash and clothing are left behind. One of the chores I did was gather up toilet paper and bury toilet paper and feces. We picked up a lot of water bottles and gallon water jugs. For me the hardest thing was to see baby food packets and children’s backpacks.”

Volunteers who come upon migrants in the desert follow a “protocol” of benevolent non-intervention. Sharing food and water is fine, but “you can’t give directions, just orientation.” At one point, Henry’s group found a father and son making the crossing. “They were talking to a New York Times reporter and photographer. (A story on that encounter appeared in the May 21 issue of the Times.)

“We were all very mindful that we could attract the Border Patrol if we stayed there.” Henry offered a blessing, and “We left as we heard a helicopter overhead.” The Times later reported the father and son were captured trying to escape under a fence. After four days in the desert, they were out of food and water and had lost sight of the 10 people traveling with them. In this case, “The Border Patrol may have saved their lives.”

In the wake of the service project, the group from UTEP came away “really energized to be more involved in this kind of justice work. We’re already talking about doing this next year,” according to Henry. “As our vicar general for the diocese would say, ‘It’s a teachable moment’ to alert people about what’s happening and raise awareness for migrants.”

(An educational overview of the immigration issue is posted at www.justiceforimmigrants.org, a website on immigration reform.)

On May 26, Fr. Jack Wintz received the St. Francis de Sales Award, the highest honor given to an individual by the Catholic Press Association, during the Catholic Media Convocation in Nashville. This was the fourth nomination for Jack, honored for “his dedication to justice through the power of Catholic journalism” and for “radiating the truthful, gentle spirit of St. Francis de Sales,” the patron saint of journalists. In acceptance remarks Jack said, “Why does the name ‘Susan Lucci’ come to mind?” referring to the soap opera star who won an Emmy in 1999 after being nominated 18 times. Past winners of the “Franny” include Fr. Jeremy Harrington, Barbara Beckwith and Fr. Norman Perry.

It’s been a very good year for the friars of St. Anthony Messenger Press. Just weeks ago the Catholic Book Publishers Assn. announced that Fr. Jeremy Harrington will receive its Lifetime Achievement Award for 2006. The award goes to an individual “who has made an outstanding and long-term contribution to Catholic publishing.” The award will be presented next year at the association’s Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.

This year, friars in Uniontown, Pa., decided to have a golden jubilee celebration reflecting “Franciscan Simplicity,” says correspondent Fr. Matthew Brozovic. They scheduled two events: a private dinner with Bishop Lawrence Brandt at the friary (held May 19) and a picnic in August with the SFO and local priests. “The dinner (in May) was supervised by Fr. Damian and Bro. Damien,” Matthew says. “SFO members did the preparation, cooking, serving and cleanup.” The all-Slavonic menu included cabbage soup, a salad, roast pork loin in sauerkraut, applesauce and potato piroghi. “Dessert was French vanilla ice cream (mindful of Francis’ ties with France through his merchant father) and Lady Jacoba’s Sweet Almond Cookies” (from a recipe obtained through Franciscan Resources). “A local bakery made them for us, 12 dozen, and donated them.” Dinner was followed by prandials, cheese and fruit, coffee and conversation.

April 27-30 and May 18-21, Fr. Gregg Petri served as spiritual director for the first two all-Spanish Cursillo events held in the Diocese of Peoria. The weekends, one for men and one for women, drew participants from throughout the diocese. Support was provided by English speaking Cursillistas who offered prayers, did the cooking and drove Spanish-language participants to and from the Cursillo-TEC Center in Peoria.

On June 18, about 40 friars and family members helped Fr. Ted Hattrup celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination during a celebratory Mass and dinner at Mercy Franciscan Terrace in Cincinnati. “Ted was pleased,” attendee Bro.Tim Sucher said of the guest of honor. Fr. Fred Link was the main celebrant, Ted concelebrated and Bro. Al Mascia played the guitar. “Jeremy (Harrington) preached, pointing out Ted’s many years of service as a parish man and hospital chaplain, and talked about how he ministered in the midst of illness as a confessor at the motherhouse,” according to Tim.

Fr. Charlie Smiech highly recommends the five-month program he finished this spring at the Oblate School of Theology (San Antonio) to kick off his year-long sabbatical. The Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program combines elements of wellness and self-development from a holistic perspective. “It sounds like ‘new age’ but is more Franciscan-based than anything else,” says Charlie, who especially enjoyed the faith-sharing among participants from around the world. “After five years of construction and developing spiritual programs (at St. Francis Retreat House), I needed to do some ‘inner’ construction,” he says. Charlie is taking a summer class at St. Bonaventure and will then join Fr. Murray Bodo, Fr. Jack Wintz and Bro. Mark Gehret on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, capping the year with a 30-day retreat. “I don’t believe there are any excuses not to make a sabbatical,” he says. “You get into ministry and people tend to forget about updating themselves. After awhile we might tend to think we have all the answers or knowledge. We need to keep learning to expand our knowledge and deepen our faith so we might become more effective ministers.”

Last month St. Francis Seraph Friary in Cincinnati opened its doors to 30 college students from Bike and Build, a youth movement that has young people riding across the country to work at Habitat for Humanity sites. Bro. Al Mascia welcomed the group for an overnight stay and saw them off as they prepared for the next day’s ride, “100 miles to someplace in Indiana,” Al said. While here the students helped out at the soup kitchen.