Fr. Dennis in El Paso with Fr. Marciano, one of the founding members of the new community

My five day visit to El Paso was something of a whirlwind, but here are some enduring impressions:

Our local AA community, Peter, Ron and Chano, fully constituted only within the last several weeks, is ready to take up a mission whose specific contours have not fully come into view, but whose presence to the local community is warmly welcomed. I saw ample evidence of that, in particular from a cohort of generous volunteers and from the local Knights of Columbus.

A meeting with Bishop Seitz was the occasion to thank him for having received us so well and for him to reiterate his hope and support for a fruitful ministry at the border. We discussed at length the nature of our presence at St. Francis Xavier Parish and made some important decisions regarding its future and our ministry to migrants, drawing upon the particular gifts deriving from our Assumptionist charism.

A highlight of the stay was a visit with our Religious of the Assumption sisters in Chaparral, New Mexico, a 30-minute drive from our house in El Paso. The sisters’ effective ministry to the poor and to recent immigrants has been a mainstay of that community for more than fifteen years. With the relaxation of COVID restrictions, the prospects for a friendship and collaboration with the Sisters holds out much promise.

Please pray for our brothers as they respond to this fresh call to build up God’s Kingdom.