Day Four: Stations of the Cross

Today's walk began with a very moving Stations of the Cross which related the stations to the circumstances of migrants today.  It was very moving, because we had a number of people engaged in ministry with migrant workers and their families praying with us, as well as a few of the young people who walked with us the day before.

As we walked out from St. Charles Church, we were joined by some immigrants and their families, and people who are familiar with the outreach minister, Jose Ortiz, waved and greeted him as we passed them.  Our route took us under I-5, the freeway our route parallels for most of the way, and through some residential neighborhoods to Burlington Boulevard, which runs for several miles through strip malls featuring every chain store and big box store imaginable.  As we passed a Wal-Mart, I thought of all the poor people who both depend on Wal-Mart and are exploited by the company.   About three-quarters of the way along, we turned off the shopping strip and walked along the Skagit River to a small camp for migrant workers--the pilgrims walked through the camp and then turned back for the last climb up to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mount Vernon. 

The contrast between the mall traffic and commercial cornucopia with the nearly deserted and destitute camp underlined how we who are middle-class or wealthy do not see the poor and oppressed who make us comfortable.  The camp is less than a half-mile from the strip malls, but none of the people working or shopping seem aware of its existence, much less of the labor and lives of the people who enable us all to eat this area's rich produce.  The migrant's stations of cross seems very real to me tonight. (posted by Nick)

We realized we had a crowd and we were without lunch, since I had told Immaculate Conception that (a) we would arrive early since it was such a short walk and (b) there were only a few of us, so please don't worry about lunch. Wrong on both counts. Around noon, as we walked I began to worry, and the phone rang - Margaret Brakel-Pierce. "Both my meetings were canceled today and I'm free! What do you need?" I looked down the curving road and counted ..."We need lunch for 22 - in about an  hour." "Not to worry," she said. "Subway sandwiches ok?" and it was wonderful. (10 minutes later Gerry Coleman called and asked if there was anything we needed - she was ready and willing. But we'd had our miracle for the day. (posted by Mary)

*Tomorrow, we depart Immaculate Conception, Mount Vernon, at 9:00 am, to walk to St. Cecilia's Church in Stanwood, our longest walk of the pilgrimage.  Please come to Immaculate Conception by about 8:45 am to pray and walk with us.  Or, call Mary's cell phone if you are late:  360-820-4958. *

Comments

[Johnny Zokovitch]

Dear pilgrims,

Blessings on your pilgrimage. Know that many of us walk alongside you in spirit. Thanks too for the updates.

Peace,
Johnny Zokovitch
Pax Christi USA

[TL Winslow]

A walk for justice is nice, but how about true permanent justice?

The age-old pesky U.S.-Mexico border problem has taxed the resources of both countries, led to long lists of injustices, and appears to be heading only for worse troubles in the future. Guess what? The border problem can never be solved. Why? Because the border IS the problem! It's time for a paradigm change.

Never fear, a satisfying, comprehensive solution is within reach: the Megamerge Dissolution Solution. Simply dissolve the border along with the failed Mexican government, and megamerge the two countries under U.S. law, with mass free 2-way migration eventually equalizing the development and opportunities permanently, with justice and without racism, and without threatening U.S. sovereignty or basic principles.

Take the time to read the proposal by clicking the url.