The Parish of Saint Eugene de Mazenod is nestled in a seemingly scenic and picturesque area outside of Tijuana in the colony of LaMorita. The parish, established in 1996 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is the largest of the parishes in the Diocese of Tijuana; and it is the poorest as well. The Tijuana Mission includes an area that is home to 15 mission churches that serve upwards of 250,000 people in 15 different communities.
Our Lady of Lourdes and The Oblates of Mary Immaculate Tijuana Mission, through the spiritual guidance and leadership of Fr. Dan Griffith and Fr. Jesse Esqueda, OMI, entered into a partnership three years ago. Four members of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Justice and Charity committee met at the San Diego airport in October to journey into Tijuana as a group. We went in stewardship; providing support physically, spiritually and financially. Fe religiosa, esperanza, amor and alegria - faith, hope, love and joy.
These are words that spring forward when I reflect upon my stay in LaMorita. For, the seemingly scenic and picturesque surroundings are, upon closer glimpse, riddled with poverty and in numerous cases, extreme poverty. The dwellings commonly are home to large families and many are little more than 250 square feet. Cooking is almost always done outside on a cooktop that is outfitted either with LP gas or wood; typically under cover of a tarp.
After attending Mass on Sunday, where Fr. Jesse preached before a standing room only service, we spent an afternoon with a family that inhabited such quarters. We devoted time bagging rice and beans to handout to neighbors of the family whose home we were putting a roof on. We walked with Felippa, the matriarch of the family and with Johanna and Emmanuel, members of the Youth Ministry, who spent time with us at Our Lady of Lourdes last year, to hear the stories the residents. One couple, travelled hundreds of miles with only a backpack. Life, while they report is still a hardship, is better than what they left behind. After lunch, it was roof razing time! We crawled up with hammers and nails and hats and water! The pounding of the nails on that afternoon matched that of any choir!
The communities that encompass LaMorita are high crime and violent areas. Directing the youth towards programs that allow growth in a positive manner is crucial. This was evident as we witnessed members of the youth ministry excel in programs that allow for safe spaces for youth. One such area is academics. Most schools require some style of uniform and if families are unable to afford them, the youth are unable to attend school. Students going on to public University can expect to pay $400.00 per year in tuition and for a family living well below poverty levels, tuition is not high on the list, if it makes the list at all. The youth often “drop out” of studies if they are able to secure a job making $60 USD a week at one of the factories; and that’s for a 48 hour work week. A young adult in a factory will unlikely ever escape the life of poverty. However, if they stay in school and attend youth programs, upwards of 80% go on to higher education. That is the way out of the poverty cycle.
We spent an evening at a Youth Scholarship program. Once selected, commitment to service activities sponsored by the Youth Ministry, along with maintaining their grade point average and writing “thank you” letters to sponsors, is expected by the students that receive scholarships.
Upon returning home, I realized how much I have, the amount of privilege that I am afforded. Philippians 2:4 states “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others”. It is abundantly evident that the people we met regard each other as family. I felt they were looking out for me in some way. Because of this and with prayerful contemplation; I have decided to devote my Christmas gift giving in way of a monetary donation to Fr. Jesse’s efforts with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Heidi Gibson, Justice and Charity member