A Bell Rings
A Reflection on Serving at Casa Papa Francisco
Ann Coady – At Bethany House, El Paso
A bell rings.
It is the cellphone notice that today the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) branches will release 202 refugees and Casa Papa Francisco will receive five of them, 3PM.
A bell rings.
It is the doorbell. One guest has arrived! Frightened and relieved…and grateful, so very grateful. We welcome you and first have you call your family here in the US, letting them know that you are released from detention and here, safe with us. We offer you bathroom, water, snacks, and then explain to you the rules of the house, the mealtimes, and assure you that you are welcome to stay until your family can provide transportation for you to be reunited. We take you to our ropería (clothing room) and toiletries closet where you can pick out a change of clothing and whatever you’ll need for a shower. We then show you to your room, where the bed is made up with clean sheets, and a shower with warm water is across the hall.
A bell rings.
It is the longer-term children returning from their day at school. Soon they will be asking for the remote to watch some TV in the sala before dinner. Their dad is still detained and their mom had a baby a couple of weeks ago, so they will be with us a while longer before they can move on.
A bell rings.
Now it is the dinner bell, rung by one of the guests who has helped prepare the meal. We will go pray a grace together and share our dinner.
A bell rings.
This time it is the telephone … an excited uncle confirming that he has an airline reservation for you for tomorrow to finally join up with your family again.
A bell rings.
The doorbell. A volunteer driver has come to take you to the airport. We pack a bag of snacks and water for the final leg of your journey … to your new home. ”Adiós mi hermanito. Vaya con diós, mas quedate siempre en mi corazón!” (Good-bye little brother. Go with God but stay always in my heart!).
Silence now, with a grieving and grateful heart, wondering how it will go for him, praying and hopeful.
A bell rings …
