June 10, 2016

Letters to the Editor

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Hispanic neighbors are gentle, kind, thoughtful and selfless, reader says

Thank you, Mr. John F. Fink, for your editorial concerning immigration in this country in the May 27 issue of The Criterion. I am grateful for the statistics you provided that help give us a clearer picture of what is really going on.

I volunteer at the only North Deanery parish to have an Hispanic outreach. When our Hispanic minister is present, the door and the phone are pretty busy. I don’t understand a word of Spanish, but I have never encountered a person or family in need of services or attention that were rude, impatient, unkind or pushy. I have always experienced our Hispanic neighbors as gentle, kind, thoughtful and selfless. They are very welcoming and patient with my language ignorance.

I have attended a few of their religious services out of curiosity and a desire to experience their fervency firsthand. I am astounded at the depth of their dedication to their traditions. It is a beautiful thing to behold. It reminds me of our glory days of the sixties, when I was always an angel in the processions at Sacred Heart Parish.

While I have no idea what gets talked about in the office next to the reception area, I always encounter grateful individuals as they walk out the door. They humble me to no end.

I am so very glad that our Hispanic brothers and sisters have chosen our great nation to enhance and help to be a better place. We have lost our way in many respects, and we need their influx to help keep our eyes on the prize—Christ—and to remind us of what is important and what is worth nurturing. I envy their family attitude, their work ethic and their faith focus. We would do well to emulate them.

- Mary Schott | Indianapolis

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