Prayers and Solidarity for the People of Venezuela - The Migrant Ministry mourns with our beloved migrant brothers and sisters the unfathomable death and destruction caused by the terrible twin earthquakes that shook Venezuela on June 24, registering 7.2 and 7.5 respectively. At this writing, the death toll is close to 3,000 and is expected to rise significantly as nearly 50,000 people are missing.

We received notice about the earthquakes within the first hour of their occurrence. Our mentors were asked to immediately contact their resettled families and check if any loved ones had been affected. Thank God, everyone reported that their family members live far from the epicenter of the earthquake. The families were shaken and upset, but unhurt. To reach migrants served at the Center, we created a WhatsApp prayer chat and sent invitations to migrants whose contact information we had, inviting them to post the names or photos of loved ones who were missing or hurt in the earthquakes so that we could pray for them. Again, thank God, no one responded as having a family member or loved one living in the area and affected by the earthquake, but they were grateful for the prayers.

Our prayers for the people of Venezuela continue. In memory of the earthquake victims, an altar was set up in the hallway of the Ministry center, with an image of the Virgin of Coromoto (the patroness of Venezuela), crucifix, rosary, pieces of broken cement, battery-operated candles, and fresh flowers. A flag and a map of Venezuela were pinned to the strip of corkboard behind the altar. A notebook and pen were placed on the altar for migrants to write the names of victims they knew. Sadly, names have been added to the notebook.

At 10:00 AM on Tuesday morning, we paused our ministry and invited everyone, migrants and volunteers alike, to gather in the hallway. Fr Vittorio Bruscella led us in a bilingual prayer service for the victims of the earthquakes and all people of Venezuela. It was very moving to pray alongside the people we serve.

Thank you for making our work possible! WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS. Donations are accepted on Monday mornings from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the former St Bernardine School, 815 Elgin in Forest Park.

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