by Fr. Douglas Daro,
Assistant pastor, St. Cecilia Church, Hastings
Hispanic Ministry
According to Google Maps, the distance from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Chihuahua, Mexico, is 1,225 miles. Driving non-stop, the trip would be a little less than 20 hours. Quite a distance to travel, to say the least; a road trip worthy of Spotify playlists, good conversation, and many energy drinks.
This distance, as well as distances much longer, is the long road traveled by many of the Catholics living and working in the Diocese of Lincoln. This long journey has been made by many who are sitting in the pews as we worship together the Living God.
On the surface, it can seem as though the distance from Lincoln to Chihuahua represents the distance between cultures. There are differences for sure. Attend a wedding celebrated in Spanish, and you may encounter different traditions, such as the Lazo and the Arras. You or your high school son or daughter may attend a Quinceanera, a new, eye-opening, and fun, experience. It can even be difficult to fully appreciate such a strong devotion of Our Lady of Guadalupe, not having grown up in the country in which she appeared to Juan Diego.
And then, of course, there is the obvious difference in language. How frustrating it can be to sit at a table with another person, without the ability to communicate on the most basic level. At times, these differences can make it seem as though the two cultures have very little in common. However, although our cultures may seem to be worlds apart, my limited experience working with Hispanics in the Diocese of Lincoln has taught me the opposite.
Rather than being miles apart, I have learned that Hispanics and Anglos are more similar than they realize. There is a certain humility found in the Midwest; a humility that takes on the form of hard work and a willingness to serve others. Think of your third-generation farmer, that doctor or nurse putting in long hours at the hospital, or the person on the construction crew working in the heat of the day. Hard work is a quality you expect to find. Both Hispanics and Anglos alike know the value of a hard day’s work.
However, even more so, I have been extremely edified by the heart of service that I have seen at the parish among all the parishioners. Regardless of the event, the time of day, or the work that needs to be done, out of service to the parish, I have witnessed the generosity of so many parishioners. There is not one group helping out more than the other, but rather men and women from all around the world lending a helping hand, side by side, in service to their brothers and sisters in Christ. They may have been born hundreds, if not thousands, of miles apart, but at that moment their true colors shine forth. Rolling up their sleeves, getting their hands dirty, and serving others with the heart of Christ has a real way of bringing people together.
From the world’s perspective, it does makes sense that two people who grew up thousands of miles apart would be different, but we are reminded in our Creed that the Church founded by Jesus Christ is universal, meaning for all peoples in all places at all times. Whether you were born in Lincoln, Nebraska, or Chihuahua, Mexico, it is Jesus Christ who unites us. Differences in cultures will continue to exist, and difficult dinner conversations may still be in your future, but we need not fear our differences. Let us rather keep our eyes on Christ, the one who unites us and the one who casts out fear.
