Migrant Ministry

The population of the Hispanic/Latino migrants is approximately 20,000 farmworkers that speak Spanish. They arrive in the Diocese to work from March-November. Some of them work for shorter periods of time from June-August.
In general, they come from Texas, Florida, Mexico and Central America. They work in the apple orchards, strawberries, cucumbers, and blueberry fields, etc. There are a total of 300 camps in the Diocese.

Programs:

• Visits to the camps
• Mass at the camps and invitation to participate in nearby parishes
• Diocesan Fiesta
• Confirmations for Migrant youth at St. Agustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo

Vision:

We see migrants being reached by more parishes and Catholic organizations and institutions
with creative, pastorally sensitive and culturally relevant programs and resources.

Taken from the Diocesan Pastoral Plan of the Hispanic Ministry 2007