Diaconal Ministries Resource Manual
17
Migrant Worker Ministry
T
he farmers in Colorado have relied on
migrant farm workers to help tend their
fields and harvest their crops for the last 100
years. For many years migrants would live in
migrant camps during growing/harvesting
season, but due to the housing at the camps
not meeting minimum safety requirements,
many of the migrants now live in separate
housing, such as Catholic Charities Plaza del
Sol and Plaza del Milagro in Greeley. In addi-
tion to their need for housing they also need
clothing and other supplies.
The workers who are in the fields for long
hours during the growing season need cloth-
ing suitable to work in the elements, so two
deacons began a ministry of collecting cloth-
ing and toiletries f rom parishioners at their
parishes to support the workers. The deacons
take the items collected to the workers. They
also lead Communion Services and pray with
the workers.
i
Deacon Modesto Garcia
deacon.modesto.garcia@gmail.com
Deacon Wilf redo Liwanag
liwanagwl3@icloud.com
Homeless Shelters Ministries
Samaritan House Ministry
S
amaritan House is a Transitionary Shelter,
that helps men, women and children fac-
ing homelessness and assists them in finding
a path to self-sufficiency. Their program helps
residents feel secure with basic needs so they
can focus on learning life skills to become
self-sufficient in a 120-day program. They also
partner with outside organizations to help
residents with other resources and referrals.
Deacons have assisted in numerous ways.
They assist by helping the residents with their
spiritual needs by assisting at Mass and Bible
studies. They assist with the daily needs of the
residents by helping at the shelter or collect-
ing toiletry items or clothing.
The residents also receive individual spiritual
assistance, as well as classes on Scripture f rom
deacons. The deacon shares an interpretation
of the readings and discusses the application
of the readings to daily life and helps residents
go deeper into their spiritual life.
i
Deacon Bill Ertmer
ertmerkaren@hotmail.com
Deacon Jim Blume
jimblume@outlook.com
"
"
I was a stranger and you
welcomed me.
Mt. 25:35
