THE IRISH PADRES

Mom is 91 years old. She lived through Segregation. When she was in elementary school kids were charged a nickle for every Spanish word they used. This was Mission, Texas in the 1930s. Down the road from our house is a small white building where the KKK would meet to decide what to do with "Mexicans".

Mom was born in Mission, Texas.

She is an American. Not to a racist.Non-White skinned people are not American is what they believe. Especially if you're of Mexican descent.

Think about how ignorant that is.

Dad was born in Mexico. He came to the U.S. in 1945 as a bracero to work. He worked in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Texas. He became an American citizen in 1962 in West Texas where I was born in 1963. Rotan, Texas. Fisher County.

Dad remembers signs that read "No Negroes, Dogs Mexicans". 

Dad taught US to respect and love our fellow man. He taught US racism is wrong.

Pop said it is pure hate and ignorance.

WE are Roman Catholic. Mom's parish priests were Irish. They taught Mom and the rest of the youth to be strong Catolicos. They taught them to sing powerfully enough so you could be heard all over the church without being painfully loud.

The Irish padres also encouraged their flock to fight for their rights. THE IRISH DO NOT LIKE BULLIES.

The Irish padrecitos (term of endearment meaning little priests,  like calling Michael Little Mike or Mikey) were there when WE marched for the United Farmworkers union.

WE have always had Irish priests at our parish. Our Lady Of Guadalupe was blessed by their presence and powerful sermons. Social justice, faith, GOD and life were topics.

My brother remembers Father Barrett coming in to "check on the new troops" in CCD. He was pleased with the classes.

 Listening to him say Mass in Spanish with his Irish accent was beautiful.

By the 1990s Father Barrett had been sent to a huge parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. On his 25th anniversary of being a priest he elected to celebrate it at our parish because he said it reminded ihim of his parish in Ireland. The whole church was happy and in tears.

WE had Father McKenna, Father Maher, and Father Hennessey.

I encountered a racist recruit at Army basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1982. He wanted to know why I was not in the Mexican army.He said I was not an American because of my last name and Mexican descent. I educated him. Verbally.

My brother educated racists in Camp Pendleton, California while he was in the Marine Corps in 1983.

WE were following what the Irish priests had taught US. Speak out against racism.

Little did WE know that our beloved Irish padres were preparing US to battle our community's greatest foe in Donald Trump.

WE cannot remain silent. WE will vote against Trump.

The young troops Father Barrett inspected are ready.