Bishop Celebrates Annual Farmworkers Mass

By Teresita Kontos, Pastoral Campesina Coordinator

The annual Mass to thank the farmworkers throughout the region has been a tradition in Yuma County since 2008.  At that time, Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas and Rev. José Isidro Guerrero, Bishop of the Diocese of Mexicali Baja California, celebrated a binational Mass in San Luis, Arizona to honor the invaluable contribution of farmworkers and their employers on both sides of the border. Since then, many of the agricultural workers who cross the border during the winter vegetable season attend Mass every year to receive the blessing of their Bishop and pray together to ask God for help for their families and for an abundant harvest. 

This year, the Mass took place on Friday, December 2 at 3:00am in the parking lot of the old Mercado del Sol in San Luis, Arizona, very close to the border. Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, priests, and deacons from the Yuma Vicariate arrived early that morning before starting Mass, to accompany and listen to the farmworkers. 

At the beginning of the Mass, Father Manuel Fragoso Carranza, Vicar of the Yuma/La Paz Vicariate, expressed the importance of celebrating the Eucharist with the farmworkers.  He reminded us that they are at the beginning of the chain that ensures that fresh food reaches the tables of every family.

During his homily, Bishop Weisenburger expressed his appreciation to the agricultural workers: “I am privileged to be present in solidarity with you as we celebrate the faith that gives so much meaning to our lives.”  He emphasized the importance of their work; “In your hidden effort while working in the field, it is you who feed the world and as Jesus teaches us over and over again in the Gospel; what we do for our neighbor we do for Him. The work, however simple it may be, is very important to build the Kingdom of God.” Bishop Weisenburger assured them that during their work in the field they are not alone. “God is with you and looks upon you with great affection.” 

After the Mass, Bishop Weisenburger, priests, and deacons stayed to participate in the convivio and enjoy the burritos and coffee prepared by parish volunteers.

The event counted with the presence of the Consul of Mexico in Yuma, Jose Antonio Larios, the Regional Border Health Center that was providing free vaccines against the flu and Covid-19; In addition, other community organizations such as Chicanos Por La Causa and the United Farmworkers were sharing information about farmworker’s rights.

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