Day 4

Claudio Grieco: This has always been and will always be a country of immigrants

I’m a parishioner of St. Martin of Tours, where I’m a member of the Hispanic committee and the parish council, serve as lector and as an usher. I’m a contractor. My company is Grieco’s Blue Light, and it’s growing day by day.

My first impression when I started working with New Sanctuary Movement, at the suggestion of Msgr. Hugh Shields [from St. Thomas Aquinas], was: “Wow [here are people] putting time and effort into helping immigrants. I need to match that effort.” That was about eight years ago.

I started with the “Know Your Rights” group. Its mission was to educate people to, 1) not be scared, 2) be prepared to respond properly to any incident with the police or ICE, and 3) to have a plan of action in place in case of detention. I was a volunteer at NSM for four years, and was part of the board of directors.

Working in this movement opened many doors for me. But mostly it woke in the desire to grow as a leader.

The different religions need to join together

My faith gives me the strength to fast. In Catholicism we fast during penitential seasons every year. [When we fast as a family] the children take part by giving up a favorite food.

At this moment my reason for fasting and reflecting is for the country’s need for peace.

Starting when he was campaigning, the President has constantly attacked women, Muslims, Latinos, etc. The worst part is that he was supported by multitudes. That made me think. The different religions need to join together. All the faiths united can call on a higher power: God, or however He is named by each religion.