Church celebrates Mass for workers
The 21st annual Farm Workers' Mass at St. Mary of the Nativity Church in Salinas drew hundreds of people Sunday afternoon, nearly filling the spacious church to honor those who work in the region's agricultural fields. The Mass was led by Bishop Richard García, now in his first year with the diocese of Monterey, along with the church's new Rev. Víctor Manuel Prado Cerda and its former pastor, the Rev. Julio Guarín. Families who live in farm worker housing at Camp 21, Camp Salas and San Jerardo outside Salinas, carried boxes into the church filled with fruits and vegetables as offerings. García welcomed visitors and parishioners alike, calling them brothers and thanking them for working long hours under difficult circumstances, often far from their families. "We have to learn more from you and appreciate more what you do," he said. The Monterey Diocese has celebrated the Mass annually for 21 years. "We do all this in their honor," said organizer Marina Ocampo in Spanish. She and her late husband, José Ocampo, helped found the Farm Workers' Ministry in September 1985, the year before its first Mass. Carlos Murillo, 37, of Hollister, said he moved here from Honduras three weeks ago and now works cutting peppers. "It's hard. I'm not used to doing this," Murillo said Sunday. "I thought Mass was very beautiful, and I like the fact that they recognize the work of the field worker, because it's hard work, and we work from sunrise to sunset." Pedro Antonio Cruz, 46, of Salinas, has worked since 2006 cutting parsley and cilantro. "It's good that they don't forget about the farm workers," Cruz said. A community celebration followed the Mass at Saint Mary's Hall with Mexican food and traditional folkloric dances and music. |