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“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them….” (Mt. 19:14)
June 11, 2018, Adrian, Michigan – The following is a statement issued by the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters in response to the practice by Immigration Officials of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border of the United States and Mexico.
Adrian Dominican Sisters urge an immediate end to the morally reprehensible practice of immigration authorities’ separating children from their mothers and fathers at the US-Mexico border.
Heartbreaking stories of children being taken into government custody as their parents are sent to sometimes far-flung detention centers – with no way of communicating with their children for days or weeks and uncertainty about whether they would be reunited – speak of a nation that has lost its moral compass.
No matter our differences on immigration policies, it is hard to imagine American parents and grandparents countenancing such cruelty in enforcing border control.
We call on President Trump to stop his Administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy of filing criminal charges against immigrants – including families seeking asylum from gang violence, rape, or political persecution. And we urge Congress to enact long-overdue immigration reform that enjoys broad public support and reflects American values, such as protecting young Dreamers and keeping families united.
June 8, 2018 – During a special ceremony, the Dominican Republic issued a postage stamp honoring Humberto Ruiz Castillo (1897-1966), a noted engineer and architect and father of two Adrian Dominican Sisters, Margarita (Margot) Ruiz, OP, and Teresita (Tete) Ruiz, OP.
During the event – held May 29, 2018 at the University of Santo Domingo – Licentiate Modesto Guzman, Director of the Postal Institute, noted the special significance of commemorative stamps. A citizen receives greater honor when a stamp is issued in his or her name than when a street is named for the person. The street name is known usually only to the neighbors, while stamps travel all over the world. Those who receive the stamp may be interested in the person who is honored.
“We were delighted and profoundly touched by what people at the event said about our father,” Sister Margot said. “Some of the speakers emphasized that he was very honest, disciplined, and generous – an example for all of society. He put his heart into everything he did.” While their nephew, Fernando Ruiz, represented the family at the event, Sister Margot and Sister Tete watched videos of the event.
The stamps depict Humberto Ruiz Castillo on the bottom right-hand corner, surrounded by a variety of buildings that he had constructed. He designed and constructed several Catholic churches, as well as the Colegio Santo Domingo, the grade school and high school opened by Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Humberto Ruiz Castillo taught for many years at the University of Santo Domingo, passing on to his students what he had learned in Europe. He was responsible for introducing Art Deco to his students, who in turn planted those seeds and spread them to new generations. He also co-founded the Dominican Republic’s first association of engineers and architects.
For his many contributions to the Church, Humberto Ruiz Castillo was named Diocesan Architect. At the time, the Dominican Republic encompassed one diocese. In 1949, he was consecrated by the Holy See with the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
Feature photo: A series of commemorative stamps, issued by the Dominican Republic, honor Humberto Ruiz Castillo, designer of the Congregation’s Colegio Santo Domingo and father of Sisters Margarita Ruiz, OP, and Teresita Ruiz, OP.