Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley’s executive director received a hero’s welcome when she arrived back in McAllen last week.
Sister Norma Pimentel’s work in South Texas to help migrants along the border has been recognized by Time magazine when they named her one of the most influential people in 2020, Notre Dame University when they bestowed upon her the 2018 Laetare Medal and when she represented the U.S. before Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2017.
On Friday, McAllen High School’s Mariachi Oro played as Sister Norma Pimentel returned to the Valley bringing more accolades following her trip to the east coast.
“I’m truly blessed to be part of this family of the Rio Grande Valley. It is together that we’re able to make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Pimentel said during the ceremony held at the airport.
Migrants released from Border Patrol custody and allowed to legally continue their immigration proceedings in the United States are welcomed at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley’s shelter in McAllen. Since they began operating in 2014, Pimentel said they’ve received and helped over 200,000 people.
Univision held a gala in New York City on Friday when they honored several “UniVisionarios,” or visionaries, in the Latino community living in the United States.
“My mission when I visited the children who were detained in the detention center in 2014,” Pimentel said during a pre-recorded piece shown during the awards ceremony, adding, “I understood my mission was now to do my part to help the world see that we have to be more people to defend humanity.”
The Matamoros native called to serve at the age of 23 and Pan American University graduate works with multiple governmental and non-governmental organizations to coordinate help across the border on a daily basis. She thanked the many people who helped with the mission to welcome and shelter foreigners.
“The truth is that there are thousands who join me, and they join and have a big heart and we know how to embrace life… and welcome our brothers and sisters who need us so much,” Pimentel said after receiving the award.
McAllen’s welcome also included a mention of Pimentel’s recent Concordia Leadership award, an international recognition reserved for those who “have elevated a global challenge that has ignited public-private acknowledgment of inclusive practical solutions, have a record of nonpartisan partnering experience, and who share a commitment to positive social and economic change while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more prosperous and sustainable future,” according to their website.
Pimentel was among two other recipients, the former Colombian president and an IBM executive.
“It is together that we can make a difference in the lives of people who truly need us and need that dignity, that respect that we must give to each other. We do that here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Pimentel said on Friday.
