Sr. Veronica Piccone, MSC, has approximately 20 students, divided into 2 groups, beginners and level 1. Before starting classes she interviewed some of these students and the stories they told her were heartrending. Several of the people are from Belarus and were present at the Chernobyl nuclear power incident, where thousands died of exposure from radiation. As a result, these immigrants all have some sort of chronic illness; some are on crutches, others have very high blood pressure.

There was also a couple from the Ukraine, who when asked why they came to America replied: "Ukraine [is] no good for Jews. You can only find a low job there." A woman from China related her story and told me that her family members were capitalists, and the Communist government put her father in prison for no reason and he died after 12 years. Then, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, her mother committed suicide. She said she could no longer stay in China.

Unfortunately, everyone's stories were not [able to be] heard because about 10 of the residents could not speak one word of English.

Considering that the residents of Cabrini Apartments were chosen by random selection, it is amazing how high the percentage is of immigrant populations. This situation has affected me personally by again sensitizing me to the plight of refugees and immigrants and the need to have more comprehensive and compassionate laws for immigrants. We need to keep lobbying our federal and state governments for better laws, and not just build walls to keep people out.

St. Cabrini, again, speaks to us of the importance of welcoming the stranger and the immigrant in our midst.

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