Organizing 202: The Billboard

Years ago Loretto put up a billboard on Motherhouse grounds that said, “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me.” It’s still there, right at the front entrance, along Rt. 152. So recently when local Catholic communities met to consider what they could do together to promote immigrant rights locally, the billboard idea surfaced quickly. The other communities had put them up too and thought this would be a grand idea. But what to say?

The front runners were “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus and “When did I see you hungry …” from Mt. 25:35-40. Would there be a picture of Jesus or of the Statue of Liberty? One of the Dominicans agreed to find a billboard company and get price estimates. All agreed to meet in a week and make decisions.

We gathered a second time to learn the cost would be $2,700 for two billboards for three months. That was sobering. Three communities agreed to put $900 each into the pot. At that second meeting, compromise won out. There would be a drawing of Lady Liberty and words from Matthew. Sharon Kassing was volunteered, in her absence, to design an initial graphic. 

Two weeks later, the design was sent out. Nineteen separate recommendations for change came in. Carolyn Jaramillo pulled up her socks and set to reconciling them all. More yellow. No pink. More words. Fewer words. Bigger statue. Smaller statue. It was a chore. But it got done with expert leadership from Christina Manweller, and everyone was pleased.

The next suggestion was, “Let’s have a celebration for the opening.” A billboard opening?? “Let’s have it be a prayer service.” On a highway? Where exactly are these two billboard sites? Several cars went out in search of the sites. One was on a side road near Highway 55 with a parking lot nearby where folks could gather.

Joyce Minkler wrote a lovely prayer service. She brought it to the Motherhouse Peace Committee and the committee edited it for an hour. Lots of tiny changes. When we finished, it was still lovely. Meanwhile, Pat McCormick went up to the parking lot near the billboard and met with the owner, Terrence McCain, who said yes, he would welcome a group gathering to pray for immigrants. Indeed, he would provide and set up 40 chairs for the event.

The two billboards were supposed to be erected April 26 but we found that old ads were still up. Invitations were already out for the reception. Should we change the date? The company apologized and the billboards went up the next day. The one on Highway 55 looked great. Fifty people came to the reception, followed by an invitation to supper with wine at the Motherhouse. As I write, not all of us have found the other billboard outside of Lebanon on the way to Cambellsville. People who have seen it say it looks good too.