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For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which provides an opportunity for the Church to highlight the presence and situation of immigrants, refugees, victims, and survivors of human trafficking. The week serves as a time for both prayer and action in support of immigrants and refugees.
Organized by Justice for Immigrants at the U.S. Conference for Catholic Bishops, the theme for this year’s celebration is “Building Communities of Welcome.” It emphasizes our responsibility and opportunity as Catholics to engage and welcome newcomers on their arrival and help to ease their transition into a new life here in the United States. To read more about this observation and to download resources visit Justice for Immigrants’ website or at the link below.
Educational materials and other resources for National Migration Week are available for download at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is organizing a Walk and Mass to show solidarity with our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters. The event will take place on April 8, 2017. Click on the flyer below for more information.
Justice for Immigrants (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has issued an action alert calling on Catholics to contact their lawmakers to support immigrants and refugees. This week, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order that is having a devastating impact on refugee resettlement in the United States. Missionary Oblates JPIC stands with religious communities and human rights organizations in calling for the support and protection of refugees forced to flee violence in their home communities. As people of faith, we cannot turn our backs on refugee families as they flee from violence. Today, there is an urgent need for the United States to continue showing global leadership on refugee protection.
Support Refugees and Immigrants – Take Action Now.
By Dr. Victor Carmona, OMI JPIC Committee Member
As a Mexican American Catholic, I think asking whether the influx of immigrants and refugees is a threat or an opportunity is the wrong question; their presence is not merely a political, economic, cultural, or national security problem to be solved. Their presence among us is ultimately a reality that calls for mercy, not just for their sake but ours as well. Instead of those questions, many in our Hispanic communities are struggling with more basic ones, like how do we remain faithful and hopeful when so many of our country’s leaders toy with immigration issues for political gain. I have found some answers in unlikely places.
Dr. Victor Carmona is professor of moral theology at Oblate School of Theology. Before becoming a moral theologian, he served migrants and urban communities with the Mexican Catholic Conference of Bishops and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is a current member of the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee at Missionary Oblates – US Province.
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