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Pentecost Reminds Us We Are Part of One Human Family May 9th, 2016
Written by Father Anthony Rigoli, OMI
As we approach the great Feast of Pentecost, I can’t help but reflect on how the Holy Spirit moved here in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, ten years ago.
When I returned t
o the City of New Orleans after having been welcomed by my brother Oblates in Houston and San Antonio, I felt devastated by the sight of over 80% of the city destroyed. I felt that we would never recover nor be the same Big Easy.
Coming to our rescue were many immigrants from Mexico. They truly helped us to rebuild our city. I believe that we would never have been back to some normalcy if not for our brothers and sisters who came to help us.
From my own perspective, I have since seen a greater respect for the immigrants who come to New Orleans. This city was built by immigrants that came here in the past and now in the present. There seems to be a respect for the Mexicans because all New Orleanians know that we would not be where we are today without their hard work. They are workers through and through. They teach us so much. To me, this is truly the work of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the history of this city, immigrants have persevered in spite of hardship and discrimination. The gift of courage has been given to them. All of us can learn from those who never give up.
My own parents came from Sicily with the dream for a better life. May we never give up on our dreams. May the guidance and gift of the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost and that still comes today, continue to lead us.
Fr. Anthony Rigoli, OMI, is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church/International Shrine of St. Jude in New Orleans, Louisana. He was born in Buffalo, NY and ordained an O.M.I. in 1972. He has been involved in parish work, teaching, campus ministry and preaching workshops.
A Stranger and You Welcomed Me December 28th, 2015
National Migration Week 2016
“A Stranger and You Welcomed Me”
National Migration Week will be observed January 3 to 9. The theme for the 2016 observance is, “A Stranger and You Welcomed Me.” Oblate JPIC is inviting you to use this opportunity to pray, raise awareness and educate your communities on the issue of immigration and Catholic Social Teaching.
Prayer Resource
Leader
We are a community called and gathered by you, God. Your son, Jesus, lived your love in a community of apostles and disciples and invited them to look after one another. We ask you to help us not to forget that we all are called to imitate the example of your Son among ourselves.
Reader
The Church hears the suffering cry of all who are uprooted from their own land, of families forcefully separated, of those who, in the rapid changes of our day, are unable to find a stable home anywhere. She senses the anguish of those without rights, without any security, at the mercy of every kind of exploitation, and she supports them in their unhappiness. [We are called to work] so that every person’s dignity is respected, the immigrant is welcomed as a brother or sister, and all humanity forms a united family, which knows how to appreciate with discernment the different cultures, which comprise it.
(Pope John Paul II Message for World Migration Day 2000)
Prayer (Leader)
Loving God,
We pray that you provide your divine protection to all migrants, particularly those who are driven from their homes due to war or violence, who are uprooted due to environmental degradation and climate change, or whose material poverty pushes them to find opportunities elsewhere.
Show us how we might reach out to these vulnerable populations and help them to begin a new life in a new home. Open our hearts, so that we may provide hospitality for all who come in search of refuge. Give us the courage to welcome every stranger, as Christ in our midst. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Prayer from USCCB National Migration Week 2016)
Conclude (All)
God,
We pray for all people. We pray for those who leave their countries of origin in search for a better life for their families. Help us to stand strong in our actions of solidarity and prayers. Give courage to our elected leaders to do the right thing of enacting laws that protects all immigrant families.You always make something new in each one of us.
With your help, let us build a better world for all people.We pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
Specific resources for National Migration Week 2016 can be found here: http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/national-migration-week/
A Call for Compassion Toward Immigrants October 26th, 2015
“When the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and the errors of the past. We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our “neighbors” and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our best. I am confident that we can do this.”
(Pope Francis to Joint Session of U.S Congress- September 24, 2015)
On October 20, the Senate voted down “Stop Sanctuary Cities and Protect Americans Act,” also known as S.2146. Missionary Oblates JPIC joined other religious-based organizations and human rights groups in expressing profound concern about the potential impacts if S.2146 became law. Church groups expressed that such programs have led to increased fear of immigration detention and deportation among immigrant families in communities across the country. We appreciate you for standing with immigrant families and raising your faithful voices to Senators in Congress. Your voice made a huge impact.
