Memo Date: 9 December, 2013 To: CC: From: All Clergy and Religious; Social Justice & Immigration Ministers; DREs and Parish Life Ministers Bulletin Editors; Parish Secretaries Kat Doyle, Director of Justice & Peace Ministries Re: 2014 National Migration Week, January 5-11 The USCCB has announced that National Migration Week 2014 will take place January 5-11 with the theme, "Out of the Darkness." A.jpg image, a bilingual prayer card and bulletin inserts are attached. Additional information can be found at http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/nationalmigration-week/index.cfm Migrants and particularly the most vulnerable migrants: children, the undocumented, refugees, and victims of human trafficking, often find themselves existing in a kind of figurative darkness where their options remain limited and their ability to live out their lives in its fullness severely restricted. Often at risk of violence or exploitation these vulnerable populations need to be provided the support needed so that they can thrive. It is our call as the Church to bring the light of Christ to these populations, banish the darkness, and help to bring them from the margins of society to its center. Doing so will provide vulnerable migrants with a protected space in which they can flourish as human beings. This requires prayer for those who are marginalized, alongside an active presence in the public square to demand that protections are provided to those who need them most. Parish Immigration and Social Justice Ministries are encouraged to use this time to help educate our faithful, as well as develop plans for advocacy and outreach. The Office of Justice & Peace Ministries is available to help start and strengthen your parish efforts. Contact Kat Doyle, Director of Justice & Peace Ministries at kdoyle@archatl.com or 404.920.7897 for more information.
God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) God is light and we Christians are called to reflect that light in the world. This entails our inviting others into communiion with the Church, speaking out against injustice, and striving to exemplify in our life Christ s example. Turning to the Gospel message we are warned against hoarding the goods of the earth for our own pleasure, and told to sell all we have and giving alms (Lk:12:33), feed the poor, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty, and welcome the stranger (Mt 25). The stranger can come in different forms, but one way in particular that she comes into our midst is in the form of the migrant. Far away from home and dwelling in a new land, often poor with few possessions of their own, migrants can an especially vulnerable group of people and open to exploitation and abuse. For this reason we should pay special attention to their needs, both religious and material, and advocate on their behalf with the hope of ensuring their protection and well-being. Particularly in need of our support are the most vulnerable of migrants: children, the undocumented, refugees, and victims of slavery: Migrant Children, often alone and afraid and without the protection of a parent or guardian are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Special protections should be given to them to ensure their safety and well-being. Undocumented immigrants are often referred to as living in the shadows. Their marginal status has led advocates for reform to call for a legalization process that will bring them out of the shadows and provide them with the opportunity to contribute to society and live out their lives in dignity. All too many Refugees who are left mired in refugee camps around the world never have the opportunity to realize the full potential of their God-given skills and talents. Long term solutions need to be implemented so that refugees are not forced to remain in camps but can reintegrate into society and become contributing members of it. Enslaved and treated like objects for profit rather than as human beings, victims of human trafficking require liberation from their bondage and support to help them start anew. Those who enslaved them need to be brought to justice and punished accordingly so that they will not have the opportunity to hurt anyone else in the future. What can you do to help? To help a migrant child in need of help, please consider becoming a foster parent. To learn more, please call 202-541-3347. To assist the bishops efforts in support of immigrants, learn more about the bishops Justice for Immigrants Campaign at www.justiceforimmigrants.org To assist the bishops efforts on behalf of refugees, please contact your local Catholic Charities to see how you can help their resettlement program or to urge them to start a program if they do not have one. To learn how the bishops are engaging in the fight against slavery, please visit the following webpage: http://www.usccb.org/ about/anti-trafficking-program/ To help support the bishops work with and on behalf of migrants, consider making a donation at: http://www.usccb.org/ mrs-ncf
NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK 2014
A Prayer for Migrants Merciful and loving Father, you provided for your people Israel in their exodus from slavery a promised land that you established for them, and in Jesus Christ you provide welcome refuge for all in need. We ask for your divine protection for all migrants who have left their homes in search of new opportunity in another land. For refugees, who are forced from their homes due to threats of violence, we beseech you to provide them a safe haven. For migrants trafficked into slavery, grant them rescue, healing, and the strength to start again. For immigrants, who so often leave their family and friends behind, grant them a better life and greater opportunity elsewhere. We pray in particular for your protection over migrant children who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse at the hands of others. We implore you to grant all migrants your protection and lead them to a place of safety. Be with all those in need with your power to save. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Oración por los migrantes Padre de amor y misericordia, proveíste a tu pueblo Israel en su éxodo de la esclavitud la tierra prometida que estableciste para ellos, y en Jesucristo provees un acogedor refugio para todos los necesitados. Te pedimos tu protección divina para todos los migrantes que han abandonado sus casas en busca de nuevas oportunidades en otro país. Por los refugiados, que se ven obligados a partir de sus casas por las amenazas de violencia, te imploramos que les proporciones un refugio seguro. Por los migrantes víctimas del tráfico de esclavos, concédeles el rescate, la sanación y la fuerza para empezar de nuevo. Para los inmigrantes, que a menudo dejan atrás a sus amigos y familia, concédeles una vida mejor y más oportunidades en otros lugares. Te rogamos en especial por tu protección sobre los niños migrantes que son vulnerables a la explotación y al abuso en manos de otros. Te imploramos que otorgues a todos los migrantes tu protección y los guíes hacia un lugar seguro. Acompaña a todos los que necesiten tu poder salvador. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo, que vive y reina contigo en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Copyright 2013, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photos: 123RF, Sara A. Fajardo/CRS, Jennifer Hardy/CRS. To order publication no. M7-455, visit usccbpublishing.org or call 800-235-8722.