Thread: Catholic Church will lobby DC for amnesty Jan. 4-10.

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-182.shtml

National Migration Week to be Celebrated January 4-10



WASHINGTON—The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Migration Week on January 4-10, 2009.

This year's theme, Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice, "reminds us of our obligation to bring hope to the hopeless and to seek justice for those who are easily exploited," said Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, in a letter sent every parish and Catholic school across the country.



"For many migrant communities, injustice and hardship are too commonplace an experience. Given the often marginal and vulnerable status of migrants, it is important that communities everywhere treat migrants justly and provide a welcoming presence to all people on the move," said Bishop Wester.

This year national migration week sheds light on the religious, political and cultural aspects of migration in all its forms. The bishops hope the resources the USCCB has made available will help Catholics become familiar with the many issues surrounding migration.

"As the face of local churches continues to change, information of this kind is becoming more and more important. Individuals, families, schools and parishes need opportunities like National Migration Week to learn the realities about newcomers entering their communities," said Todd Scribner, education coordinator for the Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB.

Last April, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the Bishops of the United States to continue to act in this regard.
"I want to encourage you and your communities to continue to welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes, to support them in their sorrows and trials, and to help them flourish in their new home," said the pope.

The materials include several bulletin inserts that address issues related to human trafficking, immigration, refugees, and Catholic social teaching on migration; information on how to acquire the revise edition of Unity in Diversity: A Scriptural Rosary, to guide spiritual reflection on migration; and a foldout poster.

we need to get all the information as we can get on this... It is time for tax free status stripped from the Catholic church, all parishes that openly interfere with politics of the land

I truely want separation of church and state or one or the other has to go

I consider myself a Christian ... but i will not tolerate this hogwash from the catholic church

USCCB talks about their position on immigration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4dph2PNCb4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpliQIIEHqM

This year's theme, Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice, "reminds us of our obligation to bring hope to the hopeless and to seek justice for those who are easily exploited," said Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, in a letter sent every parish and Catholic school across the country.

That was the theme of their July 2008 conference in DC. Can't they think of anything new?

I would like to go just to set them straight on some things; their view of reality is, shall we say, "parochial?"

Maybe the Catholic church should consider getting out of politics or give up the tax exempt status.

I'm not surprised the Catholic Church wants to destroy America, and turn it into a third world country.

Its all about greed, nothing more.

The Catholic Church is welcome to support all the illegal aliens it wants with its own money. Don't expect me to short-change my family for people who don't belong here.

I have stopped donating to my church and have told them why. I have no problem helping people out - in their OWN COUNTRIES, by sending CARE packages or a little money. I will NOT spend ONE dime on people who come here and lie, cheat and steal from Americans.

This Christmas we've decided to donate hats & gloves for kids to my son's school. The school stopped all requests for ipods, iphones and other expensive goodies from the "poor". Good for them.

Minnesota Catholics to observe 'Immigration Sunday'

Minnesota's Catholic bishops hope the Jan. 4 event will raise awareness of "outdated" U.S. policy on immigrants.

By JEFF STRICKLER, Star Tribune
Last update: December 16, 2008 - 7:10 PM

Calling for "compassionate dialogue" on immigration reform, the Minnesota Catholic Conference announced that Jan. 4 will be "Immigration Sunday" in the state's parishes.

The conference, the public policy voice of the Roman Catholic Church in Minnesota, made the announcement Tuesday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on the Swift and Co. meatpacking plant in Worthington. The conference said that fallout from that raid and others has had "a devastating impact on immigrant families and our rural communities."

Jan. 4 was chosen for Immigration Sunday because it coincides with the Feast of Epiphany, said Sister Anna Marie Reha, director of the Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm. "That feast celebrates the unity of being one human family. This is a chance to recognize and celebrate the gifts and benefits immigrants share with us."

The conference also hopes the day's events will raise awareness that "the immigration policy is outdated and the system is broken," said Bishop Bernard Harrington of the Diocese of Winona. He cited cases of immigrants in the Worthington raid being whisked away without even being able to say goodbye to their children.

"We need to be aware of the hardships and injustices happening right here in our own community," he said.

Although calling for reform, the Jan. 4 activities are not intended to advocate for specific actions, said Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"That's something that the politicians need to take care of," he said. "There are Catholics on both political sides of the immigration issues, but I think all Catholics agree that we want this solved in a compassionate way."

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392

http://www.startribune.com/local/36245309.html

One of Minnesota's main cities is St.Paul. The St.Patty's day parade is huge there from what I understand.