Immigration Reform Materials

 

Letter to Pastors 

January 5, 2011

Dear Father:

Bishop Cunningham began our Diocese’s Justice for Immigrants Campaign (Campaign) with a wonderful liturgy on Sunday involving over 150 immigrants and refugees. This United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Campaign is aimed at a comprehensive revision of our immigration laws. Taking inspiration from Matthew 25:31-46, we are hopeful that this Campaign will bring our Catholic communities closer to the thousands of immigrants and refugees in our midst. See the above attachment, entitled Immigration Syracuse Diocese Statistics on Farm Workers and Refugees, to get a sample of the strangers in need of welcoming.

Realizing the heavy workload of pastors, we are encouraging deacons in formation, directors of faith formation, human development and parish outreach workers and other interested parishioners to work with pastors on the various aspects of the Campaign. Of course, pastors will retain supervision; but we hope the laity will develop and implement most of the Campaign’s activities. Please let us know when you have selected your Campaign coordinator(s).

The four activities of the Campaign are as follows:

  1. With the Eucharist as the heart of our Catholic communities, we ask that each parish celebrate one weekend’s liturgies in the Jan.- Feb.20 period that celebrates the immigrants in our past, present and future. Those churches founded by immigrants should take this opportunity to honor those founding communities. The attachments above give content to the various parts of the Mass. The Immigrant Prayer Card can be used as the liturgy’s final blessing. The Immigration and Catholic Social Teaching attachment will give material for a homily. The Immigration Petitions after the Homily attachment gives 5 areas where prayer is sorely needed. The Immigration 2011 Petition Announcement attachment should be read after communion so as to inform and direct parishioners about the Justice for Immigrant Campaign Petitions in the back of church. We ask that by Feb.24 parishes return all signed petitions to Paul Welch at the Chancery. They will be delivered to our federal representatives with copies to USCCB.
  2. Involving our parish youth in this Campaign is essential. Hopefully, the directors of faith formation will create an activity such as making a banner or poster based on Scripture, which will show our Good News response to immigrants. Presenting these creations at our liturgies and in our churches will be a strong affirmation for the youth.
  3. A wide range of speakers is available to speak to young or adult parishioners. The speakers with relevant experience can direct the parish to explore areas otherwise ignored. Speakers might be called upon during the Lenten season to further explore the Scripture and the modern day stranger. Email or call Paul Welch at pwelch@ccoc.us or 315 470-1423 for the speakers and their backgrounds.
  4. After prayer and study we ask each parish to give some donation to an immigrant or refugee group. We have volunteers who can direct a parish to the farms where migrants come in the spring. Gifts of toiletries and towels would be a sign of welcome to the people who pick our food. Refugee families come into Onondaga, Oneida and Madison counties on a regular basis and need much help. Our speakers are ready to help guide parishes in selecting the best option.

The USCCB’s web site for this Justice for Immigrants Campaign is www.justiceforimmigrants.org. Please email me or call me with questions, concerns or requests at 315 470-1423 or pwelch@ccoc.us

Some have suggested that a special Justice for Immigrants liturgy be held in the various regions. I will contact the regional vicars to get their view.

I look forward to finding out the parishioners who will be leading your Campaign.

In a world filled with violence and division we have an opportunity to spread healing. Thank you for your work in sharing the Good News.

Peace,

Paul Welch
Director Social Action Ministry
Diocese of Syracuse

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Petitions After the Homily 

Let us pray:

For all the immigrants who have gone before us building our church and our country.

Lord hear our prayer

For all the refugees from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America that have made our community a more vibrant and growing place.

Lord hear our prayer

For the homelands of our refugees, that peace and development might be possible; and, especially, for the South Sudanese people who have voted on establishing an independent state.

Lord hear our prayer

For the 2500 farm workers from Mexico and Central America that pick our fruits and vegetables each year and the thousands of dairy workers that keep our Central New York farms functioning.

Lord hear our prayer

For the Guatemalans, Peruvians and others whose families may be forced from our community, we hope their families will be reunited and the children will have a chance for an education and a better life.

Lord hear our prayer

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A Prayer For Immigrant Justice 

Blessed are You, Lord God,
King of all creation.
Through Your goodness, we live in this land
that You have so richly blessed.

Help us always to recognize our
Blessings come from You
and remind us to share them
with others, especially those who come
to us today from other lands.
Help us to be generous, just, and welcoming,
as You have been and are generous to us.

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