The following are items posted by our North American Migration Committee, a group of SCJs and lay people from Canada and the United States who work together to educate others on the issues of migrants, and promote ways in which to advocate for them.
The plight of immigrants
The North American Migration Committee produced this video as a way to inform and inspire others about the desperate situation of migrants. “As Dehonians we find find a way to get out of the sacristy and act,” states the narrator, a member of the committee. “We need wisdom. Lord, help us to open our eyes and ears. Help us to be fully faithful to our call as Dehonians… We must listen to the cry of the people and do what can we do, no matter how small.” Click on the image above to view it. The video runs approximately 9:30 minutes.
Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship
Pope Francis’ third encyclical
On October 3, 2020 Pope Francis published his third Encyclical Fratelli Tutti in Assisi. It is a synthesis of the Pope’s actions, speeches, and writings till today. Highlighted by an inspiring reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Pope Francis covers a wide variety of topics and concerns: world peace, migration, the epidemic virus, world climate, building walls, social justice, etc. These are issues which concern us all as Dehonians. Therefore, we encourage you, following the invitation of Fr. Carlos Luis Suarez Codorniú, SCJ, our superior general, to study and reflect on the message presented in this encyclical.
Here is an outline of the document:
Introduction (paragraphs 1-8)
Chapter 1: Dark Clouds over a Closed World (paragraphs 9-55)
Chapter 2: A Stranger on the Road (paragraphs 56-86)
Chapter 3: Envisaging and Engendering an Open World (paragraphs 87-127)
Chapter 4: A Heart Open to the World (paragraphs 128-153)
Chapter 5: A Better Kind of Politics (paragraphs 154-197)
Chapter 6: Dialogue and Friendship in Society (paragraphs 198-224)
Chapter 7: Paths of Renewed Encounter (paragraphs 215-270)
Chapter 8: Religions at the Service off Fraternity in Our World (paragraphs 271-287)
Click here to open the document on the Vatican website
What can I do to respond to migrants and their needs?
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More than ever before, we are aware that there are countless migrants in every part of the world. They are fleeing from danger, from ecological devastation, from tyranny and oppression. Life is so unbearable that it is preferable to abandon their homes and risk the unknown in search for a place to live safely and with dignity. We invite you to turn your mind and heart to Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan who crossed the road to care for his neighbor who was beaten, robbed, and abandoned. As followers of Jesus, who teaches us that every human being is our neighbor claiming our love and attentiveness, how do we respond to the suffering of migrants among us searching for a place to belong? How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan call us to go further than just to say a prayer for the faceless and nameless mass of migrants?
Pope Francis identified migration as the greatest challenge of our time. We, as Dehonians, have tried to find various ways to respond to those most in need and to challenge each other to act on what we observe. Yet, we were not ready to be so disturbed by what we saw. We still are searching for ways to help migrants reclaim the dignity taken from them. So we want to share how we started our journey.
We chose a very traditional process called “SEE, JUDGE, and ACT”. This model, common in Catholic Social Teaching, has helped many of us to analyze and act upon what we observe. Those who take this journey often experience a change of mind and heart.
It is imperative that we remember that we enter this process as followers of Jesus. That is why it is important to begin with prayer, especially Prayer to the Holy Spirit. We pray that we may know God’s will and act with a love that has its roots in the Heart of Jesus.
SEE
Realizing your response begins by knowing what is true.
Meet a migrant in your area. Listen to his/her story. Try to understand the pain, frustrations, and courage of this person.
Share the history of your own family arriving in North America. What were their struggles and what were their hopes for the future? What helped them to make this country their home?
JUDGE
Why are migrants forced to leave their homes? What are the root causes? As we try to understand what is happening, we begin to engage in social analysis to arrive at an informed judgement.
Helpful resources include (click on the desired link):
Why Don’t They Just Get In Line?
Message Of His Holiness Pope Francis For The 106th World Day Of Migrants And Refugees 2020
Read Laudato Si’ on the Care of our Common Home (LS 52 and 91)
ACT
Prayerfully look again at the Parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke Ch10) Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Let the unconditional love of the Sacred Heart be your model. Our actions might seem so limited but there are ways each one of us can make a difference.
Possible actions for you to consider:
Get to know a migrant family. Experience their culture and even learn some of their language. Offer to help them learn your culture and language. Sponsor/adopt a migrant family. Learn about migrant services in your community. Use your voice as a citizen to advocate for more humane migration policies. Offer your time and financial resources to agencies working with migrants.
Helpful resources include (click on the desired link):
Your local Catholic Charities website.
Dehonian Social Justice
Archdiocese of Chicago: this is perhaps the best web page available regarding Ministry to Migrants.
This link brings you to the methodology of SEE, JUDGE, and ACT. This will be valuable to get you started.
Click here to learn more about Sr. Norma’s ministry.
Consider donating to her ministry:
Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ
700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd.
P.O. Box 1306
San Juan, TX 78589
To receive her “needs list”: 956-702-4088
To help us journey with migrants we pray:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
The materials on this page were prepared by the North American Migration Committee of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians). The text is available as a brochure at the links below (or at the top of the page).
Cover photo is by Veronica Cardenas, from her exhibit “traveling soles”. She has graciously donated her copyright fee in solidarity with Sister Norma’s ministry
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE:
English (letter) French (letter) Indonesian (letter) Portuguese (letter) Spanish (letter) Vietnamese (letter)
