Remembering the 53 lost lives in San Antonio

Nearly a year later, three of our sisters and dozens of others gathered this Sunday, June 25, to pray for the families of the 53 lives lost in a trailer in San Antonio, Texas. "Sisters Mary Margaret, Betty and I were able to join the faith community. As we prayed the community Rosary, we remembered each of the victims and their families. It was an experience that deeply touched my heart. It hurts to see and hear the suffering of the families who have lost their loved ones. I also feel grateful that we were able to be with the community;" shares Sister Martha Laura.

As we remember these our brothers and sisters, we renew our commitment to nurture a culture of encounter where dignity knows no borders.

You can read more about this act of love and solidarity in the following local media publication.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/06/26/nearly-one-year-later-dozens-gather-on-quintana-road-remembering-the-53-lost-lives/?source=twitter&campaign=sndtest

National Migration Week Toolkit

National Migration Week 2021 takes place September 20-26 and will climax with the Vatican's celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sunday, September 26. This year's theme is Towards an ever wider “we." Pope Francis emphasizes that "this focus calls on us to ensure that after all this, we will think no longer in terms of 'them' and 'those,' but only 'us'' (Fratelli Tutti, 35). 

The National Migration Week Toolkit is full of educational and prayer resources and ideas to take action during this week of awareness about our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. Read more and share with your friends, family, and local parish by clicking:

https://justiceforimmigrants.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/FInal-NMW-Toolkit-2021-Temp-2.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a6b040e2-3979-43d1-91a6-d1728b26bfb9

Join the STU, Jhon J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy, for a live webinar to learn about this year’s theme for the 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, An Ever Wider “WE,” as it relates to people on the move and survivors of human trafficking.  Distinguished panelists will contextualize the discussion through the present situation of Afghan migrants and refugees
https://www.humantraffickingacademy.org/event/an-ever-wider-we-case-study-afghanistan/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a6b040e2-3979-43d1-91a6-d1728b26bfb9

“Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” : A prayer guide

We have prepared this prayer inspired by the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 106 World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020. 

Here you can download the guide: Prayer guide

Every year since 1914, the last Sunday of September our Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR). In the light of the tragic events that have marked 2020, the Holy Father has chosen “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” as the theme for this year to focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced people (IDPs). He calls us to recognize the realities of internally displaced persons, and to embrace all those who are experiencing situations of precariousness, abandonment, marginalization and rejection as a result of COVID-19. 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
 
A PSALM
When we talk about migrants,
immigrants, refugees and displaced persons,
all too often we stop at statistics.
But it is not about statistics, it is about real people!
Creator of life, we want to know in order to understand.
 
All: Give us your grace not just to know about them, but also, to be available to understand them.
 
May our fears not distance us from others, 
may nothing stop us from "being a neighbor" 
and to serve with love.
Creator of life, we want to be close in order to serve. 
 
All: Give us your grace of readiness to draw near and to serve lovingly beyond a mere sense of duty.
 
Open our ears, mind, and heart to listen 
to the plea of the vulnerable, 
the displaced and our seriously ill planet. 
Creator of life, we want to listen in order to be reconciled. 
 
All: Give us your grace to be reconciled with neighbors, with all those who have been “discarded”, with ourselves and with You.
 
The pandemic has reminded us 
how we are all in the same boat. 
No one can be saved alone. 
Creator of life, in order to grow, we want to share. 
 
All: Give us your grace of learning to share in order to grow together, leaving no one behind. 
 
The pandemic has reminded us 
of how essential co- responsibility is, 
and that only with the contribution of everyone 
– even of those groups so often underestimated– 
can we face this crisis. 
Creator of life, we want to be involved in order to promote. 
 
All: Gives us your grace to find the courage to create spaces where everyone can recognize that they are called.  May we create new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity.
 
Building the Kingdom of God is a duty common to all Christians, 
and for this reason, it is necessary that we learn to cooperate, 
without yielding to the temptation to jealousy, discord and division. 
Creator of life, we want to cooperate in order to build. 
 
All: Gives us your grace to commit ourselves to ensuring international cooperation, global solidarity and local commitment, leaving no one excluded. 
 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
 
SACRED SILENCE
 
READING
During the flight into Egypt, the child Jesus experienced with his parents the tragic fate of the displaced and refugees, “which is marked by fear, uncertainty and unease. Unfortunately, in our own times, millions of families can identify with this sad reality. Almost every day the television and papers carry news of refugees fleeing from hunger, war and other grave dangers, in search of security and a dignified life for themselves and for their families.” In each of these people, forced to flee to safety, Jesus is present as he was at the time of Herod. In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ who pleads with us to help. If we can recognize him in those faces, we will be the ones to thank him for having been able to meet, love and serve him in them. Displaced people offer us this opportunity to meet the Lord, “even though our eyes find it hard to recognize him: his clothing in tatters, his feet dirty, his face disfigured, his body wounded, his tongue unable to speak our language.” 
Extract of Pope Francis’ Message 2020
 
SACRED SILENCE
 
ACTION: Each person lights a candle and then places it around the image of St. Joseph.
 
FINAL PRAYER
Father, you entrusted to Saint Joseph what you held most precious: 
the child Jesus and his Mother, in order to protect them from the dangers 
and threats of the wicked.
 
Grant that we may experience his protection and help. 
May he, who shared in the sufferings of those 
who flee from the hatred of the powerful, 
console and protect all our brothers and sisters driven 
by war, poverty and necessity to leave their homes and their lands 
to set out as refugees for safer places.
 
Help them, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, 
to find the strength to persevere, give them comfort in sorrows 
and courage amid their trials.
 
Grant to those who welcome them some of the tender love 
of this just and wise father, who loved Jesus as a true son
 and sustained Mary at every step of the way.
 
May he, who earned his bread by the work of his hands, 
watch over those who have seen everything in life taken away 
and obtain for them the dignity of a job and the serenity of a home.
 
We ask this through Jesus Christ, 
your Son, whom Saint Joseph saved by fleeing to Egypt, 
and trusting in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, 
whom he loved as a faithful husband in accordance with your will.
Amen.
 
Praised be the Incarnate Word!

© All prayers and readings are inspired, adapted and selected from the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020. 

This prayer resource has been created by the Congregational Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office. A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word [World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020] Free Resource

Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities

Faith in Public Life and Interfaith Power & Light have released a voter reflection guide: Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities.

The nonpartisan guide offers timely sections that address urgent moral issues at stake in the 2020 elections and beyond.  Topics include justice for immigrants, economic dignity, human trafficking, care for creation and climate change, racism, and criminal justice reform, democracy and voting rights, health care and the coronavirus pandemic, and global peacebuilding.  

Reflection questions are included to help spark conversation in your communities and to help prime questions for candidates running for office. Read this alone or gather a group to discuss. This is co-sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and NETWORK Catholic Social Justice Lobby and many other groups. 

Download or order copies of this guide now.  

LCWR Welcomes SCOTUS Decision on DACA

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is grateful that the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s attempt to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Court’s ruling safeguards the right of 700,000 DACA recipients to live and work in the country that is their home. This is an enormous victory for the immigrant youth who have led the challenge to the Trump administration’s attempt to end the program that has protected our colleagues, students, neighbors, and friends from the threat of deportation.

DACA recipients have long contributed to our communities and our economy. They are teachers and engineers, specialist and essential workers of every kind. Nearly 30,000 DACA recipients are among the healthcare workers combating the outbreak of COVID-19 working to prevent the spread of the virus and to save the lives of those infected.

While we welcome the Court’s ruling, we recognize that this is not a permanent solution. We call on members of Congress to move expeditiously to pass legislation that will provide lasting stability for DACA recipients, those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Dreamers, their families and our communities. It is long past time to enact a Dream Act that provides a path to citizenship without including funding for detention, deportation, or border militarization, or provisions that would limit opportunities for family reunification. The House of Representatives has already passed the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (HR 6). It is time for the Senate to do the same.

Catholic sisters will continue to advocate for bipartisan legislation that addresses the injustices in our current immigration system. We will continue to stand in solidarity with our black and brown neighbors who seek the justice and dignity that is their right.

We note that this decision comes as Black people and their allies have courageously organized to demand an end to police brutality, systemic racism, and white supremacy. Our commitment to the gospel mandate to uphold the dignity of all people requires that we recommit ourselves to the work of dismantling all those systems that oppress people of color and to advocate for Black lives and the protection of immigrants.

LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has approximately 1350 members, who represent about 80 percent of the women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, LCWR assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.

Contact: Annmarie Sanders, IHM - LCWR Director of Communications (asanders@lcwr.org) 

Source from: https://lcwr.org/media/lcwr-welcomes-scotus-decision-daca

Pope’s Message for the 2020 WDMR

The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.

Every year the WDMR is the last Sunday of September; in 2020 it will be celebrated on 27 September. As the title for his annual message, the Holy Father has chosen “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” to focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced people (IDPs).

Download the Pope’s Message for the 2020: HERE

Make a Butterfly to Free Migrant Children and Families from Detention!

There are thousands of children who have been detained by ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in crowded detention facilities right now who do not have a loved one to turn to for comfort or who are with a parent, but incarcerated. The good news is that the vast majority of child migrants have family members or community sponsors who are waiting to care for them. Especially now that the coronavirus is threatening the lives of people who are incarcerated, it is way past time for children to be released from detention into the homes of their family members or community sponsors! All children and family members should be free to be with the people who love them and want to protect them.  

Send a strong message to urge the White House, ICE, and ORR to immediately release children and their families from detention by creating a butterfly and sending the image via tweets and Instagram to key decision makers. 

Will you join? It’s an easy and powerful way for kids and adults to use their voices and creativity to help others in this difficult time:

1. MAKE a butterfly. Butterflies represent that migration is beautiful. Encourage them to use their creativity! See here for ideas on making butterflies, or for an even easier option, here’s a coloring page you can print out at home. 
2. TAKE a picture of your kids holding their butterflies (including just kids’ hands and no faces is best to protect their privacy or just take a photo of the butterfly). 
3. WRITE a tweet and instagram post with one of the following messages. Or make up your own!
   1. Now more than ever, children should be with the people who love them, not in detention! Release them NOW @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19
   2. Kids standing up for immigrant kids and families in detention -- Release them now! @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19
   3. Hi @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS! Now more than ever, children should be with the people who love them. Release them now! via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19
   4. Back us up! We’re joining @MomsRising and @EffectMigration to ask @ICEgov, @CBP, @WhiteHouse and @ACFHHS to release immigrant kids and families in detention NOW! #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectimmigration #COVID19
      
4. ATTACH your photo. Post!

--Posted from: momsrising.org (April 2020)

"An equal world is an enabled world" International Women’s Day Theme, March 8, 2020

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word gathered for an international assembly in Mexico City and considered our “charism.” Charism is not just a historical memory of doing good, charism involves gifts given for the common good. Charism is dynamic energy responding to current needs.  Among various topics considered, the Sisters considered violence towards women and responding to immigrants and refugees.  The Sisters watched 'You are the rapist!' Chile's women chant against gender violence.  The chant and dance has been used as an anthem to protest violence against women in hundreds of cities.  See a film  https://www.aljazeera.com/topics/issues/women-rights.html The chant notes that the problem is not where I was or what I wore, "You are the rapist."

The Washington Post notes, “For Mexico, a day without women: Female workers plan national strike against rising gender violence.” The article continues, “In what could be the boldest women’s rights action since the #MeToo campaign, many of Mexico’s 21 million registered female workers are expected to stay home from work or school on Monday to protest gender violence. . . . . Federal and local government offices and dozens of universities are granting leave to female employees and students, and some of Mexico’s biggest companies are also backing the action.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/mexico-femicide-womens-strike/2020/03/05/7b7258e0-5c13-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html    

The branches of the University of the Incarnate Word in Mexico are respecting women's rights to protest on this day.  

UNHCR UN Refugee Agency writes,  “On International Women’s Day we celebrate and honor the achievements of women whose courage and determination have set an extraordinary example for future generations. It is an occasion to celebrate the progress they’ve made, while reflecting on the challenges that women continue to face. This year, we are shining the spotlight on five remarkable stories of women who have gone the extra mile to welcome and empower refugees in the United States. May their stories serve as an inspiration to us all to come together and support each other towards a more equal world.”  https://www.unrefugees.org/news/5-inspiring-women-who-are-making-the-world-a-better-place?utm_medium=email&utm_cid=0031K00002lghhfQAA&utm_source=u4u-update&utm_campaign=US_PS_EN_WOMEN_UPDATE___200308&utm_content=newengagedsubs&SF_onetime=7011K000001iUeQQAU&SF_monthly=7011K000001iUeUQAU

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have made a corporate stance to work in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.  Join us in our efforts. 

"Promoting a Church and a World for All," A Time to Amplify the Voices of the Children

A Guatemalan immigrant Claudia Gomez Gonzalez who was killed is being memorialized in this mural sponsored by San Anto Cultural Arts Center, San Antonio, Texas 

Fifty years ago the Catholic Church seeking to focus on the human dignity of migrants and refugees began observing National Migration Week in the season of the Epiphany.  As people reflect on the visit of the three wise men from the east to the baby Jesus and this revelation of Christ as light to the nations, all are invited to deeper love for the whole human family, not just one’s own tribe.  A Toolkit of resources for National Migration Week, January 5-11, 2020, with the theme “Promoting and Church and a World for All” can be found at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/FInal-NMW-Toolkit-2020.pdf

Pope Francis recently said migrants are victims of injustice. “It is injustice that forces many migrants to leave their lands. It is injustice that forces them to cross deserts and suffer abuse and torture in detention camps. It is injustice that rejects them and makes them die at sea.” He went further to say, “We must help and save [these victims], because we are all responsible for the life of our neighbor, and the Lord will ask us for an account at the time of judgment.” 

All are called to work for justice, especially for the children who are suffering.  One way to help them is by amplifying their words and their stories. Read about the children. “There is tremendous pain in these children’s stories and we ask that you gently embrace their stories with humility, openness, and respect, and find a way within your talents, gifts, and calling to share their words with the universe in the hope that the truth will ensure that these practices end so that these children will suffer no more. It might be a poem, a song, a sermon, a rally, a billboard. Only you will know. Please answer the call to amplify their voices and elevate the truth.”  https://www.project-amplify.org/take-action

 

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word invite you to a Prayer Service “National Migration Week: Promoting a World for All,” Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, 3 pm, Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. We will learn, unite in prayer, and learn of ways to act such as Project Amplify https://www.project-amplify.org/