Stations of the Cross

In the light of the Holy Week, below are the resources for you to go deeper in the awareness of God's love through solidarity with our vulnerable brothers, sisters, and mother earth.  We share in the cross of Christ while not forgetting that challenges of today can be faced together united in faith and action.

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) hosted 2026 Stations of the Cross is available online for the injustice that death penalty imposes on the system since the colonial age.  A contemplative Stations of the Cross prayer is here.

Resources for Stations of the Cross:

• Laudato Si' Movement TX Chapter Stations of the Cross 
• Laudato Si' Movement Stations of the Cross from the Prayer book (page 38-42) 
• Holy Week Resources from Catholic Mobilizing Network
• Digital Painting Stations of the Cross by Caritas International
• Catholic Relief Services Stations of the Cross

Praying with you this Holy Week. +

What You did to the Least Person, you Did to Me

Matthew 25 is the verse that Dorothy Day's lived for.  The verses from this chapter address the Catholic Social Teachings.  Dorothy Day put her Catholic faith into action.  She lived among the poor, struggled with the poor, and fought for the poor.  She was a journalist, a political activists, a mother, an advocate and a friend of a lot of people whom she lived and fought for and with.  Dorothy Day was someone who did not want to be the center of attention.  She would not want to be that person whom people would praise being a "hero."  These are the words of Ms. Martha Henessy, the granddaughter of Dorothy Day when asked about what kind of person her grandmother was.  She was one of the guests in the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Worker House in San Antonio.  She also lives and runs the Maryhouse or the Catholic Worker House in Lower Manhattan, New York.

Dorothy Day founded the Catholic Worker House together with Peter Maurin in 1933.  It is a way of liberal witness of peace, incarnation and advocates for the poor.  Peter Maurin was a man who used to live in rural area of France where farming and simplicity of life are norm.  For Peter Maurin, the people from rural area and the people in the city must converge.  Dorothy Day was used to the hussle and bustle of the urban life with her writing as a tool while Maurin see the social justice in laboring the field as a farmers.  The farmer's work can benefit from the city dwellers.  The city dwellers can use their wisdom to till the farm as well or bring their wealth of information on how to put these into practice.  

With Day's life's conversion, life of witness and love of the poor, the church gave Dorothy Day the title "Servant of God" by the Catholic Church since March 2000.  She promoted Catholic Social Teachings by her works in Catholic Worker House.  She lived and breath what she advocated for.  She left a legacy where thousands of people still benefit from the movement supported by genuine love of the poor, the forgotten and those that Jesus Christ called "Blessed" in the Beatitudes.

On October 2-5, 2025, people from Catholic Worker House (CWH) nationwide and friends came to Towne Twin Village.  The guests, volunteers, board, friends, and residents celebrated the 40th Anniversary of this noble social justice and peace movement that advocates for the poor. It was on October 5 when we had a seed planting or I can say seed scattering in the meditation garden of the Towne Twin Village.  All who joined the ritual listened to the facilitator who read the Gospel about the generosity of God who scatters the seeds anywhere.  Similarly, we picked up the native seeds  and scattered them in the open space of the meditation garden.  This is the garden that receives the funding from Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation among the many supporters to make this space possible.  It is the vision of the President of Towne Twin Village that when the trees grow, people can make use of it to gather, to ponder, and meditate. It is an opportunity for poeple to be reconnected ton one's inner self.

The seed scattering was then followed by fellowship and food where we find ourselves mingling and eating with the Catholic Workers who incarnate the generosity and humility of God everyday.  They narrated their CWH identies, struggles, and victories.  Each CWH is different.  There are quite several of these provide hospitality for the vulnerable while there are those that are dedicated to farming where the products are expected to support the hospitality houses or to serve as a food pantry for those in need.  Some are peace activists advocating for the rights to live peacefully and to speak for those who continue to be victims of war, violence, and nuclear weapons.  Everybody get to know as much as everyone can in that gathering as the Catholic Workers soon departed to go back to their communities to continue to serve their own patrons.

People from Cincinati, Akron, Los Angeles, Arizona, New York, Missouri, Chicago, and Houston are just among the Catholic Workers who came.  The CWH not only exist in United States but around the world.  They all exemplified all the Works of Mercy that the church continues to put forth: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead.  Just like Day, the Catholic Workers serve the workers, migrants, and the poor. 

Volunteer listing at the back of the T-Shirt of CWH

Theo from the Catholic Worker Podcast

Volunteers from CWH Arizona with Sr Martha Ann and friends

Q & A with a Sister

by S. Marylou Rodriguez

Early this year, after having brunch with S. Teresa Maya, our previous congregational leader, I picked her brain in some of the most pressing issues that affect the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).  Here are the highlights of my Q & A with her.

1. What do you think of the current justice and peace situations in our local and international scene?

We need to recommit to the Catholic Social Teachings (especially) in promotion of human dignity. We forget people in vulnerable situations.

2. Considering the issues that the humanity and the world are facing. What can be the JPIC topmost priority?

JPIC can be like a pebble in the shoe that makes one uncomfortable. It can continue to persist in raising issues, connect organizations. JPIC needs to get us out of our bubble, the comfortable bubble.

3. What can we practically do (for justice and peace), considering the decline in vocation and aging?

We need to understand our institutional voice. We still have it in San Antonio. We have a voice. If the archdiocese say something about immigration, we can publish this statement.

Our Sisters, even though they are old, we can be in the Village and invite the homeless and be an  accompaniment. We can care for creation through direct donation.  We are (Congregation) corporate power. The Congregation and ministries will listen if we make a statement.  We have the Ministry Council. We have a person sitting in that for our ministries.

4. We have an event "I Shall Not Hate" with Dr. Abuelaish, a speaker who was a Gaza refugee, now a Canadian citizen.   How can we advance Justice and Peace works through education and in our ministries?

Make sure to engage the interreligious group that there is a rabbi.  (There has to be) an interreligious planning that includes Jewish people.  Plan with representative from different ministries so that they get involve.  Find another congregation to partner with.

5. What can JPIC do with all the issues happening with (the vulnerable)?

Hilton Foundation is our presence in that part of JPIC.  We are better when we connect the two.  The MIRN Panels are amazing.  The project with youth are amazing.  The Intercongregation Initiative including Costa Rica is working.  The networks and relationships have matured and these take time.  The lay people are more engaged, e.g. the people in school talked about it.  This does not happen before.

6. What should we expect from the Congregation Leadership and the Sisters?

In Mexico, they have students from nearby and they figured out connecting Sisters to be involved.  We are responsible with the Chapter.  If we look at the Chapter Acts, everybody has a responsibility.  What did we do to be ahead?  Do I remember the Chapter?  What is the direction?  Do I know about what it says?

------

Note: The event "I Shall Not Hate" was a week long event held on February 17-21, engaging various organizations in San Antonio of various faith traditions.  Sub-events engaged different people from various institutions and organizations such as University of Incarnate Word, The Village at Incarnate Word, Alamo College, Pax Christi TX, The Rainbow (Interfaith) Coalition, the Executive Book Club, Catholic TV of San Antonio and San Antonio Express for promotion, etc. The proceeds of the event went to supporting scholarship fund for the Middle Eastern women.

Sisters Speak Out in Washington DC

On July 24 at 10am Eastern Time, representatives from about 50 religious congregations of women and justice promoters will be gathering in Washington DC to pray and speak for the vulnerable, the underprivileged and the forgotten.

Religious women have been advocating for the rights of the oppressed for centuries.  They continue to work in hospitals, universities, schools, community and social support service centers, and the places that may be abandoned or untouched by the interest of today's world.  They advocate for the vulnerable people affected by the challenges brought by a system that is being threatened by control, power, and greed which recently targets the education system, health system, immigration system, environmental regulatory system, and social services.  There have been a staggering fears and violence in the community usually affecting those on the fringe of the society.  

Currently, immigrants are being pictured as criminals or belonging to gang members who have intentions of creating havoc, and destruction in the country.  The "One Big Beautiful Bill" attacks immigrants by using billions of dollars of taxpayers money to build detention facilities and obstructions to nature that will only hurt life forms apart from the fear and harm that the prison system can cause to our fellow human beings.  On a relevant note, the whole world commemorates June 20 as the World Day of Refugee.  The people all over world recognize the need of people to migrate from one place to another due to threats of war, political unrest, security concerns, and climate crisis.

The current budget planned through the "One Big Beautiful Bill" for the country will also impact the health of the vulnerable seniors, physically and financially challenged individuals.  The bill targets these vulnerable members of our populations by cutting funds for Medicaid, SNAP, and the Child Tax Credit Program.   What actions of mercy are we called to embrace in today's generation?

Another vulnerable members of our society is the nature.  The "One Big Beautiful Bill" will allow sales of public lands for fossil fuel production.  This means that more land will be potentially abused and left into the hands of businessmen whose objective is to gain more money.  Unfortunately the laws are not protecting the land and the people from harm while this only perpetuate extractivism. The oil and gas industries have already caused harm to nature with so many hundreds of thousands of abandoned wells that are causing unregulated methane exposure in large part of United States.  A healthy and sustainable environment is a universal human rights as recognized in United Nations (UN) Resolutions in 2021 from the Human Rights Council and General Assembly in 2022.  A healthy environment paves way for accessible clean water, land, and air which are key to 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.  How can we have quality air, land, and water accessible for all?  

Please join us for the event. 

WHAT: Sisters Speak Out: Prayer and Public Witness for Immigrants and a Just Economy

WHO: Speakers include Sister of Mercy Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, and Missionaries of Christ Jesus Sister Norma Pimentel, MCJ, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, among others.

WHERE: Capitol Hill, corner of Constitution & 1st St NE (across from Russell Senate Office Building)

WHEN: Tuesday, June 24, 10:00 a.m. ET

For more information, go to Sisters Speak Out! information, go to Sisters Speak Out!

###

A prayer of love, Suscipe Prayer of St Ignatius

Receive, Love, my entire freedom.

Accept the whole of my memory,my intellect and my will.
Whatever I have or possess, it was you who gave it to me;
I restore it to you in full, 
and I surrender it completely to the guidance of your will.
Give me only love of you together with your grace,
and I am rich enough to ask for nothing more. Amen.

Advocacies:
Save Medicaid - Action Network
Save SNAP-Ed – We need your voice!
Stop “One Big Beautiful Bill”: Tell Your Two Senators ‘Vote NO on Reconciliation Bill That Would Fund Cruel Border Policies and Mass Deportation’
Protect Arctic public lands from the administration’s attacks | NRDC
Stop the Sell of Public Lands in One Big Beautiful Bill
Protect the Solar and Clean Energy
Farm Aid Actions

Relevant Articles:
USGS Touts Potential Oil and Gas Resources Beneath Public Lands in Updated Survey - Inside Climate News
How Trump’s big beautiful bill will raise household energy costs • Nevada Current
New analysis: 250 million acres eligible for sale in newly updated budget rec bill | The Wilderness Society
Senate Committee Pushes Extreme Land Sell-off in Reconciliation
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” hurts farmers and communities – Farm Aid
Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment | OHCHR
Clean air as a human right
In historic move, UN declares healthy environment a human right

Online Bilingual Prayer: Human Mobility

Friends,
We invite you to a special bilingual online prayer gathering on September 26 at 6 P.M. Central Time. As we continue our journey through the Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4) and approach the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (last Sunday of September), let us come together as a community from Peru, Mexico, the United States, and beyond. This prayer will be a time for united reflection, prayer, and solidarity with those who seek refuge and a home. Your presence will enrich our shared commitment to justice, peace and care of creation.

Date: September 26
Time: 6 PM Central Time
Platform: Zoom

We look forward to praying with you.

Invitation to Pray the Stations of the Cross

Some of you may have devotions while some of you might ask, what the Stations of the Cross is.  This tradition can be traced from the contemplative life of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in 12th century and St Francis and St. Bonaventure of the Franciscans in the 13th century.   Although, the practice of pilgrims contemplating the way of the cross can be dated back in 2nd century and even in the early church in Jerusalem pondering on the painful journey of Jesus Christ towards his death in Mount Calvary.

What is the importance of the reflecting on something that is horrific and something that is painful?    Throughout the centuries, there had been a lot of things that happened to humankind that we as a humankind, would not have imagined doing again although some are still happening.  Reflecting on something horrific can make us angry about the event or even the people.  The good news about certain emotions is that it can move us into actions so that we want to stop things from ever happening again so that other people do not have to suffer the same fate.  

The greatest love of all had been given.  The greatest sacrifice of all had been offered.  The greatest mystery of life had been lived.  We asked ourselves what we have learned as a humankind so that suffering can be a history and that love is something that will persist in all cultures, traditions, and places?

We continue to reflect our own life and the lives of our brothers and sisters in the world during this Lenten season and why we are still commemorating this painful journey and redemptive sacrifice.   There are various ways you can offer the devotion of praying the Stations of the Cross to the many ways that our fellow human beings are still journeying with crosses towards their own "Mount Calvary".

Can we work on individual and systemic changes so that the suffering of the past can be a history?  Can we work on this transformation so that our labors and ideas are towards a more just and peaceful society.  We are hoping that there will be no more people who are forced to migrate due to economic hardships.  We are aware of the fact that some people are migrating due to violence, environmental and natural disasters.  We have exploited the forest causing indigenous people to be harmed and to be forced to vacate their spaces into a place where they can live and thrive using the natural resources they have been used to living for thousands of years.   People are affected by our lifestyle, consumption, and production that contributes to climate change.  Can we put a stop on our behavior that contributes to persistence of violence, climate change, and human trafficking negatively affecting the lives of those who are at the bottom of the society?

What about the people who are at the bottom of the society in terms of economic status?  What services have we allowed to them so that they too can be educated and be healed from violence, sexual abuse, social and economic injustices that they are experiencing every day because of their race and religion.  How are we making it possible that people who are abused are given justice by restoring their dignity through healthcare and social services?  How are we making it possible for people to feel protected by the very structure that are available in the society such as church, uniformed enforcement, military, government, non-government/non-profit institutions that are supposed to secure and safeguard their dignity and life?

As of this month of March, there 8 people for executions in death row with 1 in Texas, 2 in Ohio, 2 in Oklahoma, 2 in Missouri and one in Georgia.  Israel-Hamas-Gaza war is still going on since October reaching the death toll in Gaza to be 30,000.  United Nations reported more than 10,000 civilians have died from Russia-Ukraine war while several millions have fled from these two warring countries in search of safety and security.  According to FACTCHECK.org, there has been 2.5 million migrants have been released and 2.8 million migrants have been deported.  Washington Post reported that there has been 2 million per year migrants crossing the border without documents every year since 2021.   New York Times reported 300,000 crossed the Southern Border in December last year.  Some of the causes for migrations are brought by environmental and natural disasters.  

During this time of lent, there are plenty of opportunities to pray and reflect as to what we are called to do.  Where is your heart resting?  Are you able to shed some light to some dark places in our world?  Are you able to carry some of the crosses in our world so that others can bear the weight of their heavy crosses or be forever relieved from the systemic crosses? 

Let us journey together during lent so that we can be in solidarity with those who are carrying the cross in the calvary and we can ponder on the actions that we are called individually and collectively. 

Some of the suggested Way of the Cross using the suffering of our time are below:

1. University of Incarnate Word's Mission and Ministry is hosting Stations of the Cross.  Please reach out to Dr. Arturo Chavez for more information at 210-259-1060 or aechavez@uiwtx.edu 

2. Stations of the Cross to pray for the suffering ecology and the poor by Laudato Si Movement

With the suffering of Christ, the Laudato Si Movement reflect the suffering of the poor and the vulnerable and how through this way of the cross, we may be able to contemplate our ways so that we can be part of the solution so that our brothers and sisters can be redeemed from their crosses especially impacted by Climate Change.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18hOyOHdEhF6qKDXw0bmudY_kdqF9P7RJ/view

Alternative Flipbook-based Stations of the Cross by the New York Chapter from the Global Catholic Movement: MNYCCM - Stations of the Cross 2024 (fliphtml5.com)

3. Stations of the Cross for Peace

Prayer-Service_Stations-of-the-Cross-Walking-with-Jesus-for-Peace-Henri-Nouwen.pdf (educationforjustice.org)

4. Stations of the Cross for Ukraine

Stations of the Cross for Ukraine: God of Peace, rescue your children. Unite our family. End this war. | America Magazine

5. Stations of the Cross to abolish Death Penalty

CMN's Stations of the Cross | Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) (catholicsmobilizing.org)

Stations_of_the_Cross_Resource_0.pdf (catholicsmobilizing.org)

Be blessed.

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

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023

We commemorated the courage, resilience and strength of the people who were forced to leave their homes behind. This is not just a day of celebration, but an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to welcoming and integrating asylum-seekers and refugees into our communities.

From the CCVI Migrant, Immigrant and Refugee Network we had the opportunity to accompany from Palenque and Tapachula [Chiapas, Mx] the celebrations and rallies, along with the refugee population in both localities. We acknowledge the will of the municipal authorities to work locally on this global phenomenon; we recognize the work of international organizations, which promote actions and projects that seek to integrate these populations; and we appreciate the dedication of the people who make up and collaborate in civil society organizations and shelters because we know that, at heart, they accompany the asylum seekers and refugees on their way through and during their stay in our communities.

In his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on the freedom to choose whether to migrate or to stay. When people are deprived of that freedom of choice and must resort to travel between countries to find a safe space, we are called to action: to receive and integrate them, to facilitate a dignified stay and a fraternal embrace. We are called as a Church to work and build with governmental actors, private initiative, media, international and civil society organizations- only then will we be able to address, in a comprehensive way, the challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees when they arrive and settle in a new community.

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

Act of faith, hope and love

This year, we share with you our beautiful prayer for and with refugees. We called this prayer as "Act of faith, hope and love". We invite you to join us to pray for all of those who leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. 

Print prayer: HERE

United Nations aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.  The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a role to play in order to bring about change. Everyone can make a difference. This is at the heart of UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign. 

Act of Faith, Hope and Love

God of the life,

We believe in your infinite goodness

and your love gave rise to all creation.

Jesus Christ, Incarnate Word,

we believe that you teach us the way to welcome,

protect, promote and integrate every human being,

especially people in vulnerable situations.

Ruah, Spirit of Community,

you bring us together to work for justice and peace,

we believe that we all have a place in your loving heart.

We hope in you, God of life,

we wait on the promise that your people contain,

our migrant, immigrant and refugee sisters and brothers

are the living memory of a new heaven and a new earth.

We actively look forward to building your Kingdom,

we put our hope in the dynamism of your Incarnation in history

and in the call that you make to us every morning

to be a presence of compassion, freedom and mercy.

God, grace with us,

from your immense charity and your justice,

we firmly recognize that human dignity knows no borders.

We love that we are in your

human condition, courage, bread, promise and spring.

Thanks for showing us that at your table

we all have a place.

Amen

  

© A prayer resource by Congregational Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office. A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word [World Refugee Day 2020] Free Resource

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

A journey back home to the Amazon rainforest

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

Internally Displaced People

The Pastoral Orientations on Internally Displaced people (IDP's) offers practical suggestions for local Churches and Communities affected by forced displacement and identifies pastoral practices which can be carried out and renewed.
The Pastoral Orientations builds upon the teachings of the Catholic Church about IDPs.
Download this resource: HERE

Internally Displaced People by Katty Huanuco on Scribd

Prayer in Solidarity with Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees

Download HERE

We see God’s face and hear God’s voice in the cry of immigrants, migrants and refugees, the largest number of them since World War II. Seventy-one million people had been forced to flee their homes by the end of 2018*.  

As global citizens and as people of faith let us be in a compassionate circle of solidarity with our sisters and brothers from around the globe.    

HYMN

WHO DID YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY?**

Who did you see along the way? What did you see?

Who did you see along the way? What did you see?

We saw a child, 

sheltered from the burning sand,

in flight from a king,

a drift from home.

He seemed like one of us.

We saw a man prone beneath an olive tree,

with death in his eyes, estranged from home.

He seemed like one of us.

We saw a woman reaching for her dying son,

held back by police,

no heart for home.

She seemed like one of us.

We saw a crowd, robed in white before the Lamb,

their journey now done,

at last at home.

They seemed to call to us.

Who did you See?  Lyrics © Andrew Hamilton, SJ. Music © Christopher Willcock, SJ

Leader: We gather in the presence of the God of infinite love and compassion.  God calls us to bear witness to the dignity of every human person of every culture and country.  We pray with migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers—mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles. We remember especially the children—frightened, alone, hungry, and cold. These are God’s children—our children.  May we amplify their voices. May we amplify their cries.

We remember that Abraham and Sarah welcomed strangers and God blessed them.

We remember “You were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

We remember Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who were refugees.

We remember Alan Kurdi, the Syrian refugee child who drowned in the Mediterranean.

We remember 39 Vietnamese migrant workers who died in a closed truck in England.

We remember a 5-year-old from Honduras who was taken from his father in the U.S. He said: “The immigration agents separated me from my father right away. I was very frightened and scared. I cried. I have not seen my father again. . . It is cold at night when we sleep. I have shoes but no socks.”

See the faces and listen to the voices of the children and other vulnerable people.*** 

Time for discussion

How can we learn to recognize the face of God in migrants, immigrants, and refugees?  How can we amplify their voices of so that more people in the world will respond with compassion and justice?  How can we get others who minister with us to amplify the voices of little ones?***

Reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:13-16)

People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Leader: Let us pray that we may follow the example of Jesus and embrace and bless the children and all the vulnerable. 

Loving God,

pour out your Spirit upon us

that we have strength and wisdom

to stand with your global family.

We pray in the name of the Incarnate Word.

Amen.

The service might end with all moving in a compassionate circle dance of solidarity.**** 

Resources:

*United Nations on Refugees https://www.unhcr.org/

** Source of the hymn https://www.ocp.org/en-us/songs/78441/who-did-you-see

***Select some of the stories to read from English https://www.project-amplify.org/declarations    

Spanish   https://www.acnur.org/#_ga=2.158095994.1114400238.1576519994-2064662131.1576356770 

****See a circle dance on World Refugee Day, an invitation to recognize others as gifts of God, as the Divine among us, an invitation to dance together with our sisters and brothers.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFDqnj_iTXQ