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National Migration Week - Praying for Immigration Justice

1/15/2018

Tamia Fowlkes, DHSA '18 and Tess Murphy, DSHA '18

As a part of their service immersion duties during the 2018 Vocare experience, seniors Tamia Fowlkes and Tess Murphy have written the following comtemplative prayer for reconciliation and healing from racism. Their reflection was sent out via electronic newsletter on behalf of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In addition to writing the content for National Migration Week, they also organized the prayer, and led the weekly communal, contemplative prayer service on Friday, January 12, 2018.

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At the apex of political debate surrounding immigration, we are asked to consider our role in addressing immigrants’ rights in connection with our faith. National Migration Week provides a chance to examine the current injustice and oncoming polarization immigrants face, and our responsibility to promote inclusivity in our faith community. First, we must understand the root of the problem.

“A Nation of Immigrants” was a title held by the United States during the early years of the country’s development.¹ Due to its bountiful opportunities and resources, the United States remains a magnet for passionate, young, driven immigrants seeking a better future; however, with an immigration process that can sometimes take up to twenty years to complete, many immigrants fall victim to the consequences of being undocumented, unemployed, and lacking healthcare.² “More than 10 million undocumented aliens currently reside in the United States, and the illegal immigration rate is growing by 700,000 per year”. Unfortunately, due to an understandable increased concern with terrorism and national security, policy regarding this arduous process has been neglected and put off in the midst of deportation incentives.³

“Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.” - The United States Conference of Bishops.

As a community dedicated to removing barriers, we must center our faith around working towards equality and acceptance in our community. Migration week presents the opportunity to heal the divides between neighbors in the face of complex legislation and policy. By embracing the multitude of cultures present in our nation, we are one step closer to achieving the ultimate American dream of uninhibited human prosperity and love.

Kane, Tim, and Kirk Johnson. "The Real Problem with Immigration. and the Real Solution." The Heritage Foundation, CNN, 1 Mar. 2006, www.heritage.org/immigration/report/the-real-problem-immigration-and-the-real-solution.
Strauss, Valerie. " Education leaders vow to keep helping ‘Dreamers’ even as Trump is expected to end program." The Washington Post, 4 Sept. 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/09/04/education-leaders-vow-to-keep-helping-dreamers-even-as-trump-is-expected-to-end-program/?utm_term=.97731404b703. Accessed 28 Dec. 2017.
Orrenius, Pia.
" Benefits of Immigration Outweigh the Costs." George W. Bush Institute, 2016, www.bushcenter.org/catalyst/north-american-century/benefits-of-immigration-outweigh-costs.html.

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A Prayer for Centering

MERCIFUL AND LOVING FATHER,

We beseech you, open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality and refuge to migrants who are lonely, afraid, and far from their homes.

Give us the courage to welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst, to invite them into our communities as a demonstration of Christ’s love for us.

We pray that when we encounter the other, we see in her the face of your Son, when we meet a stranger, that we take his hand in welcome.

Help us to live in solidarity with one another, to seek justice for those who are persecuted and comfort for those who are suffering.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Invitation to Silence

The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father, forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father, forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father, forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father, forgive.

The lust which dishonors the bodies of men, women and children,
Father, forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father, forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.

Amen.

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Weekly Reflection Questions/Invitation to Growth
(Circling back to the Bryan Massingale article - www.tinyurl.com/massingaleamerica)

We don’t know what we are talking about – a) Do you have an understanding of how racism intersects with the imimgration issue in the US? b) If not – how can you educate yourself on this issue? C) Do you have any relationships with undocumented people in this country? Have you asked them about their experience of racial bias, their experience with finding a path to citizenship?
We don’t know how to talk about it – What can you do to gain confidence in talking about and advocating for immigration policy reform that honors the dignity of immigrants from all parts of the globe? Have you engaged with the Catholic programs that advocate for immigrant justice (Justice for Immigrants is the USCCB arm that focuses on advocacy for immigrants in the US)?
We do not want to talk about it – Often, our engagement on a social justice issue stems from the relationships in our lives. If we do not have relationships with people who are undocumented immigrants to this country, we may not have the desire to seek justice on this issue. What personal connections do you have – and if you have none –what is your strategy for deepening relationships with our immigrant neighbors?

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For more information on immigration justice go to:

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- This in-progress mural welcomes guests to the open door cafe at the Cathedral of St. john the Evangelist. The mural will be celebrated with an official opening ceremony on February 2nd.
- Tess Murphy, DSHA '18, leads a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on January 12, 2018.
- Tamia Fowlkes, DSHA '18, leads a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on January 12, 2018.
- Tia, the muralist at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, invites volunteers and lunch guests to paint with her -- a true community effort.
- Allen, a lunch guest at the open-door cafe, helps paint the mural at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.