With the arrival of National Migration Week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for prayers for all families.
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has offered a National Migration Week message to the nation with special gratitude for the gift of immigrants and refugees.
National Migration Week, Jan. 7-13, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of migrants, including refugees, and victims of human trafficking in our communities. This year’s theme is “Many Journeys, One Family.” The theme coincides with the Caritas Internationalis migration campaign “Share the Journey.”
“For nearly 50 years, this week has been a time of prayer and reflection on our history as a migrant Church and nation. In these five decades, the face of the immigrant may have changed – European, Asian, South American and elsewhere – but their faces reveal a common desire to secure the great blessings of American opportunity,” he said.
“Pope Francis, in his statement on the World Day of Peace on Jan.1, 2018, advises us that if we view the situation of migrants and refugees through the wisdom of our faith, ‘We discover that they do not arrive empty-handed. They bring their courage, skills, energy and aspirations, as well as the treasures of their own cultures; and in this way, they enrich the lives of the nations that receive them,’” Cardinal DiNardo continued.
“This week, I invite everyone to reflect on the Holy Father’s words as well as on your own family’s immigration story. Please also join me in prayer for all families, as together, we ‘Share the Journey’ toward a better life,” he said.
The U.S. bishops began the observance of National Migration Week nearly 50 years ago to give Catholics an opportunity to honor and learn about the diverse communities of the Church, as well as the work that the Church undertakes to serve immigrants and refugees. The week serves as a time for both prayer and action in support of migrants and refugees. More than 65 million people are forcibly displaced from their homes globally.