May 9, 2021 - "A Statement on Immigrants & Refugees"

Recently Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chair of the U. S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Committee on Migration expressed disappointment that the number for the fiscal year will continue to be at a historic low but appreciation that a number of persecuted refugee families who could not previously travel will finally be permitted resettlement in the United States.  Here is his statement:
 
“The number of refugees who will be welcomed this year is far short of what we can do as a country and is not an adequate response to the immense resettlement need. We will work with the Administration, state and local officials and communities, and our colleagues to ensure that every one of the 15,000 refugees re-affirmed as this year’s ceiling are resettled safely and as quickly as possible. We expect the Administration to recalibrate and raise this ceiling, as it stated it would do Friday evening. We further encourage the Administration to build back the program to more normal and just levels by getting to an admission goal of 125,000.
“Given the unprecedented number of refugee families seeking new homes after being persecuted for religious, political, and other reasons, we appreciate that the U.S. refugee admissions program will now offer previously left out refugees an opportunity to resettle in our country. At the same time, we were hopeful that the Biden Administration would increase the ceiling for refugee admissions in this fiscal year, and we are disappointed that it has not yet done so. The dire circumstances confronting refugees and asylees has been of particular concern for the Catholic Church. The work of the U.S. Catholic bishops in assisting and advocating on behalf of immigrants and refugees is rooted in the recognition that every person is created in God’s image and must be valued, protected, and respected for the inherent dignity that he or she possesses.”
Perhaps you might be asking yourself what you can do to assist and advocate on behalf of immigrants and refugees.  If you are interested in assisting with this, you should find the following information about a recent briefing by Chris King to the Parish Pastoral Council to be of interest.    St. Francis of Assisi Parish (SFA) is a founding member with St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Temple Beth Ami and Or Chadash Congregations of the New Neighbor Interfaith Alliance (NNIA).  Some recent activities of NNIA include the following:

· Two introductory sessions were presented over the last month to more than forty people, twelve faith communities.  Seven new faith communities has agreed to participate.  NNIA is anticipating a significant increase in refugees and asylum seekers.
· SFA provided support to more than six families working with the Vincentian Friends on the Periphery including rent payments and other support.
· NNIA is developing a website and a newsletter
 
Chris also reviewed current needs of NNIA with the Parish Council.

· Financial and other support is needed for Vincentian Friends on the Periphery, Catholic Charities support of refugees and migrants.  There are some funds in SFA Refugee Fund.
· NNIA is partnering with the International Rescue Center (IRC), which is asking for mentoring support for eight families.  IRC is the largest placement agency for refugees in Maryland.
· A Syrian family seeking asylum is in need of support.
· NNIA Steering Committee is in need of additional leaders and coordinators.
· For more information, please feel free to contact me at the Parish Office (301-840-1407).
 
Until next week,
Fr. John