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February 24, 2020
The Lord Hears the Cry of the Immigrant
Justice For Immigrants is a website that has updated resources relating to recent developments in immigration policy.
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Public Charge - Starting today, Feb. 24, the Administration's changes to the public charge rule go into effect. To get a better understanding of how this will affect refugee resettlement see the one-pager available on the new Immigrants' Eligibility for Benefits resource page.
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Asylum - The U.S. government has enacted Asylum Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. and the Northern Triangle countries. Read the backgrounder to learn more.
Stand With 700,000 DACA Youth
On Nov. 12, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and is expected to issue a ruling on the legality of the DACA program before June. Our bishops continue to express their support for Dreamers and sent letters to the House and Senate supporting legislation to protect these young people from deportation and family separation. As the decision date approaches, we ask you to continue to pray that the Supreme Court will find these young people worthy of remaining in the US. For more information see the DACA backgrounder (click on the blue).
This Lent you can support the more than 700,000 DACA dreamers who await the Supreme Court decision. http://bit.ly/faith4daca-lent (available on Feb.25)
Green your Lent -Pope Francis Calls Us to Ecological ConversionLent is a time to “turn away from sin and believe the Gospel” as we will hear when we receive the cross on our foreheads this Ash Wednesday. It is the season of conversion and renewal. Laudato Si’ is a clarion call for a personal conversion within each of us and as community to help transform a world that so desperately needs to be governed by more sustainable economic policies and urgent care for our common home. Pope Francis emphasizes that it is not enough for us to go through the motions of change – “we are in need of a cultural overhaul and a spiritual revolution. Individualism and rampant consumerism have led to decisions based on private interests rather than sustainability or the common good. This personal conversion encompasses a reevaluation of our personal priorities and actions, and branches out to a renewal of our commitment to care for all of God’s creation.” (LS) There are many resources available that can be used to have a green Lent this year - one that is focused on ecological conversion. I have listed a few here. When you go to the website click on Resources and follow the links for ecology or environmental justice.
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org
www.ignatiansolidaritynetwork.org
www.ourcommonhome.org/lent-2020/
Laudato Si’ Curriculum (high school students or adult education)
ttps://www.laudato-si-for-all.com/
Reflection for the 1st Sunday of Lent
https://maryknollogc.org/article/first-sunday-lent-2020Ecological virtue: Humility: The virtue of humility reminds us that “we are dust and unto dust we shall return.” We are creatures called to live in deep communion with all of life.
Fast: Commit to giving up one thing this Lent to remind you of your dependence on God. Make your fast a way to protect creation, such as fasting from unnecessary shopping or car use, or eat more plant-based food.
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