U.S. Border: Catholics Welcoming Deportees, Migrants and Refugees
At the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Tijuana, people see a big house at the top of a hill adjacent to a skyline-dominating steeple.
The big house is Casa Migrante. Next to it is the church of San Felipe de Jesus and a third building.
For more than 30 years, after people have grappled with the border’s harsh reality, Casa Migrante is a place where they can get immediate help and begin to re-establish a normal life.
Fr. Pat Murphy, C.S., who runs Casa, says that in recent years 90 percent of the people coming to Casa have just been deported from the United States. Those numbers have been rising recently.
“Some of the people had been living in the U.S. for 30 years,” Fr. Pat says. “When they arrive they are in a bit of a shock!”
They usually don’t know where to go or what to do. Casa is a short-term spot where they get immediate shelter, meals and clothing.
National Catholic Schools Week Begins Jan. 27
The theme for National Catholic Schools Week, January 27 through February 4, is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”
Celebrations will include Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and the community at large. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation.
As Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors, the demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools is growing.
Click here for more information or visit our Education page for more information on important educational issues in California.
Bereavement Ministry Training in the Aftermath of Violence
Free training is being offered to Parish Bereavement Ministry Directors and Ministers and those who accompany the bereaved.
Space permitting, Diocesan Restorative Justice Directors, Priests, Women Religious, Deacons, Chaplains and other interested parties may be able to attend.
Participants will learn how to more effectively minister to survivors of violent crime, particularly those who have experienced the death of a loved one to homicide.
When: Begins at 1pm Tuesday, May 7– Ends at 1pm, Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Where: Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, 700 N. Sunnyside Avenue, Sierra Madre.
Click here for more information.
Over 15,000 Attend OneLife LA
Last Saturday was Los Angeles’ 5th anniversary of OneLife LA, where an estimated total of 15,000 people gathered to celebrate life.
The event began with a youth rally at La Placita Olvera, following a walk to Los Angeles State Historic Park, where it then ended with a festival style celebration. Among the speakers and performers were Gloria Purvis, Abby Johnson, Dr. Jose Villela, Karyme Lozano, and Lizzie Velasquez.
The event celebrated the beauty and human dignity of every individual from the unborn to the elderly. Those who ended with mass at the Cathedral shared 180 seconds of silence for the 180 babies killed through abortion that day in the city of Los Angeles alone. During this silence, only the 180 candles lit by the altar lit up the entire Cathedral.
According to California Catholic Conference Legislative Advocate Maria Jose Flores, “It was amazing to see so many youth and families standing up for life and learning that being pro-life includes all aspects of human life.”
The Walk for Life West Coast is taking place in San Francisco this Saturday, January 27. For details on this walk, go to www.walkforlifewc.com.
Volunteer and Assist with the California Earned Income Tax
The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is a cash-back program that puts money back in the pockets of hard-working Californians.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is working with CALEITC4Me and seeking volunteers to help low-income taxpayers file their taxes for free. Whether you are retired, a student, or work full-time, there’s a role for you.
Counselors work with taxpayers directly, filling out tax returns and helping them find the deductions and credits they’ve earned. Client facilitators welcome taxpayers, help organize their paperwork and manage the overall flow of service. Tech support, translators, communicators, managers and administrators are also needed.
Click here for more information.
January 25, 2019
Vol. 12, No. 2
En Español