Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform and for the Dignity of Migrant Families
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COMMUNITY
August 21 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform and for the Dignity of Migrant Families
On July 17 , the Diocese of San Jose ( DSJ ) had a Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform and for the Dignity of Migrant Families . The event was held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph in San Jose and was presided by Bishop Patrick J . McGrath .
The Vigil was a response to the Trump Administration ’ s policy of removing children from their parents at the US / Mexico border , which has resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents .
The Vigil was organized by the DSJ Office of Liturgy and Office of Social Justice Ministries , with support from Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County .
At the beginning of the liturgy , Bishop McGrath greeted , “ Good evening and welcome to our Diocesan Prayer Vigil for the reunification of families that have been separated both here in our own diocese and at the border . During these trying times it is good to come together , as a community of faith , to pray and stand in solidarity with our migrant brothers and sisters ,”
Above are some photos from the Prayer Vigil held for Immigration Reform and for the Dignity of Migrant Families at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph in San Jose .
said the Bishop . As we gather tonight , let us remember that there are many others whom cannot be here with us , either because they have been detained or they are living in fear of coming to public events such as this one . Thus , may our prayers and the stories we hear tonight inspire us to boldly act with justice for immigrants and refugees .”
In his statement on the separation of children from their families on the border , Bishop McGrath said , “ The separation of detained minor children from their parents is un-American , un- Christian and inhumane . This practice is mean-spirited and betrays our nation ’ s tradition of welcome to migrants and refugees .”
Leading civil rights organizations including the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center have criticized Trump ’ s policy for being used as a “ deterrent ” for asylum seekers , most of who are fleeing from wide-spread violence and political repression in Central America .
The Catholic community wished to express solidarity with migrant families and to encourage the faith community and their allies to work together to advocate for real , comprehensive , and compassionate immigration reform .
“ The lack of follow-through to unify families by the administration is itself morally unacceptable ,” says Father Jon Pedigo , the Director for Advocacy and Community Engagement at Catholic Charities Santa Clara County .
After the Vigil , attendees were invited to participate in a hospitality hour in which they had the opportunity to meet and get involved with organizations that advocate for immigration reform .
Santa Clara University Helping Those Who Help Migrants
As the number of forcibly displaced people has grown to a record 68.5 million globally , Jesuit , Catholic institutions show their solidarity and kinship with refugees by providing education to those in refugee camps , offering pro bono legal services , and advocating for humane policies .
At Santa Clara University ’ s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship , 21 organizations that serve or are led by migrants , refugees , and humantrafficking survivors are participating in a unique and pioneering businessaccelerator program , called Social Entrepreneurship at the Margins ( SEM ).
Leveraging Miller Center ’ s 15 years of experience accompanying missiondriven organizations grow , thrive , and scale their impact , the SEM accelerator began in May and will last six months . The accelerator is free to participating organizations , thanks to donors including Vodafone Americas Foundation , Skoll Foundation , Transparent Fish Fund , and Chao Foundation .
The 21 social enterprises operate in two dozen countries and employ a variety of business models to help refugees , migrants , and human trafficking survivors . For instance , blockchain technology enables refugees
and migrants to secure their assets before crossing borders ; jobs and skills training creates livelihood opportunities for refugees ; artificial intelligence identifies human trafficking incidents on the dark web .
Leaders of the social enterprises are accompanied through a structured , online curriculum with two Silicon Valley executive mentors apiece , to boost their business skills , investment readiness , and social impact . That in turn can help them find new partners to achieve their missions more quickly , and also help them tell their business story in a way that will attract new “ impact investors ,” or those who care about social as well as financial returns .
“ The social enterprises in our SEM accelerator offer an array of innovative , entrepreneurial solutions that serve the most marginalized among our common human family ,” said Thane Kreiner , Ph . D ., executive director of Miller Center . “ With climate change and political instability , we can expect to see more refugees and migrants . We need ways to restore dignity and agency to individuals that can scale as the problems grow .”
In October , the entrepreneurs will come to Santa Clara University for in-person sessions and networking , where they will have the opportunity to learn from each other , share expertise , and meet potential investors and others in the social enterprise and impact investing ecosystems .
The SEM program resonates with Catholic Social Teaching , which calls for those forced to move in order to preserve their life to have “ moral claim over the hospitality of others .” As Pope Francis said in January , “ It is important that everyone – civil institutions , educational , welfare and ecclesial realities – is committed to ensuring refugees , migrants and everyone a future of peace .”
( Editor ’ s Note : This is the first in a series of monthly articles that will appear highlighting events at Santa Clara University ).
Rest in Peace Sister Ethel Dignan , BVM
Sister Ethel Dignan , BVM ( Howard ), 94 , died June 14 , at Marian Hall , Dubuque , Iowa . Burial was in the Mt . Carmel Cemetery .
In the Diocese of San José Sister Ethel was a staff psychologist at Agnew State Hospital in San José , and a clinical psychologist and director at West Valley Mental Health Center in Los Gatos . She volunteered in Hispanic ministry in San José , and Los Angeles . She was also a staff psychologist in Dubuque and Chicago .
Sister Ethel was born in Chicago on May 19 , 1924 , to Francis and Mary Jane Sullivan Dignan . She entered the BVM congregation February 14 , 1950 , from Saint Francis Xavier Parish in New York .
She was preceded in death by her parents ; sisters Dee McMinn and Patricia Dignan ; and brothers Thomas and Francis , both in childhood . She is survived by nieces , grandnieces , grandnephews , and the Sisters of Charity , BVM , with whom she shared life for 68 years .
Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity , BVM Support Fund , 1100 Carmel Drive , Dubuque , IA 52003 or online at www . bvmcong . org / support _ donate . cfm .