Humanize the immigration issue; recognize its complexity; accompany people on their journey.
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This Lenten season, Holy Family will walk a path alongside individuals and families striving to live a life that is productive, strengthens the family unit, and maintains inherent dignity – all within an environment that is safe and nurturing. Our intent is to humanize the immigration issue and to recognize its complexity while emphasizing accompaniment of people on their journey.
Respecting the human dignity of every individual is the first and foremost Catholic social teaching. Throughout Lent, this project will address six of the seven main Catholic social teachings. These teachings include: Respecting Human Dignity; Call to Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; and living in Solidarity with our brothers and sisters everywhere.
Our goal is to raise a total of $25,000 for the two programs – the Kino Border Initiative and the Holy Family Fund. Both programs are supported by Catholic Extension Society.
Kino Border Initiative (KBI)promotes U.S./Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person and a spirit of bi-national solidarity through direct assistance and education. Every year, thousands of migrant men, women, and children are deported to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico or arrive in the city fleeing from Central America. They often arrive with only the clothes on their backs and a small plastic bag that contains their belongings. They often do not know where to turn to receive a meal, find shelter and to make a phone call. They also arrive emotionally and psychologically devastated, due to separation from their family members or the inability to work legally in the United States.
Fr. Sean Carroll S.J., Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative, will be preaching at all Masses at Holy Family on April 6 & 7. We will be enlightened as he shares his experiences working on both sides of the US/Mexico border.
Kino Border Initiative (KBI) promotes U.S./Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person and a spirit of bi-national solidarity through direct assistance and education. They also offer programs including:
- Aid Center for Migrants– offer basic needs such as food, clothing and personal care items
- Nazareth House – a safe home for women and children
- Presentations, Talks and Workshops – Experience the realities along the US/Mexico border
- Immersion Experiences – meet migrants and learn from their stories
- Retreat Day – offers retreats to reflect on the issues surrounding immigration
- Kino Teens – Network of high school groups offer direct service to migrants
- Research– Gives scholars and student an opportunity to engage in research on migration and help find solutions to pressing policy issues.
- Advocacy– Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, KBI responds to the human realities encountered at the border advocating for policies that advance humane, just and workable migration in the region.
The Holy Family Fund is a program provided by Catholic Extension in partnership with local Catholic Charities offices. It provides emergency funds and services to a family in crisis after one or more of the undocumented, income-earning adults in the home are detained or deported by the US government. The families contribute to the fund on a monthly basis ($20 for an individual, $30 for a couple). The participant becomes eligible by enrolling through an agency such as Catholic Charities and paying their monthly fee to the Holy Family Fund. After the needs of the family are assessed, the family may receive benefits up to $5000 per enrolled participant to help pay for rent or house payments, utilities, health care, etc. to maintain stability for the family. This program does not aid and abet violent criminals nor seek to evade law enforcement in any way. It is strictly a charitable effort directed at innocent children, who bear the brunt of our broken immigration system. For more information go to https://www.catholicextension.org/holyfamilyfund
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You may also give by making a check payable to Holy Family with a notation: Lent SJ Project and place into Lenten SJ Project envelopes that are available in the narthex.
If you need more information or have questions, please contact Sue Geegan, the Director of Human Concerns, at sgeegan@holyfamilyparish.org or at 847-907-3443.