MRS > Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees > The Networker: Volume 8, Number 5 - December 2000

Message from the Director

The Christmas season evokes from us a sense of wonder and awe. Wonder because God's love was so great that God would become one of us in the man Jesus and share with us all that is part of the human condition except sin with its loss of integrity. Awe because this Son of God made man would experience the human condition in solidarity with the world's poor and outcasts. For us in migrant and refugee ministry the symbol of the Holy Family in flight to Egypt, refugees at the mercy of venal political leaders, speaks to our hearts and renews our enthusiasm to serve our brothers and sisters who face the same dislocations in the world today. The wonder and awe of the season gives way to thanksgiving and petition. Thanksgiving for the possibility of serving God's family in such a vital way. And daily petition for all the migrants and refugees in the world and for all of you who serve them with such courage and loving commitment.

The Year 2000 was truly a Year of Grace for us. In international and national celebrations, the Jubilee Year offered so many opportunities to be renewed in the service of Christ present as the stranger in our midst. The international gathering in Rome on June 2 for the Jubilee Day for Migrants and Refugees was the high point. On that sunny day, Pope John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist in St. Peter's Square for over 50,000 migrants, refugees, people on the move and their chaplains from all over the world. The Eucharist drew that great diversity of people into unity in the communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The national Jubilee celebration of Encuentro 2000 achieved the same spirit of communion as we thanked God for the great gift of our multi-cultured society and prayed for ways to achieve greater unity in our diversity.

For us at PCMR another high point of the Jubilee Year was the approval by the bishops at the November meeting of two documents: the pastoral statement Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity and the policy statement on a legalization plan for undocumented immigrants who have established themselves in our communities. These two documents were the result of a great deal of input and encouragement on your part and I hope you will personally sense the spirit of jubilation as well.

The reality is that now the second stage of our work begins. We are already developing resources which will be helpful to pastoral workers. We hope to bring them to training sessions throughout the country and offer instruction and methods for building up the multi-cultural community so that our parishes and dioceses will truly be a sign of the universality of the church to the world. As the new year begins, be assured of our prayers for your ministry. We look forward to working with you in this exciting project in 2001 and beyond.


2000-2001 Small Grants Awardees

The Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees recently awarded the 2000-2001 Ethnic and Migrant Ministries Small Grants. These grants are designed to provide seed money to local pastoral initiatives that create a welcoming environment for the newcomer, provide culturally appropriate materials, or assist with leadership development within ethnic and migrant communities. As there were nearly 50 applications this year, the selection process was challenging. Congratulations to this year's recipients:

Diocese Project Ethnic/Migrant Contact Grant
Boston Leadership Training Workshop Haitian Rev. John Morin, OMI $750
Boston Troubador Magazine Circus Rev. Jerry Hogan $1,200
Brooklyn Outreach to Indonesian Apostolate in New York Metropolitan Area Indonesian Mr. Dave Ali $650
Fresno The Bridge Between Hmong Youth & Jesus Hmong Mr. Doua Lor $650
Fresno Hmong Language Hmong Mr. Doua Lor $1,200
Grand Rapids Bible School for Migrant Families Migrant Sr. Guadalupe Moreno, CCUI $1,200
Honolulu Samoan Liturgy and Prayers Samoan Sr. Grace Dorothy Lim $1,000
Indianapolis Immigrant Youth & Young Adult Ministry Migrant Ms. Nives Vian $1,000
Los Angeles Ministry to Vietnamese Refugees Vietnamese Rev. Joseph N. Duc Minh $1,000
Los Angeles Youth & Young Adult Ministry Indonesian Ms. Helen Ziashari $1,200
Madison Office of Hispanic Ministry Migrant Sr. Teresa Ann Wolf $1,000
Miami A Project to Promote Unity and a Common Vision among the Filipino Groups Filipino Rosa Maria Montenegro $650
Miami Production & Distribution of Mass Prayer Books in English/Malayalam Indian Rev. James Parappally $1,000
Milwaukee Acquisition of Laotian Bibles Laotian Sr. Alice Thepouthay $1,000
Monterey Training Migrant Minister Volunteers Migrant Ms. Marina Ocampo $700
Newark Directory of Filipino Religious Organizations Filipino Ms. Rowena Yaptangco $1,000
Palm Beach Census Software Formation Migrant Rev. Jaime Diaz $1,200
Paterson Ministry with the Migrant Worker in the Diocese of Paterson Migrant Rev. Dennis Berry, S.T. $1,200
Reno Plantar la Palabra Migrant Deacon Don Tzinski $1,188
Reno Developing Hispanic Leaders to Serve Hispanic Needs Migrant Rev. Paul J. McCollum $1,200
Saint Cloud Migrant Farm Worker Youth Project Migrant Sr. Adela Gross, OSF $1,000
Seattle Lao Tribal Community Pastoral Leadership Development Laotian Mr. Joua Pao Yang $1,200
Seattle Samoan Bibles Samoan Rev. Poao Saena $800
Trenton With Arms Open Wide Ethnic Rev. Victoriano F. Sandoval $1,000
Worcester Religious Vocation Education/Promotion for Ethnic Communities Ethnic Sr. Marie Prefontaine, SND $300
Worcester Giving Voice to the Poor Ethnic Rev. Richard F. Trainor $1,000


The National Catholic Conference of Airport Chaplains host its Annual Meeting in North Palm Beach, Florida in January

The National Catholic Conference of Airport Chaplains will conduct its 14th Annual Meeting at the Passionate Retreat House in North Palm Beach, Florida from January 23 - 26, 2001. This is an opportunity for Catholic Airport Chaplains throughout the country to come together for continued training and for an opportunity to share many details about their ministry with other Catholic Airport Chaplains and work on the continued promotion and development for Chapels throughout airports here in the United States.


National Catholic Conference of Seafarers Elects New Officers at Annual Meeting at Fort Lauderdale

The National Catholic Conference of Seafarers which is affiliated with the Apostleship of the Sea conducted its annual meeting this past September 15th in Fort Lauderdale, FL. There is a new group of officers and board members elected during this meeting. Fr. Sinclair Oubre, President; Deacon Glenn Teske, Vice President; Fr. Jim Keating, Treasurer; Mrs. Diane Bentley, Secretary; and the members of the Board are: Fr. Rivers Patout, Mr. Billy Marsh, Mr. Carlos Gregorio, and Deacon Ernie Elfer.

Father John A. Jamnicky, National Director for the Apostleship of the Sea, attended his first meeting. A very good relationship was begun between the new Director of the Apostleship of the sea and the new Board of the National Catholic Conferences Seafarers. Many new ideas are on the agenda for the future. These include developing a certification program for Chaplains on cruise ships, developing a manual or handbook for all seaport Chaplains, and developing a training program for Eucharistic ministers aboard ship.

The next board meeting for the National Catholic Conference of Seafarers will be held in Houston, TX from February 16-18, 2001.


Annual Meeting for the Regional Coordinators of the Apostleship of the Sea to be held in Rome, January 29 - 31, 2001

Father John A. Jamnicky, National Director for the Apostleship of the Sea, will attend the Annual Meeting of Regional Coordinators of the Apostleship of the Sea at Palazzo S. Calisto in Rome from January 29 - 31, 2001. This meeting is sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. One of the main agenda points will be discussing the theme and planning the agenda for the 21st World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea that will be held in October or November of the Year 2002. This will also give an opportunity for regional coordinators to give reports on the progress of the Apostleship of the Sea in that region.

The Houston Port Chaplaincy Training School will be held in Houston from February 11 -23, 2001. Seaport Chaplains throughout the world will be coming to Houston, TX for this school conducted for the training of seaport chaplains. This school is sponsored by the Apostleship of the Sea, U.S.A. This school provides instructions and certification for hundreds of candidates throughout the world who wish to serve as seaport chaplains or as members of the Apostleship of the Sea. This year 25 students will be in attendance. The ministry to seafarers continues to grow each year.


Catholic Campaign for Human Development Approves $550,000 Grant for Nationwide Immigrant Empowerment Project

by William Ryan
Communications Department, USCC

Three-Year Effort Will Be Coordinated by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

WASHINGTON -- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) today announced a $550,000 grant to help groups of low-income immigrants identify and overcome barriers to full participation in their adopted country. The Immigrant Empowerment Project will provide financial and technical assistance to community-based efforts to promote the full exercise of rights and responsibilities of immigrants living in the United States.

The three-year CCHD grant will be coordinated by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Incorporated (CLINIC), in partnership with the United States Catholic Conference's Migration and Refugee Services, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities USA and the Jesuit Conference/Jesuit Refugee Service/USA.

This grant is drawn from a special fund established in 1995 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of CCHD's nationwide efforts to address the root causes of poverty in America through support of community-controlled, self-help organizations. As the domestic anti-poverty and social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, CCHD has distributed more than $250 million to some 4,000 grassroots projects in the past 30 years.

CLINIC, an independently incorporated subsidiary of the USCC, provides legal support services to 130 Catholic Charities and diocesan immigration programs across the country.

In announcing the grant, CCHD Executive Director Rev. Robert J. Vitillo said, "This project reflects the partner organizations' shared concern for immigrants and their families who live in poverty. Our Catholic social teaching instructs that we not only 'welcome the stranger' but help newcomers assume their full rights and responsibilities in this country."

CLINIC Chief Operating Officer Donald M. Kerwin said, "The Immigrant Empowerment Initiative melds CLINIC's expertise in immigration law and its ability to manage large-scale, multi-site projects with CCHD's compassionate development and nurturing of grassroots groups within the immigrant community nationwide."

According to CLINIC, most immigrants live in "mixed-status" households, which include both citizens or lawful permanent residents and undocumented persons. Mr. Kerwin noted, "Mixed-status families have borne the full brunt of the laws enacted in 1996 to reform our immigration and welfare policies. One sad result is that as few as 35% of immigrants are completing the process to become U.S. citizens. This effectively precludes their participation in our constitutional democracy and perpetuates unequal treatment."

Fr. Vitillo said, "In our experience, people who have the opportunity to discuss their conditions and needs in a supportive environment can develop solutions that help bring about fundamental, positive improvement in their lives. This is what we mean by empowerment. The Immigrant Empowerment Project will help diverse groups of low-income immigrants to access better housing, education, job opportunities and health services for their families and maximize their contribution to our society."

Questions about the Immigrant Empowerment Initiative will be answered by CLINIC at (202) 635-2556. Additional information will be available in mid-February at the CLINIC website, www.cliniclegal.org.


Central American Bishops' Meeting in Managua

On November 29 and 30, 2000, Bishop John Manz, auxiliary bishop of Chicago and a member of the NCCB Committee on Migration, along with Father Anthony McGuire of MRS/PCMR met with the bishops of Central America gathered in Managua for their annual meeting. As the two headed from the wintry north, they began the morning in overcoats, scarves and caps and, by the next day, greeted the morning sun in short sleeves and guayaveras. The bishops met in a retreat center in the hills of Managua, lush and verdant, surrounded by bougainvillea. Of course, Bishop Manz and Father McGuire were not able to enjoy the beautiful weather and verdant countryside, because they were busy at the meetings.

They had come to inform the bishops of Central America of the different meetings which had already taken place between bishops of the United States and bishops of Mexico about immigration issues at the Mexican and U.S. borders, of meetings between members of NCCB/USCC staff and staff of the Mexican Bishops' Conference and members of Catholic Relief Services. They wanted to inform the bishops as well of the initiatives which the bishops along the Mexican and U.S. borders were making to address the issues of migration in a more comprehensive way. But for these efforts to be truly comprehensive they had to include the pastors of Central America, since many of their people were involved in the immigration flows.

The bishops were most enthusiastic about the presentation and most anxious to participate in joint meetings which are scheduled to take place in Mexico next year with bishops and pastoral agents involved in immigration. They decided to set up a Committee on Migration and offered many helpful recommendations for future collaboration and for a joint pastoral statement. The members of the committee were to be appointed after Bishop Manz and Fr. McGuire left the meeting. They left, glad of their successful endeavor, but wistful to have to pack the scarves, hats and overcoats and leave the bougainvillea behind.


MRS Policy Update

At the NCCB general meeting in November, the full body of bishops endorsed a Resolution on Immigration Reform. Please refer to the MRS Office of Migration and Refugee Policy website www.nccbuscc.org/mrs/mrp.shtml to read this document and other policy-related information.

We are grateful to all those in our network who continue to respond to our request for advocacy on important immigration and refugee issues. In October, we were pleased that the Special Immigrant Non-minister Religious Worker Visa program was extended by Congress for three years, through September 30, 2003, without any changes in the law. The MRS Policy office will continue to advocate for a permanent extension, even if this means introducing legislation in the next Congress in 2001. Thanks again for your efforts on this issue for religious workers! If you wish to receive action alerts and other policy information from the MRS Policy Office, please contact nlummert@nccbuscc.org or call 202-541-3448

In November, Abigail (Abby) Price, Immigration Specialist in the MRS Policy Office left to become a Consultant to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland. Abby has been a wonderful resource to the pastoral care network over the years and we will miss her insights, expertise, and compassion. We wish her well in this new endeavor. You can e-mail Abby at price@unhcr.ch.


Samoan Priests Meeting - Serra Retreat - Malibu, CA

The Samoan Catholic Priests and Pastoral Leaders in the United States gathered for the first time on the West Coast, in Malibu, California, to meet one another, share prayer, discuss pastoral issues and plan for the future. Veronica Leasiolagi-Barber, Director, Asian-Pacific American Ministry, Archdiocese of Seattle, facilitated the three day meeting in Samoan and English languages. Assisting her with facilitation and liturgical preparation were Cecile Motus, Coordinator for Ethnic Ministries, MRS/PCMR and Irma Isip, Ethnic Ministries Coordinator, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. PCMR provided financial support which enabled this gathering to become a reality.


Social Development and World Peace Annual Social Ministry Gathering
February 25-28, 2001

Theme: Poverty in the Midst of Plenty: Challenges for the Catholic Community

Washington Court Hotel (near Capitol Hill)
Washington, DC

Complete information and registration is available on-line at www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/socialministry.htm or call toll-free 800-937-8728, Monday through Friday 9 am - 5 pm. Call with a credit card available.


Visit to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops by Archbishop Stephen F. Hamao, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

During the past several months MRS/PCMR staff were very involved with planning for the arrival of Archbishop Stephen Hamao, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, to the United States. Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, extended an invitation to attend the Bishops' General Meeting in Washington, DC. In addition to attending the general meeting, the Archbishop had several opportunities to met with the NCCB Committee on Migration.

On Monday, November 13, the NCCB and The Catholic University of America Schools of Religious Studies and Law co-sponsored a special forum Global Challenges for the New Millennium. It was a unique opportunity to have both Archbishop Stephen Hamao and Madame Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in Washington at the same time. These two natives of Japan have distinguished themselves for their dedication and commitment on behalf of the world's refugees, migrants, and other marginalized peoples. We were honored on that occasion to have brought together these two individuals to address several hundred attendees. Copies of Madame Ogata's presentation, The Situation of Refugees around the World and Archbishop Hamao's presentation, The Church's Response to Migrants and Refugees, are included in this newsletter.

Representatives from the various MRS/PCMR ethnic apostolates and people on the move were delighted to have an opportunity to share their ministerial experiences and pastoral care issues with the Archbishop. Afterward, the entire group were given a tour of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and celebrated a liturgy together in the Shrine's crypt church. During this first visit to our nation's capital, Archbishop Hamao toured some of the highlights of Washington. He also met with the staffs of Migration and Refugee Services and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Archbishop Hamao's visit also included a liturgy and reception with the Japanese community in New York and a visit to the Archdiocese of Miami. In Miami, he celebrated liturgies with several ethnic communities, visited the Migration and Refugee Services Resettlement Office, and visited the Krome Detention Center, where he had a special liturgy with the detainees.


SEPI Migrant Ministry Retreat/Workshop

The Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) will host its XXII Migrant Ministry Retreat/Workshop at Camp St. John in Jacksonville, Florida from February 19-22, 2001. The retreat team includes Rev. Hugo Canavαn, OFM ; Ms. Lydia Menocal, Ms. Leida Sosa, Sr. Anita Kendrick, SNDdeN, Sr. Cathy Gorman, SNDdeN, and Sr. Charlotte Hobelman, SND. Cost of the retreat/workshop including registration, housing and meals is $115.00. A limited number of registration scholarships are available this year for participants from the Southeastern dioceses of the United States who are currently migrant farmworkers working in pastoral ministry with their communities or for current pastoral ministers with migrant farmworkers who have worked as migrant farmworkers themselves. If interested in applying for a scholarship please send a letter of request with your registration application to Ms. Lydia Menocal at the following address:

Southeast Pastoral Institute, 7700 S.W. 56 Street, Miami, FL 33155


The Airport Chaplaincy Logo at Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix, Arizona

Created by Phoenix artist Linda Young, the logo features the kneeling figure, used by airport chapels world-wide to identify their locations. Surrounding the figure is the Phoenix bird, associated with the city but also a symbol of flight and of the human hunger for new and deeper life. Finally, the outer boundary takes a heart shape, reflecting the chaplaincy's motivation for service: from the heart of God and the hearts of caring people to hearts that hunger for care, hope and new life.


A Traveler's Prayer

Gracious Lord, travelers have always received your special care.

We remember Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the Israelites, Mary and Joseph. Give your protection to this coming journey. Bless me with your peace and assurance, and may I share them with my traveling companions.

Provide wisdom, patience and guidance to all those responsible for our safe arrival.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be to you, O God, forever.

Amen.


World Refugee Statistics

The statistics that follow represent the best judgments of the U.S. Committee for Refugees, a Washington-based advocacy group which compiles such figures annually.

Principal Sources of Refugees as of the end of 1999

Palestinians
Afghanistan
Iraq
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Yugoslavia
Angola
Croatia
Eritrea
Burundi
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vietnam
El Salvador
Liberia
Burma
Congo-Kinshasa
Azerbaijan
Armenia
Guatemala
3,931,000*
2,560,000*
568,000*
460,000*
425,000*
420,000
390,000*
340,000
340,000*
320,000*
310,000
300,000*
292,000
253,000
250,000*
240,000*
240,000
230,000
188,000
146,000

* Sources vary widely in number reported


Principal Sources of Internally Displaced Persons as of the end of 1999

Sudan
Angola
Colombia
Burma
Turkey
Iraq
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Burundi
Congo-Kinshasa
Russian Federation
Afghanistan
Rwanda
Yugoslavia
Azerbaijan
Sri Lanka
India
Congo-Brazzaville
Sierra Leone
Syria
Uganda
4,000,000*
1,500,000-2,000,000
1,800,000
500,000-1,000,000*
500,000-1,000,000*
9,00,000*
830,000
800,000*
800,000*
800,000*
500,000-750,000*
600,000*
600,000*
568,000
560,000
507,000
500,000
500,000*
450,000*
450,000*


* Reliable estimate of the number of displaced persons is unavailable.


Information source: World Refugee Survey 2000, U. S. Committee for Refugees.


Upcoming Events

January 4-8, 2001 IX National Gathering of Pastoral Ministers to People on the Move, Sarasota, FL
February 2-4, 2001 Migrant Health Stream Forum - Western Stream - Portland, Oregon
Contact: Laura Flores-Cantrell, 6512 23rd Avenue, NW, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98117 Tel: (206) 783-3004 Fax: (206) 783-4311 E-mail: lflores@nwrpca.org
February 8-13, 2001 CMFN Pastoral Formation Course in Spanish
Mexican American Cultural Center, San Antonio, TX
For an application, please contact:
Celine Caufield, Director, Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network
1915 University Drive, Boise, ID 83706
Tel: (208) 384-1778 Fax: (208) 384-1879
E-mail: CMFNCC@aol.com
Read more about the CMFN Pastoral Formation Coarse on the CMFN website: www.cmfn.org
February 19-22, 2001 XXII Migrant Ministry Retreat/Workshop at Camp St. John in Jacksonville, FL (see attached insert)
February 20-23, 2001 MRS Combined Meeting of Refugee Programs and Pastoral Care Advisory Boards and National Consultants - Maritime Institute of Technology, Baltimore, MD
February 23, 2001 Editing Board - Asian Pacific Pastoral Statement Meeting - Maritime Institute of Technology, Baltimore, MD

Email us at mrs@usccb.org
Migration & Refugee Services | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3352 © USCCB. All rights reserved.
Migration & Refugee Services | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3352 © USCCB. All rights reserved.