Fr. Chuck's Column, July 7, 2019

One year ago, in the July 8, 2018 bulletin, Fr. Chuck
wrote on the dire situation of refugees and migrants
fleeing their homes and how we should respond to
this tragedy.
The humanitarian crisis at the southern US border
continues, and Bishop Joe Vásquez asks us to continue
to keep this issue in the forefront of our minds and
our faith. Bishop Vásquez serves as the Chairman of the USCCB
Committee on Migration, and he says, “our people are fearful
and need to know that the Church accompanies them and that we
will support, pray and speak on their behalf.”
Here is a call to action and understanding from Fr. Chuck’s July
8, 2018 column:
How are we to respond to this tragic and complicated situation,
when partisans on both sides make outrageous statements and
substitute emotion and ranting for clear thought and civil discourse?
I suggest the following actions:
1) Pray. Pray for enlightenment by the Holy Spirit. Pray for a
spirit of wisdom, understanding and courage. Pray that your motivations
not be based on fear or prejudice either way, but on the
truth and compassion that come from God. Pray for our Bishops,
to be forthright and honest, especially for our Bishop, Joe
Vasquez, who is the chair of the US Catholic Bishops’ Committee
on Migrants and Refugees.
2) Get informed as a Catholic. Many news outlets want to tell you
their version of the truth. But as Catholics we need to know our
stance in all this. Go to the US Catholic Bishop’s website,
www.USCCCB.org, and their website on immigration,
www.justiceforimmigrants.org. There is lots of information there.
3) Get involved. Let your elected officials know that you stand
with the US Catholic Bishops on these issues. Urge the politicians
and law makers to do the right thing. Vote. Voting is not only a
privilege but an obligation.
4) Donate. People are in real need. In spite of all the money our
government is spending in the detention camps – and it is a lot –
there are many unmet needs. A list of Catholic organizations (who
are doing great work) to which you can donate are listed on the
Social Justice page of this bulletin.
5) Keep a positive attitude. We rely not just on political forces,
but the Holy Spirit. We do not have the luxury of hopelessness
and despair. We have heard Good News, and we are convinced
that ultimately, despite whatever setbacks we now experience,
that Truth and Goodness have already conquered evil in the death
and resurrection of Jesus.