Photo by Alan M. Dumoff, more photos ccdphotolibrary.smugmug.com
Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrates the Mass in support of immigrant families at Divine Mercy Parish, Vineland, on May 3.
VINELAND — Calling current immigration laws in the United States “broken,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan urged the more than 1,200 gathered here at Divine Mercy Parish on May 3 to contact their elected officials and push for reform.
The Mass in support of immigrant families here drew crowds, mostly Hispanic, from all over the six-county Diocese of Camden, and provided an opportunity for the congregation to pray for God’s blessings on all who come to the United States looking for a better life.
Arriving by bus, worshippers packed the church, with people standing in every available spot.
Bishop Sullivan’s words, spoken in English and Spanish, were timely, as elected officials are soon to unveil a proposal for comprehensive immigration reform, and a path to legalization and citizenship for the estimated 11 million individuals in the United States who lack legal status.
This past Sunday, May 5, was designated Justice for Immigrants Sunday. In a letter to priests, Bishop Sullivan urged them to speak about the church’s position on immigration reform at weekend Masses. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ postcard campaign also took place last weekend in churches, where faithful in the pews could urge their elected leaders to enact fair immigration reform.
“The (immigration) system is broken, but now we have an opportunity to fix it,” said Bishop Sullivan during the Mass, noting the “terrible sadness, and distressing stories of immigrants in our diocese, from families who are torn apart to the difficulty in getting a license.”
As Christians received the mission from baptism to preach the Gospel, Bishop Sullivan said, we must “welcome the stranger, care for the least, (be) the keepers of our brothers and sisters, and love one another.”
“We accept this opportunity as a God-given mission,” he reminded the congregation.
Needed immigration reform should include “enforceable laws, secure borders, and a path to citizenship,” Bishop Sullivan said.
“We ask, and beg, for needed reform” he said emphatically.
During the liturgy, Juan, 21, an undocumented immigrant, shared his story.
Born in Mexico, Juan came to the United States at the age of 16 with his family. While seeing his friends get their driver’s licenses, he couldn’t. Because he was afraid of their judgment, he didn’t share the truth with them.
Currently, Juan is a student at Camden County College, working to accomplish his dream of becoming a registered nurse.
If comprehensive immigration reform is passed, he said, he and his family would have legal status, and he could better achieve his goals.
“We can keep working for a path to citizenship, so that (my family and families like mine) can come out of the shadows and share the same opportunities as our peers.”
Mike Jordan Laskey, director of the Office of Life and Justice for the Diocese of Camden, called the liturgy one that gave “hope and energy” to those working for immigration reform.
Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry in the diocese, said the faithful packed into crowded Divine Mercy Parish brought “their fears and dreams and left with a great hope in Jesus.”
The Mass was “very meaningful for the immigrant community,” he said, “to know that they have the support of their bishop and the church to continue raising their voices for…immigration reform.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
