CC SOLIDARITY TEAM TALK

The latest from Catholics Confront Global Poverty

2010-12-14T12:33:00.002-05:00

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars

Take a Stand for Peace in Sudan!

What would YOU do if you could help prevent violence in Sudan?
On January 9, 2011, 5 years of relative peace could quickly dissolve into chaos in Sudan. That is the date when southern Sudanese will vote whether to remain united with the north, or to become independent. The date for the referendum was agreed upon as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought the last civil war in Sudan to a close.

YOU can pray with our brothers and sisters in Sudan for peace
Prayer for Peace in Sudan:
Lord Jesus, you said to us;
"I leave you peace. My peace I give to you."
Look upon us your sisters and brothers in Sudan
as we face this moment of referendum.
Send us your Spirit to guide us.
Give us the wisdom we need to choose our future where we will know your true peace.
You call us out of slavery, oppression, and persecution
So that we may have life in abundance.
Grant us peace with one another. Give peace among ethnic groups.
Help us to work together for the good of all.
We ask this in your name, Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

*Official campaign prayer approved by the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference on July 22, 2010

Order this prayer as a Prayer Card that can be shared with friends, family and your faith community. Minimum order is one pack, which is equivalent to 50 cards. Also available is a DVD on Sudan: What Would You Do? All resources are free and can be ordered online or by calling CRS Fulfillment at 1-800-222-0025.
Wear your support for peace in Sudan! Order your fair trade t-shirt now.
Speak Up for Peace and for the People of Sudan! Thank President Obama for his support of a peaceful and stable Sudan. Urge him to continue to press for peace.

Advent and Christmas

Direct your hearts and minds to the anniversary of the Lord's birth on Christmas with resources from USCCB and CRS:

Prepare for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace (IS. 9:6), and call to mind the places in our world where peace is not yet a reality with this Catholics Confront Global Poverty resource.
Visit the USCCB Advent and Christmas website for lessons, carols, prayers and other resources.
Give a gift that gives twice through the CRS Fair Trade Work of Human Hands catalog. Shop online today or call 1-800-685-7572 to place an individual order. Don't forget that any time of year is the right time to buy fair trade products—Valentine's Day, Easter, First Communion, Mother's Day, and Graduation. Consider having a 2011 consignment sale to help members of your community prepare for special seasons through economic justice! By purchasing a fair trade product, you give a beautiful, unique or tasty gift to someone you love, while supporting small-scale farmers and artisans all over the world. Check out your options at http://crsfairtrade.org.

Approaching Advent

2010-11-22T05:02:00.002-05:00

What is your deepest hope this coming Advent? (Keeping in mind George Iles' description: "" Hope is faith holding its hand out in the dark.")

Will You Have a Green Christmas?

2010-11-22T04:59:00.002-05:00

From the latest US Catholic...

World Day of Prayer for Peace Resource

2010-11-18T07:28:00.000-05:00

From USCCB

New Labor celebrates 10th Anniversary

2010-11-18T07:26:00.000-05:00

Join Us At New Labor’s 10th Anniversary Gala

Published: 7 November 2010Posted in: Community, FeaturedTags:

We cordially invite you to New Labor’s Anniversary Gala Fundraiser as we celebrate 10 years of fighting for immigrant rights and social justice in New Jersey. Come share our anniversary with a special night of traditional food, drink and dance.
Saturday, December 11, 6:00 PM
Rutgers University Labor Education Center
50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
We will be honoring:
Ray Pocino (Vice President and Regional Manager, LIUNA Eastern Region)
The Cunninghams (Family of founder Rich Cunningham)
Father Joseph Kerrigan (Sacred Heart Church New Brunswick)
Ellen Whitt (Middlesex County Coalition for Immigrant Rights)
Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations
Tickets, Journal Advertisements, and Sponsorship:
There are various ways you can help New Labor have a successful Anniversary Gala. Sponsorship packets are available at various levels. Tickets can be purchased individually or in blocks of 10 for a table.
Gala Ticket Price: $75 per person ($100 per person includes sponsorship of a New Labor member)
Journal Advertisement:
$800 inside cover, back cover, or centerfold
$300   Full page
$150   Half page
$100   Quarter page
$50 Business Card
Sponsorship levels:
$2,500 Chavez
$1,000 Govea
$500 Cunningham
$100-500 Poder Supporter
For purchases and more information please call or send an e-mail to Louis Kimmel at lkimmel@newlabor.org, (732) 762-7687.
To download the official invitation click here.
Les invitamos cordialmente a la celebración del aniversario de New Labor, cuando celebraremos 10 años en la lucha por los derechos de inmigrantes y la justicia social en New Jersey. Compartan con nosotros una noche especial de comida tradicional, bebidas, y baile.
Sábado, 11 de Diciembre, 6:00pm
Rutgers University Labor Education Center
50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Honoremos a:
Ray Pocino (Vice Presidente de la Región Este de LIUNA)
Los Cunninghams (La Familia de Fondador Rich Cunningham)
Padre Joseph Kerrigan (Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, New Brunswick)
Ellen Whitt (Coalición de Derechos Humanos de Inmigrantes, Condado de Middlesex)
Rutgers Escuela de Administración y Relaciones Laborales
Boletos y Patrocinio:
Boletos cuesta $75 cada uno ($100 si quiere patrocinar a un miembro de New Labor)
Niveles de Patrocinio:
$2,500 Chavez
$1,000 Govea
$500   Cunningham
$100-500 Poder Solidario
También se puede comprar anuncios en la programa del evento.
Para Boletos, Patrocinio, y Anuncios, por favor contactar a Luis Kimmel — lkimmel@newlabor.org, (732) 762-7687

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New York Times -- Immigration Hardball

2010-11-18T05:10:00.000-05:00

Nov 15 lead editorial

More on DREAM Act and JFI

2010-11-18T05:08:00.001-05:00

Dear JFI Friends and Supporters,

As we look to December and contemplate the birth of Jesus, we remind ourselves that migration is a key theme in the gospel and that baby Jesus himself was a refugee who fled with the Holy Family from Herod into Egypt. People on the move including immigrants and refugees are special in the eyes of God, while our children are often the most vulnerable among us.

Meanwhile, thousands of students and youth that were brought to the U.S. as children (and even infants) can now be detained in federal immigrant detention centers and deported to a country they have never known; simply because they have no legal means to adjust their status in the U.S.

The good news is that a movement is growing for a vote on the DREAM Act. Passage of the DREAM Act would give students that have grown up and graduated high school in the US an opportunity to serve our country and earn a pathway to citizenship through higher education or military service.

In keeping with our Catholic Social Teachings, we are encouraging our dioceses to lift up the theme of immigration and support the DREAM Act for our youth who are ready to serve our country and give back to this great nation. Time is of the essence because the vote would take place during the so-called lame duck session, between now and the second week of December, and we expect a vote on DREAM as early as the week of November 29th.

There are 4 ways we are hoping you can help us promote the DREAM Act in the next 3 weeks:

1. Encourage parishes to include a 1 page insert regarding the DREAM Act in their bulletins and encourage pastors to make pulpit announcements in support of DREAM (we will be sending 1 page bulletin inserts and pulpit announcements out very soon).

2. Go to www.justiceforimmigrants.org and send out the electronic letter in support of the DREAM Act to your members of Congress. Please do this often and encourage friends, family and neighbors to do the same.

3. Set up lobby visits in support of the DREAM Act with your members of Congress during the Thanksgiving recess between November 22 - 26th.

4. Organize a candlelight vigil, press event or public meeting in support of the DREAM Act the week of December 1st, 2010. (We will be sending out sample fliers, media advisories, and agendas very soon as well)

Please contact Jaci Braga at jbraga@usccb.org or Tony Cube at tcube@usccb.org if you are interested in taking part in one or all of the above suggestions and if you would like support in planning & organizing events and activities.

Catholic Climate update

2010-11-18T05:03:00.002-05:00

November 17, 2010

From the Director

Preparing for Christmas: Reduce Holiday Carbon Footprint

Before you hear from us again, we will have already celebrated the First Sunday of Advent. For real? Since Christmas is on a Saturday, this is about the earliest that we begin the Season of Advent. And since next week is Thanksgiving, the weekly update will be taking a holiday. One way to begin this season of preparation might be to consider ways in which we can reduce our holiday carbon footprint. Here are some suggestions from US Catholic:

In a survey conducted by US Catholic last month, 71% of those who responded agreed that greening Christmas would make it more spiritually fulfilling and focused on faith. This month US Catholic offers helpful ideas about how to “go green” this Christmas: from lights to gifts and everything in between. “Since Christmas is a time when we put a lot of money into our economy, it's a good time to support more sustainable economic models, such as buying locally or choosing fair trade products.” Additionally one can consider minimal number or “no gifts” approach—sharing services, home baked foods, tickets to an event, favors, time, and charitable donations—as ways to reduce our Christmas carbon footprint.

From an Archdiocese

Los Angeles Sends St. Francis Pledge Toolkit to Parishes

All 288 parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now possess a Creation Sustainability Start-up Toolkit to help them begin the process of forming and developing a Creation Sustainability ministry. Throughout October, pastors announced the formation of the new ministry and urged parishioners to join. Bishop Solis told a standing-room only assembly Oct. 10 at SS. Peter and Paul in Wilmington: "Next generations, be it rich or poor, can benefit from God's creation…Today is a very important day in the life of the archdiocese…Today we give thanks for the gift of creation of the environment. God gave it as a sign of love and we are the only stewards." Following Bishop Solis’s presentation, all were invited to read the St. Francis Pledge together. Auxiliary Bishops Zavala, Salazar, Wilkerson, and Curry also promoted the Creation Sustainability Ministry in the other pastoral regions of the Archdiocese. Read more here.

From Catholic Charities of new orleans

Oil spill-affected Families Still Needing and Receiving Aid

The Archdiocese of New Orleans continues to respond to the needs of the fishing families and communities affected by the oil spill through the direct services of Catholic Charities and its affiliated ministry, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. Catholic Charities and Second Harvest have been on the ground providing help and hope in our response to the oil spill since the days immediately following the April 20th Deepwater Horizon explosion. Catholic Charities has provided:
*Emergency assistance to 37,251 people* (14,738 families*) and distributed $845,100 in food vouchers from community grocery stores to affected families.
*Mental health counseling to 12,286* people.
*$317,651 in other direct assistance (rent/mortgage assistance, utilities, medication, etc.) and $31,267 in baby supplies (diapers and formula).
Read more here and contribute here.

new resource From the Coalition

Climate Change and Catholic Social Teaching

How can climate change be understood in light of the 7 Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching? Many people recognize that the issue of climate change relates to the seventh theme, Care for God’s Creation, which reminds us of our duty to cultivate and care for the gift of the Creation (Genesis 2:15). As the U.S. bishops observe, If we harm the atmosphere, we dishonor our Creator and the gift of creation, (Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, 2001). But it is also true that other principles of Catholic Social Teaching can help inform our consciences and actions as we face the question of climate change. In light of this, the Coalition has created a resource that offers quotes from the Vatican and the U.S. bishops demonstrating how climate change involves and engages the six other key themes: Human Life and Dignity; Community, Family and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities, Option for the Poor; Right to Work; Solidarity; as well as Care for Creation.
Find the entire resource here.

Looking for more on Catholic Social Teaching? See this USCCB website for an activity that asks: “How well do you know your Catholic Social Teaching documents?”

Stories: International

Philippine Bishops Speak Against Mining

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is protesting the city council’s resolution approving the application of two mining companies for permits to extract copper and gold in the countryside. Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma said the archdiocese will formally file its protest before the city council and the mayor’s office that holds final approval in all small-scale mining applications. “We will protest that. I think all well-meaning Kagay-anons should protest that,” he told a Philippine news organization. Archbishop Ledesma said that all mining activities, whether legal or illegal, should be stopped because mining, being an extractive activity, destroys the natural environment. Read more here.

Ghana's Bishops Call for End to Surface Mining

The Ghanaian Catholic Bishops Conference has advocated for the immediate abolition of surface mining because of its harmful social and environmental consequences. In a communiqué issued by the Conference at the end of their annual plenary assembly in Sefwi Wiaso, the bishops acknowledged that mining has been going on in the country for a long time. “But regrettably we cannot affirm that the advantages derived from the mining activities are in any way commensurate with their disastrous impact on the natural environment,” they said. And furthermore: “We urge the International Community to insist on transparent, fair and accountable processes in the exploration and production of the oil as well as the management of revenues for the creation of wealth to enhance the quality of life of all people in the country.”
Read more here.

Preparing for Lent

New Study Resource for Christian Simplicity

The Passionist Earth & Spirit Center http://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/ has revised and improved their 7-week faith formation program of conversion for Catholic churches. Lent 4.5 offers practical opportunities for people of faith to apply church teaching on Gospel simplicity to their everyday lives. Why "Lent 4.5"? If the Earth were divided equally among all of us, each person living on the planet would receive 4.5 acres. Now consider that everything you need - food, energy, home, clothing, appliances, gadgets - must come from those 4.5 acres. Lent 4.5 offers a new way of observing Lent that helps us care for God's creation and bring forth a just society by taking steps toward using only our fair share of its resources. The program includes bulletin inserts, online resources, small group discussion course books, and an optional component for Catholic schools grades K-8.
Download the flyer here.

Prayer for God's Creation

Creator God,
Help us to harness the wind, the water, the sun, and all the ready and renewable sources of power.
Teach us to conserve, preserve, use wisely the blessed treasurers of our wealth-stored earth.
Help us to share your bounty, not to waste it, or pervert it into peril for our children or our neighbors in other nations.
You who are life and energy and blessing,
teach us to revere and respect your tender world.
--From Thomas John Carlisle, www.caritas.org

Making the DREAM a reality

2010-11-18T04:55:00.002-05:00

Support the DREAM Act

Take Action!

Send your Senators and Representatives a message
asking them to support the DREAM Act

Background:
If enacted, the DREAM Act would create a pathway through which
undocumented immigrant students could obtain conditional
permanent residency and, ultimately,
American citizenship.
Under the legislation, certain students would be eligible forconditional
permanent residency if they meet certain criteria, including:
entering the United States before age 16;
living in the U.S. for at least five continuous years immediately before thebill becomes effective;
graduating from high school or gaining admission into an institute of higher education;

having "good moral character" and not committed certain crimes;
and being younger than 35 when the bill becomes effective.

Students must also demonstrate that they have not been under a final order for deportation.

After a six year period of conditional permanent residency,
these individuals could apply for citizenship if they had continued to demonstrate "good moral character,"
continued to live in the U.S.,
and completed at least two years of higher education or served at least two years in the military.

The DREAM Act has always had strong bipartisan support,
and the U.S. Catholicbishops have been long standing supporters of the legislation.

Archbishop Jose Gomez, co-adjutor archbishop of Los Angeles
and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, recentlyreaffirmed USCCB support for the legislation,
stating that passage of the bill was "the right thing to do."

The DREAM Act would make a difference in the lives of undocumented youth
who were brought to the United States by their parents and now,
because of their lack of legal status, face obstacles to their future.
By removing such barriers, the DREAM Act permits immigrant students
to pursue a promising future through college education or military service.
Those benefitting from the DREAM Act are talented, intelligent
and dedicated young people who know only the U.S. as their home.

More information about the DREAM Act may befound at www.justiceforimmigrants.org/learn-issues.html

While the Justice for Immigrants campaign continues to work forthe passage of comprehensive immigration reform,
JFI is also engaging in the effort to grow more support in Congress for the DREAM Act.
Passage of the DREAM Act could provide the momentum needed to advance immigration reform legislation,
but we need lawmakers in Washington, DC to act swiftly on the measure.
Indeed, a limited number of weeks remain in the current “lame duck” session as our windows of opportunity to move the DREAM Act, and federal lawmakers will act only if they hear from you.

TAKE ACTION

The DREAM Act could come up for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives
as early as the week of November 29th.
To promote Congressional action on the DREAM Act,
JFI urges you to send the letter below to your Senators and Representative
and ask them to co-sponsor or publicly support the DREAMAct.

Click on the “Take Action” button on this email or
go to www.justiceforimmigrants.org to do your part to help advance the DREAM Act.

You also can call your Representative or Senators and ask them to support the DREAM Act.
For the U.S. Senate: 202-224-3121.
For the House of Representatives: 202-225-3121.

Tuscon's Bishop Gerald Kicanas named new CRS Board Chair

2010-11-18T04:15:00.001-05:00

BISHOP KICANAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES BOARD,
SUCCEEDS ARCHBISHOP DOLAN

Four Bishops Also Elected to the CRS Board

Baltimore, MD, November 17, 2010—Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, has been appointed chairman of the Catholic Relief Services Board of Directors. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, outgoing president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), made the appointment with the full support of Archbishop Timothy Dolan during today’s executive session of the USCCB’s annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore.

Bishop Kicanas, the outgoing vice president of the USCCB, succeeds Archbishop Dolan of New York as CRS chairman. Archbishop Dolan vacated the CRS position upon his election as the new president of the USCCB November 16th.

“I am particularly pleased that Bishop Kicanas has been selected as Chairman of the Board of CRS,” said CRS President Ken Hackett. “Bishop Kicanas is well known to us and has been a good friend to CRS for many years, both in our work overseas and in the U.S. “We have collaborated on a range of issues and Bishop Kicanas has made it a point to visit many of our CRS offices in his overseas travels. We have been inspired by his commitment to the poor and vulnerable throughout the world. We look forward to his leadership at this important moment in CRS history,” Mr. Hackett said.

The USCCB also elected four bishops to the CRS board: Bishop William Callahan, OFM Conv., of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City. Archbishop Sheehan and Bishop Wester were reelected to a second three-year term. The newly elected board members, Bishop Callahan and Bishop Dewane, will serve on the CRS Board for an initial term of three years with the option to serve another three years.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.

###

Trenton Monitor and CCHD

2010-11-03T10:47:00.002-04:00

Editorial

More in the aftermath of Baghdad church massacre

2010-11-03T10:45:00.000-04:00

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/11/03/death-and-destruction-will-not-have-the-final-word/

Baghdad Catholic Church Massacre: Sickening and Senseless

2010-11-01T14:51:00.001-04:00

From the BBC...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11668634

From Catholic News Service...

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1004474.htm

And from the Christian Science Monitor...

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1101/After-Baghdad-church-attack-Christians-shocked-but-say-we-still-have-a-mission-here

CRS/USCCB and Sudan

2010-10-27T13:24:00.001-04:00

Catholic Relief Services and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Action Item: Peace in Sudan

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

October 25, 2010
Dear CRS Partners:
Since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the leadership of CRS and the USCCB has been asking itself hard questions about the Church in the United States’ role in building peace and promoting justice as we go about organizing needed relief and development activities around the world.   Our faith still calls us to respond generously with food, shelter and medical care when our global neighbors face natural disasters such as the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods. But we are also called to raise up our voices for those facing violence and injustice. As we listen to modern day prophets from the developing world, we are empowered by their example of faith-filled prayer and action. They prove to us that we do not need to watch helplessly as yet another Rwanda filters across our TV sets.
In the weeks remaining before the January 9, 2011 referendum in southern Sudan, we are facing once again a direct challenge to our commitment to be God’s peacemakers on earth.   What will we do this time?
CRS and the USCCB are asking you to mobilize your constituents to support the prophetic voice of the Catholic Church of Sudan as they call for peace in the face of a possible return to civil war in southern Sudan.   Starting on September 21 (the International Day of Peace) and ending on January 1, 2011 (the Church’s World Day of Peace), CRS and the USCCB have organized an urgent initiative for “Peace in Sudan” (peaceinsudan.org).
Our goal is to help you mobilize your constituents to do the following: Pray with the people of Sudan; Learn about the referendum and underlying issues; Advocate by sending quick emails to the Administration and Congress; and Give to support CRS’ peacebuilding programs in Sudan. Please take action today by doing the following three things:

Go to peaceinsudan.org and watch the 4.5 minute video called “What Would You Do?”
Scan the “Special Report: Peace in Sudan” and please forward to your constituents.
Call your CRS regional office to discuss your ideas. If you need information or materials, please call the CRS Call Center: 1-866-608-5978.

On behalf of CRS and the USCCB, we are thankful for all you are doing to support the Haiti and Pakistan emergency response, the upcoming CCHD collection, ongoing Catholics Confront Global Poverty advocacy efforts, and the Peace in Sudan initiative.   We know how much you are doing and are deeply grateful for your hard work.
May God continue to bless you and your ministry,
Joan Rosenhauer,                                              Stephen Colecchi, Director
Executive Vice President, US Operations                Office of International Justice & Peace
Catholic Relief Services                                       U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

P.S. We have also included ordering information for free Sudan DVDs (same videos as on the website), free Prayer for Peace in Sudan prayer cards, and our new fair trade “What Would You Do?” tee shirt ($20 + shipping and handling).

CRS update on Haiti

2010-10-27T13:23:00.000-04:00

EMERGENCY BRIEF ON HAITI CHOhttp://donate.crs.org/site/DocServer/Haiti_cholera_outbreak_DDs_only.pdf?docID=6443LERA OUTBREAK

CCHD releases "Review and Renewal" Document Oct. 26

2010-10-26T15:24:00.003-04:00

From Catholic News Service...

CCHD-REVIEW Oct-26-2010 (980 words) xxxn

CCHD adopts stronger policy to ensure funds used match church teaching

An ad from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops promoting the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. (CNS/CCHD)

By Dennis Sadowski
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Under persistent criticism from a small but vocal group of activists as well as questions from some bishops, leaders of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development have established "stronger policies and clearer mechanisms" to guide how grants are awarded to poverty-fighting groups and strengthen oversight of how funds are spent.

Made public Oct. 26, the plan places greater emphasis on the Catholic identity of the 41-year-old program and renews the U.S. bishops' commitment to fight poverty in all its forms, said Bishop Roger P. Morin of Biloxi, Miss., chairman of the bishops' CCHD subcommittee.

"There were those who were concerned that renewal in some way might mean moving away from a priority of helping the poor achieve greater self-sufficiency. There is a reaffirmation that the CCHD will continue to have a priority for the poor and in helping the poor to help themselves. That has not changed," Bishop Morin told Catholic News Service.

"For CCHD, its focus always was on poverty and trying to always find the best method of dynamics or organizations to address poverty at the local level," he said.

A 15-page document outlining the changes, "The Review and Renewal of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development," provides a "road map for the renewal" of the program.

It includes 10 commitments under which the program will operate.

"These 10 commitments are neither an abandonment of CCHD's foundations nor are they an effort to repackage 'business as usual,'" the document states.

The effort also aligns itself with the five priorities the bishops established for 2008-2011. CCHD goals, according to the document, most closely match three of the priorities: emphasizing the life and dignity of the human person, recognizing cultural diversity and strengthening marriage and family life.

John Carr, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said broader Catholic participation in the program is expected under the plan. Traditionally, CCHD has funded neighborhood and community organizations, not all of which were Catholic or had formal Catholic participation.

"It will be a plus for an application that has Catholic parishes and institutions," Carr said. "(It's) not a requirement, but it is a plus. It weighs favorably. The truth is the majority of our projects have substantial Catholic involvement. But we're going to encourage and reward Catholic participation."

CCHD has been under fire since 2008 from critics who claim the program has lost its way by funding organizations that joined coalitions taking positions contrary to Catholic teaching on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

In recent years, at least eight bishops have decided not to participate in the annual collection, citing questions about the activities of groups being funded.

The criticisms were the most recent the program has faced. CCHD's emphasis on funding programs that empower poor and low-income people largely through community organizing activities has been the target of critics almost since the program started in 1969.

Bishop Morin said five of the 270 organizations funded in the 2008-2009 grant cycle lost their awards for violating grant guidelines. He apologized to donors -- people in the pews -- for the program's lapses.

"This is not a perfect world or a perfect organization," he told CNS. "We can only do our best to continue the process with the benefit of finding out where there is failure. Where there is failure there is the opportunity to build something better."

Bishop Morin said the review allowed CCHD officials to recommit to the program's founding principles, including its Gospel-based mission of seeking justice rooted in Catholic social teaching and faithful stewardship of human, financial and institutional resources. Some of those efforts will include community organizing activities to find solutions to common problems, such as getting a fire hydrant fixed in an inner-city neighborhood or improving access to quality education for poor children, he said.

"I don't think there is anything wrong to get the government to assume its legislative responsibility of the well-being of the people. In order to do that, you have to be organized," he said.

Ten months in the making, the review and renewal document was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Administrative Committee in September. It will be presented to the entire body of bishops during the conference's semi-annual meeting Nov. 15-18 in Baltimore.

The first listed commitment encompasses the program's Catholic identity and promises to "emphasize the principles of Catholic social and moral teaching in all CCHD materials and communications."

The plan calls for CCHD staff responsibilities to be reassigned so that one person will "focus on promoting, safeguarding and monitoring the Catholic identify of CCHD" and checking on the work of funded agencies.

Other commitments include steps to:

-- Bring in at least one moral theologian as consultant on the application of Catholic moral teaching on collaboration and cooperation.

-- Establish a review board to hear complaints about the activities of funded organizations and decide if a grant should be withdrawn.

-- Redesign grant applications so that they include an explanation that CCHD's mission is based on Catholic social and moral teaching.

-- Start a national strategic grant program to "address emerging challenges," paid for with funds set aside from the national CCHD collection, which is usually taken up in parishes on the weekend before the beginning of Advent.

An example of such a grant is the $300,000 awarded to organizations giving voice to the fishermen and communities affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Other commitments stress the program's priority for the poor, improving communication about the accomplishments of CCHD-funded programs in local dioceses, strengthening partnerships between the national office in Washington and local dioceses and addressing moral issues related to poverty.

- - -

Editor's Note: The full text of "The Review and Renewal of The Catholic Campaign for Human Development" will be published in the Nov. 4 issue of Origins. It is also available at www.usccb.org/cchd/.

END

More CCUSA Wrapup

2010-09-30T17:43:00.000-04:00

From the National Catholic Reporter:
http://ncronline.org/news/justice/catholic-charities-lobbies-innovative-anti-poverty-program

Search begins for successor to Ken Hackett, CRS president since 1993

2010-09-30T17:39:00.004-04:00

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Catholic Relief Services has begun a nationwide search for a successor to its president, Ken Hackett, whose career with the international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community spans nearly four decades. "The good news is that we can do this patiently and carefully, because we are able to approach any leadership changes from a position of strength, success and stability," New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, chairman of the CRS board, said in a Sept. 29 statement announcing the search. Hackett, 63, has agreed to continue serving as president for six months beyond the end of his current five-year term in June 2011 and the new president is expected to be installed by January 2012. He will continue to serve as a consultant to CRS until July 2012. CRS' president since 1993, Hackett joined the agency in 1972 following Peace Corps service in Ghana. His first assignment was in Sierra Leone and he served CRS in posts throughout Africa and Asia, as well as in a variety of positions at CRS headquarters. He was regional director for Africa, guiding CRS' response to the Ethiopian famine of 1984-85, and supervised operations in East Africa during the crisis in Somalia in the early 1990s. During his 17 years at the helm, CRS grew from an operating budget of approximately $300 million to more than $800 million today.

CCUSA Centennial Wrap -- Catholic News Service

2010-09-30T17:38:00.000-04:00

Charities head marks 100 years with call for '21st-century solutions'

Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George celebrates Mass marking the centennial year of Catholic Charities USA at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 25. (CNS/Nancy Wiechec)

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One hundred years and a day after the founding of the national organization that became Catholic Charities USA, its president called for "21st-century solutions to 21st-century problems" and said keeping track of how many people are fed or given shelter for a night is no longer enough.

"We need to track not only money and services, but how many people have escaped the need for such services," said Father Larry Snyder, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who has been president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA since 2005.

Father Snyder spoke Sept. 26 at his organization's centennial gathering in Washington, where it was founded by about 400 Catholic leaders in 1910.

The conference opened the day before with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and a group photo on the campus of The Catholic University of America, mimicking a photo of the founding members 100 years ago.

Father Snyder acknowledged that "there will always be those who need the safety net" of services such as food, shelter or financial assistance, but said that for many, "the safety net is broken."

"It can trap families into a lifetime of need," he said. "Our efforts must be transformative" and must help place individuals and families on "the pathway to self-sufficiency," he added.

Outlining the history of the organization founded as the National Conference of Catholic Charities, Father Snyder said it was established "at a time of great social transformation," when the United States was moving from an agrarian to an industrial economy.

"But the progress came at a cost," he added, including "a loss of recognition of the importance of human beings and a national sense of community."

The church brought its "rich tradition of social teachings" to the U.S. culture and left its "fingerprint on some of the great social solutions of our day," such as Social Security and various programs to fight poverty, he said.

"The conditions facing those we serve today are strikingly similar to those of 1910," Father Snyder said, noting that the number of Americans living in poverty increased by more than 4 million in the past two years.

He criticized current attitudes of "intolerance, division and a lack of compassion for the 'undeserving poor,'" and said they are based on "a refusal to see in the faces of the poor the image and likeness of God."

"No matter how well disguised, we must still see the beauty of the image and likeness of God in each person," he added.

Father Snyder said those involved in the work of Catholic Charities must be "immersed in the messiness of life" and said now is "not the time for us to be timid about our faith."

Like 100 years ago, "the age of visionaries and giants is still upon us," he said.

Three panelists representing the corporate world, the academic world and politics then responded to Father Snyder's talk.

Janet Lawson, director of Ford Volunteer Corps, part of the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Co., said the organization, funded from Ford profits, has had to make do with a diminished budget to meet increasing needs, especially in the Detroit area.

Among the organization's priorities have been mobile food pantries that can go quickly to where there is the most need and "economic stability" programs that provide financial basics and job training in "alternatives to the manufacturing jobs that have gone overseas."

Father J. Bryan Hehir, professor of religion and public life at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, said that although pundits disagree about how to end the current economic crisis, "there is general agreement that it will not end quickly."

He said Catholic Charities' "commitment to professional excellence, combined with hope and faith, give us the capacity to be the long-distance runner."

Father Hehir, who is also secretary for social concerns and president of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Boston, said the organization is "uniquely placed to contribute" to discussions about how the government distributes public resources.

"There is no substitute for the moral vision of leaders" in helping to ensure "the quality of life of all its citizens," he said.

Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said the government can "learn a lot from Catholic Charities offices around the country," especially their emphasis on "integral human development, as well as emotional and spiritual support" for their clients.

Asked in a question-and-answer period about how to promote civility in the national dialogue, DuBois noted a "connection between civility and poverty."

"If the public debate has deteriorated to the point that we can't see ourselves in another person," there is little way to solve national problems together, he said.

Other speakers at the Sept. 25-28 Catholic Charities convention included Cardinal Paul J. Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum; Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. surgeon general; and Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York.

END

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More from the Centennial Gathering of CCUSA

2010-09-26T15:25:00.000-04:00

Top photo, Fr. Larry Synder addresses delegates at the morning plenary session of the CCUSA Centennial Gathering Sept. 26. Below, Jarteau Israel and Marianne Majewski

1000 from CCUSA say cheese

2010-09-25T19:56:00.000-04:00

(Photo from CCUSA Twitpic)

Approximately 1000 CCUSA reps posed in front of McMahon Hall on Sept. 25 to recreate the historic photo in front of the same building 100 years ago upon the occasion of the founding of what is now CCUSA. Somewhere in that photo are seven reps from the Diocese of Metuchen, and four from CCST.

From DC...

2010-09-25T12:20:00.002-04:00

Ernie Revoir (left) and Jarteau Israel stand in front of Basilica Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC before the Centennial Liturgy Sept.25.

After the celebration, Joe Kerrigan and Ernie Revoir exchange pleasantries at the John Paul II Cultural Center, just up the road from the Basilica.

CCDOM Executive Director Marianne Majewski meets with former CCUSA Executive Director Fr. Bryan Hehir at the same reception.

There are actually seven reps from the Diocese of Metuchen at the Centennial Gathering. Besides the CCDOM quartet, Joe Flannigan from the national Society of St. Vincent de Paul (and East Brunswick) is here, along with Jeff Korgen from the chancery and Sr. Elizabeth O'Hara from the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung. And founding Metuchen Bishop, now Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was one of the principal concelebrants.

3 CCST members in DC for 100th anniversary of CCUSA

2010-09-25T10:49:00.001-04:00

Jarteau Israel, Joe Kerrigan and Ernie Revoir are in Washington, DC this weekend to represent the Diocese of Metuchen and our local Catholic Charities for the 100th Anniversary of Catholic Charities USA. CCDOM Executive Director Marianne Majewski leads the Metuchen quartet. More than 1000 Catholic Charities reps are expected to converge on the capital this week.
On Sept. 25, there is a Mass at the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Talks, workshops and legislative advocacy highlight the formal agenda, which concludes Tuesday.
Locally, Sacred Heart Church in New Brunswick will honor the Centennial and New Brunswick CCDOM staffers at Mass Oct.3 at 11:45am. At the liturgy, there will be a remembrance of our partners in Santa Rosa, Guatemala, who mourn the deaths of three staffers in 2010.

Sudan Update from CRS

2010-09-20T14:24:00.000-04:00

http://peaceinsudan.crs.org/

One in Seven: Percentage of Americans Living in Poverty Rises

2010-09-16T15:12:00.000-04:00

New, troubling statistics from the Census Bureau:

From today's Washington Post

And from the Associated Press

CRS and Hispanic Heritage Month (Begins Sept 15)

2010-09-14T16:43:00.006-04:00

How CRS is marking the month

Overview of CRS' Latin America approach (from CRS' website)

CCHD-themed luncheon at Sacred Heart, New Brunswick

2010-09-10T14:23:00.002-04:00

Representatives of all the Metuchen Diocese's local and nationally-funded groups gathered with CCST members and New Brunswick pastors to hear Randy Keesler, from the national Catholic Campaign for Human Development, give a luncheon presentation Sept. 10.
The presentation and discussion focused on the state of CCHD nationally.

Caritas working to relieve latest Guatemala flooding disaster

2010-09-08T21:45:00.000-04:00

Caritas works to help Guatemalans, Mexicans stranded by mud, rain

By David Agren
Catholic News Service

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic aid agency Caritas has responded to the torrential downpours in Guatemala with appeals for food and clothing for the victims of what has been described as the heaviest rains to be dumped on the Central American country in more than 50 years.

A report issued Sept. 7 by Caritas Guatemala said the rains had left more than 14,000 people homeless and more than 40 people dead. Many of the dead were trapped in mudslides that buried vehicles and a bus traveling the Inter-American Highway. Subsequent mudslides later trapped rescue workers. The Caritas report said rescue efforts would resume only with machinery because of the risk of further mudslides.

The Caritas national office was working with local branches in various parts of the country "mainly to provide food," said Fernanda Armas, a spokeswoman with Caritas Guatemala.

Susana Lopez, an organizer in the social affairs ministry of the Diocese of San Marcos, said the current precipitation followed the heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Agatha earlier this year, which "left the soil saturated" and was causing additional damage.

A diocesan report provided to Catholic News Service Sept. 8 spoke of heavy crop damage, a lack of clean water and sanitation and a persistent risk of victims' homes being looted. The situation was listed as desperate in some of the more isolated regions of the diocese.

"No help has arrived because water is covering the roads," said Paola Orozco, relief coordinator for La Blanca parish in the community of Carrizales. She said many local residents lost their corn crops "because the water rose so quickly."

Farther north in Mexico, heavy rains and Tropical Storm Hermine resulted in flooding along the Gulf Coast, while depressions in the Pacific provoked inundations in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Flooding in Mexico has affected 600,000 residents, the Red Cross reported.

Church volunteers in the state of Veracruz began converting parishes into shelters and providing meals in flood-afflicted areas, according to news reports.

Father Denis Ochoa Vidal, spokesman for the Diocese of Tabasco, said church officials were preparing to turn parishes into temporary shelters and that trained parish response teams had been mobilized to help those left homeless.

He said that some parishes had started removing art and religious items because of the risk of even more flooding, which some forecasts predict could leave much of the low-lying state of Tabasco under water and be worse than the 2007 rains that affected more than 1 million residents.

"We're asking that these forecasts are wrong and that the Lord has mercy and diverts the water," Father Ochoa said, adding the diocese had started a "campaign of prayer."

END

What if we repealed the 14th Amendment?

2010-09-08T21:39:00.002-04:00

From the Migration Policy Institute

Death toll rises in Guatemala landslides

2010-09-06T17:08:00.004-04:00

Sept 6th AP story

Guatemalan press speculates on climate change as cause in new rain cycle. ( Prensa Libre story here )

Rains Continue to Plague Guatemala

2010-09-04T20:54:00.002-04:00

14 killed in Guatemala floods, Colom declares emergency

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

GUATEMALA CITY — President Alvaro Colom declared a national emergency in Guatemala after weeks of driving rains triggered landslides Saturday that killed 10 people on a bus and four inside a home.
"Top priority at present is dealing with this emergency. There are no funds left to deal with earlier disasters like the one caused by (tropical storm) Agatha," in late May, Colom told reporters after a surveying tour of the country.
He said damage estimates across Guatemala after weeks of rain stood at 350-500 million dollars, or 40 percent of the damage wrought by Agatha, which killed 183 people in Central America, including 165 in Guatemala, and left thousands homeless.
The latest rains triggered two landslides Saturday. One swept away a bus on a road near central Chimaltenango city killing at least 10 people and injuring 20; the other killed four people inside a house in western Quetzaltenango.
Guatemala's meteorologists have forecast another 24-36 hours of heavy rain throughout most of the country.

More on Immigration Trends

2010-09-04T20:50:00.003-04:00

From the Immigration Advocates Network:

- An article from the Huffington Post about the benefits of immigration on U.S. employment is available at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?16017

Other resources on immigration trends:

The Advocates for Human Rights
The Advocates offer a fact sheet to dispel some of the myths about immigration at http://www.energyofanation.org/sites/25e1f498-741c-478a-8a08-aa486d8533a5/uploads/Myths_and_Facts_About_Immigration_2010.pdf.

Immigration Policy Center
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) discusses the diverse contributions of "Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Force," at http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/immigrants-us-labor-force, which is based on a Congressional Budget Office report, "The Role of Immigrants in the US Labor Market: An Update," available at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?16018.

Migration Policy Institute
Migration Policy Institute (MPI) offers a comprehensive library of facts and figures on immigration trends at http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/historicaltrends.cfm.

National Bureau of Economic Research
A summary of the National Bureau of Economic Research report, "The Effect of Immigration on Productivity: Evidence from U.S. States," can be found at http://www.nber.org/digest/mar10/w15507.html.

Archbishop Dolan letter on CRS response in Pakistan

2010-09-03T09:44:00.000-04:00

CLICK HERE for Archbishop Timothy Dolan's letter to fellow bishops, in the wake of Pakistan's flooding and the humanitarian response.

New York Times editorial on Border Patrol actions well inland

2010-09-02T10:46:00.002-04:00

From Aug. 31 Op-Ed in New York Times

For the recent archive of New York Times editorials on immigration, CLICK HERE

Number of illegal immigrants in U.S. drops, report says

2010-09-02T10:24:00.001-04:00

From the Washington Post:

And from the Associated Press

Labor Day message from USCCB

2010-08-31T17:32:00.000-04:00

A new social contract for today's new things...

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2010.pdf

and in Spanish:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2010_spanish.pdf

Harvest of Hope October 8

2010-08-30T10:35:00.001-04:00

MEGAN McKENNA HEADLINES
7th ANNUAL HARVEST OF HOPE

Renown theologian and author Megan McKenna will be keynote speaker Friday, Oct. 8 for the seventh annual fundraiser for our Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference, while retreat leader Fr. Jim Dolan, SJ will host the evening. Elijah's Promise again provides the catering.

Melissa Chedid, a senior at Rutgers University, parishioner of St. Augustine of Canterbury in Kendall Park, and grandniece of our own Louis Barrood will be honored as the 2010 recipient of the Rich Cunningham New Leader for Justice Award.

John Schweska, counselor for Catholic Charities, has been named Partner in Charity winner, while St. John Vianney Parish in Colonia is this year's winner of the Global Herald Award.

Tickets are available from Alice Bandelt at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, 732-545-1681,

Policy Update from USCCB

2010-05-07T20:24:00.004-04:00

MRS/USCCB POLICY UPDATE

April 30, 2010

Senators Release CIR Framework

On Thursday, April 29, Senators Charles Schumer (New York), Reid (NV), Menendez (NJ), Leahy(VT), Durbin(IL) and Feinstein (CA), all Democrats, released the Real Enforcement with Practical Answers for Immigration Reform (REPAIR) proposal, a proposed framework for CIR legislation. The proposal does not contain legislative language; rather, it outlines the Senators' substantive ideas for an eventual bill. The REPAIR proposal includes plans for border and interior enforcement, legalization, a biometric social security card, employment and family visa reforms, a new immigrant worker visa, detention reform, and other measures. The Senators hope that their proposal will serve as a starting point for discussions with potential Republican co-sponsors and supporters. President Obama released a statement praising the framework and repeating the need for immigration reform legislation. Yet, the President's desired timeline remains unclear after he suggested just days ago that CIR may need to wait, given other legislative priorities. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) issued a statement saying that the United States must first secure the border before moving to immigration reform.

Read the framework here: http://www.politico.com/static/PPM154_proposal.html

Immigration Framework Needs Work, but "Important First Step", says U.S. Bishop

Bishop John C. Wester, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, issued a statement Friday calling the REPAIR proposal "an important first step" and urged federal officials to enact immigration reform legislation. Bishop Wester expressed concern with the level of border enforcement spending in the proposal and the lack of any foreign development measures aimed at improving Mexican and Central American economies to reduce migration pressures. He also noted USCCB opposition to permitting partners in same-sex relationships to come to the United States at the same level as traditional married couples. He urged Congress to act now to fix what he called a "badly broken system in need of immediate repair."

Read the full statement here: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-084.shtml

Arizona Passes Immigration Enforcement Law

On April 23, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1070, a law concerning immigration enforcement in Arizona. Under SB 1070: (1) if an Arizona law enforcement officer stops or detains a person for an unrelated offense; and (2) then has "reasonable suspicion" to believe that person is an unauthorized immigrant (SB 1070 prohibits the officer from using race as the sole reason for suspicion); then (3) the new law requires the officer to make a "reasonable attempt" to determine that person's immigration status. Responding to questions about the term "reasonable suspicion" after its passage, the law's authors noted that they adopted the term from Supreme Court decisions regarding the proper bases for officers to stop or detain persons. The law also makes it a state misdemeanor to willfully fail to carry documentation proving one's lawful immigration status. Those who produce a valid driver's license or state-ID will be presumed to be lawfully present. Those convicted of this new offense must serve jail time and pay fines, with certain limited exceptions. Opponents of the law argue that it will lead to racial profiling and create distrust between Hispanic residents and law enforcement. Proponents of the law argue that the law requires officers to prove their actions were based on criteria other than solely race or ethnicity. In a new development, the authors also point to amendments they made to the law after its passage to assuage concerns over racial profiling (Gov. Brewer must approve the changes). Arizona is the first state to criminalize unlawful presence. Currently, it is a civil offense to be unlawfully present in the United States and a criminal offense to unlawfully enter the United States.

Read the law here: http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070h.htm

Read a summary of the law here: http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/2r/summary/s.1070pshs_housechanges.doc.htm

Read the changes made April 29 here: http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/central/story/Arizona-lawmakers-OK-several-changes-to/qNpxW7Jonkm9shejhnkiSQ.cspx

USCCB Migration Committee Chairman Opposes Arizona Law

On April 27, Migration Chairman Bishop John Wester issued a statement saying he "strongly opposes" Arizona's SB 1070, a new immigration enforcement law. Bishop Wester argued that the law would affect how immigrants are "perceived and treated" throughout the nation. He also stated: "SB 1070 gives law enforcement officials powers to detain and arrest individuals based on a very low legal standard, possibly leading to the profiling of individuals based upon their appearance, manner of speaking, or ethnicity." Bishop Wester concluded that Arizona's law demonstrates the absence of federal leadership on immigration, and called on Congress to swiftly enact comprehensive reform. He said that he spoke in solidarity with Arizona's Catholic Bishops who have expressed public opposition to the law.

Read the full statement here: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-080.shtml

CIR Proponents Call for Immediate Introduction of Schumer/Graham Bill

Following Congress' return from its Easter recess, CIR backers grew more vocal in calling on Congressional leaders to take up CIR legislation immediately. Prior to the recess, large numbers of legalization proponents traveled to Washington to take part in large-scale immigration demonstrations demanding legislative action on CIR. At the same time, Sens. Schumer and Graham published an op-ed in the Washington Post outlining the principles their bill will contain. However, the Senators have still not committed to a timeline for introduction of their bill. In addition, recent comments from Sen. Graham seem to indicate that he is unwilling to push for introduction in 2010. Given the upcoming nomination of and confirmation hearings for a replacement for retiring Justice John Paul Stevens as well as other pending Senate business, CIR proponents are urging Sen. Schumer to garner the political support he needs to introduce his legislation as soon as possible

See the Schumer/Graham Op-Ed here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.htm

Reid Counts 56 Votes for CIR; Clarifies Timeline for Senate Action

Speaking at a re-election rally in Las Vegas over the weekend of April 10, Majority Leader Harry Reid told a crowd of supporters: "We're going to come back, we're going to have comprehensive immigration reform now....We cannot wait." He also declared that he had 56 democratic senators committed to voting for CIR legislation. Sen. Reid's comments sowed confusion among political observers who questioned whether CIR introduction was in fact imminent. Sen. Reid moved quickly to address such questions, telling reporters: "We won't get to immigration reform this work period (referring to the time period between the Easter and Memorial Day recesses)". Reid's office also issued a press release clarifying that the timeline for Senate action on the bill depended on many factors including Sens. Schumer and Graham.

See more on Sen. Reid's comments here: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/author/carl-hulse/

Groups Call for End to 287(g) Program; DHS Inspector General Releases Report

Following on the heels of a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Report on the 287(g) program, the Reform Immigration For America Campaign called for an end to the program citing what the Campaign sees as its fundamental flaws. Other organizations including the National Immigrant Law Center, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the ACLU chimed in with their own criticisms of the 287(g) program, which authorizes state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration law. The DHS/OIG report set forth 33 recommendations for improvements in the program related to oversight, management, training, performance evaluation, data collection, and transparency.

Read the DHS/OIG Report here: http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_10-63_Mar10.pdf

ICE Responds to Leaked "Quotas" Memo

A March 26 Washington Post story featured a leaked memorandum from a DHS official that appeared to endorse "quotas" for the number of immigrants DHS seeks to detain. ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton quickly disavowed the memo, saying it was not cleared through his office and that it did not reflect ICE priorities or plans. He also met with concerned non-governmental organizations (NGO's) to further explain the episode and to field NGO questions. Also appearing at the meeting was James Chapparo, the official who had authored the memo on only his sixth day of employ with DHS. A number of NGO's continue to call for stronger public comments from DHS rejecting the use of detention quotas, and for the release of relevant DHS policy guidance to officers in the field.

See the Post story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032604891.html

New Report Finds Legalization Would Have Small Effect on Labor Markets

On April 12, the Public Policy Institute of California released a report arguing that legalization would not have a major impact on the labor market for either legalizing workers or for native workers, particularly in tax revenues and welfare programs. Its authors assert that the majority of unauthorized immigrants already pay taxes and therefore legalization would not significantly boost tax revenues. They also claim that the newly legalized will not qualify for most welfare programs. In addition, they argue that newly legalized workers will not compete directly with native workers because of their lack of occupational mobility and their inability to attract competitive wages.

Read the report here: http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=869

Supreme Court Rules on Immigration Legal Advice Case

On March 31, the Supreme Court ruled in Padilla v. Kentucky that immigrants who are offered plea agreements have a Sixth Amendment right to correct information on how their plea could affect their immigration status. In many cases, this will not involve more than a warning that a guilty plea could carry with it adverse immigration outcomes. However, in mandatory detention cases, accurate advice on the question of the accused's immigration status will be required. In this case, Mr. Padilla's conviction was not overturned; rather, his case was sent back to the lower court for further proceedings.

POWER Act Introduced

On April 14, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NY) introduced the Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act. The bill is designed to protect unauthorized immigrant workers against employer retaliation by providing crime-victim visas to those who have been threatened with force or abuse after filing a workplace claim. The bill is also meant to encourage whistleblowers to come forward by staying the removal of any unauthorized immigrant worker who filed a workplace claim against their employer and is now facing deportation. Removal would be delayed until the U.S. Department of Labor has investigated the worker's abuse claim.

Learn more about the POWER Act here: http://www.nilc.org/

CRS HAITI UPDATE

2010-02-24T11:27:00.001-05:00

Catholic Relief Services Situation Report #24 for external distribution

Haiti Earthquake Dates covered: February 18-21, 2010

AFFECTED POPULATIONS/NEEDS: New developments

Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port au Prince reopened for commercial flights. American Airlines and Air France resumed services on Feb.19^th. Air Canada and the regional carrier Air Caraïbes are expected to recommence flights shortly. American Airlines has announced two daily flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, while a flight from JFK is expected to operate four times a week. Travelers should anticipate significant congestion and associated delays at Port-au-Prince due to a surge in demand for seats on international flights.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Special Envoy Bill Clinton, and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes announced the Haiti Revised Humanitarian Appeal for Haiti on Feb. 18. The Appeal is for US$1.4 billion (which includes the original $562 million) to cover emergency humanitarian assistance and key early recovery projects for 12 months (January-December 2010). With a target of 3 million people who have been directly affected, as well as communities hosting the large numbers of displaced, the total equals an average of $481 per affected person. With the $673 million received in response to the original Flash Appeal, the outstanding requirement is $768 million.

According to the Associated Press, the Haitian Government announced it will appropriate private land temporary camp sites. It has not specified the amount it would seek but a spokesperson said government panels will make decisions in three to four weeks, and that the transitional shelters will be built in five or six months.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy tallied major US charity fundraising efforts for Haiti at a total of $774 million in private contributions. The top agencies on the list include (as of Feb. 17):

1	American Red Cross $276 million	6	Clinton Bush Haiti Fund $40 million	11	William Clinton Foundation $11.9 million
2	CRS $60.4 million	7	World Vision U.S. $27.6 million	12	Mercy Corps $11.6 million
3	Partners In Health $56 million	8	Oxfam America $21.5 million	13	Salvation Army $10.8 million
4	Doctors Without Borders U.S. $50.2 million	9	Save the Children USA $18.2 million	14	International Rescue Committee $4.9 million
5	UNICEF (U.S. Fund) $49.1 million	10	CARE USA $12 million	15	Lutheran World Relief $3.2 million

The following map situates the 183 identified IDP camps in Port-au-Prince and the 16 WFP food distributions sites (blue dots). [The higher resolution map is available online where details in fine print can be read].

PARTNERSHIPS AND COORDINATION

No specific updates other than partnerships referred to below.

PROGRAMMING

Distributions

To date, CRS has provided food to 597,989 people in camps and settlements in Port-au-Prince, Léogane, and outside areas. Of this population, CRS has distributed 30,903 ready-to-eat food kits (which last a family of five for two days) to as many families, as well as food day rations (626,829 lbs. of soy-fortified bulgur, oil, corn-soy blend, and lentils/peas) in kits for an estimated 33,152 families that last typically 15 days. Another 49,699 families (or 248,496 people) received rice in the WFP rice distribution.

Only 6,500 families (32,500 people) received a repeat distribution – WFP rice in addition to one distribution of CRS/Caritas Haiti food. This population in Pétionville Club, has not received other food distributions, but received emergency shelter kits last week.

Shelter

On Friday, Feb. 19th, CRS/Caritas Haiti distributed 1,300 emergency shelter kits in Champs de Mars, and another 1,300 kits were distributed in the Eglise Don Bosco area over the weekend. The CRS/Caritas Haiti team has a goal of distributing 2,000 emergency shelter kits this week in the city settlements of Nazon and Solino.

WASH

CRS/Caritas Haiti is supporting a Cash-for-Work program for 160 people to clean the overwhelming amounts of rubble and debris out of the city’s main canal. This will take place in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works or a USAID contractor, and is seen as a priority to mitigate potential flooding when the rainy season starts. CRS/Caritas Haiti is considering at what level to expand the clean up across the city given the obvious major needs.

The Haitian graffiti artist hired by CRS/Caritas Haiti has completed two murals and will be painting several more throughout the city. The murals depict messages reinforcing hand washing and good hygiene practices.

Bill Stahlin's take on the CCST dinner 9-22

2009-09-23T10:56:00.002-04:00

All present could not help but be touched by the thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity of the Sharlow family. There could be no better expression of the friendship and love felt by members of Santa Rosa and Metuchen dioceses.

The delegation had a busy but fulfilling day. They journeyed to St Bernard parish to spend the remainder of the evening.

Get your Harvest of Hope tickets ASAP

2009-09-22T21:25:00.003-04:00

The dinner is Friday, Oct. 2. Contact Harvest of Hope chair Maureen Jorgensen at mjorgensen@ccsolidarity.org or call Sacred Heart's office at 732-545-1681.

CCST welcomes Guatemalan delegation Sept 22

2009-09-22T21:20:00.002-04:00

Representatives from 7 parishes (Sacred Heart, Nativity, Queenship of Mary, St. Joseph's/Hillsborough, St. Bernard's, St. Charles Borromeo and St. Anthony of Padua) greeted the eight-member Guatemalan delegation for a social gathering at Sacred Heart parish hall in New Brunswick.
Hector Escobar (left) translates on behalf of the delegation.

Sunday Guatemalan recap -- courtesy of Queenship of Mary Parish

2009-09-22T11:21:00.000-04:00

Guatemala Delegation Visit from the Diocese of

Santa Rosa - September 20 2009

Santa Rosa delegation’s Visit – A joyful celebration with many topics to think about

Sunday, after the welcome at the 11:45 Mass, Queenship of Mary (QOM) parish hosted a lunch with the delegation from the Diocese of Santa Rosa (SR), Guatemala. A tasty and great variety of international appetizers, salads, warm and cold entrees and desserts greeted the Santa Rosa delegation, as they and their interpreters enjoyed lunch and conversation with over 100 QOM parishioners, Guatemala committee members and their families.

The parish also hosted a mid-afternoon circle of information sharing in the parish center, with the Santa Rosa delegation and parishioners who are part of the various Guatemala committees. The warm personal and spiritual connection that has grown among the QOM people who have visited and the Santa Rosa delegation set the tone for a relaxed meeting and thoughtful discussions.

Circle of Sharing – A Working Meeting with a Large Touch of Warmth!

From the mid-afternoon working meeting, it’s easy to remember the overall sentiment. Quoting so many of the Santa Rosa delegation, the repeated feeling from the people of this Guatemala diocese is that there is “such great gratitude for the efforts and prayers from our parish.” The informal gathering seemed to go so quickly, as our parish council and Guatemala committee members heard the stories and successes that are addressing the issues that exist in the Santa Rosa area.

Delegates from farm managers, to the diocese secretary, to the parish priests to the youth scholarship representative talked about the benefits of our partnership. After introductions, Father Bob (QOM) invited the visiting delegation members to share their thoughts and stories. One of the visiting priests said that the families in the small towns now are realizing the caring of the world outside of their diocese, and the efforts the benefit from have become a channel for growing their faith. Another delegate was surprised to see the number of parishioners who are involved but have not yet visited Guatemala.

Comments by the Delegates

Lucy’s Talk about Health

As the secretary for the diocese, Lucy referred to the spirituality that the delegations are showing in Guatemala and how “it has taught the people there that they have an opportunity to share the ‘culture of faith’ in a very open way”. After her five and a half years of experience with the Diocese of Metuchen, she said that one highlight is the health ministry - everyone is grateful for the five clinics that have opened (thanks to the help of St. Peter’s hospital in New Brunswick, NJ) and how the support that reaches 5,000 to 6,000 people is greatly treasured. She also explained that the efforts resulting from a grant from the US Agency for International Development has set the stage for successes of a program that teaches midwifery for women working in the clinics, along with supplying the equipment needed for good medical care.

The clinic serves the inhabitants along with one doctor and one nurse one day a week. The country’s health ministry has recognized the value of the midwives and the clinic work, and Father Bob highlighted that much work can be done within our diocese as more parish-to-parish work continues. His hope is for our 20 diocese parishes to collaborate with 20 Diocese of Santa Rosa parishes.

Raol’s stories about benefits for remote areas

Raol, who is part of the Santa Rose diocese staff, has been part of the partnership from our diocese since its inception. He wanted to explain that the benefits from such programs as the social Caritas group has meant that more remote areas of the diocese have received benefits like a water project for an area that has no potable water or electricity.

The people’s gratitude creates such contentment for them, because now they feel that someone has remembered who they are and their prayers are being answered. He talks about the “presence of spirituality” that has grown from a saying they have in that area of the diocese: “If you want to know me, come and see where I live.” With strong coordination, the families in these areas recognize that the efforts do involve a lot of work from their partners in the Diocese of Metuchen and parishes such as QOM.

What the micro-finance projects mean

Speaking to the intimacy of our learning about their problems, Raol referred to the possibilities and hopes that relate to the micro-finance projects. To have the potential for help with the complexity of their finance issues, can happen because a micro-finance project addresses, and can reach, a large population. The work of our committee replaces the bureaucracy of legal documents and government intrusion with a very different process – our approach that includes a coop is something they have only experienced and learned about in the last four years. Ed Klimek noted that an evening working meeting with the Santa Rosa delegates would focus on addressing the logistics that are needed to create less bureaucracy.

Father Walter – Hope from the Beauty and Blessings of Partnership

Father Bob stressed the growth of vision from the mission committee – that the delegates felt openness and trust in discussing sensitive issue and the continuing commitment to build on that trust. Raol’s response was to emphasize the feeling in Santa Rosa that bringing together the positives of the micro-finance program would build more benefits. With no payments to officials that create conflicts of interest, the principles of the QOM proposal are going to help a targeted population who has repeatedly been told that they do not qualify for loans or support.

Father Walter then added that the close ties with QOM are helping people in Santa Rosa in so many ways. He said that the residents of these areas have long felt that they are “choked” by the idea that they are a group not worthy of being helped so they can get ahead in even the smallest ways. Now there is greater hope.

Ed Klimek’s Guatemala story - A Memory and a Message - “Much Like We Do”

Ed recalled an evening after a beautiful day with an almost cloudless sky. He walked into the partner town where people on the streets proudly shared their homes. They told the QOM delegation about the history of their town. With the faint small of wood-burning stoves in the air, at the end of the day two women of La Morena told them more stories.

After a meeting at the church, much like our meeting on Sunday, there were three more hours of talking – also in a circle much as we were doing – learning what drives the people there and what they are all about. As a celebration in the evening, much like our lunch for them earlier in the day, the townspeople gathered as our parish just had – doors opened and food was shared. He shared the thought that he hoped the Santa Rosa delegation would take back this memory, since it was much the same feeling of connection for everyone who was there on Sunday.

QOM’s proposals are really an expression of information that was gained and heard during meetings in Guatemala - about what the La Morena and Santa Rosa people want and need, and what we think we can do. They love their town, their children and their community, much as we do ours. Creating one community with the Santa Rosa diocese and the town of La Morena connects us with each other because there is so much that is the same. We share a joint desire to succeed at this partnership.

Most important, is having the communities come together in ways that create hope. We have come together, we are listening to each other, and we are looking to commit to what they are want the most, which is the lasting connection. A saying that is shared and wise: “The proposal allows for togetherness; the rest is details!”

Women Growth and Children’s Education

The two female delegates, Lucy and Estella shared some news about the women’s concerns and especially the happiness for recent improvements in the women’s role in the town and in their family. Since there had been little opportunity historically for family development, Lucy explained that women have begun to look forward to seeing what they can do to contribute more. For example, a big positive change would be for women to be able to purchase fruit and then resell it or learning to sell beauty products to women in the larger towns.

With unemployment affecting their towns also, there are areas where men can only work for two hours a day and the maximum pay comes mainly through the harvest season, when they are allowed 15 days to two weeks of steady work). For them an eight-hour day means the ability to provide but the prices of staples (even like tomatoes) is high.

Women who can contribute to their families’ nutrition and health feel that they improve the family. They are now living to have the opportunities they want and with anticipation of how much better it can be because of our parish’s efforts. To these women, the time and commitment we spend is priceless.

The scholarship program that feeds 11 children who benefit now from this important component to their school days. Estella shared the contentment and gratitude of the recipients’ mothers for the food and goods provided. The children themselves were so excited that a delegation from their towns was coming to our parish. Parents and teachers of this group remind these children of how far they can go in life now. Their gratitude comes from the feeling that they are not alone in caring for their family and that people exist beyond their boundaries who are reaching out and making spiritual ties. With more education, if a mother loses her husband for any reason, she can turn to the offers that are growing and become sure that her family can still go on and survive changes.

Farm History – Much Like Our Local Area

The history of the farm community, much like the delegate who told us his crop is corn, dates back to when plantations were numerous in the area around La Morena and Santa Rosa. The plantation owners would parcel out plots for sublet to local farmers, who although they could never own a farm, could work and find housing for their families on the plantation property. As our parish learns more about the micro-finance of the farming in the area, the partnership can make some good strides in improving the lives of the farmers.

CCST welcomes Guatemalan delegation Sept 19-26

2009-09-18T12:11:00.011-04:00

Five of the eight delegates (top row, from left): Luz del Mar Herrarte,
Luis Conrado Pinchilla, Mario
Rene Franco, Estela Cristales; (second row): Roel Peralta.

An eight-member delegation from the Diocese of Santa Rosa will visit five parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen Sept. 19-26 in the biggest visit from Guatemala in the six-year history of the Global Solidarity Partnershp between both dioceses.

Diocesan pastoral leaders Roel Peralta and Luz del Mar Herrarte are joined by pastoral specialists Mario Rene Franco, Luis Conrado Pinchilla and Estela Cristales, along with three Santa Rosa priests for the visit, Fathers Walter Salazar, Romeo Davila and Albin Alvarado.

The delegates are scheduled to arrive Saturday evening, Sept. 19 at Newark Liberty International Airport, where they will be greeted by representatives from CCST and Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, where the Guatemalans will be hosted for their first three nights in the diocese.

Visit highlights include:

Sunday, Sept. 20 Fellowship and meetings at Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro

Monday, Sept. 21 Culture Day in Philadelphia

Tuesday, Sept.22 Tour of diocesan offices, meeting with Bishop Bootkoski, Piscataway

Afternoon visit to St. Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick

6pm dinner and fellowship meeting with CCST, New Brunswick

Wednesday, Sep. 23 Day hosted by St. Bernard's Parish, Bridgewater

Two delegates in the care of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Twp.

Thursday, Sep. 24 Delegation split between St. Charles Borromeo, Skillman and St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough

Friday, Sept. 25 CCST Leaders' Planning Meeting with delegates, Sea Bright, NJ

Remainder of tour in care of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading

Saturday, Sept. 26 departure from Newark Liberty International Airport

Check back to the blog for updates and photos.

UPDATE: Team arrived on time at Newark Airport and all were welcomed warmly by representatives from Queenship of Mary Parish at a late-evening gathering.

May 1 and Newark immigration rally

2009-04-23T12:45:00.001-04:00

May 1, 2009- The CCHD grant recipient New Labor is organizing a march and rally for comprehensive immigration reform at a national level, As a part of FRIM (Fair Immigration Reform Movement), New labor is organizing the event for New Jersey. The rally is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM at Lincoln Park on Broad Street, Newark. Participants will march to around 970 Broad street for the subsequent rally scheduled to start around 1:00 PM.

Catholic Climate Change Coalition launches new initiative

2009-04-23T12:39:00.003-04:00

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change commemorated Earth Day with a new website calling Catholics to commit to prayer and action on behalf of creation and the poor who are most impacted by global climate change.

Follow the Queenship of Mary delegation trip

2009-02-09T10:55:00.003-05:00

A seven-member Queenship of Mary Parish delegation, including CCST's Ernie Revoir, arrived in Guatemala on Feb.7 to begin an important mission to define that parish's project commitment in the Santa Rosa Diocese. Follow the trip through their delegation blog.

USCCB to restart Global Poverty confrontation

2009-02-09T10:49:00.003-05:00

Check out this announcement from the USCCB Department of Social Development and World Peace. The campaign resumes on February 23.

Marking Five Years of Solidarity: Metuchen-Santa Rosa

2009-01-22T12:42:00.002-05:00

On a snowy late January morning in 2004, the nine members of the Metuchen Diocese's global solidarity partnership delegation set out from Newark Liberty Airport to an unknown future in every way in Guatemala.
Five years later, as groups from Metuchen increasingly make the exchange from wintry New Jersey for tropical Guatemala, a few things are known:
1) The partners on both sides are committed, enthused and transformed by the process.
2) Catholic Relief Services Guatemala continues to be an invaluable guide and resource
3) water (and hopes) are flowing in Las Flores and San Antonito
4) momentum is building among Metuchen parishes, groups and individuals to get more deeply involved in the process.

Water Tower Project: a climb in all ways

2009-01-22T11:43:00.002-05:00

On January 14, CCST delegates inspected progress on phase 1 of the San Antonito water project, as preparations begin for irrigation of the colony field for agriculture purposes. This clip features Jim Ryan joining Jerry Lynch at the top of the tower.

from the Guatemalan daily Prensa Libre

2009-01-21T23:03:00.001-05:00

Guatemaltecos en Nueva Jersey piden detener redadas

Activistas de dos organizaciones de migrantes se manifestaron frente a la Embajada de EE. UU. en Guatemala para pedir una reforma migratoria en aquel país. (Foto Prensa Libre: EFE)

17:27 | 21/01/2009

Nueva Jersey, EE. UU. - Migrantes guatemaltecos residentes en Nueva Jersey denunciaron hoy los abusos de los que han sido víctimas en los últimos años en EE. UU. y pidieron un alto a las redadas y la pronta solución del problema migratorio.

Esta comunidad se ha unido a una campaña binacional que busca presionar por una reforma migratoria y el fin de las deportaciones que en las tres primeras semanas de 2009 han causado la expulsión de más de 600 de sus compatriotas.

Cifras del Movimiento de Inmigrantes Guatemaltecos (Migua), basadas en datos de la Dirección General de Migración de Guatremala, revelan que en los primeros 14 días de enero habían sido deportados 683 guatemaltecos, lo que equivale a la expulsión de 48 personas diarias.

“Los guatemaltecos estamos limitados. Muchos no tienen seguro de salud, ni atención médica apropiada o no acuden a las clínicas asequibles, y tienen que arreglárselas para vivir en un cuarto entre varios porque no pueden pagar un apartamento por familia”, dijo Isabel Ruano, de 36 años y activista de Migua.

Según Ruano, debido al temor, los abusos no se llegan a conocer profundamente, además, los guatemaltecos prefieren la reserva y no reclaman sus derechos.

“Conozco a gente que se ha lastimado en el trabajo, pero que sigue trabajando porque no puede recibir beneficios y tienen que pagar la renta y mantener a sus hijos”, afirmó.

Los guatemaltecos en EE. UU., de los cuales Migua calcula que unos 15 mil viven en Nueva Jersey, enviaron al país más de US$314 millones en remesas el año pasado.

“Estoy logrando algo pero no era como uno piensa o veía la vida tan lujosa por la televisión de nuestro país. Esto es muy duro y uno se arrepiente de haber venido”, dijo Albino Vázquez, de 27 años, y originario de Quetzaltenango, quien llegó a Nueva Jersey hace cinco años buscando escapar de la pobreza en su pueblo.

Entre tanto, en Guatemala, Migua, apoyada por la organización Alianza Nacional de Comunidades Latinoamericanas y Caribeñas (Nalacc) participaron en una manifestación frente a la Embajada de Estados Unidos para respaldar al gobierno de Barack Obama, al tiempo que también exigen el cese de las deportaciones como la primera medida del nuevo presidente de ese país.

Édgar Ayala, dirigente de Nalacc, dijo que el cese de las deportaciones depende de una orden ejecutiva de Obama, sin que por ello se modifique la ley migratoria en Estados Unidos.

El Gobierno guatemalteco afirmó ayer que el presidente Álvaro Colom quiere reunirse con Obama para abordar el tema de la migración, aunque aún no hay ninguna petición formal.

Sólo en 2008 fueron deportados casi 28 mil guatemaltecos indocumentados de Estados Unidos.

La Morena

2009-01-21T15:09:00.004-05:00

The village of La Morena is home to a scholarship program administered by the Santa Rosa pastoral team that benefits community children with school supplies and other resources during the year, in exchange for the children teaching their parents language skills.
Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, is preparing to partner with La Morena and address additional human needs in the community of approximately 275 families and 1000 people.
A CCST delegation visited La Morena Jan. 14 and participated in a community gathering. A clip from that event is here.

San Antonito Meditative Panorama

2009-01-21T13:11:00.007-05:00

Over the past five years, so much of the hope and energy of the Metuchen-Santa Rosa partnership has been tied to work in the coastal village of San Antonito, within the auspices of Santa Cruz Parish, Chiquimulilla.
The area was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, and only now is at a point to begin working toward subsistence farming within the community itself.
Here's a view of the rugged surrounding landscape, the San Antonito water tower, proposed farm property and residences, including the St. Peter's Health Clinic.

Thousands demand end to violence in Guatemala

2009-01-11T20:39:00.003-05:00

Beset by violence that is apparently beyond the control of security forces, Guatemalans marched to the capital's central plaza to voice their insecurity. Cardinal Quezada Toruno said bloody bodies in the streets is now an every day occurence.

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Martin Barillas

Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño, Archbishop of Guatemala, called upon Christians in Guatemala to participate in a Peace Walk that took place January 10 in the capital city of the Central American republic. Over 10,000 faithful showed up in response at Constitution Plaza in central Guatemala City in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral and the old National Palace. Representing over 143 distinct parishes, Catholics and other Christians converged upon the colonial era church protesting their fatigue over murder, rape, abductions, drug addiction and drug-related violence. Incursions of Mexican drug cartels, bolstered by violence committed by Central American gangs called “maras” have caused a feeling of insecurity throughout Guatemala, which already has a legacy of violence and killing left over from a decades-long civil war. A recent survey showed that 78 percent of Guatemalans polled are afraid to go out in the street, while 90 percent fear kidnapping.

Beginning in the early afternoon on January 10, the first wave of pilgrims reached the plaza accompanied by musicians, clowns and jugglers, in a family atmosphere. Marchers bore placards and signs. Some of these read “Without social justice, there is no peace,” “Peace in Guatemala, the Gaza Strip and the Mid-east,” “Through Jesus and Mary we can have peace,” “No more violence!” Many marchers carried aloft the flag of the State of Israel, as well as Catholic and other Christian imagery and banners.

Cardinal Quezada Toruño spoke to the pilgrims and expressed concern over the violence besetting the country, “This march represents the acute necessity of security throughout the country. The year 2008 ended with a regrettable memory for our country of a tragic blood bath. With no exaggeration, it was one of the most violent in recent history. Thousands of homes lost a loved one: 6292 murders. People savagely murdered and covered with sheets on the street, for children to see became habitual.” The crime rate in Guatemala saw a considerable increase in 2008, with a rise in kidnappings, homicides, and massacres linked to illegal drug trade. The reported number of kidnappings doubled last year. Victims include drivers, families, and businessmen, some of whom were killed upon refusing to hand over money.

Following the vocal pleas of the cardinal, who spoke from a dais erected in front of the cathedral, was celebrated a Mass at which attended President Alvaro Colom, Human Rights Prosecutor Sergio Morales, Nery Rodenas of the archdiocesan human rights office, Estuardo Gálvez of San Carlos University, and Norma Cruz of Survivors Foundation. Rev. Hugo Estrada of Guatemala City said “In response to the violence we are experiencing, there is a lot of fear and the people feel threatened. The least we can do is call upon God and protest, but also come together and celebrate a Mass in brotherhood.”

New Administration, New Immigration Hope

2009-01-11T20:37:00.001-05:00

FROM CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Novena, cleansing ceremony and lobbying among plans on immigration

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- They'll be praying a novena in Chicago and conducting a religious cleansing ceremony at the Washington headquarters of the immigration enforcement agency. Elsewhere, advocates for comprehensive immigration reform will be ramping up their lobbying with members of Congress and the new administration, pushing for quick action on President-elect Barack Obama's promise to deal with the problems of immigration within his first year in office. As soon as possible they're looking for changes in the government's policies in areas such as immigrant detention; employer requirements to match workers with Social Security numbers; due process rights; household and workplace raids; and the treatment of minors and families picked up for immigration violations. Policies in those areas can be changed by Obama and his appointees heading federal agencies such as Homeland Security and the Justice Department, said Kevin Appleby, director of immigration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services.

Mexican anti-poverty efforts outlined in NYT article

2008-12-22T12:15:00.002-05:00

Similar in some respects to the scholarship/education program in La Morena, Guatemala, this story from The New York Times magazine talks about an innovative country-wide poverty reduction effort in Mexico.

Lutheran Bishop Riley, Sen. Menendez team up in op-ed for immigration reform

2008-11-28T22:19:00.003-05:00

From today's Home News Tribune

Hurricane Mitch: 10 years later

2008-11-03T12:40:00.004-05:00

The Catholic Relief Services homepage features a good story on Hurricane Mitch, which devastated Central American countries ten years ago.
The CCST involvement in the village community of San Antonito, Guatemala is a continuing attempt to stabilize life in the area since Mitch. A multi-year water project managed by CRS Guatemala and promoted by the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team has recently completed its first phase; water is now running in the 25 homes in the community.
A second phase, providing water (and, hopefully) sustainability to the farmland surrounding the community, is now in the fund-raising stage. To that end, Fr. Kerrigan and Ernie Revoir met today with parishioners from Sacred Heart Parish, South Amboy, who are launching a "Water for Life" campaign for San Antonito beginning in January 2009.

Begin Novena for Election

2008-10-28T13:34:00.002-04:00

Go to the USCCB Faithful Citizenship website to prayerfully prepare for next week's election.

Bishop Wenski seeks balanced, humane immigration policy in 2008

2008-10-20T16:52:00.000-04:00

By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Lamenting that illegal immigration has been largely unaddressed during the presidential campaign, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., said the new White House administration and Congress must confront the issue and develop a consistent, effective and humane policy that bridges political divisions.

Writing in The Washington Post Oct. 20, Bishop Wenski, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace and a consultant to the conference's Committee on Migration, said the current enforcement-only approach to illegal immigration is ineffective and contrary to national interests.

"In truth, intermittent work-site raids, increased local law enforcement involvement and the creation of a wall along parts of our southern border, among other efforts, have done little to address the challenges presented by illegal immigration," Bishop Wenski wrote in an opinion piece in the daily newspaper.

While high-profile, lightning-fast work-site raids across the country "meet the political need to show government's law enforcement's capabilities," they have had a minimal impact on the number of undocumented workers in the country, he said.

Such efforts have done little more than cause what Bishop Wenski termed "dislocation and disruption in immigrant communities" while victimizing permanent U.S. residents and citizens, including children.

In addition, he said the involvement of local law enforcement officers in immigration enforcement has diminished the trust between the immigrant community and local authorities.

With a lack of trust among immigrants comes fear and damage to long-term relationships, the bishop added.

"Not only do legal immigrants worry that a loved one may be swept away in a work-site raid or after a knock at the door at home, they are fearful for their own futures -- and the futures of their children -- in the United States. This is not the way to encourage integration and responsible citizenship," Bishop Wenski said.

It is doubtful that stringent enforcement actions will lead to a mass exodus of illegal and legal immigrants, as some organizations that oppose immigration hope, Bishop Wenski said.

"What (those opposing immigration) do not acknowledge is that 70 percent of the undocumented have lived in this country for five years or longer and have no home to return to," he said. "These people identify themselves more as Americans than anything else and would rather live here in the shadows than take their U.S.-citizen children back to a place they do not know."

Not addressing the immigration issue will elevate tensions in states and local communities and "tacitly affirm the acceptance of a hidden and permanent underclass in our country," the bishop added.

He stressed that a broad and balanced immigration policy must be enacted to fill the "policy vacuum" that congressional inaction in 2007 left behind.

END

Mobile Mexican consulate draws migrants, protests

2008-10-07T17:55:00.001-04:00

From the Catholic News Service wire

By Christina Lee Knauss
Catholic News Service

CONWAY, S.C. (CNS) -- A visit by a mobile Mexican consulate to a Catholic church in Conway drew hundreds of people seeking immigration services but also sparked a protest by activists opposed to illegal immigration.

Members of the Horry County chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and other local residents showed up to protest the consulate's visit because they said it helped Hispanics who were in the country illegally get fake identification.

Officials from the mobile consulate, based in Raleigh, N.C., said they were there to help Mexican nationals get valid cards called "matriculas" that could be used for travel or to prove identification in other situations.

Consulate staff set up their services at St. James Church Sept. 27. They were not open for business until 7:30 a.m., but more than a hundred people were already lined up outside the church by 6:45 a.m. Large crowds of people continued to gather at the church throughout the day.

The Minuteman group arrived early. They originally set up across the street from St. James, but had to move after two homeowners said they did not want the protesters in their yards or on a vacant lot one of them owned nearby.

Lt. Jay Brantly of the Horry County Police Department also told the protesters they didn't have permission from the county to hold a demonstration.

"They don't have the permission of these homeowners to be on private property, and they can't hold this protest on public land without a parade permit," Brantly said.

St. James is located on a quiet residential street about half a mile off U.S. 501.

The group of about 20 protesters were upset but eventually moved several hundred yards down the street to another lot after the homeowner gave them access. They stayed in that location until late afternoon, holding signs with anti-immigration slogans and some that criticized the Catholic Church and St. James for allowing the consulate's visit.

Michael Visnjic, leader of the Horry County Minuteman chapter, refused to be interviewed by The Catholic Miscellany, newspaper of the Charleston Diocese, because he said he had disagreements with the Catholic Church over its treatment of illegal immigrants and other issues.

Other protesters refused to give their names, and some said it was because they feared reprisals from pro-Mexican activists.

"I'm protesting the fact that the Mexican consulate is giving out fake IDs," said Ted Sejda, who said he was a Vietnam veteran who originally came from Philadelphia. "These people are using these IDs to get bank accounts and other things illegally. Illegals are overrunning the country."

The mobile Mexican consulate's workers were in Conway to provide photo ID cards, said Rosa Curto, a Raleigh-based Mexican consul who serves North and South Carolina.

To get the "matriculas," people had to provide original documents such as birth certificates which were checked against a database of Mexican records, she said.

"Every year we schedule our visits in areas where there is a large Mexican community," Curto said. "People can use these cards to prove their nationality. They have an official ID they can show to authorities and use to do things like cash a check."

Father Rick LaBrecque, pastor at St. James, said the church had invited the mobile consulate to visit. St. James serves a large Hispanic community in Conway and at its nearby mission church.

Georgetown and other neighboring counties have experienced large influxes of Hispanic residents in recent years.

"We knew it would be a real service to our community," he said. "This consulate provides people with a universally recognized ID. We mainly wanted to provide a service to our parishioners, but anyone who came for the services is welcome."

Father LaBrecque said Horry County police had notified him in advance that the Minuteman group planned a protest. The protesters were not permitted on church property, and there were no incidents involving protesters during the day.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps is a volunteer organization with state chapters around the country. Members provide local law enforcement agencies with what they say is evidence of violations of U.S. immigration law.

END

NY Times opinion piece on legal immigration woes

2008-10-03T19:07:00.001-04:00

October 3, 2008
Editorial
Legal Immigration? Anybody?
One of the false pieties uttered by anti-immigration politicians is that they love immigrants. If that were true, Congress would not be having so much trouble passing a simple law to smooth out a serious kink in the legal immigration pipeline.

Every year Congress authorizes a certain number of permanent-resident visas, or green cards, for immigrants to come to work in the United States or to rejoin their families. And every year bureaucratic delays prevent a certain portion of those visas from being claimed.

The result? Every year thousands of potential green cards vanish, like unused cellphone minutes. The huge backlogs in legal immigration, which span years or even decades for applicants from some countries, continue to fester. The myth of Ellis Island becomes more mythical.

Teachers, nurses, engineers, researchers and other aspiring immigrants who follow the rules, file their paperwork, pay their fees and wait — and wait — get the chilly message that they are not wanted. Some of them feel great pressure to go illegally around the immigration system, instead of through it, as their wait to rejoin their loved ones becomes intolerable.

A House bill that could recapture an estimated 550,000 lost visas, sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, has been moving slowly through the committee process despite the best efforts of members like Representative Steve King, Republican of Iowa, to sabotage it with ridiculously restrictive amendments. One would have granted green cards only to people younger than 40 with college degrees. Another would have eliminated an entire category of family visas, for siblings of citizens.

In the Senate, Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, is insisting that a visa-recapturing amendment be added to a bill reauthorizing E-Verify, the federal database program to prevent the hiring of illegal immigrants. For this, he has endured an onslaught of criticism from nativist groups and colleagues, like Jeff Sessions of Alabama. They all have been raising an outcry about a coming flood of new foreigners.

That’s a false alarm. Congress has already authorized these green cards, and many would go to highly skilled workers who have already lived here for years on temporary visas. The bill is as much about keeping workers as gaining them.

It seems unlikely that a visa-recapture bill would make it through this year. But don’t blame Congress’s focus on the economic mess for that. Recapturing visas is a modest fix that should have been made a long time ago. The country needs to build a smoother path to legal entry and citizenship. The blame for its failure to do that lies squarely with the hard-liners who rage against illegal immigrants, but are strangely uninterested in helping people who “play by the rules” and “wait in line.”

Harvest of Hope story

2008-10-03T19:02:00.002-04:00

The Harvest of Hope Dinner was last Friday, but here's a mycentraljersey.com feature that anticipated the gathering.

Pew Study: Undocumented immigrant number dropping

2008-10-02T14:57:00.001-04:00

From today's Washington Post...

Catholic Spirit front-page immigration coverage

2008-10-02T14:41:00.004-04:00

This week's Catholic Spirit has in-depth coverage of the Sept. 22 Immigration Forum held at Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro.

Images of Harvest of Hope

2008-10-02T14:26:00.003-04:00

Today's Wall Street Journal and sobering immigration story

2008-10-02T14:20:00.001-04:00

An Illegal Worker Realizes Dream, Briefly; Fewer Are Sneaking In

By MIRIAM JORDAN

SAN JUAN ALOTENANGO, Guatemala -- In 2004, Ambrosio Carrillo made a perilous and illegal journey to the U.S. in search of opportunity. Earlier this year, he made the equally wrenching decision to return home.

Once a construction worker earning about $15 an hour in Maryland, Mr. Carrillo barely worked in the fall of 2007 as plentiful jobs evaporated. As winter set in, the illegal immigrant, who had mastered masonry, carpentry and drywalling in the U.S., didn't land a job for two months. There was no money to send to his wife and three children in Guatemala.

Four Years in America

View Interactive

Review Ambrosio Carrillo's case and see more data on immigration and the economy.

So in January, Mr. Carrillo sliced open the green plastic piggy bank he'd bought at Wal-Mart and counted $3,100 in change and bills. "There was enough to buy a plane ticket home and ship my truck to Guatemala," recalls Mr. Carrillo, 37 years old. Now back in San Juan Alotenango, a town of dirt streets and sporadic running water, he hauls fruit, firewood and recyclable metal for a few dollars a trip.

With his journey to the U.S. and back, Mr. Carrillo is helping to write the latest chapter in the American immigrant story. After years of growth, illegal immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central America has slowed sharply. At the same time, say demographers and immigrant advocates, more Latin American immigrants like Mr. Carrillo are apparently returning home. The impact of this shifting migration pattern is felt in the U.S. and beyond, in towns like San Juan Alotenango that depend to some degree on cash sent home by those working in the U.S.

It is difficult to track short-term changes in the population of the estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. But a new study by the Pew Hispanic Center, an independent think tank in Washington, D.C., estimates that annual undocumented arrivals from Mexico are down about 25% this year from 2005, to about 350,000. Undocumented arrivals from Central America have been halved since then, to about 120,000, according to the study, which is due to be released Thursday.

In part, the slowdown is a product of a Bush administration crackdown on illegal immigration, with factory raids that led to deportations and even criminal charges for thousands of undocumented workers. Meanwhile, the weakened economy has dealt a blow to these workers, many of them employed in the slumping construction sector.

The Census Bureau reported last month that the income of U.S. households headed by non-citizen foreigners dropped 7.3% in 2007 from the previous year, after rising 4.1% in 2006. Pew Hispanic says that among households headed by Central Americans, the drop in income has been in the double digits.

Ambrosio Carrillo

As a result, flows of money to Latin America from U.S.-based workers have slowed for the first time since the Inter-American Development Bank began tracking remittances in 2000. The rate of growth in remittances to Mr. Carrillo's home country of Guatemala has slowed in each of the past four quarters. The bank estimates that in the last quarter of this year, remittances will fall for the first time.

Bigger Than Coffee

Some 1.35 million Guatemalan citizens -- 10% of the country's population -- live in the U.S., according to the Central American Institute of Social and Development Studies, an independent think tank in Guatemala. Some 3.5 million people back in Guatemala depend on these remittances to get by, the group says. Remittances are the top foreign-exchange earner for Guatemala, at $4.12 billion in 2007, ahead of coffee, sugar and other exports.

Such income fuels everything from construction and appliance sales to spending on services. When the remittances shrink, "the first things to go out the window are education and health care -- things that determine a family's long-term earnings potential," says Robert Meins, a remittances specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank.

An immigrant exodus wouldn't be unprecedented. As many as one-third of the nearly 30 million foreigners who arrived in the U.S. between the Civil War and World War I returned to their native countries. Arrivals from Latin America also ebb and flow, with the influx to the U.S. last slackening during the 2001-02 recession.

San Juan Alotenango, an agricultural town of about 20,000 people, sits in a green valley bounded by two volcanoes. The average daily wage for farmhands is less than $10. When a relative moves to the U.S., families get a big boost in their standard of living. When the U.S. economy begins heaving, these families feel the effects.

Maria Felipa Cojolon said that her husband, Isidro, regularly sent home $2,000 a month two years ago from Atlanta. In recent months, the restaurant worker hasn't managed to send even $800 a month. Standing in the skeleton of a two-story house whose construction has slowed, Mrs. Cojolon said: "Until he completes the house, my husband hopes to hang on" in the U.S.

A few blocks away, down a rutted road, Ambrosio Carrillo stood outside his family's one-room shack on a recent afternoon, recounting how he tried to make it in America.

He went, he said, to secure a better education for his kids and perhaps purchase land for them. With only three years of schooling and a job at a coffee-processing plant, he didn't see success in San Juan Alotenango. "We didn't go hungry," he says, but added: "I thought I could give my children a better future by going to America."

Two cousins were thriving in the U.S. One of them was prepared to help finance Mr. Carrillo's journey. The fee charged by a coyote, or smuggler, was 42,000 Guatemalan quetzales, or about $5,700 -- including the overland journey from Guatemala to Mexico to Los Angeles and then a flight to Baltimore. Mr. Carrillo's family made a downpayment of about one-third of the tab before he set out. With interest, the total cost of the trip would double to nearly $10,000.

On April 26, 2004, Mr. Carrillo joined about 30 Guatemalans, as well as several El Salvadorans and Hondurans, for a harrowing journey to the U.S. In the Arizona desert one night, he says, a U.S. Border Patrol ambushed and apprehended some in his traveling party. Mr. Carrillo says that during the raid he lost much of the canned food he was carrying, and says he wandered three more days without food. Cactus needles punctured his legs and arms. His swollen feet turned raw. Still, he recalls, he helped carry injured companions and children.

After six days in the desert, Mr. Carrillo and a dozen migrants crammed into a van that picked them up on the side of a country road. Once in Los Angeles, the smugglers contacted Mr. Carrillo's family in Guatemala to arrange the deposit of another payment to the coyote's Guatemalan bank account. Two days later, Mr. Carrillo was en route to Baltimore. There, his cousin took him to a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment in Hyattsville, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C., that he would share with 11 other immigrants.

Construction Boom

In 2004, construction was booming in Washington and its suburbs. Mr. Carrillo paid a document vendor $80 for a Social Security card with his name and a fabricated number. He was soon at work. "The boss gave me a uniform and a hard hat," he says, brandishing a gray and white T-shirt with the company's name, Pat's Renovation LLC. A company representative couldn't be located; a telephone number associated with Pat's Renovation is no longer in service.

"I started as a 'laborer,' making $9 an hour," says Mr. Carrillo, using one of the English words that leavened an interview otherwise conducted in Spanish. After tax and Social Security deductions, Mr. Carrillo says his take-home pay was about $400 a week, more than a dozen times what he earned back home. He bought a 1998 Nissan Sentra for $425.

Mr. Carrillo gradually learned English and skills such as tiling and carpentry. His hourly wage climbed to $11, he says, then $12. For the first two years, he paid off his debt to the coyote and sent his family about $200 every two weeks. Later, he says, he was able to send $300 or $400.

About $40 each month went for secondary school for his two older kids. Guatemalans who want to continue their childrens' schooling beyond the primary level typically have to pay for private education.

Some weekends, Mr. Carrillo earned extra cash by doing landscaping on an 11-acre estate in affluent Howard County, Md. Reached by phone, the homeowner, Nura, asked that her last name be omitted. "We hired seven Americans who weren't up to the job," she said. "Then we found Ambrosio. He showed up on time and took his work seriously," pulling weeds, cutting fallen branches and spreading mulch. At lunchtime, she said, he was eager to practice his English.

On Sundays, Mr. Carrillo sometimes played soccer with other undocumented immigrants at a field near his apartment complex. In 2006 -- by now making $12 an hour and feeling confident about his job prospects -- he sold his Nissan and paid $2,000 for a green 2000 Ford Ranger.

Back home, Mr. Carrillo's family still lived in the shack with sugar-cane stick walls, tin roof, earth floor and no refrigerator. His wife, Josefina, washed clothes at a public tank a few blocks away.

But his family could afford more now. Mrs. Carrillo bought herself four gold-tooth implants. For their 17-year-old daughter, Miriam, she purchased two small gold hoops. Sons Byron, 15, and Jose Fernando, 11, received new shirts and dress shoes. "We could afford red meat," Mrs. Carrillo said on a recent Saturday. "Not just frijolitos [little beans]."

Mr. Carrillo phoned home several times a week. Sometimes he called in the wee hours of the night and sounded like he had been drinking, Mrs. Carrillo says. Mr. Carrillo doesn't dispute this. "It was the sadness of being away from the family," his wife said.

Changing Fortune

By 2007, fortunes were beginning to turn for Mr. Carrillo and other illegal immigrants.

That spring, the U.S. mortgage crisis began taking shape and the construction sector started contracting. In July, Congress defeated a bill, supported by President George W. Bush, that would have put millions of illegal immigrants on the path to legalization. The next month, the Department of Homeland Security stepped up enforcement with raids that Mr. Carrillo and his roommates tracked on Univision, the Spanish-language television network.

At a construction site one Monday morning that summer, Mr. Carrillo and a dozen other workers were informed that Pat's Renovation had received notices -- known as "no match" letters -- indicating that the laborers' Social Security numbers weren't valid. At first, the contractor switched to cash payments. But about three weeks later, Mr. Carrillo says, the boss told them he would have to discontinue this practice.

Mr. Carrillo began applying for jobs at other companies. As he recalls it, they said: "No good Social Security number, no job. Sorry."

He began hustling for day jobs, standing outside a 7-Eleven store with dozens of other immigrants. He worked part-time two or three days a week. "There was too much competition," he recalls.

Back home the effects were immediate, Mrs. Carrillo says. Meat was off the menu. Mrs. Carrillo says she had to borrow to make monthly school payments. There were no new clothes for the children. In a tense phone exchange, Mrs. Carrillo accused her husband of sacrificing his family in exchange for a new woman in the U.S.

"It wasn't that I had another woman," Mr. Carrillo says. "I simply didn't have work."

Through the fall and winter of 2007, Mr. Carrillo said, he had no money at all to send to his family. On the worst days, the migrant says, he cried in despair. He said that finally, after two months without a day of work, he called his wife and told her: "Better to eat poverty in my family's company than alone." She told him to come home.

That's when he ripped into the piggy bank. Some of the $3,100 went toward a passport he obtained at the Guatemalan embassy. He bought a $330 one-way ticket home from Washington on Taca airlines. He spent $1,100 to ship his truck home. Another several hundred dollars paid pending rent and bills in the U.S., he says.

On Jan. 26, he landed in Guatemala with $600 in cash and a bag loaded with a new television, a DVD/VCR and a music system. A month later, his Ford Ranger arrived. With the truck and a cellphone, he began an independent transport business.

He has hauled carrots, building materials, scrap metal. On a recent day, he got about $10 -- minus his costs for fuel -- to haul avocados to the nearby tourist center of Antigua. A few weeks ago, he says, his truck was impounded by a traffic cop after he got in an accident. He says he had to pay a bribe to get it back.

"With the truck, at least we can eat," he says.

Behind on Payments

Work has been sparse. Mrs. Carrillo says the family is about $200 in arrears on school payments for their daughter and older son. Their 17-year-old, Miriam, says she still hopes to graduate from high school this year and enter a vocational college to become a dental technician. Jose Fernando, the Carrillos's youngest son, doesn't have his school uniform, which costs about $8.

To pass the days without work, Mr. Carrillo watches TV or plays soccer. Some nights he drinks beer with his buddies.

The U.S. remains on his mind. Not long ago, he placed a long-distance call to Nura, the homeowner in Howard County, Md., to make sure she was pleased with the person he had recommended to replace him. On a recent Sunday, surrounded by his three children, he said: "If I could get the right papers -- a visa -- I would return."

Write to Miriam Jordan at miriam.jordan@wsj.com

Highlights of the meeting of bishops

2008-09-25T17:44:00.005-04:00

Sept. 21 Youth Mass coverage in this week's Catholic Spirit

2008-09-25T17:35:00.003-04:00

Click here for The Catholic Spirit's coverage of Bishop Sagastume's participation in the Sept. 21 youth Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading.

Immigration Forum draws crowd, press coverage

2008-09-25T17:30:00.005-04:00

Today's Times of Trenton has good coverage of Monday's "Catholic Call for Immigration Reform" forum held at Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro.
UPDATE: The Princeton Packet also had a good story on the event.

Bishop Sagastume, Fr. Monterroso off to an active, joyous start

2008-09-21T13:35:00.003-04:00

Santa Rosa Bishop Bernabe Sagastume and social pastorate director Fr. Raul Monterroso arrived last night from Guatemala, and began their Sunday with a festive Spanish Mass at Sacred Heart Church in New Brunswick, followed by a reception with parishioners. The rest of their Sunday calls for a luncheon with Hector and Zully Escobar, before Bishop Sagastume leads a diocesan Youth Mass at St. Anthony Parish in Port Reading at 5pm, followed by dinner.

Former CRS colleague in Guatemala now fighting hunger in Ethiopia

2008-09-18T22:24:00.006-04:00

Lane Bunkers, former CRS country representative in Guatemala, and an instrumental figure in our launching of the Global Solidarity Partnership in Santa Rosa, is now serving in the same capacity in Ethiopia. Here's the latest on his role in fighting that country's drought.

From Catholic News Service...

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' Catholic Relief Services has been working with aid agencies to respond to the Ethiopian food crisis brought on by drought. Lane Bunkers, CRS country representative in Ethiopia, told Catholic News Service in an e-mail Sept. 16 that CRS signed a $53.4 million agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide nearly 3 million drought-affected Ethiopians with emergency food assistance over the next few months. He said the largest challenge is gaining access to food for distribution. Food is unavailable to purchase locally in Ethiopia. "Emergency rations and feeding provided to date by the Ethiopian government and aid agencies have exhausted the majority of food staples available locally in the country. We are now waiting for additional food to arrive from the United States," said Bunkers. CRS and USAID also are working to move 165 tons of corn-soy blend from Djibouti, which Bunkers said will be distributed in September to pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly.

US Bishops to President: Drop Raids

2008-09-11T08:49:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON- Speaking on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop John C. Wester, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Migration, urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and President Bush to reexamine the use of worksite enforcement raids as an immigration enforcement tool.

“The humanitarian costs of these raids are immeasurable and unacceptable in a civilized society,” Bishop Wester said. “While we do not question the right and duty of our government to enforce the law, we do question whether worksite enforcement raids are the most effective and humane method for performing this duty, particularly as they are presently being implemented.”

The statement, released September 10, addresses the increase in worksite enforcement raids across the nation over the last year, in which DHS has targeted employers who hire unauthorized workers by using force to enter worksites and arrest immigrant workers. During the process of these raids, U.S. citizen children have been separated from their parents, immigrants arrested have not been afforded the rights of due process, and local communities, especially relatives including legal permanent residents and U.S. citizens, have been left to cope with the aftermath.

“We have witnessed first-hand the suffering of immigrant families and are gravely concerned about the collateral human consequences of immigration enforcement raids on the family unit,” say the bishops in the statement. “Many families never recover; others never reunite.”

In the absence of comprehensive reform, the U.S. Catholic Bishops have sought to work collaboratively with DHS to ensure humanitarian considerations in executing workplace raids. The statement calls for refraining from enforcement activity in certain areas that provide humanitarian relief such as churches, hospitals, community health centers, schools, food banks, and other charitable services. It also calls for the release of caregivers who have dependents offering a variety of release mechanisms available under the law; access to legal representation; respect for basic human dignity; and, mechanisms for families to remain together and locate each other following an enforcement raid. It also states that non-profit and community groups should be engaged in this effort.

“Absent the effective implementation of these safeguards, we believe that these enforcement raids should be abandoned,” the statement reads, adding that “[i]mmigration enforcement raids demonstrate politically the ability of the government to enforce the law. They do little, however, to solve the broader challenge of illegal immigration. They also reveal, sadly, the failure of a seriously flawed immigration system, which, as we have consistently stated, requires comprehensive reform.”

The bishops urged the two presidential candidates “to engage the issue of immigration in a humane, thoughtful, and courageous manner” and to turn away from enforcement-only methods.

"We're in a dark period in our country"

2008-09-09T12:09:00.004-04:00

in terms of immigration issues. So said Salt Lake City Bishop John Wester, USCCB chair for Migration in launching a "Tour of the Faithful" press conference today, introducing a month of 18 events promoted by America's Voice, including our own CCST Sept. 22 Immigration Forum at Queenship of Mary Parish in Plainsboro. A new website will go online later today with more information on all events, www.tourofthefaithful.org
UPDATE: Here's the Catholic News Service story on today's press conference.

Not bad for a job without "responsibilities"

2008-09-06T14:36:00.003-04:00

With nary a mention of Sarah Palin's disparaging remark against community organizers this week, The New York Times, in its "On Religion" section today, has an eloquent tribute to the accomplishments of Industrial Areas Foundation organizer Arnie Graf. A worthwhile read.

Slovak Bishop Tondra to visit Metuchen cathedral

2008-09-06T14:27:00.004-04:00

Bishop Frantisek Tondra of the Diocese of Spis, Slovakia, will celebrate Mass at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Thursday, Sept. 25 at 12:10pm. The Spis Diocese received a 2003 CCST grant fostering global solidarity, which led to an exchange of Caritas personnel in both dioceses. Spis Caritas Director Peter Malucky was the keynote speaker of the 2005 Harvest of Hope Dinner in New Brunswick.
Bishop Tondra will also celebrate Mass at the annual Slovak Festival, held this year Sunday, Sept. 28 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Vitajte!

3 weeks to Harvest of Hope...bought tickets yet?

2008-09-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

Unwanted ears in Guatemalan President's home

2008-09-05T09:19:00.002-04:00

A Firing in Guatemala

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: September 4, 2008

President Álvaro Colom of Guatemala fired his security chief on Thursday after the discovery of seven unauthorized listening devices and video cameras in the presidential office and residence.

“This is serious,” Mr. Colom said Thursday night at a news conference, according to local news reports, which said soldiers were guarding the residence.

Although an investigation into who planted the devices was just beginning, Mr. Colom, a businessman who took office in January, suggested that organized crime might be behind it.

UPDATE: Guatemala's daily Prensa Libre has more coverage on the incident in Spanish.
Also today's front page from El Periodico, also dealing with the story.

Meanwhile, back in the world beyond conventions

2008-09-05T00:04:00.006-04:00

Poverty reduction goals worldwide are being threatened, according to a new UN report, as cited here in a BBC News story.

Community Organizers Unite! Oh, wait, we already do.

2008-09-04T13:50:00.014-04:00

That's our job. But I guess there are no "responsibilities" associated with that job. Try telling that to those groups -- and organizers -- funded by CCST Human Development locally, or elsewhere by CCHD throughout the USA.
In their contemptuous attacks on community organizers last night, Republicans George Pataki, Rudy Guiliani and Sarah Palin obviously haven't glanced at the criteria for Community Organizing grants funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development office of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. There's plenty of expectations and "responsibilities" for community organizers funded by CCHD.
But one blogger may be getting to the real agenda behind the attacks.
Another one has formed a blog for organizers to fight back.
Here's ACORN's reaction to the attacks.
And, just for laughs (or tears), in comments to a National Catholic Reporter story on the Palin remark, here's Catholics (apparently) proving again to be as divided over this (seemingly) easy incident as with all other things political.
No comment yet from any U.S. bishops or USCCB leadership, but if so, a mention will likely land on the Catholic News Service website. At the moment, a celebratory photo of John McCain and Sarah Palin adorns the site.
UPDATE: Sen. Obama's own response to the comment:
LANCASTER, Pa. - The work of community organizers, who work for low salaries to help people in impoverished communities, is getting lots of attention this week as Republicans poke jabs at Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s job experience.

The three years Obama spent as a community organizer “maybe … is the first problem on the resume,” said former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in his speech at the Republican convention on Wednesday.

… Obama was a community organizer after college in Chicago. He worked with a church-based group trying to improve conditions in poor neighborhoods and communities hurt when steel plants closed, according to his official campaign website.

He then went to Harvard Law School, became a civil rights lawyer, taught law and ran for the Ilinois State Senate. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

On the campaign trail on Thursday, Obama told a crowd in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that the Republicans “really had fun talking about the work I did after college.”

“I don’t know if they understand what it means for a young person, at the age of 22 or 23, to pass up more lucrative options and work with people who are having a tough time and seeing that when people work together, we can do amazing things, rebuilding communities and setting up job training centers and setting up afterschool programs for kids.

“Maybe that’s not really interesting work for Rudy Giuliani, but for the people on the ground who are seeing a difference in their lives, that’s important stuff,” he said.

… At another campaign stop in York, Pennsylvania, he said the remarks about community organizing showed Republicans were out of touch.

“Why would that kind of work be ridiculous?” he asked. “Do they think that the lives of those folks who are struggling each and every day, that working with them to try and improve their lives, is somehow not relevant to the presidency?

Pope calls for 'effective political response' to immigration crisis

2008-09-02T22:27:00.000-04:00

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said the global phenomenon of immigration represents a social emergency that must be faced with a sense of responsibility and humanity. He called on richer countries to be attentive especially to the needs of illegal immigrants, but said immigrants themselves must respect "the duty of legality that is valid for everyone." The pope made the remarks at his noon blessing in Castel Gandolfo Aug. 31, in a courtyard packed with cheering pilgrims. His comments came as Italy and other Mediterranean countries experienced an annual summer influx of clandestine immigrants arriving from Africa by boat. In late August, some 70 Africans were believed to have drowned between Malta and Sicily when their boat capsized. The pope said it was another example of immigrants' hopeful passage turning into tragedy.

Thanjavur: Countdown to Our Lady of Good Health Feast

2008-08-31T12:05:00.005-04:00

In the Thanjavur Diocese of India (Tamu Nadil state), these are exciting days of preparation and celebration for the Sept. 8 (Birth of Mary) patronal feast of Our Lady of Good Health, located in Vailankanni. Washington's Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has a bit of background on the devotion, along with its fairly new chapel in Our Lady of Good Health's honor.
Nothing beats being at the Vailankanni Shrine. Several of our CCST members have visited there since the Asian Tsunami of 2004, but to get a sense of the spirit there, go to the shrine's official website.

CCST Farmers Market completes fruitful run

2008-08-30T12:14:00.004-04:00

The CCST Farmers Market successfully ended yesterday, with another large crowd, brisk sales and uplifting community fellowship. Kudos to Jim Ryan and family, who organized the market and its many details from start to finish; Nancy Finn, Jack McKendrick, Rocio Ramos and Bill Stahlin, who contributed in various ways by serving the residents and customers.
The Farmers Market, a $2000 Operation Rice Bowl grant, wound up returning $2500 in sales to the Operation Rice Bowl fund. Coupled with the grant amount, this means approximately $4500 in sales were recorded, usually in sales of under $10.
At this week's CCST team meeting, it was agreed that Jim Ryan and others will assess the market experience, and develop a model for the market to promote next spring among other communities and parishes. So even in this Farmers Market, there were plenty of seeds planted for future harvest.

Another day, another raid, more sadness

2008-08-25T22:16:00.002-04:00

At least 350 workers detained in a Laurel, Miss. plant, according to this New York Times story.

CCST website makeover almost complete

2008-08-23T22:59:00.002-04:00

With a new color scheme in place, the makeover of the CRS Metuchen website to CCST is nearing completion. Justice for Immigrants and Catholic Campaign for Human Development news are being given more emphasis and coordination within the larger CCST mission. One of the more obvious remaining hurdles is switching over to a new domain name.

NPR reviews "Second Generation"

2008-08-23T22:55:00.002-04:00

NPR reviews a new book, Inheriting the City, which details research past the first generation of immigrants in the New York City area.

Jewish Community Soul-Searching after Postville Raid

2008-08-23T09:26:00.004-04:00

At the National Migration Conference, we learned of the high percentage of kosher foods produced at the Postville, Iowa plant that was the site of the infamous immigrant raid in May. We heard of the debate within the Jewish community prompted by the raid. Today's front-page New York Times story provides some helpful background on the discussion.

While we're leafing through the Times, here's a story on the ending of ICE's "friendly" alternative to raids. So much for ICE being the nice guys. We were never fooled.

Condolences on loss of another area police officer

2008-08-23T09:18:00.004-04:00

Founding CCST member Jim Ryan doesn't just hawk fruits and vegetables once every two weeks at the wildly-successful CCST Farmers' Market. He's also a detective with the South Brunswick Police Department, and spokesman for the state's PBA. He's had a tough ten days, with the loss of two area officers in traffic accidents. Plus, Jim has had the unenviable task of giving perspective on the tragedy. He's quoted in The Home News Tribune story on the second death. Our condolences to all those affected by the deaths, and our hats off to Jim for his good work under trying circumstances.

Bishop wants ICE to melt in Rhode Island

2008-08-21T20:36:00.007-04:00

Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin called on ICE to cease mass raids in his diocese, and encouraged ICE agents to exercise conscientious objection from participating in such raids. Way to go, bishop! Here's the release from the Diocese of Providence's web site...

(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)-The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence and 15 pastors who serve the state’s diverse immigrant community have urged Stephen Farquharson, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), Boston Regional Office, to declare a moratorium on immigration raids in Rhode Island. The clergy also encouraged ICE to allow agents to excuse themselves from participating in raids if such actions are not in conformity with their faith and conscience.

The bishop and pastors met at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Providence on Tuesday afternoon to: assess the current situation with the immigrants in various communities throughout the diocese; determine their needs; and discuss possible diocesan assistance.

We the undersigned…urge you to declare a moratorium on immigration raids in the State of Rhode Island, until our nation can implement a comprehensive and just reform of our immigration laws,” wrote Bishop Tobin and Catholic priests. “It is our hope that such reform will make immigration raids obsolete. Until then, we believe that raids on the immigrant community are unjust, unnecessary, and counter-productive.”

“As religious leaders we understand and support the need to apprehend and arrest individuals who are responsible for felonies and other serious crimes. The enforcement of just laws is necessary for public safety and the common good. But the arrest of serious criminals is not what we have observed in the arrest and detention of immigrants that has taken place recently in our State, particularly in Newport and in Providence.”
The letter was sent to ICE in response to concerns about the spiritual and pastoral well-being of immigrants - documented and undocumented - entrusted to the care of the Catholic Church. The bishop and pastors believe that a moratorium on raids will provide the necessary time for the federal government to propose, debate and enact comprehensive immigration reform.

“What we have witnessed is that the police action of ICE against immigrants has divided the community, instilled fear in our streets, disrupted the everyday life of good people and separated family members, innocent of any crime, from one another,” the bishop and clergy added. ”The confusing and secretive detention of those arrested has further complicated the situation. As religious leaders concerned for our people we would be negligent of our pastoral duties if we didn’t speak out against these unjust government policies and practices.”
The Bishop and pastors also urged ICE officials to question the morality of their participation in immigration raids. They believe that agents should not be forced to participate in such raids if agents conclude that such actions are immoral or contrary to their personal or religious beliefs.

“…we encourage the agents and staff of ICE to evaluate the morality of their participation in immigration raids in the context of their faith and sanctity of their conscience,” the Bishop and pastors wrote. “If their discernment leads them to the conclusion that they cannot participate in such raids in good conscience, we urge them not to do so. If ICE agents refuse to participate in immigration raids in conformity with their faith and conscience, we urge the Federal Government to fully respect the well-founded principles of conscientious objection.”

Home News Tribune opinion piece lauds CCHD garden

2008-08-19T10:57:00.003-04:00

Today's Home News Tribune editorial page included a laudatory piece on the St. Isidore Field community garden project at Sacred Heart Parish, New Brunswick, which was funded in part by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the Englehard Foundation and Sacred Heart Parish.

Annual USCCB Labor Day statement available

2008-08-18T16:22:00.003-04:00

The late "labor priest" Msgr. George Higgins is featured in the annual USCCB Labor Day statement, authored by Rockville Centre, NY Bishop William Murphy, in an effort to bring "renewed vigor as we seek to build together a society that cares for its own, reaches out to the poor and vulnerable, and offers true hope to all."
For those who look beyond a last round of beach, baseball and fun on Labor Day, the PDF statement can be viewed here: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2008.pdf

St. Isidore Field video & Unity Square story

2008-08-15T23:56:00.003-04:00

The Home News Tribune has a video to accompany their Aug. 14 and 16 story on the St. Isidore Field at Sacred Heart Church, New Brunswick, a community garden funded in part by CCST - HD (Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

And for more on the Unity Square Partnership's Aug. 5 National Night Out at Sacred Heart, check out Scott Alessi's story in The Catholic Spirit.

Last month's diocesan Guatemalan youth trip featured in Catholic Spirit

2008-08-15T23:38:00.009-04:00

Check out this story in the Aug. 14 issue of the diocesan paper

The Olympic Spirit?

2008-08-11T15:34:00.002-04:00

from Bratislava's daily sme.sk

A STRONG FAITH IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE POOR - reflection from a Guatemala experience

2008-08-08T10:01:00.003-04:00

I recently went on a mission trip to Guatemala with other representatives of the Diocese of Metuchen. As you may or may not know, our Diocese has developed a “Sister Diocese” relationship with the Diocese of Santa Rosa in Guatemala. And that is where we visited.
It was quite an eye opening experience for me. Before I left, I was told to get shots for malaria, typhoid fever, tetanus and hepatitis. I was also told that, despite the disease and extreme poverty there, the people were strong in their Catholic faith. Moreover, they were a happy people.
I accepted all of this as true, except for the part about their happiness. I found it difficult to understand how all those people could be happy in the midst of abject poverty.
Well it all turned out to be true. The vast majority of the people are very poor, lacking many of the things we take for granted such as running water and electricity. But their faith is strong and they seem to be genuinely happy and content.
We visited several villages while we were there and usually the best building in the town was the church. It was amazing to see these nice little well kept churches among ramshackle huts with straw roof s.
There is no free public education in Guatemala, but our Diocese provides scholarships to some of the children to help them receive an education. One day we went to one of those schools. The parents there told us that they had been praying for us. It was very moving. Quite often various people we met would volunteer that they would pray for us and for our Diocese.
One evening our group attended a mass and holy hour which the parish holds each week on Thursday evening. On this weekday evening, there were at least 200 people in attendance for this two and a half hour service.
Our group was fortunate enough to meet with the Bishop of Santa Rosa near the end of our trip. When I told the Bishop how impressed I was with the faith of the people, he said that, “A strong faith is one of God’s gifts to the poor.”
Regarding the happiness of the poor people I met, I frankly find it difficult to explain. It is outside my experience because I was raised in a wealthy society which places a very high value on material goods. Most Americans equate happiness with money and can’t imagine that someone in poverty can be happy.
I was reminded of these things when I reviewed today’s readings. In our first reading, God offers to give King Solomon anything he asks for. Solomon asks for wisdom to judge his subjects and to distinguish right from wrong. God praises Solomon for seeking something for others and not for himself alone, such as riches or long life. Accordingly, God promises him the wisdom he seeks to understand what is right and valuable.
Similarly, in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the wisdom of the people who can recognize true riches, such as the pearl of great price. The wise merchant is willing to sacrifice everything else he has in order to buy this perfect pearl.
I think that many of the poor of Guatemala are like that merchant. They know that they have little opportunity for material wealth. Accordingly, they don’t worry too much about material goods or focus on what they don’t have. Instead, they focus on what they do have. They focus on their family, their friends, their community and on God.
They live contented lives because they are not mislead by the false gods of power, fame and riches. They find their riches in their relationships with God and with the people around them. They recognize that they are heirs to the Kingdom of God. And it is their faith and trust in Him that gives them the strength and joy they need in the often difficult lives they lead.
But don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the people of Guatemala are necessarily any smarter than we are. Why are we gathered here? We are here because we too don't want to be tempted by fake pearls or fool's gold. They are just not worth it. We want the real thing, God’s love, in our lives. We sense what it is--- Who it is--- that gives happiness and meaning to life and we want more of it. We have stumbled on a treasure and know that everything else is of much lesser value.
While there are things the world considers valuable, like personal gain, time, pleasures, and possessions, today’s parables invite us to let all those pearls go whenever they keep us from having the pearl more valuable than all the rest. Indeed we have discovered a treasure that is the most valuable possession we could ever have and that can change our lives. Like the people in today's parables, we have made sacrifices for what we have found. We want to buy the whole field and not live according to the prevalent worldview and standards that confront us each day.
As a result of our "buying the whole field", we practice honesty, even when it means not making extra profits on the job. We treat people, not just fairly, but in a loving way. We are faithful in our marriage and friendships, even though the world treats promises casually. We help people who need us, even if we don't owe them anything. We have hope as we look into our future with God, even though there is a lot that discourages us. We forgive those who harm us, even though many in our world have long memories of wrongs done against them.
Now, none of this makes much sense to outsiders; just as we may have a hard time understanding everything about the Guatemalans. But when Jesus tells stories about finding treasures and a pearl of great price -- I think we can all get it. We can sense what he is speaking of; we sense that we have stumbled on something very valuable. We come to realize it is what we have searched for all our life, even though we hadn't realized it and didn't always know where to look.

Homily given by Gerry Sims, deacon at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Bridgewater and a member of the 2nd youth delegation trip to Guatemala.

July 27, 2008

Guatemalan Bishop Ramazzini at the National Migration Conference

2008-08-05T20:25:00.002-04:00

Guatemalan bishop gets view of migration problems from two countries

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When he comes to the United States once or twice a year, Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri makes a point of visiting immigrants from his San Marcos Diocese in the southwestern part of Guatemala, giving him a view of two ends of the migration cycle.

There are sizable populations of people from San Marcos in Cincinnati, Richmond, Va., Los Angeles, North Carolina, Delaware and Florida, he explained during a visit to Washington for the 2008 National Migration Conference in July.

On his visits Bishop Ramazzini said he hears about the Guatemalans' troubles finding decent work, being separated from their families, functioning in a country where they don't know the language and finding too little spiritual support from the church.

"They find the work here is hard," he told Catholic News Service. "You can earn a lot of money but you have to work very hard."

Recent workplace raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, particularly worry the Guatemalan immigrants who may lack visas to work legally in the United States.

"The fear is absolutely bigger than in past years," the bishop said.

Hundreds of Guatemalans were among those picked up during a May 12 raid at an Iowa meat processing plant. The repercussions of that raid are still being felt in both Iowa and Guatemala. Most people arrested were charged with felonies and are facing months of jail time before being deported.

Meanwhile, their families in Iowa and Guatemala have lost a source of income. Because of holdups in the legal and immigration systems, some families with an arrested worker are unable to either stay in the United States or to return voluntarily to Guatemala.

During a session at the migration conference at which ICE director Julie Myers spoke, Bishop Ramazzini, president of the Guatemalan bishops' migration committee, was the first out of his seat to ask her a question.

"Are you conscious of the consequences of deportation on families and on the economies of their home countries?" he asked. Myers responded by saying the bishop was among those who disagree with a law passed by Congress and only enforced by her agency.

Well-publicized raids like that in Iowa make workers without proper paperwork more cautious, Bishop Ramazzini told CNS, and more likely to try to live "in the shadows" for fear of attracting attention.

More than 16,000 Guatemalans were deported by the United States in 2007, and through June of this year 13,000 had been expelled, noted a July 3 statement by the Guatemalan bishops' conference on "the dramatic situation of migrants." From January through June, 150 flights with deportees from the United States arrived in Guatemala, it said.

The statement called deportations from Mexico and the United States inhuman and counterproductive and called for prayer, solidarity and tangible assistance to those who are forcibly returned to Guatemala.

Still, Bishop Ramazzini doesn't expect fears of deportation to keep many people from migrating to the United States, legally or not, to send home money to their families.

"Most Guatemalans expect to return to Guatemala after working here for several years," Bishop Ramazzini said. The majority only aim to work in the United States long enough to buy a piece of real estate in Guatemala, to improve their houses there, perhaps to open a small business at home or to pay the fees for their children to attend school. Then they go back, he explained.

For such people, the fear of being caught and deported isn't enough of a deterrent to keep them from coming, he said, especially when weighed against how much of a help it can be to their families to work in the U.S. for a couple of years.

Remittances from emigrants are the second largest revenue source in Guatemala, he said, and most of that comes from workers in the United States. U.S. remittances in 2007 amounted to $4.1 billion.

Bishop Ramazzini asked U.S. Catholics to continue to be welcoming to Guatemalans and other immigrants in their churches and to support laws and programs that may make it less necessary for them to have to leave home to support their families.

Malnutrition, lack of education and lack of work opportunities plague his country, he said.

"For me, it is important to link the migration problem with the need for very deep changes in our economic and social model, to facilitate education and health services for the majority of our population," he said.

Among the problems that lead people to leave the country are that Guatemala is still feeling the effects of its 36-year civil war, even 22 years after it ended, said the bishop.

"For many people the fear that they felt during the war is still there," he said. "It's there in our culture of violence, of people imposing their will against others."

In parts of the country where the war was especially brutal, including the department of San Marcos where he lives, Bishop Ramazzini said mental health treatment programs are sorely needed.

Violence carried out by organized criminal groups, particularly drug traffickers, is worsening as well, he said. "It's getting as bad as El Salvador," which is notorious for its violent drug trafficking.

Development assistance is one course that might change things, making it possible for more people to support their families without leaving the country, said Bishop Ramazzini.

But that also must be accompanied by broad systemic changes: strengthening the government, giving young people alternatives to joining gangs, making the justice system more efficient and less corrupt, he said.

END

08/04/2008 4:31 PM ET

National Night Out in New Brunswick

2008-08-05T18:59:00.004-04:00

The parking lot is full and there's not even a church service going on.

Local CCST HD (former Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)) grant recipient Unity Square Partnership is hosting a New Brunswick National Night Out event on the grounds of Sacred Heart church. National CCHD recipient New Labor is active in the large crowd with a voter registration table.

Like-minded on National Migration Conference

2008-08-05T11:38:00.002-04:00

A fellow attendee of the National Migration Conference with a take on two speakers. In general, this blog seems to collect good material.

What next in the immigration saga?

2008-08-04T23:51:00.004-04:00

This New York Times front-page story describes the practice of hospitals deporting seriously-ill migrants.

Farmers Market another big hit

2008-08-01T20:26:00.002-04:00

Today's CCST Farmers Market ran out of goods with its first haul of fruits and vegetables by 4:30pm, and then again sold out a second time within a half hour of the arrival of extra goods. After only two sessions, the CCST Farmers Market has almost recouped the total of the $2000 Operation Rice Bowl grant already. This at cut-rate prices: six ears of corn for $1, five tomatoes for $2, and so on.
The next CCST Farmers Market is Friday, Aug. 15 at 4pm in the Sacred Heart church garage, near the corner of Throop and Townsend, New Brunswick.