National Migration Week to be Celebrated January 4-10

WASHINGTON—The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Migration Week on January 4-10, 2009.

This year's theme, Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice, "reminds us of our obligation to bring hope to the hopeless and to seek justice for those who are easily exploited," said Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, in a letter sent every parish and Catholic school across the country.

"For many migrant communities, injustice and hardship are too commonplace an experience. Given the often marginal and vulnerable status of migrants, it is important that communities everywhere treat migrants justly and provide a welcoming presence to all people on the move," said Bishop Wester.

Last April, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the Bishops of the United States to continue to act in this regard.

"I want to encourage you and your communities to continue to welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes, to support them in their sorrows and trials, and to help them flourish in their new home," said the pope.

The Bishops' website provides materials that address issues related to human trafficking, immigration, refugees, and Catholic social teaching on migration; information on how to acquire the revise edition of Unity in Diversity: A Scriptural Rosary, to guide spiritual reflection on migration; and a foldout poster.

More information can be found at http://www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw.shtml.