As The Update goes to print, “President Donald Trump, [yesterday], signed an executive order that will allow immigrant families to remain together while continuing his administration’s zero tolerance policy to prosecute all people who enter the country illegally. The order does not say anything about reuniting families who have already been separated. Since the zero tolerance policy introduction in early May, more than 2300 children have been separated from their parents according to the Trump administration.” ~ National Catholic Reporter, by Brian Roewe, June 20, 2018
The following editorial appeared in last week’s National Catholic Reporter:
Family separation is an immoral, ineffective policy
~ A National Catholic Reporter editorial, June 11, 2018
“If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you as required by law,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said during a speech to the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies May 7. “If you don’t like that,” he added, “then don’t smuggle children over our border.”
The subject of Sessions’ talk was not criminal gangs or human trafficking. He was talking about mothers and fathers seeking refuge from unrelenting violence and economic deprivation. He was talking about jailing parents for doing their duty to protect their children.
This was Sessions announcing the new “zero tolerance” policy for immigrants crossing illegally into the United States. We’re already seeing the effects: The number of minors in U.S. custody was 10,773 on May 29, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, an increase of about 2,000 minors in custody since the policy was announced.
Making family separation a point of government policy is unacceptable and immoral. For anyone purporting to hold and support family values it is abhorrent. On a policy level, it is ineffective: It
deters no one and keeps no one safe.
Central American migrants walk to the U.S.- Mexico border and present
themselves for asylum. Now, according to the Trump administration, those
families who enter without first presenting themselves, are being separated.
As we have seen time after time with this administration, the policy was announced without being thoroughly thought through and with no planning. Border agents and child welfare agencies had no advance warning. By early June, Homeland Security facilities to house minors were at capacity. On June 5, NBC News reported that of 550 children in detention in U.S. border stations, 300 of them had been in custody more than 72 hours — and nearly half of those are classified as “tender age children,” meaning under the age of 12. The New York Times found more than 100 children under the age of 4 have been separated from their families.
No law requires that migrant families be separated at the border. Previous administrations have treated this as an administrative, not criminal, issue. The Trump administration could to do the same but has chosen not to.
The United Nations human rights office said June 5 that the policy “is a serious violation of the rights of the child,” and called on U.S. authorities to adopt noncustodial alternatives. The ACLU has filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court in San Diego, calling for a halt to separations and for reunification of families.
As Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, said in a statement June 1, “Family unity is a cornerstone of our American immigration system and a foundational element of Catholic teaching. … Rupturing the bond between parent and child causes scientifically-proven trauma that often leads to irreparable emotional scarring.”
To read the complete article: https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/editorial-family-separationimmoral-ineffective-policy
Thank you for your continued support as we work to end family separation at the U.S./Mexico Border. We have some new resources for you that we hope you find helpful. As always – please look for these on our “Family Separation” resource page. Please also email us at our new email box familyseparation@usccb.org.
- Five Things You Can Do to End Family Separation– please see our document we created with our partner Catholic Charities USA to give suggestions on how you can
help! - What Did Your Bishop Say About Family Separation? See our list of quotes from Catholic Bishops around the country.
- Are you a Social Worker Who May Work with Unaccompanied Children and Separated Families? Please see our step by step checklist of how you can safely report the cases you are encountering.
- Learn More! Please see our English and Spanish backgrounder on family separation and our webinar to learn more about this issue.
- Read the DHS/HHS Resource Sheet for Families
- Keep in Contact with Us! Email us your questions and cases you may be seeing at familyseparation@usccb.org.
Share the Journey: Meet Our Neighbor
Catholic Charities of Arlington/MRS Fredericksburg (MRS = Migration and Refugee Services) initiated a women’s empowerment initiative to help homebound women to supplement their income and to gain English skills and cultural understanding. 15 donated sewing machines were distributed and a training class was provided to 14 women and one male. The women formed a group and selected products to create and sell. MRS employment program assisted the women with identifying local craft fairs where they could display and sell their handmade products. The women hope to grow the business and to develop a website for sales.
~ Justice for Immigrants
For Your Information
We wish you alert you to the fact that this week, the Global Sisters Report will begin a special series on refugees entitled: Seeking Refuge.
More than 65 million people had been displaced from their homes because of factors such as war, threats from gangs, natural disasters, and lack of economic opportunities at the end of 2016, the highest number of displaced since the aftermath of World War II. Of those, the United Nations considered 22.5 million to be refugees: people forced to leave their countries because of persecution, war, or violence.
Over the next several weeks, Global Sisters Report will bring a sharper focus to the plight of refugees through a special series, Seeking Refuge, which will follow the journeys refugees make:
living in camps, seeking asylum, experiencing resettlement and integration, and those who are deported to a country they may only vaguely remember or that may still be dangerous.
Though not every refugee follows this exact pattern, these stages in the journey are emblematic for many — and at every stage, Catholic women religious are doing what they can to help.
To access the Global Sisters Report: http://globalsistersreport.org
Sacred Heart Feast Day Celebrations
Celebrating the Feast Day at the Mother Cabrini Shrine are Missionary Sisters from left: Roselle Santivasi, MSC; Isalia Carvalho, MSC; Martha Lopez, MSC; Alice Zanon, MSC and Eileen Currie, MSC. On this day, MSCs throughout the world renew their vows.
[On June 8th,] at Mass, our Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus renewed their vows on this special feast day. We are grateful for their love, service and dedication to Mother Cabrini
Shrine, the Denver area and for their missionary work throughout the world. ~ Mother Cabrini Shrine
National Shrine of St. Frances X. Cabrini, Chicago, IL
“I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love” – Hosea 11:4
On Friday, June 8, 2018, we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Shrine. Following Adoration with Benediction from 1- 3pm, we held a special Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart. Shrine Rector, Fr. Ted, was the celebrant and homilist. During Mass, it was a joyous occasion as the Sisters renewed their vows.
The celebration continued with a dinner amongst employees and friends! Sr. Bridget Zanin, Director of the Shrine, said blessings before the meal and gave a brief explanation of the devotion to the Sacred Heart. She spoke of Mother Cabrini’s trust and confidence in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the dynamic legacy she left us. All had an enjoyable time together.
~ submitted by Alyssa Alvarez, National Shrine
Getting ready to welcome guests for the Feast Day are from left: Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC, Shrine Director; Fr. Ted Ploplis, Shrine Rector; Sr. Benigna Morais, MSC; Sr. Alfonsina Gomes, MSC and Sr. Joaquina Costa, MSC.
More Feast Day Celebrations!
The Cottage at Cabrini University, Radnor, PA
The Feast Day is a sacred time filled with celebration. Joining the MSCs are: Front row from left: Gina Scarpello; Bobbi Jacquet; and Karol Brewer. Back row from left: Lechia Taylor; Beth Moy; Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC; Nancy Costello; Nancy Hutchison; and Sr. Grace Waters, MSC.
On the Feast Day, Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC and Sr. Grace Waters, MSC, were joined by friends from The Cottage and Cabrini University, as they renewed their sacred vows. The
celebration was replete with a festive potluck luncheon.
Nearly 600 institutions back Catholic Climate Declaration
by Brian Rowe, National Catholic Reporter
Close to 600 Catholic institutions have signed the Catholic Climate declaration, which renews Catholic support for continuing U.S. actions to address climate change despite backpedaling by the Trump administration.
The announcement June 18 of the signing coincided with the third anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment and human ecology, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”
Dan Misleh, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, which organized the declaration, called it “an unprecedented effort by the U.S. Catholic community to step into the void left by President [Donald] Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement” in June 2017.
“The Catholic Climate Declaration is grounded in Catholic social teaching, and it is a significant step in consolidating and galvanizing the U.S. Catholic Church’s effort to care for our common home and address climate change and to join other U.S. institutions in supporting the Paris Agreement,” he told reporters during a call June 18.
Among the signers are 37 dioceses, close to 200 religious communities, including the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, more than 100 parishes, 61 Catholic universities, and more than a dozen Catholic health care organizations, including the Catholic Health Association.
“As Catholic communities, organizations, and institutions in the United States, we join with other institutions from across American society to ensure that the United States remains a global leader in reducing emissions. We call for the Administration to join the global community and return to the Paris Agreement,” the declaration reads.
“God’s creation is in peril by our own actions,” Sr. Sharlet Wagner, president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, said on the press call. “If we know creation is a gift for us to enjoy, to safeguard and to protect for future generations, climate change presents us with a moral crisis and a moral question. We must each ask ourselves what our response will be.”
To read the full story: https://www.ncronline.org/news/environment/nearly-600-institutions-back-catholic-climate-declaration
The Stars and Stripes
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? How about the 4th of July? What do the red and white stripes on the flag represent? These were just some of the questions that we discussed during our art project for American holidays at Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY.
The Cabrini Kids exhibited great team work as together they created their flag.
Ellen Tessitore, our art teacher, wanted the children to learn about the importance and meaning of the patriotic holidays that we celebrate in the US and to create an American flag. Our Cabrini
Kids in Grades 1-4, met for 3 sessions to discuss and create a beautiful work of art. Quickly, the children started finding various types of red, white and blue paper. They wanted different shades of the colors and textures. Then, they looked for different faces in magazines. The purpose of the pictures was to show the many faces of America.
The Kids had to work as a group as they cut up paper, glued it to a poster board and made sure that there were enough red stripes and white stripes. They also had to count 50 stars and place them within the blue section of the flag. When everything was in place, the Kids began to glue the faces that they found in the magazines. They knew that their picture was being taken as they worked on
the project but they were very surprised to find out that their faces were going to be put on the flag. We have also added many of our adult students and tutors faces to the flag. It is a work that is in
progress and as new people come to the office, we will add their faces to the flag.
The Kids did such a magnificent job and they are so proud of their work. The flag proudly hangs in the front office at CIS displaying the many faces of America and the many faces of CIS.
Thank you to St. Faith’s House Foundation for their grant which has allowed us to have so many wonderful programs for our Cabrini Kids.
Art teacher Ellen Tessitore helps the Cabrini Kids display the patriotic flag they designed and created. A key feature on the flag is that the faces of Cabrini Kids and clients of Cabrini Immigrant Services adorn the stripes of the flag as an expression of the beautiful diversity of the United States.
~submitted by: Lorraine Campanelli, MS, MSW
Be an Angel
Please help Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC reach their fundraising goal and support 18 immigrant students this year through the Angel Fund Scholarship Program!
The Angel Fund Scholarship Program at Cabrini Immigrant Services provides young undocumented immigrants with the opportunity of continuing their education in the United States. CIS-NYC
provides each student with comprehensive educational, social, and emotional support and a small scholarship to help cover school related expenses. We are unique in providing this funding
because undocumented students are not eligible for more traditional forms of school loans and scholarships – without scholarships like this, these students would not be able to pursue their
dreams. If we reach our fundraising goal of $5,500 by the end of June, we will be able to provide 18 students with scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year.
In order to do this, we need your support!
We hope you will contribute whatever you can to our fund and share this campaign with your friends, family and colleagues!
Contribute here: https://www.gofundme.com/cisangelfund
“Throughout my life, I have been denied many opportunities, even after being nominated or recommended for them. The only time my immigration status didn’t matter was when I applied for the Angel Fund Scholarship. This scholarship has made college a reality and reduced a huge part of my financial burden by covering my course supplies and materials. Civil engineering is a costly major, so I am extremely grateful to achieve my life goals.”
– Gloria, Angel Fund Scholarship Recipient
Cabrini Mission Foundation
Last Call – Bowling FUNdraiser!
The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Cabrini Mission Foundation Board of Trustees invite you to the 4th annual Bowling FUNdraiser!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Arrival: 6:00 pm
Start Time: 6:30 pm
End Time: 9:00 pm
BowlMor Lanes Chelsea Piers
Pier 60 – 23rd St and West Side Highway
By Car: Chelsea Piers (Hourly) Parking Available
By Train: A/C/E to 23rd St (8th Ave) and walk to West Side Hwy
By Bus: M23 Crosstown
Join us for a casual, fun evening of bowling! Lanes, Shoe Rental, Pizza, Dessert, Wine, Beer, and Soft Drinks included.
Individual Bowler: $100
RSVP by June 12, 2018
For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities please call or visit: 212-228-8608 or www.cabrinifoundation.org
Annual Benefit Dinner
Please join us as we honor the legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini by celebrating the lives and contributions of Chicago immigrants.
You are cordially invited to attend The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Annual Benefit Dinner.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Café Brauer
2021 N. Stockton Drive
Chicago, Il 60614
6:00 PM: Cocktails and Silent Auction
7:00 PM: Dinner and Live Auction
Tickets: $175.00 per person
Business Attire
Kindly reply by July 1
To purchase tickets and become a sponsor of our event visit: https://www.cabrininationalshrine.org/2018-benefit-dinner
Prayer Requests
Children Separated from their Parents at the Border
As citizens and people of faith, let us pray for these families who are being torn apart as they flee violence and abuse to seek refuge and asylum in the United States. Pray that those children who have already been separated from their parents will soon be reunited. Pray that those in Congress will have the courage to quickly enact new and just immigration policies.
Gerald Dunleavy
Kindly keep Gerald Dunleavy, the brother of Sr. Patricia Dunleavy, MSC, in your prayers. Mr. Dunleavy has been admitted into the VA Hospital in NYC. Pray that he will soon be restored to full health.
For the people of Guatemala
Your prayers are asked for the people of Guatemala as they struggle to recover from the effects of the recent volcano there. Please pray, too, for the Missionary Sisters as they continue to serve the people who are in such great need following this natural disaster.
For the people of Nicaragua
Please join us as we pray that the situation in Nicaragua is resolved quickly. At this time, the country continues to be in a state of political and civil unrest. Violence is increasing throughout the country as deaths are rising and houses are being ransacked. We pray for all the Nicaraguan people and our Cabrini sisters who remain there in the midst of all this violence and turmoil.
Kathleen Gorevin
Please keep Kathleen Gorevin in your prayers at this time. Kathleen is the 105 year-old aunt of Nancy Gorevin Costello in the Province Communications/Vocations Office. Kathleen will be entering hospice care this week. Please pray for her comfort and sense of calm at this time.
Missionary Sisters – Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC, Provincial and Provincial Council
Sr. Diane and her Council are in meetings this week and next. Please pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during their time together.
Rachel, Silva, Rosalee and Ivo
Cabrini University staff member Rosemary Gehrlein asks prayers for her step-daughter Rachel and her husband Silva and their children Rosalee and Ivo.
Leonil Antonio Silva Salgado
Please pray for Leonil, a relative of Sr. Emperatriz Canales Espinoza, who has been missing in Nicaragua. Pray for his safe return to his family.
Fr. Michael Salerno
Your prayers are asked for Fr. Michael, a good friend of the Missionary Sisters, who was hospitalized this past week in New Jersey. Pray that he will soon be well.
Dr. Donald B. Taylor
Please continue to remember Dr. Taylor, the President of Cabrini University, in your prayers. Dr. Taylor underwent surgery last Friday and is now at home recuperating. Pray that his
recovery will be swift and uneventful.
Anne Valentini
Your prayers are asked for Anne Valentini, the mother of Sr. Lisa Valentini, MSC, of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart in Reading, PA. Mrs. Valentini has suffered a
stroke and is very weak. Please pray for her comfort.
With a Grateful Heart
A note of thanks from Sr. Alfonsina Gomes, MSC
Sr. Alfonsina wishes to express her deep gratitude to everyone for their prayers, cards, phone calls and kind thoughts during the
time of loss of her sister, Florinda Maria Silva, who passed away recently in Brazil. Your expressions of sympathy were a great comfort to her and her family.
In Loving Memory
Marylou Schanz
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Marylou Schanz, the mother of John Schanz, Chair of the Cabrini University Board of Trustees, who passed away on June 19, 2018. Please keep Mrs. Schanz, John and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
