Last Sunday evening, I sent out a robocall that indicated that I had preached two very different homilies that weekend, one at the Saturday evening Mass and one at the two Sunday Masses. I remember indicating that the one on Saturday included the topic of immigration in our country. I said that after Saturday's Mass, and after hearing from a few parishioners, that the topic of immigration, that recently has included a call for "mass deportation" of those who are in our country without legal status, is complex and elicits strong emotions in some, and a homily is probably not the best place to try to speak about it from a Christian perspective.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.