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12-11-2017
Comprehensive Immigration Report No. 212
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and Diocese of Savannah
From: Frank Mulcahy, Georgia Catholic Conference, (404) 920-7367 fmulcahy@georgiacc.org
Archbishop Gregory Suggests Contacting Members of Congress About DACA. In his most recent “What I Have Seen and Heard” column, Archbishop Gregory expressed his support for those who obtained protection under the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and encouraged everyone to contact federal legislators, urging them to act on this important issue. “[These Dreamers] deserve to be protected, allowed to continue making positive contributions to our nation, and finally, permitted to formalize their citizenship as Americans.”
Above All, Pray for the Dreamers. Contacting legislators is important, but remember to pray for the Dreamers. Pray for government officials – that they will see the human dignity of DACA recipients and enact laws that allow them to stay in the United States and flourish. Bishop Kevin Vann, chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) board, shared an Advent prayer for Dreamers.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us. December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a day of solidarity with immigrants and refugees. The USCCB Justice for Immigrants campaign website has excellent resources for the feast and Advent. CLINIC also has a guide to praying the rosary for the dignity and justice of our immigrant brothers and sisters.
ICYMI — Confused By Immigration Law? Immigration law is complex but CLINIC offers training at all levels. You won’t become an expert but their fundamentals program can help beginners sort information.
Para: Sacerdotes, diáconos, hermanos y hermanas de la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta y la Diócesis de Savannah
De: Frank Mulcahy, Georgia Catholic Conference, (404) 920-7367 fmulcahy@georgiacc.org
El Arzobispo Gregory sugiere contactar a los miembros del Congreso acerca de DACA. En su última columna “Lo que he visto y he oído”, el Arzobispo Gregory expresa su apoyo hacia aquellos que obtuvieron protección bajo el programa de la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA por sus siglas en inglés) y anima a todos a contactar a sus legisladores federales, exhortándolos a actuar sobre esta importante cuestión. “[Estos soñadores] merecen protección, que se les permita continuar haciendo contribuciones positivas a nuestra nación y, finalmente, que puedan formalizar su ciudadanía como estadounidenses”.
Ante todo, oren por los Soñadores. Contactar a los legisladores es importante, pero recuerde también orar por los soñadores. Ore por los funcionarios gubernamentales, para que vean la dignidad humana de los destinatarios de DACA y promulguen leyes que les permitan permanecer en los Estados Unidos y prosperar. El Obispo Kevin Vann, presidente de la junta directiva de la Red de Inmigración Legal Católica (CLINIC por sus siglas en inglés), compartió una oración de Adviento por los Soñadores.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros. El 12 de diciembre es el día de la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, una fecha de solidaridad con los inmigrantes y refugiados. La página de Internet de la Campaña de Justicia para los Inmigrantes de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos tiene recursos excelentes para celebrar esta fiesta y el Advenimiento. CLINIC también tiene una guía para rezar el rosario por la dignidad y la justicia que merecen nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes.
En caso de que se lo haya perdido– ¿Confundido por las leyes de inmigración? Las leyes de inmigración son complejas, pero la Red de Inmigración Legal Católica (CLINIC por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece herramientas de capacitación para todos los niveles. Usted no se convertirá en un experto, pero un programa básico puede ayudarlo a catalogar la información que le interesa.
Media Coverage of The Archdiocese of Atlanta – Week Ending December 7, 2017
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, Principals, Parish and Chancery Staff
From: Paula Gwynn Grant, Director, Office of Communications
It has been another week of positive coverage for The Archdiocese of Atlanta in the news and in The Georgia Bulletin.
In case you missed any, please see below for links to this week’s featured stories:
School News
• Former Georgia Tech football players become brothers in the faith in The Archdiocese of Atlanta
• Atlanta Catholic schools rivalries compete for state title
• Marist vs. Blessed Trinity AAAA state championship primer
The Georgia Bulletin
• Holy Name of Jesus Mission dedicated
• HIV/AIDS ministers seek compassion, prayer at World AIDS Day Mass
• Launch program transforms religious education at Marietta parish
• #iGiveCatholic surpasses fundraising goals in Atlanta
• Celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe set for parishes around archdiocese
Please share this information in your bulletin, newsletters, websites and social media.
Thank you.
2018 MLK Jr. Celebration
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, Parish and Chancery Staff
From: Mr. Ashley Morris, Associate Director, Office of Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity
The Office of Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity invites you to participate in our MLK Jr. Celebration taking place January 14, 20-21, 2018. Our theme for this year is “Live in Peace, and the God of Love and Peace Will Be With You” (2 Corinthians 13:11). Our events will honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, as well as commemorate the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
The events will begin on Sunday, January 14, 2018 with the Young Adult “Service and Sips” Brunch and Service Opportunity taking place at 2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.
On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., the Eucharistic Celebration will take place at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church, 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory will be the principal celebrant for this annual Mass honoring Dr. King.
Our archdiocesan events will conclude with the Youth Celebration at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School, 2560 Tilson Road, Decatur, GA 30032.
Guests to all events are invited to bring canned goods, clothing or cleaning products for donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia.
Please share this information in your parish bulletin, newsletters and social media. For more information about the 2018 MLK Jr. Celebration, please contact Mr. Ashley Morris, Associate Director of the Office of Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity, at amorris@archatl.com or 404-920-7586.
Save the Date – 2018 Provincial Assembly
To: Priests
From: Monsignor Jim Schillinger, Director, Ongoing Formation of Priests
The 2018 Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests will be hosted by the Diocese of Charleston at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, August 20-22, 2018.
This year’s assembly – “Catholic Parishes of the 21st Century” – will feature speaker Charles Zech. Charles Zech is a professor at Villanova University School of Business and the Director of Villanova’s Center for Church Management. He is the author or co-author of over 50 articles and 12 books on the topic of church management.
The Provincial Assembly, held only once every two years, is hosted by a diocese in the Province of Atlanta. Many of you will recall that we hosted the assembly in Atlanta in 2016.
This event offers us a unique opportunity to spend time with our brother priests from throughout the five dioceses that make up our province. Ongoing formation funding is available for this event, with the Archdiocese of Atlanta covering 50% of your cost to attend, up to $1,250.
Registration packets will be available in February.
Share the Journey – “Pitch a Tent” for 2018 National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees
To: Priests, Deacons and Liturgy Coordinators
From: Kat Doyle, Director, Justice & Peace Ministries; Office of Life, Dignity and Justice
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, as an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants who are fleeing war, persecution, natural disasters and economic devastation, including immigrants, displaced persons, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.
This year from Sunday, January 7 through Sunday January 14, 2018, in celebration of National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and in support of the international Share the Journey campaign introduced by Pope Francis in September 2017, the Archdiocese of Atlanta asks every parish to share in the journey of migrants by pitching a small tent in the front of your church with a horizontal or vertical sign proclaiming “Love Your Neighbor – Share the Journey.”
In addition, we hope you will invite other faith traditions in your community to do the same. This is truly a multi-faith initiative in which we are all called to shine a light and lead the way. Imagine all of our north Georgia faith communities pitching tents in front of their places of worship and visibly standing in solidarity with our migrant brothers and sisters, all deserving of dignity and love!
We hope that you will join us in celebrating this important week and be intentional in building relationships with the migrants in your community. Please see the attached flyer and additional attachments. For more information on the Share the Journey campaign, visit https://www.sharejourney.org/ or contact me at kdoyle@archatl.com for additional National Migration Week resources.