Stamp Out Despair Packing Party & Ash Wed Pilgrimage Meeting

”I was a stranger and you welcomed me…I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25: 35-36

You are invited to the IRATE & First Friends Stamp Out Despair stationery packing party, 1:30 pm, Sunday, December 6th at St Joseph’s Social Service Center (in the old church building), 118 Division St. Elizabeth.

We will be putting together individual packages of stationery and stamps and writing notes of encouragement for the non-criminal immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center. The packages will be delivered before Christmas by the First Friends visitors program to each of the detainees to inform them of the visitors program and give them the ability to communicate with friends and family.

Immediately following the packing party there will be a planning meeting for the Ash Wednesday Pilgrimage from Ellis Island to the Elizabeth Detention Center which is being co-sponsored by Pax Christi NJ and IRATE & First Friends.

Please call 908-965-0455 or e-mail firstfriends2@juno.com for directions.

For more information on the First Friends visitors program go to www.irateweb.org/firstfirends.htm