Events in Observance of National Migration Week

US Conference of Catholic Bishops National Migration Week
January 3-9, 2010

Events at St. Teresa of Avila in Summit
Memorial Hall (across the street from the church & school)
306 Morris Ave. Summit, NJ

Prayer Service & Program January 7th
Please join the St. Teresa's Social Concerns and Justice Committee on Thursday January 7th at 7:00 pm in Memorial Hall for a prayer service and program in observance of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Migration Week. The theme of the program will be "Welcoming Christ the Foreigner". Participants will be asked to reflect on the life of Jesus as a "man on the move".

Marian Devotion January 9th
We will also gather at 9:00 am on Saturday January 9th in Memorial Hall to offer a devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary that she might provide peace, protection and comfort to refugees and immigrants in our community and everywhere.

About National Migration Week

National Migration Week is an observance that was initiated over 25 years ago by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

It is a time for us to reflect on the work of the Church on behalf of immigrants, refugees, trafficked persons and other people on the move. It is also a time for us to reflect on the life of Jesus and the Holy Family who were forced to leave their home to travel to Bethlehem and then to flee into Egypt to escape Herod. Popular devotion considers Jesus as a man on the move and Mary as Madonna of the Way.

We welcome you, Jesus.

Dear Jesus, you came into this world as a migrant.

We welcome you Jesus
There was no room for your family at the inn

We welcome you Jesus
Along with the angels in heaven

We welcome you Jesus
Along with the shepherds who wandered the hills

We welcome you Jesus
Along with the Magi who traveled from the East

We welcome you Jesus

Your family became refugees fleeing Herod

We welcome you Jesus
In Egypt you were an alien

We welcome you Jesus
In your public life you did not have a place to rest

We welcome you Jesus

Dear Jesus, we see you today, and

We welcome you Jesus
In refugees fleeing war and violence

We welcome you Jesus
In immigrants seeking a better life

We welcome you Jesus
In migrant workers who enrich our land with their labor

We welcome you Jesus
In seafarers and other people on the move

We welcome you Jesus

Dear Jesus, you are the refuge of people on the move.
We ask you to grant immigrants, refugees, and other migrants peace, protection, and comfort.
Help us to recognize that whenever we welcome the stranger in your name, we welcome you.
Teach us to recognize your presence in every human being.
Bring us together as one family, at the banquet table of your love,
with you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen