By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald For Maryknoll Sister Aurora de la Cruz, welcoming the stranger is more than a vocation; it is a way of life. Through her work as an immigration specialist at Catholic Charities Hawaii, the 60-year professed sister assists her clients with integrating into the United States, helping them feel they […]
Volunteer helps migrant workers confront injustice
By Paul JeffreyOSV News When Charles Niece graduated from Seton Hall University, he considered pursuing further studies. But first he wanted a change of scenery. “My knowledge of Christian mission was confined to a classroom, formed by reading scholarly journals and writing research papers. I needed a year off with exposure to the real world,” […]
Pope ‘very attentive’ to U.S. immigration advocates in meeting
By Kate ScanlonOSV News WASHINGTON — Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with the immigrant community in the U.S. and urged the church to be a united voice on their behalf in an Oct. 8 private audience with immigration advocates. Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, told OSV News that in the brief meeting […]
Talk story: Open the borders of our hearts to the most vulnerable
Office for Social Ministry “At Pentecost, the doors of the upper room were opened because the Spirit opens borders… The Spirit opens borders, first of all, in our hearts… The Spirit also opens borders in our relationship with others… Finally, the Spirit also opens borders between peoples.” (Pope Leo XIV, homily for Pentecost) In his first papal Pentecost homily to […]
Commentary: How ‘pro-life’ are executive orders?
By Dawn Morais Webster Special to the Herald The actions of the new administration in Washington, D.C., are putting the faith of all Christians to the test. Once again Catholics helped Donald Trump win the highest office in the land. In 2020, Catholics split their votes between Trump and President Joe Biden pretty evenly. In […]
New Washington cardinal arrives at pivotal political moment
By Kate Scanlon OSV News WASHINGTON — With his appointment as new archbishop of Washington Jan. 6, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy’s term in the nation’s capital will begin shortly after President-elect Donald Trump begins his second stint in the White House, possibly creating flashpoints between the pair during their time in the nation’s capital over […]
Talk story: ‘Encounter’ opens minds, hearts to migrants’ plight
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “God not only walks with his people, but also within them, in the sense that he identifies himself with men and women on their journey through history, particularly with the least, the poor and the marginalized.” (Pope Francis’ message to the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024) “God walks […]
Effie Caldarola: Can we see Jesus in neediest people?
Commentary He gazes from his portrait with steely determination, one eyebrow raised. I look at the picture of my great-grandfather, an exile from the Irish famine, and I lift one eyebrow to match his. I feel close to him, even though he died decades before I was born. I grew up on the family farm […]
Talk story: Fight against climate change can help migrants, too
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! (“Laudato Si’” [“On Care for Our […]
POPE FRANCIS | MESSAGE: All are enriched when welcoming migrants and refugees
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — As countries become more culturally and ethnically diverse, their Catholic communities become more “catholic” and their societies can increasingly reflect the fact that all people are brothers and sisters, Pope Francis said. “In encountering the diversity of foreigners, migrants and refugees, and in the intercultural dialogue […]