“You Are Not Alone”

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, August 3, 2025

“In a July 23 pastoral letter, Archbishop Nelson Pérez expressed deep sorrow and prayerful solidarity, calling on Catholics to unite in support of the migrant community and advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.” (CatholicPhilly Staff, 7/23/25) 

“Recent news reports detailing the arrest of immigrants throughout the country, including the Philadelphia region, have produced a great deal of fear and unleashed a broad range of other emotions. These events have impacted the migrant community in deeply troubling ways…. 

As the son of immigrants, I have found recent events particularly heartbreaking. Today, I write to express my prayerful solidarity, and that of our local Church, with you. You are not alone. The Church is a community of faith, and the divine person of Christ, who was forced to flee his homeland as a child, holds you in his compassionate arms….

While there is no instant solution to the challenges pervading immigration policy, I urge everyone in parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors….

May our Lord bless our country with peace and inspire comprehensive immigration reform that respects the law and provides meaningful opportunities for all those who wish to call the United States of America their home.” (Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia)

In the Summer 2025 newsletter from the Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center, Executive Director Olivia Sharkey invites us “to become ever more curious about the resilience required in the process to become a citizen of the United States; about how to further inform and engage ourselves civically; about the many ways our Welcome Center community has sought to accompany our dear immigrant neighbors over the past two decades, and how you can continue supporting us in doing so.”

Ways to remain engaged include:

♥ Advocacy in partnership with New Sanctuary Movement. Sign up for details of advocacy events via e-blast on our website under the Newsletter page.

♥ Outreach Closet for both students and Kensington neighbors. Fill our shelves by emailing welcomecenter728@gmail.com to see what items are currently needed.

♥ Perfect Attendance. Celebrate students’ commitment to learning English and preparing for their citizenship test by donating $25 gift cards (Shoprite or Walmart). 

In his Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, “Pope Leo XIV highlights how migrants and refugees in a special way can become witnesses of hope and tenacity amidst adversity and calls for a future of peace and respect for human dignity…. At the same time, Pope Leo explains that communities that welcome migrants and refugees can also be ‘a living witness to hope’ as they show ‘the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognized.’” (Isabella H. de Carvalho, Vatican News, 7/25/25)

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.