I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Mt 25:25)

Since its inception in 2012, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) has provided work authorization and relief from deportation to nearly 800,000 undocumented children and young adults living in the United States, including parishioners from St. Charles. For many DACA recipients this country is the only home they have known, and now they, their friends, families, children, co-workers, and other loved ones, face what out Archbishop Alexander Sample and the Bishops of the United States have called "reprehensible". Fear of families and communities torn apart, social isolation, and hardship. Archbishop Sample said in a pastoral letter to all of us "I wish that more people would stop and think about how this decision affects the lives of real young people and their families. It is not just a bureaucratic decision, but one that impacts the lives and tramples on the hopes and dreams of many young people. I will work closely with my brother bishops to pursue every avenue to see this sad situation is made right." 

The immigrant justice committee is committed to helping the bishops at the ground level. We continue to listen and have begun work on many avenues that we believe wi wll help our immigrant brothers and sisters in the parish and neighborhood. Our Next meeting will be Saturday October 21st from 3:30-4:30 in Room 12. 

Click here for a message from Archbishop Sample, and a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as and local actions.