The U.S. Catholic bishops have issued a series of resource materials to help the faithful prepare for National Migration Week 2015 which will take place 4-10 January with the theme, “We are One Family Under God.”

In a note on their website, the bishops say the theme “brings to mind the importance of family in our daily lives.” This reminder, they affirm, “is particularly important when dealing with the migration phenomenon, as family members are too often separated from one another.”

The resources available on the USCCB website include prayer cards, prayers, and background information regarding human trafficking, foreign labor recruitment, unaccompanied foreign minors and refugees.

“Migrants –including children, immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking– are our spiritual brothers and sisters,” said Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration. “They often find themselves isolated, alone and separated from family, their ability to live out their lives in fullness severely restricted. Often family members are separated from one another because of deportation, detention, or related immigration laws that inhibit family reunification.”

As part of the 2015 National Migration Week celebration, the USCCB established a small grant program that will provide Catholic parishes, schools and other organizations funding to help them better integrate the Church’s teaching on migration into new or existing programs, materials, events and other activities. Grant recipients will be announced during National Migration Week.

“We are all created equal in God’s image,” said Bishop Elizondo. “There is no such thing as an illegal human being. During National Migration Week we should not only pray for our brothers and sisters who are marginalized but also advocate that protections are provided to them, for they need them most.”

The observance of National Migration Week began over 25 years ago by the U.S. bishops to give Catholics an opportunity to take stock of the wide diversity of peoples in the Church and the ministries serving them. The week serves as both a time for prayer and action to try and ease the struggles of immigrants, migrants and vulnerable populations coming to America and a time for reflection on the Church’s call to “welcome the stranger.” The 2015 National Migration Week marks 50 years of service by USCCB Migration and Refugee Services.

Dioceses across the country have planned events for National Migration Week. Masses will be celebrated in Los Angeles; Palm Beach, Florida; San Bernardino, California; Chicago and Miami among others. Forums, vigils, and other special events will take place in Minneapolis; Knoxville, Tennessee; Chicago and Washington.

Please see Resources for National Migration Week

Additional resources…

• Migration and Refugee Services
• What We Do/Current Policy Issues
• Region’s Bishops Express Concern over Immigrants Deaths, Call Governments to Action
• Fact Finding Mission Reports
• Catholic Church’s Position on Immigration Reform
• The Catholic Church’s Teaching on Immigration Enforcement
• Catholic Church Teaching on Vulnerable Migrant Populations
• Why Don’t Unauthorized Migrants Come Here Legally?
• The Catholic Church’s Position on Birthright Citizenship
• The Catholic Bishops on State and Local Immigration Enforcement
• The Catholic Church and Immigrant Religious Workers
• Migration and Refugee Services Offices
• National Migration Week 2015: January 4 10
• 2010 Migration and Refugee Services Annual Report
• Strangers No Longer Together on the Journey of Hope
• Juntos en el Camino de la Esperanza Ya No Somos Extranjeros
• Migration and Refugee Services Annual Report
• Letter of Central American Bishops to President Bush
• Obispos Centroamericanos Publican Carta Abierta al Presidente Bush
• Bishops’ Migration Chairman Urges President and Congress to Act on Comprehensive Immigration Reform