National Migration Week/World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023

 

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is an opportunity for global church and the Catholic faithful to engage in prayer, reflection, and action on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are forced to flee their homes. National Migration Week is a uniquely US-based celebration that builds on the ideas put forth in WDMR and shaped accordingly to American public. In 2023 we will celebrate National Migration Week September 18 – 24, which culminates with WDMR that Sunday the 24th.

This year’s theme, “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay,” shines a light on the root causes that drive migration. In many instances, war and conflict have left people with no option but to abandon their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The Syrian conflict, for example, displaced millions, creating one of the largest refugee crises in modern history. More recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom fled to neighboring countries in search of safety. In both cases, migration is not a choice, but a necessity for survival.

Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of understanding the systemic factors that contribute to forced migration, such as political instability, economic inequality, and persecution. Through advocacy, education, and charitable works, Catholic faithful can work to create a world where individuals and families are free to choose whether to migrate or stay in their homelands. By addressing these issues, we can help create the conditions for people to live in safety and dignity, regardless of where they call home.

Let us use this National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the complex issues driving forced migration and to renew our commitment to building a just and inclusive world.

Learn more Here

Join National Pastoral Migratoria, allies, and collaborators in the events below in celebration of National Migration Week 2023. Please be sure to visit this page weekly to access resources and information for events that will be developed for this celebration.

National Migration Week Mass
Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral, Sunday, September 24, 2023 - 5:15 p.m.

Education: 

• Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023  English | Spanish
• National Migration Week Toolkit (JFI/USCCB)  English | Spanish
• Resources and kit for the celebration of the WDMR  (Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development) | English | Spanish |

• Explanation of National Migration Week by PM from the Diocese of Kansas City, MO |English | Spanish

Prayer: 

• Multilingual petitions for National Migration Week (English | Spanish | Multilingual)

• Prayer for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (English | Spanish | Bilingual)
• Rosary for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Spanish)
• Prayer and reflection for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023 (Spanish) 
• National Migration Week: A Collected Book of Prayers for Migrants (USCCB) (English)
• Prayers of the Faithful for DACA recipients (English | Spanish)
• Way of the Cross for Immigrants in collaboration with Priest for Justice for Immigrants (Bilingual)

Take Action:

• Participate in National Migration Week by standing in solidarity with our Afghan Neighbors (JFI/USCCB) | (Link) 

Promotion and Social Media:

• Save the date for National Migration Week (English | Spanish)

Suggest: Should you have any thoughts as to how we can more effectively celebrate National Migration Week, or to suggest resources that will be useful for your local community, please contact Raymundo Valdez at [email protected]

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Parish Events during National Migration Week 2023

 

Workshop: Introduction to using an ITIN number to open a business 
September 1 at 6 p.m. EST
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
832 East 166th Street, Bronx, NY 10459
(Zoom link)

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Workshop: ITIN for businesses or self employed individuals, Who is eligible and how and where to obtain an ITIN number
September 8 at 6 p.m. EST
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
832 East 166th Street, Bronx, NY 10459
(Zoom link)

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Workshop: My community and I : Presentation on healthcare
benefits and other benefits offered by the government
September 9 at 6 p.m. EST
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
832 East 166th Street, Bronx, NY 10459

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Anthony of Padua
[email protected]

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Workshop: Small Businesses: Obtaining a license, permits and creating a business plan
September 15 at 6 p.m. EST
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
832 East 166th Street, Bronx, NY 10459
(Zoom link)

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Health Fair: Free and open to the community 
September 16 at 6 p.m.
St. John XXIII Parish
806 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL

Teresa Infante or Olga Anlgada [email protected]

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Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants
September 17 at 3 p.m. PST
Pre-Procession 3:30 p.m. PST Mass
Hybrid (English)
Watch online (Link)
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Isaac Cuevas, Director, Immigration & Public Affairs.
Office of Life, Justice & Peace Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

This celebration is a joint effort with the Dioceses of Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego.

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Rosary for Immigrants
September 18 to 24 at 1 p.m. EST
in person and online via FB Page: PM San Juan Bosco 
Don Bosco Community Center
22 Don Bosco Place, Port Chester, NY 10573

Carmen Linero - [email protected]

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Rosary for Immigrants
September 18 to 24 at 3 p.m. PST
Online: (Link)
Pastoral Migratoria, Stockton, CA

Oswaldo Estrada - [email protected]
Manuel Renteria - [email protected]

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Introduction to Pastoral Migratoria and National Migration Week
September 18 at 6 p.m. EST
St. John the Evangelist, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD

Dinorah Cader - [email protected]

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Mass in celebration of the immigrant community 
September 18 to 23 at 6 p.m.
(Spanish)
Chapel of St. Simon
5157 South California, Chicago IL 60629

Pastoral Migratoria/ Chapel of St. Simon
Margarita Macias - 773.925.3725
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Support Group for immigrant women
September 18 and 25 at 6 p.m.
Mision San Juan Diego
2323 North Wike Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Pastoral Migratoria/Mision San Juan Diego
Carmen Estrada - 847.363.0409
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Preyer Circle for Migrants
September 18 at 7 p.m..
(Spanish)
St. Clare of Montefalco, (Church)
5443 South Washtenaw, Chicago IL, 60629

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Clare of Montefalco
Ivon Luqueno - 773.961.4245
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Reflection on current Immigration Issues in the Context of Prayer
September 18 at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
St. Pius X Campus
4300 Oak Park Avenue, Stickney, IL 60402

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Piu X Campus
Julie O’Reilly Castillo - 708.484.0015 or [email protected]
Pastoral companion, Huguet Gonzalez - [email protected]

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Mass in celebration of the immigrant community
September 18 to 23 at 8:30 a.m.
(Bilingual)
St. Gall Parish
5513 South Sawyer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60629

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Gall Parish
Tina Jara - 773.939.8157
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Mass for Migrants
September 18 to 24.
St. Rita of Cascia and St. Clare of Montefalco

Pastoral Migratoria
Federico Padilla 773.727.1862
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Welcoming the Stranger: Current reality of Migration and Inclusion
September 19 at 6 p.m. EST
St. John the Evangelist, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD

Dinorah Cader - [email protected]

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Movie, conversation and fellowship: Movie showing - Ice Box
September 19 at 6 p.m. EST
(In person)
St. Anthony of Padua, Catholic Church 
832 East 166th Street, Bronx, NY 10459

Pastoral Migratoria of St. Anthony of Padua [email protected]

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Women's Support Group. Migration and its effects
September 19 at 6:30 p.m. and September 28, 7 p.m.
(Spanish)
St. Clare of Montefalco (Parish Hall)
5443 South Washtenaw, Chicago IL, 60629

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Clare of Montefalco
Ivon Luqueno - 773.961.4245 (Tuesday)
Iveth Sambonino - 773.330.0940
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Mass in celebration of the immigrant community
September 20 at 5 p.m.
(English)
Mision San Juan Diego
2323 North Wike Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Pastoral Migratoria/Mision San Juan Diego
Carmen Estrada - 847.363.0409
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Symposium: Understaning the Dynamics of Today's Migration
September 21 at 6 p.m.
Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert Casey,
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Symposium and Discussion at 6:45 p.m.
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
2520 North Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

Mary Lou Matheke - 312.534.8054 or [email protected]
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]
Mauro Pineda - [email protected]

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Legal Clinic and Know Your Rights
September 22 at 6 p.m. EST
St. John the Evangelist, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD

Dinorah Cader - [email protected]

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Holy Hour with Special Petitions for immigrants and Refugees
September 22 at 7 p.m.
(Spanish)
St. Michael the Archangel-St. Oscar Romero (Parking)
1953 West 48th Street, Chicago, IL 60609

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Michael the Archangel-St. Oscar Romero
Agustin Martinez- 773.799.4986
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Celebration of the Barrilete, messengers of peace, 
for the unity of Central American communities 
September 23 at 4 p.m.
(Spanish)
St. Joseph's Church (park) 48th Ave. and Winchester Ave. Chicago, IL

Pastoral Migratoria
Agustin Martinez- 773.799.4986
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Mass in celebration of the immigrant community and commissioning of Pastoral Migratoria leaders
September 24 at 11 a.m.
(Engishl)
St. Gall Parish
5513 South Sawyer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60629

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Gall Parish
Tina Jara - 773.939.8157
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Mass in the street in celebration of the newly arrived Central American
September 24 at 12 p.m.
(Spanish)
St. Joseph's Church
4821 South Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60609

Pastoral Migratoria/St. Joseph's Church
Agustin Martinez- 773.799.4986
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Information table with Resources on Mental Health
September 24 from 12 - 2 p.m.
(Spanish)
St. Rita of Cascia,
6243 South Fairfield, Chicago, IL 60629

Pastoral Migratoria
Martina Sanchez
Rosalba Ascencio - [email protected]

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Holy Mass in Celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
September 24 at 5:15 p.m.
(Spanish)
Holy Name Cathedral
735 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611

Immigration Ministry – Archdiocese of Chicago

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Mass to commemorate the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
September 25 at 11 a.m.
Online: (Link)
Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20036

Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach. 301.853.5335 or [email protected]

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Pastoral Migratoria Bimonthly Forum: Mental Health in the Family
September 26 at 6:30 p.m.
St. Clare of Montefalco, (Church)
5443 South Washtenaw, Chicago IL, 60629
Or via Zoom at Zoom meeting