National Migration Week/World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is an opportunity for global churches 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. The theme for this year's WDMR is God walks with his people, which “focuses on the itinerant dimension of the Church, with special attention to migrant brothers and sisters, who are a contemporary icon of the Church on the move.” National Migration Week is a uniquely US-based celebration that builds on the ideas put forward in WDMR and shaped accordingly to American public. In 2024 we will celebrate National Migration Week September 23-29, which culminates with WDMR that Sunday the 29th.
One lens through which we can understand the theme used for this year's migration message and its importance for us as Catholics is through the idea of accompaniment.
Accompaniment and the Catholic Church
In his latest message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis emphasizes the theme “God Walks with His People.” This theme serves as a reminder that God consistently accompanies His people throughout history, guiding and providing for them, much like He did for the Israelites. Pope Francis draws a parallel between the experiences of migrants today and the ancient Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom, highlighting the similar challenges of oppression and hardship they face.
Pope Francis states, “Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development. Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles on their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; “they are tempted by despair.”
As Catholics, we are commanded by Jesus (MT 25) to provide support and care for the most vulnerable among us, including the naked, the hungry, the impressed, and the stranger. Through this outreach, we are called to accompany migrants at all stages of their journey: from the point of origin, through transit, and to their final destination.
Learn more here
National Migration Week Mass
Holy Name Cathedral, Sunday, September 29, 2024 – 5:15 p.m.
Flyer for mass at Cathedral (English | Español)
Education:
- Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 English | Spanish - National Migration Week Toolkit (National Pastoral Migratoria) 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
Prayer:
-
Multilingual petitions for National Migration Week ( English | Spanish | Multilingual )
- Prayer Resources for National Migration Week (Homily Samples, Prayers of the faithful | English | Spanish)
- Prayer for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees ( English | Spanish )
- Rosary for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees ( English | Spanish )
- Prayer and reflection for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 ( 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)
Accompaniment:
- Ideas on how to celebrate National Migration Week in your parish community ( Spanish )
Promotion and Social Media:
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]
Join National Pastoral Migratoria, allies, and collaborators in the events below in celebration of National Migration Week 2024. Please be sure to visit this page weekly to access resources and information for events that will be developed for this celebration.
Parish Events during National Migration Week 2024
Immigration Workshop (Spanish)
Monday, September 2 at 7 p.m.
St. Stephen the Protomartyr (St. Mary Church)
1280 Prospect Avenue, Des Plaines 60018
Hna. Teresa Quintero, 847.824.2026
Mental Health Workshop - Salud Emocional (Spanish)
September 3, 10, 17, 19, 24 and 26 at 6:30 p.m.
St. Rita of Cascia, (St. Augustine Hall)
6243 South Fairfield, Chicago IL 60631
Federico Padilla, 773.727.1862
Legal Consultation (Bilingual)
Wednesday, September 11 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
St. Gall Church (Convent)
5513 South Sawyer, Chicago IL 60629
Tina Jara, 773.939.8157
CMS NY - Immigration Integration Convening - Catholic Parish Responses:
Welcome, Education, Accompaniment, Integration, and Advocacy
Thursday, September 12 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
D'Angelo Center of St. John's University
101 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003
Julie Velazquez, [email protected]
Evening of prayer and reflection with Fr. Ed Shea. “Migration and the Eucharist”
Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m.
Holy Family Catholic Community
2515 West Palatine Road, Inverness, IL 60067
Mary Lou Matheke, [email protected]
Screening of the recent film, “Cabrini” followed by discussion and mass
Saturday, September 21 from 12 – 5 p.m.
The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
2520 North Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
Mary Lou Matheke, [email protected]
Introduction to PM - A ministry of Service, Accompaniment and Justice in Parish Communities
Saturday, September 21 at 6 p.m.
St. John Bosco - Holy Rosary Parish
22 Don Bosco Place, Port Chester, NY 10573
Special Mass for Migrants and Refugees (Polish)
Sunday, September 22 at 10:45 a.m.
St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church
1321 North Burning Bush Lane, Mount Prospect, IL
Mark Dobrzycki, [email protected]
Holy Rosary for Migrants and Refugees
September 23 – 28 at 6 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044
Dinorah Cader, [email protected]
National Bible Migration Week (Hybrid): Migrant Patriarchs Bearers of God's Blessing
Monday, September 23 from 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish
511 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
or https://www.youtube.com/@IBICLA/streams
Immigration Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Newark
and Instituto Bíblico Claretiano de las America www.ibicla.org
Prayer Circle for Migrants (Spanish)
Monday, September 23 at 7 p.m.
St. Clare of Montefalco
5443 South Washtenaw, Chicago IL, 60629
Lourdes Lorenzo, 779.210.1763
Mass in celebration of the immigrant community (Spanish)
Monday, September 23 at 7 p.m.
San Juan Diego
2323 North Wilke Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Carmen Estrada, 847.363.0409
Holy Rosary for Migrants (Spanish)
Tuesday, September 24 at 5:25 p.m.
St. Stephen the Protomartyr (St. Mary Church)
1280 Prospect Avenue, Des Plaines 60018
Hna. Teresa Quintero, 847.824.2026
National Bible Migration Week (Hybrid): Laws of Israel in favor of migrants
Tuesday, September 24 from 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish
511 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
or https://www.youtube.com/@IBICLA/streams
Immigration Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Newark
and Instituto Bíblico Claretiano de las America www.ibicla.org
Movie night: El Gran Milagro (Spanish)
Wednesday, September 25 at 6 p.m.
St. John Bosco - Holy Rosary Parish
22 Don Bosco Place, Port Chester, NY 10573
Carmen Linares, 914.552.9541
National Bible Migration Week (Hybrid): Exodus
Wednesday, September 25 from 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish
511 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
or https://www.youtube.com/@IBICLA/streams
Immigration Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Newark
and Instituto Bíblico Claretiano de las America www.ibicla.org
Legal Consultation (Bilingual)
Wednesday, September 25 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
St. Clare of Montefalco (Parish Hall)
5443 South Washtenaw, Chicago IL, 60629
Rosalba Ascencio, [email protected]
Special Mass for Migrants and Refugees
Wednesday, September 25 at 7 p.m.
San Juan Diego catholic Church
2323 North Wilke Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Gloria Perez, [email protected]
Carmen Estrada, [email protected]
Legal Consultation (Bilingual)
Wednesday, September 25 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel-St. Oscar Romero (Gymnasium)
1953 West 48th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Agustin Martinez, 773.799.4986
The Migrant Journey Our Humanitarian Response
Thursday, September 26 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
University of St. Francis - San Damiano Hall
520 Plainfield, Joliet, IL
Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Anti Racism Committee (ARC)
Sr. Lois Prebil, [email protected]
National Bible Migration Week (Hibryd): Exile
Thursday, September 26 from 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish
511 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
or https://www.youtube.com/@IBICLA/streams
Immigration Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Newark
and Instituto Bíblico Claretiano de las America www.ibicla.org
Holly Hour for Migrants (Spanish)
Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament, (Church)
3745 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Jannette Alvarez, 312.340.7988
Holy Rosary for Migrants (Spanish)
Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel - St. Oscar Romero (Parking)
1953 West 48th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Carmen Estrada, 847.363.0409
National Bible Migration Week (Hibryd): Jesus and Migrant Church
Friday, September 27 from 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish
511 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
or https://www.youtube.com/@IBICLA/streams
Immigration Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Newark
and Instituto Bíblico Claretiano de las America www.ibicla.org
Free Legal Immigration Consultations
Friday, September 27 from 6 – 9 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044
Dinorah Cader, [email protected]
Holy Hour with special petitions for immigrants and Refugees (Spanish)
Friday, September 27 at 7 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel - St. Oscar Romero (Parking)
1953 West 48th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Agustin Martinez 773.799.4986
Holy Rosary for Migrants and Refugees
Saturday, September 28 at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
832 East 166st Street, Bronx, NY 10456
PM St. Anthony of Padua
Special Mass for Migrants and Refugees with traditional costumes
Saturday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044
Dinorah Cader, [email protected]
Special Mass celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Presiding
Sunday, September 29 at 3:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Mass will be in person and livestreamed via facebook.com/olacathedral, on LA Catholics webpage and through the Office of Life Justice and Peace website.
Office of Immigration Affairs, 213.637.7820
National Migration Week Mass at Holy Name Cathedral
Sunday, September 29 at 5:15 p.m.
Holy Name Cathedral
735 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Olga Anglada, [email protected]
Mass to commemorate the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Bishop Evelio Menjivar, Presiding
Sunday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036
Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach 30.853.5335
Special Mass for Migrants and Refugees with traditional costumes
Sunday, September 29 at 8 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044
Dinorah Cader, [email protected]
Distribution of toys for children
Sunday, September 29 from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044
Dinorah Cader, [email protected]
Resources for PM Pilot Sites:
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