“remember, you too were once strangers”...cantor to lead: come and fill our hearts, by jacques...
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“Remember, You Too Were Once Strangers”
ASOLIDARITYVIGILFORREFUGEESNOTES
• AdaptedtorespondtorecentU.S.Administrationexecutiveordersandpolicychangesaffectingmigrantsandrefugees.TheadvocacyaskandsomeofthetalkingpointsareupdatedfromtheoriginalversionofthisSolidarityVigilreleasedFall2016.
• PleasefeelfreetousethisVigilresourceinitsentirety,oryoucanalsoadaptit,reviseit,orshortenittofitintoanothereventorspecifictimeframe.
• Pleasereachouttouniversity@crs.orgwithanyquestions.
MATERIALS
• Audio-visualequipment
• Internetaccess(forvideosandletterwriting)
• Basketslargeenoughtocollectletters(ifsigninghandwrittenletters)
• Bible,opentoMatthew2:13–14,16
• 2–4largecandles
• Candleforeachparticipant
• Copiesofthissolidarityvigilforleader,cantor,readersandpersonmanagingPowerPoint
• Copiesofthe2-pagedletterstoyourmembersofCongress(seelastpagesofthisdocument)ORparticipantscanusesmartphonesorlaptopstoelectronicallysignusingthislink.
• Lighterormatches
• Musicforsongs,“ComeandFillOurHearts,”and“OLord,HearOurPrayer,”byJacquesBerthier,TaizéCommunity
• Pensforparticipants(ifsigninghandwrittenletters)
• PowerPointPresentationforimagesandvisuals:“Remember,YouTooWereOnceStrangers”
o DownloadPPTversionofPowerPoint
o DownloadPDFversionofPowerPoint
mailto:university@crs.orghttps://secure.crs.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=963&_ga=1.29090367.2063296771.1482266185https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696http://university.crs.org/sites/default/files/Refugee Vigil Power Point.pptxhttp://university.crs.org/sites/default/files/Refugee Vigil Power Point.pdf
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PREPARATION
• InviteandpreparecantortoleadtheTaizésongs,“ComeandFillOurHearts,”and“OLord,HearOurPrayer.”Preparesongsheetswithlyricsandmakeavailabletoparticipants.
• Setupthevigilspace:o Lightthelargecandlesandputtherestofthecandlesaroundtheminacentralspaceinfront
oftheroom/church.o Placebasketsnearthecandles(ifsigninghandwrittenletters)o TestPowerPointpresentationandvideo.o PlaceaBibleandonecopyofthissolidarityvigilatthepodiumorlectern.o PutcopiesofthelettertoCongressandpensateachseatorpew(ifsigninghandwritten
letters).• Selectandprepareoneleaderandsevenreaders:
o Giveeachreaderacopyofthissolidarityvigilwiththeirparthighlighted.o Option:Insteadofhavingonereaderleadthe“RefugeesinScripturereflection”sectionat
thelectern,invitesevenpeopletoeachreadoneoftheexcerpts.Directthemtobeseatedthroughoutthecongregation,andtostandandreadtheirpartsattheappropriatetime.
• PreparesomeonetoclickthroughthePowerPointpresentationasinstructedintheprayerservice.• BepreparedtoinstructparticipantstoidentifytheirmembersofCongressforlettersigning(if
signinghandwrittenletters)ortoinstructparticipantstosigntheonlineletteratthislink(whichcanalsobenavigatedtoviahttp://university.crs.org/migration.)o ParticipantswillneedtoaccesstheInternet.Youcaneithersetuplaptops/tabletsconnectedto
Wi-Fiorrelyonparticipantstousetheirsmartphones.o Forhand-writtenletters
o Makecopiesofthelettersastheyarefromtheendofthisdocumentforeachparticipant.Eachparticipantwillneedthreeletters:oneforeachoftheirtwosenatorsandonefortheirrepresentative.Notethatthelettersare2pagesandcanbeprintedfront-back.
o Duringtheevent,youwillshowparticipantshowtoidentifytheirsenatorsandrepresentative,andhowtoaddresstheletters.Theywillcompletetheletterswiththedateoftheeventandthenameofyouruniversity,andotherinformation
o Duringtheletter-writingsection,offertoshowparticipantshowtofindtheirmembersofCongressonlineatconfrontglobalpoverty.com/toolkit,usingthe“Findyourdistrict”buttonunderthesectionlabeled“MeetwithCongress.”AskthemtoentertheirZIPcodewhenprompted.Aftertheyenterit,thenamesoftheirtwosenatorsandrepresentativewillpopup.Theyshouldwritethefullnamesoftheirsenatorsandrepresentativeatthetopoftheletter.
https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696https://secure.crs.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=963&_ga=1.29090367.2063296771.1482266185http://donate.crs.org/site/PageNavigator/Action Center/find_repEnglish2016.html?
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o Yourletterswillhavethemostimpactiftheyarehanddeliveredtolocaloffices.CheckoutthesetipsonhowtosetupameetingwithyourmemberofCongress.And,afteryourvisit,letCatholicsConfrontGlobalPovertyknowyouhadameetingandhowitwent.
o Ifyoucan’thanddelivertheletterstomembers,it’sbesttomailthemtotheirlocalordistrictoffices.Ifyouaremailingletterstoseveralstatesand/ordistricts,besuretomailthelettersseparatelytoeachsenatorandrepresentative.Youcanfindsenators’addressesbyvisitingwww.senate.gov,andrepresentativesbyvisitingwww.house.gov.
o Ithelpstosendalongacopyofanypresscoverageofthesolidarityvigilalongwiththeletters.Also,besuretofollowupwitheachmemberofCongressyousentalettertosoyou’llknowwhethertheyreceivedit.
• ReadandfeelfreetoprintanddistributeCRSStatementsontheAdministration’sExecutiveOrdersregardingmigrantsandrefugees.
o FindthemostupdatedStatementsanddocumentsonour“IamMigration”pageatuniversity.crs.org/migration.BelowaretwoexamplesfromlateJanuary:
i. CRSStatementonU.S.-MexicoBorderWall(January25,2017)ii. CRSStatementonMigrationBan(January27,2017)
http://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/act/toolkit/#congresshttp://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/act/toolkit/#congresshttp://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/act/toolkit/district-visit-form/http://www.senate.govhttp://www.house.govhttp://university.crs.org/migrationhttp://www.crs.org/media-center/news-release/crs-questions-border-wall-proposal-citing-us%E2%80%99-moral-responsibility-protecthttp://www.crs.org/media-center/news-release/head-of-crs-reacts
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CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE1.
Welcomeandopeningprayer
LEADER:Wegathertogetherinsolidaritywithrefugeeswhohavefledtheirhomecountriestoseekabetterlifeforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Wewillprayforrefugees,listentotheirstoriesandacttogethertoaskourgovernmentleaderstosupportthembyensuringwelcomeforrefugeesandmigrants.Itisespeciallyimportantforustobetogetherincommunity,toorganizeourselvesandourcampusandtomakeourvoicesevenstrongerinsupportofmigrantsandrefugeesastheU.S.AdministrationreleasesExecutiveOrdersandpoliciesthatarenotinlinewithourCatholicandAmericanvaluesofthesacrednessanddignityofhumanlife.WeknowthatthoseseekingrefugeintheU.S.andelsewherearevictims,oftenofterrorism,violenceandpoverty,andthatourcountrywasfoundedasanationofimmigrantsandrefugees.Aswebeginthissolidarityvigil,werememberthatthroughoutScripture,Godhasgivenusexamplestofollow.Godstoodwithrefugees,eventothepointofbecomingarefugeehimself,inthepersonofJesus.Andsowepray…
InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit…
GodofourWanderingAncestors,LonghaveweknownThatyourheartiswiththerefugee:ThatyouwerebornintotimeInafamilyofrefugeesFleeingviolenceintheirhomeland,WhothengathereduptheirhungrychildAndfledintoaliencountry.Theircry,yourcry,resoundsthroughtheages:“Willyouletmein?”Giveusheartsthatbreakopen
Whenourbrothersandsistersturntouswiththatsamecry.
Thensurelyallthesethingswillfollow:Earswillnolongerturndeaftotheirvoices.Eyeswillseeamomentforgraceinsteadofathreat.Tongueswillnotbesilencedbutwillinsteadadvocate.Andhandswillreachout—workingforpeaceintheirhomelands,workingforjusticeinthelandswheretheyseeksafehaven.Lord,protectallrefugeesintheirtravels.MaytheyfindafriendinmeAndsomakemeworthyoftherefugeIhavefoundinyou.
Amen
Openingsong
CANTORTOLEAD:ComeandFillOurHearts,byJacquesBerthier,TaizéCommunity
https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696
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CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE2.
Gospelreading
READERONE:AreadingfromtheGospelofMatthew:
When[themagi]haddeparted,behold,theangeloftheLordappearedtoJosephinadreamandsaid,“Rise,takethechildandhismother,fleetoEgypt,andstaythereuntilItellyou.Herodisgoingtosearchforthechildtodestroyhim.”JosephroseandtookthechildandhismotherbynightanddepartedforEgypt…WhenHerodrealizedthathehadbeendeceivedbythemagi,hebecamefurious.HeorderedthemassacreofalltheboysinBethlehemanditsvicinitytwoyearsoldandunder,inaccordancewiththetimehehadascertainedfromthemagi.
TheGospeloftheLord,
RESPONSE:PraisetoYou,LordJesusChrist.
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CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE3
RefugeesinScripturereflection
LEADER:WewilllistennowtopassagesthroughoutScripturethatgiveveryclearinstructionsabouthowweshouldtreattherefugee—or“alien”or“stranger”—amongus.Afterapassageisread,wewillsaytogether:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
Note:Oneoptionistodividethepassagesamong7readersandinvitethemtositscatteredthroughoutthecongregationandstandtoreadtheirparts.
READERTWO:Youshallnotoppressaresidentalien;youwellknowhowitfeelstobeanalien,sinceyouwereoncealiensyourselvesinthelandofEgypt.(Exodus23:9)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Cursedbeanyonewhodeprivestheresidentalien,theorphanorthewidowofjustice!Andallthepeopleshallanswer,“Amen!”(Deuteronomy27:19)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Youshallhavebutonerule,foralienandnative-bornalike.I,theLORD,amyourGod.(Leviticus24:22)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Iwilldrawneartoyouforjudgment,andIwillbeswifttobearwitnessagainstsorcerers,adulterers,andperjurers,thosewhodeprivealaborerofwages,oppressawidoworanorphan,orturnasidearesident
alien,withoutfearingme,saystheLORDofhosts.(Malachi3:5)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Listentomyprayer,LORD,hearmycry;donotbedeaftomyweeping!ForIamwithyoulikeaforeigner,arefugee,likemyancestors.(Psalms39:13)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Sothenyouarenolongerstrangersandsojourners,butyouarefellowcitizenswiththeholyonesandmembersofthehouseholdofGod.(Ephesians2:19)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
READERTWO:Donotneglecthospitality,forthroughitsomehaveunknowinglyentertainedangels.(Hebrews13:2)
RESPONSE:Remember,youtoowereoncestrangersinthelandofEgypt.
LEADER:Werememberthejourneyofourancestorsinfaith,theIsraelites,whofledfromEgyptwithMosestoescapeslavery.GodstoodwiththeIsraelites,protectingthemfromPharaoh,andwhentheyfledEgypttheybecamestrangersinanewland.
GodidentifieswiththerefugeeevenmorestronglyinthestoryoftheHolyFamily.Jesus,theSonofGod,becamearefugeechildwhenMaryandJosephdepartedbynightwithhimandleftIsraelforEgypt.TheyescapedfromIsraeltoavoidthewrathofKingHerod,whoorderedthemassacreofallboys2yearsoldandyounger.Today,aswehearabouttherefugeeswhoarefleeingtheMiddleEast,letusrememberthestoryofthesedesperateparents,
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whofledwiththeirinfantchild,andwhatbelongingstheyhad,toseeksafety.
ThejourneyoftheIsraelitesfleeingEgypt,oftheHolyFamilyescapingHerod,andoftherefugeesleavingSyriatodaycanfeellikedistantstoriesthathavenobearingonourlives.Toenkindlesolidarityinourhearts,weneedtoremindourselvesconstantlythatthesestoriesarereal—thatmen,womenandchildrenwithnamesandlives,hopesandfears,aresufferingatthisverymoment.WewillnowlistentosomeoftheaccountsofrefugeeswhohavemadeittoEurope.Aswelisten,wepraythatGodwillopenourheartsandmoveustowardcompassionateaction.
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CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE4.
Sharingthestories
READERTHREE:TheBasheerfamilyfledSyriawhenabombdestroyedtheirhome.Luckily,KhaledBasheer,hiswife,andthreechildrensurvived.Twoofthemareshowninthisphoto.
“Canyoureallysaywewerelucky?”Khaledasks.“Wehadtoliveinatentinthesuburbsofourhometown,Aleppo,fromthenon—formorethan1year.Andwewerefrightenedeverysingleminute,everydayandeverynight.”
TheBasheersfearedmorebombattacks.Theyheardexplosionsandgunfirenearlyeveryday.“Wewerealsoveryfrightenedofanattackbythe[IslamicState].Weheardsuchhorriblestories[about]howcruellytheykillinnocentpeopleandrapewomenandyounggirls,”Khaledsays.
AtarefugeecampinSerbia,theyexpressedtheirhopetomakeittoGermany.“Daddypromisedwewillgetanicehomethere,”8-year-oldOmamasays.“Andhesaidtherewillbegoodpeoplethere.”
KhaledwasaconstructionworkerinSyria.Hesayshe’susedtoworkinghardandwantstodothatagaintoprovidethatnicehome.
Omamasometimestellsherfatherthatshefeelshomesick.Hisreply:“Howcanyoufeelhomesickwhenthereisnohomeanylonger?”
READERFOUR:TheSyriancivilwarhasledtothedisplacementofmorethan11millionpeopleoverthepast5years.That’smorethanhalfthecountry’spre-warpopulation.Andthatnumbercontinuestogroweveryday.
ThenumberofrefugeesandmigrantsinEuropesurpassed1millionasofDecember2015.
Refugeefamiliesneedfood,water,sanitation,protectionfromtheelementsandlegaladvice.
CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE5.READERFIVE:AbdalkarimZahraarrivedinSerbiaaftermakingthetreacherousjourneyfromTurkey,wherehehadspent2yearsafterfleeinghishomeinSyria.ThenationalarmyofBasharal-Assadwastryingtorecruithim.“Ideserted,”hesays.“I’masensitiveman.Icouldneverhurt,letalonekill,someone.”
ZahraworkedinashoerepairshopinTurkeyfor2years,thenheadedtoEuropeinsearchofabetterlife.
“Iwalkedsomanyroads,”hesays.“Icrossedsomanyrivers.Iwentoversomanyhillsandvalleys.Ilostmyhome,mybelongings,literallyeverything.”
Zahraisonly26,yethesaysheis“totallyfinished.”
HisjourneytookhimfromTurkeythroughGreeceandMacedoniatoSerbia.Smugglerstookallhismoney.HewaspushedintoanovercrowdedboattoreachGreece.HehasbeenkickedbyborderpoliceandhasstayedinthreedifferentcampsinSerbiaalone.
“CanIstillbecalledahuman?”heasks.
READERFOUR:SeventypercentofrefugeeswhofledtoEuropecamethroughGreecein2015.ThesearoutetakenbymostrefugeesfromTurkeytoGreeceisperilous.Yetrefugeescontinueriskingtheirlivestoreachsafehavens.Some2,000SyriansdrownedintheMediterraneanattemptingtoreachEuropeanshores.Othershavebecomevictimsoftrafficking,aresubjectedtoabuseenroute,orboth.Somespendtheirlifesavingsortakeonmassivedebtforanewstart.
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CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE6.READERSIX:Malak,ayoungSyrianwomanwhofledherhomeinAleppoacoupleofyearsago,hasbeenworkingasateacherinTurkey.
“Itwasalwaysmydreamtobeateacher,”shesays.“But,thisdreamistobewithchildrenbackinAleppo.”
Instead,sheisteachingSyrianchildrenwho,likeher,havelosttheirhomesandarelivingasrefugees.Manyaretraumatizedbytheviolencethey’vewitnessed.
“Atfirstthechildrenwouldsitbythemselves,alone,inacorner,”Malaksays.“Now,theyarenolongerscreamingorshouting[infear].”“Atfirst,everysinglechildwoulddrawplanesorgunsortanks,”shesays.“Wewanttogivethesechildrenspacetomoveandfeelfree.”
OneoftheactivitiesMalakdoeswithherstudentsistostartastoryandthenletthechildrencontinueit,eachaddingsomething.
“Theylovetocreateastorywithahappyending,”shesays.
READERFOUR:Halfofthe65millionpeopledisplacedgloballytodayarechildren,andthis“lostgeneration”couldspendtheirentirechildhoodwithoutaplacetocallhome.ManySyrianrefugeechildrenaredealingwiththeimpactsofdistress,traumaandgrief.
Educationisalsoanurgentneed.Ithelpsgivekidsasenseofnormalcyandroutine.Plus,thelongerachildisoutofschool,thelesslikelyheorsheistoeverreturn.
Butgoingbacktoschoolisachallenge.Asrefugees,childrenfacelanguagebarriersandlongdistancesfromgovernmentschools.Identitypapersareoftenneededtoenrollinschool,butmanyfamiliesfledSyriaata
moment’snotice,withouttimetograbtheirbelongings.
CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE7.
LEADER:Aswelistentothesestories,itiseasytofeelsimultaneouslymovedandoverwhelmed.Theneedsarevast:Wewanttohelp,butwheredowestart?
TheCatholicChurchintheUnitedStateshasbeenworkingtirelesslytohelptheBasheerfamily,Zahra,andMalak—andoveramillionotherrefugees.InEurope,wherethenumbersofrefugeeshavesurgedinthepastyear,CatholicReliefServicesisteamingwith10localpartnersinEuropetoprovidefoodandreliefassistance,aswellasshelter,sanitation,medicalcareandtranslationservices.CRSistheofficialinternationalhumanitarianorganizationoftheCatholicChurchintheUnitedStates.Withaccesstoalarge,committednetworkofthousandsofpeoplefromdifferentfaiths,CRSisabletorespondquicklyandadaptourresponsetotheneedsfacingrefugees.
WewillnowwatchashortvideothatoffersasnapshotoftheCatholicChurch’sresponsetotherefugeecrisisthroughCRS.
PLAYVIDEO:Miriam’sStory:FindingHopeinEducationonCRS’YouTubechannel,usingthelinkinPowerPointslide8.
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LetterwritingLEADER:PopeFrancishassaid,“Anauthenticfaith–whichisnevercomfortableorcompletelypersonal–alwaysinvolvesadeepdesiretochangetheworld,totransmitvalues,toleavethisearthsomehowbetterthatwefoundit…Ifindeed‘thejustorderingofsocietyandofthestateisacentralresponsibilityofpolitics,’theChurch‘cannotandmustnotremainonthesidelinesinthefightforjustice’”(EvangeliiGaudium,no.183).WecanputourfaithinactionandcareforrefugeesinourmidstbycontributingtotheworkoforganizationslikeCatholicReliefServices,byvolunteeringtosupportlocalagenciesthatassistrefugeesinourowncommunities,andbyusingourpowerthroughourdemocracy,whereourvoicematters.Wecanaskourgovernmenttodoallinitspowertohelporganizationsmeettheimmediateneedsofrefugeesandtoendtheviolencethatforcespeopletoflee.
[Ifyouarenotdoinghandwrittenlettersandareratherhavingfolksusetheirphonesforelectronicletters,pleaseadapttheinstructionsaccordingly.TheonlinelinkwilldirectpeopletoaletterthatwillgototheirSenators,theirRepresentativeandPresidentTrump.]
Therearethreelettersonyourseat:oneforeachofyoursenatorsandoneforyourrepresentative.We’reaskingCongresstodomoretohelprefugeesbyopposingproposedrestrictionsonrefugeeadmissionstotheU.S.ItasksCongressspecificallytoprotecttheU.S.Refugeeprogram,particularlytoadmitthe110,000refugeesscheduledtoarrivein2017andtocontinuetoallowSyrianrefugeesintoourcountry.OurmessagetoCongressalsoemphasizestheneedtoendtotheviolence,andtoencourageeffortstobuildinclusivesocietiesinSyriaandIraqthatwillprotecttherightsofallcitizens.
Itmakesadifferencewhenweliftupourvoicestogether,butit’salsoimportantthatyoupersonalizeyourmessagetoyourmembersofCongress.Iinviteyoutotakeafewmomentstoedittheletterbyaddingyourname,afewlinesaboutwhythisissueisimportanttoyou,andyoursignatureandhomemailingaddress.Pleasealsofillintheblanksaboutthisevent,notingthenameofourinstitution,yourrolehere,etc.Afteryousigntheletter,placeitinoneofthebaskets(atthefrontof/aroundthe)churchandtakealightedcandlebacktoyourseat.Pleasebeginsigningthelettersaswesingtogether.
Note:Pleaseadapttheseinstructionsasneeded.IfasmallgroupofpeopleishanddeliveringtheletterstolocalCongressionaloffices,besuretosharethatwiththegathering.Iffolksaresigningelectronicletters,justaskthemtocomeuptotakeacandleafterthey’vesigned,eventhoughtheywon’tbedroppinglettersoffintothebasket.IfyouareaskingparticipantstofindtheirmembersofCongress:CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE8.Directparticipantstousetheirsmartphonesorlaptops/tabletstoaccessthewebsiteontheslideandaskthemtoclickonthe“Find”buttontoentertheirZIPcodeandidentifytheirsenatorsandrepresentative.
CANTOR:Lead“ComeandFillOurHearts,”byJacquesBerthier,TaizéCommunity,duringlettersigning.
Onceeveryoneisholdingalightedcandle,dimthelights.
https://secure.crs.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=963&_ga=1.29090367.2063296771.1482266185https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696
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228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org©2016CatholicReliefServices.AllRightsReserved.
CUEPOWERPOINTSLIDE9
ClosingpetitionsandprayerSONG:OLord,HearMyPrayer,byJacquesBerthier,TaizéCommunity.Note:Theresponsetothepetitionswillbeledbyacantor.
LEADER:Thisroomisnowlitbyourcollectionofcandles.Whilenosinglecandlecouldofferenoughlightonitsown,theeffectofallofthelighttogetheristohelpilluminatethedarkness.Wekeepthisinmindaswecontinuetostandinsolidaritywithrefugees.Aswecloseoursolidarityvigil,wekeepourcandleslit,andweofferoneamplifiedprayerandsong.
READERSEVEN:Ourresponsetothepetitionswillbesung.Wesingtogether:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer,OLord,hearmyprayer.WhenIcall,answerme.OLord,hearmyprayer,OLord,hearmyprayer.Comeandlistentome.
READERSEVEN:Forrefugeesallovertheworld:thattheirimmediateneedsforfood,shelterandsafetywillbemetandthattheywillalsobegiventheopportunitytofindwork,puttheirchildreninschool,andforgeanewwayforward,wepray:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer…
READERSEVEN:ForanendtotheviolencecausedbyreligiousextremismintheMiddleEast,andthatthecountrieswreckedbywarwillbeabletorebuildapeacefulsociety,wepray:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer…
READERSEVEN:Forallthosepeoplewhohavediedcaughtinthecrossfireofwar,orontheirjourneyoutofSyriatoescapetheviolence,thattheymayrestinGod’seternallove,wepray:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer…
READERSEVEN:ThatworldleaderswillworktogethertohelpendtheviolenceintheMiddleEastandtoaddresstheneedsofthemen,women,andchildrenwhoarefloodingoutofSyriaandIraqintoothercountries,wepray:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer…
READERSEVEN:Forallofusgatheredhere,thatwewillcommittobuildingacultureofradicalhospitalitybyurgingourfamily,friendsandcommunitytoopenourheartsandourdoorstorefugeesinneed,wepray:
CANTOR/ALL:OLord,hearmyprayer…
READERSEVEN:Godofallpeople,throughouthistory,wehavewitnessedhowyourheartmoveswithcompassionforthestranger.Wepraythatwewillembracetherefugeeasyouhave,andthatwewillneverallowindifferenceorfeartoextinguishthelightoflove.Senduswithyourspiritaswegoouttobringyourcompassionatelovetoothers.Inyournamewepray,Amen.[Allextinguishcandles.]
https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4696
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TheHonorable____________________________UnitedStatesHouseofRepresentativesAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________________DearRepresentative________________________________,Mynameis________________________________andIamwritingtourgeyoutoprotecttheU.S.Refugeeprogram,particularlytoadmitthe110,000refugeesscheduledtoarrivein2017andtocontinueallowingSyrianadmissions.IstandwithCatholicReliefServicesandtheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopsinaskingyounottosuspendthearrivalofrefugeestotheUnitedStates,tonotstoptheadmissionofSyrianrefugees,tomaintainthecommitmenttoadmit110,000refugees,andtoconsultwithpeopleonthegroundregardinganypossiblysafehavensinSyriaortheregion.CatholicReliefServicesandtheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopshaveextensiveexperienceworkingwithrefugeesaroundtheworld,assistinginrefugeecampsandwelcomingthemintheUnitedStates.Refugeesarenottheperpetratorsofviolence.Theyareitsvictimsoftenatthehandsofthesameterroristsfromwhomwemustprotectourselves.Theyneedourhelp,notourhostility.CRSstaffmetafatherinSerbiawhoswamtoEuropewithhistwo-and-ahalf-yearyoungdaughterclingingtohisneck.AsCatholicsandChristians,wehaveamoralobligationtooffershelterandassistancetoourbrothersandsistersinChrist,toaffordthemrefuge.AsaCatholic,IsupportrefugeesbecauseofmyvaluesandagreewithPopeFrancis:"Theremustbenofamilywithoutahome,norefugeewithoutawelcome,nopersonwithoutdignity...."Aspeopleoffaithwemustactandsendapositivemessagetothosearoundtheworldwhoaresuffering.InMatthew25,Jesusisasked,"Whendidweseeyouastrangerandwelcomeyou?"Jesusreplied,"Amen,Isaytoyou,whateveryoudidforoneoftheseleastones,youdidforme."Iaskthatwefollowthisexampleandwelcomethestranger,notturnthemaway.TheU.S.governmenthasanobligationtoprotectthesecurityoftheAmericanpeople.Iwelcomeeffortstoensurevettingissecure,butbelievethiscanbeachievedwithoutsuspendingandcuttingadmissionsandwithoutbarringwholenationalities.Withmorethan21millionrefugeesaroundtheglobe,nowisnotthetimefortheUnitedStatestoretreatfromourgloballeadershiptoprotectandwelcomerefugees.
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228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org©2016CatholicReliefServices.AllRightsReserved.
Thankyouforyourconsiderationofmyconcernsforrefugeefamilies.Asa___________________at
___________________,Iamlearningaboutthisissueandhowtohelpourbrothersandsistersinneed.
On____/____/____wehostedasolidarityvigilformembersofourcommunitytopray,learnabout
andadvocateonbehalfoftherefugeecrisis.
Icareaboutthisissuepersonallybecause
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Ournationhasanincredibleopportunitytodowhatisrightandmerciful.Again,Iaskyoutodoeverythingyoucanto:-stopissuanceoftheproposedexecutiveorder;-notsuspendrefugeeadmissionstotheUnitedStates;-notreducerefugeeadmissionsforFiscalYear2017from110,000to50,000;and-ensureconsultationwithstakeholders,includinghumanitarianorganizations,beforeimplementinganysafehavensinSyriaandtheregion.Thankyouforhearingmyconcerns.Sincerely,________________________________Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________
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228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org
TheHonorable____________________________UnitedStatesSenateAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________________DearSenator________________________________,Mynameis________________________________andIamwritingtourgeyoutoprotecttheU.S.Refugeeprogram,particularlytoadmitthe110,000refugeesscheduledtoarrivein2017andtocontinueallowingSyrianadmissions.IstandwithCatholicReliefServicesandtheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopsinaskingyounottosuspendthearrivalofrefugeestotheUnitedStates,tonotstoptheadmissionofSyrianrefugees,tomaintainthecommitmenttoadmit110,000refugees,andtoconsultwithpeopleonthegroundregardinganypossiblysafehavensinSyriaortheregion.CatholicReliefServicesandtheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopshaveextensiveexperienceworkingwithrefugeesaroundtheworld,assistinginrefugeecampsandwelcomingthemintheUnitedStates.Refugeesarenottheperpetratorsofviolence.Theyareitsvictimsoftenatthehandsofthesameterroristsfromwhomwemustprotectourselves.Theyneedourhelp,notourhostility.CRSstaffmetafatherinSerbiawhoswamtoEuropewithhistwo-and-ahalf-yearyoungdaughterclingingtohisneck.AsCatholicsandChristians,wehaveamoralobligationtooffershelterandassistancetoourbrothersandsistersinChrist,toaffordthemrefuge.AsaCatholic,IsupportrefugeesbecauseofmyvaluesandagreewithPopeFrancis:"Theremustbenofamilywithoutahome,norefugeewithoutawelcome,nopersonwithoutdignity...."Aspeopleoffaithwemustactandsendapositivemessagetothosearoundtheworldwhoaresuffering.InMatthew25,Jesusisasked,"Whendidweseeyouastrangerandwelcomeyou?"Jesusreplied,"Amen,Isaytoyou,whateveryoudidforoneoftheseleastones,youdidforme."Iaskthatwefollowthisexampleandwelcomethestranger,notturnthemaway.TheU.S.governmenthasanobligationtoprotectthesecurityoftheAmericanpeople.Iwelcomeeffortstoensurevettingissecure,butbelievethiscanbeachievedwithoutsuspendingandcuttingadmissionsandwithoutbarringwholenationalities.Withmorethan21millionrefugeesaroundtheglobe,nowisnotthetimefortheUnitedStatestoretreatfromourgloballeadershiptoprotectandwelcomerefugees.
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228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org©2016CatholicReliefServices.AllRightsReserved.
Thankyouforyourconsiderationofmyconcernsforrefugeefamilies.Asa___________________at
___________________,Iamlearningaboutthisissueandhowtohelpourbrothersandsistersinneed.
On____/____/____wehostedasolidarityvigilformembersofourcommunitytopray,learnabout
andadvocateonbehalfoftherefugeecrisis.
Icareaboutthisissuepersonallybecause
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Ournationhasanincredibleopportunitytodowhatisrightandmerciful.Again,Iaskyoutodoeverythingyoucanto:-stopissuanceoftheproposedexecutiveorder;-notsuspendrefugeeadmissionstotheUnitedStates;-notreducerefugeeadmissionsforFiscalYear2017from110,000to50,000;and-ensureconsultationwithstakeholders,includinghumanitarianorganizations,beforeimplementinganysafehavensinSyriaandtheregion.Thankyouforhearingmyconcerns.Sincerely,________________________________Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________
4800201448002016
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