Transcript
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    “Remember, You Too Were Once Strangers”

    ASOLIDARITYVIGILFORREFUGEESNOTES

    • AdaptedtorespondtorecentU.S.Administrationexecutiveordersandpolicychangesaffectingmigrantsandrefugees.TheadvocacyaskandsomeofthetalkingpointsareupdatedfromtheoriginalversionofthisSolidarityVigilreleasedFall2016.

    • PleasefeelfreetousethisVigilresourceinitsentirety,oryoucanalsoadaptit,reviseit,orshortenittofitintoanothereventorspecifictimeframe.

    [email protected].

    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:[email protected]://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

  • 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

  • 228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org

    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.

  • 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:_____________________________________________________________________________________

  • 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.

  • 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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