‘Go and do likewise’

Each year in early January, we celebrate National Migration Week (Jan. 5-11), established nearly a half-century ago by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to call attention to circumstances confronting migrants and to highlight the church’s teaching on migration.

At its heart, the church’s teaching on migration is rooted in the belief that all people are made in the image and likeness of God and deserve to be treated in a way that protects their essential human dignity. Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) to illustrate that we are to love and help our neighbors, even if those “neighbors” are strangers to us. 

A neighbor is not only the person close by, but anyone in the human family. The Samaritan mercifully helped the Jewish man whose life was in danger, even though he was a foreigner, of a different religion and even considered an enemy. As disciples of Christ, we are to “go and do likewise,” emulating the Good Samaritan, welcoming the stranger, caring for the vulnerable, and protecting human life and human dignity. 

Immigrants and refugees coming to America can be some of the most vulnerable “neighbors” in our midst. They have often experienced extreme trauma and are fleeing violence, persecution, war, hunger and poverty. In fact, their need for survival is so great that many migrants take the courageous step to flee their homeland, despite exposing themselves to perilous living conditions, and sometimes falling prey to human trafficking, drug cartels and smugglers engaged in violence and extortion in order to find safety, protection and employment in the United States.

We as Christians and Americans offer solidarity and hospitality to those who are forced to take such drastic steps in order to preserve their human dignity and human rights. We speak up against immigrant exclusion from basic rights such as work, higher education and health services coverage.

Catholic Charities is honored to be a part of the church’s long tradition of responding to the needs of immigrants and refugees and helping integrate them into American culture. Throughout our 100-year history, the staff of Catholic Charities has worked hand-in-hand with our board members, volunteers, parishioners and donors to “go and do likewise,” welcoming immigrants and resettling refugees from around the world. 

Some of the specific services Catholic Charities provides include helping immigrants obtain legal documentation for family reunification, employment authorization and citizenship; providing specialized services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence; resettling refugees who have undergone an extensive vetting process; operating LOOM, a social enterprise that gives refugees a place to make and sell traditional craft products from their homelands; providing educational workshops on recent immigration rule changes; and serving thousands of immigrants throughout our social service, nutrition, health and employment programs. Services are provided in a compassionate and culturally competent manner, respecting the unique strengths and circumstance of each person. 

No matter what service we provide, Catholic Charities is truly blessed to witness the tremendous courage and work ethic of our neighbors from near and far who enrich our community and make us a stronger nation. We’ve seen thousands of families utilize our services for a brief time and then become full participants in American society, greatly contributing to the country economically, socially and spiritually. The descendants of many families that we helped decades ago are now our trusted board members, donors and volunteers, and each day we are overwhelmed by the generosity of new Good Samaritans who continue the tradition of giving back. 

During Migration Week and indeed every day throughout the year, let us remember that as children of God, we remain part of the human family and are called to “go and do likewise,” lifting up our brothers and sisters from all parts of the globe and living in solidarity with one another.