Good News from the MISSIONS OFFICE - Archdiocese of Seattle

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Good News from the Missions OfficeJanuary 2014 – Page FourThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors National Migration Week observance everyJanuary (Jan 5-11 in 2014). See page two for information. Below is the prayer for 2014.A Prayer for MigrantsMerciful and loving Father,you provided for your people Israel in their exodusslaverya promised land that you established for them,and in Jesus Christ you provide welcome refuge for allin need.We ask for your divine protection for all migrantswho have left their homes in search of newopportunity in another land.For refugees, who are forced from their homes due tothreats of violence,we beseech you to provide them a safe haven.For migrants trafficked into slavery,grant them rescue, healing, and the strength tostart again.For immigrants, who so often leave their family andfriends behind,grant them a better lifeand greater opportunityelsewhere.We pray in particularfor your protection overmigrantchildren who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuseat the hands of others.We implore you to grant all migrants your protectionand lead them to a place of safety.Be with all those in need with your power to save.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of theHoly Spirit,one God, forever and ever.Amen.Acts of Solidarity“The Church has realized that the need toheed this plea [the cry of the poor] is itselfborn of the liberating action of grace withineach of us, and thus it is not a question of amission reserved only to a few: ‘The Church,guided by the Gospel of mercy and bylove for mankind, hears the cry for justiceand intends to respond to it with all her might.’ (Instructionon Christian Freedom and Liberation) In this context we canunderstand Jesus’ command to his disciples: ‘You yourselves givethem something to eat!’ (Mk 6:37): it means working to eliminatethe structural causes of poverty and to promote the integraldevelopment of the poor, as well as small daily acts of solidarityin meeting the real needs which we encounter. The word“solidarity” is a little worn and at times poorly understood, but itrefers to something more than a few sporadic acts of generosity.It presumes the creation of a new mindset which thinks interms of community and the priority of the life of all over theappropriation of goods by a few.— Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel, #188.An action item: For Poverty Awareness Month in January, use anew calendar from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, withdaily suggestions for reflection, learning and action about poverty.Re-post the daily suggestions on social media to help get the wordout about poverty and its root causes. Visit www.povertyusa.org.© Daniel W. Erlander; www.danielerlander.com.
Good News from the Missions OfficeWORLD DAY OF PEACE 2014ENCOUNTERING THE “OTHER”,BUILDING PEACEJanuary 2014 – Page FiveThis resource (adapted by the Missions Office) summarizes Pope Francis’ 2014 World Day of Peace message abouttrue “encounter” with our brothers and sisters affected by poverty and injustice in order to build peace. It is availableas a handout/bulletin insert for reflection on ways we are called to “encounter” others as peacemakers, and isdownloadable from the Missions Office at www.seattlearchdiocese.org/missions through the end of January, and in itsoriginal form at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/war-and-peace/world-day-of-peace.cfm.Who is the “other” that Christ calls you to “encounter”in this new year?In his 2014 Message for the World Day of Peace (January1), Pope Francis urges us to open our hearts in a new wayto those brothers and sisters affected by poverty, hunger,underdevelopment, conflicts, migrations, pollution,inequalities, and injustice. When we break free fromindifference and see ourselves as members of one humanfamily, we can truly “encounter” one another and build peace.Here are some questions for prayerful reflection based onPope Francis’ message, entitled “Fraternity, the Foundationand Pathway to Peace.”Pope Francis writes that our self-centered, “throwawayculture” can cause us to fail to see those who suffer as humanbeings created in God’s image. What is your reaction whenyou hear about injustice? What can help us to see the one whosuffers as a brother or sister – not as a statistic?Instead, Pope Francis urges a “culture of encounter” basedon relationship and solidarity, so that we can love those whosuffer with the heart of Christ. With whom do you need todevelop a sense of solidarity?Pope Francis criticizes treating those who are poor and needyas burdens or as passive recipients of charity. Instead, theyshould be invited to the table so they can be “protagonists” ofintegral and inclusive development. What is your perspectivetowards those who are poor and vulnerable? How are youworking to “invite these brothers and sisters to the table”?Pope Francis’ message is the most recent in a long historyof messages for the World Day of Peace beginning withPope Paul VI in 1968. Visit the USCCB website for a linkto the 2014 World Day of Peace message and supplementalresources: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-anddignity/war-and-peace/world-day-of-peace.cfm.YOU CAN BE A PEACEMAKER.4 WAYS YOU CAN “ENCOUNTER THE OTHER”1. Pray for the courage to “overcome indifference” towardsyour brothers and sisters in need. Use the prayers belowin your daily prayer, at the dinner table, or as part ofgeneral intercessions at Mass. Ask yourself: How does thePrince of Peace call me to encounter the “other” in mychurch, neighborhood, and the global human family?2. Visit www.confrontglobalpoverty.org andwww.PovertyUSA.org to hear the stories of those inpoverty and how the church is responding.3. Go out and encounter your neighbor! Contact CatholicCampaign for Human Development or Catholic ReliefServices to explore opportunities to encounter yourneighbors locally and globally. (Seattle archdiocesanrepresentative for CRS and CCHD: Missions Office;www.seattlearchdiocese.org/missions; 206.382.4580.)There are more opportunities at an even more locallevel (e.g. Catholic Community Services, CatholicHousing Services, St. Vincent de Paul Society, etc.)4. Take Action. Advocate for and with those in poverty bytaking part in Action Alerts (go to above websites) onissues of life and dignity that impact those who arevulnerable in the U.S. and around the world.That we will overcome indifference and see all who suffer asbrothers and sisters. We pray to the Lord…That our governments and leaders will respond with wisdomto the current crises in Syria, central Africa, and the HolyLand. We pray to the Lord…PRAYERS FOR PEACEThat we may see with new eyes and encounter the “other,”including immigrants and persons in poverty, in our localcommunities. We pray to the Lord…That we will work to ensure that those in need have a place atthe table as protagonists of their own development. We pray tothe Lord…
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