Do not forward this message using your email program's forward feature.  If you do, you risk being inadvertently unsubscribed from our mailing list. Instead use this link Activity Update: Immigration - February 2010 Prospects for Immigration Reform in 2010 FAN an ember to burn brighter hope , over the last several months there has been a great deal of activity in local areas and in Washington, DC attempting to make the promise of humane, sustainable and comprehensive immigration reform a reality.  Where do we stand in February 2010? We will make no bones about it; the passage will be very difficult to achieve in 2010.  The Congress seems afraid to act on controversial issues (and let's be honest, immigration reform is one of the most controversial in our communities).  At the same time, there is some significant activity that has developed in the Senate and House of Representatives over the past few weeks.  As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted people, we are famous for taking on seemingly "foolish" enterprises. Our stance is rooted in a firm commitment to the Gospels and a deep-seeded love for humans on the margins of society - a place where immigrant persons are certainly found. We also have a great ability to use these two facets of our spirituality to build on even the slightest of hope. So our commitment to support and work for justice to be attained by our immigrant brothers and sisters is not based in the political realities of our time.  However, we are also people of reason, and we need glimmers to know where to direct our energies. As mentioned, there are some potentially good pieces of legislation developing in the House and Senate.  If these are going to have any possibilities of moving beyond a good idea, then a visible level of support for comprehensive immigration reform must be evident. In other words, if we do nothing, then nothing will happen to support our immigrant brothers and sisters. The next few months will be critical for this action to occur if there will be any possibility of comprehensive immigration reform. So what can we do?   Did someone forward this message to you? If you like what you see, click below to be added to our mailing list and receive updates like this directly to your inbox! We need your help to prepare for key educational and civic engagement activities around immigration issues in 2010! Additional FAN Immigration Resources Video: A Franciscan Perspective on Immigration JustFaith Program Immigration Supplement Read local immigration stories of hope & share yours with all of FAN! Attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC March 19-22, 2010   This year's title and theme is A Place to Call Home: Immigration, Migration & Displaced Persons.  Visiting the Washington, DC Offices of your Senators and Representative in person is the most effective grassroots advocacy action that we can do.  In addition to the efforts to affect legislation, EAD is a wonderful opportunity for prayer, networking and skills development.  What's more, it is just plain FUN! Read about and view a slideshow from last year's EAD on care for creation. FAN will have its own session on Saturday afternoon.  During this time we will explore the migration element related to Human Trafficking. (At least one workshop on Human Trafficking is also scheduled in the formal EAD program.) We will share where our communities have been, as well as possibilities for action on behalf of those who are trafficked. We also will have time to share some of our own advocacy and action plans with the Action Center staff. The early registration discount deadline for Ecumenical Advocacy Days is later this month, so please register today.   Send a message to your Members of Congress inviting them to take action. FAN is supporting the U.S. Catholic Bishop's effort through Justice for Immigrants to send postcards to Congress.  These postcards can be used in two ways.  1) You can send one electronically through the FAN website and invite others in your communities to do the same.  Send an electronic postcard here. 2) You can order paper postcards to get signatures from persons in your ministries and mail them to Congress (or better yet personally deliver them when you visit them while participating in Ecumenical Advocacy Days.) To place an order, send an email to Anthony Cube of Justice for Immigrants requesting the number of cards desired and the address where they should be sent.   Hold a Prayer Vigil in support of immigration reform FAN Interim Executive Director, Rev. Larry Janezic, OFM, participates in an interfaith immigration prayer service in 2008.  Download this sample Franciscan Vigil Service for Immigrants, developed by Franciscans in Indiana to get started!   If you hold a prayer vigil, please take pictures and do a short write-up for us to share with others through the FAN website. You may send these contributions to immigration@franciscanaction.org Host educational and formational events on immigration Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted at an immigration conference held in Illinois in March 2009. There are a variety of educational resources available on the FAN website and the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants website to help your community and the persons with whom you minister further develop the Franciscan spiritual foundations for immigration reform. Thanks for your support of persons who are immigrants.  If you have other resources that could help our Franciscan communities with this issue, please do not hesitate to send them to us. Peace and All Good, The FAN Action Center Staff FIND FAN ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES!