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In Memoriam
Most Reverend Raymond James Boland
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It is with sadness that we report that Bishop Raymond Boland, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph and Episcopal Liaison to the Irish Apostolate USA died in Cork, Ireland on February 27, 2014.
Bishop Boland was in hospice care and was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Messages of condolences can be sent to:
Family of Bishop Raymond Boland
c/o Tony Boland
Barry's Place
Kinsale, County Cork
Ireland
Appointed by the USCCB Committee on Migration as the Episcopal Liaison to the Irish Apostolate, Bishop Boland enthusiastically filled his role and supported the chaplains, staff and volunteers at the Irish Immigration Pastoral Centers and Outreach Networks. Even after his retirement, Bishop Boland would travel to Ocean City, Maryland to connect with the Irish J-1 students visiting in the area.
A Funeral Mass will take place in Ireland on March 4th and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Kansas City at a later date.
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Hibernian Irish American Heritage Month / Immigration Lapel Pin
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 Following unanimous consent from the National Board, The AOH National Immigration Committee have a new Initiative to promote the Irish Perspective on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and highlight March as Irish American Heritage Month.
Starting in March 2014, they will ask Congress to recognize the important historical role of the Irish throughout US history, and show its commitment to Comprehensive Immigration Reform by wearing an Irish American Heritage Month/Immigration Lapel Pin.
The pins will be presented to members of Congress along with a card stating:
"In March, designated Irish-American Heritage Month since 1991, we honor the vast contributions and sacrifice of Irish immigrants and their descendants to our Nation since its inception. Today, Irish men and women seek legal means to carry on that tradition, to live and work here, to share their technical expertise and rich culture, and as those who came before, freshen American diversity.
Please wear this pin to demonstrate appreciation for the Irish contributions to these United States and support those who still aspire to make America their home."
The limited edition lapel pins can be purchased for $5 each.
Place your Order and payment by mailing:
Dan Dennehy AOH Immigration
22 Andre Lane, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
Make check to: AOH National Board |
MAKE IMMIGRATION REFORM YOUR
LENTEN PROMISE
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The Fast for Families: A Call for Immigration Reform & Citizenship began with a tent stationed on the National Mall, in the shadow of the Capitol building. For one month, people of faith from across the country joined core fasters in prayer, fasting, and solidarity with our migrant sisters and brothers to call on Congress to pass immigration reform with a path to citizenship. Starting February 24, the Fast for Families took to the road to travel across the country to amplify the call. We encourage you to visit www.fast4families.org to see if they will be coming to a town near you.
The JFI team in collaboration with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition developed a Lenten calendar where people of faith can pray each day for a Member of Congress to encourage them to be supportive of immigration reform.
Also, join people of faith each Wednesday during Lent in a solidarity fast with all the supporters of Fast for Famliies.
You can find a copy of the Lenten Calendar here.
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National Migration Conference 2014
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The 2014 National Migration Conference (NMC) is a gathering hosted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/ MRS), the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). The National Migration Conference is intended to build the capacity of the Catholic Church and society to advance the life and dignity of the human person in our work with immigrants, migrants, refugees, unaccompanied migrant children, victims of human trafficking, and other vulnerable people on the move.
There is a possibility that might immigration reform legislation be in play in the House of Representatives THIS summer. The activity in the House could occur sometime around early July.
Given that, please consider attending the 2014 National Migration conference in Washington, DC on July 7-10.
An advocacy day will take place during the conference and your participation can make the difference in the passage of immigration reform legislation.
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"Fast for Families Across America" Kicks Off Nationwide Tour for Immigration Reform, Will Visit 75+ Congressional Districts on 14k Mile Tour
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On February 24th, on the steps of the City Hall in Los Angeles, hundreds of people of faith, immigrant rights leaders and Congresswoman Judy Chu, joined together to launch the "Fast for Families Across America" tour. The two-bus, nationwide tour will make seven of its more than 75 district visits in California this week and hold daily press events, prayer vigils and community meetings to mobilize constituents and underscore the moral urgency for Congress to pass commonsense immigration reform this year.
"The question has never been if we'll win immigration reform, the question is 'when,'" stated Eliseo Medina, former Secretary-Treasurer at SEIU and current Chair of the Immigrant Justice Campaign. "And we're taking that question, and plenty more, to every stop in our journey into more than 75 congressional districts because the answer to that question should be and will be 'now.' Congress can no longer ignore the inhumanity of our immigration system and the voices of hope and faith within their own backyards."
"Fast for Families" reignited the immigration debate last November when Eliseo Medina (SEIU), Dae Joong "DJ" Yoon (NAKASEC), Rudy Lopez (FIRM) and Cristian Avila (Mi Familia Vota) -abstained from all food, except water for 22 days in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall.
Joined by faith, labor and immigrant rights leaders and thousands across the country who fasted in solidarity, the movement drew national attention, including the support of President Obama, both Republican and Democratic Members of Congress - several of whom fasted - and national civil rights leaders.
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Toolkit for Nationalization Workshops
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CLINIC is pleased to announce its newly updated Toolkit for Naturalization Workshops. The workshop is an essential tool for efficiently and effectively providing naturalization assistance to large numbers of people. The success of the workshop model depends on careful planning, thorough training of staff and volunteers, and high quality services. The purpose of this toolkit is to help charitable immigration programs achieve a successful workshop. The updated version contains a number of new resources, including a compilation of best practices and innovations for workshops; additional webinar trainings related to workshops; updated sample forms collected from local service providers; and a link to the previous version of the Form N-400, which will be accepted by USCIS until May 5, 2014. This toolkit is a free resource available on the CLINIC website.
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CNN Poll: Pathway to citizenship trumps boarder security
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According to the poll, 54% say the top priority for the government in dealing with the issue of illegal immigration should be developing a plan that would allow undocumented immigrants with jobs to eventually become legal U.S. residents. Just over four in ten questioned say the main focus should be developing a plan for stopping the flow of undocumented immigrants into the U.S. and for deporting those already here.
"The Republicans' insistence that border security be the primary focus of U.S. immigration policy may have been a popular stand in 2011, but not necessarily in 2014," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
"American attitudes toward undocumented immigrants have changed. Starting in 2012, most Americans have said that the government's focus should be on a plan that would allow those immigrants to become legal U.S. residents. A majority has consistently taken that position since that time - 56% in 2012, 53% in 2013, and 54% in the current poll," added Holland.
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Join the Justice for Immigrants Campaign | | The Justice for Immigrants Campaign continues to build its grassroots support for comprehensive immigration reform.
If you want to be notified of immigration legislation updates , NOW is the time to join the JFI Action Alert list. Sign up at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org |
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The Irish Apostolate USA is the umbrella organization for the Irish Immigration Pastoral and Outreach Centers in the United States, under the direction of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants.
Please visit our website for more information: Geri Garvey, Administrator
Irish Apostolate USA
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