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2 Years Later, Immigrants Are Still Waiting on Immigration Reform
Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Executive Action on Immigration
The Migrant Pope
America
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Irish J1 Berkeley Tragedy Fund
| | Early in the morning on June 16, 2015, several Irish J1 students in Berkeley, Calif., were involved in a balcony collapse which resulted in six fatalities and seven serious injuries.
An account has been established to raise funds for the students affected by this tragedy and their families.
Your tax-deductable donations will be used to support and assist the immediate needs of the families and students in Berkeley. The fund is being administered by the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center in San Francisco The IIPC is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization assisting Irish immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Please keep the victims, their families, friends and all involved in your thoughts and prayers.
To donate, go to:
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Irish Outreach Ocean City Holds Memorial Mass for Irish J-1 Students
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On June 29th, organized by the Irish Outreach Ocean City and the local Irish community, a Memorial Mass was held at Holy Savior Catholic Church for the victims of the Berkeley tragedy. Pat and Rick Fairbend, coordinators, sent notice via social media and word of mouth to the Irish J-1 students working this summer in Ocean City. Many AOH/LAOH members, who also volunteer at the Center, attended the Mass with many of the Irish students.
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Pat and Rick Fairbend with local Irish
J-1 students
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AOH/LAOH Members and J-1 students at Memorial Mass
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Eamon Saunders represented the Embassy of Ireland and Geri Garvey represented the Irish Apostolate USA at the Mass.
The Irish Outreach OC is generously supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Programme and the Irish Bishops Conference, as well as by donations from the AOH and LAOH divisions and others.
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Moving Forward:
Immigration in 2016 and Beyond
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JOIN the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Justice for Immigrants at the upcoming National Convening:
Wednesday - Friday, November 11-13, 2015
Four Points Sheraton Hotel at O'Hare Airport
Chicago, Illinois
Conference begins at 4 pm on November 11 and concludes at noon on February 13.
Keynote address: Archbishop Blase Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago
Conference costs:
$250/double (shared) room; $350/single room - prices include two nights lodging, all meals, conference materials, reception, shuttle to/from O'Hare.
$150 for local attendees (not needing lodging); $75 for one day attendance Includes meals, conference materials, reception and free hotel parking.
Topics to be addressed:
Prospects for federal immigration reform/Executive Action
Immigrant detention and alternatives to detention
Strategic planning for 2016 and beyond
Parish organizing and advocacy for immigrants and pro-reform policies
Communication and messaging
Immigrant integration
Pastoral approaches to immigrant communities.
For more information, contact
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Bishop John Kirby's address at the Irish launch of
Welcoming the Stranger - Irish Migrant Welfare in Britain since 1957
by Patricia Kennedy
St Laurence's, DIT Campus, Grangegorman, Dublin
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Welcoming the Stranger is not merely a book about the past. It speaks also to the present and points us to the future. It highlights the importance of supporting our emigrants and providing assistance to them when in difficulty.
If evidence of this were needed, we have only to remind ourselves of the recent and unimaginable suffering of the families and friends of those who perished and were injured in the awful tragedy in Berkeley, California. It is my fervent hope that the pain they continue to endure may be salved - even slightly - by the solidarity, support and prayers of the global Irish community. To this end I encourage everyone to continue to remember in their prayers those who have died and those who were injured in Berkeley and their families.
I also wish to commend all those who have provided comfort and support to the families, friends, fellow J1 students and indeed, anyone, affected by this tragic event. The Irish Immigration Pastoral Centre in San Francisco has been at the forefront in providing support and practical assistance, in conjunction with the Irish Consulate, Aer Lingus and many others. The importance of such pastoral centres - in times of crisis and otherwise - cannot be overstated. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the bishops of Ireland, I wish this evening to sincerely thank Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and their staff for the tremendous support provided to the families and friends of the bereaved and injured. The work undertaken in doing so has been nothing short of heroic. It epitomises a true pastoral outreach and all that is best in who we are as Irish people.
Similarly, the importance of and the generosity from, our diaspora, was once again made manifest in Berkeley. One could not but be struck by the scenes of hundreds of young people holding a prayerful vigil for their friends and fellow J1 students. When they prayed - we prayed with them. Let us continue to do so and remember them now in a quiet moment of prayerful silence.
To read the entire address, go to: IAUSA website.
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Join the Justice for Immigrants Campaign
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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:
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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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