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In the Bronx, Catholic Charities found “Room in the Inn.”
On Tuesday evening, when the first two families separated at the border were reunited in New York, I, along with a few other Catholic Charities staff welcomed them to the warmth and safety of one of our agencies in the Bronx. One was a dad from Guatemala, Adan, and his four-year-old son Juan. The other, Javier from Honduras with his son, William, also four. We ate a simple meal together in a family-like dining room. We prayed the Our Father together. One of our staff lent the dads her cell phone to contact their families back home to let them know they were safe and back together. Their rooms were…
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DACA Call In Day: February 26
About 800,000 young Americans brought to United States by their parents as children now face a crisis. Since 2012, Catholic Charities has been assisting these DREAMERS in many ways. We have directly helped more than 800 DREAMERS to get authorization to work productively, go to college, avoid deportation, maintain family unity, and remain in the United States. I have personally worked alongside these DREAMERS and seen firsthand their industriousness. They are extremely anxious about the upcoming March 5 deadline imposed by President Trump to end this program. We read and hear in the media that Congress has become paralyzed in dealing with this issue. I share with you information from…
- Commentary, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Holidays and Holy Days, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
This July 4th Weekend: Pledge Allegiance to One Another
The following message was sent to our Catholic Charities network for the 4th of July weekend. Allow me a word of appreciation and thanks for all you do to make our world a better place – each, in your own way, as trustee, staff, volunteer, donor, or friend. I attach my own picture of the Capitol of the United States from the visit I made two days ago with Catholic Charities people from throughout NYS to visit with members of Congress and convey to them the need to enact policies and budgets that give due consideration to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Included among our discussions were Catholic…
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Conversation Starters For a President Abroad
Embed from Getty Images President Trump’s first foreign trip at the end of May was announced just after he signed the Religious freedom executive order. Ironically, three places he will visit – Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome – are major hubs for the three great religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Saudi Arabia, according to official statistics, is close to 100% Muslim, predominantly Sunni. Israel was established as a Jewish state this week in 1948. Rome has been a center of Christianity since Peter and Paul journeyed there in the first century and, subsequently, the Bishop of Rome was designated the Pope. As Citizen Sullivan, I suggest one topic for…
- Commentary, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
Diversity Reigns
Catholic Charities is a the center of building a more just and compassionate society. We engage in a wide range of activities and interact with many different people. Here’s a collage for this week – Twelve consul generals from Latin American countries meet at the Catholic Charities Community Services Immigration and Refugee Resettlement offices. (Top Left) Evi Siskos from Telemundo was the MC for Astors Services Junior Gala at the Supreme Courthouse in lower Manhattan. (Top Right) Zoe Saldana was taping her guest satellite radio appearance in the same Sirius studios that JustLove was taping. Here’s a picture of her as she was leaving. (Bottom Left) Two talented Catholic Charities immigration attorneys from our expert legal team. (Bottom Middle) On…
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Catholic Charities of Indianapolis Provides Help to Syrian Refugee Family
View image | gettyimages.com Allow me to express solidarity with Catholic Charities of Indianapolis and their careful, compassionate and steadfast decision to resettle one Syrian refugee family despite opposition by the Governor of Indiana. See story
- Commentary, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
Affordable Housing Needs the Catholic Community’s Continuing Partnership
The topic of housing was covered extensively in the media this past week. The focus has been the announcement of New York City’s plan to build or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing. For those who work with low-income individuals and families, there is perhaps no more pressing need. Families have the most difficult time finding decent housing they can afford. Too many families are forced to make choices among essentials – food, rent, or medicine. It was also good that the work of the Catholic Church over the past four decades in building and constructing affordable housing was recognized. Of the many positive things the Church has done to help…
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Religious Freedom – Not to Be Taken for Granted
Yesterday, President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of deliberations on matters related to religious freedom and expression. Three things in particular caught my attention: It was a national prayer breakfast. The President quoted Pope Francis and spoke about his upcoming meeting with him. The issue of religious persecution was discussed by the President. A number of years ago, I participated in testimony before a congressional committee considering legislation that would include monitoring violations of religious freedoms as part of a broader focus on international human rights violations. This legislation passed and now there are regular…
