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October 2015
Local News
Catholics wrestle with immigration issues
FAIRFIELD—The world is facing its worse refugee crisis since the end of World War II, Father Rick Ryscavage, SJ, said at the Annual Red Mass and Breakfast held at Fairfield University. Father Ryscavage, a nationally known expert on immigration and refugee policy and director of the Center for Faith and Public Life at Fairfield University, began his talk by noting that the immigration debate in the U.S. is “highly emotional, even explosive as we move into the presidential election.” He then went on to upend many popular misconceptions held by people on both sides of the issue. Speaking to a gathering of over 150 attorneys, judges and legal professionals in the Oak
HONOREES—After Mass, Bishop Caggiano and Anne McCrory, chief legal officer, presented pins to members of the St. Thomas More Society of Fairfield County for their long-time charitable service. Msgr. James Cuneo was presented a special award for his service as spiritual moderator of the Bridgeport chapter.
Room of Fairfield University, Father Ryscavage said most recent immigration is the result
of “failed states, corruption, the drug trade and internal violence.” He then quickly pointed out
that immigration is also one of the unintended results of the success of “global market capitalism in lifting people out of extreme poverty.” “There has been a 50 percent drop off in extreme poverty in the world in the past 25 years— the biggest in history,” he said, adding that the rising standard of living and availability of money has feuled immigration for people who seek to leave a country for economic reasons. He said that while most people think that “immigrants are from poor countries,” it’s not always the case. “It takes money to immigrate. The poorest countries don’t have the biggest migration—people don’t move about much,” he said. Father Ryscavage told the gathering that it costs between
$5000 and $8000 to flee Central America, with most of the money going to human smugglers who guarantee three attempts at escape. The Syrian refugees now pouring into Europe need at least $2000 to make the short trip. Much of the money it takes to move around the globe is found in the estimated $426 billion “in remittances” of immigrants working in another country “and sending the money back home to the developing world.” Taking a longer view of the crisis, Father Ryscavage said that a country like the U.S. that has good track record of integrating immigrants will actually fare better as birth rates plunge across the world and more people are needed to do the work in aging societies. ➤ CONTINUED ON PAGE
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Consecrated Life: Lovers of the Holy Cross Meet the ministry team from St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull: Sisters An Hoai Nhu Nguyen, Theresa Phuong Nguyen and Elizabeth Linh Thi Thuy Nguyen. (Nguyen is a common name in Vietnam. They are not related.) Hometown: All three sisters come from the same parish in Vietnam’s Vung Tau Province and entered the same convent. Order/Institute/ Congregation: All three Sisters belong to the Lovers of the Holy Cross. The first religious congregation of Vietnamese women, it was founded in 1670. Years in Vowed Profession: Sister Theresa made her final vows in 2007; Sisters An and Elizabeth in 2013. Ministry, now or formerly: Sister Theresa was stationed first in the State of Washington, working in parish ministry. “I was the interpreter for an American priest. There are a large number of Vietnamese on the American West Coast.” Sisters An and Elizabeth came to the Diocese of Bridgeport to work at St. Joseph’s Manor after taking their vows. “They’re happy that we wear the habit,” says Sister An. “Even non-Catholics will share spiritual things with us because of the habit.”
A favorite image or title for Jesus that resonates with me: Sister An: “The image of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.” Sister Theresa: “The child Jesus with his blessed mother smiling down on him. I was born in May, the month of our mother Mary.” Sister Elizabeth: “A cross without Jesus. I want to be a second Jesus, on the cross in his place.” Person who influenced my faith life: For Sisters An and Theresa, their mother was the most important person in their life. “She is a living image for me to follow,” says Sister Theresa. For Sister Elizabeth, it was her godmother. “She’s a Catholic Sister, too. She grew my faith by constant contact through her letters to me.” A Connecticut place I especially like: Sister Elizabeth: “I like the parties at the bishop’s house!” Sister An: “St. Augustine Parish, both the church and the people. Sometimes I go to the Spanish Mass and help hand out prayer books to the people.” Sister Theresa: “The Cathedral. The angels are happy on the top, and Jesus is triumphant over all.” If I could have lunch with a saint it would be: Sister Theresa: “Our Lady of
Carmen. I would just share my life with here. She’s always there with me.” Sister An: “The Virgin Mary. When I meet her, I want to hear about what Jesus did and what he said as a little boy.” Sister Elizabeth: “St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She was married when she was 14 to King Louis and loved him deeply. After he died, she took all her money to build a hospital and to buy bread for the poor. I would like to hang out with her and go with her to share food with the poor. Something I most appreciate about community life: Sister An: I love the times when we are gathered together, at Mass or at a picnic—wherever we are. Sister Theresa: Sharing—sharing prayers, sharing meals. Sister Elizabeth: I want to enjoy my youth with the youth of our parish, teaching them to dance, teaching them the prayers and to celebrate the feast days. Slogan I would give my life: Sister Elizabeth: “My life will be light with my love.” What I would say to someone considering choosing Consecrated Life: Sister Theresa: “It’s a calling from God, not from you. Just follow your calling and see where it leads.” n
ORIGINALLY FROM VIETNAM, (l-r) Sisters Theresa, An and Elizabeth now serve the elderly at St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull.