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January 2015
Immigration Reform and Administrative Relief
By Catholic Charities Melissa Molina (Director of Immigration & Citizenship Legal Assistance) Kathy Freeze (Parish & Community Liaison)
Catholic Charities stands with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in our continued call for comprehensive immigration reform. We will continue to serve those in need, regardless of status or background, and support efforts that will strengthen families and end poverty. In Matthew 25, we are told that when we welcome the stranger in our midst, we welcome Christ himself. This action is a step toward a more just and compassionate immigration system that respects the inherent dignity of immigrants as fellow daughters and sons of God. On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced executive actions to address problems in our immigration system, including an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the creation of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program. To serve our brothers and sisters in our community, we are offering information sessions on these Administrative Relief programs. NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY Continued from page 12 cordance with their respective religious tions preserved and continuously obbeliefs and practices, as long as the re- served to this day.” ligion does not interfere with the tradiHe writes that Pueblo anthropologist tional religious practices of the pueblo. Alfonso Ortiz described the Pueblos’ “The Pueblo people today are still acceptance and embrace of the Catholearning and understanding the history lic faith as “the result of a deep rooted of the Catholic Church and the introduc- Pueblo value to ‘combine and balance tion of Christian faith,” Deacon Martin opposites.’ said, adding that many Pueblo Catholics “This balance was the basis for Pueblo appreciate and have a good connection spirituality long before the arrival of the to the archdiocese. Spanish, and it is in the same pursuit that Visiting Acoma Pueblo recently, he Pueblos continue to embrace Catholic stops and greets a mother and daughter beliefs today.” who are selling pottery and crafts near Sando names the Catholic teachings San Estevan del Rey Mission. He tells that especially appeal to Pueblo peothem of his work with the Archdiocese ple -- that honor is given to Christ, the of Santa Fe. The mother introduces her- “Creator made man,” and that devotion self and her daughter, Sidney Kateri is given to saints, “the friends of Jesus,” Sanchez. for blessings and healing. “She has your name and the name of Elder and council member Leonard St. Kateri,” she tells the deacon. Armijo of the Pueblo of Santa Ana said “She’s very blessed,” he responds. he fears that both the traditional and They laugh for a bit and chat. Catholic beliefs of the Pueblo Indians Acoma Pueblo is in the Diocese of may become lost with future generaGallup and is the ancestral home of tions. Deacon Martin. In July, Santa Fe’s Na“Traditional ways and faith are passed tive American ministry team made vis- on from generation to generation,” he its to Acoma and Laguna pueblos, both said. “We’re beginning to lose that touch within the Gallup Diocese, to introduce because of influences from the outside.” themselves and present a gift from the On the other hand, some Pueblo comarchbishop, as they did with all the other munities are witnessing a reemergence pueblos. of Catholic identity. Sharlyn Sanchez said she was glad Margie Creel, a catechist from Jemez the deacon stopped to say hello. “A lot Pueblo, said her mission parish had a reof people don’t realize that a lot of us cord 220 adults confirmed in two years. are Catholic,” she says and talks a little She said young adults who had been about her parish and the nearby Catholic baptized and had received their first school that has educated family mem- Communion but had been away from bers for generations. the church were now knocking at the In an exhibit at the Indian Pueblo parish door. Cultural Center in Albuquerque, author In 2013, the mission could not hold all and historian Joe S. Sando of the Jemez those who wanted to attend the ConfirPueblo explains his view of Catholicism mation ceremony, so they held it in the within the Pueblo community. Santa Fe cathedral basilica. He calls it a “complicated and often “I am certain it was the largest Native tumultuous story” resulting in a “unique American gathering in the history of the balance of Pueblo and Catholic tradi- church in Santa Fe,” Creel said.
Warning! Be aware of SCAMS. Applications for potential candidates for both the Extended DACA and DAPA will not be out for 90 and 180 days respectively after November 20th. The current time frame is February for Extended DACA and May for DAPA. There have already been scammers in the form of lawyers and mostly notarios (notaries public). Contact our Center for Immigration and Citizen Legal Assistance at 505-724-4651, or for updates, go to http://www.uscis.gov/ or http://www.uscis.gov/es. Although this is a time to celebrate, we also continue to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. This latest move is a step in the right direction but it is only one step: it empowers us, as Catholics, to continue helping our brothers and sisters. We are inspired by Pope Francis’ call to see the impact of our broken immigration system every day and do something about it: walking with those in need on their journey out of poverty and strengthening families at risk. We ask for your continued prayer and support. For more information on Catholic Charities and the services provided, visit www.ccasfnm.org Information forums in Albuquerque: St. Francis Xavier Saturday, January 24th from 10 am to noon Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Friday, January 30th from 7 – 9 pm Santuario de San Martin de Porres Thursday, January 22nd from 7 – 9 pm Holy Family Monday, February 9th from 7 – 9 pm St. Therese of the Infant Jesus TBD
DEPRESSION Continued from page 6 The first presentation focuses on correcting misconceptions by providing sound information and the latest research. Depression’s impact on marriage and family and the church’s teaching on suicide will be covered. Saints will provide spiritual guidance through their words of wisdom. The second presentation builds upon the first by examining how these conditions can negatively affect the practice of our Catholic faith and conversely, ways in which our faith can aid in healing. The meaning of suffering, healthy and unhealthy spirituality, prayer, doubt, sin, symptoms, distortion of thoughts, and the sacraments are some of the topics covered. The third presentation is based on
Kay’s award-winning book, Raising Depression Free Children. It will focus on how to reduce children’s risk for depression. Risk factors, warning signs, and methods for creating resiliency will be covered. The medication controversy will also be addressed. In addition to her book on childhood depression, Kay is also the author of several published articles on childhood depression and two Catholic articles on the topic of depression from a Catholic perspective (in Canticle magazine, 2007 and Liguorian, 2011). These presentations are free of charge, but prior registration is requested. To register, please call the Family Life Office at 505.831.8117, or email the office at yduran@archdiosf.org .
FROM CELT TO CATHOLICISM: PILGRIMAGE/TOUR TO IRELAND JUNE 1 -10, 2015
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