USCCB Migration Chairman Lauds Court Decision Regarding Arizona SB 1070, Urges Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON — As chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City applauded the July 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to halt some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona SB 1070 from going into effect the next day. Bishop Wester lamented the status quo on immigration as “unacceptable” and called for the Federal government to act immediately on immigration reform.
           
"It is the right decision,” Bishop Wester said.  “Any law that provides legal cover to profiling affects all members of our communities, including legal residents and citizens.  It is a very slippery slope. What is needed now is for Congress and the Administration to live up to their responsibilities and address this issue by passing immigration reform."
           
The U.S. Catholic bishops believe that any comprehensive immigration reform bill should contain the following elements: a legalization program that gives migrant workers and their families an opportunity to earn legal permanent residency and eventual citizenship;  a new worker visa program that protects the labor rights of both U.S. and foreign workers and gives participants the option to earn permanent residency; reform of the U.S. family-based immigration system to reduce waiting times for family reunification; and restoration of due process protections for immigrants, including asylum-seekers. In the longer term, policies that address the root causes of migration, such as the lack of sustainable development in sending nations, should also be part of the equation.

Relic of Mother Teresa will be Venerated in Alma Tomorrow, July 13

The Missionaries of Charity will bring a relic of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to Alma tomorrow, July 13.

Verneration of the relic will be offered the between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma's Our Lady of Grace chapel at 1965 Michigan Ave. in Alma.

All are welcome.

Pastoral changes for St. Joseph, St. Anthony in Saginaw

Since the death of Father Dan Alholzer, OFM Cap., Father John Celichowski, Provincial of the Capuchin Friars, and their community have deliberated prayerfully in order to present someone from their community to serve as Pastor of Saint Joseph Church, Saginaw, because of their special commitment to St. Joseph Parish. I am pleased to inform you of the following assignments, effective September 1, 2010:

• Reverend Francis Voris, OFM Cap. will serve as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw. Father Voris has served as pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Saginaw for the past nine years and has expressed his readiness to assume his new appointment as pastor of St. Joseph Parish.

• Reverend Thomas Schmied, OFM Cap. will serve as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Saginaw. For the past two years, Father Schmied has been serving in a parish in Winnipeg, Canada. Prior to that, he served for approximately 20 years in the Diocese of Marquette in various parish and ministerial settings.

"I am grateful to the Capuchin community for their generous commitment to the Diocese of Saginaw, not only to St. Joseph and St. Anthony parishes, but also to St. Agnes Parish, Sanford, where Father Dan Fox serves as pastor" said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. "I have expressed my gratitude personally to both Father Voris and Father Schmied, for their willingness to assume these new responsibilities. I ask you to keep both parish communities and their new Pastors in your prayers."

 

Bishop leads prayer outside abortion clinic

Bishop Joseph R. Cistone drew a crowd of more than 100 pro-life supporters to pray with him outside the Women’s Health Care Clinic in Saginaw, Saturday July 10.

“A simple prayer here, without saying another word, is a very powerful thing to do,” Bishop Cistone said.

It was the Bishop’s first time to pray outside the Saginaw clinic, but he says he plans to return. He thanked the many people who pray at the center each week and hopes his presence will encourage others to come to the center and pray for the values of life.