‘Who Is My Neighbor?’ event participants take up difficult discussions about faith, immigration
Immigration is one of many contentious issues that people benefit from discussing in the context of faith, rather than fear and cynicism.
That was one of the main premises of two recent “Who Is My Neighbor?” gatherings — one hosted by Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, the other by St. John Henry Newman Parish in Columbia.
About 55 people attended the Jefferson City gathering.
It took place in a venue named after Immaculate Conception Parish’s founding priest, Monsignor John B. Pleus, whose father was an immigrant from Germany.
Facilitators included Marissa Flores-Madden, director and Department of Justice-Accredited Representative for Family Immigration Services of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO); Jefferson City native Sister Cathy Vetter CCVI, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word; and Karen Teng, a retired Catholic school teacher.
All at once, the gatherings were solemn and prayerful, upbeat and interactive, honest and enlightening.
The purpose was to help build community and understanding, pray and reflect, and explore the teachings of the Church on immigration through Scripture and the entire Deposit of Faith.
Mrs. Flores-Madden emphasized that while immigration is a politically charged topic, “this will not be a political event.”
“It’s prayer and discussion,” she said. “Be present. Be curious and respectful. Listen generously to understand, not respond. And use ‘I’ language to speak from personal experience.”
A large portion of both gatherings involved “lectio divina,” a method of praying with excerpts from the Bible, and “visio divina,” gazing upon a holy image and asking God to provide important insight through it.
Mrs. Flores-Madden said the outcome of the gatherings would be dependent on everyone’s participation.
She started by inviting everyone to stop and consider their own personal experience with immigration and immigrants to this country.
“What is the lens through which we view U.S. immigration policies,” she inquired.
The three facilitators led a contemplative experience of listening to the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), which Jesus uses to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” in response to God’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
“How are we invited to be good neighbors?” the facilitators asked. “How are we called to welcome the stranger? How are we anointed to be the ones who show mercy?”
Each group then was given a copy of an icon by St. Louis native Kelly Latimore, who mixes ancient style and modern themes.
The people were invited to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten them through one of the images, and then to gaze upon it and take note of what details stand out.
“Are there emotions, feelings, memories, invitations or callings that arise within you,” Ms. Teng asked.
Calm music played in the background as people moved into groups to share with each other what they were thinking and feeling.
Peaceful and lively discussions marked by animated but respectful discussion took place at tables throughout the room.
“A clearer picture of reality emerges through candid but respectful discussion,” said Mrs. Flores-Madden. “Keep in mind that we’re listening to understand, not to respond.”
Participants exchanged stories of people they have gotten to know and how their perspectives have been changed or clarified.
Solid foundations
Sr. Cathy then gave an overview of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching, the first being the foundation of all the others: “Life and Dignity of the Human Person.”
She shared passages from the Old and New Testament containing God’s clear direction for welcoming strangers as if one were welcoming him.
Mrs. Flores-Madden offered a quick survey of Church documents, including papal proclamations dating back to Pope Leo XIII (+1878-1903) and being built upon and clarified by more recent popes, including Leo XIV.
She followed up with recent teaching from the U.S. and Mexican bishops’ conferences in response to immigration.
Both bishops’ conferences uphold individual nations’ right to control their borders but emphasize that the plight of refugees and asylum seeker must also be recognized.
The bishops also emphasize that all migrants are human beings who should be treated with dignity.
Mrs. Flores-Madden concluded with an excerpt from the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Special Message on Immigration, issued last November:
“We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures,” the U.S. bishops declare in that statement. “Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.”
All of these things are based on the teachings of Jesus, his earliest followers and the prophets who preceded him.
At the end of both gatherings, participants got back into their small groups to discuss what they had learned through the event.
As the evening drew to a close, Mrs. Flores-Madden invited everyone to learn more, reflect more, pray more and get active in their communities.
She hopes to bring the “Who Is My Neighbor?” presentation to additional groups, schools and parishes throughout the diocese.
Marissa pointed out that that each time the program is presented, it will be a unique experience because it depends on the participation of the community.
“Everywhere we take this will be completely different, because you’re all completely different,” she stated.
Lingering insights
Immaculate Conception parishioner Jim Kemna and his wife, Barb, took part in the Jefferson City gathering.
“I was inspired by the faith and courage of Marissa and Sr. Kathy Vetter,” he said. “Their knowledge of the issues and people affected by the immigration crisis and their ability to link it directly with our faith was impressive.”
Deacon Kenny Wildhaber, who assists the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, said he brought a lot to think about home from the Jefferson City gathering.
“I recall her trying to describe the way immigrants are talked to and mistreated, which is difficult for me to relate,” the deacon stated. “I have been spoken to and poorly treated from time to time but not in a chronic way.”
He was especially moved by the “visio divina” and the artwork it was based on.
Since attending the “Who Is My Neighbor?” gathering, Deacon Wildhaber has been thinking a lot about how he speaks to and otherwise treats people from other countries and cultures.
Deacon Charlie Ochoa, who assists the pastor of St. John Henry Newman Parish in Columbia, attended the gathering at his parish.
He found the “visio divina” to be a particularly helpful exercise, “using artwork depicting the Holy Family in scenes typical of people — families — journeying from home to another land, seeking a better life,” he said.
The images are typical of people traveling through deserts by moonlight, or young children peering through a tall fence.
“You could see the stress and concern on the faces of the parents,” he noted.
Deacon Ochoa said it was enlightening to learn what detail in each of the artworks attracted the attention of different people in the room.
“A majority of the people in the room expressed a desire to hear more about what our Church teaches and how we as Catholics can engage more in the immigration issues,” he noted. “I know from my position and experience in Church ministries that ‘we’ are very active already, so for me the question is more specifically, how can we better communicate what the Church teaches, what we are already doing, and get input on how we can be more effective.”
Several times since the gathering, he has prayed the closing prayer: “Mary and Joseph, intercede for us now, so that we might have the grace to see all families as holy and the courage to find Christ in all we encounter. Amen.”
“Go and do likewise”
Mrs. Flores-Madden said she was grateful for the honesty and compassion participants brought to and shared at both gatherings.
“It’s not easy to talk about immigration. It’s not always easy to talk about your faith. And it’s certainly not easy to ask difficult questions, but that is what happened at ‘Who Is My Neighbor?’” she said.
“Through it all, it was clear that people are deeply concerned about how we treat immigrants and refugees in our country, and many participants easily connected their faith with their desire to be of service to newcomers in our diocese.”
She was encouraged to see that people who welcome immigrants everyday are not alone.
“We have tremendous support in our diocese, and that is such a blessing,” she said.
