CCHD-Sponsored 'Recognizing The Stranger' Strategy Deepens in Nevada
Organized with support from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Organizers Institute of the West/Southwest IAF, the Recognizing the Stranger strategy continued in Nevada with the training of Spanish-speaking leaders from 9 parishes.
Common Ground Prepares 50 Parishioners to 'Recognize the Stranger' in Solano County
With support from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and Bishop Jaime Soto, Common Ground prepared 50 Spanish-speaking parishioners in the Solano Deanery for parish-based leadership. The training was held over two days at St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School.
Spanish-Language Training, and Bishops' Support, Leads to Acceptance of Church ID by Dallas-Area Police Departments
Six months after 85 Spanish-speaking leaders from twelve immigrant parishes participated in two-day leadership development training co-sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Interfaith Education Fund and Dallas Area Interfaith, leaders negotiated ground breaking changes in police department policy in order to engender greater trust between police and immigrants. For the first time in North Texas, immigrants without state ID will be allowed to use parish identification cards to identify themselves with Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Dallas Police Department officers.
Sunday evening, hundreds of leaders were turned away from a sanctuary already overflowing with 1,500 Dallas Area Interfaith leaders at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch. Nine years ago, the city of Farmers Branch was best-known for passing the first anti-immigrant law in Texas, which included fines for landlords renting to undocumented immigrants. The police department paid a price in community trust -- one motivation for publicly pledging to accept parish IDs.
Catholic Bishop Edward Burns drew the most applause when he announced, "Jesus said whoever welcomes the stranger, welcomes me. The Church as the mother will do whatever we can for the members of our immigrant community."
This approval will help the estimated 231,000 immigrants who call Dallas home.
[Photo Credits: (top) Dallas Morning News, (bottom) Catholic Diocese of Dallas]
Hundreds Meet to Discuss Immigration, Parish ID Card, Texas Catholic
Live Stream of Assembly, Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Spanish Speaking Catholics in Las Vegas Train for Leadership with Bishop
170 Catholics from the Diocese of Las Vegas participated in three days of Spanish-language training made possible with the support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Bishop Joseph A. Pepe. The training took place at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Spanish-Speaking Leaders from Archdiocese of Los Angeles Join Bishop for Training on Habits & Practices of Leadership
Thanks to a generous grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the Interfaith Education Fund, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Archdiocese and local organizations One LA and ICON, prepared 76 immigrant leaders in the habits and practices of leadership.
The two-day training, held at John Bosco Tech High was organized to allow participants to reflect and act on the mission of the church for the greater good of our communities. Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell joined the trainees on both days of the course, inspiring many to take next steps to become leaders in their parishes.
Leaders from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Learn How to Put Their Faith Into Action
In Spanish-language leadership development training delivered in collaboration with TMO (The Metropolitan Organization), the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), 80 Houston-area leaders learned about the mission of the church and the responsibility to put their faith into action.
Leaders drew on Pope Francis’ words for inspiration, from a speech delivered at the 2nd World Meeting of Popular Movements (October 2015):
“Quisiera volver a unir mi voz a la de ustedes: tierra, techo y trabajo para todos nuestros hermanos y hermanos. Lo dije y lo repito: son derechos sagrados. Vale la pena luchar por ellos.”
The training was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Education Fund.
Dallas Area Leaders Train for Leadership, Launch Strategy with Catholic Bishop
85 Spanish-speaking leaders from twelve immigrant Catholic parishes participated in a three-day leadership development training to prepare to engage fellow parishioners -- both documented and undocumented -- in the formation of a strategy that responds to the interests of immigrants, and the community as a whole. The training was delivered in collaboration with the Dallas Area Interfaith, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). [In photo, Auxillary Bishop Greg Kelly stands with participants who completed the training.]
Upon completion of the training the leaders committed to working with Dallas Catholic Bishop Edward J. Burns on his newly formed Immigration Task Force, and to organize in their parishes around congregational needs.
Follow up meetings with clergy, immigration, law enforcement officials and elected officials have been scheduled since the training.
The training was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Education Fund.
Spanish Training Continues in Tucson, AZ
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church hosted the Southern Arizona Interfaith - PCICEO Hispanic Leaders group for a training on "Poder." Twenty-five leaders, many of which attended a 3-day Spanish training last November, discussed power, conducted house meetings and planned for the future with Fr. Vili Valderrama. Participating parishes included: St. Cyril’s, Sacred Heart, St. Monica’s, St. Augustine Cathedral, St. Christopher’s, Our Lady of Fatima, Sacred Heart, St. John’s and San Martin de Porres.
Those who attended the November training are now organizing sessions on immigration and other topics in their parishes, including a Know Your Rights and Citizenship forum put together by the leadership team of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Catholic Community Services (in right photo). Immigration lawyer Amy Fairchild-Haer dispelled common rumors and answered questions. Msgr. Raul Trevizo, Pat Alvarez, Sofia Rodriguez and Lorena Santos led house meetings and distributed a “Plan de Preparacion” for parish members.
Training was also conducted at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic and St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic churches.
Tucson Area Leaders Participate in Spanish Training with Support of Diocese & CCHD
Southern Arizona leaders joined the Catholic Diocese of Tucson and Pima County Interfaith Civic Education Organization for a 3-day leadership development training conducted in Spanish with the support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). The training was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Education Fund.
[In photo, Fr. Viliulfo Valderrama and organizer Ana Chavarin kick off training session.]