Central Baptist Church Stands with Arizona in Opposition to SB1070
By Katy Friggle-Norton of Central Baptist Church
Hello Friends,
June 6 - 12 is the week for Pennsylvania to participate in the Isaiah 58 National Solidarity Vigil called by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.
We have vigils confirmed in Wayne, West Chester, Norristown, Hatboro, Bensalem, Levittown, Bryn Mawr, 5 in Philadelphia, and at Villanova University and Cabrini College.
My congregation, Central Baptist in Wayne, will host the opening vigil on Sunday evening, June 6 (invitation below), but if you would like information about a vigil in any of the other locations, please let me know.
The other real need for participants is to sign up for a prayer time to be in solidarity with the vigil in Arizona. By signing up for a half hour time of prayer and reflection during the next week via the link below, individuals are also signing on to this statement, which will be sent to Gov. Rendell and PA Members of Congress.
We, as people of faith in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize and affirm the presence and contributions of immigrants from throughout the world to our state. We strongly urge you to reject any legislation resembling Arizona's SB 1070, a law that denies due process for immigrants, increases the likelihood of racial profiling, and criminalizes those who offer direct aid for immigrants. What is needed to fix our broken immigration system is leadership by the federal government - the President and members of Congress from both parties - to enact humane, comprehensive immigration reform that reunites families and provides a pathway to legal status for those who are undocumented.
If you have any questions or want more information, please give me a call at 610-613-1876.
I hope to see you at a vigil sometime this week or know that you are in prayer.
Blessings,
Katy Friggle-Norton
Central Baptist Church
Wayne, PA
Cabrini College hosts the first Catholic response to the “Isaiah 58” vigil for immigrants and immigration reform
The large candles move from one vigil to another throughout the week, connecting us to each other and reflecting our connection to the many other communities of faith who will gather in prayer vigils across the country in the coming 8 weeks. We lit the vigil candles remembering that the candle reflects our solidarity with immigrants and those who are vulnerable because they are uprooted from their homeland due to poverty or oppression.
A note of appreciation from the Cabrini College organizer, Dr. Mary Laver,
Director of International Partnerships:
Thank you for being part of that inspiring gathering yesterday: 40 of us at a prayer service for just immigration reform in front of the Cabrini Immigration Mural! Together, we represented not only Cabrini College and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but also the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Justice for Immigrants/USCCB, Eastern University, and Central Baptist Church in Wayne.
Special thanks to Monsignor Shields, Vicar for Hispanic Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, for connecting us to stories of people overseas who are willing to take risks by raising their voices on behalf of justice in their communities. Hopefully we can rise to the challenge he issued to us, here in the U.S. This is a year when we can set immigration policies that reflect our highest values as “a nation of immigrants.” But it starts with us.
About the Author
Katy Friggle-Norton is a member of Central Baptist Church and its Immigration Reform mission group. She and her husband, Doug Norton, have lived in Havertown for 20 of the last 21 years; having lived in Botswana for the year in-between. Previously, they lived with their children in a university housing cooperative In Minnesota where their neighbors were from around the world.
Video & Pictures
During our vigil on Sunday evening, we had a block of time for reflection that included some hands-on activities. You could play an immigration game; write prayers, poems, or messages of support on a scroll that we will send to the Arizona vigilers; or act out a desert journey in the desert sand box. Everyone also had the option to have his or her photo taken for a video project. Take a look at it below.
I reacted with deep sorrow. These are my friends shown in a stark light. Would someone look at them in a dehumanizing way seeing them only as “one of us” or the “other,” refusing or unable to see them as whole persons with dignity who deserve respect?
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Rabbi Linda Holtzman of Mishkan Shalom in Roxborough speaking at the
Immigration Reform |
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June 7, 2010 - IImmigration Mural painted by Cabrini College students in honor of St Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patroness of Immigrants. L to R: Sr. Mary Kay Flannery, SSJ Staff, Justice for Immigrants/ PA, Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, Faculty, Cabrini College, Msgr. Hugh Shields, Vicar for Hispanic Catholics, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Fr. Michael Bielecki, O.S.A., Chaplain, Cabrini College, Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, Campus Ministry Associate, Cabrini College, Dr. Mary Laver, Director of International Partnerships, Cabrini College |
Events in the 17th
Public Prayer Vigil to Call for Immigration Reform
7pm to 9pm June 6, 2010
The Opening Vigil was beautiful and moving.
We lit the candles to bring light to God's call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. The candles reminded us that we are the ones called to tend the flames -- the flames of hope, justice, solidarity, and unity. We used the candles to light our own vigil candles, which we carried in procession outside to the Peace Pole on Lancaster Avenue. A graceful dancer, who is also immigrant, led the procession using the tripodium step -- 3 steps forward and 1 step back, 3 steps forward and 1 step back - mirroring our own experience of the journey seeking justice. At the Peace Pole, we shared our stories -- stories of hope, stories of pain, stories of struggle, stories of injustice, stories of unity. It was an inspiring time.
Prayer Vigil
2 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2010
Cabrini College, 610 King of Prussia Rd, Radnor, PA, 19087
Photo Op: The Immigration Mural
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants.
Msgr. Shields, the Vicar of Hispanic Ministries for the Archdiocese will participate in the vigil.
Concert of Song and Prayer
7-9 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2010
Central Presbyterian Church
900 West Airy Street, Norristown, PA 19401-5516
Pastor Gadiel Gomez, 610-275-2732
Villanova University, Corr Chapel
12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010
Villanova Interfaith Coalition will participate in the National Solidarity Vigil on Thursday, June 10th after the Noon liturgy in Corr Chapel. Please come and bring a friend in our prayerful solidarity for immigrant justice.
Kathy Overturf, Associate Director, Campus Ministry
610-519-7978
Concert of Song and Prayer
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
568 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA
Corner of Pennswood and Montgomery
Rev. David Tatgenhorst
Pastor Lydia Munoz
