News Detail
Lacordaire Hosts Vigil to Stand with Migrants as part of ‘One Church, One Family’ National Campaign
On November 13, the Feast Day of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, Lacordaire welcomed students, families, Sisters of St. Dominic and friends in the community for a peaceful prayer vigil in support of migrants, detainees and asylum seekers. The event took place on Lacordaire’s Upper Montclair campus from 3:30 to 4 pm. It was registered with the “One Church, One Family” campaign, a national movement of U.S. Catholics calling people of faith to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers and refugees. Lacordaire’s vigil was one of more than 100 across the country as part of this effort.
On November 13, the Feast Day of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, Lacordaire Academy welcomed students, families, Sisters of St. Dominic and friends in the community for a peaceful prayer vigil in support of migrants, detainees and asylum seekers. The event took place on Lacordaire’s Upper Montclair campus from 3:30 to 4 pm. It was registered with the “One Church, One Family” campaign, a national movement of U.S. Catholics calling people of faith to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers and refugees. Lacordaire’s vigil was one of more than 100 across the country as part of this effort.
“Jesus taught us to welcome the stranger and to care for one another. Accordingly, and as an expression of our Dominican mission, we stand in solidarity with those detained and at risk for deportation. We pray for them and for those who are tasked with making decisions about their freedom,” said Tracey Reed, Lacordaire’s Director of Campus Ministry. The campaign began on October 13, with over 50 events, and the nationwide gatherings on November 13 culminated the effort. U.S. bishops, Catholic organizations, and individual advocates have been speaking out against inhumane policies that contradict Catholic teaching on migration, which is grounded in Scripture and Catholic moral tradition.
“As Catholics and people of deep faith, we reject the culture of fear and silence that dehumanizes, and we choose instead to stand with migrants,” shared Jon Gromek of the Ignatian Solidarity Network, one of the campaign’s principal organizers. “Together, our voices will send a powerful message to defend the dignity of our neighbors, family members, fellow parishioners, classmates, coworkers, and friends.”
Locally, the event was organized by representatives from Lacordaire’s National Junior Honor Society and Preachers Clubs and included students, families, and attendees from nearby houses of worship. The One Church, One Family campaign is organized by the Ignatian Solidarity Network in partnership with Jesuits USA West, Jesuit Refugee Service, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, NETWORK Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Pax Christi USA, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services, and other Catholic organizations.
For more information on the campaign, visit 1family.us.
Our Mission
Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition
© Lacordaire Academy. All Rights Reserved