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Now is time for just and compassionate immigration reform

When St. Mother Theodore Guérin left her home in France to come to the woodlands of Indiana, she and her companions were filled with a vision that has truly made an impact on the state of Indiana. It did not take long for these immigrant women to learn the language of their new country, and to make a significant difference in the lives of so many Hoosiers.

Today, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods continue the legacy of St. Mother Theodore as together with so many partners across the United States we are involved with immigrants and their families in a variety of ways.

We have seen their struggles and heard their stories. We recognize our moral responsibility to be active on their behalf and to move to action by praying, fasting, and working to reform our immigration laws in a compassionate and comprehensive way.

We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the movement for immigration reform. As people of faith, we believe that we must engage our communities in prayerful action in solidarity with those whose lives are directly impacted by our unjust immigration policies and who will be most impacted by reforms being considered by policy makers. What we seek is immigration reform that reflects the best of our values and helps to build stronger, more welcoming communities.

From now through Oct. 18, we are asking that you join us in of 40 days of fasting, prayer and advocacy to transform our hearts and our immigration system (www.fastaction.us). We agree with the U.S. Catholic bishops that now is the time to pass just and compassionate immigration reform. We ask your support for such immigration reform that:

• Provides a path to citizenship for undocumented persons in our country.
• Preserves family unity as a cornerstone of our national immigration system.
• Provides legal paths for low-skilled immigrant workers to come and work in the United States.
• Restores due process protections to our immigration enforcement policies.
• Addresses the root causes of migration, such as persecution and economic disparity.

We ask you to prayerfully consider the history of your own family and then to look at the struggles of the immigrants who are trying to provide for their families.

As an immigrant country, we can no longer wait. Now is the time to make a difference.

Sincerely in God’s Providence,

Sister Denise Wilkinson, S.P., General Superior
Sister Lisa Stallings, S.P., Vicar
Sister Jenny Howard, S.P., General Officer
Sister Mary Beth Klingel, S.P., General Officer
Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, S.P., General Officer
Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods