Parishioners across the Diocese of Knoxville took part in a 40-day vigil on immigration reform.
Diocese of Knoxville parishioners take part in a vigil for immigration reform Aug. 23 at Holy Ghost Church.
Photo by Bill Brewer
The vigil, which is part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign, began Aug. 15 and ended Sept. 23. The diocese asked parishes, organizations and individuals to dedicate one hour to bring awareness to the need for a comprehensive immigration-reform plan.
“We chose to begin this vigil while our U.S. representatives are in their home offices while Congress is on break,” said Lourdes Garza, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Knoxville.
As part of the 40-day vigil, Sept. 8 was designated Immigration Sunday by U.S. bishops.
Activities held in a one-hour vigil could include special Masses; praying the rosary; participating in a holy hour or adoration; reviewing Church documents on social teaching and migration; sharing stories of migration with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow parishioners; sharing family history stories with family members; or viewing films with migration themes.
Resources are available at www.justiceforimmigrants.org under the Parish Kit tab. An attachment also is available that is a scriptural rosary from the USCCB that is available in English and Spanish at www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/Scriptural-Rosary-Span.pdf. The English version of the attachment can be accessed by changing Span to Eng in the url. For more information, e-mail Lourdes@dioknox.org.
