Around the world, 26.4 million refugees have fled their homes due to persecution, human rights violations, and various forms of conflict. Many in these situations are children separated from their parents and traveling alone. In 2022, fifty-five million people were living in an internally displaced situation, meaning they have been displaced from their homes but remain within their country’s borders. During 2022, 800 migrants died along the U.S./Mexico border.
To raise awareness and encourage Catholics in the call of “Welcoming the stranger among us,” the Catholic Church in the United States annually observes National Migration Week. The week culminates with the observance of World Day of Migrants and Refugees, this year on Sept. 29. This time is set aside to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking and to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.
For this year’s National Migration Week, Sept. 23-29, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “God walks with his people,” which serves as a reminder that God consistently accompanies his people throughout history, guiding and providing for them, much like he did for the Israelites. Pope Francis states, “Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development. Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles in their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by despair.”
Read Pope Francis’ 2024 World Day of Migrants & Refugees message: (English | Español)
How can I get involved?
Opportunities to encounter and accompany include:
- Becoming a foster parent to a migrant child who has been separated from family members;
- Participating in or establishing a local Parishes Organized to Welcome Immigrants and Refugees (POWIR) program;
- Catholic Charities West Michigan serves a significant number of migrants and refugees in Grand Rapids and Muskegon through its St. Gianna’s No Cost Baby Pantry. They are in need of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Email dbryan@ccwestmi.org or visit https://ccwestmi.org/volunteer/ to learn more.
- Launching a new initiative that will support migrants in their effort to become American citizens, or
- Engaging in advocacy with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure that resources are in place to support refugees and immigrants during their transition and beyond.
- 10 Things You can Do to Accompany Undocumented Immigrants
Learn more about: Caring for Migrants and Refugees
Additional resources:
Immigration Legal Services in the Diocese of Grand Rapids (en Español)
From the Bishop: The borders we don’t see (November 2019 FAITH Grand Rapids magazine)
Welcoming the stranger among us (November 2019 FAITH Grand Rapids magazine)
Movie discussion guide: The Sound of Freedom (Justice for Immigrants)
Prayer resources for parishes (Justice for Immigrants)
From the USCCB:
National Migration Week statement: coming soon!
View/download the: National Migration Week Toolkit (English | Español)
Justice for Immigrants
Catholic ministries serving migrants and refugees
Migration and Refugee Services
Reflection on the USCCB’s pastoral letter “Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope“: (English | Español)
Updates about: The war in Ukraine | Operation Allies Welcome and displaced Afghans
From the Vatican-Pope Francis:
2024 World Day of Migrants & Refugees message (English | Español)
Watch a message from Pope Francis on this year’s theme (English | Español) from the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Migrants and Refugees | Resources to download and share (Holy See)
Prayer and Reflection:
Holy Family, Refugee Family (CRS)
Prayers for immigrants and refugees (USCCB)
A prayer for immigrant children (Justice for Immigrants)
