http://www.archdiocese.la/archbishop/index.php The Archbishop From the Cardinal Posted on Monday April 17,  2006 Positive Action For Positive Change: Suggestions Toward Promoting Immigration Reform On Monday, May 1st, 2006 Cardinal Roger Mahony Archbishop of Los Angeles  People of good will, desirous of enacting fair and just immigration legislation, can differ on which strategies will help bring about the immigration reform needed. Personally, I believe that we can make May 1st a “win-win” day here in Southern California: go to work, go to school, and then join thousands of us at a major rally afterwards. Our collective efforts to help enact immigration reform that is just, humane, and workable demands that we channel our energies in ways that educate the people of our communities and help influence in positive ways our Representatives and Senators in the U.S. Congress. In our Catholic tradition, May 1st is the feast-day of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron of working people around the world. Joseph worked as a carpenter to support Mary and Jesus in Nazareth. Most likely Joseph taught Jesus the same trade, and both helped sanctify and dignify human labor. Immigrant peoples living in our Archdiocese come from every continent on the earth. The vast majority are hard-working, conscientious, and dedicated workers and students. Many are undocumented, and are anxious to regularize their status in order to contribute to building up our communities for the good of all our citizens. I would recommend that our Catholic parishes, schools, and other entities devote time on May 1st to help our employees and students appreciate the dignity of work, the value of education, and the important role immigrants play here in the southland. Other employers and schools may wish to consider some similar positive alternatives. EMPLOYERS and EMPLOYEES: * Consider setting aside an hour or so during the day for your employees to gather in small groups to discuss their knowledge about immigration reform and their feelings towards immigrants; * A very helpful approach is to invite each person in the group to give a brief history of how and when their own parents, grandparents, or great grandparents came to our country; such personal stories are very powerful in helping employees listen to each other; * Ask each employee to briefly outline his/her own employment history; * Go to the “Justice for Immigrants” website set up by the Catholic Church, and print out some of the excellent materials for your employees to read and discuss: www.justiceforimmigrants.com * Invite employees to “listen” to each other without overreacting or becoming emotional; understanding the concerns of each other goes a long way to create a positive work atmosphere; * Suggest that employees help move forward meaningful immigration reform that includes: secure borders; paths to permanent residency which is achievable and verifiable; family unity which allows immediate family members to join the worker; labor protections which apply to U.S. workers; wages and benefits which do not undercut domestic workers; labor-market test to ensure U.S. workers are not harmed; and mobility between U.S. and homeland and within U.S. * Provide paper, envelopes, and the names/addresses of U.S. House and Senate members; * Encourage employees to write a letter to their elected representatives on May 1st outlining their own views on meaningful immigration reform; * Conclude the session with a Prayer of Blessing over the place of work and over the workers [a sample is included in Appendix A]; * Share some refreshments together, especially foods from the various ethnic groups represented at the place of employment; * Consider joining thousands of us after work on Monday afternoon, May 1st, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits [5301 Wilshire Blvd. (between La Brea Ave. and Fairfax Ave.) ] where a coalition of religious, labor, civic, community and student organizations will gather to promote just and humane immigration reform at a Day of the Worker celebration. PARENTS, PRINCIPALS, and STUDENTS: * PARENTS must show a leadership role in helping their children to understand the great value of learning about immigration, and its vital impact upon their entire lives; * [The points in this section relate primarily to high school and college students, but could be utilized with younger students as well] * Discuss with your students the various issues surrounding the present immigration reform efforts; excellent material is available on the Church’s website at: www.justiceforimmigrants.com * Persuade your students to go to school on May 1st, and to remain there throughout the school day; * Encourage them to learn and to discuss the various issues involved, and to become knowledgeable; * Our Catholic Schools Office has developed a useful course syllabus to use on May 1st whereby our students can come to a greater understanding of the many issues involved in immigration reform; * Students can have a powerful and positive effect by going with their parents to a well-organized event, like the one listed next; * Suggest to the Principal at your Catholic School that the School provide escorted transportation to the Day of the Worker celebration to be held at the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits [ 5301 Wilshire Blvd. (between La Brea Ave. and Fairfax Ave.) ]; encourage the students to participate in a peaceful and meaningful gathering. * PRINCIPALS and TEACHERS should use May 1st as an excellent “teachable moment” for the young people in our Catholic Schools; * [The points in this section relate primarily to high school and college students, but could be utilized with younger students as well] * Refer to the “Justice for Immigrants” website for helpful information for your students: www.justiceforimmigrants.com * Our Department of Catholic Schools has developed a special Curriculum for May 1st; consult that resource as well; * Encourage the students to remain in school on May 1st and to take positive steps towards just and humane immigration reform; * Provide materials so that students can write and send letters on May 1st to members of the House of Representatives and to Senators, expressing their views and reasons for just immigration reform; * Invite students from various immigrant groups to bring sample foods to school to share with the other students, increasing awareness and appreciation for peoples from different backgrounds; * Consider helping to organize escorted transportation for students to attend the march and gathering at the La Brea Tar Pits after school on May 1st, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM [ 5301 Wilshire Blvd. (between La Brea Ave. and Fairfax Ave.) ]; * Help make May 1st a creative and exciting day of learning, prayer, and participation for all of your students. * STUDENTS should see May 1st as a special day for sharing your own cultural heritage, for understanding the many issues involved with immigration reform, and what positive steps you can take towards positive immigration reform. * [The points in this section relate primarily to high school and college students, but could be utlized with younger students as well] * Understand that boycotting school on May 1st will not bring about just and humane immigration reform—sometimes, boycotts could even work against positive reform; * Be sure to go to school on Monday, May 1st, but make it a very exciting and informative learning day; * Go to the “Justice for Immigrants” website and view many of the informative materials that will be most helpful in your classroom discussions: www.justiceforimmigrants.com * Participate in the various discussions and learning opportunities provided at your school; share with students your own family’s story about when and how they came to our country; * Share your own understandings and feelings about immigration reform, taking care to respect the views and opinions of others—a great way to learn how to be future leaders in your communities; * Consider bringing foods from your own ethnic background to be shared by students in your classroom—another great way to create cultural awareness and understanding; * Write letters on May 1st to U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to pass badly needed immigration reform legislation—legislation that is just, humane, and workable; * Consider joining classmates after school on escorted transportation to the Day of the Worker celebration to be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits [ 5301 Wilshire Blvd. (between La Brea Ave. and Fairfax Ave.) ]; CONCLUSION: These are just a few suggestions on how we might create a climate of learning, of prayer, and of solidarity with all workers and all students on Monday, May 1st. Discuss with one another what initiatives might be most helpful for you in your reality. Let the Holy Spirit guide all of us in making the Day of the Worker one of unity and harmony! APPENDIX A Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (© Washington, DC, United States Catholic Conference, Inc., 1988) Blessing for a Place of Work Blessed be God, who has begun a good work in us. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Now and for ever! Jesus showed us the dignity of labor. He was known as the carpenter’s son, and he willingly worked with the tools of his trade. Through the labor of our hands, we bring God’s blessing upon ourselves and others. Let us pray for all who will work here and for those who will share the fruit of their labor. Amen! Prayer at Work Day be day we bless you, Lord. We praise your name for ever! Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, have mercy on us. Mary, mirror of justice, pray for us. Joseph, model of workers, pray for us. May we know the shortness of our days, that we may learn wisdom. Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration, and continue with your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in you and by you be happily ended. Amen.