WASHINGTON (from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) — National Migration Week 2018 will take place January 7-13. This year's theme is "Many Journeys, One Family." The theme coincides with the Caritas Internationalis migration campaign entitled "Share the Journey. " National Migration Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of migrants, including refugees, and victims of human trafficking in our communities.
With over 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes globally, the world is increasingly affected by migration. National Migration Week offers a time to educate Catholic communities about migration and to come together to encounter immigrants and refugees in parishes, dioceses, and communities.
"National Migration Week allows for reflection upon the biblical teaching concerning welcoming the newcomer and allows us to share the journey with our brothers and sisters who have been forced from their homes." said Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.
As part of the 2018 National Migration Week celebration, USCCB/MRS will be participating in an event at The Catholic University of America with the Institute for Human Ecology entitled "On the Margins: At the Intersection of Catholic Thought and Migration" on January 11. To register for the event in person, visit www.marginsevent.org. To view livestream of the event visit https://livestream.com/CatholicUniversity/events/8001597.
The U.S. bishops began the observance of National Migration Week nearly 50 years ago to give Catholics an opportunity to honor and learn about the diverse communities of the church, as well as the work that the Church undertakes to serve immigrants and refugees. The week serves as a time for both prayer and action in support of migrants and refugees.
Educational materials and other resources for National Migration Week are available for download at www.justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week.