The Leadership Conference of Women Religious ( LCWR ) is the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has about 1350 members, who represent nearly 80 percent of the approximately 49,000 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, the conference assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.

The scope of the conference’s concerns is broad and includes collaborating in Catholic church and societal efforts that influence systemic change, studying significant trends and issues within the church and society, utilizing our corporate voice in solidarity with people who experience any form of violence or oppression, and creating and offering resource materials on religious leadership skills. We serve as a resource to our members, as well as to members of the public seeking information on leadership for religious life.

Catholic Charities USA produced a video that acknowledges the response of women religious to the CCUSA call to help welcome migrants and asylum speakers at the US southern border. With these images and words they thank all religious institutes who through their prayer, donations, and volunteers are helping to ease the burden of this difficult journey to the United States being undertaken by many. 

by Catholic Charities USA: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

https://lcwr.org/about

Serving at the US-Mexico Border: Missionary Sisters Are Pro-active

The Cabrini Mission Foundation has a long history of working with migrants and displaced people.

Responding to the Gospel call for justice and love, honoring the Catholic Social Teachings on the dignity of all persons, and continuing the legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patroness of Immigrants, the Cabrini Mission Foundation is committed to:

  • WELCOME as brothers and sisters all immigrants to the lands in which we are missioned.
  • SUPPORT the rights of all persons to flee political, religious, or economic persecution; and support the basic human rights and dignity of all persons regarding: food, shelter, health care, employment at just wages, religious freedom and also honoring their customs and traditions.
  • EDUCATE others and ourselves about the needs of immigrants.
  • RE-EXAMINE political laws and regulations in the light of these justice issues and to work to change those that do not meet human needs.
  • WORK in solidarity with immigrants and with others who share our values and beliefs to promote justice and compassion for all immigrants.

Led by Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC the Cabrini Mission Foundation has made two trips to the State of Texas at the United States and Mexican border. These visits gave us the opportunity to create partnerships and launch new programmatic initiatives, despite not having a physical presence at the border.  The Cabrini Mission Foundation has maintained a proactive approach to the border crisis throughout the pandemic.

While political realities change, the truth remains.  Displaced people, who have fled their home due to conflict, crime, persecution, poverty or simply in hope of a fresh start and better life are often preyed upon, during their arduous journey.

The Cabrini Mission Foundation in partnership with Angry Tias & Abuelas of the Rio Grande Valley, Pastor Abraham Barberi of One Mission Ministries as well as Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, is sponsoring the opening of a new shelter for asylum seekers in Matamoros, Mexico.

This is the third shelter at the border with whom the Cabrini Mission Foundation has partnered. Thanks to our generous donors we are grateful to be able to provide a safe environment, warm meals, clean water, a roof over their heads to protect them from the weather and a clean bed to sleep. The shelter is housing over 100 people as they await entry to the United States. To date, the Cabrini Mission Foundation has provided funds for the building of a well, bunk beds, Covid-19 protective items such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes. We have also provided requested clothing items such as socks and underwear, in addition to disposable paper products; plates, napkins, cups and towels.  As shelter needs grow, we are now looking into the purchase of a commercial refrigerator and freezer.

~ from Cabrini Mission Foundation website: https://cabrinifoundation.org/what-we-do/current-fundraising-projects/ 

Also for us, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and for the MSC lay people, it is very important to be committed to all the refugees we meet on our paths.

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