A Country of Immigrants: Broadening Our Understanding
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A Country of Immigrants: Broadening Our Understanding

throughout the world to promote and affirm the right of individuals to “migrate and immigrate.”

Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

On Sept. 27, Pope Francis will initiate a worldwide effort enlisting the support of dioceses throughout the world to promote and affirm the right of individuals to “migrate and immigrate.” As our societies become more and more mobile, individuals, by necessity, move for a variety of reasons, but most of all for a better life. Immigration is seen by many as a burden on society, yet it should be obvious to many communities in the USA that immigration has contributed to the success of a nation moving forward. The work force alone is dependent on the immigrant filling jobs. It is imperative that we solve our immigration problems, and offer a comprehensive plan for the sake of stabilization and our future.
 
In 1979, I left the states to study in Rome. I stepped off the plane not knowing a word of Italian (maybe Ciao). Even though it was a European country, customs and practices were different, and the language presented a problem. If you have ever had the opportunity to live for a period of time in a foreign environment, you know that you depend on a guide, someone to help navigate the day-to-day living. I thought I was doing pretty well in this new culture. When I was standing on the Corso (street), a person read my jacket having English words. Being Americans, they asked me the name of the building that was facing them. I told them that I didn’t know, but I would ask one of the bystanders.
 
In what I believed was perfect Italian, I came up to a person and proudly said, “Dove il edifizio?” The person’s eyes widened, signaling that he didn’t understand. So, I repeated it louder with a demanding intonation, and of course the person, thinking I’m a mad man, loudly replied “e qui! e qui!” Quickly putting on my translation cap, I realized that he was saying “It is here; it is here!” It was at that moment that I realized I was asking him “where” is the building, rather than “what” is this building. I corrected the interrogatory for the proper “Che,” and he quickly responded “La Galleria” (the gallery). Walking away, I could hear him mumble “Pazzo Americano” (Crazy American).
 
Think of what it takes to leave the comfortable confines of your own society and move into a totally new situation. I often think of my grandmother’s (on my mother’s side) move to the United States from Poland. She was 19 when she left her family; she would never see them again. But, she and my grandfather sought a better life. She raised her children, and they became proud American citizens.
 
We are a country of immigrants – our diversity produces a rich bounty of various cultural expressions. It makes us a better society, and broadens our understanding of a world community.
 
As Catholics, we uphold the dignity of the individual. In doing so, we acknowledge that the Son of God became one with us. The rights we possess come from God, and the world is challenged to support and promote these rights.
 
The Chief Shepherd, Pope Francis, will take this opportunity to guide us throughout the year upholding the right for persons to move seeking a better life.
 
In solidarity with Pope Francis, I will have dinner with an immigrant family selected by Father Javier Bustos, our Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, listening to their hopes and difficulties as they maneuver into their new culture.
 
We join our Shepherd, as he directs us to welcome the immigrant in Christ’s name, and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the September 27, 2017 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.

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