Pope Francis warns us in the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2019):
The most economically advanced societies are witnessing a growing trend towards extreme individualism which, combined with a utilitarian mentality and reinforced by the media, is producing a “globalization of indifference”. In this scenario, migrants, refugees, displaced persons and victims of trafficking have become emblems of exclusion. In addition to the hardships that their condition entails, they are often looked down upon and considered the source of all society’s ills. That attitude is an alarm bell warning of the moral decline we will face if we continue to give ground to the throw-away culture.
Lent is a time of extra patience and kindness towards others. How can we turn towards the marginalized when we may not have direct contact with them? Ten people met from St. Justin, Mary Mother of the Church, and SCL for eight weeks in a Just Faith study group called “Faith and Immigration Justice.” The group offers these ways to show Christ’s love to immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants in St. Louis.
- Continue to pray for them.
- Stop judging what we think we know about their story.
- Keep learning about their hardships and choices.
- Look beyond our own arrogance that we are better than they are.
- Stop purposely distancing ourselves both mentally and physically.
- Have patience when we encounter them in person or by phone.
- Earmark any donations to Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, the Red Cross, etc. “For Refugees/Immigrants.”
- Investigate sponsoring an Afghan or Ukraine family.
- Contact the International Institute (314)773-9090), which is working to place 650 Afghans, with information about available St. Louis housing: https://www.iistl.org/
- Contact MICA Project (St. Louis Migrant Immigration Community Action) in St. Louis to volunteer in their office ( 314- 995-6995): http://www.mica-project.org/
- Volunteer with IFCLA (St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America) to work in their office or to act as a companion needed to take immigrants to ICE appointments: https://stl-ifcla.org/
- Tutor at St. Francis Community Centers (314.932.3300) https://sfcsstl.org/ or IHELP (314-771-1104) https://ihelpstl.org/
- Call or write US representatives and senators to approve the Afghan Adjustment Bill to
allow certain Afghan evacuees to apply for permanent status.
- Attend the Festival of Nations–Aug. 27 and 28,2022–at Tower Grove Park, a wine and dine opportunity that will showcase the thriving entrepreneurial spirit of St. Louis.
How will I counteract the “globalization of indifference” in my personal life?