Modern Catholic social teaching is the body of social principles and moral teaching that is articulated in the papal, conciliar, and other official documents issued since the late nineteenth century dealing with the economic,political, and social order. This teaching is rooted in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures as well as in traditional philosophical and theological teachings of the Church.

Seeking ways to incorporate integration into church-based celebrations? Find inspiration here through real-life examples of parish-based work in local communities. We invite you to print our English and Spanish Holiday Prayers for Immigrant Integration booklet, which includes prayers for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Nearly three quarters of all farmworkers and almost one third of all meat and poultry workers are foreign-born.

Use this flyer for outreach in your community to raise awareness of USCIS' proposed fee schedule changes that would drastically increase fees for commonly sought immigration benefits such as naturalization, green cards, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and impose a new fee for affirmative asylum. The proposed changes would also end a longstanding program that facilitates access to certain immigration benefits for qualifying people while also proposing to transfer over $200 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

This resource provides general information about the standby guardianship process.

The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, published its final rule on Public Charge on Aug. 14, 2019. This is one of three related public charge rules. We expect to hear more soon about the other two from the Department of State and the Department of Justice. Below are the main messages you can use when asked to speak about this DHS Public Charge rule to your community, your church congregations, the media, or any group that is interested to learn about this policy change.

Lord,

We pause this Father’s Day
to give thanks to the strong and faithful men
caring for their children each day.

Just as we honor and celebrate
the fathers in our own lives,
migrant men,
seeking better lives for their children,
are equally deserving of our prayers.

We pray for these fathers
who see family as sacred
and who cross rivers,
stand at borders
and suffer separation
in order to keep their children
and families safe.

As we sit down today to enjoy our meals and give thanks, don't forget to include a small prayer for newcomers enjoying their first Thanksgiving. May we welcome them as they have embraced us.

The prayer on this card was written by a Dreamer at Cabrini University. Download and share it with your fellow parishioners to keep Dreamers in your thoughts.

This bilingual (English/Spanish) screening tool can help legal services  providers assess whether a DACA recipient is eligible to request renewal.

From small children to seasoned adults, the story of the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of baby Jesus is a familiar one. It is retold every Christmas season in a tradition that spans all continents, languages and cultures. The Christmas season would be incomplete without the retelling of this story, making it the perfect way to convene a church community to promote immigrant integration as a parish priority.

Cuando Maria y José viajaron a Belén justo antes del nacimiento del niño Jesús, no esperaban encontrar todos los mesones llenos. Los evangelios según San Mateo y San Lucas nos cuentan que la pareja no tenía donde quedarse hasta que un posadero de buen corazón les ofreció su establo. Ahí nació el niño Jesús y se quedó dormido en un pesebre, donde pronto lo encontraron ángeles y los Reyes Magos.

The gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem on the eve of Jesus’ birth. When they were unable to find a place to sleep for the night, a kind innkeeper allowed the family to stay in his stable. It was there that Mary gave birth to Jesus, placing him in a crib fashioned for him out of a manger. They were soon to be visited by wise men and angels.

The Feast of the Assumption, which celebrates the Virgin Mary ascending into heaven upon her death, fell on Aug. 15 this year. As one of the most important holidays in the Catholic tradition, parishes should consider celebrations as a way to connect to their community and their personal ethnic heritage, as well as a celebration of their faith.

This document can help undocumented individuals determine whether they might qualify for some sort of immigration relief and whether they are at high risk of being arrested by immigration.

While most holidays have roots around the world, Independence Day is arguably the United States’ signature holiday. Thus, it is a prime opportunity for parishes and communities to celebrate the nation’s founding with newcomers.

Father’s Day, like Mother’s Day, is a prominent way families are celebrated in the United States.

Mother’s Day is a central fixture in how American culture celebrates families. Far from being a tradition born in the United States, the practice of highlighting the importance of mothers has been a global custom for centuries. Thus, each holiday congregations celebrate together emphasizes the vital role churches play in encouraging and facilitating immigrant integration in their communities.

Not long ago, children were waiting for the Easter Bunny to deliver treat-filled eggs to decorated baskets from Nebraska to Maine. This secular tradition, tightly intertwined with Lenten and Easter religious traditions, feels like “ours”—uniquely and originally American. However, both concepts—the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs—were brought to the United States by European immigrants as far back as the early 1900s.

Once you have discerned who your community is, what they need, and what you’re able to offer, consider the action options below. Many of these actions require collaboration.

Each of us wants to be part of a welcoming community, but we often find ourselves at a loss as to where to start. We know the Lord calls on us, but how? What if I don’t have the space or the means to provide shelter? What if there are no immigrants in my community? What if those around me are reluctant to learn about immigration?

Check out the following flyers below for points on why your community should care about immigration issues and what you can do.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, speaking in his native language and requesting that he go to the head of the church in Mexico and ask that a church be built in the place where she appeared. Juan Diego faced rejection and later was tested by having to persuade Bishop Juan de Zumárraga of the miraculous apparition. Mary offered him consolation and guidance. Faithfully following her instructions, Juan Diego went to the top of a hill, where he found his sign—a garden of roses in a typically barren spot.

The Feast of Pentecost is upon us! This is a time to celebrate the missionary outburst to share the evangelii gaudium, the joy of the Gospel, with all people. And, it is at this wondrous time that we join Catholics in prayerful action to repair our disjointed immigration system.

In advocating on behalf of migrants, immigrants, and refugees, it is important to understand that the Catholic position is based on Catholic social teaching, which is derived from the Gospels and the words of Christ; statements and encyclicals of the Popes; and statements and pastoral letters of bishops around the world, including the bishops of the United States.