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National Migration Week Mass Held in January

NEWARK, NJ - On January 10, 2004, a Mass to commemorate National Migration Week was celebrated by Archbishop John J. Myers at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Organized by the Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Assistance programs of Catholic Community Services in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Worship Office, the Mass marked the first occasion of a liturgy celebrated in the Archdiocese specifically in honor of National Migration Week.

The Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor William J. Reilly, Archdiocesan Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, and Father Joseph Youman, Bishop of the Syriac Catholic Diocese within the Archdiocese of Newark, among other clergy.

Lectors and other participants were Catholic Community Services staff and recipients of the Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Assistance Programs. Readings and petitions were proclaimed in English, Spanish, French and Creole.

Established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 1980, the goal of National Migration Week is to educate the public and raise awareness of the positive aspects and contributions of immigrants and refugees in this country.

This year's theme, "Together on the Journey," was drawn from a recent pastoral letter issued jointly by the Catholic bishops of Mexico and the United States, which addresses the circumstances of migration within the Americas.


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