Experience Together

SSND Central Pacific Province in Solidarity with Refugees

We School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province are called to embrace all of humanity and work to eliminate the root causes of injustice in order to realize a world of peace, justice and love. We are horrified and deeply saddened by the violence and senseless acts of terrorism we witness in our world and the devastating effect it has on so many people. We pray for those who are victims of such acts.

Portrait of refugees living homeless in Turkey.While there may be justifiable feelings of fear because of recent violence and terrorism, we must not let that fear cloud our judgment or undermine our values of human dignity and respect for people, especially in our response to the suffering of innocent refugees. Many refugees today are fleeing civil war and terrorism, including those affected by the conflict in Syria.

Refugees are seeking what we all long for – religious freedom, and an end to discrimination and persecution. We stand in solidarity with our Syrian brothers and sisters, and support the many religious and civic leaders who state that intolerance has no place in our country. Accepting refugees is part of our history and culture; we are an immigrant nation.

At this time, we recall Jesus’ message in Matthew 25:35, 40, “I was a stranger and you made me welcome….In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did it to me.” Pope Francis, in speaking about the refugee crisis, has also urged us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

We will not give in to fear; rather we will respond to violence with love and mercy. We will not turn our backs on our Syrian sisters and brothers in their hour of greatest need. As School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province, we invite you to join us as we stand for life and hope regardless of race, creed or nationality. For more information, contact Tim in our Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation at 262-787-1023 or tdewane@ssndcp.org. To learn more about Catholic Church’s stance on the refugee crisis and how you can help, click here.

How am I showing love and mercy to those in need?

Photo credit: iStock.

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