"You are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." 

These words written by St. Paul to the Ephesians almost 2000 years ago are an apt description of the Church from its beginning until this very day.  They reflect the universal nature of the Church which has carried out the Lord Jesus' command to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. As we approach the celebration of the Church's birth at Pentecost and next month's Taste of the Nations evening, we become so much more aware of the diversity that can be found in the St. Mary's faith community. With people who find their origins in different countries and continents, our parish more and more reflects the Church universal. We are "strangers and aliens" who are seeking to become "citizens" of the Church - the very "household of God". 

Because of the very nature of the Catholic Church, we find ourselves celebrating our diversity with pride and gratitude.  And it is precisely because of this reality that we struggle so much with the issue of immigration in our country. Immigration is a great concern for the Church in the United States for we are a nation of immigrants and a Church of immigrants. It pains us to see so many families and children escaping violence in their Central American countries now detained at the borders of our country. It saddens us to see so many Catholic Charities offices closing their refugee resettlement ministries because so few refugees are coming to the U. S. this year. And it concerns us that so many Haitians in our local communities will be forced to return to their country to homes that no longer exist. Their TPS (temporary protective status) which was granted following earthquakes and hurricanes will soon be coming to an end. 

Our Bishop has called upon us to pray for and work for the immigrants in our midst. We pray for them, for our Church and our country in these days leading up to Pentecost. Bishop McManus will celebrate a Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral on the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, May 19 to which all are invited. 

May we as a parish community of faith continue to "welcome the stranger" in our midst.