The annual Mass is held in response to National Migration Week, which was celebrated in dioceses nationwide Jan. 4 – 10. At the Mass Auiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego noted the beauty of being a diverse church, with each group offering its own gifts.
“Remember we are one family under God,” Bishop del Riego said. “Not only here at church, but when we go out. Proclaim that humbly, but clearly. That is our task! Let us strengthen the bonds that unite us.”
In his homily, he thanked God for recent signs of hope in immigration reform. Noted developments include Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants in California and Deferred Action for some undocumented parents.
While noting the positive developments over the past year, he also reminded the faithful that more action is needed.
“We need a new comprehensive legislation on immigration. It is not enough to have an executive action by the President,” Bishop del Riego said. “We need the legislature to make the legislation more humane. We have work to do, my brothers and sisters.”
As members of the same family, the things that negatively affect certain groups affect the entire family. Bishop del Riego encouraged the faithful to strive to act as one family, by learning from one another, understanding where we all come from and resolving to “work and play” with each another.