National Migration Week
September 19 – 25, 2022
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.
National Migration Week ends on September 25th with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR). The theme for this year, chosen by Pope Francis, is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.” Pope Francis highlights the commitment that we are all called to share in building a future that embraces God’s plan, leaving no one behind.
To celebrate National Migration Week last year, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County asked our community to share their reasons for celebrating immigrants. We invite you to read those responses and watch the following video of Executive Director, Mike Donoghue, sharing why he celebrates immigrants.
Adele immigrated to America in 1929 and settled in the Bronx. She is a graduate of Hunter College; earning first a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and then continuing on to an M.A. She worked as both a teacher and then as an interpreter in the Office of Censorship where she met her future husband, Joseph Stephen Immerso. They were married on June 22, 1946 and moved to Queens, New York. They had three children and were married for 52 years until Joseph’s death in 1998.
Adele was a skilled cook, a talented embroiderer, an avid follower of politics and a devout Catholic. She was a very devoted Wife, Mother and Nana who gave generously of her time to others. In her later years, as a spry resident in an assisted living dwelling, she helped to brighten the lives of those around her by conducting cooking classes and teaching Italian to other residents.
She accomplished so much, and I was blessed to have had her as my teacher and my Mom.
I am very proud to be the daughter of an immigrant.
I #CelebrateImmigrants because I am proud of my husband’s immigrant grandmother.
I will always be grateful to Baba who allowed me to live with her during my two years of college at Sacred Heart University. She was the best roommate I ever had! She would tell you I saved her life twice, but she welcomed me into her home when I was virtually a stranger and allowed me to finished my education so I could stay close to my husband and helped take care of my young children. She truly was an amazing woman.
She moved to New Milford after marriage and raised 4 children. Margaret always fed the homeless and people in need.
She used to buy ice at what is now the COOKHOUSE- a favorite BBQ restaurant in New Milford.
I am the proud son of immigrants and would not change this fact for anything in its place.
Why should we celebrate immigrants?
The answer is easy: because that is who we are as a country- a diverse people of many cultures and races who together form this great social experiment that strives to realize liberty, justice and equality for all. We have always welcomed immigrants as the life blood for our country’s social and economic life.
To put it simply: our diversity is our greatest strength as Americans.