The Bronx Celebrates La Posada in Support of Immigration Reform
—The Archdiocese of New York will host the second Posada for Immigration Reform on Friday, December 16 at 11 am—
—The event, which will be held for the second consecutive year in the Bronx, seeks to give a voice to the thousands of undocumented immigrants without a home in United States—
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New York City, December 15th, 2022 — During the holiday season, the Catholic Church in the Bronx will host a Posada for Immigration Reform, an annual event for the second year in a row, to raise collective awareness about the challenges facing those who fled their nations in search of a better life.
Father Eric Cruz, Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in the Bronx and director of Catholic Charities in the same county, announced that his parish has rallied to this cause, following the more than 22,000 immigrants who have arrived in the Big Apple seeking refuge after they fled their countries of origin due to violence, persecution and inequality.
“One of the main missions of the church is to accompany with prayer and in presence. We must accompany our displaced people, welcome them and show them that we will always be with them,” said Father Cruz.
‘La Posada’ is a traditional Catholic celebration that takes place 9 days before Christmas, that is, from December 16th to 24th. Each of the nine days represents values such as humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy, and generosity. La Posada invites people to walk in prayer accompanying Mary and Joseph as they seek refuge in a manger in Bethlehem.
“In the second edition of the Posada for Immigration Reform, it is expected to empower and educate all those who have been displaced, help them find a voice, and discover the beauty of their lives (…) We know that we have reached such a point with them when they begin to speak openly and honestly about their experiences, the pain, the tears, but also the hope”, concluded Father Cruz.
The Posada for Immigration Reform, to take place this Friday, December 16, the third week of Advent, also has the mission of advancing conversations with local politicians, “we have to speak to them out loud,” said Father Cruz. In addition, he assured that it is important to persevere with these conversations that will undoubtedly translate into benefits for those seeking refuge, “they only ask for a new life. This is not a matter of political parties, they are human beings, sons and daughters of God”, he pointed out.
La Posada will have a route of 4 (four) stations, where they will pray in solidarity for all those immigrants who are seeking refuge in the “nation of opportunities”, and to this end, Father Eric Cruz assures that although Las Posadas are a Catholic tradition, they are a powerful experience for everyone: immigrants, tourists and people of other religions,
“we have many collaborators, including Jews, Muslims and atheists, all people of good will. There is a seat for everyone at this table,” the priest asserted.
The Immigration Ministry of the Archdioceses of Chicago and Baltimore will join simultaneously in their own locations this initiative of Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New York, along with other dioceses from all over the country that want to join, be part and support this noble cause.
The tour will have four stops, which will take place this Friday, December 16 starting at 11am, the tour will be accompanied by songs, some hymns and prayers:
1. First Station: Saint Anthony of Padua Church (166 Street & Prospect Avenue, Bronx).
2. Second Station: Office of Senator Luis Sepúlveda (900 Rogers Place).
3. Third Station: NYPD 41st Precinct (Longwood Ave).
4. Fourth Station: Corpus Christi Monastery (Garrison Ave).
As part of this process, the Archdiocese of New York, through Holy Spirit Parish, hopes to document the experiences of all those immigrants who wish to tell their stories and publish an annual book as a tribute to the displaced, the dispossessed and the undocumented immigrants who live in fear and in the shadows.
It is expected that at this year’s Posada, immigrants and displaced people will feel welcomed and have enough confidence to share their powerful testimonies, so that people understand what fleeing in search of a better life means.
ABOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
The Archdiocese of New York serves the pastoral and spiritual needs of 2.5 million Catholics in nearly 300 parishes throughout its three boroughs of New York City and seven counties to the north. The archdiocese includes 172 Catholic schools serving more than 53,000 students, helps more than 400,000 individuals each year through Catholic Charities, and provides compassionate care to patients and families through ArchCare, the healthcare ministry. The Good NewsroomTM is the digital news outlet of the archdiocese with daily updates and stories about the good works of the Catholic Church in our area. Learn more at archny.org and thegoodnewsroom.org.
Press Contact
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