By this time you are quite aware of what has been happening here at Church. I am also aware that some folks are happy about what is going on and some are quite upset.

I would like to briefly explain how we became the center of activity in these days since the raid and why we are doing what we are doing.

On Tuesday when the raid occurred I was in Central Massachusetts at a meeting. I was called several times by people in United Interfaith Action and was in contact with the rectory, Catholic Social Services and the bishop’s office. By the afternoon UIA asked if the St. Hedwig Hall could be used as a meeting place for the various city and state agencies which were looking for a place to meet with the families of the people seized. I said yes.

Tuesday night probably over 200 people came. Wednesday and Thursday nights over 300 people came. Cardinal Sean and Bishop Coleman both were in contact with me, the bishop coming to speak with people Thursday night, and both said the parish, with the help of many other Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Moslems, Unitarians and non-believers, was doing what needed to be in the middle of a humanitarian crisis.

One of the bishops reminded me that what we’re doing here is similar to when the Church ministers with people suffering from AIDS or people who are in jail. It is not the concern of the Church to determine how people arrived in the United States, or how they contracted AIDS or how they ended up in jail. It is the mission of the Church to be with all people, all of us who are sinners, especially in our moments of anguish and need.

Pope John Paul II wrote a document entitled “Undocumented Migrants” in 1996. In it he said, “The Church considers the problem of illegal migrants from the standpoint of Christ, who died to gather together the dispersed children of God (cf. Jn 11:52), to rehabilitate the marginalized and to bring close those who are distant, in order to integrate all within a communion that is not based on ethnic, cultural or social membership, but on the common desire to accept God's word and to seek justice.

The pope then quoted from the Acts of the Apostles, where St. Peter said, "God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35).

As such, what we are doing here is what our bishops and popes have asked us to do. One can disagree about illegal immigration or about how the raid was done. But as a priest I have a responsibility to obey my superiors, beginning with God. I am not doing this to become “another Fr. Drinan,” as an anonymous caller claimed. I know that my leadership has not been great, but I am trying the best I can and I appreciate your prayers, however you feel about what is going on.

In today’s first reading we heard about how God spoke to Moses and told him that the Israelites would be led by God to a land flowing with milk and honey. From the time of the Pilgrims until now many people have thought of our country in that way. Of course, the Native Americans who were here before us would have something different to say about our coming here, as would the Africans who were brought here as slaves. Nonetheless, the United States is seen as the land of opportunity, a place where people can make a successful life for themselves.

Again we listen to Pope John Paul, who spoke about what causes illegal immigration and what needs to be done to truly stop it. Quote: “Illegal immigration should be prevented, but it is also essential to combat vigorously the criminal activities which exploit illegal immigrants. The most appropriate choice, which will yield consistent and long-lasting results is that of international co-operation which aims to foster political stability and to eliminate underdevelopment. The present economic and social imbalance, which to a large extent encourages the migratory flow, should not be seen as something inevitable, but as a challenge to the human race's sense of responsibility.”

As a country, we do share some responsibility for the imbalances which the Pope spoke about, due to exploitative practices of our government or our companies at times. The drive for the almighty dollar has sacrificed workers here in America for centuries, as well as in other countries from which we get cheap goods.

Christ reminds us in the Gospel that the Father looks to see what type of fruit we bear in this life. This is a reminder both to us as individuals and as a country. The United States has given to the world a great appreciation for freedom, but we have also at times emphasized selfishness, where anyone who gets in our way, from the baby in the womb, to the worker here or abroad, to the sick elderly person, had better yield to my need to save money or time. We ask Our Lord to continue to be merciful to us, as we prayed in the psalm, as we continue to search for His will as individuals and a community.

After tomorrow we will move whatever remains over to the St. Hedwig/Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe convent, where state agencies asked for a place to use for a command center for the next three weeks. Things will return to normal here by Monday afternoon. Please pray for the people whose lives will not return to normal.