Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Men urged to be ‘game-changers’
2-3 April 12, 2012
The Catholic Spirit
State’s bishops call for immigration reform that protects rights and families By Joe Towalski The Catholic Spirit
Concerned about an “inconsistent, ineffective” U.S. immigration system and inadequate state-level attempts at reform, Minnesota’s Catholic bishops are calling for comprehensive immigration reform on the federal level that protects basic human rights and keeps families together. Read the Such reform, they noted, will require statement changing hearts as well — Page 5 as laws. “We recognize that finding solutions to the plight of immigrants today will sometimes necessitate the overcoming of boundaries in the heart, not just on the land,” according to the approximately 1,300-word statement, “Unlocking the Gate in Our Hearts.” “At some point, however, we must reach out to human persons in need, and the demands of our common human nature compel us to open a gate in the wall, so that what human dignity demands is not denied to a sister or brother,” it says. “But before a gate finds its way into the walls outside, there must be a gate that opens in the heart.” The statement is posted on the website of the Minnesota Catholic Conference — HTTP://MNCC.ORG — and will be available soon in printed form in both English and Spanish.
State reforms inadequate Minnesota’s bishops last released a statement on immigration in 2010. Jason Adkins, MCC executive director, said the new statement is particularly important at a time when federal reform efforts continue to be lacking and several states — most PLEASE TURN TO STATEMENT ON PAGE 5
News with a Catholic heart
Catholic Youth Camp turns 65
18 TheCatholicSpirit.com
Finding God in the darkness Nine siblings join church after losing their parents By Julie Carroll The Catholic Spirit
Every time the Vang children used to visit their uncle in St. Paul, they would keep their eyes to the sky for Saint Agnes’ green, onion-shaped dome. The gold cross atop it shone like a beacon, signaling that they were almost there. Now the St. Paul church is providing them direction through a spiritual storm following the loss of both of their parents. At Saint Agnes’ Easter Vigil April 7, all nine children were baptized and received into the Catholic Church. They were among the approximately 745 people from 90 parishes in the archdiocese who were fully initiated into the church that evening. It was a bittersweet moment for the children, who, before the vigil, said they believed their mother would be with them in spirit. Ranging in age from 21 months to 19, the Vang children tearfully recalled the day their mom died. One foggy morning last February, Vanessa Vaj was driving home after working the night shift when her Toyota Corolla veered into oncoming traffic before colliding with a semitruck. “She called early that morning, telling us to take care of the kids,” said Vancelee, 15. “Later, when we got to school, they said she was in a car accident, and everything was . . .” His voice trailed off. “. . . really just changed from there on,” 16-year-old Cesea finished his thought. Not long after the funeral, the children’s father turned physically abusive, they said. That’s when their uncle, Pao Lee PLEASE TURN TO FAMILY ON PAGE 14
Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Father John Ubel, pastor of Saint Agnes in St. Paul, baptizes Suelon Vang during the Easter Vigil April 7 at Saint Agnes. At right is Suelon’s brother, Vancelee. The two brothers and their seven siblings all were baptized and received into the Catholic Church that night.
What the church teaches about adoption
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