Posted November 17, 2010

By Edilma Franco

On Thursday, Nov. 11, a group of immigrants (and those who advocate on their behalf) met at St. John Neumann’s Shrine at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. The group of 150 prayed and gave testimonies based on their own lives.

The anecdotes were very eloquent and touched the hearts of many of the people present. As an immigrant myself, I join them because in the struggle of obtaining comprehensive immigration reform, I believe working as one we can achieve a better future.

Please do not lose hope because for us Catholics there will always be an answer in Jesus’ words: “I was hungry, and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me” (Mt. 25:35-36).

Edilma Franco is the director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.