Dear Parishioners,

Regarding the President's alleged remarks last weekend about immigrants from Haiti and African countries, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's has issued a statement that reads as follows:  "Reports of recent disparaging remarks about African countries and Haiti have aroused great concern. As our brothers and sisters from these countries are primarily people of color, these alleged remarks are especially disturbing. All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, and comments that denigrate nations and peoples violate that fundamental truth and cause real pain to our neighbors. It is regrettable that this comes on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and could distract from the urgent bipartisan effort to help Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status. As a vigorous debate continues over the future of immigration, we must always be sure to avoid language that can dehumanize our brothers and sisters."

When I heard about the alleged remarks that the President made at a White House meeting on immigration reform, I felt like throwing up, and then I felt like crying.  I think of our ancestors who came to this country in the 1800's and early 1900's and were discriminated against, called filthy names, and often barred from job opportunities (in New York City, my Irish-American grandmother remembers reading, "No Irish need apply" in the Help Wanted ads).  How quickly some forget that Irish immigrants built our Erie Canal, that Italian masons constructed our skyscrapers and bridges, that African Americans gave us jazz and rhythm and blues music, that Mexican-American Border Patrol agents guard our southern U.S. border, etc, etc.  Immigrants are our engineers, scientists, and innovators. According to the Census Bureau, despite making up only 16 percent of the resident population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, immigrants represent 33 percent of engineers, 27 percent of mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists, and 24 percent of physical scientists. Additionally, according to the Partnership for a New American Economy, in 2011, foreign-born inventors were credited with contributing to more than 75 percent of the patents issued to the top 10 patent-producing universities. America is a nation of immigrants.

Our American journey and our success would simply not be possible without the generations of immigrants who have come to our shores from every corner of the globe. It is helpful to take a moment to reflect on the important contributions by the generations of immigrants who have helped us build our economy and made America the economic engine of the world. President Trump's purported crude comments about immigrants provoked a global backlash Friday from the United Nations, African nations and other countries against his "racist" remarks. As Christians and as Americans, we must vehemently reject racist remarks, derogatory name-calling, put-downs, and hateful comments about people from other countries. I can only imagine that our ancestors are "turning over in their graves."

Many thanks to Dave Alexander and his JazzHappensBand for their great entertainment last Saturday night in our church hall.  Despite the weather, many people came to enjoy the upbeat music and the comradery.

At their last meeting, our Pastoral Council discussed investing in a new sound system for music and events held in our church hall.  We have contracted with a local sound company, Ultimate Sound LLC and they will be installing speakers, microphones, and amplifiers in the hall on January 22nd.  We have received donations to cover this expense and I am very grateful to those who donated this new sound system.  It will be put to good use during coffee hours, meetings, social events, and faith formation events!    

Many thanks. God Bless You,  Fr. Paul J. Alciati