Holy Cross Sisters advocate for immigrant families
“With liberty and justice for all,” is the theme of a billboard that has been erected across from the post office in Merrill, Wisconsin. It is a sign that the Holy Cross Sisters and Associates hope will draw attention to the plight of immigrant families who come to our country. In addition, the same message can be found on the back of T-shirts that have been purchased by sisters, associates and friends.
Sister Pat Cormack, provincial for the USA Province headquartered in Merrill, said: “We join women and men across the USA in expressing our concern for immigrant families who come to our country. Our Catholic Faith teaches us that every creature receives the gift of Life from our God and, as such, has dignity and is to be treated with respect. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us of the moral obligations to respect life from womb to tomb.”
The Holy Cross Sisters have been holding a public prayer service every Wednesday morning at 9:40 in Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin. “We ask God to remind us that we are called to be persons of mercy and compassion just as Jesus was,” Sister Pat said.
The quote on the billboard and the the T-shirts is taken from the Pledge of Allegiance. Liberty and justice are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Sister Pat went on to say, “We are reminded that these rights are God-given human rights and, as such, are not conferred to us by our government. Rather our government makes a pledge to defend these rights for all who are present in our country regardless of their citizenship or legal status. Immigrants coming to seek asylum have the right to due process and to humane treatment. Extending that courtesy to every person is a patriotic act as well as a moral commitment. That is why we are using the image to remind all who see it that we live by our values as Christians and as citizens.”
The message on the billboard will be displayed for a 12-week period.