St. Francis Xavier Justice & Life Committee

04/30/2025

As the wizard Gandalf says, “Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.”

04/07/2025

The U.S.C.C.B. said it would not renew its cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support after its longstanding partnerships with the government in those areas became “untenable.”

03/28/2025

Harvesters, the food bank that serves the Kansas City area and helps supply food to local pantries and shelters, says that thousands of cases of canned food, eggs, milk and more were called off by President Trump's U.S. Department of Agriculture.

03/11/2025

A message from Jesuit Refugee Services USA

PREVENT AND REDUCE STATELESSNESS IN THE US

Stateless persons lack any nationality, leaving them without basic rights and protections. In the US, thousands of stateless persons —including children born in countries without birthright citizenship and individuals stripped of nationality—face barriers to work, education, healthcare, and even basic identification.

The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, thus preventing statelessness and helping to integrate immigrants and their children. However, an Executive Order seeking to eliminate birthright citizenship by fiat threatens this right. While enjoined in court, we urge the administration to rescind this order for legal and humanitarian reasons.

Additionally, Congress should pass legislation, similar to the Stateless Protection Act of 2024, to provide work and travel authorization and a path to permanent status for US stateless residents. Your voice is critical.

Together, we can prevent and reduce statelessness, protect the rights of stateless individuals and ensure they have the security they deserve.

Thank you for your advocacy,

Sincerely,
Donald Kerwin
JRS/USA Vice President of Advocacy, Research, and Partnerships

Send a message to learn more

03/10/2025

Brad Sigmon chose to be the first person executed in the U.S. by firing squad in 15 years because he believed the alternatives — lethal injection and electrocution — are more horrific.

02/12/2025

Wage theft — including but not limited to cutting breaks short, refusing to pay overtime and confiscating tips — can and must be curtailed by union organizing, the centerpiece of modern Catholic teaching on labor.

10/07/2024

It is time for the international community to say, "Enough!"
Enough of decision-makers turning a blind eye!
Enough of the complicity!
Enough of the occupation!

We pray for a just peace.

Humanity has had enough of this needless suffering! We owe it not only to future generations, but to all those in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East, whose lives are constantly at risk, living in fear, displaced, and forced to flee their homes amidst ongoing conflict.

➡️ Read the full PCI declaration here: https://paxchristi.net/enough/

10/06/2024

For this year's , join MADP to learn more about our work and discuss the legislative landscape in Missouri concerning capital punishment.

This ongoing fight is about justice and humanity. With your support, we can ensure that the death penalty becomes a thing of the past, so join us and be part of the solution. https://bit.ly/MADPLandscape2024

10/03/2024

Outpace Poverty- Calling all SFXcellent Walkers and Runners! The annual Outpace Poverty 5K Walk/Run is Saturday, October 12th. Please support the winning SFXcellent Team for a great cause. To register and donate go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/166215/TopFundraisers -topTeamFundraisers and select our team. You can also reach this site by /Visiting the Outpace Poverty website/ Click the DONATE button and select TOP FUNDRAISERS from the drop-down menu/ Toggle to the Teams tab/ Find our team. Thank you for your support! To learn more about Catholic Charities in Kansas City https://catholiccharities-kcsj.org/ Please contact Ann Sheridan [email protected] with questions.

Help us Outpace Poverty in our community on October 12th! Walk/Run the 5K, Create a Team, Donate, or become a Sponsor today!Learn MoreHave a vehicle you don't want anymore?We accept cars in any condition, anywhere in the U.S.Donate today!Capital CampaignLearn MoreOur Mobile Food Pantry is Hitting th...

10/02/2024

Critical Situation in Lebanon:
An Update from Jesuit Refugee Services
As of Sept. 25, JRS has suspended all programs in Lebanon due to the
rapid escalation and unpredictability of the conflict in the region. Families
are fleeing from airstrikes in southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa Valley.
The need for temporary shelter and emergency supplies is increasing
by the hour. This has had a significant impact on the JRS teams and
the people they serve. Several members of the local JRS staff have
been forced to leave their homes; temporary accommodation has been
arranged for or them. Many of the Syrian refugees and migrant workers
who have been assisted over the years are feeling helpless, lost and
trapped in the current situation, especially children, who have already
lived through situations of profound distress and are in urgent need of
psychosocial support.
As part of the Lebanese Humanitarian INGO Forum, JRS has
called for an immediate ceasefire. The toll on civilian lives is immense,
and without swift action toward peace, the risk of a broader regional
escalation increases.

“As we look to an uncertain future, we remain committed to accom-
panying those in need and we pray for peace in the region and for a

return to the essential work of reconciliation.”

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10/02/2024

Sacred Heart Parish Shelter Closes
As of Oct. 1, 2024, the emergency migrant shelter
that Sacred Heart Parish in El Paso has been
operating since December 2022 will be closing
due to the significant decrease in the number of
asylum seekers coming through El Paso. In a letter
announcing this decision, Fr. Rafael Garcia, pastor
of Sacred Heart wrote:
Should an emergency like in Dec. 2022
happen, where hundreds of families were
outside on the streets in winter and other
shelters filled to capacity, we would again
respond, as Church, to the crisis. But we
hope that what happened almost two years
ago will not happen again, given that the
county, the city and various nonprofits
have learned from the experience. Casa
del Sagrado Corazon has been a source
of grace and blessing in unknown ways,
for so many, including me! Over two years
ago, Bishop Seitz asked pastors to support
migrating peoples. Little did I know that
we would start a shelter! I thank God for
this journey which was quite difficult and
stressful at many junctures, particularly
during initiation.
Sacred Heart will continue to support the other
nonprofit and religious shelters in the El Paso area.
Since the early days when Casa del Sagrado
Corazon opened, Michael DeBruhl has served as
director. Michael is a former border patrol agent
and brought a unique perspective and special gifts
to his work. This article from El Pais, the Spanish
newspaper, tells of Michael’s story of service and
transformation.

Send a message to learn more

09/30/2024

The global community stands at an inflection point of hatred, violence, and death—with answers hard to come by and hope in similarly scant supply.

Dorothy Dempsey describes the moment in a new poem, "THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN". https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.org/the-world-that-we-live-in-poem/