Minneapolis, Minn., Dec 18, 2008 / 01:28 am
The Minnesota Catholic Conference has announced that January 4 will be "Immigration Sunday" for Catholic parishes in the state as part of an effort to raise awareness about the hardships and injustices facing immigrants.
The conference’s Tuesday announcement was timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on the Swift and Co. meatpacking plant in Worthington, Minnesota, the Star Tribune reports.
Consequences from the raid have had a "devastating impact" on immigrant families and rural communities, the conference said.
Sister Anna Marie Reha, director of the Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm, told the Star Tribune that January 4 was chosen because it coincides with the Feast of the Epiphany.