On Feb. 13, Sacred Heart & Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Dover witnessed a night of deep faith, solidarity, and, above all, the trust in the Gospel that excludes no one but unites and gives hope.
At 7 p.m., in a completely packed church, the community gathered to celebrate a bilingual Eucharist in solidarity with immigrants, an initiative led by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and priests from the Diocese of Paterson. In these times of uncertainty, the local Church of Paterson stood as a refuge of hope and communion for those facing the challenges of migration and all that it entails.
During the homily, Bishop Sweeney reminded the faithful that “we are all pilgrims of hope” and that, just like the people of Israel, today’s immigrants walk in faith in search of a better life. Inspired by a recent letter from Pope Francis to the bishops of the United States, the bishop emphasized that migration is a reality that challenges the Church, calling us to be welcoming communities that reflect the love of Christ.
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Bishop Sweeney shared how the Holy Father, in his letter, reminded us that Jesus Christ himself experienced the reality of exile when, together with Mary and Joseph, he had to flee to Egypt.
“Jesus understood the drama of the immigrant,” said Bishop Sweeney, highlighting that, as Christians, we are called to welcome Christ the migrant into our hearts, families, and societies.
He also evoked the words of Pope Pius XII, who in 1952 spoke of the Holy Family as a model and a source of comfort for all refugees and pilgrims throughout history.
At the end of the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, marking a profound moment of prayer in which parishioners from multiple parishes within the diocese, and even from beyond, lifted up their prayers for the immigrant community.
“We cannot move forward without the Lord’s help,” the bishop said, reminding everyone that in the journey through the desert, both physical and spiritual, it is the Lord who sustains and strengthens us.
Trusting in this truth, the faithful knelt in adoration, offering Christ their desires and concerns, praying in a special way for all immigrants in need of hope, firmly believing that “with God, all things are possible.”
This moment of prayer and communion has been of great importance for the diocese, reminding us of the need to pray for one another. This is just one of the many nights of prayer that will take place throughout the diocese, announced Father Duberney Villamizar, vicar for Hispanic Affairs. As Pope Francis calls us to do, we are invited to be a Samaritan Church, a Church that welcomes, accompanies, and supports those in greatest need. May each prayer night inspire us to live with greater commitment and fraternal love so that we may truly become communities that pray, live, and celebrate through the wonderful experience of hospitality and welcome in Christ.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
