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The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) and the University of Notre Dame will hold the 2020 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, 2020. Out of an abundance of caution for all who would like to participate, this year's conference will take place virtually.

This annual event is part of CMS’s Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative (CIII) which seeks to understand, expand and strengthen the work of Catholic institutions with immigrant communities. The conference will:

  • Present perspectives on the major challenges facing immigrants, refugees, their families and faith communities, at a time of multiple crises;
  • Explore promising and successful programs and ministries with immigrants in parishes, legal services programs, elementary schools, universities, the workplace, charities, community organizing entities, hospitals, and other institutions;
  • Examine how changing national and international immigration and refugee policies are affecting Catholic institutions, their members and those they serve;
  • Explore how Catholic institutions can strengthen their work in promoting the integration, protection, and empowerment of persons with strong roots in sending and receiving communities;
  • Feature an annual address – named after CMS’s co-founder, Fr. Lydio Tomasi, c.s. – on the theological vision underlying the work of Catholic institutions with immigrants and refugees; and,
  • Feature local migrant programs and ministries in the University of Notre Dame regional area.

University of Notre Dame sponsors include the Ford Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish StudiesNotre Dame International, and the Institute for Latino Studies.

 

OCTOBER 1, 2020

9:00 – 9:45AM
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER

9:45 – 10:00AM
BREAK

10:00 – 11:00AM
PLENARY PANEL I:  BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING: IDENTIFYING AND ENGAGING THE PRESSING CHALLENGES OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 

A diverse panel of immigrants and refugees will present their perspectives on the major challenges facing immigrants, refugees and their families, both in the broader society and in their faith communities, including new challenges related to COVID-19 and related policies.

11:00  – 11:30AM
BREAK

11:30AM – 1:00PM
PLENARY PANEL II:  HOW TO BUILD A MORE PROPHETIC, FAITHFUL, AND HOPEFUL CHURCH IN A TIME OF MULTIPLE CRISES  

Migrants, refugees, their families, and communities face multiple crises – historically high levels of forcible displacement, the inequalities and injustices exacerbated by the pandemic, the loss of life and opportunity, and exclusionary attitudes and policies. This panel will speak to these conditions and challenges and will offer ideas and insights on how the Church can respond to the gifts and needs of migrants in a more prophetic, faithful, and hopeful way. It is hoped that this panel will lead to formal and informal gatherings throughout the conference on how the Church can concretely respond to current challenges and opportunities.

1:00 – 1:30PM
BREAK

1:30 – 2:45 PM
PLENARY PANEL III: FROM EMIGRATION TO IMMIGRATION COUNTRY: IRELAND’s ATTEMPT TO BUILD COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING

2:45 – 3:30PM
BREAK

3:30 – 4:45PM
PLENARY PANEL IV: HOW SHOULD CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS BE ADAPTING THEIR WORK WITH REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN LIGHT OF CURRENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES? HOW SHOULD THEY ASSESS THEIR SUCCESS ON IMMIGRANT PROTECTION, EMPOWERMENT AND INTEGRATION? 

This panel will discuss ways that Catholic parishes, hospitals, refugee and legal services programs, charities, and other institutions and ministries can rise to the immense challenges now facing immigrants, refugees, their families and communities. How can Catholic institutions adapt their work on immigrant protection, empowerment and integration, and assess its success in light of current challenges and opportunities?  What new partnerships, programs and ministries will be needed?

5:00 – 6:00PM
COFFEE CHAT ROOMS

Tune into these sessions to participate in open discussions about specific issues, challenges, strategies and resources.

6:00 – 7:00PM
PLENARY PANEL V: OVERCOMING POLITICAL OBSTACLES TO BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING

At a time of harsh and restrictionist federal policies, many states and localities have opted to treat immigrants and their families as full members of their communities, extending to them a range of services, programs and benefits.  This panel will feature political leaders from cities and counties from across the United States who will discuss the role of local government in immigrant integration, protection, and defense at a time of multiple challenges and crises.


OCTOBER 2, 2020

8:00 – 9:30AM
WELCOME AND PRAYER & FR. LYDIO F. TOMASI, C.S. ANNUAL LECTURE ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION 

LECTURE
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ

Under Secretary for the Section on Migrants and Refugees
Dicastery for Integral Human Development

9:30 – 10:00AM
BREAK

10:00 – 11:30AM
PLENARY PANEL VI: HOW CAN CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS BETTER PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION, PROTECTION AND DEFENSE FOR MIGRANTS, REFUGEES, AND FAMILIES ROOTED IN MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES 

Catholic teaching recognizes the right not to have to migrate, as well as the need to promote the full participation of immigrants, refugees, and their families in their new communities. This panel will explore how Catholic institutions can strengthen their work in promoting the integration, protection, and defense of persons with strong roots in sending and receiving communities.  It will consider this challenge at a time of large-scale displacement, returns and removals, and economic hardship.

11:30AM – 12:00PM
BREAK

12:00 – 1:15PM
SIMULTANEOUS SESSIONS: CULTURAL AND LEGAL OBSTACLES TO INTEGRATION

Panel I: Community Sponsorship Models for Immigrant Integration in Europe and North America: Challenges and Opportunities 

Panel II: Working Through Cultural Obstacles to Immigrant Integration and Empowerment: Understanding Differences in Attitudes Toward Migrants in North America and Europe

Panel III: Addressing the Legal Obstacles to Immigrant Integration, Protection and Defense 

Panel IV: Bringing Research to Bear on the Needs of Catholic Institutions, and the Migrant Populations They Serve

1:15 – 2:00PM
BREAK

2:00 – 3:15PM
PLENARY PANEL VII: MAINSTREAMING CATHOLIC TEACHING ON IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES TO CATHOLICS AND CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS

This panel will discuss ways to build parish communities of belonging, hope, and sanctuary, and to mainstream Catholic teaching on immigrants and refugees to the broader Catholic Church.

3:15 – 4:00PM
BREAK

4:00 – 4:30PM
STUDENT PANEL DISCUSSION

Discussion with Notre Dame Students Doing Work with Migrants and Refugees

4:30 – 5:45PM
PLENARY PANEL VIII: A REFLECTION ON MIGRATION, PROTECTION, AND RACE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE HOLY FATHER’S CALL TO GO TO THE PERIPHERIES

This last panel of the conference will reflect on the interrelated themes of migration, protection, and race in the context of Pope Francis’ call to Catholics to go to the peripheries.  Participants will explore these themes from the perspective of marginalized communities—at the US-Mexico border and in the US interior—that are bearing the brunt of current crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and ethnic discrimination, and nativist policies.  It will reflect on what these realities mean for Catholic institutions, individually and collectively.

5:45 – 6:00PM
CONFERENCE ADJOURNMENT & MODERATED DISCUSSION WITH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS: IDEAS FOR STRENGTHENING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH’S WORK WITH IMMIGRANTS AND CLOSING REFLECTIONS

Daniela Alulema, Director of Programs, Center for Migration Studies

J. Kevin Appleby, Consultant, Center for Migration Studies

Maruja MB Asis, Director, Scalabrini Migration Center of Manila

Jose Arnulfo Cabrera, Director of Education and Advocacy for Migration, Ignatian Solidarity Network

Bill Canny, Executive Director, Migration and Refugee Services, USCCB

Fr. Sean Carroll, Executive Director, Kino Border Initiative

Dylan Corbett, Executive Director, Hope Border Institute

Adrian Cristea, Executive Officer, Dublin City Interfaith Forum

Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Under Secretary for the Section on Migrants and Refugees, Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development

Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., Assistant Provost for Internationalization and Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Notre Dame

Ashley Feasley, Director of Policy, Migration and Refugee Services, USCCB

Rev. Filippo Ferraro, c.s., Executive Director, Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa

Oliviero Forti, Manager of Caritas Italiana Immigration Office and President of Caritas Europa Migration Commission

Brian Fraga, Contributing Editor, Our Sunday Visitor

Luis Fraga, Rev. Donald P. McNeill, C.S.C., Professor of Transformative Latino Leadership, University of Notre Dame

Anna Gallagher, Executive Director, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Rev. Daniel Groody, C.S.C., Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

Brett Hoover, Associate Professor and Graduate Director of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

Kiku Huckle, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Pace University

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame

Donald Kerwin, Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies

Sharon Granados Mahato, Director of Development & Strategy, Scalabrini International Migration Network

Ricardo Martinez- Schuldt, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Notre Dame University

Tim Matovina, Professor and Chair of the Theology Department, University of Notre Dame

Fr. Pat Murphy, Director, Casa del Migrante, Tijuana

Mike Nicholson, Researcher, Center for Migration Studies

Rudy Ojcak, Director of Office for Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto

Sr. Joanna Okereke, HHCJ, Assistant Director for the USCCB Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers

Michael N. Okinczyc-Cruz, Executive Director, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership

Hosffman Ospino, Associate Professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Rio Grande Valley

Roberta Ricucci, Associate Professor, University of Turin

Michelle Sardone, Deputy Director of Programs, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Ilaria Schnyder, Ford Family Research Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame

Clemens Sedmak, Professor of Social Ethics; Interim Director, Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre Dame

Elena Segura, Senior Coordinator, Pastoral Migratoria

Fr. Robert Stark, SSS, Regional Coordinator – North America, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Migrants and Refugees Section, Dicastery for Human Development

Mar Munoz Visoso, Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church

Gloria Whitcraft, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend