Global campaign launches Sept. 27 to answer the call to ‘love your neighbor’

From St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope Francis is expected to officially launch the “Share the Journey” global campaign Sept. 27 to support those who have fled their homes seeking a safe life for their families.

The Holy Father will encourage people around the world to answer the Gospel call to “love our neighbors” through prayer, acts of compassion and support.

This worldwide movement is an effort of Caritas Internationalis and is supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA.

“The aim of our campaign is to promote the culture of encounter in communities where migrants and refugees leave and return to, where they travel through and where they choose to make their homes,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, president of Caritas.

“One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves as individuals, communities and countries at this time of mass movements of people and global doubt is ‘do I allow fear to prevail in my heart, or do I allow hope to reign?’” he said.

“Through Share the Journey we hope to dispel fear and understand why so many people are leaving their homes at this time in history,” he said. “We also want to inspire communities to build relationships with refugees and migrants. We want to shine a light and lead the way. Migration is a very old story but our campaign aims to help communities see it with new eyes and an open heart.”

How to participate

The week of Oct. 7-13 has been designated as a Week of Prayer and Action across the U.S. for parishes, schools, organizations and other groups or individuals. Some ways to make a difference:

  • Organize an event in your community, parish or school, or other group
  • Pray
  • Advocate to government on migration
  • Share a “reaching out” photo on social media (a symbolic gesture of reaching out with arms open)
  • Donate to migration projects through Caritas

Caritas is encouraging the public to use the hashtag #sharejourney on social media when sharing stories of encounter. Locally, The Visitor invites you to share your journey by also adding the hashtag #sharejourneystc. Email stories are also welcome at editor@stcloudvisitor.org.

Share the Journey runs until September 2019. Stay tuned for more updates and stories in upcoming editions of The Visitor. For more information, resources and ideas for launching your own campaign, visit the website journey.caritas.org.

Author: Catholic News Service

Catholic News Service is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ news and information service.

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