Human migration.

As this issue of Possumus goes to press, the topic of immigration is getting a lot of attention. From the news you read here in Minnesota, it would be easy to assume that it’s a local or regional issue. But immigration is not aimed at us in particular; it’s global in scope. You might say this human migration has been going on since we first left the trees for a better life on the savannah. Today, everywhere in the world there are people on the move—due to war, famine, ethnic cleansing, poverty, human trafficking, natural disasters, and so on. A much broader issue than who is documented and who is not, this burgeoning human migration affects governments, economies and, perhaps most of all, the well-being of the families and peoples doing the migrating.

        Historically, Sisters of St. Joesph (CSJ) have always had an interest in this issue. For us, it is not a matter of politics. We believe it to be simply a matter of humanity. Caring for strangers in our midst is a logical extension of our mission that asks us to care for “the dear neighbor” regardless of his or her status. Human migration is a concern where we, as Sisters of St. Joseph, see the need for both positive systemic change and increased justice. As you are about to discover, we’ve made it a major part of our work, here and around the world.

Sister Irene O’Neill, CSJ Executive Director Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Ministries Foundation

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