Brothers and Sisters,

Immigration.

There, I said the word. This simple word likely makes us squeamish or uncomfortable. We may hold strong political positions, or we may have family or friends with whom it’s nearly impossible to have a calm dialogue around this sensitive topic.

This past spring, a dedicated parish family left Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Why? Because our petitionary prayers at Mass too often included prayers for immigrant and migrant groups. I have tried to avoid any “political messages” in our petitions, but our faith cannot be confined to the four walls of the Church building. We are called to help build the Kingdom of God here and now. That means our faith must extend beyond the sanctuary and into the public square. For us, that includes the life of our City, Baltimore, where the Gospel must still be proclaimed and lived out amid the civic and political realities we face.

The Gospel today seems blunt. It challenges any notion of a wishy-washy, “all is love” Jesus. He does not mince words. He knows that living the Gospel will lead to conflict, not just with the outside world but sometimes even within our homes. And that conflict will not be fair. Note the emphasis: three against two or two against three —never even.

This tension isn’t just theoretical. We feel it — in our parishes, in our families, in the real and messy challenges of daily life. I will admit: I do not know the answer. You can quote me on that. But I am deeply concerned that we approach this issue in prayer—that’s what the petitions are seeking. God, help us to do this Your way, not our own. Help us to hold onto the values of compassion and mercy, even as we address (or simply acknowledge) matters of the State. As we ask, let us always be willing to see the person and the family impacted by our political opinions.

Archbishop Lori, as our pastor and shepherd, has released a message responding to this moment of great uncertainty. It is a time marked by fear and isolation, as immigration enforcement actions are carried out with increasing frequency. I encourage you to listen and watch: youtu.be/zbrO-Jr1FiE. More importantly, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer — for yourself, for our Church, and for our nation.

Please keep in your prayers this weekend Sr. Thomas Miriam, who will make her perpetual vows with the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Alma, Michigan. Next weekend, she will join us in celebration at the 11:00 AM Mass, as her vocation was cultivated and encouraged here at OLPH. She spent many hours in prayer in our Adoration Chapel and was strengthened by the support of a parish community that prayed for and accompanied her.

As we approach a new academic year, I also ask your prayers for our faith formation programs, sacramental preparation—including Confirmation—and our parish school. A point of clarification: Confirmation preparation will take place in age-specific groups—Elementary, Middle School, and High School—so 3rd graders will not be grouped with high schoolers, and vice versa. May the Lord help us form disciples after his own heart.