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Aston, PA-Putting our corporate stand into action, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia invite you to join people throughout the nation next week as we continue to call for comprehensive immigration reform and stand against the anti-immigrant legislation recently passed in Arizona and introduced in Pennsylvania and 16 other states.
In Pennsylvania, we join a statewide, week-long, 24-hour per day prayer vigil to show support for the people of Arizona as they face firsthand the devastating consequences of federal inaction on comprehensive immigration reform and prepare for new extreme anti-immigrant legislation to go into effect on July 28. In addition, at least 20 faith communities across the state will host public prayer events, protesting attempts by Pennsylvania’s state house to replicate Arizona style enforcement laws locally and to pray for courageous leadership in Washington to act now on immigration reform that keeps families together and fixes our broken system.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia will host the rolling prayer service on Immigration in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Arizona on June 10, 2010, in Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014-1207, 7 P.M. – 8 P.M. All are welcome.
Central Baptist Churchof Wayne hosted the opening prayer vigil on Sunday, June 6 at 7 P.M. Together we lit vigil candles that will remain lit throughout the week and renewed our commitment to tend the flames of hope, justice, solidarity, and unity for and with our immigrant brothers and sisters. The gathering time opened with prayer, song, stories, and reflections on the issue of immigration justice. Moving into a creative response time, we had opportunities to travel among several learning, reflection, and action stations.
A large closing event Concert of Song and prayer will be held on Saturday, June 12, at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (568 Montgomery Avenue at Pennswood) from 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.
In addition to the public events, we are inviting individuals to commit to a moment of prayer at some time during the week. We simply ask that you take about 30 or 60 minutes to engage in prayer, meditation, or other action in support of our brothers in sisters in Arizona.
Pennsylvania’s week long vigil is part of a broader nationwide, eight-week effort called the Isaiah 58 Summer, a nationwide vigil and fast for Arizona. The Isaiah 58 Summer, a “rolling” prayer vigil and fast, will move from region to region from June 6 to July 28, culminating with a three-day fast, July 30-August 1, in both Arizona and across the country. Each week, groups in different states will lead constant prayer and public witness in support of the people of Arizona to denounce the anti-immigrant law there and to send the message to state and national leaders that we need humane, just comprehensive immigration reform this year—and that no other state should face legislation like Arizona’s. The event honors the young activists who have maintained a growing 1500+ person prayer vigil outside the Arizona state house.
