University Community Joins Scranton Prayer Vigil for Immigrants and Refugees  

On Monday, Feb.17, more than 150 people gathered in downtown Scranton in solidarity with, and support of, Scranton's immigrant and refugee communities. The multi-faith Prayer Vigil for Immigrants and Refugees included participation from various community leaders as they shared prayers in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, and excerpts from statements by U.S. Catholic leaders and Pope Francis.  

Community members also gathered in song and joined a procession to St. Luke's Church to hear stories of migration from three local Scrantonians: Wenceslao De la Cruz, P'26, '27, Bernie McGurl and Ushu Mukelo '22. Despite temperatures in the 20s, attendees gathered as a community. A banner stated, “Scranton has always been home to immigrants and refugees.”  

This event was co-sponsored by The University of Scranton, Marywood University, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton Area Multifaith Ministerium, Temple Hesed, Islamic Center of Scranton, Saint Theresa of Calcutta Parish, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton and St. Ann's Passionist Monastery.  

University of Scranton faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents participated in the vigil and were among those in attendance:

• The Rev. Jonathan Kuhar ‘06, pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in South Scranton, read a statement issued by Most Reverend Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton: “Threats of mass deportations and allowing immigration officials to enter churches, schools and healthcare facilities to conduct arrests have only led to fear and anxiety for many of our brothers and sisters."
  
  
• Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs and Will Cohen, Ph.D, professor of theology and religious studies, read from Pope Francis’ recent letter to U.S. Bishops in which he exhorted “all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.”  
  
  
• Ushu Mukelo '22, shared his story of becoming a U.S. citizen after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo due to civil war and spending years in a refugee camp in Uganda. Quoting an Ethiopian proverb he shared: "They say ‘when the webs of a spider join, they can trap a lion.’ Tonight, we stand as a web woven together by love and justice, stronger than any policy that seeks to divide us."
  
  
• University parent Wenceslao De la Cruz P’26, '27 shared how he and his wife left the Dominican Republic to give their children, both currently studying at The University of Scranton, better opportunities. Reflecting on his work with the Hispanic Catholic community at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, he talked about fears and anxieties lowering church attendance: “This made me very sad…It is something that is harmful and shameful for our community."
  
  
• Current student Amanda Karpiak ‘27 spoke to WNEP and stressed the importance of the gathering: "It's really important to remember that all of us have a duty to each other, and everybody that showed up here at least believes that, and that's really hopeful.”
  
  
• Mary Ann Stefko, adjunct faculty member, and student members of the Royal Signers were also on hand to sign in American Sign Language "All Are Welcome" during the opening song of the multi-faith prayer vigil, and
  
  
• Michael O'Malley, director of liturgy and music, campus ministry, led the community in song.  

To read more about the Prayer Vigil for Immigrants and Refugees, please visit the following links: 

WNEP on Scranton rally uniting faiths in support of immigrants’ journey 

WVIA on prayers in Scranton 

Scranton Times Tribune on prayer vigil’s support for immigrants and refugees in Scranton