August of Action: Let our People Go!

Posted on August 12, 2018 by jatt79

We gathered John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018

Action:
I was at the ICE headquarters in downtown Portland July 31 and August 7. Along with the 100 other people of faith and good will I walked, prayed, sang and cried out “Let Our People Go”.

 There are 123  asylum-seeking individuals who detained at the Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution.  They have passed their credible fear reviews and can be released.  We are asking they be released to the faith community.

With those gathered, I committed to the August of Action Covenant/Code of Conduct.

I will treat each person (including workers, police, and media) with respect
I will connect with people and attempt to win hearts & minds
I will not use violence, threats or insulting language
I will protect opponents from insults or attack
I will not damage equipment, apparatus, or property of others
I will accept responsibility for my actions
If I am arrested, I will behave in an exemplary manner
I will assert my right to protest and my right to silence before the law
I will know the limits of my anger or despair, and will develop strategies to manage and channel these emotions effectively.

We walked and will walk again to cry out “Let our People Go!”

We prayed. John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018

Invitation:
God calls. Scripture teaches. Spirit stirs. Faith requires. Be a voice. Faith has voice. Let it be yours.

We have and will continue to be the moral voice and presence. It is now time for our elected representatives to apply political pressure.

Pray for the detainees in Sheridan and their families. Pray for ICE staff and administrators. Pray for Reverend Michael Ellick, Rabbi Debra Kolodny. They were arrested.

Phone our congressional delegation. Thank them for their support already and tell them to use their power to pressure ICE to release the detainees. Phone numbers are below:
Senator Jeff Merkley, (202) 224-3753
Senator Ron Wyden, (202) 224-5244
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, (503) 231-2300
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, (503) 469-6010

We walked and will again.
John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018

Phone Elizabeth Godfrey, acting ICE director; request the release of the detainees to the faith community. 503-326-3302.

Be Present for your families, neighbors, the poor and vulnerable, and refugees and immigrants in our community.

We care called to be sanctuary by welcoming others. Please listen to the call of sanctuary.

Sanctuary

Peace, John

 

 

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The Power We Have

Posted on July 29, 2018 by jatt79

Dear John Francis,
Happy you and Grace had a good time in the Mount Rushmore area.

Regarding the current activities regarding immigration, I do support freedom of speech, but not violence. As Christians, we have been given a spirit and responsibility.

“God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.“ 1Timothy 1:7.

I endeavor to conduct myself in that manner and affiliate myself with others who try to do the same. That is the primary reason I continue to be involved in the Inter-faith Movement for Immigrant Justice.

God tells us; “you shall not oppress a resident alien” instead we are to “love the alien as yourself”.

Our Catholic faith teaches that
1. People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.
2. A country has the right to regulate its borders and to control immigration.
3. A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.

Last month, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Oregon released a letter calling for mercy, charity and access to pastoral care for the 123 immigrant detainees at the Sheridan Federal Prison in Oregon. He stands with other bishops -“In condemning the separation of family members at the U.S./Mexico border as part of the implementation of the Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy.” Archbishop sample calls for mercy, charity and access to pastoral care after recent immigration activity 

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have visited the border.  “The children who are separated from their parents need to be reunited. That’s already begun and it’s certainly not finished and there may be complications, but it must be done and it’s urgent,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.They are calling for reunification of for keeping families to together. Bishops end border visit calling for urgent reunification of children

Politically and morally our country is in a dangerous and turbulent time. I picked up the most recent Time Magazine. It contained a thought provoking article  A Reckoning After Trump’s Border Separation Policy: What Kind of Country Are We?

It was Alexis de Tocqueville, the French observer of the early American character, who recognized the danger of placing too much value on business, law and order at the expense of the higher values. Warning of the country’s obsession with material gain and the enforcement of order necessary to pursue it, he wrote,” A nation that asks nothing of its government but the maintenance of order is already a slave at heart.”

Christ warned us of the same when He taught, “We cannot serve two masters”. Yet, we are in this world and need to participate, and at times challenge the prevailing culture. That is our right and responsibility as citizens, Catholics and people of good will.

Contact your member of Congress. What is their position on immigration issues – “zero tolerance”, DACA, family separation and security? Do they truly align with our faith and values?

I am traveling to back Baltimore and Philadelphia for a conference – Cultivating Creativity in Social Justice Ministry: “Love requires a concrete, creative response”.

Knowing it will be hot, I designed myself a new hat with the wording “Faith Has a Voice”. You could say it is my counter to “Make American Great Again”.

Talk to you soon.

Ann and I send our love.
In Christ and Peace,
John Marshall

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Desire and Help

Posted on June 19, 2018 by jatt79

Desire and Help

Jesus, I desire to be your disciple in Spirit.
Jesus, help me to be your disciple in Spirit.

Jesus, I desire to be your disciple in Thought.
Jesus, help me to be your disciple in Thought.

Jesus, I desire to be your disciple in Word.
Jesus, help me to be your disciple in Word.

Jesus, I desire to be your disciple in Action.
Jesus, help me to be your disciple in Action.

 

John Kingery – June 19, 2018

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Is It Subversive?

Posted on March 12, 2018 by jatt79

Is It Subversive?

On this day in 1977, Rutilio Grande, SJ was martyred in El Salvador. He along with an old peasant and teenage boy were killed in a hail of gun fire. Grande was considered a “radical” for his commitment to the poor and vulnerable. “Very soon the Bible won’t be allowed to cross our borders. We will get only the bindings, because all the pages are subversive.”

Is it subversive to promote mercy and peace in our communities by implementing reasonable regulation on fire arms? Our Catholic Bishops support universal background checks for gun purchases, limiting civilian access to high capacity weapons and ammunition, outlawing gun trafficking. They support restorative justice legislation to help break people out of the cycle of violence. The Church support improved access to help for those with addiction and mental health needs.

Two weeks ago, I received active shooter training where I work. The presenter was a law officer of a local swat team. He acknowledged that access to semi-automatic weapons should be limited. The core issue is the lack of respect for all human life.

“Peace and violence cannot dwell together, and where there is violence, God cannot be present.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church – #488. (1 Chronicles 22:8-9)

What will you do to promote mercy and peace in your community today?

Peace, John

 

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I will not be silent

Posted on March 4, 2018 by jatt79

St. Juan Diego, Portland Oregon – Bulletin Board – January, 2018

They banned refugees,
I welcomed them and prayed.
They criminalized immigrants, and I prayed.
I realized they are our brothers and sisters.
They demonized the Dreamers and their families, and I prayed.
I listened and learned.
I will pray! I will not be silent! I will act!

John M. Kingery February 24, 2018

Credits: “Migrants and Refugees” – Pope Francis, World of Peace Message 2018;
“Strangers no longer” photo courtesy of United Against Racism – Dublin, Ireland;
“Christ Leading the Way” courtesy of John M. Kingery – copyright 2018 all rights reserved;
“We are family” courtesy of Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office – www.acmro.catholic.org.au – © 2018 Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office. All Rights Reserved
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Effective Compassion: Crossing the Sea

Posted on February 28, 2018 by jatt79

Effective Compassion: Crossing the Sea
February 10th, 2018
PCC Rock Creek, Portland Oregon

Good evening everyone and thank you for coming.
I am John Kingery, a member of St. Juan Diego’s Social Justice Ministry. My ancestors migrated from Germany and Ireland to the United States seeking a better life and fleeing religious discrimination. Today, immigrants and refugees migrate to our country for some of the same reasons.

Journey                                                                                                                  

Nearly a year ago, I was welcoming refugees at the airport.  Their smiles and joyful faces brought light into the evening.   The first Muslim ban had gone into effect.  I stood with my Muslim friends and 1200 others at the Muslim Educational Trust in Tigard.

Immigrants were now being categorized as criminals, lazy and unwelcome.  Those Ideas are contrary to my faith and values.  We are to love the foreigner in our land.  All people have the right to migrate.  Nations have the right to regulate their borders and immigration.  Regulation must be done with justice and mercy.

 At presentations by Catholic Charities and World Relief, I learned to not be overwhelmed by the numbers.  Hispanic community members were fearful of attending classes to learn about their faith.    I began to fully realize we are family; we are united and stand together.  “Somos Familia! ¡Estamos Unidos! Nuestra familia estamos juntos.”

 On May Day in Portland, I was carrying simple and powerful message from Catholic Archbishop Sample, “It does not matter to me from where you have come, when you came, or whether you have the proper documents or not. You are loved!”  Along with me were children, elderly, workers, immigrants, marginalized and other ordinary citizens.   A message drowned out in concussion grenade, tear gas and burning trash cans.

In July, along with over 50 individuals from 11 faith communities I began a journey. We learned that sanctuary is more than a building, it is building a community.  Along with people of good will, we stood in solidarity with immigrants at monthly vigils at the Washington County Court House. I wrote articles for the Catholic press.

Last November, I was again at the Muslim Educational Trust.   This time I was there to view Papers, learn more about Dreamers and their situation.  I met Petrona and asked her three questions.

• Has the faith community been supportive?
• Did she know that St. Juan Diego were their neighbors?
• Could we work together?

She answered yes to all three questions. We are here tonight.

Conclusion:

My spiritual advisor asked me, “What is your motto for the coming year”. Reflecting over the past year, I said – “Effective compassion”. What I do should make a difference for others. Compassion in that I am willing to suffer with and for others.

Three points to remember:

  • “We have been given a spirit of power and love and self-control.” 2-Timothy 1:7
  • “Power without love is injustice and love without knowledge of power will never achieve justice.” Paul Tillerich
  • “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” –Rabindranath Tagore

Please welcome Sarah Loose from IMiRJ and Hector Hinojosa from Defensa de la Digndad as they share ways to be effectively compassionate as we cross the sea together.

Your Fight is our Fight – Tu Lucha es Mi Lucha
Copyright 2018 John M. Kingery All rights reserved

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Welcome those searching for peace

Posted on December 20, 2017 by jatt79

Flight To Egypt

Immigrants and refugees are our brothers and sisters. The following is a letter patterned after one appearing in the New Testament I wrote earlier this year. Welcome these men and women searching for peace.  Do not turn them away.

Dear Phil,

Timothy and I, prisoners and servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, send you warm greetings from Beaverton, Oregon. Please share our greetings with your faith community including our sister Alice and earnest brother Art. God’s grace and peace be with the whole community in Abilene, Texas.

You are always in my prayers. I give thanks for the great faith and love in Jesus and the holy ones you and your community has exhibited in word and deed. You follow Christ’s example of service to others.

Time has passed since we first met and I shared the good news of Jesus Christ with you, your family and others. During that time of sharing, I met Hector, who was in your employment. He had moved from Mexico to work. You had given him work and a promise to help him gain citizenship. As work became scarce and he heard nothing regarding his citizenship, he became fearful and followed me to Beaverton.

He has become my spiritual son, just as you have been these many years. He was once useless to you but is now useful to you and me. I am old now and my Spanish language skills are limited. Hector has been a great help in sharing the Gospel with the Hispanic Community.

I would have liked his assistance longer to serve me and the Lord. Knowing you to be an honorable man, I am sending Hector back to Abilene. Phil, see him as not undocumented alien, but as a beloved brother in Christ just as you would welcome me. My request is from my heart as a partner with you in doing the work of the Lord.

If Hector has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. I know you will fulfill my request and more.

Finally, please prepare a guest room for me, for I hope to be granted to you through your prayers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

In Christ and Peace,

John Marshall Francis Kingery

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On Retreat: We and I

Posted on May 4, 2017 by jatt79

Shalom Prayer Center Grounds, Mt. Angel Monastery
Mt. Angel, Oregon
John M. Kingery (c) 2017

We and I

Quit trying to be perfect.

Use that as a balance of spirit, mind and body.

God’s Spirit gives the form and balance. 

We have enough information.

You can go on your way.

I kept pushing and helping (not really).

What is the cost?

I do not know or care; we will do what is needed.

We will LOVE. 

We are glad you are our neighbor. 

Be yourself naturally and force nothing.

PEACE

John

 

 

 

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Erroneous Autonomy: A Catholic Reponse

Posted on January 19, 2017 by jatt79

Earlier this week, I read about a conference which took place January 10 at Catholic University in Washington DC – “Erroneous Autonomy: The Dignity of Work”.  “Erroneous Autonomy” is based on Pope Pius XI encyclical Quadragesimo Anno statements –

“Just as the unity of human society cannot be founded on an opposition of classes, so also the right ordering of economic life cannot be left to a free competition of forces. For from this source, as from a poisoned spring, have originated and spread all the errors of individualist economic teaching.” #88

Bishop McElroy of San Diego spoke on the three framing forces life in our country today and how they are in opposition to Catholic Social Teaching.

  • Drive for sovereignty of the markets: “But as Catholic social teaching has made clear in every moment of the modern era, free markets do not constitute a first principle of economic justice. Their moral worth is only instrumental in nature and must be structured by society and government to accomplish the common good.”
  • Technocratic paradigm: “The technocratic paradigm is a devastatingly corrosive form of erroneous autonomy. It claims moral status through its ability to capture one element of reality and promises that this one element has the capacity to produce human flourishing.”
  • Nationalism: “As a consequence nationalism as a directive force in society is an example of erroneous autonomy; it is a moral good only when it is connected and subordinated to the order of justice and freedom.”

Those forces Bishop McElroy points out do not have any moral authority by themselves.  On the other hand, Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in the moral principles of:

  • Dignity of the human person:  Every human being is infinitely valuable and loved in the eyes of God, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or physical appearance.
  • Pursuit of the common good:  The common good is the complete development of all the people of the world. John XXIII describes it as ‘the sum total of conditions of social living, whereby persons are enabled more fully and readily to achieve their own perfection.’ Mater et Magistra – “Mother and Teacher” (1961), paragraph 65.    
  • The principle of subsidiarity:  Its basic principle is that matters should be dealt with at the lowest and most appropriate authority and that a central authority should perform only those tasks that cannot be carried (effectively) out at a more local level.
  • The call to solidarity:  Solidarity is about valuing our fellow human beings and respecting who they are as individuals. 
    • “The many situations of inequality, poverty and injustice, are signs not only of a profound lack of fraternity, but also of the absence of a culture of solidarity. New ideologies, characterized by rampant individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism, weaken social bonds, fuelling that “throw away” mentality which leads to contempt for, and the abandonment of, the weakest and those considered “useless”. In this way human coexistence increasingly tends to resemble a mere do ut des which is both pragmatic and selfish.”  Pope Francis

Source: http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/themes/

Cardinal O’Malley reflected the Catholic commitment to the dignity of labor.  He worked with migrant workers as director of El Centro Catolico Hispano.  Dignity of labor is not an abstract concept.  Additionally, Cardinal O’Malley reminded those attended and us that affordable health care is – “Foundational to well-being…and the lack of health care directly threatens human dignity…Our moral obligation (is) not to abandon people in their times of need is clear.”

For more information on the conference see https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/conference-examines-clash-between-us-culture-catholic-social-teaching.

These are challenging times regardless of your perspective.  It is time to pray, listen, learn, think and act together even more guided by our common faith in Christ

In closing, I want to share the following –

“Our rights can only be enhanced by those of everyone else”.  – Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes: Soundings in Christian tradition.

In Christ and Peace,

John M. Kingery

 

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Standing Rock – Trevor Hall

Posted on November 22, 2016 by jatt79

This so powerful and truthful.  Peace John

Standing Rock by Trevor Hall

To the east and west
To the north and south
Warrior Warrior

Gather every tribe
Mama needs you now
Warrior Warrior

Suits are moving in just to get their dollar
Treaties being broken no respect or honor

Listen close my friend
This is happening
Warrior Warrior

If you are a rock
Stand up like a mountain
Rise up from the earth
One Love One Message
I know that we are strong in spirit
And if you are the righteous, hear it
If you are a rock
Stand up like a mountain

Burn the sage and cedar
Spirit is the leader
Warrior Warrior

The clouds are getting heavy
Thunder Beings are ready
Warrior Warrior

Where the oil spills we cannot drink the water
Seven Generations all the sons and daughters

Gather all your friends
This is happening
Warrior Warrior

Water is Life
Life from the Water
Water is Life
Elders they taught us
Water is Life
Life from the Water

Click below for the video

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