Jesus himself was a migrant,said University of Notre Dame theologian Rev. Daniel Groody, C.S.C., who recently released his second immigration documentary, titledStrangers No Longer,to build on the U.S. Catholic Bishopsimmigration statement and influence peoples understanding of immigrants from a Catholic perspective.
Designed to expose audiences to current immigration realities, the film highlights Catholic social teaching on migration and the churchs perspective on what changes are necessary.
I think one of the most powerful ways we can be Catholic is to be hospitable,Father Groody said.And when we are, we create a community of love and civilization that reflects Gods love for the world.
Strangers No Longer,produced by Groody River Films and the Catholic Communication Campaign of the U.S. BishopsJustice for Immigrants campaign, will be used nationwide as an educational tool to discuss the Church and immigration, as was “Dying to Live: A Migrants Journey,” released by Father Groody in 2005.
Dying to Live,which was screened at numerous national and international film festivals and was namedbest documentaryat the New Way Media Film Festival, provides a profound look at the human face of Mexican migrants, including who they are, why they leave their homes and what they face on their journeys.It has been shown on Capitol Hill and at colleges and universities around the world, including Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Princeton Universities.It has been circulated among organizations, including Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, the Academy for Catholic Hispanic Theologians, No More Deaths, and Humane Borders.
Father Groody, an assistant professor of theology and director of the Center for Latino Spirituality and Culture in Notre Dames Institute for Latino Studies, has been studying Mexican immigration for more than 15 years and recently received a fellowship with the Oxford Refugee Centre for next year.He is the author ofBorder of Death, Valley of Life: An Immigrant Journey of Heart and Spiritand is the author of the forthcoming bookGlobalization, Spirituality and Justice: Navigating the Path to Peaceand editor ofThe Option for the Poor in Christian Theology,also to be released this month.
Both films are available on-line at http://www.nd.edu/~latino/dyingtolive/..
Contact: Rev. Daniel Groody, C.S.C., 574-631-5096, dgroody@nd.edu
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