March 4, 2010 Best films of 2009 Serving the Catholic community of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore Page 13 Vol. 45, No. 9 THE DIALOG 4 www.cdow.org/dialog.html Quelling immigrants’ census fears Church groups address myths By Gary Morton A project Staff reporter Church ministries and other faith-based organizations in Delaware that serve immigrants FOR THE and other underserved popula- tions are trying to counter some myths as they promote participa- tion in the 2010 Census. Census forms are being mailed this month as part of the ages government’s effort every 10 years to get an accurate count of the people living in each state. April 1 is Census Day, which the Census Bureau uses as a target date for returning completed More than a decade ago forms by mail. Maria Velasquez, community a North Carolina man went organizer for the Hispanic advo- looking for his family’s roots cacy group Voices Without Bor- ders, urges all people to answer in Wilmington. Many volunteer the 10 questions on the form hours later, local Catholics have when it arrives. Among the ques- tions are how many people live at a valuable genealogical tool an address, their names and sex, and other demographic informa- online — parish sacramental tion. records from before 1900. One of the major myths Velasquez battles among many Story, page 10 Latinos and other immigrants, 4 especially those without proper documentation, is that Immigra- tion and Customs Enforcement officers will use the information to deport them. By law, Velasquez said, census informa- tion “can’t be used for immigra- tion issues or anything like that. I don’t think the community is Ten receive papal honors aware of that.” None of the ques- Major study tions asks whether the respondent Seven laypeople, two priests, and one sister cited for service is a citizen or has proper docu- Dialog report vice to the church. Created in 1791 by Pope Pius VI, of U.S. parish mentation. it depicts the image of Christ on a gold Greek cross. Voices Without Borders, Ten men and women, including two religious- Receiving the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross are life underway. which has offices at St. Paul order priests, one woman religious, Dorothy Arthur, Anthony Flynn, and Parish in Wilmington, is one of and seven laypeople, have been Dr. Eileen Schmitt. The Pro Ecclesia 4Page 4 several church ministries and awarded papal honors by Pope et Pontifice (“for church and pope”) Benedict XVI for service to the Cross was established in 1888 by See Census, page 2 church, Bishop Malooly has Pope Leo XIII and is given for distin- announced. guished service to the church. The Receiving the Benemerenti Medal medal includes a Greek-shaped cross are Thomas Connelly Jr., Carl Dan- with an image of saints Peter and Paul berg, Brother Ronald Giannone, Sis- in the middle. ter Maria Mairlot, Father Joseph The recipients will be formally McLaughlin, Jack Raughley, and honored during a ceremony May 30 at The awards are the Pro Eccle- Darryl Simms, who is being honored sia et Pontifice Cross (left) 4 p.m. at St. John the Beloved Church posthumously. The Benemerenti and the Benemerenti medal. in Wilmington, along with four priests (“good merit”) Medal recognizes who were recently named chaplains to individuals for exceptional accomplishments and ser- See Honors, page 3 2 THE DIALOG March 4, 2010 The church, through ministries such as Seton Center in Somerset Census County, Md., reaches out to peo- Bishop Malooly’s ple in the categories Aguilera- Continued from page 1 Titus cited. Somerset County is schedule the poorest in Maryland, with a organizations in the diocese per capita annual income of SATURDAY, MARCH 6 sity board meet- working with the Census Bureau $24,053. • Confirmation, Ss. Peter ing, Emmitsburg, Md., 9 a.m. on this year’s count. Others “They trust us,” Sister Regina and Paul, Easton, Md., 11 a.m. TUESDAY, MARCH 9 include the diocesan Ministry for Hudson said of the center’s SUNDAY, MARCH 7 • Catholic Diocese Founda- Black Catholics, Hispanic Min- clients. “If we share with them it’s • Mass and Knights of tion meeting, 1626 Union St., istry, Catholic Charities, and OK to tell how many people are Columbus Breakfast of Cham- Wilmington, 1 p.m. Seton Center, a Catholic Charities living in your house, they say pions, Christ Our King, Wilm- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 outreach center in Princess Anne, ‘Oh, OK.’ They realize it’s going ington, 10 a.m. • Diocesan Finance Council, Md. They are providing to be alright.” MONDAY, MARCH 8 1626 Union St., Wilmington, brochures and other information In Wilmington, Velasquez • Mount St. Mary’s Univer- 12:30 p.m. and encouraging their clients to understands some of the concerns participate. new arrivals have; she came to the “From a social justice stand- U.S. from Colombia 10 years point, the census is important in ago. “It’s hard for some Latinos On the cover that it impacts how federal to understand a government doing Photograph of St. Mary’s in Wilmington (top, circa 1905) resources are allocated” for something good,” she said, since courtesy of the Delaware Historical Society; Photo of The schools, roads, and social ser- some come from nations with Cathedral of St. Peter by Don Blake/The Dialog. vices, said Andy Zampini, direc- corrupt governments. tor of Catholic Charities’ Parish Within Hispanic communities, Social Ministry. “It is important The Census Bureau has pro- she said, frustration over immi- for all to participate, but it is espe- duced material for people gration issues sometimes leads to cially important for underserved who work with immigrants. a feeling “that undocumented I’ve Always populations to participate so that immigrants can’t even be counted they are counted for when it in federal funding. as real people in this country.” comes to the allocation of Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, “Here’s a chance to be counted Been a resources.” assistant director for Hispanic for something that matters,” After April 1, census workers affairs for the U.S. Conference of Velasquez said. “This is only to will visit households that did not Catholic Bishops, said three count you as a human being liv- Planner. return a form. The bureau is groups are historically under- ing and breathing and sometimes So why stop now? required to provide population counted: “the new immigrant, even working in this country. It’s information to Washington in those who are isolated due to little a count of the population and how December. That information will knowledge of English, and the many of each ethnicity is in the be used to distribute $400 billion low-income.” country.” Drop by our Pike Creek location for a Catholic Charities’ needs food free brochure on Estate & Funeral Planning 703 Broom Street • Wilm., DE • 652-5913 www.mealeyfuneralhome.com to restock pantries in diocese Dialog report those pantries doubled from 2008 to 2009, the agency reported. The harsh winter weather has taken a toll on food Donations may be made Monday through Friday Family Values, supplies at Catholic Charities’ food distribution between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the following loca- outlets in the diocese. Demand is up and donations tions: FamilyFamily Values,V Values,ision Vision Vision are down. Through its “Stock the Pantry” program, Catholic Charities’ main office, 2601 W. Vision the agency is again asking for contributions of non- Fourth St., Wilmington, 655-9624 and Planning Planning perishable food and grocery store gift cards that can Bayard House, 300 Bayard Ave., Wilmington, and Planning be dropped off at Catholic Charities locations and 654-1184 11 churches in the diocese starting Saturday and Kent County office, 1155 Walker Road, Dover, ending March 28. 674-1600 ESTATE PLANNING “The heavy snowfall and cold temperatures, Sussex County office, 406 S. Bedford St., Suite along with the continuing poor economic climate, 9, Georgetown, 856-9578 ELDER LAW have placed great demands on our emergency Casa San Francisco, 127 Broad St., Milton, pantries and our food distribution programs,” said 684-8694 VETERAN’S LAW Richelle Vible, Charities’ executive director. “Over Eastern Shore office, 1201 Pemberton Drive, the last two years, our communities have donated Suite 1-A, Salisbury, Md., (410) 749-1121 W ILLIAM W. E RHART, ESQ. over 20,000 pounds of food. Unfortunately, Seton Center, 30632 Hampden Ave., Princess 302-651-0113 Catholic Charities distributes that much food in one Ann, Md., (410) 651-9608 800 KING STREET • WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801 month. The need is constant.” Casa San Francisco and Bayard House can FREE PARKING Catholic Charities coordinates food cooperative accept donations 7 days a week. Call ahead before programs at Casa San Francisco in Milton, Bayard making a donation. House in Wilmington, and Seton Center in Princess Monetary donations also are accepted. Online THE 2009-10 DIRECTORY Anne, Md. Those programs distribute food month- donations may be made at www.cdow.org/ccdona ly to qualified participants, along with information tion.html; choose “Food Distribution Programs” as OF THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON about shopping on a budget, menu planning, and the designated ministry. nutrition. Casa San Francisco and Seton Center For food distribution program guidelines, call Order your copy now. Call 573-3109. also operate emergency food pantries; demand at See Food, page 5 Member: Catholic Press Association TELEPHONE: Newsroom (302) 573-3109 Editor-General Manager Graphics & Production The Dialog is published 45 weeks per year (biweekly in Advertising (302) 573-3112 FAX (302) 573-6948 JIM GRANT VIRGINIA DURKIN ASTI June, July & August) by The Catholic Press of Wilmington, E-Mail [email protected] Assistant Editor Reporters THE DIALOG Inc.