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MRS Publications


To order any of these resources,
you can print out the
Order Form and mail to:
USCCB/MRS Publications
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194


or call 800-235-8722 where indicated

Refugee Programs

Rebuilding Lives
An informational brochure about the history and scope of MRS' work serving immigrants, refugees and migrants.
Order Form

In Support of Refugee Minors: Skills of Caseworkers
Manual and Video—This training manual and video provide resettlement workers with basic knowledge and skills needed for assessment, placement, and follow-up of refugee minors in the initial phase of resettlement and adjustment to life in the United States.
Order Form

A Training Guide to Assist Trafficked Person
This CD PowerPoint presentation is a training guide to be used by individuals knowledgeable about the subject who wish to inform others on the topic.
Order Form

Stop Trafficking of People (in .pdf format)
This USCCB/MRS resource guide highlights basic facts about human trafficking. It addresses core considerations around prevention of trafficking, protection of victims of trafficking and prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking.
Order Form

Facts of Life in the United States
This publication provides all newly arrived refugees with basic orientation information as they begin their new lives in the United States. It is available in a wide range of languages and should be used as part of a broader refugee orientation program provided by the diocesan resettlement staff.
Order Form

Travel Loan Materials
This publication provides newly arriving refugees with information about their travel loan obligations. This kit is available in a wide variety of languages.
Order Form

Refugee Housing—Meeting a Critical Need
A USCCB/MRS publication on standards,
strategies, and resources for meeting the housing needs of newly arriving refugees. This publication guides resettlement staff through the process of assessing the need for housing, the available resources, and strategies for meeting the need.
Order Form

HIV/AIDS Materials
A concise and informative series of four booklets containing basic information on HIV/AIDS, and guidelines for caring for those infected with the disease. The materials, adapted from a National Catholic AIDS Network/Catholic Charities USA publication, are available in seven languages.
Order Form

Refugee Information Series
Provides cultural background information for resettlement staff and volunteers about newly arriving refugee populations. Sixteen in series.
Order Form

MRS Programs & Activities
Describes the programs and activities and tells the stories of some of the people served through the USCCB/MRS Office of Refugee Programs.
Order Form

A Landlord’s Guide to Renting to Refugees
Developed by Mercy Housing System, these brochures are intended for distribution to landlords to encourage them to provide rental housing to newly arriving refugees. The promotional brochures explain the benefits of renting to refugees and offering hope to these people in need of a home. Brochures are available through MRS.
Order Form

Traveling Companions Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry Video
The needs of migrants and refugees throughout the world have always been great. For over two hundred years, the Catholic Church in the United States has worked to meet those needs – helping to resettle refugees, advocating on behalf of immigrants and people on the move, and providing pastoral care to newcomers from all over the world. This video shows the plight of refugees who have been forced to leave their homes, often never to return, and the volunteers who are acting on the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger in our midst.
Order Form


Migrant Farmworker Ministry

Celebrando la Presencia de Jesucristo
Bilingual reflection manual on the sacraments for adult migrant farm workers.
Publication No. 5-030
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Oraciones del Peregrino (Prayers of the Migrant)
Bilingual Spanish/English prayerbook. $0.50
Order Form

Oracion del Peregrino (Prayer of the Migrant)
Four language color-coded prayerbook in Spanish, English, Creole and Q'anjob'al (Maya). $1.00
Order Form

Un Pueblo Que Camina
Bilingual first communion manual for catechists working with migrant children. $10.00
Order Form

Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network
Brochure about bringing a pastoral presence to the lives of migrant and seasonal farm workers.
Order Form


Parish & Community Support for Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees

Traveling Companions Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry Video
The needs of migrants and refugees throughout the world have always been great. For over two hundred years, the Catholic Church in the United States has worked to meet those needs – helping to resettle refugees, advocating on behalf of immigrants and people on the move, and providing pastoral care to newcomers from all over the world. This video shows the plight of refugees who have been forced to leave their homes, often never to return, and the volunteers who are acting on the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger in our midst.
Order Form

Welcoming the Stranger Among Us Kit; Unity in Diversity
The vast array of resources in this kit have been designed to offer practical guidance for building more welcoming and inclusive parishes. Kit contains copies of published documents and related resources (several of which can be photocopied and distributed to small groups and in other community settings).
Publication No. 5-407
To order, call 800-235-8722

These notecards featuring unique artwork on the theme of unity in diversity are ideal for staff's use as thank you notes or as gifts to volunteers, donors, or other individuals. Notecards come in sets of eight cards with envelopes.
Available from MRS at $2.00/set

The Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry POWR* Point Presentation Kit
This resource is designed for use in developing support from parish leadership for the Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry. The POWR Point presentation may also be used to present the refugee resettlement ministry to diocesan and agency leadership. The purpose of the presentation is to: (a) provide the audience with a general overview of key topics and issues regarding the Church and refugees, (b) give them information about what is involved in resettling refugees and (c) move the parish leadership to begin a Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministry. In addition to the presentation, the kit includes materials and tools to assist in building relationships with parishes.
*POWR stands for Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees
Order Form

Working with Refugees: A Guide for Community Involvement
A multifaceted resource kit designed for those working to develop community involvement in refugee resettlement and to facilitate their involvement in the ongoing process of resettlement. The kit includes: (1) A Manual that can be ordered and used separately from the kit for use as a resettlement "handbook" by volunteers;
(2) A Workshop Guide that provides guidelines for diocesan staff to conduct an educational workshop covering the specifics of refugee resettlement, and; (3) A Slide Presentation designed to give audiences an overview of refugees and refugee resettlement.
Order Form

Handbook for Generating Media Publicity
A "How-To" handbook for developing relationships and working with the media. Addressed are very specific steps to take from writing a press release and giving media interviews to using radio and television to promote your program as well as points on how to deliver a successful speech.
Order Form

Connections: An Invitation to Serve Newly Arriving Immigrants and Refugees
A brochure describing the situation of newly arriving refugees in the United States and the valuable assistance that volunteers can provide.
Order Form

The Welcoming Parish: Developing and Sustaining Parish Support
A "How-To" Manual—A practical training guide to help diocesan resettlement staff increase parish involvement. The accompanying parish kit contains resources for use with parishes.
Order Form

We Are Called to Practice What We Teach
Designed for dissemination to Catholic parish leadership, this brochure describes Church teaching as it relates to helping refugees and the ways that parishes can become involved.
Order Form

People Helping People: Enhancing the Welcome
A "How-To" guide and materials for developing and managing a volunteer program.
Order Form

Developing Parish Support for Refugee Resettlement
This report presents the highlights, best practices, and strategies of the various diocesan resettlement program pilot projects to increase parish support for refugees.
Order Form

Communities of Salt and Light
The bishops communicate a critical message for all parishes: We cannot be called truly Catholic unless we hear and heed the Church's call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace . . . Effective social ministry . . . is an essential part of parish life.
Publication No. 701-4
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions
Outlines seven basic ideas from Catholic Social Teaching—When working with parishes, helping leaders to understand the seven themes is essential to providing the motivation and the rationale for our efforts to welcome the stranger.
Publication No. 5-281
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Called to Global Solidarity
Resource manual designed for parishes and other organizations that seek to live out the Holy Father's call to solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
Publication No. 5-118
To order, call 800-235-8722.


Education on Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees

Who Are My Sisters and Brothers? Reflections for Understanding and Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees
A companion piece to the manual, geared for personal and group discussion and reflection with the goal of better understanding and welcoming those from other nations.
Publication No. 5-057
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Who Are My Sisters and Brothers? Understanding and Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees Video
An up-close and personal look at some of the human faces behind the immigration debate in our nation.
Publication No. 5-053
To order, call 800-235-8722.

National Migration Week Resource Materials
Liturgical, educational, and programmatic materials to assist parishes, schools, colleges, and universities in this annual observance sponsored by the USCCB.
Order Form

Culture Papers
Descriptive papers that contain historical background of the Catholic Church in sixteen different ethnic groups and the unique Catholic and cultural traditions that are attributed to each group.
Order Form

Our European Multi-Ethnic Heritage
An overview of the early development of the Catholic Church in the United States, focusing on the evolution of one Church from a diversity of ethnic communities.
Order Form

Asian and Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith
In this pastoral statement, the U.S. bishops present a portrait of the Asian and Pacific American communities and reflect on the pastoral needs and concerns of this rapidly growing population. The statement offers national, diocesan, and parish-level leaders seven strategies to more fully support the continued growth and maturing of the Asian and Pacific communities.
Publication No. 5-449
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice
A pastoral reflection on lay discipleship for justice in a new millennium.
Publication No. 5-116
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Called to Faithful Citizenship
In addition to communicating the basic message about the importance of participation in the development of public policy, this brochure provides a very brief list of key issues of justice and peace that the Church addresses, including many affecting newcomers.
Publication No. 5-360
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Tenth Anniversary Edition of "Economic Justice For All"
A Catholic framework for economic life; statement and summary.
Publication No. 5-135
To order, call 800-235-8722.

National Migration Week Resource Materials
Liturgical, educational, and programmatic materials to assist parishes, schools, colleges, and universities in this annual observance sponsored by the USCCB.
Kit:
$4.00;
Prayer Cards:
50 $3.00;
Bulletin Inserts:
$3.00;
Poster:
$2.00;
Resource Book:
$3.00
Order Form


Human Mobility Apostolates

American Catholic Seafarers' Church
History of Apostleship of the Sea in the United States. $3
Order Form

An Unconditional Love Story: Meeting the People of the Sea by Karen M. Lai
Potraits of seafarers and those involved in the maritime industry. $7
Order Form

Home from the Sea
Contains songs about seafarers and the maritime industry. $15
Order Form

Apostleship of the Sea Brochure
Mission and objectives of ministry with all port and ship chaplains, seafarers, and fishermen.
Order Form

Lights of Safety on Shore "Song of the Sea"
Audiotape about the Apostleship of the Sea.
Order Form

Way of the Cross at Sea
Order Form

Lenten Guide for Seafarers and Others in the Maritime Industry. $1.00
Order Form

AOS Poster. $0.20
Order Form


Advocacy

White Papers
Packet includes papers on:

  • Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants
  • Fairness for Families—Due Process
  • H-2A Agricultural Workers
  • Mandatory Detention
  • Refugee Resettlement
  • Restoration of Section 245(i)
  • U.S.-Mexico Border Enforcement
  • Non-Minister Religious Worker Visa Program
Order Form

Children on the Move: The Plight of Immigrant and Refugee Children
Highlights the Church's interest in matters relating to certain groups of children on the move, including migrant, refugee, unaccompanied, trafficked, and internally displaced children.
Order Form

Report on Catholic Use of U.S. Religious Worker Visa Program
Findings of a detailed survey administered by the USCCB Committee on Migration.
Order Form

Resolution on Immigration Reform
A bilingual brochure outlining the bishops' November 16, 2000, resolution.
Order Form

Renewing U.S. Leadership in Refugee Protection
Brochure—In June 2001, the bishops called upon the United States to strengthen their leadership in global refugee protection.
Order Form

A Raids Resource Guide
Binder—How to respond to raids of undocumented workers, the Catholic community's response to INS raids, and resource listings.
Order Form

Stop Trafficking of People
Introductory guide to basic issues surrounding human trafficking. Manual is intended to instruct those who are beginning to learn about the issue and can also be used as a guide for discussion at brown-bag lunches, staff meetings, or any small gathering where discussion is focused on the rudiments of this contemporary form of slavery.
Order Form

Immigration Policy for the 21st Century
Describes the ways in which a legalization program for undocumented immigrants would benefit the U.S. economy, working conditions, national security, family unity, and the stability of immigrants’ home countries.
Order Form


General Information

Unity in Diversity Notecards
These notecards featuring unique artwork on the theme of unity in diversity are ideal for staff's use as thank you notes or as gifts to volunteers, donors, or other individuals. Notecards come in sets of eight cards with envelopes.
Available from MRS at $2.00/set

Extending, Maintaining, Sustaining the Welcome . . . With Arms Open Wide
Brochure describes the history of MRS' work in resettling refugees. Presents an overview of work in resettlement, policy, and pastoral care. The locations of all diocesan programs are listed.
Order Form

Advocating for a More Welcoming Society—MRS Policy Office
Brochure describes the history, mandate, and
principles for MRS' advocacy work on behalf of refugees, immigrants, migrants and people on the move.
Order Form

MRS Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees
Brochure presents the history, mandate, and pastoral care responses of this office on behalf of refugees, immigrants, migrants, and people on the move.
Order Form

MRS Annual Report
Highlights USCCB/MRS' work over the past year.
Order Form


Pastoral Care of Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees

Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity
This new pastoral statement from the U.S. Catholic bishops is intended to help us as a church community in welcoming all of God's diverse children into the life of the Church, particularly those who are new to this land.
Publication No. 5-375
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Called to Welcome the Stranger Among Us
User-friendly brochure highlights the themes of the U.S. Bishops' pastoral statement of the same name. It is designed for widespread distribution and offers suggested ways that individuals can begin to implement the vision of the pastoral statement. Include them in bulletins, distribute them at parish events, or use as small-group discussion starters.
Publication No. 5-404;
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Welcoming the Stranger: A Prayer for Hospitality
Prayer cards to promote the idea of community in your parish. Band of 50 cards.
Publication No. 5-460
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Many Faces in God's House
A parish guide to help implement multicultural ministry.
Publication No. 5-421
To order, call 800-235-8722.

Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers
Resource for dioceses that want to develop an orientation program for priests, seminarians, deacons, and religious women and men from other countries.
Order Form

Building Bridges: Crossing Cultural Boundaries
Profiles of diocesan Ministries of Hospitality. A resource to assist dioceses in reflecting on their response to newcomers. Offers models of ethnic, migrant and mobility ministry structures, job descriptions, and diocesan pastoral plans.
Order Form

Cultural Expressions of Our Faith
Offers theological underpinnings for the process of inculturation taking place within the Church.
Order Form

A Prayer for Refugees
Prayer cards depicting the Holy Family and their flight into Egypt.
$20/100 cards, charge for quantities exceeding 300.
Order Form

Today’s Immigrants and Refugees: A Christian Understanding
A collection of papers by experts in the field on the theology of immigration, drawing upon Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching to state the case for acceptance and welcome of newcomers in our midst.
Order Form

All Come Bearing Gifts
Proceedings from the National Migration Conference 2003 held in Washington, DC on July 6-10, 2003 and attended by close to 1,000 participants in the largest-ever gathering of its kind. This collection of presentations by the expert speakers and panelists emphasizes the many contributions that immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move make to American society and the Church and how we as a nation are enriched by their presence.
Order Form

Gypsy and Circus/Carnival Apostolate

Blessed Ceferino Booklet
Story of the life of the first Gypsy saint, produced by the Vatican.
Order Form

Circus andTraveling Show Apostolate
Brochure contains information on mission, pastoral outreach, and national chaplains.
Order Form

Blessed Ceferino Prayer Card
Prayer leaflet available in Spanish or English.
Order Form

On the Road with Jesus
Catechism designed for use with children of circus/carnival familes. $10
Order Form

Email us at mrs@usccb.org
Migration & Refugee Services | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3352 © USCCB. All rights reserved.




Migration & Refugee Services | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3352 © USCCB. All rights reserved.