Senior Moments
By Audrey Larkin, Interim Senior Program Coordinator
Email: audrey@ipcboston.org
Call: 617-265-5300 ext. 13
Cara Club
We had a fairly active Cara Club on Monday when we welcomed back Eileen Smith for her very gentle exercise routine, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all seniors. We also had the pleasure of the company of Sean O’Sullivan , who is the brother of volunteer Kevin. Sean was on vacation here and spoke about his involvement with seniors back in Ireland and trips he has organized for groups of several hundred. He then entertained everyone by singing “The Rattlin’ Bog”, proving Kevin is not the only member of the O’Sullivan family who can sing!
There was no Café Eireann on Wednesday. The club will be back again on Wednesday December 3rd. The December and January senior calendars were mailed last week.
LONELINESS AND ISOLATION OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD
Whilst the holiday season is full of festive cheer, with all the decorations on display, Christmas goods in the stores, carols being played and families getting together, there will always be someone, somewhere, who is feeling lonely and somewhat isolated. It is perhaps the hardest time of year to get through for some people especially if their loved ones are unable to be with them. Try to reach out and connect with someone who you think might need it. It is still possible to feel lonely while in a room full of people. If you are feeling down over this time, consider the following:
· Talk to someone, let them know how you are feeling
· Try not to dwell and think too much about your situation but instead focus on the positive aspects of your life e.g. upcoming events, pets
· Do not immediately decline every invitation you receive – remember people will usually invite you to dinner etc. because they would like you to be there
· Get out of the house! Go for a walk and exercise regularly. It is good for your mind and body.
· You don’t have to wait to be invited somewhere – you could always host your own dinner party etc.
Remember, we are here at the Irish Pastoral Centre if you would ever like to talk to someone or just to hear a friendly voice. Feel free to call us on 617-265-5300
Immigration News
By Kieran C. O’ Sullivan; Immigration Counselor
kieran@ipcboston.org
Call: 617-265-5300 Ext. 16
Deferred Action
We have been fielding a lot of calls since the President’s announcement. Many of the families in the area have been involved with our mother toddler groups while others have been using other IPC services.
An undocumented individual living in the United States who, on the date of the announcement, November 20, 2014 is the parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and who meets the guidelines listed below may apply for deferred action.
It allows people to request employment authorization if they:
Have had continuous residence in the United States since January 1, 2010;
Are the parents of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident born on or before November 20, 2014; and
Are not an enforcement priority for removal from the United States, pursuant to the November 20, 2014, Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants Memorandum.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR DEFERRED ACTION CASES
There are no application forms yet for requesting this status. People with eligibility questions can attend the Dec. 2 or Dec. 17 information workshops at The Banshee. People can begin collecting together the following:
Identity documents: passports /travel documents/drivers licenses.
Proof of Relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident- birth certificates/passports.
Proof of Continuous residence in the United States over the last five years or more.
Examples of evidence of continuous residence could include: bank account or credit card statements, tax returns, utility bills, phone records, car and/or home insurance policies, life policies, medical or dental records, hospital records, and passports/I-94 cards if any.
Arrests can be an issue
Arrests/convictions: To help clarify eligibility, please also bring to the December 2 seminar: certified docket sheets (available at court clerk’s office at the court house where the case was heard); police records; court records; attorneys file if an attorney was involved.
Warning: Every individual should consult an experienced immigration attorney before filing for deferred action or leaving the USA. Beware of scams on line and over the phone.
Travel warning
Based upon previous deferred actions, permission to travel on humanitarian parole was granted only after an application was filed for it and approved. Leaving the U.S. carries great risk if an individual does not consult an experienced immigration attorney.
IPC in the News:
This week, the work of the IPC on President Obama’s Executive Action was featured on RTE, online at IrishCentral, and appeared in The Irish Emigrant as well as the Irish Times.
The Irish Times story prompted by the IPC “Irish Warned about leaving the U.S. for Christmas” was shared by over one thousand people on Facebook and tweeted over one hundred times.
The IrishCentral story featuring the IPC “Irish government warns undocumented not to return home at Christmas” was shared over 600 times and featured a tweet from Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flannagan who reminded the undocumented to seek legal advice before leaving the U.S.
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Congratulations
We would like to extend our congratulations to Mark Porter on being named as a recipient of the Irish Heroes of New England Awards. Mark is a champion fundraiser who lends his time and resources to us every year in the organization of our Annual Fundraising Banquet. The third annual Irish Heroes of New England Awards take place on Wednesday, December 3 in Boston. Congratulations on this well deserved award Mark.
Pastoral News
By Sr. Marguerite Kelly; Pastoral Associate
617-265-5300 Ext. 10
First Sunday in Advent
Be watchful, be ready!
“Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming” (Mark 13:35). One interpretation of Jesus’ words tells us of the final coming of the reign of God: when all things will be permeated by God’s love, and all darkness and sin will vanish with a cosmic poof !- and God will “be all in all.” Be watchful, Jesus declares, because you never know…
We can legitimately read another interpretation here, for God is likely to come into our presence at just about any moment. We do well to watch for such moments: God in each person we live and work with, God in each stranger we pass on the street, God in the cosmos we so often take for granted, God in a crowded theater and in the privacy of our home.
Be watchful, be ready. Cultivate eyes ready to see God in any and all places, any and all circumstances. You never know. Poof ! Overwhelming grace when you least expect it.
Living with Christ Mitch Finley
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