Your letters: Solidarity with migrants, Marymount's workers and loving our neighbors
Readers of NCR share their reflections on recent stories: a priest assisting frightened migrants with their laundry, labor challenges at Loyola Marymount University, and the Christian call to love one's neighbors. The letters below have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Helping Migrants in Need
Dennis Berry’s quick action to help his neighbors do laundry while protecting them from ICE shows courage and compassion. His efforts highlight how parishes find creative ways to minister discreetly but effectively, serving those most in need.
“Blessed are those who help others to do laundry; they will see joy on others’ faces.”
Berry took a real risk that day by guiding fearful people to safety and protection. His example reminds us of the beatitudes in action. St. James Parish deserves gratitude for its service in a city often described as “ICE cold.”
(Sr.) Pat Madden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Concerns at Loyola Marymount University
As a former lecturer in the Department of History and later the Honors Program at LMU between 2006 and 2011, one writer reflects on the discrepancy between the university’s mission for social justice and the labor conditions on campus.
“In the absence of benefits, health insurance, or a living wage, I stayed because I loved the students, LMU’s beautiful campus, and the presence of beloved Jesuit professors like Fr.”
This letter calls for ethical alignment between institutional values and employee treatment, urging LMU to live up to the principles it publicly upholds.
Author Summary
This collection of letters highlights everyday acts of solidarity and the call for justice, echoing faith in action within communities and institutions alike.