Migration and Refugee Services' 50th Anniversary

Help MRS Celebrate its 50th Anniversary

2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Although the Catholic Church has welcomed newcomers since the very founding of our nation, since 1965 alone MRS has assisted over 1 million refugees to begin new lives in the United States through its nationwide network of affiliated partner agencies. In more recent years, MRS has greatly expanded its service network to respond to the plight of thousands of unaccompanied children and victims of human trafficking. MRS has also been a leading advocate for fair and just policies, both nationally and internationally, that serve to protect and uphold the fundamental rights of migrants, immigrants, refugees, human trafficking victims, and other vulnerable persons on the move.

Click here to view the full schedule, speaker lists and bios, honorees and details for MRS' 50th Anniversary.

SYMPOSIUM 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

INTERACT with three expert-led panels on contemporary issues facing the Catholic Church, its agencies and partners in the areas of refugee resettlement, immigration and unaccompanied migrant children and their families.

Ticket includes admission to panels, continental breakfast and plated lunch with keynote presentation by Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

All symposium attendees are also invited to the 50th Anniversary liturgy.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MASS 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

WORSHIP with His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Honorary Chairman of the MRS 50th Anniversary Celebration and members of the Bishops Committee on Migration from across the country at the 50th Anniversary Mass. Liturgical music provided by the St. Camillus Parish renowned multicultural choir.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

CELEBRATE MRS’ 50 years of service to immigrants, migrants, refugees and people on the move by joining us for an evening of international food, music and camaraderie.

All Celebration attendees are invited to the 50th Anniversary Mass followed by a reception with Members of the Bishops Committee on Migration and the Gala Honorary Committee, Chaired by Cardinal Donald Wuerl.

Following an awards presentation, enjoy international food stations and music provided by Trio Caliente.

SUPPORT MRS’ MISSION with your special 50th Anniversary Gift:

Provide Critical Services to Migrant Children: Tens of thousands of children have fled to the United States in recent years escaping violence, crippling poverty, and abuse. MRS is seeking to augment its Community Based Referral Program to provide appropriate medical and/or mental health services, school enrollment, and referrals to pro bono legal services, with the ultimate goal of family reunification.

Fight the Scourge of Human Trafficking: Each year, an estimated 17,000 vulnerable men, women and children are trafficked across our borders and then forced into slavery. MRS’ Amistad Movement seeks to empower immigrants most at risk with the educational tools to protect their own community members from falling victim to human trafficking.

SPECIAL HONOREES