The Manhattan Times

Called to action by faith

by Daniel P. Bader

For Centro Altagracia de fe y Justica, social justice is a matter of faith, and everyone is called by God to join the fight.

The mission of the four-year-old W. 164th Street Jesuit non-profit agency, led by Executive Director Richard Espinal, is to show Catholics in Northern Manhattan the connection between faith and social action.

For example, said Espinal, “Obviously there is a huge housing problem in our community. … Even if [Catholics] are not having a problem, their responsibility to their Catholic teaching is to get involved.”

Or, put simply, “What affects my neighbor, affects me,” he said.

Aimed primarily at the Dominican community, the organization is spreading the message through leaflets and social ministry teams that focus on the topics that are most relevant to each congretation.

Veronica Ticas, director of social justice ministry at Centro Altagracia, said the team at St. Rose de Lima parish on W. 164th Street raises awareness about housing issues by holding forums and becoming educated about the law. The team is even starting to hold office hours for people to come in and talk about the problems they’re having.

“Sometimes congregations are the first places people come seeking help,” Ticas said.

Six teams have been started since 2006, and some have matured to the point where they are starting to operate independently of Centro Altagracia.

“A lot of these teams are starting to get to know each other,” Ticas said.

As part of their outreach, on Dec. 10 the center will screen the film “Posada” about three boys who enter the United State illegally and are detained by immigration agents.

The word “Posada” refers to the New Testament story of Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay during their trip to Bethlehem the night Jesus was born.

The film connects Jesus’ parents search for housing with the three boys’ search for family in the United States.

“Most people have a personal story with immigration,” Ticas said. The film is meant to show the trial others have with it and call for change.

“It’s time to act,” Ticas said. “[To] put their faith into action as we always say.”

No matter how you came to this country, Espinal said, immigrants’ plight is our plight, and those with a vote should use it for those who cannot.

“You have the obligation to be the voice for people who can’t [speak],” he said.

The screening of “Posada” will be held at the group’s center, located at 511 W. 164th Street between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues, at 6:30 p.m.

Other upcoming events include a legal clinic starting in January, ongoing leadership programming, and census promotion. For more information about attending “Posada” or Centro Altagracia de fe y Justica, call 212-568-2115.