Immigration News

By Kieran C. O'Sullivan, Immigration Counselor; Email Kieran at: [email protected]

Expired Passport alarm

This week we received a call from a person who was on the way to Logan Airport for a flight to Ireland. He called when he realized his US passport had expired one month ago. He was not allowed board the flight to Ireland that evening. We write about this case to highlight to readers that they should check the expiration dates of all their travel documents.

For more information on renewing or applying for US passports, see the Department of State website at www.state.gov and go to the passport section.

If you're Irish passport has expired or will expire soon, contact the Irish Consulate nearest you in the US. In Massachusetts, the Irish Consulate is located at 535 Boylston St., Boston. Their telephone number is (617) 267-9330.

Expiring Legal Permanent Residency Cards

While checking the validity of your travel documents, people are reminded to check the expiration date on their legal permanent residency cards. You may submit your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, up to six (6) months prior to the expiration date on the card.

The Form I-90 is the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. To obtain an I-90 form, download it from the CIS website www.uscis.gov or request that it be mailed to you.

Rather than renew or replace an existing LPR card, we always urge people to consider US citizenship. Give us a call or send me an email on eligibility.

Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) and Social Security Numbers

A caller recently was not aware that after being granted an EAD card, she was eligible for apply for a social security number. Once she obtains the number, she can begin adding her name to their financial accounts, medical coverage and amend any tax returns if necessary. These items are needed along with other evidence to document for the US Citizenship and Immigration Service that the marriage is valid.

Free Legal Clinic August

Irish immigrants and visitors can avail of free consultations with our attorneys at our upcoming clinic on Tuesday August 5th at 6:30, 2014 at The Banshee, Dorchester. Experienced immigration attorneys attend these clinics and provide free one to one consultations to immigrations on immigration and citizenship matters. These clinics are free to all immigrants though donations to the IPC to help administrative costs are always welcome.

Detentions stun Irish community

This month our community was upset by the detention of Irish immigrants taken in the early hours of the morning from their homes. Pro bono attorneys are currently involved in these cases and we are not in a position to comment further on the particulars of individual cases at this time. However, we do want the community to know that we are here to answer concerns about visa status and detention matters. Chaplain, Fr. John McCarthy is also available to visit with the incarcerated here. Fr. John has been doing great work in this regard over the years and works closely with our attorneys and the staff at the Irish Consulate on cases.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in it is provided to inform generally, and is not intended as a substitute for individual advice. Immigration law is subject to frequent changes and individual circumstances can affect the application of certain legal provisions. For individual legal advice, please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre directly regarding upcoming legal clinics or consultation with an immigration attorney.

Senior Program Happenings

Cara Club Seniors gathered for their regular meeting on Monday afternoon at the Veronica Smith Senior Center in Brighton. Kevin O'Sullivan led the group in Irish songs & old favorites and delicious home baked goods were enjoyed by all.

At Café Eireann on Wednesday morning seniors enjoyed some excellent Irish breads, coffee & tea. The weather did not allow for the walking club to have their usual outing, but all enjoyed getting together for some good conversation and updates on the local news. Seniors also signed up and had health screenings with blood pressure checks by Norah Lavelle of By your side nursing care.

Thank you to all the volunteers who make the Senior Program run so smoothly at the Cara Club Café Eireann and at the Monthly Mass during the year, in addition to the other background work involved with the Senior Program.

Senior moments from the IPC

Monthly Mass & Social at the ICCNE

What a beautiful day we had at the Monthly Mass & Luncheon hosted at the Irish Cultural Centre – whom we sincerely thank for the use of their space to host this monthly event. A smaller crowd made way for a bigger dance floor which people took advantage of and danced to the music of John Connors & Martin Battle and of course, lest we forget the talented John Connors, Sr. much to our delight played the button accordion. Thank you to the volunteers who help keep this event run so smoothly. The next monthly Mass will take place in September 19th and don't forget to call the RSVP line with your reservation 855.479.2472. There will be no regular events for seniors during the month of August however, keep an eye on your mail box for any updates.

Upcoming for Seniors – Musical Memories

The IPC Musical Memories group will meet again on Tuesday evening, July 22nd. Drop by to sing a few songs and share some stories with others. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the IPC office at 15 Rita Rd. Dorchester. Donations to support the program are very much appreciated and refreshments will be served.

Irish Senior News

The Irish Senior Connect program, which began at the Irish Pastoral Centre in 2012, was launched in Chicago this week at Chicago Irish Immigrant Support, located at the Irish American Heritage Center. A team of trained volunteers led on-site by Paul Dowling, CIIC Director of Social Services, will provide an additional eight hours of service coverage on the national listening line & well-being check-in call service. Here in Boston, ISC continues services for Irish Seniors throughout Greater Boston with the crucial support and assistance of the IPC in Dorchester. Funding for both program sites is generously provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, IE. and the American Ireland Fund. The upcoming expansion of ISC into the Metro Providence area has been made possible by a Tufts Health Plan Foundation grant. To find out more about this successful national program for Irish seniors, please call Susan Doody, ISC Coordinator, at 857-266-8133 or call the national call in number at 855-249-5146 to speak to a senior volunteer.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Sr. Marguerite Kelly, mfic; Pastoral Associate; Email me at: [email protected]

This summer in the Midwest has brought ample, if not excessive rains. While outdoor activities are curtailed during rainy days, the production of weeds is not. Weeds are prominently featured in a parable Jesus shares with the crowd in Matthew's gospel today. While we always appreciate the parables Jesus shares with us and although we believe the intent is to help an abstract concept be more concrete, the parables do not necessarily make concepts simpler for us. The farmer in the parable is clear that the weeds will be gathered and burned while the wheat will be taken into the barn. At first glance this is so straightforward, yet we know that the delineation is not so clear.

The other readings today speak to us of the paradox of justice. In Romans we are reminded that we are not alone and the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. And the book of Wisdom describes God's loving engagement of power "but though you are the master of might, you judge with clemency and with much lenience you govern us." My prayer around the phrase "those who are just must be kind" brings us to reflect upon restorative justice which engages the paradox of accountability and compassion.

Creighton.edu/collaborative ministry Mary Lee Brock

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