Nogales border Mass to mark 250 years of independence

Bishops from across three states will hold Mass in Nogales, Arizona, with a procession crossing the border to commemorate 250 years of U.S. independence and centuries of migration to the country.

Border Mass 250 events will begin at 4 p.m. June 26 with what is being billed as a “pastoral conversation” at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 272 N. Rodriguez St. in Nogales.

Bishops James Misko of Tucson and John Dolan of Phoenix will be joined by Santa Fe Archdiocese Archbishop John Wester and El Paso Diocese Bishop Mark Seitz.

“We’re looking for a day of pastoral accompaniment with everybody who lives and is immersed in this rather complex and complicated situation at the border,” Misko said.

The Tucson diocese’s Facebook page will livestream what it is describing as a “fireside chat.”

The Mass will follow at 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart and conclude with a 6:15 p.m. rosary. A procession across the border to Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción, a Catholic church in Nogales, Sonora, will immediately follow.

The bishops will then break bread with migrants on that side of the border.

The churches, one in Arizona and one in Sonora, are roughly one mile apart.

“It’s an opportunity for us as a church and us as bishops, the shepherds of the church, to practice what we also call the ministry of presence,” Misko said, quickly pointing out the objective is not political.

“We’re there to present to those who are employed on both sides of the border, who manage the border for both nations in the United States and Mexico.”

Misko, 56, will be the main celebrant at the Mass. He was ordained as bishop for the Diocese of Tucson in February after serving as a priest for 19 years in Texas.