At the anti-human trafficking gathering on January 10 at All Saints in Lakeville, almost 200 parishioners and members of various Catholic parishes and Christian religions assembled. The event's purpose is to raise awareness of contemporary issues of human trafficking.
Details of the Event
Parishioner Diane Berg, 81, requested that All Saints put together the event, and she assisted in its planning and promotion. Members of Risen Savior, St. Agnes in St. Paul, and local Lutheran and Baptist churches were present.
According to Chris Kuhn, director of All Saints adult spiritual development, the goal of the meeting and a follow-up session scheduled for March is for local faith communities and others to establish connections to lessen the issue, a source posted.
Hundreds of people attended the event, and this year's subject was "Human Trafficking: From Darkness into the Light." The focus of the program is on sharing personal and law enforcement viewpoints. Members of several parishes participate in the event for a variety of reasons.
The purpose of their attendance at the All Saints event, according to Kay Poho, 66, an All Saints parishioner, and Karen Saunders, 57, a Lutheran, was to learn more about human trafficking and discover ways to assist or donate.
At the occasion, Flora Whitfield of the group Breaking Free in St. Paul and Lakeville police investigator Jim Dronen were featured speakers. They discussed a range of topics related to human trafficking, including the role of the internet in sex trafficking and parental protection measures.
Whitfield, a victim of human trafficking, was just 14 years old when her boyfriend/trafficker sold her for prostitution. Whitfield, now the group's associate program director, said she has learned about limits and who she is as a person. In addition, the charity offers shelter and social services to sex trafficking and prostitution victims.
About All Saints
Since 1877, All Saints Catholic Church has provided for the needs of the community of Lakeville and the surrounding area. The core of their goal is to point people toward Christ via liturgy, education, sacraments, and service.
They view formation as a form of lifelong education. Everyone in your family can use it. Its goals are to deepen and broaden the Catholic Faith's knowledge, strengthen the grasp of Scripture, and help acquire practical life skills that can be used at any age or stage.
In a person's sacramental preparation, the family plays the most crucial role, which All Saints Parish acknowledges and encourages. The mission of All Saints is to assist families in this preparation.
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Since 2010, when the President established National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January has been devoted to educating the public about human trafficking and raising awareness of this crime. Through American embassies and consulates, the U.S. Department of State promotes awareness of human trafficking both at home and overseas.
The nation honors the work of foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking organizations, law enforcement personnel, survivor advocates, communities of faith, corporations, and private people from all over the world throughout January.
