Catholic bishops and priests from major dioceses across the country will pre­sent a coordinated message today and Sunday that backs proposed changes in U.S. immigration policy.

During Sunday Mass some clerics are expected to urge congressional passage of a legislative overhaul that includes a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants.

The Diocese of Hono­lulu is providing its 66 parishes with a prayer to be included during Mass this weekend, according to diocese spokes­man Patrick Downes. The prayer reads, "That we may have a caring and compassionate heart to provide a warm welcome to the newcomers to our community especially the undocumented who are seeking freedom and justice, remembering that we are all children of the same Father in Jesus Christ."

The diocese’s parishes will also receive a sample message that asks U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner to introduce immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship for the undocumented and preserves family unity, among other things, Downes said.

The decision to embrace political action from the pulpit is part of a broader effort by the Roman Catholic Church and other faith groups that support President Barack Obama’s call for new immigration laws. In addition to letter-writing efforts, it includes advertising and phone calls directed at 60 Catholic Republican lawmakers and "prayerful marches" in congressional districts where the issue has become divisive. Many Latino immigrants are Catholics and represent a critical demo­graphic for the church.

The political campaign by Catholic priests is certain to catch the attention of Catholic members of Congress. Catholics are the largest single religious group in Congress, making up just more than 30 percent of the members, according to the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life Proj­ect. The House has 136 Catholic members, including Boehner and 60 other Republicans, according to Pew.