These immigrants, new to our shores, call us out of our unawareness to a conversion of mind and heart through which we are able to offer a genuine and suitable welcome, to share together as brothers and sisters at the same table, and to work side by side to improve the quality of life for society's marginalized members". (Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity. NCCB/USCC 2000.)
In each refugee, “forced to flee to safety, Jesus is present as he was at the time of Herod. In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers, and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ, who pleads with us to help.” (Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020)
The community of Old St. Patrick’s is dedicated to radical inclusivity and transformative kinship. We are called to welcome the stranger and the marginalized, to counter the divisiveness of “us vs. them” and “us vs. the other,” and to see the face of God in all people. In that spirit, the Immigration and Refugee Ministry works to assist refugees and immigrants in three main ways:
You are invited to journey with us as we welcome the stranger. Check out this webpage for updates on our sponsored refugee families, education opportunities, and bulletin articles. For more information, contact Kayla Jackson, Coordinator of Social Justice Ministries, kaylaj@oldstpats.org.
In each refugee, “forced to flee to safety, Jesus is present as he was at the time of Herod. In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers, and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ, who pleads with us to help.” (Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020)
The community of Old St. Patrick’s is dedicated to radical inclusivity and transformative kinship. We are called to welcome the stranger and the marginalized, to counter the divisiveness of “us vs. them” and “us vs. the other,” and to see the face of God in all people. In that spirit, the Immigration and Refugee Ministry works to assist refugees and immigrants in three main ways:
- Accompanying the Refugee – sponsoring refugee families and walking alongside them in support and friendship
- Educating – ourselves and our parish about the issues facing immigrants and refugees so we can be better informed Catholics and citizens; connecting our Catholic faith to immigrant and refugee issues
- Advocating – for just and compassionate policies around immigration, immigration reform, and refugee resettlement.
You are invited to journey with us as we welcome the stranger. Check out this webpage for updates on our sponsored refugee families, education opportunities, and bulletin articles. For more information, contact Kayla Jackson, Coordinator of Social Justice Ministries, kaylaj@oldstpats.org.
Serve Asylum Seekers Arriving in Chicago
Since early September, parishes, priests, religious sisters and brothers, church ministries, and Catholic Charities have shown an outpouring of concern for these travelers. A coordinated Catholic response is underway so we can maximize our collective impact. We are providing pastoral care and considering options such as transitional shelter and parish family sponsorship opportunities.
How You Can Help
How You Can Help
- Make a financial donation at Mass on November 6th, when a second collection will directly support this collective response. You can also donate directly by going to the Catholic Charities website: www.catholiccharities.net or by calling (312) 655-7525. Join response efforts by contacting our OSP Immigration and Refugee Ministry to join efforts at kaylaj@oldstpats.org.
- Pray for our brother and sister asylum seekers arriving in Chicago. Pray for these mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, that they are welcomed and embraced with Jesus' compassion — and pray that those serving them are sustained by God's grace. We will keep you informed, and welcome your questions, support, and prayer.
XVII Annual Posada
December 16th | 11 AM | 101 W. Ida B. Wells Drive
Join us in walking and praying in solidarity with our immigrant sisters and brothers who— as the Holy Family sought a place to stay—have been knocking on the doors for legislative shelter, or “Posada,” year after year. This year Pastoral Migratoria from the Archdiocese of New York and Baltimore will join us simultaneously to elevate our voices for immigration
reform.
ROUTE
Join us in walking and praying in solidarity with our immigrant sisters and brothers who— as the Holy Family sought a place to stay—have been knocking on the doors for legislative shelter, or “Posada,” year after year. This year Pastoral Migratoria from the Archdiocese of New York and Baltimore will join us simultaneously to elevate our voices for immigration
reform.
ROUTE
- USCIS Chicago Field Office (101 West Ida B. Wells Drive)
- Metropolitan Correctional Center (71 West Van Buren Street)
- DePaul University (1 East Jackson Boulevard)
- Federal Plaza (West Adams Street and South Dearborn Street)
- Old St. Patrick's Church (700 West Adams Street)
To livestream the Posada via FB Live on December 16, visit the Pastoral Migratoria Facebook page . For more information, please visit pvm.archchicago.org/annual-posada. For any questions, please contact Mauro Pineda at mpineda@archchicago.org or Raymundo Valdez at rvaldez@archchicago.org.
Immigrant & Refugee Ministry Updates
November 13, 2022
More than 3,500 Asylum Seekers Have Already Arrived in Chicago …
The border is now closed to Venezuelans although migrants from other countries are still allowed to enter at the border. The Archdiocese is seeking solutions to assist some of these asylum seekers, who are here legally, and being temporarily housed in Chicago and suburban hotels and shelters.
They are composed of many families with children, but they are mainly heads of households who have come to the U.S., as immigrants have done for many decades, to earn money to send to their families to help them survive in their home country. The Archdiocese has asked Catholic Charities to lead a unified Catholic approach to support the recent migrants. Utilizing some empty rectories and convents in closed parishes is one of the options being considered.
IRM to Accompany a Somalian Dad …
At our last meeting, IRM approved providing financial and general assistance to a Somalian man, whose wife and six children still reside there. He is a registered nurse, a Muslim who speaks English, French and Arabic in addition to his native language. He departed Somalia to escape political and ethnic violence and arrived in the U.S. in June. He has been temporarily housed at an SRO in Logan Square. IRM plans to accompany him--helping with the rent and home furnishings for a studio apartment initially—and has assigned some members as liaisons to assist him in settling in.
Our Syrian Family
Our IRM member, Anne Rovtar, took Mohammad, one of the children from our Syrian family, to “Open House Chicago” last month. Mohammed is taking a photography course at his school and had a photo project due, but unfortunately, his camera malfunctioned just before “Open House” began. Luckily, Anne found a neighbor, a professional photographer, who not only welcomed them into his studio, he also fixed the camera in time for Mohammad to take dozens of photos of buildings, signs, bridges and the Chicago skyline at “Open House” and to turn his project in on time. Success!!
Collection of Household Goods for Refugee Resettlement Planned
January 8, 2023
Just as we did earlier in 2022, IRM will be collecting household goods needed to continue the work of resettling refugees and asylum seekers in the Chicago area in the coming year. Please watch this space for more details.
The Immigration & Refugee Ministry (IRM) is so grateful to Old St. Pat’s members for their generous, ongoing support of our efforts—a sincere thanks to all. The need is great. Click on GIVE TO OSP (upper right-hand corner). Click on GIVE ONLINE and select IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FUND from the drop-down menu. If you are interested in supporting our efforts as a volunteer or have any ideas or questions, please contact Kayla Jackson at kaylaj@oldstpats.org.
The border is now closed to Venezuelans although migrants from other countries are still allowed to enter at the border. The Archdiocese is seeking solutions to assist some of these asylum seekers, who are here legally, and being temporarily housed in Chicago and suburban hotels and shelters.
They are composed of many families with children, but they are mainly heads of households who have come to the U.S., as immigrants have done for many decades, to earn money to send to their families to help them survive in their home country. The Archdiocese has asked Catholic Charities to lead a unified Catholic approach to support the recent migrants. Utilizing some empty rectories and convents in closed parishes is one of the options being considered.
IRM to Accompany a Somalian Dad …
At our last meeting, IRM approved providing financial and general assistance to a Somalian man, whose wife and six children still reside there. He is a registered nurse, a Muslim who speaks English, French and Arabic in addition to his native language. He departed Somalia to escape political and ethnic violence and arrived in the U.S. in June. He has been temporarily housed at an SRO in Logan Square. IRM plans to accompany him--helping with the rent and home furnishings for a studio apartment initially—and has assigned some members as liaisons to assist him in settling in.
Our Syrian Family
Our IRM member, Anne Rovtar, took Mohammad, one of the children from our Syrian family, to “Open House Chicago” last month. Mohammed is taking a photography course at his school and had a photo project due, but unfortunately, his camera malfunctioned just before “Open House” began. Luckily, Anne found a neighbor, a professional photographer, who not only welcomed them into his studio, he also fixed the camera in time for Mohammad to take dozens of photos of buildings, signs, bridges and the Chicago skyline at “Open House” and to turn his project in on time. Success!!
Collection of Household Goods for Refugee Resettlement Planned
January 8, 2023
Just as we did earlier in 2022, IRM will be collecting household goods needed to continue the work of resettling refugees and asylum seekers in the Chicago area in the coming year. Please watch this space for more details.
The Immigration & Refugee Ministry (IRM) is so grateful to Old St. Pat’s members for their generous, ongoing support of our efforts—a sincere thanks to all. The need is great. Click on GIVE TO OSP (upper right-hand corner). Click on GIVE ONLINE and select IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FUND from the drop-down menu. If you are interested in supporting our efforts as a volunteer or have any ideas or questions, please contact Kayla Jackson at kaylaj@oldstpats.org.