What We Do
St. Teresa is partnering with La Posada for our Border Ministry. La Posada, supported by the Sisters of Divine Providence, provides shelter while immigrants and asylum seekers wait for their cases to be adjudicated before the U.S. Immigration Court and for asylees as they take steps toward achieving permanent resident status. Volunteers are encouraged to spend their time and offer their friendship to clients at LaPosada. No experience is necessary.
Each month, the three Sisters who manage the mission receive as many as three hundred inquiries from federal immigration detention centers in Texas and across the country, seeking to release newly paroled immigrants into their care. Despite their strong collaboration with immigration enforcement officials, a toxic political environment has made it even more difficult for La Posada to make their normal revenue for this year.
Through the generosity of our members, and a $20,000 matching grant from Catholic Extension, St. Teresa of Avila has provided $55,000 to La Posada so that it can focus on its core mission of serving migrants and asylum-seekers. We look forward to organizing year round volunteer trips to not only support the people of La Posada, but to offer our members a meaningful opportunity to grown in our faith.
Typical tasks carried out by ministry volunteers
The most important role for St.Teresa parishioners is to simply get to know and share the stories of the brave and wounded people they will meet at La Posada, who come from across the globe. Specific tasks may include:
· Tutoring English and life skills
· Housework – cooking, laundry, organizing, cleaning
· Gardening – yard work and property maintenance
· Driving clients to appointments/running errands
· Preparing meals
· Professional Services: Fundraising, legal assistance, medical assistance, etc.
How to Get Involved
Fill out the interest form here, or email Nhu Phan, nhu712@icloud.com, with questions. You can also join us on Wednesday, October 4th, at 6:00 pm in the Parish Center, where Fr. Frank will share his experience at La Posada and we’ll kick off our Border Ministry Reading Group with Rescuing Regina, by Sister Josephe Marie Flynn. Books will be available then or you can pick one up before/after mass. It’ll be an opportunity to learn more about La Posada and how you can volunteer.
