Refugee Ministry

 

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Toyumba and her children Shakir and Norbhar, along with volunteers Katherine Nicklin and Luke Kolman

This past October, Fr. Frank, pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Chicago, embarked on his third camino to Santiago de Compostela, and walked 500 miles to the cathedral of St. James, the burial place of the apostle of Jesus.

Fr. Frank raised donations through sponsorship of his pilgrimage to support the Refugee Ministry at St. Teresa of Avila, and additional projects related to social justice issues affecting immigrants.

All are invited to participate in our refugee ministry and encouraged to attend upcoming events:

  • Sunday, May 21st, 7pm: All are welcome to join us on Sunday following the 6pm Mass to learn more about the refugee crisis. Attendees will view the 40-minute, Academy Award winning documentary, The White Helmets. Following the film, stick around for a discussion and to learn more about the Syrian family that our parish is sponsoring and mentoring. Snacks will be provided.

Through the generous support of donors, St. Teresa of Avila began sponsoring a refugee family last year. Through sponsorship, our parish supports a family’s transition to the United States by supplementing rental costs, apartment furnishings and basic expenses while the family members seek employment.  Volunteers in this ministry also act as “mentors” and help in many ways, from tutoring English, to assisting the family with navigating public transportation, to simply being an American friend.  The ministry is also assisting with baby supply drives, and job placement and mentoring. For more information, contact Rebecca at robrien@stteresaparish.org.

Click here to donate

Click here to read about Fr. Frank’s past Camino’s