Our Ministry to Migrants

Immigrants Walking

We have all watched the unfolding scenes on the U.S.-Mexico border this year with broken hearts. As Sisters of St. Joseph, we certainly recognize these men, women, and children as the "dear neighbor" and--especially during Advent--as Christ among us. While we have surely all been praying for these migrants, the congregation's Justice and Peace Team wanted to make sure that all of you know the breadth of ministry being done for migrants, immigrants, and refugees by sisters and associates across the congregation. Below you will find a sampling of our actions.

In the Albany Province

  • The Albany Province Justice Office has been providing information in their weekly updates for people to be informed and take actions, like signing petitions urging justice and compassion.
  • Sister Doreen Glynn is volunteering at Annunciation House in El Paso from December 3-19.

In the Los Angeles Province

  • Sister Judy Molosky and the St. Joseph workers have been back and forth to the border and continue to be responsive to the needs. Read Sister Judy's vivid reflection on the experience.
  • Sister Maureen Evelyn is the chair of the board for the San Diego Organizing Committee, which has been sheltering refugees through the San Diego Rapid Response Network and helping them move to their final destination.
  • Sisters Marie Francis Schroepfer and Suzanne Ensminger and Associate Bob Carney went to a prayer vigil at the border on Monday.
  • The Charitable Outreach Fund has provided $1,000 to the Catholic Community Services in Tucson for temporary housing.
  • The Charitable Outreach Committee has provided $1,000 for blankets that the Moana Border Project that were taken to Tijuana.
  • The Sisters at Carondelet Center and surrounding area collected over $1,000 to send to Annunciation House in El Paso.
  • Sister Maureen Doherty collected $300 from students at St. Mary’s Academy to be sent to the San Diego Organizing Project.

In the St. Louis Province

  • Sisters Rosario Bobadilla, Patrice Coolick, Mary Ann Figlino, Jo Ann Geary, Teresa Horn-Bostel, Pat Vanden Berg, and Fran Voivedich and Associate Laura Rossmann have served or are serving in El Paso. See the song of blessing as Sister Fran left for El Paso
  • Sister Ida Berresheim continues to serve on the Board for Annunciation House.
  • The St. Louis Sisters gathered suitcases full of socks, underwear for children and adults, and lip balm that was sent along with their Sister volunteers. LCWR has mentioned the need for coloring books, crayons, and size small men's pants. These items can be mailed directly to Annunciation House, 1003 San Antonio Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901.
  • The St. Louis Mission Advancement Office is organizing monetary donations for ministry at the border. Checks can be marked with the memo "border needs."

In the St. Paul Province

  • The Sisters and Consociates collected $1,000 at their province chapter meetings to be sent to Annunciation House in El Paso.
  • The Immigration Working Group of the CSJ Justice Commission has been doing direct advocacy by email and letters to our elected officials on this issue. They have also been active in increasing awareness on this issue including hosting presentations and conversations with area Catholic parishes. 

Calls for Justice

The congregation signed on to a pledge by people of faith and conscience of solidarity with asylum seekers. Read the pledge

We signed on to a faith leaders' letter from NETWORK Lobby regarding border funding.

After a call by the Jesuits, we wrote our representatives to ask them to pass the First Step Act of 2018 for criminal justice reform. Write your own letter

We signed on to a statement by the Coalition of Human Needs's Strengthening America’s Values and Economy for All Statement of Principles. Read the statement

The congregation signed a call to shut down the immigrant detention center in Tornillo, Texas. Watch a video about Tornillo