CHICAGO (August 18, 2006) - The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside at a Mass honoring immigrants at the Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee, WI., on Sunday, August 27. A procession at 10 a.m. that starts at the north side of the Summerfest grounds, 200 North Harbor Drive in downtown Milwaukee, will precede the bilingual Mass that will immediately follow.

Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller is a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1984 and has been an auxiliary bishop in Chicago since 2003. Bishop Garcia-Siller is a native of Mexico and is Cardinal George’s liaison to the Hispanic Community in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In May, 2005 Bishop Garcia-Siller, along with Bishop John R. Manz, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, represented the Archdiocese of Chicago in publicly supporting Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope, an effort of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to educate Catholics across the U.S. about the need for comprehensive immigration reform. At that time, Bishop Garcia-Siller, acknowledging his own status as an immigrant welcomed to Chicago, said, “It’s been my experience that, as a nation of immigrants, Americans as a whole are fair and open-minded to people who want to seek shelter within our country and who want to work hard here on behalf of their families.”

The Mass coincides with the efforts of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to support the national Catholic Campaign for immigration reform - Justice for Immigrants. The campaign seeks to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes family reunification, just and effective border control, a temporary worker program, restoration of due process protection and a path to legalization for those already in the US. Both archdioceses are hosting a series of educational forums that present Catholic teaching on immigration, and include the expertise of immigration specialists, as well as testimonies of immigrants.

Established in 1843, the Archdiocese of Chicago serves 2.4 million Catholics throughout Cook and Lake counties through its 366 parishes, and its numerous apostolates, missions, shrines, oratories and chaplaincies.