Archdiocese of Chicago to Host the Seventh Annual Keep Hope Alive Fundraiser Benefitting its Immigration Ministry on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Chicago, IL (May 10, 2019) – The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Human Dignity & Solidarity-Immigration Ministry will host the Seventh Annual Keep Hope Alive Benefit: United for Immigration Justice on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 7 p.m. at BEW Local 134 Union Hall, 2722 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Chicago. Keep Hope Alive is the archdiocese’s annual fundraiser to support its local and national immigrant-led ministries and to recognize community leaders who respond to the needs of migrant communities. Event co-chairs Edward J. Wehmer, founder and chief executive officer of Wintrust Financial Corporation, and Thomas R. Kiley, chief executive officer of Great Lake Advisers, will co-emcee the event.
“I applaud our immigration ministry and those being honored at this event because they are all working collectively to make systemic, positive change for immigrants,” said Cupich. “May we all continue to answer Christ’s call to welcome the stranger among us because in doing so, we encounter Christ.”
Cupich will present awards to community leaders and groups for their dedication to immigrants and immigration reform. Award recipients include:
- Sr. Catherine M. Ryan, OSF, executive director of Maryville Academy – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sr. Kathleen Long, Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa – Francis Xavier Cabrini Award
- Rev. Ed Shea, OFM, St. Peter Parish (Chicago) and formation director at Catholic Theological Union (Chicago) – Strangers No Longer Award
- St. Clement Parish (Lincoln Park) – Journey to Emmaus Award
- Pastoral Migratoria of Santa Maria del Popolo Parish (Mundelein) – Saint Toribio Romo Award
- Mark C. Curran, former sheriff of Lake County and parishioner at St. Joseph Parish (Libertyville) – Special Honor Award
The Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago serves as a national model for supporting undocumented and documented immigrants and promotes the Gospel imperative for communion between all persons, including immigrant and non-immigrant communities.
Since May 2005, the Archdiocese of Chicago, its bishops, priests and religious congregations have given voice to immigrants through the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. The Campaign was established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to educate Catholics and the public about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and to influence legislation for a permanent and fair solution to immigration issues in this country.
More than 400 guests are expected to attend the event and tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information about the event and other immigration efforts of the Archdiocese of Chicago, please visit catholicsandimmigrants.org.
