News and Events

News Releases

Archdiocese of Chicago’s National Pastoral Migratoria (Immigration Social Ministry) Institute to Hold Virtual Leadership Workshops on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, 2021

Over 12 dioceses and 70 Pastoral Migratoria leaders are expected to participate in the Spanish language presentations

(Español

Chicago (July 28, 2021) – The Archdiocese of Chicago announced today that the National Pastoral Migratoria Institute will hold virtual leadership workshops on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31.

The Friday, July 30 one-hour session will begin at 2 p.m. CDT and is entitled, “Introduction of the Basic Elements of the Pastoral Migratoria Ministry for Interested Dioceses.” Elena Segura, Senior National Coordinator for Immigration at the Archdiocese of Chicago and Raymundo Valdez, National Outreach Coordinator for Pastoral Migratoria at the Archdiocese of Chicago will present. This session is aimed at diocesan staff, priests and people from dioceses that are engaged in, or interested in learning about, social justice with a focus on Pastoral Migratoria, an immigrant led ministry of service, justice, and accompaniment in parish communities. Rev. Joseph Tito, Archdiocese of Chicago, will give testimony of his experience as a pastor of a parish with Pastoral Migratoria.

The Friday event will take place online via Zoom. Please visit  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqd-ytrjMtHN3j5TyEuaCi516NjMeUov_M or call 312.320.6847 to register.

The Saturday, July 31 session will be live from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT and is entitled “Strengthening the Pastoral Migratory Leadership” This session will inspire, engage and strengthen Pastoral Migratoria leaders particularly during these uncertain times impacted by the pandemic.  Participants will be from dioceses that currently have a Pastoral Migratoria ministry, which are Baltimore, Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO, New York, Stockton, CA, and Chicago.

The Saturday event will be facilitated by Sr. Mila Diaz Solano, O.P., PhD, Vicaress on General Counsel of Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL. Breakout session topics and presenters will be:

  • Pastoral Migratoria and Mental Health by Mauricio Cifuentes, Ph.D., LCSW
  • Pastoral Migratoria and Accompaniment by Fr. Corey Brost, CSV
  • Pastoral Migratoria and Advocacy by Roberto Rojas, Principal Advisor for National Hispanic Outreach, Catholic Relief Services

Saturday’s opening prayer and welcome will be offered by Rev. Eric Cruz, Archdiocese of New York, followed by a pastoral reflection by Sr. Mila Diaz Solano, O.P., PhD.  Closing prayer and send-off will be given by Auxiliary Bishop Mario Dorsonville, Archdiocese of Washington and president of the Committee on Immigration of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

The Saturday session will take place online via Zoom – this session will not be open to the media.

Pastoral Migratoria, which is a program of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration Ministry, serves as a national model for immigrant leadership ministry and promotes the Gospel imperative to welcome the stranger and work for the common good of all persons, including immigrants.

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.