Click here for the "Immigration Help" page of our website, which has a list of immigration rights educational resources.

Asylum Seekers Ministry Update

In this December 2024 update, parishioner Barb Soricelli reflects on what motivates our parish's work with asylum seekers, what the volunteers have learned throughout the past year and a half, and what comes next. CLICK HERE to read this important update.

Migration matters at St. John XXIII Parish.

"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me."
- Matthew 25:35
For years, our parish has stood with migrants: asylum seekers, refugees, and those without status.  Many of us at St. John XXIII are migrants ourselves or have family members who migrated or were forced to migrate.  Many of us are currently "walking with" migrants and working for more equitable and just communities.  

We invite you to learn more about what parishioners are doing and how you might contribute.

Pastoral Migratoria
Our parish group facilitates free 20-minute appointments with an immigration attorney one evening a month. The group’s recent survey of parishioners showed that access to affordable immigration legal services is one of the greatest needs. 

Visit the Pastoral Migratoria page to learn more.
Asylum Seekers Ministry
In 2023, the parish received funding to partner with Catholic Charities to welcome and settle newcomers arriving to the area.  Two teams have been formed to support a family from Haiti (spring 2023) and a family from Venezuela (fall 2023). An 8-member parish leadership team helps to form and guide support parish teams on their journey with asylum seeking families. The leadership team will be forming three new teams over the next year.

Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to learn more or get involved.
Chicago Immigrant Transit Assistance
Every Thursday from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., a team of 2-3 parishioners meets travelers at the downtown Greyhound Station, providing water, snacks, ticket help, and clothing.

One Thursday a month, can you help the immigrant traveler?

Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to learn more or get involved.

ICDIChicago.org
Open Doors
Since the spring of 2022, fifteen parishioners have worked with St. Simon’s Episcopal Church and RefugeeOne, a Chicago-based resettlement agency, to accompany a family from Syria. The family is growing in independence as they continue to settle into life in Chicago. 
Contact [email protected] to learn more or get involved.
Peace & Justice Committee
This committee is made up of 15-20 parishioners working to raise awareness and change unjust policies, including those that impact hourly wage workers and migrants.

Visit the Peace & Justice Committee page to learn more.
Other Parish Groups

Current Volunteer / Donation Needs

Last updated: December 2024
Asylum Seekers Ministry Team

Asylum Seekers Ministry Team Parish Support Teams are currently assisting families from Haiti, Venezuela, and Syria. 
​
Financial Donations Needed
Our grant money is limited. Most of the funding is earmarked for rental payments. The rest is used for food security, medical costs, transportation, and legal fees.

Are you willing to donate to supplement this work? If so, please
1. Click here to donate to the Asylum Seekers Ministry Fund on Pushpay.
- or -
2. Write a check made out to St. John XXIII Parish with the memo line "Asylum Seekers/Refugee Assistance" and drop it off at the parish office.

Questions? Contact: Sally Clark Arden ([email protected]) or Barb Soricelli ([email protected]).
Chicago Immigrant Transit Assistance
One Thursday a month, can you help the immigrant traveler? 

​Every Thursday from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., a team of 2-3 parishioners meets travelers at the downtown Greyhound Station, providing water, snacks, ticket help, and clothing. More volunteers are needed for each of the Thursdays.

Contact Mary Signatur or Leonor Rojas to learn more or get involved.