“We speak to migrants who are forced to leave their lands to provide for their families or to escape persecution. We stand in solidarity with you. We commit ourselves to your pastoral care and to work towards changes in church and societal structures that impede your exercising your dignity and living as children of God” (Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, a joint statement from the Catholic bishops of Mexico and the United States).

Migration and immigration is not a new issue to the Catholic Church. It is not a new issue to the women’s religious congregations that were at the beginning of the 20th century, founded mostly to tend to the pressing needs of an immigrant society.

We are an international congregation, especially sensitive to migrant and immigration issues. Largely half of our membership comes from states in Mexico (31% of the “foreign-born” population in the United States is from Mexico); our Sisters in the United States are either decendents of immigrants, or are immigrants themselves: from Ireland, Germany and Poland.

Today we are called to examine the root causes of migration and to work on behalf of eradicating systemic evils that force husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, and whole families to leave their homes in search of a better life.

When we encounter the immigrant, we are called to take on the heart of Jesus, and welcome the stranger, befriend the lonely, and speak on behalf of those that cannot speak for themselves.

El Puente Hispanic Ministry, Jefferson City, Missouri
El Puente was formed to be a presence among and a bridge between the Hispanic people and the resources they need from the church and the community.  This ministry supports members of the Hispanic community in preserving their cultural values and integrating them into life in the United States.

Hispanic Ministry in Hart, Michigan
An Incarnate Word Sister serves as one of four coordinators for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She networks with all agencies and businesses that serve the more than 10,000 migrants who live and work in 4 counties during the 9 months of April through December. She advocates for the migrant workers, seeking better services through the appropriate agencies. She also works with the local churches and pastors to help tend to the spiritual needs and faith life of the migrants

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