Noticias

Chicago - (Nov. 27, 2023) – The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration Ministry will host its 11th annual Keep Hope Alive benefit at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago. Keep Hope Alive is the archdiocese’s annual fundraiser to support Pastoral Migratoria, its local and national immigrant-led ministries and to recognize community leaders who have responded to the needs of immigrant communities. This year’s theme is Building A Welcoming Community.

“Building a welcoming community reflects the Gospel imperative to love our neighbor, to welcome the stranger and give shelter to the vulnerable,” said Cardinal Cupich. “I applaud the leaders receiving awards at this benefit for their enthusiasm in fostering relationships with immigrants, and protecting and integrating them into our communities.”

Cardinal Cupich will provide remarks about the importance of immigrant lay leaders in parish communities throughout Chicago and the United States, highlighting Pastoral Migratoria’s role in responding to the needs of immigrants both on a local and national level. Elena Segura, senior coordinator for immigration — national ministry, will highlight the work of the local immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria and the impact they have had in the last year.

The fundraiser’s co-chairs are Rev. John Hoffman, Jim Kiley, managing director of Wintrust Financial Corporation, and Tom Kiley, CEO of Great Lakes Advisors—A Wintrust Company. Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated Sones de México Ensemble, a Chicago-based Mexican folk music performing group, will provide the musical entertainment.

Community leaders to be recognized for their dedication to immigrants and immigration reform include:

• Sr. Pat Murphy, RSM – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Sr. JoAnn Persch, RSM – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Anna Hebal, Polish Immigrant-to-Immigrant Ministry – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award
• Catholic Parishes of Oak Park (Ascension and St. Edmund Parish; St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish) - Journey To Emmaus Award

• Pastoral Migratoria of Misión San Juan Diego, Arlington Heights, Ill., and Pastoral Migratoria of St. John Bosco Parish, Port Chester, N.Y. – St. Toribio Romo Award

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus John Manz, who passed away on July, 15, 2023, will be recognized for his role as a national leader in ministry to immigrants. Deacon Javier Pineda, of St. Oscar Romero Parish, will accept the award on behalf of the Manz family as they are unable to attend the event.

The Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Pastoral Migratoria, serves as a national model for supporting undocumented and documented immigrants and promotes the Gospel imperative for communion among all persons, including immigrant and refugee communities. Pastoral Migratoria embodies the principles of service, justice and accompaniment in Catholic parish communities as an answer to Pope Francis’s call in Fratelli Tutti to foster a universal “culture of encounter” and charity whereby everyone can “live, develop and find fulfillment” through “the sincere gift of self to others.”

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.

To purchase tickets and for more information about Keep Hope Alive, please visit https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/immigration-ministry/keep-hope-alive