Parishioners of all ages can join with others in the work of serving our brothers and sisters in need through our parish conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Hunger Walk at Soldier Field benefitting local food pantries, a Friends of the Poor 5k Run/Walk through Lincoln Park, and outreach to immigrants to this county.
REFLECTION FROM SSVD Today as we celebrate the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ let us pray for those who are hungry, malnourished and starving. Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please call the Society of St. Vincent dePaul through the Parish Center so that together we can help those who are hungry.
HUNGER WALK AT SOLDIER FIELD A Hunger Walk on June 23 at Solider Field will benefit food pantries across the Archdiocese. Registration is at 7 a.m., step-off at 8:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., the group will gather as Catholics for music, and sharing. More than 845,000 people in Cook County are food insecure, uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Last year’s walk drew 9,400 participants and raised more than $500,000. It is hoped the numbers will be even bigger this year. Help us end hunger in our communities. Teens are especially invited to be part of this great service event. For more info, visit www.youthministry-chicago.org.
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Society of St. Vincent dePaul Chicago and DePaul University for the inaugural Friends of the Poor 5K Run/Walk starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 22 at Cannon Drive and Fullerton Avenue. The event is limited to 500 entrants. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Society of St. Vincent dePaul Chicago, whose more than 2,200 volunteers help the needy throughout Cook and Lake counties with food, shelter, clothing, transportation and more. Visit www.svdpchicago.org/SVDP_Chicago.
HOPE: AN IMMIGRANT STORY
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me...” -- Matthew 25:35
“I received my permanent residency on February 10, 2011. I just had to wait 21 years.” These are the words of Maria, an immigrant from Mexico who came to the U.S. in 1990 to find a better life for her children. Though she is a permanent resident, her son is not. “My son graduated from the U of I. However, because he is still undocumented he won’t be able to practice his profession here. If I could trade places with anyone it would be with him.” Maria is now involved in the Immigrant to Immigrant Ministry, which she says helps her live out the gospel message “to love thy neighbor.” How could we accompany immigrants like Maria and families like hers?
ACTION: Visit the Catholic DREAMERS of Chicago on Facebook and learn how you and your parish could accompany these talented young people like Maria’s son, http://facebook.com/messages/1385583819#!/CatholicDREAMERSofChicago.
For more information, contact the Office for Immigrant Affairs and Immigration Education, 3525 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60653. Reach Elena Segura at 312-534-5333 or esegura@archchicago.org.
