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Oak Park Parishes Received Pastoral Migratoria’s Road to Emmaus

December 7, 2023

Congratulations to our Catholic Oak Park Parishes! As you may know, our parishes were the first in the village to extend a hand to asylum-seeking migrants living in and outside the 15th District Police Station in Chicago on Madison Street.

The incredible effort of our Migrant Ministry, led by Celine Woznica and her husband Don, along with Margie Rudnik, of working to get families into apartments, and of coordinating the many volunteers across the Oak Park area and beyond for showers, clothing and medical assistance for the migrants led to us being recognized by our Archdiocese of Chicago Immigration Ministry. On December 7, 2023, at the Archdiocese Keep Hope Alive benefit event, I was pleased to receive the award given by Cardinal Cupich.

It was indeed an honor for the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park to receive the Pastoral Migratoria’s Road to Emmaus Award from Cardinal Cupich for our work addressing the immediate needs of our asylum-seeking brothers and sisters. It reflects the amazing work done by a large crew of local volunteers and donors coming from all parts of the Chicagoland area. As the word spreads about what we are doing on the campus of St. Catherine-St. Lucy, not only do migrants come from all over Chicagoland but donations as well.

The Cardinal spoke and reminded us, “Building a welcoming community reflects the gospel imperative to love our neighbor, to welcome the stranger and give shelter to the vulnerable.”

Our community has banded together and given flesh to these words. The Cardinal also reminded all in attendance that evening that the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, were refugees and migrants. What would have become of them if had they not been cared for and welcomed by others. What, then, of us?

The award will be displayed on the table where food is served to those who come and are hungry. Thank you to all who made this award possible. I must say, I was very proud to say I am the Pastor of this wonderful vibrant community of faith, hope, compassion, and care for the “other” among us.

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Fr. Carl Morello
Pastor
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish