A Letter to the Beloved Immigrants Among Us from the SBI

The following letter has been provided by the Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants (SBI), an organization of the Archdiocese.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand!” Isaiah 41:10

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Beloved Immigrants Among Us: “You Are Not Alone!”

You have added greatly to the multi-colored fabric and deep devotional life of the CatholicChurch and other faith traditions in the United States.

For this, we thank you!

Amid hardships and discrimination, you are holding firmly to the anchor of faith, family and community, an example of perseverance, courage and resilience to us all.

For this, we thank you!

You have come here, often taking great risks, leaving your precious homeland, seeking freedom from violence and poverty, with hope to build a better life for you and your families, a reminder of the great love and sacrifice we believe any parent would be willing to make for their family.

For your inspiration, we thank you!

You have called out the best in all of us who claim discipleship in Christ by allowing us to exercise Christ’s mandate to welcome the stranger and care for the widow, orphan and immigrant.

For calling out the best in us to care for our sisters and brothers, we thank you!

Therefore, we, the Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, the Priests for Justice forImmigrants, Immigration Parish Coordinators and parishioners throughout the Arch Diocese of Chicago, express our unwavering commitment and resolve to walk with you, in front of you and behind you, to be your strength in prayer and in person as you take the next steps forward. God’s commitment to us is unwavering; God’s love is constant.

Know that, with God, we are here for you! We love you! You are not alone!!!

We request for prayer and mindfulness for the thousands of immigrants in Chicagoland who have been welcomed and helped by hundreds of faith-filled, compassionate people. They have been assured that they will be kept safe (documents completed and filed) from the mass deportation intended to begin in January by the new Federal Administration.