More than 15 years ago, Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, was among a group of men and women religious who came together to advocate for immigration reform. They named their group, Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, and they continue to work to educate Catholics and offer public witness about the need for compassionate immigration reform.
Br. Michael Gosch, right, with other members of Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants
Though the group goes about their work quietly, they recently received some public recognition. Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants was highlighted in the November edition of the Chicago Catholic, which is published by the Archdiocese of Chicago, in an article called Women, Men Religious Advocating for Immigration Reform.
“The mission really remains the same, calling for comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform and calling for legislation that protects migrants,” Br. Gosch says in the article.
The mission is a personal one for Br. Gosch, who also serves as Director of Programs and Housing for Viator House of Hospitality. Its mission is to offer a safe home for young migrant men while they await their asylum proceedings. As residents of the house, they receive case management as they learn English, attend school, find jobs and adapt to life in the U.S.
Viator House and its counterpart, Bethany House for immigrant women, are referenced in the story, as alternatives to detainment, where they would “have all their choices taken away from them,” Br. Gosch says.
As one of the core members of Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, Sr. Bernardine Karge of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, describes the group’s web of efforts that they disburse to advocacy groups, religious communities and nonprofit organizations.
“The image that comes to my mind is a switchboard,” Sr. Karge says “We’re a source of inspiration and connection.”
One of their regular efforts is sending out weekly emails that contain timely, social justice action alerts that offer ways to get involved and help advocate for reform.
“The situation changes week by week or moment by moment,” Sr. Rose Therese Nolta says. “It gives the situation prayer context, and then gives actions that would be possibilities this week.”
Find the latest action alerts here as well as a place to sign up to receive them.
Br. Gosch participating in the posada, organized each December by the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration Ministry.
Highlighting the work of this group by the Chicago Archdiocese should be no surprise. It is a staunch defender of immigrants and their rights, as evidenced by its large immigration ministry, whose mission is to welcome all immigrants and work to empower them as full members of society.
The Archdiocese’s commitment to welcoming immigrants starts at the top, with Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, who is celebrating 10 years of leadership this month. Just last year, he issued a statement when buses with migrants began arriving in Chicago: “We Christians are called to welcome the stranger, the migrant, the refugee, because they too are children of God, all of us members of the same family, the human family.”