Viatorians Community Responds to Migrants Arriving on Buses

The news was filled with the transporting of immigrants, primarily from Venezuela, to northern cities and juxtaposing that with the local responses. Following the Viatorian mission to reach out to those who are wrongly considered of little importance, Viatorians immediately sprang into action.

The Viatorian Community is an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation: publicly expressing its commitment to reach out to individuals and to advocate for immigrant justice. One example is the collection of new and gently used clothing that is being donated by members of the community and neighboring St. James Parish in Arlington Heights.

Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, is a member of the Sanctuary Working Group (SWG) under the sponsorship of the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN). The group advocates for immigrant justice, both for those in and out of detention. Its accomplishments include finding housing for the undocumented and newly arrived immigrants coupled with individual support. Members of the Saint Viator High School residence donated $5,000 to the Sanctuary Working Group to assist with housing and personal needs.

The Archdiocese of Chicago has formed an Asylum Seekers Advisory Group, of which Br. Gosch is a member. Along with Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, Br. Gosch is also a member of the Asylum Seekers Working Group. The group noted that more than 3,600 asylum seekers, including women and children, have arrived since August 31, 2022. The immediate needs are housing, employment, counseling and childcare. The group is working withthe Archdiocese to address the crisis and to devise a compassionate response. Beside working in collaboration with other agencies, the Viatorians have recently funded two Venezuelans living in a home. Previously, they have funded hotel stays for others in a local hotel.

Br. E. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, and Fr. Thomas Long, CSV, have volunteered at a welcoming center where the buses arrive. The greeters welcome them, where they are put on a list and then go to a series of stations to register their name, apply for a Chicago ID, talk about their legal status and meet with representatives from Catholic Charities to meet their immediate needs.

Fr. Brost, along with students from Saint Viator High School and participants at Viator House of Hospitality assembled 95 hygiene kits in late October. The kits will be distributed to arriving migrants.

The Scriptures have numerous references to the equality of all people and of the need to join together to help each other. When that is done, life flourishes.

Residents of Viator House of Hospitality worked alongside Saint Viator High School students to pack bags for migrants.

They assembled 95 bags at the Viatorian Province Center.