The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move. Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to “welcome the stranger among us,” for in this encounter with the immigrant, the migrant, and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ.
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VIA is the diocesan program, in partnership with the diocesan Hispanic Ministry Office, to provide pastoral care, education, public policy advocacy and prayer support on immigration and refugee issues.
Prayer & Worship Opportunities
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Share these intercessory prayers for use at your parish.
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Organize a rosary group on behalf of immigrants and refugees, utilizing this scriptural rosary resource.
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Join us in the prayer from Pope Francis, composed for National Migration Week 2024: "God, Almighty Father, we are your pilgrim Church journeying towards the Kingdom of heaven. We live in our homeland, but as if we were foreigners. Every foreign place is our home, yet every native land is foreign to us. Though we live on earth, our true citizenship is in heaven. Do not let us become possessive of the portion of the world you have given us as a temporary home. Help us to keep walking, together with our migrant brothers and sisters, towards the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us. Open our eyes and our hearts so that every encounter with those in need becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord. Amen."
Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities
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Bilingual volunteers are preferred, but not required.
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Help drive immigrants and refugees to court and medical appointments.
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Help families enroll children in school.
Pastoral Care Opportunities
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Facilitate parish, school, and group presentations on Immigration & Refugee and Human Trafficking topics.
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Assist with development of additional presentations and print materials on Immigration & Refugee and Human Trafficking topics
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Serve as a diocesan resource for questions from groups on the the Church's teaching and accompaniment of Immigrants & Refugees and on Human Trafficking
Fundraising & Promotion
Please prayerfully consider making a donation to VIA Immigration & Refugee Ministry program. This will be used for assisting immigrants and refugees with court and document fees, hosting asylum clinics, assisting with resettlement expenses, and other needed aid for our immigrant and refugee communities. You may donate online or by sending a check made payable to:​
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Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Office of Life & Justice
20 West Ninth Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
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Please note "VIA Immigration & Refugee Ministry" on the memo line of your check. Thank you!
Upcoming Calendar Items
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2025 Quarterly Asylum Clinics hosted by VIA Immigration & Refugee Ministry. Contact Raiza Guevara for details, guevara@diocesekcsj.org, 816-756-1850x521
Program Materials
Check back soon!​