Posted June 28, 2016

Archbishop Charles Chaput led the Jubilee Year Gathering for Migrants on June 21 for about 400 faithful representing many cultures present in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The evening prayer service at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in South Philadelphia was held in response to Pope Francis’ request that every diocese in the world do something to highlight the experience of migrants and the issue of migration around the world.

Sponsored by the Office for Cultural Ministries, which includes the Office for Black Catholics, Office for Hispanic Catholics and Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, the event brought together lay people, religious and clergy from across the archdiocese.

Representatives of the Latino community came from St. Thomas Aquinas, Annunciation and St. Martin of Tours parishes in Philadelphia, and St. Ann in Phoenixville. They were joined by African Americans from St. Thomas and St. Charles Borromeo, plus Vietnamese, Filipino and Indonesian Catholics as well as Liberians from Southwest Philadelphia, Francophone Africans (migrants from French-speaking African nations), Portuguese from Resurrection Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, Polish, Lithuanians and others.

In his remarks, Archbishops Chaput reflected on the values of family and community that immigrants bring to America to share with everyone. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • The Vietnamese Choir fills the church with song.

  • Altar servers lead the procession of deacons, priests and Archbishop Charles Chaput into St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

  • Priests and bishops process up the main aisle of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in South Philadelphia.

  • The St. Charles Borromeo Gospel Choir leads the congregation in joyful song.

  • Deacon Bill Bradley proclaims the Gospel at the Liturgy of the Word.

  • Bill Loren and Yosephine Noverwaty.

  • Denis Okema from Uganda shares the story of how he came to America.

  • Mexican migrant Mirna Ramirez tells her story of being pregnant and alone as a new arrival in America.

  • Using sign language, Indonesian-born Jordan Sanjaya tells his life story of discrimination and bullying as he and his mother settled in America. His father originally came with him but was later deported.

  • The Hispanic Choir from St. Martin of Tours Parish lend their voices for the recessional hymn.

  • Msgr. Hugh J. Shields, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, greets Cristine and Bryan Jumarang after the service.

  • Archbishop Chaput takes a selfie with a few people after the service.

  • David Castellanos meets Archbishop Chaput after the prayer service.