Mother Teresa Ministry

    The purpose of this ministry is to provide spiritual and counseling services through personal visits to those that have been detained, in the centers of detention. In this context, this ministry would be similar to the Criminal Justice Ministry (C JM ) and should benefit from their training, experience and good practices. There would be teams of men and women volunteers who would visit the respective men and women detention centers. Because the detention time of those awaiting deportation is typically less than six months, the number of visits would be less that in the case of the  C JM .

   The Mother Teresa (MT) ministry has as its focus the needs of the immigrant family in our midst. Its main emphasis is to help the broken families of undocumented immigrants which have been affected by the detention and forced repatriation of one or more of its members. But it would participate, as required, in other activities aiming at improving the environment adversely affecting immigrants, including labor conditions and immigration policy. In doing so, this ministry will follow the US Catholic Bishops policy summarized as follows: “We call upon all Catholics and citizens of good will to heed our Lord’s call and challenge: ’For I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ (Matthew 25:35)”. (A Resolution by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 16, 2000. p 7)

   Usually, unexpectedly and without recourse to any external help, the father or mother of a family that has been living in our area for some time, often for several years, face sudden detention and separation from their dear ones. The one detained is incarcerated until sent to their home country without recourse to counseling or spiritual and material help. Their spouses and children, many of the latter  US-born citizens, are left abandoned and without any source of material and human help. They are a true reminder to us of the widows and orphans of Old Testament times, forgotten in their desperation.

    The second purpose of this ministry would be the visits and material help provided to the spouses and children left behind. It would resemble the operation of Saint Vincent de Paul ’s ministry and should involve that  ministry, particularly regarding the procurement and supply of money, food and other material needs of the families.

    In addition to spiritual and counseling services, this ministry would endeavor to provide legal, psychological and other required assistance to improve the condition of both the detainees and their families.

    Any type of assistance and involvement is welcome. Financial or logistical support, including food and clothing may be necessary. And prayer is essential: this ministry would be centered on the prayer of the Holy Rosary.

If you are interested in this ministry please contact;