Safety and Hospitality for our Immigrant Sisters and Brothers

This post was listed on the St Pius blog and it also pertains to us at St Vincent DePaul Parish

At St. Pius V Catholic Church we have a long history of serving our beloved immigrants and refugees from all over the world. We know very well how their presence in the community enriches us all. We wish for you who are foreign-born to feel welcome, at home, and safe in our sacred space! We are one Body in Christ, and St. Pius is your home! Taking to heart the God-given dignity of every person, together we will stand in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters in this time of heightened fear and uncertainty in our nation and state. 

Parish staff have been instructed to follow the Archdiocese’s mandatory protocol for the presence of law enforcement agents on church property, which includes communicating with Archdiocesan legal counsel before taking any other actions. We will request proper documentation (i.e., a judicial warrant signed by a judge) of any enforcement officers who request permission to enter our church, rectory, offices, parish hall/food pantry, or anywhere else on our property. 

We remind you of your rights to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during questioning should you be detained by federal immigration enforcement officers. Know Your Rights cards are available in the back of church in various languages for everyone because we all have rights, whether citizens or not. Should you or a loved one become entangled in immigration detention or deportation, we recommend that you contact the St. Louis area Rapid Response Line (314) 370-7080 to obtain help for those who have been detained and their loved ones. You may also call this number to report ICE activity to help verify legitimate enforcement actions. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kevin Kuehl, Immigrant & Refugee Ministry coordinator, 314-632-6521.

To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we declare with all our hearts: We love you and we are grateful that you are here!

Fr. Rich Wehrmeyer, C.M.

Pastor

Cheryl Archibald

Parish Life Coordinator

Kevin Kuehl

Immigrant & Refugee Ministry Coordinator

Cheryl Archibald,  MAPS

Parish Life Coordinator

St. Vincent de Paul & St. Pius V

cherylarchibald@archstl.org

p. 314-772-1525

p. 314-231-9328

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