Two immigration resource fairs planned for January, March
The parishes of St. Raphael in San Rafael and St. Peter in San Francisco are hosting resource fairs for immigrants in this new year.
“We will be able to offer Know Your Rights workshops in Spanish and in English for immigrants who need help figuring out their legal rights,” said Saul Perez, social action and digital media coordinator in the Office of Human Life & Dignity.
In January, St. Raphael Parish will host a listening session, organized in conjunction with the Office of Human Life & Dignity on Jan. 19, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The following Sunday, also starting at 1:30 p.m. after Mass, a resource fair will feature presentations and assistance from the Archdiocese of San Francisco Catholic Charities immigration team and from the University of San Francisco Law School’s clinic.
On March 30, another immigration fair will be hosted at St. Peter Parish in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Working with Catholic Charities and with USF Law School, the Office of Human Life & Dignity organized Know Your Rights workshops last year at St. Francis of Assisi in East Palo Alto, at St. Anthony of Padua in Menlo Park, and at St. Mary’s Cathedral during the Rosary Rally and Mass for All Immigrants as well as at a Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s homeless shelter in San Francisco.
On Dec. 12, the California bishops published a statement of support for immigrants, and urged parishes to be havens of compassion. In the statement, the bishops said: “Our parishes have the tradition of being havens of hope and solace for the lonely and the lost, embodying the peace that Christ gives. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, who reminded Juan Diego that he bore the image and likeness of God, remind all of us today and in the coming days that we are all beloved children of God, bearing his likeness, no matter our ethnicity or country of origin. May our care for each other speak to the dignity of every human being.”
Perez said he hopes to work with other parishes to bring the information and support to immigrants in the changing political landscape. For more information or to schedule an event, email [email protected].