Joint Solidarity Ministry

You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.
- Leviticus 19:34

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
- Luke 10:27
 

JOINT SOLIDARITY MINISTRY

The Joint Solidarity Ministry is a renewed partnership which began in 2017 between the parishes of  St. Agnes and St. Ignatius to serve the community of migrants to the United States. This ministry is working to establish a migrant accompaniment network to aid asylum-seekers, refugees, and other forcibly displaced individuals. A growing need and the Four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus have revitalized the ministry. The Jesuit community established these preferences to provide a focus for apostolic work in the years from 2019-2029.

The Universal Apostolic Preferences seek to deepen our personal, communal, and institutional conversion. The second among the four preferences is:

Walking with the poor, the outcasts of the world, and those whose dignity has been violated, in the mission of reconciliation and justice.

Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, has written:

We confirm that we are committed to caring for migrants, displaced persons, refugees, and the victims of wars and human trafficking, and to defending the culture and the dignity of indigenous peoples.  We seek to help build a culture of welcome, walking with all these groups as they integrate into society, and to promote the defence of their rights.

St. Agnes and St. Ignatius are responding to this commitment through the Joint Solidarity Ministry. Each parish has a significant history and relationship with the sanctuary movement in San Francisco. In 2017 the pastors of St. Agnes and St. Ignatius committed our parishes to welcome, listen, and respond to the call and needs of our sisters and brothers to the best of our abilities.  

We have come together to continue the work we began in 2017 to minister to the immigrant community. The Joint Solidarity Ministry is working  to address immigration issues and support immigrants and refugees through accompaniment, advocacy, and shelter.

We invite you to learn more about the ministry and sign up to receive updates.  Or we invite your participation in the Joint Solidarity Ministry by sending an email to [email protected]. Or reach out to Mike Neary or Karen Kelly and ask them how you can get involved.