Frequently Asked Questions about Refugee Resettlement at Guardian Angels
Since we began talking about this initiative in November 2016, there have been some questions about it. Here are a few of the common ones.
Why are we working with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) and not Catholic Charities?
While our friends at Catholic Charities are also involved in some refugee resettlement work, they do not at this time have a program that offers the opportunity for parish volunteers to work directly with the families. Working with LSS allows us a chance to meet and interact with our family. LSS has also recently worked with the Basilica parish in Minneapolis on similar initiatives.
How will this ministry affect the Guardian Angels budget?
Our goal is that this project will be budget-neutral; that is, any funds needed to sustain it will come from a combination of the January 2017 plate collection, designated donations from parishioners and existing budgeted justice and outreach funds and staff time. If reading about this initiative touches your heart and you would like to support it financially, you can do so at any time by sending your donation to the parish office or placing it in the collection basket any weekend.
Why would a Catholic parish be engaged in this kind of work? Isn’t this best left to others?
We are working closely with Lutheran Social Services on this initiative; LSS has years of experience with refugees and knows the required process to follow. Faith communities all over the world are involved in refugee resettlement, including the Vatican itself, which has resettled Syrian families at the request of Pope Francis. Closer to home, the Minnesota Council of Churches has a thriving refugee resettlement program that has engaged scores of faith communities in Minnesota.
We already do so much at Guardian Angels. How can we take on one more thing?
Yes, Guardian Angels does have a rich history of community involvement and justice work. That’s wonderful! We are all called to do the best we can to read the signs of the times for guidance on how we work for justice. There is a great need at this time for a spirit of welcome in our world and this effort is one concrete way that we can make a difference.