Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities was a regional conference hosted on September 17–18, 2026, at Villanova University. Co-sponsored by Villanova’s Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Catholic IMMpact, the gathering convened Church leaders, scholars, advocates, and pastoral ministers from across the Mid-Atlantic states.
The conference was designed to translate Catholic Social Teaching into actionable strategies for parish and diocesan leaders serving immigrant populations. It addressed the heightened fears and legal uncertainties faced by migrant families while reinforcing the Catholic mandate to offer compassionate pastoral accompaniment and protection.
Key Themes & Agenda
• Understanding Rights & Legal Realities:
Presentations and workshops covered the current immigration enforcement landscape, practical guidance on “know-your-rights” protections, and navigating legal statuses such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole.
• Lived Experiences:
Personal testimonies from immigrants grounded the academic and theological discussions in real-world struggles.
• Spiritual & Pastoral Support:
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrated Mass for participants, and Bishop Bruce Lewandowski delivered a keynote address urging deeper solidarity and active accompaniment within local faith communities.
• Actionable Diocesan Strategies:
Sessions featuring representatives from the USCCB, the Hope Border Institute, and Welcome.US provided concrete tools for outreach, community education, and assistance with pathway-to-citizenship programs.
Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, Karol Brewer, Co-Chair of the Cabrini Immigration Commission, Nancy Costello and Dr. Jerry Zurek, Immigration Commission members attended the conference on behalf of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred. Heart of Jesus.
Equipping pastoral leaders with policy knowledge, crisis planning tools, and advocacy strategies, the conference aimed to build supportive, bridge-building structures for vulnerable immigrant communities.