To Our Photo / Video Gallery 2018
APRIL 30, 2018 (PICTURES) – On Monday, April 30, 2018, St. Michael Parish hosted an interfaith evening of reflection and prayer – Four speakers and ninety people from various faith traditions and Catholic parishes of our Archdiocese gathered in solidarity in our Church. We joined in remembering that, for centuries, we have been a nation of migrants, immigrants and refugees, and that we continue to be called by God to love and welcome the stranger. Each speaker reflected on a different experience of immigrants.
Sr. Marietta Umlor, Pastoral Associate at St. Michael, welcomed our guests, set a prayerful tone for our gathering and led us in silent reflection at the close of the evening.
Imam Kifah Mustapha, Director of the Muslim Prayer Center in Orland Park, spoke of the cultural and generational challenges of immigrants. He prayed for understanding and mutual respect.
Rabbi Emerita, Ellen Dreyfus, of the B’nai Yehuda Beth Shalom temple in Homewood, reflected on her family’s experience as German Jewish immigrants and her continuing activism. She inspired us to remain faithful to God’s command to love God, our neighbor and the stranger.
Mercy Sister, Sr. Joanne Persch, told of her work with the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants in Orland Park. Particularly moving was her Holy Thursday experience of being called to sit with the immigrants at the detention center, listening to their stories and being Christ for them.
Pastor Caleb Hong, Pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, recalled the history of the immigrant experience in America and gave a Christian theological understanding of God’s call to welcome the stranger. We may be welcoming angels!
