Archeparchy Joins “Witness to Hope” Conference on Supporting Immigrant Communities

On September 17-18, Andrea Kochan Neagle represented the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia at “Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities,” a regional conference hosted at Villanova University and sponsored by Villanova University’s Mother Cabrini Institute on Migration.

The conference brought together Church leaders, scholars, advocates, and pastoral ministers committed to strengthening the Church’s response to immigrant families.

For the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, these conversations carry particular significance. Ukrainian Catholic parishes throughout the Archeparchy continue to accompany individuals and families navigating Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, and other immigration challenges. The conference offered valuable perspectives and practical resources to support the Church’s mission of accompanying these families with clarity, compassion, and hope.

The first afternoon provided an overview of the current immigration landscape, including Catholic social teaching related to immigration enforcement, experiences shared by affected families, and practical information about understanding and protecting one’s rights. Personal stories helped ground the broader discussion in the lived realities of immigrant families and communities.

The evening continued with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, followed by dinner and a keynote address by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski of the Diocese of Providence. His remarks encouraged participants to deepen solidarity with immigrant communities and strengthen pastoral accompaniment at the parish and diocesan levels.

Friday’s sessions focused on developing concrete diocesan and parish strategies for supporting immigrant communities. Presenters from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Welcome.US, and other organizations shared approaches to education, outreach, and citizenship support.

The Archeparchy continues its efforts to provide timely information and resources to Ukrainians navigating immigration-related challenges. In August, the Archeparchy hosted the webinar “TPS in Focus,” bringing together immigration attorneys and community leaders to discuss Temporary Protected Status and answer questions from the Ukrainian community.

A recording of the webinar is available for those who were unable to participate live or would like to revisit the information shared during the program.