Immigrant Support Ministry

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The Immigrant Support Ministry provides education, action, and advocacy opportunities around the needs of migrants and refugees. We uphold the Catholic Church’s teachings about immigration, and respond in faith with direct service and advocacy. We are involved in a refugee mentor program (Arrive Ministries), coordinate and support the STM sanctuary and asylum program, and work with city-wide immigration coalitions to share information, resources, and identify needs. 

The 2026 Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees will focus this year on minors on the move, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us. Because there are still many recently settled refugee families here in St Paul that still need help and support, our STM Immigration Support Committee is looking for interested parishioners and friends to become part of a team to mentor one of these families. “Even just one of these children” is the theme that Pope Leo XIV has chosen, and this is a great way to make a difference in “one of these children’s lives.”

A second opportunity for uplifting and supporting immigrants on the move is to write to detainees in detention centers and provide them with encouragement and empathy as they wait to be re-united with their families. There will be more information on both of these opportunities at the Ministry Fair on the weekend of October 3 & 4, or send a message to Joanhealyhauser@gmail.com if you can’t make the fair. Click the button below to read about our 2026 volunteer opportunities:

2026 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES


OUR METRO SURGE 2026 RESOURCES PAGE

We commit to:

 

•  Advocating for justice for immigrants on both a local and national level;
•  Offering spaces on our campus for organizers, lawyers, and community members to meet;
• Listening and responding to the best of our ability to the call and needs of our immigrant brothers and sisters;
• Gathering for communal prayer to continually discern the movement of the Spirit in our work, action, and lives;
• Developing a robust referral program to put those asking for help and guidance in contact with local agencies able to provide that help and guidance.

Our community acknowledges and respects the federal government’s obligation to protect our borders and uphold our immigration laws. Nevertheless, we agree with the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference that immigration principles should always be at the service of human dignity and the common good of society. Saint Thomas More Catholic Community is committed to increasing its advocacy for just and humane immigration reform at both the local and national level.

Get Involved

We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Montmartre room in Ignatius Hall. Please contact the Immigrant Support Team at immigrantsupport@morecommunity.org for more information or to be added to our email list!

2026-27 Dates

• October 20, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• November 17, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• December 15, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• January 19, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• February 16, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• March 16, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• April 20, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room
• May 18, 7:00–8:30, Montmartre Room