Standing with a Saint Thomas More family in need

 

Standing with a Saint Thomas More family in need

 

JANUARY 11, 2026

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Dear Saint Thomas More Parishioners and Families,

We are writing to share very sad news. This weekend, the father and older brother of one of our students were taken into custody by ICE at their worksite. As you can imagine, this is deeply concerning for the family, who has been a part of our parish community for the past nine years, and for our entire Saint Thomas More Catholic community, which is deeply committed to standing with and for immigrants and refugees.

Last week we wrote to our parish community and shared, “As St. Paul reminds us, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it’” (1 Corinthians 12:26). In this moment, we suffer together. It’s crucial that our response comes from a place rooted in the Gospels and that we continue to love our neighbors as ourselves and choose compassion over indifference.

With this in mind, we write to ask for your support. For the foreseeable future, parents who are comfortable and able are invited to be present outside our school building along Summit, Oxford, and the alleyway during arrival and dismissal times. Specifically, we are seeking parent volunteers from the beginning of morning drop-off (shortly before 8:00 a.m.) until 8:10 a.m., when students are expected to be in homeroom, as well as after school during afternoon dismissal. Your presence will help monitor these areas and, most importantly, provide a sense of safety, calm, and peace of mind for our students and families as they arrive and depart.

Some of you may be wondering how else you can help. Donations for our immigrant support can be made through online giving. In addition, you may drop off gift cards in our parish office to local stores to help support this family’s immediate needs.

Thank you for your compassion, solidarity, and continued care for one another during this difficult time. Please keep this family and our entire community in your prayers.

In peace and gratitude,

Fr. R.J. Fichtinger, S.J.
Pastor

Pat Lofton
Principal

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