“Come and See” marks the beginning of a ministry of accompaniment, service, and justice for immigrant communities
The Diocese of Paterson took a historic step on Feb. 21 with the official launch of its Migrant Pastoral Ministry during an event held at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. The gathering was blessed by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and brought together more than 60 faithful from 10 diocesan parishes. The new ministry operates under the guidance of Father Duberney Villamizar, episcopal vicar for Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of Paterson.
The initiative takes its name, “Come and See,” from the missionary spirit that inspires it. The ministry, formally known as the Ministry of Service, Accompaniment, and Justice, aims to form lay leaders equipped to respond to the needs of immigrant communities amid today’s pressing migration challenges.
The event featured the special participation of Elena Segura, founder of the National Migrant Pastoral Ministry, who traveled from the Archdiocese of Chicago to accompany the launch. Segura explained that the ministry emerged in response to the failure of the 2007 immigration reform effort and its close connection to the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform — now known as Justice for Immigrants — of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
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The Migrant Pastoral Ministry is currently active in the Archdioceses of Chicago, New York, Stockton, Joliet, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Newark, and Orange, California. With the addition of Paterson, nine dioceses now form this national network of immigrant-to-immigrant ministry.
Formation, Faith, and Action
Seven priests and four deacons participated in the event in support of Bishop Sweeney’s initiative. The more than 60 attendees were invited to take part in a three-session formation program rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and civic topics, developed in collaboration with experts from Catholic Charities, immigration attorneys, labor rights specialists, mental health professionals, and consular representatives, among others.
The second part of the gathering featured a practice session of the Peace Circles technique, a tool designed to help process the tensions that arise from migration crisis situations.
The response from participants was unanimous and enthusiastic. Several attendees expressed that this initiative feels like a direct answer to their prayers.
Aligned with the Pope and the V Encuentro, the Migrant Pastoral Ministry responds to the call of Pope Leo XIV to walk alongside those most in need, and implements the priorities of lay leadership, immigration ministry, and faith formation outlined within the framework of the V National Encuentro.
For more information about the Migrant Pastoral Ministry, please contact Miguel Rodríguez at MRodriguez@patersonDiocese.org
