Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago addresses migrants at the Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park’s first location at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church in Oak Park, Illinois, in a December 2023 photo. Program organizer Celine Woznica is pictured at right. (Courtesy of Migrant Ministry)
Returned Maryknoll lay missioners Celine and Don Woznica (Nicaragua & Mexico 1981-1992) were featured by National Catholic Reporter for their leadership organizing assistance for migrants in their hometown of Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago.
The all-volunteer “Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park” started three years ago when Texas began busing migrants to Chicago and has now grown into an interdenominational service that has helped some 15,000 migrants with food, clothing, shelter, language, and legal services.
READ more: Chicago seniors mentor migrants amid deportation threats, by Christine Schenk
Compelled by faith to engage with people across cultures and ethnicities, Maryknoll lay missioners live, love and work with communities on the margins to promote active nonviolence and healing.
