Immigrant-Led Ministry Enlivens Faith, Action

St. Anthony’s is one of dozens of parishes across the U.S. in dioceses that have adopted the Pastoral Migratoria model of immigrant-led ministry, which invites and forms immigrants to be leaders in service, justice and accompaniment in their parish communities. Immigrants receive mentorship and support to develop as lay leaders, as well as one-to-one training of best practices in formation, commissioning, and implementation of service, justice and accompaniment actions in parish communities. St. Anthony of Padua, which is located in the Bronx, NY, offers opportunities for spiritual formation for immigrant leaders, including a Spanish-language parish mission, formation workshops, reflection and celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a Posada for Just Immigration Reform. Immigrant leaders help organize sessions and workshops on healthcare, taxes, how to apply for affordable housing, know-your-rights/fraud prevention, and how to open a small business. In addition, St. Anthony helped 160 people receive documentation (passports, IDs, etc.), and the parish has also begun hosting legal consultations. The parish leaders collaborate with St. John Bosco, Catholic Charities, and the Mexican Consulate on these offerings. St. Anthony is proud of the formation and leadership of immigrant leaders which is creating many opportunities for discipleship and action.