The Migrant Ministry is part of a loose network of organizations that share resources, connections, and experiences to collaboratively support our migrant brothers and sisters. The network recently facilitated the return to the Chicago area of a migrant released from a detention center in Indiana... We couldn’t do what we do without your support. MIL GRACIAS, Catholic Communities of Oak Park!...

Lent invites us to do something deeper. We might fast from constant noise... Another fast is to step back from whatever dulls our spiritual awareness... This Lent, I encourage every member of our parishes to intentionally create space for retreat time with God. Utilize what our parishes are offering and use these options to create your own space for retreat time with God... Think of this during the Lenten season: “Less noise. More God.”...

In anticipation of a larger ICE presence, we have begun to prepare our families and those who come to our free store in the event they are seeing officers in their neighborhoods or are themselves apprehended... Those phone numbers are: ICIRR or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights 855-435-7693... NLG or the National Lawyers Guild Chicago 872-465-4244... “Free stores” are now open...

Catholic social teaching has guided the Church for more than a century and is rooted directly in the Gospel... “The Church considers it her duty to interpose her authority” when the dignity of persons is threatened. There are circumstances around us today that make it our duty to speak up... Let us remember African American Christian witness teaches us to live the Gospel with truth, dignity, and enduring love...

During the past two weeks we have learned of three families unable to make rent payments... We try to help any way that we can... If you are reviewing your 2026 giving, please consider a donation to Migrant Ministry... The “free stores” are open. Volunteers are offering clothing, coats, boots, and bedding as well as a breakfast space and a children’s playroom. Donations are accepted on Monday mornings...

This weekend, we will have speakers at all Masses at both parishes. They will share information about F.C.N., Foundation for Children in Need... On February 14, we will celebrate our African American Heritage Mass with our joined choir members under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jefferson... Next weekend is Commitment Weekend for this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal...

The Village of Oak Park will be making significant improvements to Oak Park Avenue, around St. Edmund Church.  This project will affect Oak Park Avenue, between Randolph Street and Ontario Street. The project is scheduled to run until November 2026. At times, the street will be closed and not accessible to parking. The St. Edmund parking lot will remain open...

On January 20, opening day of our new migrant center (Centro San Bernardino), the volunteers arrived early and expressed how glad they were to be together again serving the migrants... But before we started, the volunteers gathered in a room and Father Carl and Father Vittorio led us in a beautiful blessing written by Father Carl - a meaningful start to a packed morning in which 210 migrants were served...

February is African American Heritage Month. All are invited to a special Mass and celebration on Saturday, February 14, at 4:30 PM... Why is it important? Because African American History is Catholic History... - In a time of division and injustice, gathering for prayer is a powerful act of unity and hope... - The Saint Edmund School building will most likely be publicly listed for sale in the next week...