I was raised by Dominicans – Fenwick High School (Oak Park, IL) and Providence College (RI).
I provided my son with a Jesuit education – Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) and John Carroll University (University Heights, OH).
I didn’t know about “Cannon Ball Moments” until I joined the Ignatian Volunteer Corps Chicago in the Fall of 2023. Our first guest speaker was Eric Clayton, Deputy Director of Communications for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Eric is the author of Cannon Ball Moments: Telling Your Story, Deepening Your Faith. That was our IVC Chicago reading selection for my first-year volunteer assignment with Care For Friends, which provides meals and health screenings for the homeless. I facilitated a new three-year strategic plan for its future program expansion.
Eric’s book enhanced my reflections to understand that there had already been multiple “Cannon Ball Moments” in my life. My 50+ years career in community development had been “telling stories.” What I was now seeking was to deepen my own faith.
This past year my assignment has been to serve as the Chicago Coordinator for Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS/USA). November 2024 was another Cannon Ball Moment. I submitted my JRS application the morning after the election. We all knew the world would be different. I did not imagine that our government would become so immoral. Catholic Social Teaching values are being violated across the board, domestically and internationally.
My wife and I have been parishioners of Old St. Patrick’s for over 30 years. OSP has had a robust Immigrant and Refugee Ministry (IRM) for a number of years. Members have been sponsoring families and accompanying them in support and solidarity. As the JRS Chicago Coordinator, I am active with IRM’s new Advocacy Committee to strategize how we can work with elected representatives to understand the developing crisis and take action for just and compassionate policies around immigration reform and refugee resettlement.
We are outreaching to other parishes to collaborate on such advocacy initiatives. JRS/USA provides exceptional webinars, communications and timely resources to share. Given the administration’s current deportation-focused policies, families are gradually being summoned to immigration court. The current ICE practice of arresting and detaining immigrants at court appearances makes these appearances threatening without legal counsel. The search for qualified and affordable immigration lawyers is a national challenge.
We are planning a half-hour Circle of Inclusion between masses at OSP on the last Sunday in September as one way to engage parishioners with the obstacles faced by people seeking asylum, and encourage dialogue about the treatment of refugees in our communities.
Starting in September, I will begin my third year with IVC expanding my efforts in Chicago and also serving as JRS’ Midwest Regional Coordinator. I look forward to collaborating with existing JRS teams in Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and exploring new partnerships with IVC chapters in Milwaukee, St. Louis and the Twin Cities.
God let us be a bridge of care connecting people everywhere.
Help us confront all fear and hate and lust for power that separate.
Diverse in culture, nation, race. We come together by your grace.
God let us be a meeting ground where hope and healing love are found.
When chasms widen, storms arise. O Holy Spirit, make us wise.
Let our resolve, like steel, be strong to stand with those who suffer wrong.
DIVERSE IN CULTURE, NATION, RACE by Chris de Silva