During this last fiscal year alone, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Refugee program resettled 329 refugees; placed 322 in jobs; enrolled 226 in English classes; and helped 271 immigrants become U.S. citizens.  In recognition of this extraordinary effort to provide these new life opportunities, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration awarded the staff a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement which read:

“In all of your outstanding work, you answer the scriptural call to welcome the stranger and offer hope to those who now make their home among us.”

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, D.D., Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, presented the honor on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The USCCB, which also commended the Archdiocese for surpassing their refugee resettlement goal, designated the feast day as a national Day of Prayer to focus on the plight of refugees and migrants.

“So many families are wondering how changes to immigration policy might impact them,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice-president of the USCCB. “We want them to know the Church is with them, offers prayers on their behalf, and is actively monitoring developments at the diocesan, state, and national levels to be an effective advocate on their behalf.”