NATIONAL INSTITUTE
Hope does not disappoint (Rom 5:5)

Pastoral Migratoria – Faith and Perseverance in Times of Uncertainty

Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Sunday, July 27, 2025

By invitation only -

By invitation only -

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

  • National Pastoral Migratoria invites pastoral teams from U.S. dioceses to participate in the National Institute Pastoral Migratoria (NIPM) from July 24 – 27, 2025 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. Pastoral Migratoria (PM) is a parish-based immigrant social ministry that started in the Archdiocese of Chicago (2008) and has also been implemented in the dioceses of New York, Baltimore, Stockton CA, and Kansas City-St. Joseph MO.

    INPM 2025 will bring together diocesan and pastoral leaders to:

    1. Share the PM formation program, best practices, and an immersion experience (new dioceses)

    2. Provide continuous civic and pastoral formation, essential training, and practical tools on issues pertinent to the immigrant community (dioceses with PM)

    3. Foster a renewed sense of purpose to navigate the current political discourse (which is too often characterized by heightened anti-immigrant sentiment) through a Catholic faith perspective.

    4. Share an in-depth view of plans and infrastructure for developing PM (new dioceses)

    Through National Pastoral Migratoria and the NIPM, we hope to continue building a vibrant network of parish ministries in dioceses and expanding the scope of service, accompaniment, and justice actions in the Catholic Church to respond to the needs of immigrant communities.

  • The NIPM will be intensive, engaging and immersive! Participants will awake to the rising sun over the shores of nearby Lake Michigan in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, in lodging provided by religious orders (e.g. Augustinians, Claretian Missionaries, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity). Each day will include prayer and Mass.

    Morning, afternoon and evening sessions will include:

    • Theology of migration and Catholic social teaching

    • The development of PM in Chicago’s parishes and other dioceses

    • PM formation and leadership training program

    • An immersion experience to PM parishes and meetings with collaborators

    • Networking with PM leaders and representatives from multiple dioceses

    • Engaging presentations by experts in the fields of Theology, Migration, Social Justice and others

    • Opportunities to help shape new formation materials for 2025

    • Sunday Mass and Commissioning of new PM leaders (where NIPM participants will be presented with a Certificate of Completion)

    Please note: All sessions will be in Spanish.

  • The NIPM is committed to assisting participants by:

    • Sharing the PM formation program, best practices, and an immersion experience (new dioceses)

    • Providing continuous civic and pastoral formation on issues pertinent to the immigrant community and a space for collaboration and visioning to revitalize the ministry (dioceses with PM)

    • Fostering a renewed sense of purpose as Catholics to navigate the current political discourse

  • The NIPM will begin at 2 p.m. Central on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and run until noon Central on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The Sunday schedule includes Sunday morning Mass. For the full schedule see below.

  • The total cost of the program is $475 per participant, which includes tuition, lodging, and meals. Lodging includes a single bedroom with private bath (in some cases), for three (3) nights (July 24, 25, 26).

  • Transportation to and from Chicago, as well as Catholic Theological Union, is not included. If flying, participants are strongly recommended to use Midway Airport since it is closer than O’Hare.

  • Full payment for registration is due by June 30, 2025 (detailed payment information will be provided with the acceptance letter).

  • For any questions, please contact Raymundo Valdez at rvaldez@archchicago.org or 773.619.1448.

  • Due to space considerations, we can accept teams of 2-3 people per diocese. The following criteria are recommended in choosing your participants:

    New dioceses (without Pastoral Migratoria): Diocesan office representative (e.g. Justice and Peace Director, Hispanic/Multicultural Office representatives) and/or Priest/Deacon of a parish interested in piloting PM ministry, lay leader with vision and commitment to initiate PM.

    Dioceses with Pastoral Migratoria: Diocesan Pastoral Companion, active lay leader of a parish with PM, Priest/Deacon/Religious of a parish with PM.

    New dioceses in restrictive states: We are opening opportunities for 1-2 participants from dioceses in states with restrictive immigration policies. Diocesan staff and/or religious are encouraged to participate.

    Submittal of applications:

    • Applications must be received no later than June 15, 2025 (details on payment information will be provided with the acceptance letter).

    • To apply online, complete the form below.

    • If you do not have access to the online application, you may email Raymundo Valdez at rvaldez@archchicago.org for more information

    Applicants who are accepted will be notified by June 20, 2025.

REGISTRATION

Formation and Training for the Development of an Immigrant-Led Ministry of Service,
Accompaniment and Justice in Parish Communities.

PROGRAMA PRELIMINAR

  • JUEVES (ESCUCHAR)

    Reconociendo los signos de esperanza en el pueblo migrante en el contexto del peregrinaje, buscando signos de esperanza en la realidad. “La esperanza no viene del cielo, ya está aquí”.

    PROGRAMA DEL DIA

  • VIERNES (APRENDER)

    Discernir el camino de nuestro peregrinaje. Caminamos con Dios, intencionalidad y sin detenernos ante la incertidumbre.

    PROGRAMA DEL DIA

  • SÁBADO (PROCLAMAR)

    Firmeza en el camino, celebración y visualización del destino del peregrino (Monte del Gozo).

    PROGRAMA DEL DIA

  • DOMINGO (PROCLAMAR)

    Comisión y conclusión.

    PROGRAMA DEL DIA
Descarga Programa Preliminar

Photos and recordings of sessions from National Institute 2024

Photos