National Pastoral Migratoria (NPM) invites pastoral teams from other U.S. dioceses to participate in the National Institute Pastoral Migratoria (NIPM) that will be held July 18–21, 2024 at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, Illinois. Pastoral Migratoria (PM) is a 16-year-old, parish-based, immigrant-to-immigrant ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago which is present in urban and rural communities in dioceses across the United States.

INPM 2024 will bring together diocesan and pastoral leaders with the intention of:

• Sharing the PM formation program, best practices and an immersion experience for dioceses.
• Providing continuous civic and pastoral formation on issues pertinent to the immigrant community and a space for collaboration and visioning.
• Premiering new and engaging communication systems for PM sites and affiliates (webpage, printed resources, social media, etc).
• Sharing an in-depth view of strategic plans and infrastructure development for the development of PM in your Diocese (for 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, participative and immersive! Participants will awake to the rising sun over the shores of nearby Lake Michigan in Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago’s South Side where religious orders (Claretian Missionaries, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Augustinians and Missionaries of the Precious Blood) are providing lodging. 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’s formation and leadership training program.
• Immersion experience to PM parishes and meetings with collaborators.
• Networking with PM companions, leaders and representatives from multiple Dioceses.
• Engaging presentations by experts in the fields of Theology, Migration, Social Justice and others.
• Opportunities to engage in PM’s Red Nacional (PM National Network).
• Sunday Mass and Commissioning of new PM leaders (where NIPM participants will also be presented with a Certificate of Completion).

The NIPM is committed to assist participants by:

• Sharing the PM formation program, best practices and an immersion experience for new dioceses.
• Providing continuous civic and pastoral formation on pertinent issues and a space for collaboration and visioning to revitalize the ministry (dioceses with PM).
• Provide strategic guidance for diocesan teams to take next steps to initiate PM in their diocese.

Full payment for all applicants will be due by June 30, 2023 (details about payment information will be provided with acceptance letter).

For any questions, please contact Raymundo Valdez at [email protected] or 773.619.1448.

Due to space considerations, we can only accept teams of 2-3 people. The following criteria are recommended for selection:

New dioceses (without Pastoral Migratoria): Diocesan office representative (i.e. Justice and Peace Directors, Hispanic/Multicultural office representatives) and/or Priest/Deacon of the parish interested in being a pilot parish of PM, lay leader with vision and commitment to initiate PM.

Dioceses with Pastoral Migratoria: Diocesan Pastoral Companion, active parish lay leader with PM, Priest/Deacon/Religious brother or sister from parish with PM

Applications must be received by June 15, 2024 (details on payment information will be provided with the acceptance letter).
If you do not have access to the online application, you may email Raymundo Valdez at [email protected] or mail a hard copy to:

Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity
Immigration Ministry
3525 South Lake Park Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60653
Attn: Elena Segura

Applicants that are accepted will be notified by June 20, 2024.