“Saint Joseph the Refugee”

By Samantha Henry ’19 – Staff member at the Sister of Saint Joseph Welcome Center an SJU service partner

When I was a student at Saint Joseph’s University, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center through campus ministry’s Weekly Service Program. I had heard wonderful things from other students who had volunteered there to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages and Citizenship preparation classes, and when I showed up for my first night, I quickly understood why.

The staff was welcoming, and the students were ready to learn. I was always inspired by the students at the Welcome Center. Adults with families, young children, and full-time jobs would all come to the center for a 6:30 pm class to better themselves and their lives. I am lucky to continue to work with the Welcome Center today as a staff member.

The Welcome Center, a sponsored mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, offers opportunities that enable immigrants and others to improve quality of life through access to education, legal support, and programs leading to self-sufficiency. All of this is done in the just and compassionate spirit of Saint Joseph.

The mission of the Welcome Center and the work we do here is tied closely to my faith. So, when Pope Francis announced this would be the Year of Saint Joseph, I felt encouraged to learn more about Joseph and what he could teach me. After all, both my alma mater and employer are named after him.

When reading about Joseph I couldn’t help but be reminded of the stories of immigrants and refugees I have heard over the years. Joseph was a hard worker and a beloved father, fleeing his home to protect his family and embarking on a journey to safety from religious persecution. It made me think about how I, as a person of faith, respond to people migrating for similar reasons today. I typically hear of St. Joseph as a father and worker, but less so as a refugee and immigrant. And the rhetoric I often hear around immigrants and refugees today is not how we would speak about the Holy Family.

Immigrants and refugees are part of our communities, and migration affects all of us – it is not a situation exclusive to border communities. In Philadelphia County, immigrants makeup 13.8% of the population, pay $1.6 billion in taxes, and have a spending power of $4.3 billion¹.

They help support local businesses. They create local businesses. They are our neighbors, co- workers, classmates, family, friends, doctors, strangers we sit next to on the bus. They are here, whether we realize it or not. In the same way, God is always with us, even when we are not paying attention.

For me, working with and learning from immigrants has enriched my life. I have learned so much from people who have graciously shared their stories with me, sometimes filled with hardship or tragedy, but always with immense love and strength.

The Year of Saint Joseph has encouraged me to be more open and curious when I encounter others. Joseph’s acceptance of all inspires me to find ways to create welcoming spaces in my communities. And it has helped me to remember that just like Joseph, we are all on a journey.

[1] Data.newamericaneconomy.org. 2021. Map the Impact of Immigration: U.S. Economic Data & Numbers [MAP] - New American Economy. [online] Available at: <https://data.newamericaneconomy.org/map-the-impact/> [Accessed 1 March 2021].