Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Philadelphia (Fides Service) - A new welcome house will be inaugurated on June 24 in Chester, Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It will be the Auxiliary Bishop, His Exc. Mgr. John McIntyre, to bless the premises of the Holy Family House, the new center that Guanellians (Opera Don Guanella) destined to the pastoral care of the immigrants from South America. " 3,700 Latinos are registered- said Don Paolo Oggioni, responsible for the project, in a statement received by Fides - in a city of 30 000 inhabitants. In fact no one really knows how many live in the area. Many, often illegally, arrive, attracted by the mirage of money. What they find instead is rejection and insecurity, together with fear of being exploited". Unfortunately they are also frequent cases of those who undergo legal proceedings, and are obligated to return to their lands, leaving here their spouse with children born during their stay.
For the Holy Family House, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has granted the use of an old residence of Polish nuns, who taught in the parochial school, now closed. The nuns left the area many years ago, and now is morally and economically degraded. The new pastoral center will become a reference point for the large community of Latinos living in the area. "It will be open to reception, to catechesis, to serve the immediate needs regarding the spiritual and material assistance to people in emergency situations and as a meeting place for young people, to experience moments of relaxation and joy at the end of the day or week of work", notes Father Oggioni. "But it will also be an open house, under the protection of the Holy Family, and the center of connection with the families who have remained in the lands of origin, to preserve the bonds of communion and affection". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/06/2011)
