1. The Theological and Pastoral Grounding for Immigrant Integration Refugee resettlement & integration experience and Catholic response Local pastor and parish – St. Rose of Lima, St. Joseph, a shared parish Diocesan – Harrisburg National/international – Carthage, MO

2. St. Joseph

3. Carthage, MO

9. Catholic response continues to play a key role in immigrant integration, the building of our human family, one community at a time Secretariat on Cultural Diversity Subcommittee on Asian Pacific Island Affairs

10. Challenges to integration for Asian Pacific Islanders (API) – Reorganization – church closure and merging Open question on pros and cons of personal parishes Generation gaps - identity – Geography – API are scattered across the US still impact smaller groups to organize and gather – Cultural sensitivity – orientation and mentorship programs, BICM with USCCB/CDC – Access to services – Cycles of Poverty Work with no compensations for adults Catholic school for children - costs Healthcare – No provision of health insurance for any member of the family Welfare – undocumented API Mental Health – PTSD, suicide, stigma, diagnosis & care, system dependent

11. Conclusion Matthew 25:35 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me US Church- Church of Mercy where encountering a loving God is possible and where strangers are welcomed as friends, precisely today.