Angels Unawares, Timothy Schmalz, St. Peter's Square

Recognizing the Stranger: Migration and the Catholic Faith

What do Catholics believe about immigration, and what are the current challenges facing our community?

Join us at the St. Gerald Catholic Church Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, June 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for an evening of reflection, education, and faith-driven dialogue.

About the Program

We are honored to welcome Fr. Scott Hastings, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Fr. Hastings will provide a clear and concise explanation of Catholic teaching regarding the rights and responsibilities of immigrants, rooted in the Church’s rich tradition and applied to the complexities of our world today.

In addition to exploring the theological foundations of migration, this program will offer a look at the local landscape, including:

• Demographics: Information on immigrant populations currently living in Nebraska.

• The Journey: An exploration of "open and closed" pathways to migration.

• Local Stories: Insight into the lived experiences of refugees and immigrants within our own city.

In collaboration with St. Gerald Catholic Church, Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), and the Archdiocese of Omaha, this event bridges the wisdom of Catholic belief with practical information. Our goal is to empower parishioners to make a positive, faith-based response to the challenges facing our neighbors today.

From the U.S. Bishops

"Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God... The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger." > — U.S. Bishops, Special Message on Immigration, Nov. 2025

Registration is requested to help us prepare. Please register above!