We are a Sanctuary Parish

Our sanctuary family--Reyna Gomez and her children--were special guests at the Parish Picnic on Sunday, October 2.  Parishioners may remember that Reyna and her family fled an abusive situation in Mexico. They walked to the border seeking asylum.

Together with St. Agnes, St. Ignatius Parish has actively accompanied the family for five years. Generous parishioners from both parishes provided financial support with housing, schools, food, and summer camp, as well as supportingn the family with our prayers.

A year ago Reyna was thrilled to be able to buy a mobile home in Ceres, CA. She is working now at a company very close to her home. The children are enrolled in local schools and are doing well. The twins, now 16, are in high school and work part-time on the weekends.

In a wonderful development, the children are now residents of the United States! Reyna is still waiting for her asylum hearing which has been postponed twice. She has a new date of April 2023. As we have in the past, the parishes will support her when she goes to court, including by packing the courtroom on her court date.

Reyna continues to be very grateful to our parishioners. She considers us to be her American family and will never forget all the ways we have supported her during an enormously difficult time.

Contributions in support of the family are held in a restricted fund at the parish. The family is financially independent now, but they know we stand with them and are available to help them with emergencies.