BARRINGTON HILLS—It was a day of celebrating miracles and support at the Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) second fundraising ice cream social at the elegant San Filippo Mansion, here, Aug. 2.
More than 300 guests comprised of volunteers, sponsors, supporters and staff spent an afternoon touring a vast and priceless collection of nickelodeon pianos, pipe organs, steam engine locomotives, clocks, Tiffany glass and much more.
They were generous in their support of funding initiatives for immigrant detainees, such as transportation, clothing, money, phone cards and the chance to have some fun at a movie or the zoo.
Before the planned events, which included a live auction, raffles, and an ice cream social in the Carousel Room with the ornate “Eden Palais” carousel to end the day, attendees listened to a magnificent Theatre Pipe Organ concert by artist Jelani Eddington.
The ICDI and its soul and energy, as defined by Sister Betty Smith, RSM, is the never-ending spirit that is driven by Sister JoAnn Persch, RSM, the enthusiastic and committed executive director of the organization, whose passion is human justice for detained immigrants.
In her remarks, Sister Persch noted that “it has been a year of miracles as we have seen ICDI grow from a mustard seed into a tree over the past seven years.”
She acknowledged Sister Pat Murphy, RSM, who works alongside her in the ministry, but who was not able to attend due to recovering from an illness.
“Those we serve are not criminals,” said Sister Persch, “but they do deserve respect through the immigration process. “They are far from home, have no money, and many come with just the clothes on their back.”
The mission of the ICDI is to serve and accompany immigrants caught in the detention and deportation system and to work for more just immigration policies in four distinct areas: the Broadview Detention Center, the McHenry County Jail, Post Detention and the Court Watch Program.
Locally, ICDI has an active jail ministry for pastoral care at the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock. The jail houses up to 400 detained immigrants under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Since Illinois’ Access to Religious Ministry Act became law in 2008, teams of clergy and lay leaders go the McHenry County Jail every Tuesday afternoon to provide pastoral care for detainees.
Dave Warren of Crystal Lake has been a part of the Jail Ministry for the past 14 years.
“I have seen this grow over the past seven years with the momentum of Sister JoAnn and Sister Pat.”
As the fundraising chair for the ice cream social event, he was hopeful that ICDI would raise up to $20,000.
Fundraising activities included live auction solicitation of funds from $1,000.00 to $25.00 increments to raffle prizes.
Nancy Fleming of Woodstock has been a member of the Jail Ministry for the past three years. “It is humbling to be a part of this ministry at the McHenry County Jail,” she said. “We are able to actually visit with detainees face-to-face, hold their hand, encourage them and pray with them. They can only see their families on a TV screen and not up close. It is so sad for me, yet beautiful, because I am so happy to help them.”
Father Mark Francis, CSV, president of the Catholic Theological Union, headed the successful live auction to garner donations for detained immigrants for commissary needs, bus tickets, phone cards, clothing and more.
“Father Francis is our angel,” said Sister Persch. “We were looking for a location to rent a floor for our women’s center and within two weeks with Father’s help, it was done.”
News of the available space at the Catholic Theological Union was mentioned to ICDI by Brother Michael Gosch, CSV, who is the ICDI Post-Detention Director.
“The Post-Detention Accompaniment Network allows us to help detainees get back home before their court date,” said Brother Gosch. “Yesterday I helped someone whose court date in Chicago will be held in 2019.”
Immigrant detainee Patrick Mwizerwa of Ghana expressed gratitude on behalf of himself and those with whom he resides at the Marie Joseph House of Hospitality Men’s Center in Cicero.
From the stage, he told the guests, “I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for us. Your help attends to our needs and gives us a chance to go out and have fun together.”
The ICDI is set for a new chapter of growth as it has recently incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization to continue its mission and formed a board of directors this past January.