New Haven Independent

For the young people of the St. Rose of Lima Education Taskforce, winter vacation means college visitation time. Seven students visited Fordham University. Their day began with a campus tour, questions and answers, and the ever-important making the initial contacts with university admissions staff.

When our Fordham student guide pointed out the statue of Bishop Hughes, a scrappy Irishman, Archbishop of New York (1841-64), and defender of immigrants, I was reminded of another period in our country in which immigrants, then the Irish, were told they were not welcomed, their churches were burned, and their children tossed off to the side by the larger society. A defiant Hughes refused to let the hope of his Irish immigrant community be squashed; he built not only St. Patrick Cathedral but a Catholic School system, to prepare immigrant children to take their place in the larger society. A strong faith community and education, then as well as now, is the key for the making hope become reality.

To Be Men and Women for Others

In 1841 Fordham University was founded by Bishop Hughes, who later invited the Jesuits to take over the administration of the college. According a university publication, “the Jesuits have a 450 year history of broad scholarly inquiry, enlightened civic engagement, and the reasoned, passionate pursuit of truth in all its forms…..We expect great things from our students and alumni: to be men and women for others and to fight for social justice.”

Mufid, Jessica, Teodoro, Elizabeth, Brian, Karla, and Juan are pictured in front of a statue of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, a career solder, who after injuries sustained in battle had a conversion experience that lead him to found the Society of Jesus, whose spirituality would change the lives of countless people. At its heart, Ignation Spirituality is about being attentive to the will of God in our lives more than our own will. This calls us to be contemplatives in action.

St. Rose of Lima Moved To Act

Refusing to allow talent, ability, and hope to be lost, some students and parents formed the St. Rose of Lima Education Taskforce in the fall of 2006. A colloquium was held in June 2007 with some 20 colleges and universities throughout Southern New England to discuss the possibilities that undocumented students offered. The colloquium led to more conversations with several college administrators as we explored the possibilities together. Once told by others that they would not be able to continue their studies, today, we are proud to say that there are 8 members of the Taskforce who are now studying in college, full and part-time.

Our mission is to support the young people of our parish, children of immigrants, to work with them to realize the dream of a higher education. Gateway Community College continues to be welcoming and supportive institution for so many in our community. Other colleges and universities, and the admission process in general, can be overwhelming, so the Taskforce supports one another in this endeavor, which also includes preparation for interviews, essays, and scholarship applications. We raise funds, continue to advocate for the Dream Act (a federal law to establish a pathway toward citizenship for undocumented youth, brought here by their parents and educated in our schools) and for the in-state tuition rate for all resident youth, regardless of immigration status, who have graduated from high school.

Aside from the mutual support they give one another on the Education Taskforce and active involvement in the parish, all of the students are active in extracurricular activities. Some of the high school students tutor with Apostles of the Sacred Heart Immigrant Services ministry at our school, giving a good example to our younger students and their families.

We do not make any promises to our youth that they will be able to go to the college they wish or to attend college when they would like to. But we do make a commitment to struggle with them to increase the possibility of success. Our young people are no stranger to struggle; it is part of their upbringing and the example of their parents. Is that not how character is formed, in the struggle? Does not our nation need their contribution now as it had in the past?

These first generation immigrant children strengthen by their faith; share the solid work ethic of their parents, as well as, an incredible sense of optimism. Is that not what our nation and our community need most these days?

If you are interested in participating in the work of the St. Rose of Lima Education Taskforce, you may do so by sending your contributions to St. Rose of Lima Church, 115 Blatchley Avenue, CT. 06513, noting on your memo line, St. Rose of Lima Education Fund.