{"id":19686,"date":"2024-08-28T13:22:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T17:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franciscansusa.org\/?page_id=19686"},"modified":"2024-11-14T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:43:20","slug":"holy-family-refugee-center","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.franciscansusa.org\/es\/holy-family-refugee-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Centro de Refugiados de la Sagrada Familia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Holy Family Refugee Center<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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Located in El Paso, Texas, Holy Family Refugee Center is a beacon of hope and compassion, offering refuge to legal immigrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. Operated by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, the center is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space for individuals and families fleeing persecution, violence, and extreme hardship in their home countries. Here, refugees find not only shelter and basic needs but also a community that embraces them with open arms and a spirit of solidarity.<\/p>\n

A Calling to Serve<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Holy Family Refugee Center was founded on a profound call to live the gospel through service. Father Jarek, a Conventual Franciscan friar from Poland, oversees the center’s ministry. After serving in missions across Africa, South America, and Europe, Father Jarek felt drawn to the U.S.-Mexico border, where he saw the urgent need for compassion and support for refugees. His mission began with the simple yet profound task of preparing and delivering food to refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when he could not see them in person.<\/p>\n

Over time, this ministry evolved. With the help of Ruben Garcia from Annunciation House, and many volunteers, Holy Family Refugee Center opened its doors to welcome refugees seeking legal entry into the United States. As Father Jarek explains, this work is not just about providing physical needs but about answering God’s call to be present with the vulnerable, just as St. Francis was called to care for lepers.<\/p>\n

Supporting Their Journey<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The mission of Holy Family Refugee Center is to offer safety and dignity to refugees, providing them with basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, and transportation. Legal refugees who have been processed by U.S. immigration authorities are welcomed at the center. These refugees often include families, pregnant women, individuals persecuted due to their gender or sexuality, and others fleeing extreme violence or poverty.<\/p>\n

Volunteers and staff work tirelessly to ensure that each person who comes through the center’s doors feels supported and respected. From helping refugees secure travel arrangements to reconnect with loved ones across the country, to offering a warm meal and a bed, Holy Family Refugee Center strives to embody the spirit of love and care. As Father Jarek explains, “We live Matthew chapter 25 every day\u2014welcoming the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Volunteer Testimonials<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>
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