Welcoming the Stranger
Catholic Sisters across Western Pennsylvania have been called to action by their faith to minister to and on behalf of immigrants and refugees, especially in our country’s current political climate. Driven by their vows to serve all of God’s people and their immense sense of mercy, Sisters from various congregations have joined the cause in various ways. Whether it be with their sleeves rolled up on the front lines or through the simple power of prayer, the Catholic Sisters of our region are meeting the moment with compassion and care.
The SISTERS of CHARITY of NAZARETH
The Pittsburgh Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have and will continue to be of support as much as possible to any migrant/immigrant issue that is brought to our attention, as well an any other project that assists the poor and needy. However, the small number and current ages of SCNs residing in Pittsburgh limits our ability to assist migrants/immigrants as we did in the past. Presently, Vincentian Villa and Terrace Place, our VCS retirement communities, join us in supporting these worthy causes.
Believing that prayer and intercession is of great importance, we have designated every Wednesday as a day of prayer and adoration for the many issues of serious concern in our Church and our world today. Organizations that we have and continue to support through monetary, food or other collections include the CDP migrant program at Kettler House, North Hills Community Outreach (food and school supplies), St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Joseph House of Hospitality, Jubilee Soup Kitchen, House of Bethany, and Casa San José. We also support many Church clothing drives.
We pledge our continued spirit-filled hopes and blessing on the issues and concerns facing our Diocese and our world,” says Sister Mary Ann Genovich, SCN.
The SISTERS of the HOLY FAMILY of NAZARETH
Our province is a founding member and sustaining community of a ministry offering housing and support services to young immigrant women as they journey to independence. When unaccompanied minors come into the United States, they are placed in shelters until they can be united with their family here. If they have no family and turn 18, they can no longer remain in those shelters. They are on their own at that point. The ministry takes in these young women and offers them the shelter and services (legal, educational, psychological, medical, etc.) to help them as they journey in their efforts to achieve asylum, become independent, and pursue their dream of living fruitful lives in this country. Some of our residents also come from border shelters as young, single mothers with small children. “I am privileged to assist in helping develop and support these programs,” says Sister Cathy Fedewa, CSFN.
The SISTERS of ST. FRANCIS of the PROVIDENCE of GOD
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, based in Pittsburgh’s Whitehall community, have addressed the issue of safeguarding the rights of immigrants and refugees and the current administration’s deportation efforts by contacting the White House and our senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. We also have donated to organizations assisting migrants — Casa San José, Jewish Family and Community Services here in Pittsburgh, and Catholic Charities in the border dioceses.
The SCHOOL SISTERS of ST. FRANCIS
The School Sisters of St. Francis, following the Gospel of Jesus Christ, stand in solidarity with the rights and dignity of all immigrants, migrants and refugees, and advocate for immigration policies that respect the dignity of all.
As an international congregation with our Sisters in Europe — particularly in the Slovak and Czech Republics — we have been assisting migrants and refugees from the war in Ukraine for the past two years. Our Sisters in southern Italy minister to people who have migrated from India. Here in the United States, we ministered in Texas since 1950 in San Antonio, and later, in San Angelo and the “colonias” near the southern border.
In 2011, our Sisters developed a Franciscan Resource Center in San Angelo for spiritual growth and evangelization. Part of the Center was used by volunteers to provide services for immigrants from the southern border. One of the Sisters participated in a Border Experience program. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2022, these same Sisters have developed a Franciscan Resource Center here. In 2024, they established a Pittsburgh Chapter of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which is engaged in advocacy for refugees and migrants throughout the world.
In eastern Pennsylvania, one of our Sisters serves as an ESL tutor. A Pittsburgh-area Sister who previously volunteered at Casa San Jose more recently began volunteering with a program for the pastoral needs of unaccompanied minors from the southern border. We continue to educate ourselves, as well, with many of our monthly Chapters of Renewal focused on immigration issues.
The FELICIAN SISTERS of NORTH AMERICA
The Felician Sisters have been very involved in advocacy events though the auspices of our Justice and Peace Coordinator, Sister Maryanne Agnes Mueller, our Justice & Peace coordinator. She is our representative to the Franciscan Action Network, the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, Pax Christi, Nuns Against Gun Violence and is very active in all these and other organizations. She is the editor of the Stop Trafficking newsletter, which is published nationally via email through our Publications Office. She then also marshals the response of our Sisters to write to congressional and state leaders over the issue of migration and immigration reform, human trafficking, gun violence, the death penalty, and racism.
One of our Sisters, Sister Maria Louise Edwards has been missioned to Tucson, Ariz., where she works with Aguilas del Desierto as vice president for Planning & Development. She also participates in desert searches to find missing migrants entering the country. This work is largely funded by the Felician Sisters of North America.
Sister Dong Hong Marie Zhang works with the new immigrants from China and also actively advocates for asylum. She recently was in Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators.
Other activities with which we have been actively engaged include:
We have sponsored and provided housing and provisions for a family from Ukraine for the past three years.
We are among 50 Catholic organizations and religious congregations nationwide to urge humane immigration solutions during budget negotiations.
Our Response to Love Center in Buffalo, N.Y., provides language classes, food and clothing to mostly Arabic immigrants.
Sister Maryann Agnes Muelle accompanies people to their ICE hearings and those seeking asylum to their credible fear hearings. She and Sister Anita Marie Louise Taddonio recently attended a meeting in Hartford, Conn., regarding accompaniment.
Sister Thomas Lesniak teaches ESL in New Hampshire for individuals from several countries.
A small convent of just three Sisters financially helped an undocumented family in their neighborhood.
SISTERS of the HUMILITY of MARY
In early 2025, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Villa Maria, Pa., purchased space on three digital billboards in the Youngstown, Ohio, area. The message (pictured) reminds passersby that Jesus, himself, was a refugee.
“We have made the decision to take this public action in light of the current crises in our nation, specifically the inhumane and illegal treatment of immigrants, refugees and others,” says Sister Margaret Marszal, HM. “These actions are in direct opposition to the Gospel, our Mission and Values, and the spirit of our Corporate Witness Statements in support of the people of Haiti and in support of women.”
As members, the Humility of Mary Community is represented in all statements that Leadership Conference of Religious Women (LCWR) makes on immigration and other social justice matters. Our Sisters, Associates, Covenant Companions and Partners in Mission are invited to pray and fast as they are able for those most affected by the current rounding up and deportation of immigrants and migrants in our nation.
The SISTERS of ST. JOSEPH of BADEN
A commitment to caring for immigrants and all those displaced by poverty, violence, and natural disaster has been a foundational part of the Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the community’s 150-year history. They continue to support Casa San José’s efforts to minister to the immigrant communities in southwest Pennsylvania.
Sister Patti Rossi, CSJ, joined Sisters Janice Vanderneck and Jeanette Bussen, former Sister and benefactor Maureen Haggarty, and a friend of the community in welcoming and caring for our migrant neighbors at the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas. Click here to read more about their experiences and the beautiful families they met.
The SISTERS of DIVINE PROVIDENCE
The Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence have a long history of reaching out to those who come to this country looking for refuge and an opportunity to live in peace. Our mission is to recognize all persons as our sisters and brothers, assisting them to find a place to raise their families and live in peace.
La Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home, mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration, and imparts values that witness God’s Providence in our world.
Here in the Pittsburgh area, we have partnered with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to house and support refugees at Charity House (2020). Presently, here at Providence Heights, we have offered housing for refugee families who have come to us from the Republic of the Congo (2023) and from Afghanistan (2023-2025). We continue to support these families in their search for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all in a peaceful setting.
This listing is updated on an ongoing basis to reflect the current activities undertaken by Catholic sisters in our region. Check back often.