On a Sunday afternoon in July, St. Raphael Church in Springfield hosted a larger and more diverse crowd than usual. While the St. Rose Family of Parishes in Clark County is no stranger to diversity, regularly celebrating Masses in both Spanish and Haitian Creole, it is most unusual for everyone to attend the same Mass. But this Sunday offered a special opportunity to welcome Archbishop Robert Casey, who celebrated a Mass of Solidarity that was graced with hymns in English, Creole, French, Spanish, and Latin. Visitors from Cincinnati and Dayton joined the parishioners, including area ecumenical leaders and Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine and his family.

It was much more than a meet and greet with the new shepherd of the local Church. Archbishop Casey came with a message of hospitality, mission, and communion. He sought to convey a spirit of togetherness to the Springfield community, particularly the Catholic faithful who have been charged with the welcoming of immigrants.

“When we gather to celebrate Mass, we receive an important lesson in hospitality,” Archbishop Casey said in his homily, which Father Fritz Vacin translated into Creole. Reflecting upon wisdom passed down from his family, the archbishop drew parallels between the welcome and nourishment his grandparents offered at meals on their farm and the hospitality we are to give and receive as a Church family united in Christ. “We make sure that the space where we gather is warm and welcoming,” he said. “We open the doors to greet and to welcome whoever might enter. We gather together so that we might listen and be fed.”

It is a practice that can be a challenge to live out, Archbishop Casey recognized. “All too easily in life, we can begin to see one another not as brothers and sisters. … We must always give a human heart to our words and actions, knowing that whatsoever we do will impact people, families, men, women, and children who are just like you and me.”

The archbishop’s words harkened to a reality just last fall, when political rhetoric concerning immigration incited a great deal of harassment and threats of violence across the city. The Catholic Bishops of Ohio responded at the time with a joint statement urging the faithful to view their neighbors in light of the Gospel, concluding with an appeal for prayers and support:

As the residents of Springfield, Ohio struggle with violent threats and life disruptions fueled by unfettered social media posts, we exhort the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill not to perpetuate ill will toward anyone involved based on unfounded gossip … [L]et us reject a mindset of judging who belongs to our community and put on the mind of Christ to understand that God walks with all his people, especially those in need (Letter on Migrants and Refugees and Our Haitian Brothers and Sisters, Sept. 19, 2024).

In addition to his call for hospitality, the archbishop pressed upon the congregation to carry the encounter with Christ at Mass into the world through actions that lift up the dignity of all people. “Faithful disciples here at the altar must be transformed into missionary disciples,” he exclaimed, “going forth from the altar to put into practice what they have come to know and believe through their encounter with Christ alive and present in the Eucharist.”

Today, immigrant families in Springfield and throughout the archdiocese face a rapidly changing policy landscape that leaves their futures uncertain. Through it all, numerous area ministries continue daily acts of mercy for them and others in need, including the St. Rose Family of Parishes, St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio. These are organized examples on the Church’s behalf for how missionary discipleship can be lived out through acts of hospitality toward everyone, regardless of background or circumstances.

That evening, the archbishop, congregation, and guests gathered for a celebration with food and dance, as Archbishop Casey’s pledge at Mass of continued solidarity uplifted the gathered community: “Especially when life gives us challenges, we need to be able to lean on one another and know that we can come to one another to be good companions on the journey.

“Know that I walk with you.” ✣

Jill Foster is the Associate Director of the archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office. Tony Stieritz is CEO of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and Director of the archdiocesan Department of Life, Human Dignity, and Charity.

This article appeared in the September 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.