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PROVIDENCE — For the past six years, since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christ the King Parish in Kingston has been at the forefront of assisting immigrants who’ve come to Rhode Island through a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops initiative whose goal has been to resettle those who’ve escape war-torn homelands and political strife, in a stable life with new opportunities for their families in America.
“My parishioners are very much in love with the Gospel and with the Lord and were inspired when Jesus says when you welcome one of these little ones in my name you welcome me,” said Father Jared Costanza, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kingston.
“So who could turn away the opportunity to welcome the Lord Jesus? This is how we are going to be judged.”
Father Constanza said that his parish has been working with the diocesan Office of Immigration and Refugee Services to provide direct assistance to refugees to help meet their utility expenses.
Christ the King has a line item in its budget for this purpose and the pastor said his flock is very willing to fund the support given to refugees to help ease their transition to the U.S.
James Jahnz, diocesan secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministry, assisted Immigration Refugee Services Case Manager Thomas Dedah in presenting one of the first three ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ awards to Christ the King at the chancery on Nov. 24.
The other two awards presentations were to be scheduled later to the other parishes whose zeal for helping refugees was also noteworthy.
“We’ve had amazing contributions from Christ the King, from St. Mary of the Bay (Warren), and from St. Gregory the Great (Warwick), and without them and the people in the pews this work wouldn’t be possible,” Jahnz said.
“It’s extremely meaningful and heartening for the refugees we work with to know that their brothers and sisters in the parish pews care for them and welcome them and know that they are neighbors.”
Dedah commended the three parishes for their strong dedication to helping refugees who’ve come to resettle and begin new lives.
“They are all outstanding and committed to this program,” Dedah said.
“As a caseworker, we help these people with locating housing, help them apply for medical assistance, food stamps, job placement and bus orientation for their whole family.”
He noted that after one year of residency in the U.S., his office can help them with the process of applying for a Green Card.
