PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Senate honored the Diocese of Providence’s Office of Immigration and Refugee Services—part of the Catholic Charities and Social Ministries vicariate—for its work in assisting immigrants at the Statehouse on May 19, to mark the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The diocese was one of 10 institutions and organizations honored during a cultural celebration in the Governor’s State Room featuring colorfully clad representatives of the Pacific’s diverse cultures dressed in clothing native to their countries of origin.
Among the dignitaries present were Gov. Daniel J. McKee, Senate President Valarie J. Lawson, Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, and General Treasurer James A. Diossa.
Emily Koo, senior policy advocate & Rhode Island program director of the Acadia Center, in Providence, served as the master of ceremonies.
She noted that the American story includes moments that challenged our nation’s commitment to the liberty, constitutional rights and equal opportunity of Asian immigrants.
“Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island communities and other immigrant communities again face challenges and many community organizations across Rhode Island continue a tradition of service to immigrants by providing education, legal guidance, and specialized family and community support,” she noted in the program for the event.
“Catholic Charities of Providence Immigration and Refugee Services offers critical legal assistance to immigrants navigating the immigration system,” she said. “From helping families apply for legal status to supporting refugees as they resettle, their work provides stability, protection, and a pathway forward for many immigrant households.
Senators Victoria Gu and Linda Ujifusa bestowed on each of the awardees a Senate Citation honoring their work relative to the spirit of the observance.
James Jahnz, secretary of Catholic Charities and Social Ministries, and Nancy Gonzalez, Immigration and Refugee Services coordinator, received the citation on behalf of the diocese.
“It is humbling to receive this award for the diocese’s work with immigrants by Senators Ujifusa and Gu during the 2026 State House Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration,” Jahnz said.
“It is a recognition of the work done by the diocesan Immigration and Refugee Services office which directly reflects our Gospel mandate in Matthew 25:35 to welcome the stranger, and it is through the arduous work of the staff along with help from our priests, parishes, and parishioners located throughout the diocese that newcomers to our state are provided the fundamental and inherent dignity that is intrinsic to their being. The compassion that immigrants are shown by the Catholic Church in our diocese reflects the compassion we are taught by Jesus to assist those living on the margins.”
The annual commemoration of the contributions, histories and diverse cultures of millions of immigrants from the Pacific began nationally as a weeklong observance in 1978 and was later expanded by Congress to a monthlong celebration in 1992. In 2021, the official designation was updated to include Native Hawaiians.
