Our Mission
The Irish Apostolate USA is a non-profit faith-based organization dedicated to promoting an “authentic culture of welcome,” pastoral outreach and a network of support for Irish communities in the United States.
Our VISION
The Irish Apostolate USA
reflects the Gospel message of love and compassion in our work;
affirms the dignity of all human beings;
believes that all people should be treated fairly;
provides resources for an integrated approach to meet needs of Irish communities;
offers hospitality and sense of belonging in settings of mutual acceptance;
advocates for justice in the systems and structures that impact the lives of Irish constituents;
supports Irish heritage and culture;
responds to the needs of the most vulnerable, especially the incarcerated and undocumented;
provides pastoral and spiritual outreach through a) education, b) our web-based online resources, c) a network of chaplains.
OUR VALUES
We value our collaboration and partnerships with the Bishop’s Conferences of Ireland and the U.S., the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, the Irish Government and other Catholic and immigration entities.
We value trust and confidentiality as we serve our Irish communities.
We value diversity and mutuality as we practice respectful listening and dialogue.
We value curiosity and planning in our engagement with the emergent realities in the everyday lives of Irish communities in the United States.
We value simplicity and change as we live out our mission with greater openness and effectiveness.
OUR HISTORICAL AND PASTORAL FOUNDATION
The Irish Apostolate USA is an umbrella organization to promote pastoral care and outreach among Irish immigrants, their families and 2nd generation Irish-Americans to retain their Irish heritage and Catholic/Christian faith. The Irish Apostolate USA liaises with the Irish Bishops Conference, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Irish government, the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, other Catholic organizations, and immigration agencies.
The Irish Apostolate USA is a collaborative effort of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and the Bishops’ Committee on Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the last 30 years. The duty of caring for migrants falls on the host Bishop, however, in a spirit of communion as outlined in Erga Migrates Caritas Christi (#70) and for the better coordination of pastoral activity, the Irish Apostolate USA furthers collaboration between the Churches of departure and arrival.
Erga migrantes caritas Christi – The love of Christ towards migrants
Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity - USCCB
LATEST NEWS
The Lenten reflections are written by Brittany Holberg, a resident on Texas Death Row and an Oblate of the Sisters of the Morning Star.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:d8261393-b8dc-46b5-a4f4-21f9664b1116