Emily Shaffer of Detroit, Michigan, finds that hope grounds her work as Marketing Coordinator at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat & Conference Center. Hope also guides her service on the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. Emily is also a member of the Holy Cross Province Communications Team and of the Proclaiming our Passionist Story (POPS) Team.
“With everything going on in the world, I try to live in an actively hopeful state of mind, but sometimes you find yourself in a prayerful state, talking to God and looking for hope in the world,” shares Emily. “We have to have something to work towards and try to be better. I wonder where my life would be if I did not have hope. I think so many people would just give in to their sadness, anxieties or fears. We need people around us with a spirit of hope to keep us going.”
The retreat center works to cultivate hope for the City of Detroit, not just for the retreatants that come there. As part of the migration coalition formed with Ministry Team member Faith Offman and Board Member Cindy LaFond, Emily is a part of the team that hosts a gathering every other month for people community serving the migrant community in the Detroit area.
“I have learned a lot about the process the migrants go through,” says Emily. “There can be, at times, a sense of hopelessness about the process, but there are stories about breakthroughs. There are all these little victories that have been really great and fulfilling. We are small, but we are mighty.”
“We need people around us with a spirit of hope to keep us going.”
Sharing the journey of migrants and those who serve them has given Emily a new perspective on the issues with immigration and empowered her to stand up for those coming to the United States.
“The journey is convoluted. It is amazing how it is all connected and how all these groups work together. Even though now things are very uncertain, there is still a sense of hope because everyone knows they have each other,” Emily explains. “We just have to stay positive and stay hopeful, anything we can do to keep helping and telling their stories. People are doing whatever they can to be safe and build a better life.”
Strangers No Longer is a Catholic-based organization working to support immigrants in the community and work toward fair and just immigration reform. The organization creates Circles of Support in parishes, high schools and immigrant communities to provide supportive bonds and places of safety and trust in Michigan.
