By Elica Semnani, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Elica Semnani
On a cold, fall Friday morning, drawn by curiosity, I walked toward the growing prayer group in front of the Southside ICE building. The prayer group consisted of men and women, predominately senior, bundled up together to share their message of peace.
Cars honked in agreement with the signs the group held. Signs that served the purpose of peace, love, and humanity. A member pulled out a guitar, and then started singing; “We’re building bridges out of the walls, we’re building bridges out of the walls…”
I was able to speak with Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister, who shared her thoughts on current immigration issues. Edwards, who has been attending these prayers since the summer, told me that she believes “Due process is a foundational human right” for anyone living in this country. Drawn to the cause by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a Catholic congregation in Pittsburgh, Edwards hopes to “inspire thought and action by a message of American morals and national commitment to human rights.”
The Sisters of Saint Joseph founded Casa San Jose in 2013 as a resource and advocacy center for Latinos in the Pittsburgh region.[1] The organization’s purpose is to help immigrants integrate and promote self-sufficiency.[2]
Pictured: Flyer distributed at prayer circle.
The founder of Casa San Jose, Sister Janice Vanderneck, was also present at the prayer group. Sister Vanderneck told me that many of the people she helps through Casa San Jose are scared and some have been arrested and detained. Sister Vanderneck explained that she believes “our country needs transformation of hearts” to “change this trajectory of hate” that has grown for undocumented immigrants. She emphasized that the group prays for immigrants, policymakers, and ICE agents.
Sister Vanderneck has found this mission through her Catholic faith, explaining that her life’s mission is to “let all people know of the love of God.” She feels that being an advocate for undocumented immigrants is her “expression of the love of God.”
When asked about her stance on the issue of due process for undocumented immigrants, Sister Vanderneck believes that any person who resides “in this country has rights” and is entitled to due process.
I asked Sister Vanderneck if these comments have ever stopped her from her work, to which she responded, “the fear the people [undocumented people] are under requires that I place myself in places that are public, where what I speak is going to be recognized.” She explained that she would like to have a conversation with those who do not agree with her advocacy.
Others in attendance, such as Gregory Swidersky, are inspired to keep attending these prayer groups through their commitment to their faith and human rights. Swidersky recalls being an advocate against apartheid, emphasizing that “caring about injustice has been a part of my life.”
In Pittsburgh, there has been a 267 percent increase in ICE arrests since 2024.[3]
[1] https://www.stjoseph-baden.org/casa-san-jose/
[2] Id.
[3] https://pittnews.com/article/198422/news/federal-law-enforcement-seeking-offices-in-pittsburgh-sparks-community-ice-concerns/