Sister JoAnn Persch, Devoted Advocate for Immigrant Rights, Passes Away at 91
For over seven decades, Sister JoAnn Persch dedicated her life to advocating for the dignity and rights of immigrants. The long-time activist spent years serving refugees from war-torn countries in Central America, before turning her attention to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview.
Persch's advocacy work took many forms, including organizing weekly prayer vigils outside the ICE facility with fellow activist Sister Pat Murphy since 2007. However, their efforts were met with resistance on November 1st of last year when a delegation of clergy, religious leaders, and laypeople were denied entry to the facility in an attempt to bring Communion to those detained within.
Persch's unwavering commitment to immigrant rights was rooted in her faith and personal experiences. Born in Milwaukee in 1934, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1952 and went on to earn degrees in home economics and religious education from St. Xavier College and Loyola University Chicago. Her dedication to serving vulnerable populations continued throughout her career, including teaching at several Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Persch's work with Sister Pat Murphy resulted in significant policy changes, including the passage of a state law allowing faith leaders to provide spiritual care for migrants in state detention facilities. However, despite these advancements, Persch remained deeply troubled by the current state of immigration enforcement in the US. In a recent conversation with the Chicago Sun-Times, she expressed her heartbreak at being denied entry to the ICE facility and lamented the loss of trust between faith leaders and immigration authorities.
Throughout her life, Persch's unwavering dedication to immigrant rights has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, justice, and advocacy in our communities. As she moves on to eternal life, her work will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of activists and advocates.
For over seven decades, Sister JoAnn Persch dedicated her life to advocating for the dignity and rights of immigrants. The long-time activist spent years serving refugees from war-torn countries in Central America, before turning her attention to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview.
Persch's advocacy work took many forms, including organizing weekly prayer vigils outside the ICE facility with fellow activist Sister Pat Murphy since 2007. However, their efforts were met with resistance on November 1st of last year when a delegation of clergy, religious leaders, and laypeople were denied entry to the facility in an attempt to bring Communion to those detained within.
Persch's unwavering commitment to immigrant rights was rooted in her faith and personal experiences. Born in Milwaukee in 1934, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1952 and went on to earn degrees in home economics and religious education from St. Xavier College and Loyola University Chicago. Her dedication to serving vulnerable populations continued throughout her career, including teaching at several Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Persch's work with Sister Pat Murphy resulted in significant policy changes, including the passage of a state law allowing faith leaders to provide spiritual care for migrants in state detention facilities. However, despite these advancements, Persch remained deeply troubled by the current state of immigration enforcement in the US. In a recent conversation with the Chicago Sun-Times, she expressed her heartbreak at being denied entry to the ICE facility and lamented the loss of trust between faith leaders and immigration authorities.
Throughout her life, Persch's unwavering dedication to immigrant rights has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, justice, and advocacy in our communities. As she moves on to eternal life, her work will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of activists and advocates.
. 91 is still young, but I guess we all have to go eventually. What bothers me is that people like her who are fighting for a good cause are being met with resistance and denied entry to facilities they want to help. It just doesn't seem right to me... I mean, if you're going to make laws about immigration, shouldn't there be some way for faith leaders and other organizations to provide support and care for people in need? It's like they're making it harder for these good people to do their job 
. Anyway, I just want to say thanks for all the good work Sister JoAnn did - we'll miss her 
.
just heard about Sister JoAnn Persch passing away at 91 
. I mean, the woman spent 7 decades fighting for immigrant rights & it shows in the work she accomplished 
. Like, who else can say they helped pass a law allowing faith leaders to provide spiritual care for migrants in state detention facilities? 
that's huge! And yeah, it's no surprise she was denied entry to the ICE facility last year... the system is broken & we need more people like her advocating for change 
. Anyway, let this be a lesson to us all: we can make a difference if we just take action & stand up for what's right 
.
This is such sad news... Sister JoAnn Persch's selfless dedication to immigrant rights has been an inspiration to me for years 
. Her legacy reminds us all that compassion and justice are still so important in our society 
. I'll definitely be sharing this with my friends and family 
, so we can keep her memory alive 
.
It's heartbreaking that she faced resistance & was denied entry to the ICE facility even after all her efforts 
.
we should be doing more of that kind of stuff in our communities. anyway, RIP Sister JoAnn Persch, you'll be deeply missed 
. I mean, can you even imagine not being allowed to bring Communion to someone who needs it most? 
what's most important is that ppl like her r makin changes thru policy & activism, not just talkin bout it 
. But it just goes to show how far we still have to go in this country when it comes to treating people with dignity and respect - regardless of their immigration status or faith. 
7 decades of service to immigrant rights is no joke... hope her legacy inspires ppl to keep pushing for change 
. And all those prayer vigils outside the ICE facility with Sister Pat Murphy? That's some real dedication 
. I feel like we're losing touch with what's really important – treating people with dignity and compassion 
. I remember reading about her story last year when she was refused entry to that ICE facility, it broke my heart 
. She may be gone, but her work lives on, and I have no doubt that future generations will continue to draw inspiration from her unwavering commitment to justice and compassion