Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Katie Mitchell received the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s 13th Annual Keep Hope Alive 2025 benefit and celebration, benefiting its immigration ministry and Pastoral Migratoria.
The event was hosted by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich on Monday, Nov. 3, at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. The award recognizes the embodiment of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s missionary and pastoral spirit in tireless service to immigrants as exemplified by her extensive work with immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers at the seat of the archdiocese, Holy Name Cathedral Parish.
Sister Katie is honored with the award for her work in founding Cabrini Ministries, a program missioned to continue the vision of Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, by pastorally accompanying the Spanish-speaking people in the parish and surrounding neighborhood — “those who have been here for years, as well as those who have just arrived … by connecting them with the broader Catholic Church in Chicago.”
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Sue Ernster and Laura Nettles celebrate with Sister Katie Mitchell as she received the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award on Nov. 3 in Chicago.
Elena Segura, Pastoral Migratoria founder and archdiocese senior coordinator for immigration, says of Sister Katie, “She is very committed to the plight of immigrant families, and not just asylum seekers.” She commends Sister Katie for bringing Chicago Theological Union seminary students to immigration events. “She is normalizing families from Holy Name, inviting others to accompany immigrants and seek justice.”
Sister Katie “has been a pillar of hope, a warrior of peace.”
Watch an interview with Sister Katie about Cabrini Ministries in Beyond the Headlines below, and read more about her work at fspa.org.
About Pastoral Migratoria
The immigration ministry Pastoral Migratoria serves as a national model for supporting both undocumented and documented immigrants and promotes the Gospel imperative for communion among all persons. Since its foundation in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2008, Pastoral Migratoria has expanded operations to the dioceses of New York, Baltimore, Newark and, in California, Orange and Stockton.
At the Keep Hope Alive benefit, Cardinal Cupich spoke about the importance of standing with immigrants and the contributions of immigrant lay leaders in parish communities as families are being torn apart and communities are shaken by immigration raids and detentions.
“In this city and across the country, men, women and children are living in fear: Families are facing the prospect of deportation of one or both parents,” said Cardinal Cupich. “Pastoral Migratorial lay and religious leaders are on the front lines, responding to that fear with the promise and presence of accompaniment.”
Image above: Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Katie Mitchell receives the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich.