Volunteer Testimony: Joellen with SPX Refugee Ministry

“When I joined the refugee ministry at St. Pius X Church, I thought I would be changing a refugee family’s life, but they have changed mine…,” recalled Joellen, a refugee mentor. “They are my friends and a part of my family – this is nothing short of God and the Holy Spirit working in both our lives.”  

In August 2023, Joellen attended a parish information night about the newly formed ministry serving recently resettled refugee families through Catholic Charities. She signed up to mentor a French-speaking family of six originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

“I thought they would be overwhelmingly sad because of everything they had to leave behind, but instead they have been walking in grace every moment of their new life,” said Joellen. “This ministry has blessed my life in so many ways. The mother always shares pictures of things she finds beautiful. It helps me to resee the simplest things as beautiful, and that makes me so much closer to Christ.”

A Lutheran family, they are devout in their faith. After resettling, they began looking for new churches and often accompanied Joellen to mass or rosary.

“Each morning, they have four bibles opened on their kitchen table and their 15-year-old daughter leads them in scripture and prayer,” Joellen said. “They walk to St. Matthew – a two-mile walk – just to say the rosary or attend mass. It is a beautiful gift to see them interact with our faith. The four-year-old is even learning how to pray the rosary.”  

It has also blessed the community that has formed around the family.

“Before winter, I sent out a message to friends to donate used winter items for the family, but that wasn’t good enough for my friends,” Joellen laughed. “They didn’t want to give them used things, so they took them out shopping and bought all six family members new coats, gloves, hats, and scarves to get through the cold South Bend winter. People are always asking me how they can help. It’s beautiful!” 

“This experience has truly blessed my life in ways I never knew I needed,” Joellen said. “It reminds me of 1 Peter 2:9, ‘For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful.’ I have come out of the darkness and witnessed the Body of Christ come together through the exchange of compassionate interactions. I had no idea before that Catholic Charities did all of this work and I am so thankful to be a part of it.” 

When asked for advice for others who may be thinking of mentoring a family, Joellen added, “If God wants you to do this, He will give you the grace to work through the language barriers. Allow the experience to unfold naturally, use your intuition, and rely on the family to share how you can best support them. If you show up with compassion and love for their circumstances, you will do fine!”