The House of Joy (La casa de la alegría)

Canterbury House hosts a growing community of mutual aid & neighborhood support for migrant families 

Migrant families staying in shelters come for home-cooked Wednesday Night Dinners at Canterbury House.

What began with a pregnant woman coming to the door for help, has become so much more. Through a collaboration with Mary, Mother of God Parish and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, Canterbury House serves as a temporary home of Maricarmen, Jean Pool, and their four children. The family is originally from Venezuela, but after a grueling multi-year journey recently arrived in the United States.

Their story is not unique. Thousands have fled unrest in Central and South America seeking safety and stability. All new arrivals are looking for basic necessities but also to build connections in their new city. This is why Christians must rise to the occasion. As Christ said in Matthew's Gospel, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me."

---

In the spirit of Christ, Canterbury House Director James Murphy, with help from Maricarmen and Jean Pool, have been hosting a dinner for other migrants every Wednesday. Many who come for this home-cooked meal are staying in local shelters. James said Canterbury House offers respite for these guests who are seeking a welcoming community and enjoy hanging out and cooking together.

“They make this big house feel alive,” James said. “They have so little, but they share it with each other. They bring a lot of joy and Wednesday nights are hilarious.”

“This is a group of people who really depend on and love one another. They depend on God and are filled with faith."

Several neighbors and parishioners have also stepped up to welcome the migrants and help translate during these dinners.

​“There are multiple layers of emotions and things going on at the same time,” said Mercedes Mac Laughlin, a Mary, Mother of God parishioner. “There are a lot of kids running around having fun so its loud sometimes. There is stress. Parents are looking for jobs to provide for their families and there is an underlying fear of being denied asylum.”

Children and their parents bring joy to Canterbury House and the community of Mary, Mother of God Parish.

Mercedes admires the way everyone comes together to encourage each other. She said each family is at a different stage of settling-in, but they all have the same goal: to try to give their kids a better future.
​
“There is a lot of solidarity – sharing resources, information, trying to help each other,” Mercedes said. “There is also a lot of gratitude and faith. The first time my husband and I went to a dinner, the blessing of the meal that Jean Pool did blew me away. He had an amazing trust in God and appreciation for the small things.”

​With the help of each other and Canterbury House, these families have access to food, clothing, and friendship. For the children, the past few months have been the most stable time of their lives, and they really appreciate going to school.

“This is a group of people who really depend on and love one another, and they worship together,” James said. “They depend on God and are filled with faith. They walked thousands of miles with nothing but faith.”

---

“Seeing their resilience, their faith, their joy, and solidarity towards those that have less, has been a lesson on what is important."

Adults in RCIA program are preparing to enter the Church with the help of Deacon Ubaldo.

Every Sunday, the families and James go to Mass together. They have also hosted a Christmas Novena and a huge party for the Feast of the Epiphany and Easter at Canterbury House. Many are also preparing to receive the Holy Sacraments. Five of the adults have entered RCIA and meet before dinner for catechetical instruction. (RCIA is the Church’s formation program for adults entering the faith and this iteration has been adjusted for the families who may have to move if work takes them elsewhere.) Six of the children are preparing for Baptism, two will be making their First Communion, and three will be Confirmed. They will all receive their Sacraments on the Feast of the Corpus Cristi on May 30th.

“Seeing their resilience, their faith, their joy, and solidarity towards those that have less, has been a lesson on what is important,” Mercedes said. “We should all be providing food, giving rides, and walking with them in their faith journey. These are ways that we can be supportive and help integrate them into our community.”

​With this support, Jean Pool and Maricarmen are adjusting to their new life in Chicago. Recently, Jean Pool passed his driver’s license test and started delivering food to local restaurants. The job came from one of the vendors that support the Parish’s Soup Kitchen, and the connection was made as Jean Pool helped James pick up food donations. Maricarmen is forming a worker-owned cooperative cleaning business along with two other migrant mothers. Be on the lookout for updates as the business launches and they start accepting clients!

By far, the biggest need for migrants is jobs. Both men and women need ways to earn money to meet their housing, food, and transportation needs. Unfortunately, many of those who are working are already experiencing exploitation, being paid significantly below the minimum wage. If you or someone you know, has work that needs to be done or if you have a lead on jobs in the city, please contact Director James Murphy. All information is helpful. Secondary needs include women’s hygiene products and baby items like diapers, strollers, and car seats.

---

“When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.” ​- Leviticus 19: 33-34