Claretian Missionaries will celebrate an outdoor Mass at the Fiesta del Sol in honor of DREAMers, immigrants, and the 47,000 children in detention centers in the United States. “When Fiesta del Sol returns this summer for its 42nd year, it will gather the community in prayer for migrants, DREAMers, and the 47,000 children in detention centers. They are among the primary reasons behind the need for immigration reform; so talented, hard-working students can attain, with determination and hard work, a quality education and embark on a better future for themselves and their families,” said Rev. Rosendo Urrabazo, C.M.F., Provincial Superior, Claretian Missionaries, USA Province.

Fr. Urrabazzo also stated, “The unaccompanied children currently detained in military bases and other installations in this country is becoming a humanitarian crisis.” The Claretian will preside over the Mass and has personally invited pastors from the Pilsen community and throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago to concelebrate with the Claretians Missionaries.

The Mass will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at 1 PM on the Fiesta del Sol’s main stage. Priests, deacons, religious, parishes, Hispanic leaders, DREAMers, immigrants, and the public are invited to attend the Eucharistic celebration that begins with a procession of flags at 12 PM along Cermak Ave. in Chicago. Church, government, political, and business leaders are also invited to attend the Mass, which is expected to attract a large number of DREAMers with their families, bearing the flags from their native country together and the U.S flag.

DREAMers will participate in the Liturgy as lectors, in the offertory, Communion, as volunteers, and more. Their stories will be portrayed in the form of posters placed near the main stage and altar.

Juan F. Soto, executive director of Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC), stated Fiesta del Sol is always seeking to bring the community together in a celebration of family and culture. “This year we added faith to the mix as a way of gathering Hispanics and non-Hispanics in support of immigrants and young people seeking ways to attain an education, a job, and contribute to the United States’ cultural, social, economic, and political arenas.”

Fiesta del Sol is the largest Hispanic festival in the Midwest that is both alcohol and tobacco free. Since 1972, the event has been organized by PNCC with revenues generated from this festival invested in scholarships for local youth, resources to support education, defense of the civil rights of immigrants, and workforce development.