Community Café: Tools for Parish Circles on Immigration
April 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT
Conversations in Communion continues to grow with newly released sample circle process outlines designed to support facilitators in fostering dialogue and connection. This month, we’re featuring a timely new series focused on immigration—offering inspiration and practical guidance for engaging this important topic in your community.
Event Details
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Central Time | 9-10 a.m. Pacific Time
Location: Virtual via Zoom (this session will not be recorded)
In November, the U.S. Bishops issued a rare Special Message on Immigration, highlighting the need for dialogue and encounter in a time marked by fear, polarization, and dehumanizing rhetoric.
“We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. … Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. … Human dignity and national security are not in conflict.”
This Community Café will explore how restorative practices and conversations in communions can help create spaces for meaningful dialogue and support around immigration in parish and ministry settings. Facilitators will share their experiences planning and facilitating these circles, and participants will reflect together on practical ways to introduce and guide conversations safely and compassionately in their own communities.
Participants will leave with concrete insights, facilitation tips, and sample circle outlines to support this work in the spirit of communion, listening, and encounter.
About Community Cafés
Community Cafés are free, monthly gatherings hosted by CMN’s RJ Ministry Community of Practice. They are designed to support those implementing restorative justice practices and circle processes in ministries and community settings, offering a space for reflection, mutual learning, and connection.
Who is this for?
Community Cafés are for individuals who have a foundation in facilitating restorative practices, circle process, or conversations in communion. We welcome participants at all stages of experience—from newly trained facilitators to seasoned practitioners. Wherever you are in your journey, this is a space to reflect, sharpen your skills, and grow alongside peers.
New to restorative justice? Register for one of CMN’s quarterly virtual Intro to Restorative Justice workshops.
Interested in becoming a circle process facilitator in Catholic ministry? Apply to join a Conversations in Communion virtual training cohort!