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January 8, 2025, Chicago – Sister Marianne Supan, OP, received the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award from the Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago last month in recognition of her many years of dedication to the welfare of immigrants in the Chicago area. 

The award was presented during the 12th Annual Keep Hope Alive Fundraiser, held at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. The event benefits the Immigration Ministry and the National Pastoral Migratoria, a parish-based ministry that offers “service, justice, and accompaniment actions in parish communities with large immigrant populations.” 

The St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award recognized Sister Marianne as the “embodiment of Mother Cabrini’s missionary and pastoral spirit and tireless service to immigrants as exemplified by [her] extensive work with the Hispanic Ministry at the church of the Holy Spirit.”

Sister Marianne said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich formally presented the awards during a reception prior to the main event of the evening. Later, with the larger group of attendees, the award recipients were asked to stand to be recognized, she said. 

One of the highlights of the evening for her was the attendance of eight Adrian Dominican Sisters and two Associates: Sisters Mary Priniski, OP, Mary Soher, OP, Maribeth Howell, OP, Donna Markham, OP, Jane Zimmerman, OP, Joan Mary, OP, Jean Keeley, OP, and Judy Rimbey, OP, and Associates Carol Fowler and Kathy Almaney. 
 
In her 27 years as a Pastoral Associate at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, Illinois, Sister Marianne spent much of her time working with the area’s large Hispanic population. Her responsibilities included working with the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society and outreach and social justice ministry, often with the immigrant population. “A lot of people have the impression that immigrants are coming to the city first, but they’re coming to the suburbs, where jobs like landscaping are more prevalent,” she said.

As part of the parish’s peace and justice ministry, Sister Marianne was involved in the organization’s advocacy for a state law that would replace the Temporary Visitor Driver’s License with the standard, four-year driver’s license given to qualified Illinois residents of legal immigration status. The Illinois legislature passed the bill in 2023. 

Sister Marianne said the Church of the Holy Spirit has also offered direct service to local immigrants. Its food pantry serves more than 200 families – including immigrants – each week. The parish also provides financial assistance to help people pay their utility bills and offers English as a Second Language classes, she said.

Church of the Holy Spirit recently merged with St. Gregory of Nyssa Parish. Sister Marianne served at the merged parish for about a year before her recent retirement from formal ministry.

Sister Marianne said the immigrants have taught her much over the years. “I’ve learned that the people are hopeful,” she said. “They have a lot of determination. Over the long haul, having been involved with some people for many years, you see them get a better life and more security for their children. On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot of sad stories, too.”

But Sister Marianne has also learned from the gratitude of the people she serves. “They’re grateful,” she said. “When they find someone open to helping them, they’re so grateful … Some of them are very active in the church and want to give back.”