Father Jim Hoffman, OFM

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What is your connection to the Franciscan Family?
I am a member of the Sacred Heart headquartered in St. Louis, MO.  I entered the order 50 years ago in June 1961.

How have you been involved in justice, peace, and care for creation, and for how long?
I served as a missionary in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) 1977-1982.  I served as a missionary in Uganda 1983-1985.  I managed Franciscan House of Mary and Jospeh (a 250 bed overnight emergency shelter) 1987-1998.  I still work with Franciscan Outreach Association.  I was our Province Animator of JPIC 1995-2008.

Why did you join FAN?
I have been a Franciscan Action Commissioner since 2007.

What are you working for in your area?
Currently I am working on immigration.  I am an immigration court watcher, a member of an interfaith pastoral ministry team working with detained undocumented immigrants and one of the original “prayers of the rosary” every Friday at 7:15 a.m. as undocumented immigrants leave for O’Hare airport to be deported.  I have also been allowed on the I.C.E. prison buses to bless those being deported that day. I continue to work with the homeless. Since 9/11, most Tuesdays I am part of a silent vigil. Tuesday mornings from 8-9 a.m. at Federal Plaza in Chicago vigiling for peace.