“…I was a stranger and you welcomed me…”
Matthew 25:35
Pope Francis chose his intentions for June 2025: FOR MIGRANTS FLEEING THEIR HOMES: “We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.”
Pope Leo XIV has set his June intentions: THAT THE WORLD MIGHT GROW IN COMPASSION: “Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from His Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.”
The message from both Popes reflects the nature of Catholic Social Teaching to live God’s love in our relationship with our brothers and sisters.
Refugee Week each June celebrates the contributions that refugees make to our communities. The theme this year is Community as a Superpower. We can see this reflected in the Catholic community, which is made stronger by the gifts that migrants and refugees bring, and our church communities in turn can offer dignity, comfort and support in the warmth of our welcome.
Pope Saint John Paul II explained that the integration of migrants and refugees makes our communities “more and more a reflection of the multi-faceted gifts of God to human beings.”
Pope Francis reflected on the gifts that people arriving from elsewhere bring directly to our parishes: “the arrival of Catholic migrants and refugees can energize the ecclesial life of the communities that welcome them. Often, they bring an enthusiasm that can revitalize our communities and enliven our celebrations. Sharing different expressions of faith and devotions offers us a privileged opportunity for experiencing more fully the catholicity of the People of God.” Later this year we will celebrate the Jubilee of Migrants, Missionaries of Hope.
The experience of Sara*, movingly demonstrates both hope and the superpower impact of love from the Catholic community. Sara, a practising Catholic, fled war in her home country twenty years ago and arrived in the UK seeking asylum. Heavily pregnant and with two young children, she was sent to live in Plymouth, she knew no-one there and could not speak English. A train ticket for an essential appointment with her asylum solicitor used up all her tiny allowance from the Home Office, and for a whole week after their arrival in Plymouth, Sara and her children had no money to buy food, she had to go door-to-door in her street, trying with gestures to explain that they were starving, but was mostly met with blank looks.
Her young son heard the Cathedral bells and said “Mummy, let’s go to Mass and try to speak to someone”. Sara saw a lady there who smiled at them and seemed friendly, she pointed to her mouth, saying “no food”. The lady took her to see the priest and Bishop Christopher, who found someone who spoke her language, so she was finally able to explain their situation. Bishop Christopher immediately asked the sisters to prepare food for the family, which she described as “a beautiful banquet”. She was introduced to a support organisation and was able to start going to English classes, get her son into school and start to rebuild their lives.
The welcome and compassion that she and her children received in the Cathedral enabled the family to survive and to thrive. The warmth of the lady she first met there gave her the courage to express their desperate need; that initial contact made all the difference.
Her children went on to study and now work in medicine, law and education, giving so much back to the country that gave them refuge. Sara, an active member of her Catholic parish, works in health and social care, always with compassion and always with love for the community.
She says: “Without the Church I would not have been able to raise my children. God was like their father. Church made us feel peaceful and protected”.
*name changed to protect privacy.
PRAYER
Catholic communities are asked to come together during Refugee Week to pray for refugees and migrants, that they may be welcomed and find comfort in our parishes:
Lord God, we pray as brothers and sisters, as people created in your image and likeness. We offer up those who are forced to flee their homes in search of safety and who are marginalised as a result. We ask that you who made the journey to safety in Egypt may send your Spirit down upon us and be present with us, and with refugees everywhere. Amen
EVENTS
Refugee Week offers many local activities to celebrate the vital contribution of migrants and refugees to our parishes and the life of the Church in our Diocese and to come together in friendship. Please look out for events happening near you. Some activities are listed below and more will be added to the link: https://refugeeweek.org.uk
EXETER
Weds 18th RSD/Exeter Phoenix – film screening (ticketed) https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/the-walk/
Fri 20th 6pm RSD/St Sidwell’s – Community Dinner Celebration (ticketed) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/refugee-week-community-dinner-celebration-tickets-1347921703099?aff=erelexpmlt
Sun 22nd 11-4pm RSD/RAMM – Side by Side: Sewing for Refugee Week (free) http://rammuseum.org.uk/whats-on/side-by-side-sewing-for-refugee-week/
BARNSTAPLE
Sat 21st 10-3pm Barnstaple Pannier Market – workshops, food, activities and music https://www.thepickwellfoundation.org.uk/refugee-week-2024/ (this link takes you to 2025 activities)
PLYMOUTH
A week of free activities: films, craft, walks, music, art and sport, starting with the Plymouth Hope Festival on Sat 14th in Devonport Park, through to Cultural Kitchen Open House from 5pm on Fri 20th at the Sherwell Centre, where everyone is welcome join in shared friendship for a delicious free meal.
Details of all events during the week are available here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/plymouth-refugee-week
TAVISTOCK
Activities through the week in The Meadows and Tavi Library, including performance, storytelling, music, exhibitions, crafts and a picnic. Details via this link: https://www.tavistockcelebrates.co.uk/
FALMOUTH
Weds 18th 10am-6pm. Falmouth & Penryn Welcome Refugees – Princess Pavilions – celebration day with food, cookery demos, stalls https://falmouthandpenrynwelcome.org/falmouths-refugee-week-celebration-2025/