Marking World Day of Migrants and Refugees
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In October we, along with thousands of people around the world, will be marking World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This year, the day will run across 4 and 5 October, coinciding with the Jubilee of Migrants and Missions.
At a time when there is much polarised rhetoric around people seeking asylum, who are refugees, or who are seeking safety at a time of crisis, World Day of Migrants and Refugees is an opportunity for us all to pause, take stock and really think about the people behind the soundbites and statistics.
There’s a whole range of resources and other information available so why not take a look and, perhaps, think of one or two things you can do this October to help someone in your community?
We have lots of free resources on our website page that you can download, read and share. From prayers and advice on how you can welcome people to your area and help support them, to fundraising tips to help us as we work alongside people who have been displaced or who are experiencing disadvantage.
There’s also lots of information on the Vatican website, including a message from the Holy Father, who has chosen ‘Migrants, missionaries of hope’ as the focus of his message this year.
“Each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace, by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue and not by constructing new walls”. Pope Francis
In our work we regularly refer to the powerful teachings of Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti. You can read more by clicking here.
There are also several resources available that have been developed by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales including their dedicated website page and their helpful resource Love the Stranger.
The Catholic Association for Racial Justice has also produced an Agenda for Change which you can read on their website. It is focussed around Belonging, Information, Accompaniment and Strategies, and has lots of information on actions you can take that could really make a difference in your area.
Let us know how you’re planning on marking the day as we’d love to hear from you. And, if you’d like to know more about our work or how you can help, we’d love you to get in touch too.
Thank you.