God told Moses: “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. (Exodus 20:21), and Jesus teaches ” “I was a stranger and you welcomed me ” (Mt. 25:35)
“The complex and varied phenomenon of continued migration has overwhelmed existing immigration policies and measures for the protection of migrants ratified by international agreements. In the face of this crisis, the Church is committed to remain faithful to her mission “to love Jesus Christ, to adore and love him, particularly in the poorest and most abandoned” Pope Francis, (Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2015).
As a Parish, we are committed to helping the refugees and immigrants. Inspired by the Gospel values and Spiritan charism, our mission is the evangelization of the “poor” (Lk 4:18).
The Spiritan option for the poor involves solidarity which brings us to share in the world of the marginalized. “When we opt for the poor, we opt not for poverty as such, but for people who are unjustly poor.” Our Spiritan Rule of Life (14) asks of us to make ourselves “the advocates, the supporters, and defenders of the weak and the little ones against all who oppress them.”
Do you want to serve with Us?
The Spiritans have a dedicated project in Greater Manchester that helps people seeking asylum and refugees. For more information go to ww.revive-uk.org or ask the Spiritans in the Parish.
Ways to support: Prayer, donation, Clothes, Food, etc.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES – Sunday 27th September
The Holy Father has sent a message for the 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), which will be celebrated on 27th September. In the light of the disturbing scenes broadcast from Afghanistan, this day for migrants and refugees will have special poignancy. The theme for this year is “Towards An Ever Wider We” which is a major theme in Fratelli Tutti and the Declaration on Human Fraternity. The message can be downloaded here:
Pope’s Prayer:
Holy, beloved Father,
your Son Jesus taught us
that there is great rejoicing in heaven
whenever someone lost is found,
whenever someone excluded, rejected, or discarded
is gathered into our “we”,
which thus becomes ever wider.
We ask you to grant the followers of Jesus,
and all people of good will,
the grace to do your will on earth.
Bless each act of welcome and outreach
that draws those in exile
into the “we” of community and of the Church,
so that our earth may truly become
what you yourself created it to be:
the common home of all our brothers and sisters.
Amen.
