FAITH MATTERS

‘Refugee’ is used commonly to refer to people who are forced to leave their homes for many reasons, including conflict and violence. Sometimes it is used to also refer to a person displaced due to a natural disaster or environmental change.

This week (Sunday, June 16 to Saturday, June 22) is World Refugee Week.

It is a week to promote a greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions refugees are making to our communities, here in Australia.

Whilst World Refugee Day is held globally on June 20, Refugee Week is only held in a limited number of countries. The first celebration in Australia was in 1986.

The theme for 2023-2025 is Finding Freedom. It understands this theme: we are encouraged to think about what it means to be free. To live without fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live with equality and to live without the fear of persecution are just some examples.

Swan Hill is home to many refugees and asylum seekers. We have government-supported programs and local volunteer services helping individuals and families settle into our community. 

Let us take the opportunity to demonstrate the Gospel values of love, compassion and justice towards refugees seeking a safer place to live. Help us to be mindful and acknowledge the suffering and resilience of many fathers, mothers, children and elderly people. 

As a call to action for the plight of refugees, ten students and three staff members have participated in the Act for Peace Ration Challenge this week (some next week).

As mentioned in the last newsletter, our school has actively participated in this challenge for a few years. The Ration Challenge is a physical and mental personal learning experience, where participants eat food rations of a refugee living in an urban refugee camp in Jordan.

I congratulate and commend those involved. Actions speak louder than words. 

As we come to the end of Term 2, it is important to reflect on all that has happened!

There have been Reflection Days for Years 7, 8 and 9, Hearts and Hands Mass incorporating the annual food drive for St Vincent de Paul and the Ration Challenge. Through all of these events, there have been underlying acts of social justice. It is my hope this year that our students are actively involved in living out our school values of Generosity, Dignity, Respect, Compassion, Reverence and Forgiveness through action!

Looking ahead to next term, our Vinnies Youth Group will engage with our local Vinnies store and possibly the Good Kitchen.

God of compassion and solidarity,

you came among us through your Son Jesus

who became a refugee and had no place to call his own.Look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from war, danger, hunger and poverty.Bless those who work to bring them relief, comfort, safety and dignity.

Open our hearts and minds to recognise the love and care you have for refugees and asylum seekers throughout the world. 

Give us compassion and courage to reach out to your daughters and sons so that we will commit ourselves to healing the pain, sorrow and anxiety of all those who suffer. 

Guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice peace and harmony. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

 Jesus, Light of the world, guide us

St Joseph, journey with us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us