WELCOME!

A guide to Refugee Week 2016 for parishes and schools

Sunday 19th June – Saturday 25th June

‘I was a stranger, and you made me welcome’.

According to the UN Refugee Convention, the definition of a refugee is someone who…

'owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country' (Article 1, 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees)

The definition of an asylum seeker is someone who has arrived in a country and asked for asylum. Until they receive a decision as to whether or not they are a refugee, they are known as an asylum seeker. In the UK, this means they do not have the same rights as a refugee or a British citizen would. For example, asylum seekers aren’t allowed to work.

Asylum applications to the UK are relatively low - 32,414 in 2015. The vast majority of people who seek asylum in the UK have fled countries ravaged by war and by oppressive regimes and human rights abuses. In 2015, the largest number of asylum applications to the UK came from nationals of Eritrea (3,729), Iran (3,248), Sudan (2,918) and Syria (2,609).

Information with thanks to the Refugee Councilwww.refugeecouncil.org.uk

Find information about Refugee Week events in your area at: www.refugeeweek.org.uk

From Pope Francis’ message for World Refugee Day 2016:

God’s love is meant to reach out to each and every person. Those who welcome the Father’s embrace, for their part, become so many other open arms and embraces, enabling every person to feel loved like a child and “at home” as part of the one human family.

Today, more than in the past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out ways of responding which … find practical expression in works of spiritual and corporal mercy.

Migrants and people seeking sanctuary are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?

Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in so doing, we open our doors to God, and that in the faces of others we see the face of Christ himself. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock’.

From this perspective, it is important to view migrants not only on the basis of their status as regular or irregular, but above all as people whose dignity is to be protected and who are capable of contributing to progress and the general welfare.

The Church stands at the side of all who work to defend each person’s right to live with dignity…

At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey!

I entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Mother of migrantsand refugees, and to Saint Joseph, who experienced

the bitterness of seeking asylum in Egypt.

Prayers for refugees and people in need of sanctuary

A prayer composed by Noah, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo:

Dear GodNo one is stranger to you and no one is ever far from your loving kindness.

Your word says that ‘every soul belongs to you, the parent as well as the child, bothalike belong to you’

We pray as one voice that you watch over migrants, refugees and asylum seekers,Keep in your kindness and care those separated from their loved ones, those who

are lost and those who have been exiled from their homes.Bring them safely to the place where they long to be, because you are the God of the

journey and the God of the travellers.We pray for those who leave their homes in search of new beginnings and

possibilities. May they feel your presence all the way throughPlease Father God, help us also to always show your kindness to strangers. We ask

this through Christ our Lord, who too was a refugee.Amen.

Compassionate God,No one is a stranger to youand no one is ever far from your loving care.Watch over those who are separatedfrom their loved ones and homeland;those who fear persecutionand hope for a better life in our community.May we reach out in welcometo all those who arrive as refugees,embracing one another so thattogether your hope O Godwill be our future.We make this prayerthrough Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, watch over all mothers and children who are separated from each other

because of war or persecution, and for all who seek shelter as refugees or immigrants. Show a special

care to mothers who are imprisoned and guide them to follow your example of faith and courage.

Amen

BIDDING PRAYERS:

Some suggestions for bidding prayers for Saturday 18th/ Sunday 19th June, week 12 in Ordinary Time, and also the opening Sunday of Refugee Week

Introduction: Next week is Refugee Week, a time to remember the many thousands of people who are forced by war, violence, oppression and hatred to leave their homes and seek refuge in foreign lands. Let us pray for them to God our Father, remembering that Jesus, his Mother and St Joseph were also refugees, forced to flee to Egypt to escape the murder squads of King Herod.

For the Church: may she always be ready to take up the cross and share the burdens of refugees and people in need of asylum, and welcome them as she would welcome the Lord.

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For the world: that as we act on our responsibility as citizens and vote in the Referendum we may be truly wise, and mindful of the needs of the next generation, of the poor, and of all people in need.

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For refugees and asylum seekers: after the dangers and fears of their journeys, may they find a place of safety and rest, and be made welcome, and reunited with those they love

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For ourselves: may we always welcome the strangers who seek refuge in our community, and offer them friendship and kindness, recognising in their faces the face of Christ

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For the sick: We pray for refugees who suffer mental and physical harm as a result of their experiences; for those who have been raped or tortured; and for ….. names ….

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For the dead: We pray for refugees and asylum seekers who have died at sea or on the road, attempting to reach Europe; and for … names…. who have died recently …

Lord in your mercy / Hear our prayer

We pray with Mary, who fled with her Son, and St Joseph, seeking refuge in Egypt …

We make our own petitions in silence …

Collect:

God our Father, you call us into solidarity as one human family, with no distinction of race, or nation, language or status. Let us be united as brothers and sisters with one another, with our neighbours, and with the strangers who seek refuge among us, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen