Refugees and migrants attend annual Mass and reception by the hundreds
The B.C. Catholic
One Iraqi teen was living a very different life two years ago. Muhanad Shaaya, 17, and his family evaded violence in the Middle East for years before finding a safe place to call home in Surrey, B.C.
“I got out of Iraq about five or six years ago, because of the situation, the war, in Iraq,” Shaaya said.
His family fled to Syria. Six months later, war broke out there, too. “For three years, I wasn’t going to school because of what was happening.”
The UNHCR estimated 4.4 million Iraqis were refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced in June 2015.
Almost exactly two years ago, his family landed in Surrey, thanks to the help of Sts. Peter and Paul Chaldean Catholic Mission, which sponsored them.
“If not for the parish, I would still be in Syria right now,” worried for his life and missing more school, Shaaya said. “Now I’m in Canada and I love Canada.”
He was one of hundreds of refugees, migrant workers, immigrants, and children of immigrants who celebrated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Jan. 17 at St. Francis Xavier Parish.
The Chinese church, the site of a shrine to Our Lady of Sheshan, was filled with brilliant colours as a crowd converged for Mass dressed in the traditional clothing of their homelands. At least 11 different languages were heard during the readings and prayers of the faithful.
The multicultural celebration continued in the parish gymnasium, where dozens of countries were represented with flags, ethnic foods, cultural symbols, and performances.
“Today, in a very special way, we are gathered together to celebrate this oneness in our diversity,” said Father Richard Zanotti, CS, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and head of a ministry to Hispanics, during his homily.
“We at this time should be proud, as Canadians, of the efforts that are being made to provide refuge for thousands who are fleeing the horrible acts of violence in the Middle East, especially in Syria.”
He said the Church has a long history of welcoming migrants; the Archdiocese of Vancouver has been sponsoring refugees for more than 30 years.
“We need to continue to welcome and accompany the refugees who are our brothers and our sisters, even if they look different, even if they speak a different language, and even if they profess a different faith. They are our brothers and sisters.”
He also addressed those who came to this country for other reasons, saying that the diversity “brings a richness and a depth to the Church.”
Edith Magtibay, one of a number of ladies dressed in light-coloured dresses, serving spring rolls and rice cakes, said she came to Canada looking for a better life.
“I just wanted to check out what life was like here. I wanted a simple but decent life.” She left the Philippines with her husband and two daughters in 2002. They braced themselves for the culture shock that came with immigrating to the other end of the world.
“We were prepared to start a new life and we were prepared for any adversities along the way,” she said. “With faith in God, we made it happen.”
This multicultural event is now a family favourite; she and her daughters have been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees for five years.
Among family members clad in traditional Mexican garb and a sombrero, Antonieta Didier said she came to Canada for love.
A Canadian swept her off her feet, and she immigrated 27 years ago. She still visits Mexico every year and spends time with her devout Catholic family.
She said the “wonderful” event proves “it doesn’t matter where you came from; we still have faith and fellowship and love for one another. We can share our cultures.”
The annual celebration gave a snapshot of the great cultural mix in the local church; in the Archdiocese of Vancouver Mass is said in 22 languages every week.
