In his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Archbishop J. Michael Miller echoed Pope Francis’ call to be tireless in reaching out to refugees, migrants, and trafficked persons and “welcome newcomers into our parish communities, especially those who are victims of war, violence, hunger, and exploitation.”
Father Rosemond Sylvestre, CS, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, reads at the Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Behind him are Deacon Pawlos Teckle, Deacon Raul Solano, and Father Richard Zanotti, CS, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
In his Sept. 24 homily at Our Lady of Sorrows in Vancouver the archbishop said the presence of migrants and refugees represents “an immense opportunity for the cultural and spiritual growth of everyone. Thanks to them, we have the chance to know better our world and its beautiful diversity. We can grow in our common humanity and build together an ever greater sense of togetherness. Openness to one another creates spaces of fruitful exchange between different visions and traditions, and opens minds to new horizons.”
He offered his appreciation for parishes and everyone in the archdiocese who is “receiving our refugees, migrants and temporary workers with such love.” Newcomers to parishes “are to be counted as a blessing, always to be welcomed with open arms. In fact, they are energizing our parish families with their enthusiasm, enlivening them with their gifts and inspiring them with diverse celebrations.”
He thanked members of the Refugee and Migrant Ministry for their work “to welcome and support the numerous refugees and migrant workers on our doorstep,” adding “we can’t remain indifferent to the plight of our brothers and sisters who face unimaginable dangers and difficulties in so many countries around the world.”
He also expressed his appreciation for those fighting “the plague of human trafficking that is tolerated in our own country.”
Although the current primary country of origin of refugees in the archdiocese is Eritrea, “help is also being offered to Ukrainians who, because of the war, have suffered the largest mass migration of people since the Second World War. Our focus is on helping those who are fleeing persecution, especially through family connection referrals which generally involve Christian populations.”
