JRS-UK Community Blog

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I have been working with Asylum Seekers for the past almost 16 years, first in Oxford and for the last 6 years in London at the Jesuit Refugee Service UK. The latter is based in Wapping in East London. Most of the people we befriend are based in this poorer area of London.

The Mission of JRS is to: 1) Accompany asylum seekers and forced migrants, our brothers and sisters, 2) Serve them as companions and 3) Advocate their cause in a largely uncaring world. We have a particular concern for those who are detained under the immigration rules and for those who, having had their asylum claim refused – sometimes many times – are left both destitute and homeless in the UK. We try to carry out this work in a spirit of dignity, mutual respect and solidarity and in collaboration with other similar organisations. Our Mission is based on our faith in God, who is present in human history, even in the most tragic circumstances. Our values are: Compasssion, Hope, Dignity, Solidarity, Hospitality, Justice and Participation. We welcome people of every nationality; of all faiths and none. At JRS we do not refer to those who come to us as clients but as friends. To quote one of our friends: “JRS are family for me now. JRS supports me morally and motivates me.”

JRS is open 5 days a week but definitely the highlight of the week is the Thursday Day Centre when we welcome an average of about 100 people. I believe that the most important aspect of what we can offer is that of welcome - a welcome to those who otherwise feel unwelcome in our society. This begins by the welcome given at the door which is so appreciated by those who come. This was brought home to me recently by one young woman who said to me:” I was feeling very nervous when I arrived but I felt so happy when everyone greeted me with a smile and was so kind to me.” Or as another person described it:” We feel welcome as a new person in a new country.” This is so important when they have been anything but welcome in their own country and have met only with hostility on arriving in this land.

As well as the initial interview, the centre gives an opportunity to speak about their situation with volunteers; to receive advice on various matters; to be directed to other organisations e.g. centres for food, clothing, legal aid, health needs, courses for English and other studies; to make friends and sometimes speak their own language over a cup of tea or coffee or just to rest. They can receive a sandwich and fruit lunch and a monthly hygiene pack of toiletries. We also provide travel money for access to critical legal and medical appointments, emergency mini-grants for newly destitute individuals.

I, myself, participate in this work as a volunteer twice a week. My main role currently, together with another Sister of a different Congregation, is to conduct the initial assessment interview of each newcomer to the Centre. We do this in as friendly and informal manner as possible as we know this can be daunting for some of our friends who have had previous traumatic experiences of being questioned. It is gratifying when some, who arrive very nervous and traumatised, leave the room relaxed and smiling. Sometimes the experience for us of listening to what is a harrowing account of what they have undergone, both in their own country and during the asylum process here, can be heartbreaking. I always find the fact that so often, having escaped very difficult and often tragic circumstances from their country of origin, they are received here with both suspicion and hostility. Some of them in the course of the process have been detained in Detention or so-called “Removal Centres” for longer or shorter periods. I myself have visited people in various of these centres and know what a traumatic experience it can be for innocent people to be virtually imprisoned for an indefinite period of time. This is particularly so when children are involved. Another source of trauma is the often long waiting for a decision from their Hearings. Some of the people we interview have been in the UK for 10 years or more without any positive outcome of their claim for asylum. This frequently leads to both mental and physical stress and depression and even suicide attempts. Conversely the UK does currently offer excellent medical care for which they are hugely grateful. There are also some wonderful charitable organisations to which they can have recourse, such as the Medical Foundation for the Prevention of Persecution.

Another traumatic factor for these people to deal with is literally becoming both destitute and homeless when they have exhausted their Appeals. Some are fortunate enough to have good friends who will give them somewhere to sleep but very often they find themselves on the street or sleeping on buses etc. I know of at least one middle-aged Congolese lady who has been in this situation for the last 6 months. We do our best to find places for these people but there are so few available and they are usually full.

We are always so happy when we are able to register those we interview and therefore provide for them the little financial and other help we can on a regular weekly basis. It is truly humbling to witness their gratitude for even so little. This frequently reminds me how grateful I should be for the many blessings I receive on a daily basis.

Another inspiring aspect of my relationship with these people is the weekly Prayer Group for women held every Tuesday. This was requested by the women themselves a few years ago. There is also a similar group for men. A Cenacle Sister and I organise this, taking turns to lead the prayer weekly. At present all the participants are Christian: Catholic and Orthodox but all faiths are welcome. They represent various African countries, including Eritrea and Ethiopia and are English, French, Tigrine and Amharic speaking. I find their deep, simple and devout faith, love of prayer and capacity for silence both moving and inspiring in the face of all they have suffered and are still suffering. Again, I receive far more from them than I can give. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work with these beautiful and endearing people. I can truly say;” I feel privileged to meet and learn from each one of my refugee friends. My association with them continues to enrich my life and I give thanks that I have been given the opportunity to participate in this work of God,”

A woman rejoices during traditional dances at the International Women's Day celebration in Doro refugee camp, Maban, South Sudan (Angela Wells / Jesuit Refugee Service). - See more at: http://en.jrs.net/news_detail?TN=NEWS-20150609094306#sthash.LUkLGWqh.dpuf

One of our refugees, Momodu wrote a poem titled Tuesday. Tuesday is not Sunday, Friday, or Monday. Shall we listen to what he has to say about this day of the week?

Tuesday be lucky

by Momodu


Tuesday be lucky
wake me up stronger
let me catch bus on time
make me not worry

Tuesday be lucky
let me strong
and keep long in the street
bring me knowledge

Tuesday be lucky
day of hardwork
take me safely on my journey
bring not any rain

Tuesday be lucky
let my talent show
bring me peace

Tuesday be lucky
you help me with my day
my day bless
and now I can rest


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Jo Siedlecka from Independent Catholic News shares her experience of this year's Migrants Mass at Southwark Cathedral.

There was a sea of colourful banners, flags and parasols at St George's Cathedral, Southwark on Monday as an international congregation of more than 1,500 people, many in their national dress, processed in for the annual Migrants Mass celebrating the Feast of St Joseph the Worker.

Organised by London's three Catholic dioceses: Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster, with the ethnic chaplaincies and Justice and Peace Commission, and the Tablet, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, the chief celebrant was the Archbishop of Southwark, Most Revd Peter Smith. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, Bishop Alan Williams of Brentwood and many priests concelebrated.

The Mass was attended by ambassadors from Libya, Ethiopia and Lithuania, Justice Minister, Lib Dem Simon Hughes, who has served as MP for Southwark and Bermondsey for many years, Lib Dem Sarah Teather who led a campaign to stop the detention of child refugees, borough mayors and councillors, from around the capital.

Music throughout the service, led by Francis Novillo, included hymns and songs from Cameroon, the USA, Australia, Slovakia, China and Uganda.

The Bidding Prayers were led by pupils from Notre Dame RC Girls' School in seven languages, including Tamil, Tagalog and Yoruba.

Welcoming the congregation, Archbishop Peter Smith described the Mass as "a joint venture of prayerful support for migrants in our city."

In his homily, Archbishop Peter reflected on the day's Gospel in which Jesus is rejected by the people of his hometown of Nazareth. He described how the Holy Family were refugees - forced to flee Bethlehem when Herod began killing newborn baby boys: "We have few details but we assume they lived in peace until they returned to their homeland, settling, as St Matthew's Gospel tells us, in a town called Nazareth. Jesus would have been very small when they left but I'm sure Mary and Joseph would have told him the story as he got older. The irony of his rejection by the people he lived with I'm sure would have been in his mind when he began his public ministry. Rejected by the people he lived with but in the years previous to that accepted in a foreign land."

The Archbishop pointed out that Jesus' public ministry it has its core focus compassion, loving kindness and mercy - care towards the oppressed, the exploited, the poor.

He said Pope Francis has repeatedly called for countries to adopt a more "generous openness" to migrants, saying: "I am a pastor of a Church with no borders."

The Archbishop rebuked those with "blood on their hands" who tolerate, even passively, human trafficking. He had particular criticism of the UK's detention centres for migrants, saying these were "stripping them of their human dignity" and he expressed alarm at the crisis of boat refugees in the Mediterranean.

Archbishop Peter went on to call for prayers for politicians. "We must pray for them" he said. "They have a very difficult job."

Migrants bring new life and vibrancy to British society and our Church, the Archbishop said.

He concluded with an upbeat story of British Olympic runner Mo Farrah who came from Somalia as a refugee at the age of eight. Asked whether he would prefer to run for Somalia rather than Britain, Mo said: " Look mate - this is my country. When I put on my GB vest I feel proud."

After the Mass there was a large reception and spread of international food organised by the ethnic chaplaincies and the Tablet.

Antony, a student from Iraq, told ICN: "The Church in London has been a great comfort and support to me and my family. My parish makes us all feel welcome. I don't know what our future holds but God willing we will go back to our country one day."

A young nurse from Slovenia, Grazyna said: "My experience here has been good. My colleagues and neighbours seem very accepting and I'm happy to be here although I miss my family."

The Feast of St Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. The Mass for Migrants has been celebrated in London every May Bank Holiday since 2006 when it was introduced by the then Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.