JRS-UK Community Blog

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Paul Anthony, a Jesuit scholastic and member of the Hurtado Jesuit Community that lives with JRS UK, reflects on a recent conversation about migration.

I was fortunate to attend the session on ‘Migration Conversation’ by Br Stephen Power SJ at the Hurtado Jesuit Centre. It was very informative and the statistics presented were an eye opener. Later, we had a discussion in different groups and I was very much drawn to their sharings. Some of the participants were migrants themselves. Many shared their feelings of sentiments, and what they did with migrants and refugees. What they said was inspiring and heart touching and came from deep down themselves.

When I was in Andhra Province (one of the South Asian Provinces of Society of Jesus), I used to share more often about JRS and its mission to the novice candidates, and in my Vocation Promotion talks to them. The little knowledge I was gleamed from books and newsletters of our congregation I never had met any refugee or volunteer working in JRS. Now I am fortunate enough to be placed in the Hurtado Jesuit Community, in London, as a part of my theology studies. JRS is part of Hurtado Jesuit community’s mission, now I can meet people involved in refugee works as well as asylum seekers and refugees as well. My interaction with refugees is short but it has created a huge impact on me. Simple ‘smiles’, ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes’ produce ripples of happiness and joy in their faces. I am not able to advise them on legal matters but simply present myself and share the rapport of a mutual smile. My experience has been similar to that of all those who shared during the discussions, though their sharing has enriched my understanding and feelings towards refugees and migrants.

It is not qualification and experience which matter to have but a simple mind and heart to reciprocate ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’ to those who are in need. ‘When I was hungry, you gave me to eat and when I was thirsty, you gave me to drink’. People not merely long for the satisfaction of physical needs but also for emotional and relational needs. They are hungry for the food of communication and communion and thirsty to receive the water of compassion and acceptance. They desire a space to share their feelings.

The sharing was a great breakthrough and showed me how I need to respond and grow spiritually. It made me realise that the best present I could give to the refugees is my pleasure at our presence together. I have discovered ways to make others happy and to be happy myself.

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

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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.

Greetings in different languages!

Having already written articles for the Catholic Social Justice Quarterly, Justice Magazine, on how my catholic faith had informed my approach to working with those who came into contact with the criminal justice system, it seemed fitting that having contacted the Mount Street Jesuit Centre and had the estimable pleasure of an informal interview with Andrea Kelly that I was directed (I have now nearly completed my novitiate!) towards the Jesuit Refugee Service. At the time, JRS was relocating from its former base in North London to Wapping and as such I awaited with keen anticipation the much delayed meeting (due to the aforementioned migration across London) with JRS Assistant Director Jonathan Parr. The convivial and engaging process of volunteer recruitment was then wonderfully complemented by the presence of a warm, welcoming and eclectic staff group. 

Although I had expressed a preference for working as a volunteer visiting those caught up in the Orwellian world of detention centres, childcare considerations meant that this option has remained , at least for the present, impracticable. Since then I have willingly given up a chunk of my Thursdays to work in the vibrant and challenging weekly Day-Centre that is at the heart of the Hurtado Centre and this has offered a richly uplifting experience which has meant so much to me, anchored as it is in the foundational principles of catholic social thought, respecting the dignity of the human person, who is possessed of a god -given worth captured so well in Matthew 25: ' If you welcome the stranger, you welcome me'

I was mildly amused to note that the Jesuits also have what they define as House Probation , that is novices perform most of their basic but essential tasks , alongside their heroically lengthy but to the secular outsider, formidable period of formation. I can honestly state that the time I have so far spent at JRS has been unremittingly rewarding and has offered me a privileged opportunity to meet with, work alongside and support the refugees, many of whom offer their greetings and friendship, when they arrive at the Day-Centre and prior to leaving. I now feel a warm attachment and measured respect for those friends whose stories of displacement and rejection, have resulted in unmerited penury reliant on the charitable support of JRS and other voluntary bodies. In making oneself available often at times of great individual distress, by opening up an emotional space and presence and active compassionate listening. I have always tried at moments when my patience or attention is lacking, to recall the enduring words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, ' If I see a person or persons suffer and the distance between us does not shrink, then my place, is not good, not enviable'. 

Working at the JRS has helped me to see in the vulnerable stranger a mirror of myself, and a reflection of Christ that points towards an invitation to human solidarity. I have met some truly wonderful colleagues, some of whom have since moved onto other challenges and career openings. The ready wit, cheerful banter and ' salty' humour in evidence when volunteers come together has been a source of joy and delight to me, the ' passagiato' practised with consummate ease by one of the volunteers now studying for a higher degree! will no doubt be recognised by 'front of house' volunteers! An invitation to accord greater attention and support to those marginalised by political strife and persecution and broken by personal tragedy was recently reiterated in the Apostolic letter in anticipation of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees from Pope Francis which concludes with these resonant words: 'Dear migrants and refugees! Never lose the hope that you too are facing a more secure future, that on your journey you will encounter an outstretched hand, and that you can experience fraternal solidarity and the warmth of friendship! To all of you, and to those who have devoted their lives and their efforts to helping you, I give the assurance of my prayers and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.'

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