Saturday of the 1st week of Lent, 24th February

Lenten Journeys

Saturday of the 1st week of Lent, 24th February

"if we have a spare room, how can we refuse it to someone who might otherwise be homeless."

24 February 2018

Saturday of the 1st week of Lent, 24th February

From Today’s Daily Mass Readings:

“They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts.”
Psalm 118

As we journey through Lent, we listen to the stories of some of the refugees accompanied by JRS. Where do we feel called to do his will?


Bill and Felicia’s Story

Today we introduce Bill and Felicia who volunteer as hosts as part of our At Home hosting scheme.

Opening your home to a destitute refugee for many may be a hardship or a challenge, but for Bill and Felicia their attitude is one of openness and pragmatism, “it was not so much a challenge, but of saying to ourselves, ‘if we have a spare room, how can we refuse it to someone who might otherwise be homeless.’

JRS supported Bill and Felicia as they thought through hosting a refugee, exploring the challenges and the benefits to both host and guest.

“We worried perhaps that, with the two of us living in a fairly small house, that it might be awkward, but the awkwardness was actually less than that of having a weekend guest.”

Having hosted one of our refugee friends, Bill and Felicia are now opening their home to their second guest.


#Do1Thing

Today we invite you to talk to your parish priest or parish council and see how your community could help refugees and those seeking asylum in your area. Invite your local refugee charity to hold a talk at your parish or get in touch with a nearby social action group.

Our report briefing contains a number of suggestions for how you and your community can help take steps to reduce homelessness amongst destitute refugees.

[Read the JRS UK Report Briefing]


Sign up to receive daily emails throughout Lent.


JRS UK are grateful to Bill and Felicia for sharing their story. Please do not reproduce without permission.
Image Credits: Placard image -Photo by Ilias Bartolini on Flickr

[Back to Lenten Journeys]

 

Jesuit Refugee Service UK
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre
2 Chandler Street, London E1W 2QT

020 7488 7310
uk@jrs.net

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