This Thursday, Nicholas Hanrahan, Community Outreach Officer at JRS UK, will be attending ‘A Parish Response to Refugees: Where to start?’, a Caritas Westminster event that will look at the different ways individuals and parishes can practically support refugees and asylum seekers in their local areas. The evening, chaired by Bishop Paul McAleenan, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and the lead Bishop for Refugees and Migrants of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales, will bring together several groups and organisations that work to support refugees and asylum seekers in a wide range of capacities.
About the event, Nicholas said, “Pope Francis has consistently encouraged our parish communities to come together and take an active role in responding to the need of refugees. The Holy Father has called on us all to take concrete action as a way of living out the Gospel, extending a welcome to those who come to our country for refuge. I am excited to attend the evening to explore how JRS UK can help parishes respond to Pope Francis’s call.”
Those attending the evening will have the opportunity to hear from several of the groups present and will be able to explore more deeply how they can become involved and help support asylum seekers and refugees. Nicholas continues, “Hearing about the situation that many refugees and asylum seekers find themselves in when they come to the UK motivates many individuals to get involved and lend a helping hand. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. This evening aims to give people the chance to reflect on how they can play their part and offer some advice on where to begin.”
‘A Parish Response to Refugees: Where to Start?’ is happening Thursday 11th October between 7pm and 9pm at Vaughan House.
For more information and to register your interest visit the event page
