Statement from Bishop Michael Burbidge for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2019

September 24, 2019

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has chosen Sunday, September 29, for the observance of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees to draw attention to those who have been forced to leave their homes because of war, violence, famine, or lack of the essential economic means. Many migrants and refuges and their families come to our nation in the hope of finding a new and better life.  
 
Our Catholic faith challenges us to respond to the plight of our brothers and sisters by welcoming them in our midst. In our diocese, we strive to support them through the generous work of our parishes and our Catholic Charities Newcomer Services. By welcoming, training, equipping and integrating into our community migrants and refugees, we manifest our common human dignity and our need to be one as children of a loving God.