Ahead of the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated globally this Sunday, 29 September, Bishop Denis Brennan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Immigrants, said, “Our first thoughts and prayers are with our migrant brothers and sisters who live here among us in Ireland, in our dioceses, our parishes and most especially those in direct provision centers in our country.
“I am glad to announce that a parish resource pack has been distributed to every parish in Ireland in preparation for World Day of Migrants on Sunday. The pack contains resources – liturgical, spiritual and news – for use locally before and during, the Sunday Masses this weekend. I hope this resource pack will assist in raising awareness of the challenges facing our migrants and refugees in Ireland, and throughout the world. I encourage everyone to make use of these resources to reach out meaningfully and warmly in their parishes.
“Pope Francis has chosen the theme ‘It is not just about migrants’, for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that migrants and refugees do not only represent a problem to be solved but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved.
“We are all urged to adopt a decided stance and course of action summed up in four simple verbs: ‘welcome, protect, promote and integrate.’
“Pope Francis’ theme, ‘it is not just about migrants’, speaks to ‘all of us, and about the present and future of the human family’”, Bishop Brennan said.
