Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees at St. Agnes Church in Arlington Sept. 24.
“From the beginning the Diocese of Arlington was well-known nationally for the generous way it integrates newcomers to our land and the strangers in our midst,” he said in his homily, which addressed the day’s Gospel reading in which Jesus told the parable of the vineyard owner who welcomed new workers throughout the day. “May our nation which is greatly blessed, while acknowledging the need for security and comprehensive immigration reform, be as generous as possible so those who have recently arrived in our vineyard due to war, persecution, fear, violence and intolerable conditions in their homelands, be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity, remembering that each one has a name, a face, and a story.”
He quoted Pope Francis’ words, saying “Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security. If we want life, let us give life. If we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
According to diocesan Catholic Charities, since August 2021 its newcomer services team has re-settled more than 2,000 Afghan men, women and children who fled following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban; provided 4,000 other newcomers with education, job assistance and other services; helped 120 individuals become U.S. citizens, including people living with various emotional and physical disabilities; and reunited 180 child migrants with their families.
Following Mass, Bishop Burbidge joined Catholic Charities staff, including President & CEO Stephen Carattini, at a reception to meet refugee families from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Central and South America, who are served by its Migration and Refugee Services.
