On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day, welcoming and praying
for all refugees, asylees, special immigrant visa holders, and other secondary
migrants who were forced to flee the violence or destitution of their
homelands. As we raise awareness for newcomers who have recently arrived in our
country and Diocese, may we also stand with refugees and commemorate their
courage, resilience and perseverance. May we always remember to “treat the
stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and … love him as
yourself, for [we] were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus19:34).
Join us as we show solidarity with refugees by remembering that
they are here to flee from discrimination, violence and destitution. We can
extend God’s love to these individuals by supporting the work of Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, whose Migration and Refugee Services
office (CCDA MRS) has resettled more than 29,000 refugees and helped them
successfully find jobs and integrate into our communities since 1975.
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2018