By Michael Crutcher
AN African woman, crying at the back of a Brisbane church, unknowingly sparked a group that became a model for the archdiocese’s plan to host at least 100 refugee families from Syria and Iraq.
The woman, a refugee with a devastating history in the Congo, was found at St Brigid’s Church, Red Hill, several years ago.
She was crying, traumatised by her past and uncertain at her next steps in a country where she knew no more than a few people.
Fortunately, she was found in the right place – the Jubilee parishioners who befriended her would go on to form a support group that has helped many people start new lives.
The woman would marry another Congolese man, who went from working as a lollipop man on school crossings to working as a lawyer. They have a child and are among Jubilee’s resettlement success stories.
“It really is an inspiring story,” Jubilee parish’s refugee support group co-ordinator Kevin Smith said.
“Her experience was so awful back in her homeland that she doesn’t even like talking about it.
“But a Catholic priest told them that if they ever made it to Australia, then go into a Catholic church. They were taken in by a family in the parish. And that was the start of the support group.”
The Jubilee support group will be among those consulted as the archdiocese prepares its parishes to host refugee families expected around Christmas or early into 2016.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge announced earlier this month that the archdiocese aimed to take in at least 100 refugee families – one for each parish – to assist with the extra intake announced by the Federal Government.
The archdiocese’s pledge would form part of its response to Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy in 2016.
Jubilee parish has utilised rental houses and units to help refugees and asylum seekers from the likes of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya.
Mr Smith said the experience brings enormous reward for all involved. But he said the Jubilee support group had learned much over the years including:
“The refugees need a community of their own kind within some proximity. We can help as much as we can but they still need a place where they can talk and mix with people from their own backgrounds. That’s really important,” he said.
“Getting work is really important. It’s the same for anyone in any walk of life. We’ve been able to ask around the parish and people have come up with work. Even if there are no paid jobs, we’ve been able to organise ways they can work in the parish for grocery vouchers.
“Obviously, housing is a must. We’ve had different ways – from units that the parish has been able to access to parishioners giving up properties for a while.
“There are different ways to assist. For instance, we have helped to pay for driving lessons or lessons for a forklift licence which do help people stand on their own feet. And we have given an interest-free loan to an Iranian man to help him start a successful business.”
Mr Smith said the social architecture was vitally important to ensure the new arrivals could thrive and become more independent as time went on.
He said Catholic schools and Masses were important parts of that social infrastructure for Christian families.
But he also said Jubilee had assisted Muslim families whose needs were different to Christians when it came to socialising and praying with their groups.
Archdiocesan refugee response
Archbishop Mark Coleridge has called on the archdiocese to take in at least 100 Syrian and Iraqi refugee families – one for each parish – in coming months. Those wishing to help or seek more information are encouraged to email yearofmercy@bne.catholic.net.au
