Refugee Week 2020 - Welcome
The theme of Refugee Week 2020 is celebrating the year of welcome. A more welcoming country doesn’t start with politicians; it begins with us. Welcome is a posture and attitude towards all people, including people from refugee backgrounds.

Refugee Week is the 14 - 20 June 2020. This week only comes around once a year. It is a unique opportunity to make time to learn about the experiences of people from refugee backgrounds and to celebrate the valuable contributions made by refugees to the world. It is a reminder that we are all responsible for creating a welcoming country.

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. This was originally celebrated in 1986. Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).

It is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film and other events which take place all over Australia and highlight the aims of the week which are:

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia;
• to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia;
• to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community;
• to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees;
• for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world; and
• for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.

Prayer For Refugees
Loving God,
We pray for the world’s refugees,
They have experienced trauma beyond our imagining.
God of healing, bring them healing.
They endure the most trying of circumstances.
God of strength, bring them strength.
They face an uncertain future.
God of hope, bring them hope.

We pray for the countries from which refugees come,
They are experiencing conflict.
God of healing, bring them healing.
Their people are torn apart by violence & other types of persecution.
God of strength, bring them strength.
They face a difficult future.
God of hope, bring them hope.

We pray for refugees who have resettled in Australia.
They have experienced great loss.
God of healing, bring them healing.
They are building new lives in a foreign land.
God of strength, bring them strength.
They are courageously carving out a future.
God of hope, bring them hope.

We pray for asylum seekers living in Australia.
They have experienced great loss.
God of healing, bring them healing.
They may never see their families again.
God of strength, bring them strength.
They have no certainty about their future.
God of hope, bring them hope.

We pray for asylum seekers detained on Manus Island & Nauru
They are experiencing great pain
God of healing, bring them healing.
They live in harsh and difficult conditions
God of strength, bring them strength.
They are losing hope.
God of hope, bring them hope.

We pray for our nation
We have hardened our hearts against refugees
God of healing, bring us healing
We have grown weary of caring
God of strength, give us strength
We need to find a better way forward,
God of hope, bring us hope.

Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian and ACTIVATE Youth Team
We have been advised that due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian scheduled to be held on 4 August and Year 6 ACTIVATE Day with the Diocesan Youth Team on 12 August have unfortunately been cancelled.

The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong is hoping that there will be an opportunity for Bishop Brian to correspond with our Year 6 students later in the year before they leave primary school and move into their secondary education.

Confirmation
Please be advised a decision has not been made regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation.   We will keep you informed of developments.

Weekend Masses
A reminder that if you wish to attend weekend Masses at Warrawong or Berkeley, you must register with the parish office - Phone: 4276 3565.

Mrs Madaschi
Religious Education Coordinator