A night of prayer & celebration for migrants and refugees

St. Mary’s Cathedral was alive with colour and culture on Sunday, Sep. 29, 2024, as over 300 people gathered to pray and celebrate our migrants and refugees brothers and sisters.

Fr. Avinash Colaco, rector of St. Mary’s, graciously presided over the Eucharistic Celebration in the absence of Bishop McGrattan, who was attending the Plenary Assembly in Ottawa. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Cathedral’s team, Catholic Calgary Immigration Society, and many dedicated volunteers, including the lively musicians from St. Mark's Parish choir —the evening was a true testament to unity, faith, and diversity within our diocese. 

Traditional attire lit up the pews, and the shared joy extended to the food and conversations after Mass. Alongside tasty sandwiches, Jollof rice, steaming hot congee, and other cultural dishes were shared and enjoyed by all.

Fr. John Jwad, pastor of the Chaldean Catholic Community, and a son of Iraqi immigrants, delivered a moving homily during the Mass. He spoke of the challenges many immigrant families have faced, fleeing persecution and finding safety in Canada.

"Many families had to leave their homes to escape violence and start anew," he shared, with a heartfelt gratitude for the support they received in their new homeland. He spoke of the responsibility each person holds to be the salt of the earth by living out their faith and sharing it through love and service.

Fr. John’s message resonated deeply with the diocesan call to Renewal— to embody a community of encounter and witness. "We are called to show our faith to others through our experiences and our love," Fr. John reminded the congregation, ​

St. John Paul II, in 2001, wrote that history shows that in those cases where the Catholic faith accompanied people during their move to other countries, they not only preserved their faith but also found fertile soil to deepen it, to personalize it, and to bear witness to it through their lives.” ~Fr. John Jwad

We recognize the pressing need to build an inclusive society, one in which the presence and contributions of migrants’ are both valued and respected. Communities prosper when they are open to receive the other into their midst, and we encourage local parishes and communities to actively participate in welcoming events." ~Bishop McGrattan

The evening was not just about the present; it was also about hope for the future. Bishop McGrattan shared a message to all the faithful in Canada that Sunday, inspired by Pope Francis’ theme, "God walks with His people." He called for communities to continue welcoming and supporting those who seek safety and new beginnings. " Communities prosper when they are open to receive the other into their midst," the Bishop wrote, a reminder that unity and inclusion are essential to building a thriving society.

Fr. John’s words left a lasting impression, urging the congregation to not only give thanks for their blessings but to continue the work of welcoming and supporting others in their journey of faith.  "The Lord has called us here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ through our lives, through our experiences, and through our faith.”

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Photography by Thiago Campos, Our Lady of Fatima, for the Diocese of Calgary.

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