Parishioners coming together to help refugees
By Herald Malaysia
Feb 14 2024
PENANG – The Risen Christ Catholic Church parish community has undertaken a meaningful project aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the global refugee crisis, both on a global scale and within their country and the specific context of Penang.
This initiative was sparked by their participation in a forum addressing the refugee crisis organised by Caritas Penang. Additionally, they conducted two ‘needs assessment visits’ alongside their parish priest, Fr Esmond Chua, OFM, to the Rohingya Community Classroom in Jelutong, further solidifying their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by refugees.
Parishioners were provided with an opportunity for spiritual reflection, gaining insight into the compelling reasons for extending assistance to Rohingya refugees. The focus was particularly on the undocumented children who lack access to education in our country, confined to rudimentary classrooms with minimal facilities and dependent on community teachers.
Guided by Fr Esmond, the weekly reflections centred around the overarching theme, Christ in the Quiet and Unseen: Is Your Heart Ready to Receive Him? These reflections encouraged parishioners to contemplate specific questions based on video clips and the celebrant’s homilies during the Advent season, exploring themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. The Quiet and Unseen theme encompassed migrants, itinerants, and refugees, emphasising those living among us or within our family and friends.
The reflection questions prompted parishioners to consider words of hope for Christ in the Quiet and Unseen, encouraging concrete expressions of love, joy, and the role of being an “instrument of peace.”
Our project, supported by Caritas Penang, Risen Christ parishioners, donors, and youths, enabled the purchase of essential supplies such as school bags, stationery, colour/activity books, a cabinet, working tables, linoleum for flooring, and a printer. Additionally, contributions from friends, both within and beyond Risen Christ parish, included English story books, laying the foundation for a children’s library.
We also successfully distributed 33 boxes of rice and lentils from the Rise Against Hunger initiative, a growing global movement dedicated to eradicating hunger, to support these refugees.
All the above mentioned were presented on the Feast of the Epiphany, a most meaningful and memorable day as this is the day that the Infant Jesus was visited and presented gold, frankincense and myrrh by the three Wise Men.
Gratitude is extended to our Heavenly Father, whose grace and mercy ensured the project’s success. Many parishioners expressed newfound awareness of the lives of the Quiet and Unseen, realising that these individuals are not merely a few but, in fact, dwell among us in significant numbers
