Share the Journey - global week of action for refugees

A global week of action for refugees began today, 17 June. There will be parish and diocesan events, talks, workshops and fundraising activities.

Pope Francis said: "Hope is the force that drives the hearts of those who depart… and it is also the impulse in the heart of those who welcome: the desire to encounter, to get to know each other, to dialogue…. Hope is the force that drives us "to share the journey."

The Share the Journey campaign is coordinated by Caritas International and focuses on encouraging all people to welcome migrants and refugees as brothers and sisters, sharing in their journey and welcoming them in their new communities. It is a response to Pope Francis' calls to promote a culture of encounter to dispel the indifference that we often see in the world today. The campaign focuses on building a culture of welcome in host communities and asks for us to stand up for the rights of migrants and refugees.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Caritas president, said: "Not long after his death, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were full of fear following Jesus's death. They didn't recognise Jesus until they sat down for a meal together and he broke bread.

How many times in a day do we not recognise Jesus in the people who cross our paths? We may be busy or distracted, or we may be closed in the tomb of our own fears and misconceptions.

Share the Journey is an invitation to roll away the stones that are blocking our hearts and imagination and to share the journey with each other - in particular with the most vulnerable people, such as migrants."

For 20 Simple Acts creating communities of hospitality and welcome for refugees, see: www.jrsuk.net/refugee-week/

Read more about Share the Journey here: https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Share-the-Journey

www.jrsuk.net/refugee-week/