THE group has been up and running since last September. We came together as a group in response to the Pope Francis’s call for parishes to take in a refugee family. We are collaborating with St Dominic’s in Camberwell who have successfully run a refugee assistance program for the last two years.
The group – RAG has undertaken two thought provoking training sessions with CatholicCare, where we were challenged to think carefully about our role in providing assistance to asylum seekers. One of the challenges is to question ourselves about what types of help we need to provide and what types not to provide. Another is we need to define our boundaries and understand our limitations in what can be a very challenging field!
We will be working in partnership with CatholicCare who will provide guidance and access to other agencies expertise to assist us in our work. Partnering with CatholicCare will also enable donations to St Bridget’s Refugee Action Group to be tax deductable. We hope to finalise these arrangements very shortly.
We have developed a Guiding Principles Document. The key themes are Hospitality, Fostering Independence, Teamwork and Protecting Confidentiality.
We have been allocated a family by Sr Brigid Arthur from the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project. They are a young family expecting a baby, who are currently living in emergency accommodation.
We have searching for a flat for them in an affordable location, close to public transport and services without being too far from the support group in the parish. We had found a likely looking unit in a suitable location and have put in an application to rent it. We hope to hear back from the real estate agents very soon.
Once we have secured accommodation we will be making an appeal to the parish for items the family will need.
Diarise for Saturday July 23 to support the major fund raiser event – Trivia Night, at the Great Hall Xavier College. Funds raised support the work of RAG.
Please note that the next meeting of RAG will be held in the narthex on Wednesday May 11..
For more information, or enquires about St Bridget’s Refugee Action Group contact Robert Stewart: email: robert.stewart@bobstewart.com.au