Refugee Family

PARISH REFUGEE FAMILY ARRIVING EARLY- SATURDAY JUNE  27!

We are delighted to announce that the Amin Family (Irfan and his wife Sania and their two children, 11-year-old Jason and 7-year-old Jemima), will be arriving sooner than expected at the end of June.  Originally from Pakistan, they fled 11 years ago after facing persecution for their Christian faith and have since been living as refugees in Thailand.   Our parish community is responsible for their arrival, orientation to Canada and care for the next 12 months.  We will be renting a two-bedroom apartment for them and providing them with monthly assistance from the Archdiocese’s Office of Refugee (ORAT) Project Hope Fund.  Here’s how you can help in this Jubilee 2025 project in our parish:

-consider joining the Refugee Sponsorship Committee to assist in preparing for the arrival and orientation of this family to our parish and community, and by simply visiting them and or driving them and accompanying them to appointments once they have arrived.  Please see Fr. Tim after mass or leave your name and contact information with Barb at the parish office by e-mail or telephone message.   It will be necessary for Volunteer Screening to take place before visits can begin with the Refugee family.

-help us to outfit their apartment with all the things they will need as they begin their life in Canada.  A list of the needed items will be sent out via email with this bulletin (please reply to stclementrefugeefamily@gmail.com as directed).

Also, after each mass this weekend (June 14/15) an updated list of the items will be available in the foyer of the church for you to sign up.  You will be notified about the acceptance of your donation directly- please do not drop off unsolicited items for the Refugee family at the parish- we are being very specific about what is needed so as not to duplicate items, and we must also ask that all bedding, towels and supplies must be new items only.

-contribute financially for the items that will not be able to be donated at this time (e.g. winter clothing, boots and other items).   Special envelopes marked Parish Refugee Committee are available at the doors of the church and in the foyer and can be given to a Refugee Committee member after mass this weekend or dropped into the collection basket in the week ahead.

-assist us in finding jobs for Irfan and Sania- please contact Fr. Tim or send an email to stclementrefugeefamily@gmail.com if you have access to employment opportunities.

Thank you for your generosity and support as we pray for the safe arrival of the Amin family on June 27.

Items Requested to be Donated