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Build a Better Future Together as One ‘Ohana

September 19, 2022

From the Office for Social Ministry

“We are called to renew our commitment to building a future that conforms ever more fully to God’s plan of a world in which everyone can live in peace and dignity … If we want to cooperate with our heavenly Father in building the future, let us do so together with our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees.” ~ Pope Francis' Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022

For more than a hundred years, the Catholic Church has been celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) in solidarity with our vulnerable brothers and sisters on the move. While many face multiple conflicts around the world today, Pope Francis offers a message of hope during this year’s WDMR on Sunday, September 25, 2022 titled “Building the future with migrants and refugees.”

Our Holy Father believes that God’s plan to build a Kingdom of justice and peace takes all of us working together with migrants, refugees, displaced persons, including victims of trafficking. “The Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants.”

Building this kind of inclusive future means recognizing the talents of every individual and finding ways to share those gifts with our communities: “Indeed, history teaches us that the contribution of migrants and refugees has been fundamental to the social and economic growth of our societies. Their work, their youth, their enthusiasm, and their willingness to sacrifice enrich the communities that receive them.”

The Pope also points out that migrants and refugees can energize parish life in local Catholic churches. “The presence of migrants and refugees represents a great challenge, but at the same time an immense opportunity for the cultural and spiritual growth of everyone. Thanks to them, we have the chance to know better our world and its beautiful diversity. We can grow in our common humanity and build together an even greater sense of togetherness.”

Let us build a better future together as one ‘ohana! For more information and materials for celebrating this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees please visit www.migrants-refugees.va. Mahalo!