The West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office (WACMRO) is encouraging schools and parishes to support Asylum Seeker Assist – a Catholic faith formation, outreach and community building response to vulnerable people seeking asylum in Perth.
Recently, Holy Family Catholic Church in Kalamunda and Mary’s Mount Primary School in Gooseberry Hill partnered with WACMRO to implement the program.
WACMRO’s Director, Dcn Greg Lowe, explained Asylum Seeker Assist provides schools and parishes with an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith and respond in a practical manner to vulnerable people on the margins of social thought and the economy.
Principal of Mary’s Mount Primary School, Erin Leech, said the program provided an opportunity for the school community to learn about Church teaching in relation to asylum seekers, why they seek asylum, and how the community can help.
Kalamunda Holy Family Church Parish Priest, Fr Anand Reddy, said it was very much a faith-forming and community building exercise.
After learning about those seeking asylum in Perth, the school and parish responded by collecting and delivering hygiene products and food items – specifically requested by the asylum seekers themselves – to principal partner, the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD).
Children attending Catechism classes also wrote welcome notes that will be given to asylum seekers who visit CARAD for assistance.
“What witness it would be if numerous schools and parishes signed up to assist asylum seekers,” Dcn Greg added.
“It would mean people seeking asylum could experience ongoing material assistance and the already busy school and parish would only need to assist every three or four years.”
Facilitated by WACMRO, Asylum Seeker Assistis supported by the Archdiocese of Perth and Catholic Education Western Australia. If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact wacmro@perthcatholic.org.au
If you are interested in volunteering to work with asylum seekers, contact the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees – www.carad.org.au