The Migrant Jubilee Cross has last weekend Sunday 3 May transitioned from the Perth Archdiocese to the Bunbury Diocese at a Mass celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The Migrant Jubilee Cross is considered a gift from migrant communities to the Church – a place that symbolises welcome and belonging, integration and solidarity.
In giving the homily for the Mass, Director of the West Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Deacon Greg Lowe, said the Migrant Jubilee Cross provided an opportunity for Christians to recognise and respect difference in the parish context – respect that fosters inclusivity and belonging.
“Culture is a good place to start. We are all formed and informed by our cultural background – it is deeply embedded in each of us and shapes how we think, speak and behave, usually unconsciously so,” he said.
“Overcoming the ethnic, cultural and historical barriers that come with the many cultures and peoples in our church enables fuller participation in the faith community, including the mission to evangelise.
“Indeed, the presence of a variety of cultural expression in the life of the church and parish is to affirm one of the central teachings of the Gospel, which is that inclusion and participation give life.”
While the annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees encourages Catholics to foster a more inclusive society, Deacon Greg said parishes could actively nurture inclusivity by implementing cultural inclusion practices throughout the year.
“In this way, multicultural practices and liturgies become intentionally planned rather than experienced as one-offs or considered on an ad hoc basis,” he said.
At the personal level, he also suggested that as members of a parish community, we all have a part to play in creating a welcoming environment.
“It means individual commitment to enabling participation by reaching out to the parish newcomer or different other and welcoming them,” he said.
“…cultural diversity is a gift to be received and realised,” he continued. “To paraphrase Pope Francis: It is not a competition between cultures which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to a harmonious peace.”
“Let the Pilgrimage of the Migrant Cross and Boat around Western Australia remind us of the goodness, beauty and truth of living a life of faith, hope and love through, with and in our many and varied cultures,” he concluded.
Inclusive Catholic Parishes
The underlying message of acceptance, belonging and inclusivity that the Migrant Jubilee Cross imparts coincides with the release of the Inclusive Catholic Parishes resource developed by Catholic Outreach for parish communities.
In the foreword, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton says the creation and maintenance of a welcoming parish requires a commitment across all aspects of parish life:
“Creating an inclusive Catholic parish – one that welcomes people of diverse cultures, abilities, and backgrounds – requires intentional commitment across worship, leadership, ministry, and community life. It offers a practical framework to support parishes in strengthening pastoral practice, so that all who seek a place in the Church may encounter dignity, respect, and genuine hospitality.
“I encourage each parish to receive this resource with openness and courage, allowing it to inspire reflection, dialogue, and concrete action, so that our communities may more fully embody the welcoming heart of Christ.”
The Inclusive Catholic Parishes resource offers a comprehensive range of practical recommendations aimed at fostering inclusivity, including the section Multicultural Worship & Liturgy.
To view the resource, Click Here.