In commemoration of the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which was celebrated on 5 October, we share an article from the August 2025 edition of the Augustinian magazine, regarding an initiative at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park.
“Migrants and refugees remind the Church of her pilgrim dimension, perpetually journeying towards her final homeland, sustained by a hope that is a theological virtue.” – Pope Leo XIV
On 8 July 2025, a lovely young Syrian Refugee family moved into a rental home in St Clair. They have a little boy of three years. Rita [Hakkoum] from the Catholic Care Refugee program asked me a couple of weeks before if I would be able to help the family with material goods as they had arrived with no possessions apart from personal items, e.g. clothes.
After the initial feeling of being overwhelmed, I took stock and told myself that when I retired from work at the beginning of 2025, I had told myself that I would like to help a Refugee family settle here in Australia in some capacity, so I said to myself: “Just get on with it!” I knew it was not something for me to do by myself as I belong to the wonderful Parish of Holy Spirit, St Clair-Erskine Park where there are many generous and helpful parishioners, and especially with being part of the Social Justice Group who see awareness and support of refugees as a very important part of our Mission.
Fr Perci [Sevare OSA] enabled a notice to be placed in the bulletin over two weeks, asking for donations of material goods in good condition with Rita’s and my phone numbers as contacts.
In order to give the young couple some control over their lives, people were asked to send photos of their goods being donated to either Rita or myself after they offered any goods. These photos were sent on to the couple and they were told they could accept or not.
As I had worked with the Student Support Wellbeing group at CSPD [Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese] for 20 years, I had many contacts so also put out a request for any help with goods. It took no time for parishioners and school counsellors to offer goods.
We knew we needed some strong people… with trailers or vans to help with the pick-up and delivery of heavy goods. The Parish Office had a couple of names and with the help of the Men’s Business group four men offered to help, including Geoffrey, Darren and Frank, and Michael.
Volunteers from Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, move heavy furniture for a Syrian family settling in Australia. Image: Supplied
A counsellor offered contact with her brother as he was cleaning out a Deceased Estate in Warwick Farm, so two men, Michael, with a covered-in trailer, and Geoffrey went to pick up a fridge, and other white goods and could keep them until the delivery evening of 8 July: the gifts of Providence.
When I met the couple on the morning of 8 July, they were very pleased to receive some goods as their home was empty. With taking some tea and coffee etc and suggesting we have a coffee, I was told “we have no teaspoons”.
This was a stark realisation of what it’s like “to have nothing.”
They awaited Vinnies calling to bring more food and other essential items, and they were visited this day. By nightfall, the men who had to come after work had picked up and delivered a 6-piece lounge setting, fridge, table and chairs, single bed (for their little boy), bedding, adding to a dinner set, air fryer, cutlery, TV and many other items, turning an empty house into a comfortable home. Some food items were provided for the men and other Syrian people who had come to help.
It was so heart-warming to see how the Parish community came together to provide assistance for this family so they can settle here.
There were a few issues a few days later when the freezer stopped working, but they were able to access one from some friends again a few days later.
Michael, a volunteer from Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, puts together a table for a Syrian family settling in Australia. Image: Supplied
People have offered to help get to know the family and this will happen once they feel less overwhelmed by all the newness of their environment. Catholic Care will help them to engage with programs at Mamre House [Orchard Hills] as a way of learning the language and making friends. They are picking up English very well for people who have only been in this country for about two months.
One thing the family did have on display is a small, framed picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour behind an incense light.
As time goes by, they will need emotional support and friendly faces while they navigate the different cultural systems of Australia and get to know people and be able to make friends.
May they continue to feel very blessed and welcome in our community.
Jeanne Appleton is a member of the Social Justice Group at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park, and a member of the lay Augustinians.
If you’re interested in sponsoring a refugee family and changing lives, contact Catholic Care and your local parish today.
This initiative aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of Listening, Mission and Community, along with the objectives to be a Church that reaches to the margins. Visit Synodality to learn more.
