KUCHING – Every year, the Church sets aside one day to focus on migrants and refugees to draw particular attention to people on the move. In the Archdiocese of Kuching, Migrant Sunday was celebrated together with Mission Sunday on 23 October.
St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish celebrated the occasion with a series of activities coordinated by the Ministry to Migrants under the Legion of Mary. Over the weekend, there was a photo exhibition of the parish migrant apostolate, and sale of a book of reflections on migrants (Disappointed by Hope) and commemorative T-shirts.
In line with this year’s theme ‘One human family’, migrants played special roles during the 1st, 3rd and Evening Sunday Masses in the Cathedral. Migrants from India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka proclaimed the readings and led the prayers in their respective languages over the different Masses.
In addition, during the Offertory, migrants from Indonesia, Kenya and the Philippines respectively presented dances while offertory presenters came from Indonesia, Lithuania, Nigeria, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. All these aimed at emphasising the bigger Christian family which we all belong to and the universal nature of the Catholic Church.
Before each of these Masses, the plight of migrants and refugees in Malaysia was highlighted through the video presentations ‘Silent cries’ and ‘My world’.
During the 1st Mass, Archbishop John Ha drew parallels between the missionary and the migrant – both of whom are people on the move. He stressed the role both played in building God’s kingdom in a place away from their home and the importance of hospitality by the receiving community. Fr Anthony Mikat in the 3rd Mass reminded the people to recognise migrants as brothers and sisters and to support those who had come to our country to search of a better life or to study. In the Evening Mass, Fr Albert Jacobse urged the people to extend their missionary duty to bring the Good News of God’s love to migrants in our midst. He drew attention to the exploitative conditions and unfavourable living conditions many migrants face in Malaysia.
Earlier on 25 September, the Migrant Ministry held a health screening and talks for migrants at St Joseph’s Parish Centre. Doctors, dentists, nurses, nursing students and pharmacists provided their services for free that morning for about 80 migrant adults and children. This was part of an effort to minister to migrants from the physical aspect, knowing that many migrants have difficulties accessing medical treatment.
During the session, there was opportunity for checks on body mass index and blood pressure, blood test, eye test, dental check-up, breast examination and consultations with doctors. There were also talks on health care and hygiene, and a tooth-brushing session with children.
Ministry to Migrants (Legion of Mary)