Saint CATHOLIC CHURCH
AFGHAN FAMI
Helping Refugee Families in Nee
I
n late August 2021, the United “OSU is leading the way in the States Armed Forces withdrew nation with this type of support,” troops from Afghanistan. Mike says. Before the withdrawal, there were Mike has enjoyed getting several weeks of chaos as many to know the families who have Afghan people tried to leave for settled so far in Stillwater. Coming the United States — and nearly to the United States with very 100,000 Afghan people are in the little, the families need a lot of process of resettling in the United support and items to cover the States. As you can imagine, necessities. The First Baptist leaving your home country and Church Fellowship Hall collects everything you know in haste is and stores donated items. The an extremely stressful situation. refugees can come in and “shop” So, Stillwater Catholic Charities for what they need, from bedding is working to help the families get to kitchen essentials. Donations settled with everything they need, of household items are needed — and here at St. Francis Xavier, please see the following link for all we are in a position to help. items currently being collected — Mike FitzGerald, Operations global.okstate.edu/afghan-project/ A volunteer in Stillwater pulls Manager at Stillwater Catholic index.html. personal care supplies in Charities, part of Catholic “We had a group of Mennonite preparation for an Afghan family. Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, churches in Illinois bring more says the organization will help about 40 families, than 20 mattresses with box springs, 40 vacuums, amounting to 150-200 children and adults. The and teapots,” Mike says. “I’m blown away by people’s people and families have been coming here from generosity.” Tulsa over the past few months. The refugees People can also donate directly to this work will be housed in apartments at Oklahoma State by donating to “Catholic Charities Refugee University (OSU). This work of mercy is made Resettlement.” These funds can help with the possible through many partnerships across monthly food distribution, toys for the children, or if religious organizations, businesses, and nonprofits. one of the refugees has a medical issue. Donations “It’s a beautiful thing to see all of these groups can be mailed to our parish, or they may also be coming together to help these people,” Mike says. dropped in the collection. “The group that has come together to support the Mike feels blessed to be part of the resettlement refugees is non-denominational.” effort thus far. People at our parish have opened OSU is serving as a major partner in this effort, their hearts to help, and Mike has been blown away helping the refugees with bus transportation, by the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. classes in English as a Second Language, and “The congregation at St. Francis Xavier is possible employment. fantastic,” Mike says. “They are truly serving as the 4
