Embracing Refugees with Compassion and Hope Just as We Do the Holy Family

By ADAM JARVIS

As the Church commemorates the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt this January, Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program invites our community to reflect on the challenges faced by modern-day refugees. Just as Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus sought refuge from peril, millions today are displaced, seeking safety and stability for their families. This sacred story inspires us to respond with compassion, offering shelter and support to those embarking on a journey toward hope.

For nearly five decades, Catholic Charities has extended its arms to refugees arriving in Southeastern Minnesota, serving as the region's sole resettlement agency. Since 1975, we have welcomed individuals and families from countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bosnia, Myanmar, Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Colombia, Guatemala, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. In 2024, 209 refugees began their new lives here, benefiting from our refugee resettlement programs comprehensive case management and essential services.

Our Refugee Resettlement Program helps newly arrived refugees with housing, food, education, employment, and financial literacy. The goal is to empower individuals and families to achieve independence while fostering a sense of belonging in their new community. Programs like our employment assistance, cultural orientations, and community volunteer initiatives ensure refugees have the tools to thrive.

Volunteers play a critical role, from purchasing culturally appropriate groceries to providing friendship and guidance. Through our family mentorship and co-sponsorship volunteer opportunities, parishioners embody the call to "welcome the stranger," creating a network of care and support.

Among the many lives touched by Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement is the inspiring story of Abdi, an East African refugee and political activist who was separated from his family. During a period of political upheaval, Abdi, his wife, and their children fled their country, seeking refuge in Ethiopia. On their journey, they encountered an orphaned boy and, moved by compassion, decided to adopt him and raise him as one of their own, despite struggling to provide for their own children.

Years later, Abdi was resettled in the United States. Unfortunately, the refugee processing system is often slow and fragmented. As a result, Abdi's wife and biological children are still awaiting approval to travel and remain separated from him.

However, December brought a bittersweet joy: Abdi’s adopted son and his adopted son’s family were finally able to complete their resettlement process and reunite with him in Rochester.

Abdi is now helping his son and grandchildren adjust to life in a new country, finding purpose in guiding them through the challenges he once faced. His story is a testament to the enduring hope and resilience of refugees and the critical role programs like Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement play in their journey.

As we honor the Holy Family's flight to Egypt this January, Catholic Charities encourages everyone to reflect on how we can embody their spirit of courage and faith. Refugees in our community, like Abdi and his family, remind us of our shared humanity and the call to act with compassion.

Through your support, Catholic Charities continues to transform lives, helping families build new futures rooted in dignity and self-reliance. Together, we can make the words of Jesus—"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me"—a living reality in our community.

For more information on how you can support Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program through donations or by volunteering, visit www. ccsomn.org.

Adam Jarvis is the director of refugee resettlement services for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.