The Myanmar Community with Fr Don Hornsey. Photo: Fr Don Hornsey
On Sunday, the 14th of September, the Jubilee mass, meal, and concert for Migrants and Refugees were celebrated in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Wellington, where a large crowd represented several countries. Archbishop Paul Martin presided at the mass, and in his homily, he praised the richness of the cultures that migrants are bringing to Aotearoa while recognising the difficulties of coming to a new country where language and way of life are so different. In a memorable phrase, he said that migration is not a problem to be solved but a treasure to be received. The Samoan choir was responsible for the singing and a spectacular offertory dance while the Latin American community sang the final hymn.
A song being performed by the African Community with Fr Don Hornsey. Photo: Fr Don Hornsey
After the mass, the large group went to the hall where food from the different countries had been prepared, and after eating, a concert took place. The first country to present their song was Fiji, and Columban Tom Rouse, a member of the organising committee, introduced them. Then other songs and dances were performed by the communities from Kiribati, Africa, with people mainly from Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Myanmar, Samoa and our Latin American community. I was delighted when 23 from our group arrived, primarily families with young people and children, even babies, as none had ever been to the Cathedral before. The majority were from Colombia, with some from Peru and Argentina.
The Samoan/Tongan community performing their traditional dance. Photo: Fr Don Hornsey
The joy with which the songs and dances were presented showed how happy the refugees and migrants were to be in Aotearoa, where they had been welcomed and made to feel at home. This is a sharp contrast to what is going on in some countries, where protests are taking place against migration, with blatant discrimination and even deportation. May the harmony and happiness we witnessed on Sunday continue to be a reality in daily life.
Fr Don Hornsey lives and works in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
