“Home is a place where you have Hope”

NEWS

“Home is a place where you have Hope”

The inaugural JRS UK Carol Service brought joy to all on Tuesday evening.

20 December 2017

“Home is a place where you have Hope”

On Tuesday evening JRS UK held our first carol service at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, led by Fr Provincial Damian Howard SJ. The church was packed for this joyful occasion – many of our refugee friends travelled long distances to join the many supporters and volunteers, as well Farm St regulars.

Highlights of the service were specially prepared contributions from performance groups who attend our Day Centre Plus activities –  initiatives designed to develop skills and confidence, offered in collaboration with partners. This year partners have included the fantastic Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and RISE Theatre (a professional Christian theatre company).

Members of Soul Sanctuary and RISE Theatre have been working on a weekly basis with our refugee friends over the last six weeks.  The choir of twelve performed three numbers in skillful harmony, including a Zulu hymn with audience participation.

Introducing the drama group, John Bosco of RISE Theatre explained that all the material had been devised by the performers and said, “it was an incredible honour and privilege to work with this group from JRS”.  The group used “Home” as a unifying theme to describe with great energy and passion their experiences and life stories through song and drama, relating them to the story of the homeless holy family.  The performers spoke of Home being “freedom”, “unconditional love”, “forgiveness” and also “where the journey begins”.  Carine, who has been a refugee friend of JRS for many years, said of the process of devising and performing “it was great fun, but also I learned that home is place where you have hope.

In his homily Fr Thomas H. Smolich SJ, International Director of JRS, reflected on the statement of limitation: “yes, but”, observing that this was a phrase refugees heard often, and that most of us use all too regularly.  He invited the congregation to gaze upon the nativity scene and embrace the phrase “yes, and” – a phrase which sums up the limitless love of Christ, and His limitless welcome to all.  This message is echoed in Pope Francis’ New Year message for the 2018 World Day of Peace in which he says:

“In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.”

Concluding the service, JRS UK Director, Sarah Teather, said she was overwhelmed by the response to the event, in particular “the hugely generous way RISE Theatre and Soul Sanctuary have worked with us, and the amazing contributions of the staff, volunteers and our refugee friends.”

After the service the congregation repaired to the church hall for seasonal refreshments.

Jesuit Refugee Service UK Christmas Concert

With thanks to the Jesuits in Britain for their support in the event and for this news article. 


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Jesuit Refugee Service UK
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre
2 Chandler Street, London E1W 2QT

020 7488 7310
uk@jrs.net

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