You may have heard the story of Sicilian
carpenter Francesco Tuccio. He made rough crosses from the wreckage of a boat
carrying refugees that sank near his home on the island of Lampedusa. He
offered these crosses to survivors as a symbol of their rescue and a sign of
hope. One of his crosses was recently carried through the great Door
of Mercy at St Peter’s basilica.
CAFOD has offered Lampedusa crosses to every Cathedral in England
and Wales, including St. Marie’s Cathedral, Sheffield, to display as a focus
for reflection.
Inspired by
the Lampedusa cross, and during this Year of Mercy, Catholics across England
and Wales are sending messages of hope to refugees. CAFOD, Caritas Social
Action Network and Jesuit Refugee Service will then be sharing these messages
with refugees from around the world.
We respond
to this crisis in a spirit of hope and common humanity. As Pope Francis reminds
us, “We ourselves need to see, and then enable others to see, that migrants and
refugees are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved.”
Refugee
Week Event
Forced out by war, poverty or persecution,
millions of people live uncertain lives as migrants and refugees. But each of
us, moved by faith and common humanity, can act in welcome, respect and love.
You are invited to take part in our Year of Mercy reflection on Thursday 23
June at St. Hugh’s at 7 pm. For more information contact:
Tel: 01246 234403
Mobile : 07721601684
