What is a refugee? A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. At the moment there are a lot of refugees trying to escape and bring their families to safety Today Pope Francis is celebrating mass in America for refugee families. He has asked us all to think about how we can help
What would Jesus do? Talk to your partner to see if you can think of anything Jesus said or did that might help us think about this
Jesus
As we listen to this piece of music lets try and imagine what it might be like to be a refugee
One small voice
One small voice in this great big world
Out of the darkness I need to be heard
Can’t you hear me calling
I need your love
One small voice in this great big world
Out of the darkness I need to be heard
Can’t you hear me calling I need your love
Here I am just one young soul
Won’t you let me take my place in your world
One small voice in this great big world
Out of the darkness I need to be heard “ Jesus is the Gospel in person'. His compassion particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised, invites all of us to care for the frailest” Pope Francis
Can’t you hear me calling I need your love
Here we are, can you see us at all
All alone and afraid – can’t you hear us call Mary and Joseph with Jesus were forced to become refugees in Egypt
One small voice in this great big world Church built by refugees in Calais refugee camp
Out of the Darkness I need to be heard
Can’t you hear me calling I need your love
Give me room to be Give me space to see
Light up my face, lend me a name
a voice to sing my dreams.
One small voice in this great big world
Out of the darkness I need to be heard
Can’t you hear me calling? I need your love.
Don’t take away my chance to be free.
I am one young dream – share the world with me!
One small voice in this great big world.
Out of the darkness, I need to be heard.
Can’t you hear me calling? I need your love.
One small voice in this great big world
Out of the darkness, I need to be heard.
Can’t you hear me calling I need your love “ Whatever you do to the least of my people you do to me”
We pray together God of compassion whose own son experienced life as a refugee we remember those fleeing from danger, hungry and afraid, with nowhere to call home. God, we ask for them warmth, security, food and peace.
God of hope, we thank you for those who are working to bring relief and comfort to those displaced, showing glimpses of grace in the darkness of despair. God, give them strength
God of justice, guide the nations and the leaders of the world towards peace stir hearts to be generous and compassionate. God, help us to play our part in bringing about the change that we want to see. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. ( Diocese of Exeter )