Sunyun Choi and Hoseop Cha, members of Lenexa’s Holy Trinity Parish Korean community, bring up the gifts during Mass. They are preceded by their son Asher Cha. LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
In his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees for 2023, Pope Francis reminds us that people don’t only leave their homeland because they choose to — they often leave because they have to.
From left, Ebele Amanda Okwuobi from Kenya (green dress), Tina Eze from Nigeria (purple dress), Angel Eze from Kenya (blue dress) and Annah Anari from Kenya (brown dress) participate in the Gospel procession. LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
As Catholics, we are called to ensure that whatever the reason they fled, there will “always be a community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate” them.
Deacon Bill Scholl, consultant for the office of social justice and deacon at Our Lady & St. Rose Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, blesses the rosaries of Mariana Pacheco as Marilia Matos, to the left, looks on. Both are from Brazil. LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
At the World Day of Migrants of Refugees Mass at Prince of Peace Church, Olathe, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Sept. 24, there were representatives from Burma, Korea, Kenya, Brazil and more — all at one time migrants or refugees to these shores — joined together in celebration of their heritage and of our Catholic faith.
From left, Bosco Hri, Van Nung Par and Rosemary Hri, whose country of origin is Burma, pray before Mass. The three are members of St. Patrick Parish’s Burmese community in Kansas City, Kansas. LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
To view more photos from the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass, click here.
