Dear sisters and brothers,

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the work of Multicultural Development Association (MDA), which is a re-settlement agency that works to assist refugees with housing, skills and employment. They offer a “Work and Welcome” program by which a refugee is placed in a work environment for up to 12 weeks. St. Rita’s College was a placement partner in this program last year.

Working with St. Rita’s College, and our parish primary school, our parish community will assist a refugee through the “Work and Welcome” program next year. The aim is to establish a work placement across three locations — St. Rita’s College, St. Agatha’s Primary school and the parish. This type of arrangement is a first for MDA and the Archdiocese.

We were hoping that the placement would occur during the fourth term. We are now working towards the first term of next year. As it is a genuine employment opportunity, we will pay wages to the person who is employed. The total cost of a one term placement is around $11000. This means that we will be required to raise about $3500 as our one-third share. If you are able and willing to donate, below is the process to follow:

1. Go to MDA’s website and select Donate: https://mdaltd.org.au/mda-donation/
2. Choose the amount you’d like to donate. If you’d like to donate an amount different than $10, $30, $50 or $100, please use “Surprise Us” option. Proceed to checkout.
3. In the field titled Company Name please use a reference name as per below:
Work and Welcome St Agatha’s Parish (This is important to track our donations)
4. Upon completion of transaction, you will receive a confirmation email including an invoice. Please note all donations above $2 are fully tax deductible.

If you require assistance, please contact the parish office. In November, Mark Taylor from MDA will speak at our Sunday morning Masses to provide more details. Through this programme, not only will we be able to support a refugee and his or her family, but also put a face and story to the world-wide refugee crisis. Jesus told us that the mark of discipleship was welcoming the stranger. The “Work and Welcome” program allows us to respond with a genuinely Christian heart which is enlarged through the encounter with another.

Fr. Anthony