Any of you who were at 9 AM Mass on Sunday, 2/10/19 may have noticed some women in veils (see the photo below).
They are part of the 9 member Ramzan Ali Family, the Refugee Resettlement Ministry’s latest refugee family from Afghanistan. They were welcomed by Fr. Jim and Fr. Michael, along with several other parishioners before they proceeded to the Ministry meeting where they told their story. Four of the Mom’s family were killed in a Taliban bombing and she and her husband fled by foot, over the mountains and into Afghanistan where their seven children were born.
You, through donations of furniture etc, and the money applied to our Ministry in the Parish budget, made it possible for our members to completely furnish a 3 bedroom apartment. Since then we have enrolled the children in school, transported them to dental and medical appointments, found jobs for the Dad and oldest two girls, set up a cottage industry for the Mom by donating a sewing machine,and brought them to picnics with their Afghani friends and to the annual one at Lourdes. Our Gifts of the Magi project helped them to celebrate a delicious Thanksgiving meal and packages under their tree. The only thing they need now is a car, since Dad now has a license.
The Refugee Resettlement Ministry feels that they have adapted very quickly to life in Raleigh and can proceed with minimal assistance from us. So we now ask you to help us accompany our next refugee family in May, the 36th family we have helped..
Thank you for all you have done for this family. Pope Francis has said that ”Refugees and Immigrants are the Face of Christ” and so you have also been for this wonderful family.
by Gail Kelley, Coordinator of the Refugee Resettlement Ministry
Above, from left to right: Kathy McFadden, Tania Seltzman; and Barbara Rutledge
(Members of Refugee Resettlement Ministry), Zia Gul (Mom), Zara Shan and Jasmin (Members of Refugee Family), Fr. Michael, Fr. Jim, and Ramzan Ali (Dad).
Below, the Ramzan Ali family at home.