Workers Support Centre celebrates 20 years

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NBVM) celebrated Migrant and Refugee Sunday and the 20th Anniversary of the Foreign Workers’ Support Centre (FWSC) on Sept 28.

Oct 24, 2014

By Sheila Rose Darmaraj and Anne Marie Yap
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NBVM) celebrated Migrant and Refugee Sunday and the 20th Anniversary of the Foreign Workers’ Support Centre (FWSC) on Sept 28. Following the Eucharistic celebration, there was a fellowship and cultural event held at the hall, facilitated and participated by migrants and local parishioners.

In his homily, Fr Victor Louis posed several questions to aid the parishioners in examining their conscience. “Are we fair in our dealings with migrant workers? Do we treat them with dignity and respect? Do we stretch out our hands to help them?” All the parishioners were then asked to read and reflect on the Pope’s message “on how to build a better world through a change in mindset.” He also challenged the parishioners to look into the eyes of the migrants to know the longing, pain, suffering and hope they carry within.

The celebration of the Eucharist was animated by migrants in colourful national costumes from various countries: Nigeria, India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar. The migrants presented a liturgical dance and gifts for offertory consisting of flowers to represent different races, fruits to symbolize the fruits of their labour, vegetables as growth of humans, rice as our staple food and gratitude, musical instruments as praise and worship to God, sweets to represent the sweetness of life, and bread and wine. Special blessings were bestowed on the migrants.

At the fellowship, Fr Victor thanked God for protecting and providing for the migrants. He said that Pope Francis, having come from a Third World country, is very close to those who suffer. He further added, “We are all one in Christ. When our hearts are open, we can welcome all as our own brothers and sisters”. He announced that a new committee has been elected for the FWSC and thanked the outgoing committee members: Jeffrey who had served for 20 years and Adrian for 18 years. The new committee will be headed by Kristoforous, an Indonesian.

The day was filled with fun and merriment as the programme for the day included games, cultural performances of the different nationalities and a beauty pageant. There was much interaction, laughter and joy at the event.

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