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ACMRO News - October 2025
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In this edition:
| 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees and Jubilee of Migrants: Sunday, 5 October
| Archdiocese of Adelaide’s Multicultural Mass 2025 Celebration
| The Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth Celebrates 150 Years Since its Foundation
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Australians are being urged to reflect on the values of compassion, justice, and hope as Catholic communities mark the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on Sunday, 5 October.
The Church has a long-standing commitment to welcoming and supporting migrants and refugees, while promoting social justice, cohesion, and unity. One tangible expression of this commitment is the way Catholic parishes, schools, and organisations across Australia are hosting events, liturgies, and community gatherings to mark WDMR.
Let us join Pope Leo in praying for all migrants and refugees: “I wish to entrust all those who are on the journey, as well as those who are working to accompany them, to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, comfort of migrants, so that she may keep hope alive in their hearts and sustain them in their commitment to building a world that increasingly resembles the Kingdom of God, the true homeland that awaits us at the end of our journey.”
For all enquiries, kindly email ACMRO at info@acmro.catholic.org.au.
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The Archdiocese of Adelaide marked the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees and the Jubilee of Migrants with a vibrant Holy Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral. The celebration was rich in colour, culture, and community spirit. Attendance was noticeably higher than in previous years, with more families, traditional dress, and clergy present – signs of a growing awareness and deepening engagement with the global conversation on migration.
The impact of the celebration was deeply felt. Carmen Jenko, representing the Slovenian community, shared her heartfelt reflections: “It truly was a special Mass. This year God's presence was more profoundly evident – or perhaps we needed God's peace more, and we found it… With more people attending this year, it strengthens my belief that church doors must stay open, as God calls us to find True Peace in him.”
Her words capture the spirit of the day – a reminder that the Church continues to be a home for all, especially those on the move.
In his homily, Archbishop Patrick O'Regan emphasised that although each of us speaks a different language, we all speak the same language – the language of love, which is the language of the Eucharist. On this occasion, in this Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, he highlighted that Jesus invites us to ask, "Who lies at our gate? Who, in our streets or behind closed doors, is waiting to be seen?"
Another powerful moment emerged through the lens of Safeguarding’s Everyone Belongs booklet, which was launched at this event, for its beautiful content embracing inclusion. On the Understanding Inclusion page, the booklet became a canvas for a young girl – perhaps six or seven years old – who simply wrote: “Think about this… Think about this… Think about this…”
Whether she understood the full weight of her words or not, the message resonated deeply. In reflection, if we truly believe that nothing happens by accident, perhaps God was gently prompting us in that moment – to pause, to reflect, and to think deeply about belonging, inclusion, and love.
And then there were the new migrants who graced the occasion. Their presence, their stories, and their joy served as a reminder of the fresh hope that new beginnings bring. Their journey is one of many, and it’s a powerful angle to explore as we continue to walk alongside those who seek refuge and welcome.
With acknowledgement and thanks to Tracey Tessitore of the Archdiocese of Adelaide's Justice, Healing and Inclusion team for this contribution.
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The ACMRO joins in prayer and thanksgiving with a valued collaborator, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, in celebrating their 150th anniversary.
The Congregation was founded by Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska) on the First Sunday of Advent in 1875. The mission of the Congregation focuses on spreading the Kingdom of God on earth. From the beginning, the Sisters have been dedicated to serving families: running schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and orphanages. Today, the Congregation serves in 14 countries across five continents, continuing its mission to support families in their various needs. In Australia, 23 Sisters actively minister to communities in Sydney, Newcastle, and Perth.
To mark this momentous occasion, an anniversary Mass was presided over by Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv on Saturday, 13 September at the Polish War Memorial Chapel in Marayong.
In his homily, Bishop Long reflected on the great affirmation, respect, and admiration the Church holds for the Congregation, acknowledging the many good works they have done for both the Church and the local communities where they are present. He joined the Sisters in prayer as they continue to respond to the call of becoming an “icon of the transfigured Christ” for the world.
The ACMRO team wishes the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth many more years of fruitful ministry in Australia and beyond.
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