Diocesan News
The theme for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “Even Just One of These Children.”
Finally Reunited:
Read the below words from a refugee family who have called Ballarat home for over eight years. They came to Australia over thirteen years ago. They had to leave two children, aged five and six months, behind with their grandmother. They have had two children since coming to Australia, who are now twelve and ten. The twelve year old was born when they were in detention in Melbourne. This time last year they were reunited with their two older children, now nineteen and fourteen.
14 years of being apart, uncertainty, and legal battles.
14 years of ticking every box and meeting every requirement put forward by Immigration.
Finally, our two kids have been allowed to come to Australia and live with us as a family. ❤️
The happiness and joy they have brought into our lives is something we simply cannot describe in words. For all these years without our two kids, life never felt complete. We never truly celebrated festivals, birthdays, or special occasions with our hearts full. There was always an emptiness, a missing piece that words cannot explain.
After 14 long years, that emptiness is finally being filled. Having our children with us, under the same roof, is a blessing beyond words. ❤️
We know this journey may still bring challenges and difficult times, but this time we will face everything together—as a family.
We have waited, struggled, hoped, and fought for this moment for 14 years.
Finally, our family is together. And that is all that matters. ❤️🙏
Sanda’s Story: Finding strength and courage to begin again:
Forced to flee from her war-torn country, Sanda was exposed to violence and trauma from a young age. Before Sanda* was connected with CatholicCare Victoria’s Settlement and Engagement Transition Support (SETS) program, she was highly distressed and overwhelmed by her emotions.
Resources and more information can be read at the link below:
Images from www.pexels.com and www.123rf.com