(SOURCE : Elisabeth Philis)
"Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee."
That's the title of Pope Francis' message for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church is celebrating this Sunday, September 27.
This year the pope focuses on internally displaced persons. But his message is also relevant for immigrants and refugees that flee to other countries.
In both instances, he is appealing to governments, civil society and individuals to welcome, protect, promote and integrate these people on the move.
Elisabeth Philis works with migrants in her parish in Carpentras, an ancient town in Provence famous for its truffles market.
The 71-year-old is the retired head of a laboratory focused on oenology, the science and study of winemaking.
She tells us how personally rewarding it has been to help immigrant families settle in France.
Our small association, which is now part of the Habitat and Humanisme organization, was created following the appeal of Pope Francis in September 2015. He asked each religious community to welcome a refugee family.
Our parish priest, Father Frédéric Beau, first told us that it would be good to welcome a family in our parish. So we organized a meeting, which surprisingly brought together 30 people. That's a lot for a parish in Carpentras, a city of 30,000 inhabitants.
Everyone announced what they could do: help the children, give French classes, etc. We decided to welcome migrants having the status of refugee, so that they would not be kicked out as soon as they are settled.
The father of the first family we welcomed was a journalist on Iraqi television. He and his family had been kidnapped and tortured. They were finally extradited by Reporters Without Borders.
We had to look for a place to house them. After various unsuccessful attempts, we contacted the association Habitat and Humanisme, which provided us with its know-how in housing management. Through the association, a "solidarity owner" lent us a house.
Once the family was settled, we began to support them in every way. Volunteers went to their homes several times a week to give literacy classes, we helped them finalize their papers, school the children and so forth.
This family moved in in 2016 and they're still living in the same house. The children have adapted very well.
But when the family arrived, many people accused us of bringing the wolf into the sheepfold. Fortunately, the landlord was very supportive and took the time to introduce the family to the neighbors, so that barriers and doubts could gradually fall away.
At the school, the teachers were very welcoming and understanding towards the children. Subsequently, we welcomed two more families in Carpentras, and two more in Avignon.
I had not been involved in welcoming refugees before that. It was Pope Francis' appeal, and the solidarity among all of us, that pushed me in that direction.
As a mother, it is difficult to accept that families wander around without a home. But alone, I would have done nothing. At the time of the pope's appeal, I had just lost my husband and was trying to give a new purpose to my life.
There is no need to be afraid. You get informed, you train on the job. Anyone can do it.
(Collected by Jean-Baptiste Ghins)