The blessing of being an international community

St Dunstan's, decorated for the International Mass - an annual event on the parish feast day.

In a week in which the British government has introduced various schemes to discourage foreign workers and students from coming to the UK, and draconian plans to send refugees seeking asylum off to Rwanda, Canon Rob Esdaile, Parish Priest of Woking & Knaphill writes in his parish newsletter: "At a time when much political discourse seems to regard the presence of migrant workers and refugees in this country as a problem to be fixed, and seeks to play on people's economic and social anxieties, our parish family stands as a witness to the many blessings we receive through the presence of those born overseas.

"Dear brothers and sisters, we are so grateful that you are here in our community and for your powerful witness to the faith we share. You enrich our lives, just as your work enriches our country. Thank you!"

St Dunstan's parish Woking and St Hugh of Lincoln parish Knaphill are proud to have 70 nationalities represented in their congregations, and to host eucharistic celebrations for the Italian, Portuguese and Brazilian, Ukrainian, and Syro-Malabar communities in our town.

Fr Rob said he is deeply concerned that current political currents are encouraging a sense of insecurity among many who contribute so much to our health service, our care workforce and many other sectors. He says: "It's imperative that Christians underline both that community transcends national borders and, as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Lord's Nativity, to reflect on the Gospel presentation of the birth of Jesus as a wayfarer, in a borrowed space on the margins of society in a violent world."