St Sebastian’s and Salford Edmund Rice Volunteers (SERV)

The work at SERV continues as we provide support and a friendly face to the individuals that come to St Sebastian’s.

The use of the word ‘individuals’ rather than ‘refugees’ is used deliberately. So often in the emotive debates around immigration, the term ‘refugees’ reduce the individual to a collective. As history has taught us, once you describe a group of people rather than recognising their individuality, it becomes easier to ascribe group behaviours – such as ‘invaders’ or ‘benefit scroungers’.

What you recognise at SERV is that each person has their own story and has come from a cross section of the population. In my experience, what does unite them is a resilience and determination to build a better life, having experienced persecution and hate in their own country, and who are keen to make a positive contribution to the UK. Indeed, not being on benefits is often seen as a badge of honour. Such characteristics would be a benefit for any society.

I fully recognise that there is a debate to be had on immigration but please let us have this debate without demonisation and with conclusions based on sensible and humanitarian principles. ‘

Richard Simpson, SERV volunteer.

Brother Tony travelled to south America this February to attend Brother Jorge Tavera’s Final Profession. Jorge enriched us with his presence in our community in Salford in November, December 2019. Prior to Tony’s departure for Lima to attend the Profession the ladies of his class cooked a surprise meal, each bringing in something special of their native cuisine. We relished delicacies from Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bulgaria, Eritrea, and Libya.

Brother Jorge’s final profession was celebrated by building a home for a couple in need in Lima. The house was donated by Vancouver College. Well done brothers on a very selfless way to mark this occasion!