ST. MARK’S REFUGEE COMMITTEE UPDATE

St. Mark’s committee on Refugees wishes to share with the parish community an update on progress made on its sponsorship of refugees. Our most recent activities have included working on the application for a Syrian refugee, Hazem, who has been a refugee for several years and is hoping to join his family in Canada. Hazem is the nephew of a St. Mark’s parishioner, Hadi Karam, whom we sponsored, together with his wife Manar and their daughter Joanna, about seven years ago.

The Quebec government has now issued a certificate of selection for Hazem, and the next step will be for the Federal government to issue him a visa. He will likely arrive in Canada in 2026.

Having celebrated Easter not long ago, you are invited to reflect on how you might support Hazem’s arrival, whether through prayer, practical help, or other resources. At this stage, securing the financial support needed to welcome him is the most immediate need. For those who wish to contribute, your gift will help ensure that Hazem has the resources needed for a stable start to begin his new life here in Canada.

Donations may be made:

• by placing your donation in a marked envelope in the Sunday collection;
• by e-transfer to stmarkinterac@bell.net (please include “refugee sponsorship gift” in the message);
• online through the diocesan website: https://rb.gy/hggl9q.

At the same time, other forms of support are equality valued. You may wish to join the committee to help organize the effort or help plan for other needs such as accompaniment and integration into the community.

If you would like to contribute, get involved, or learn more, please reach out to Geneviève at Genevieve.dubois.flynn@gmail.com or Zeina Saikali zsaikali@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for further updates, including the announcement of Hazem’s arrival date.