Anne-Marie, Maxi and Nenette share a lot in common. They’re all parents. They belong to the same Catholic parish community in Marayong. And most recently, they form part of a larger team of volunteers at Marayong who support refugees and asylum seekers transitioning to Australia.

The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) is one such program that facilitates this transition. The CRISP program is driven by Rita Hakkoum from Catholic Care Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains. Through program, Rita facilitates connections between families – between those who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country; and those who choose to volunteer their time and presence to accompany such families.
In this episode of the Soul Food Podcast, we hear form Anne Marie, Maxi and Nenette as they accompany a refugee family, advocating for their medical, educational and community needs. One key part of their common experience is how mutually transformative the journey has been. In their own way, they speak of the adage that is often associated with volunteer spaces: that where people thought they were “giving” as volunteers found that they too “received” much from what they’ve shared.

See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast:

• ⁠Marayong Catholic Parish⁠


• ⁠The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement
  Pilot (CRISP) Program⁠


• ⁠Catholic Care Western Sydney & Blue Mountains⁠

Check out these other Peace, Justice and Ecology episodes featured on the Soul Food Podcast:

• ⁠⁠E13 Faith and hope born from a refugee camp⁠⁠


• ⁠E18 A journey to knowing I am loved⁠⁠


• ⁠⁠E37 In giving we receive: the mutual exchange at the core of our humanity⁠⁠


• ⁠⁠E63 God, creation and greening the heart of the Church ⁠ ⁠


• ⁠⁠E65 A contemplative walk in nature ⁠(a guided mindfulness exercise)⁠


• ⁠⁠E66 Belonging that restores faith in humanity⁠⁠


• ⁠E71 Peace, Justice and Ecology as Integral to Catholic Faith⁠

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

Intermission Music Track:

Fragments - AERØHEAD https://soundcloud.com/aerohead

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