Cultures come together for refugee holiday party

Courtesy photo/Catholic Community Services

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Refugee women and children lead the group as they sing Christmas songs during the holiday party Dec. 2. 

By Carol Barman

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

A holiday party for all of the refugee families helped by Catholic Community Services and the Parish Refugee Resettlement Ministries drew almost 200 people to Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Holladay on Dec. 2.

The refugee ministry volunteers were responsible for getting the families they mentor to the event and making a potluck dish. The refugees, who have come from Burma, Thailand, Sudan, Iran and Iraq, also made a specialty dish from their native country. During the international feast they mingled with other families from their own culture as well as different nationalities.

After the meal, volunteers played a few games involving the adults and children, had everyone dance the Hokey Pokey and then learn and sing a few American Christmas carols together. Afterward, volunteers were treated to a special open mic format where different refugees sang songs in their native tongues from their homeland.

For me, it was wonderful to see all of the children, teens and parents take the mic and sing songs with pride from their countries. It reiterated that music and song has no boundaries and can bring joy and happiness to everyone who is listening even if you don’t understand what they are singing about.

The day was topped off when a little boy from Somalia got up and sang the ABC song in English. The look on his face of how proud he was that he was singing in English and was loving life in America was priceless.

Currently nine parishes in the Diocese of Salt Lake City have a Refugee Resettlement Ministry Program that provides CCS with volunteers to help these refugees feel welcome and to learn English and basic life skills.

Carol Barman is involved with the Refugee Resettlement Ministry at Saint Thomas More Parish.