Catholic Church initiative Residents encouraged to invite refugees for Christmas
BAD GODESBERG · Several refugees have expressed interest in learning about the tradition of Christmas. The Catholic Church has organized an initiative to bring refugees into Bonn homes for Christmas celebrations.
The Catholic Church in Bad Godesberg is looking for families who are willing to open up their homes to refugees this Christmas. Several refugees have expressed interest in getting to know the culture and traditions surrounding Christmas. “Inviting a refugee into one’s home and allowing them to experience what this holiday means for us and how we celebrate it, offers us a good opportunity to make contact and contribute to successful integration,” explained Father Wolfgang Picken.
Most of the refugees have been in Bonn for many months already and have good knowledge of German. “It is an old Christian tradition to invite strangers to Christmas celebrations and one that we want to bring back. That’s why we hope that many will participate in this initiative,” said the Catholic priest.
If anyone would like to participate by having one or two refugees, or an entire family for their Christmas celebrations, they are asked to please contact the volunteer coordinator, Christian Schulz: 0174 3309721 or e-mail to: fluechtlingshilfe@godesberg.com Further details can be coordinated to fit each specific situation.
