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Like the rest of the parish my thoughts have been dominated this week by the plight of the Karim family. Since hearing last Friday that their application had been refused the question has come up time and time again: what do we do next? Many people have inundated various members of parliament with phone calls, letters and emails, the media have been contacted, and I was on the phone to our own bishop the other night as he is writing a supporting letter for the family to the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. Our local MP has asked for the case to be discussed in the House of Commons. A petition has begun as part of a campaign by a national association against deportation and so there is a lot going on. But still there is the question: what do we do next and what can we do to make sure that Nigel, Pearl, Crystal and Calvin are constantly aware of our support?
I believe that the answer is to pray. As well as ringing, emailing and petitioning people in authority we must never underestimate the power of prayer. If you have ever experienced what it feels like to know that people are praying for you then you will already know the amazing, transforming effect that this can and does have. Perhaps the most profound experience that I have had of this was in the time of preparation for and during my ordination to the priesthood. I was very aware that many, many people were praying for me, and this gave me a tremendous sense of peace, calm and a feeling of being 'buoyed up' by prayer. It was experience I shall never forget. Now we can all do the same for the Karims so please pray in whatever way you find most appropriate for you: light a candle, pray the rosary, remember them at Mass, begin a novena or any other way you can remember them in prayer. I have written the following prayer as something perhaps we can all say for the family. Perhaps you could email it to family and friends who can join us as we petition heaven:
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Holy Saviour RC Church - Nelson