Help Welcome the Stranger

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35

At Holy Infant Catholic Church, we are putting these words into action through our Refugee Resettlement Ministry, in partnership with World Relief Services, one of Durham’s resettlement agencies. Each month, our team helps prepare a new home for a refugee family beginning a new life in our community.

While we don’t meet the family or interact with them directly, our role is essential:

• We set up the home, assemble furniture, and add thoughtful, homey touches

• We stock the kitchen with groceries and provide household essentials

• We help make an unfamiliar place feel like a true home

Two Ways to Get Involved:

1. Home Setup Team
Help transform an empty apartment into a welcoming home.

• Requires registration, online training, and a background check through World Relief Services

• Tasks include assembling furniture, organizing household items, and preparing groceries

• For more information or to get started, contact:

  • Lynn Sale – [email protected]

  • Barbara Gadient – [email protected]

2. Support Team (No Training Required)
Help us respond quickly to last-minute shopping needs when a setup is scheduled.

• Pick up groceries or household items (typically from Walmart or a local grocery store)

• No training or background check needed

• Submit your receipt to the parish for reimbursement

• To be added to the Support Team list, contact:

  • Kathy Bartlett – [email protected]

This ministry often works on short notice, but your flexibility and generosity can make a lasting difference in the life of a newly arriving family.

Join us in turning acts of kindness into a warm welcome. Help us build homes of hope, one family at a time.