St. Mary's introduces the Al Hallak family to Tillsonburg
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St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church parish in Tillsonburg officially introduced the Syrian refugee family they are sponsoring, in partnership with the Canadian government, to the community on Sunday, May 1 with a reception at the Father Langan Parish Centre.
The family of Abid Al Hallak, 38, Amira, 33, and their three children, Mohammad 9, Mariam 8 and Ahmad 3 arrived in Canada on Feb. 8, moving soon after to a rental home in Tillsonburg provided by their Syrian Family Ministry sponsors for the next year.
Still learning English, the two older children are enrolled at Westfield Public School, and the youngest goes to pre-school at St. Joseph's. Abid and Amira both take ESL morning classes at Glendale HS, and Abid works part time at Future Transfer.
Over the past three months, the local committee has helped the family adapt to life in Canada, and will continue to assist the Al Hallak family for the duration of the sponsorship, and in some capacity until they are fully independent.
Originally from Syria, the family lived in refugee camps in Lebanon for three years, where the Ahmad was born.
They are very happy to be here, said Amira, very grateful, and they like Tillsonburg – and Canada – a lot.
The committee, co-chaired by Cathy Palmer and Carol DeDecker, includes many subcomittees, with educational support, employment transportation, government documentation, ESL/Preschool, banking and financial budgeting, communications, dental care, health care, clothing, sports and recreation, spiritual and social networks, house, and weekly schedules all looked after.
"I think we were organized around the end of October, getting ready for our refugee family to come," said Cathy Palmer. "It was quite the process, and the length of time we waited... we didn't hear until late January that our family was coming."
There are at least three different sponsorship programs, said Palmer, ranging from full private sponsorship, to full government sponsorship. St. Mary's has a 50-50 sponsorship, sharing the cost with the government.
"I think it really had everything to do with Pope Francis," said Palmer, noting the desire to sponsor a family began with the Pope's call to all parishes.
"It had nothing to do with whether they were Christian or not," she said. "It was what we should be doing... it's in the Bible. He, Pope Francis, is such a role model in our church. It was his call to us to 'do the right thing.'"
"Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto Me," said committee member Rachel Parker, noting the words from Jesus.
"We're almost like grandparents," said Rachel, who with her husband Jack have been actively involved in aiding the Al Hallaks.
"They are absolutely amazed, and I think overwhelmed, and so are we," said Palmer, "with the support of the community. And it's not just our parish community, it's the community at large. If you look at all the sponsors, they were absolutely amazing. It was like no one turned us down. We have an amazing community here in Tillsonburg. The family is so grateful... they are just so overwhelmed, so much in awe by how caring and generous the community is."
Community and business sponsors include Tom Logan, GC Lounsbury Heating and Conditioning, Benoit's Appliance and Refrigeration Service, Otter Creek Woodworks (David Schonberger), Verne's Carpet One (David Martin, Calvin Martin, Shawn Cole, Ron Reimer), XL Flooring and Prosol Distributors, Shopper's Drug Mart, Home Hardware Building Centre, Joseph's Furniture, Hurley's Mattress and Appliances, Payless Shoes, Michael Papaioannou, and McDonald's (Jason Lessif).