A group of quilters linked to First Congregational United Church of Christ in Portland has donated more than 40 full-sized quilts to Catholic Charities. The hope is to provide welcome, warmth and comfort to refugee and migrant families in Oregon.
The quilts were on display at the downtown church Feb. 9 as the Rev. Derek Austin, senior minister, blessed them. Quilters from churches up and down the west coast did the work.
They usually send quilts to agencies working on the southern border, but recent immigration decisions mean those agencies have suspended their work. So the quilters located Catholic Charities of Oregon, which both resettles 300 refugees per year and offers immigration legal services to another 300 migrants.
The church invited Catholic Charities to be present for the blessing and say a few words.
Ed Langlois, communications director for Catholic Charities, told the story of Lucy, who came from Burma with her family as a child. A murderous regime had practically enslaved Lucy’s father, who escaped and sent for the rest of the family, who had to trek through the jungle at night.
Eventually, U.S. officials sent them to Portland. It was around Christmas a decade ago. Catholic Charities was handling the resettlement and bought Lucy a warm wool coat, gray and black plaid. Since she was not accustomed to the damp chill, the coat came in handy.
“But for her, it was more than a coat,” said Langlois. “She recalls it as a warm embrace of love and belonging.”
Langlois told the church members that their quilts would play the same role for new refugees and be treasured for generations.
Catholic Charities caseworkers help refugees get settled in school and jobs and offered food, cultural education and language skills. For Lucy’s family, the agency also matched savings for a home down payment.
After high school, Lucy attended the University of Portland. Remembering the Catholic Charities staff who made such a difference in her life, she chose to major in social work. She graduates this spring.
Langlois said Lucy once told him this: “Tell people we are part of contributing good stuff to the country, to the community. We are more than just refugees.”