Welcoming the Sacred Stranger – Discovering the People Hidden in Our Midst

Spalding, Lincolnshire — Saturday, 1 November 2025

The Welcoming the Sacred Stranger event, hosted by Caritas Diocese of Nottingham and led by Paul Bodenham, brought together faith leaders, community advocates, and local residents to reflect on inclusion, justice, and hope in the face of modern slavery, migration, and poverty.

The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney, setting a prayerful and hopeful tone for the gathering. The message shared during the Mass echoed the importance of compassion, dignity, and shared responsibility in recognising the sacredness of every person. 

Rev. Alan Robson, Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplain, addressed the moral and spiritual challenges of today’s world. Drawing inspiration from Gandhi’s “seven signs of a breaking and broken society,” he reminded those gathered that “the Church, government and community need a huge amount of wisdom — God-given wisdom.” He called for transformative change rooted in justice, faith, and trust.

Tracey Carter, Relationship Manager of Project St Thomas, shared how a small act of kindness had blossomed into a thriving community hub supporting people affected by addiction and homelessness. Through supermarket collections providing the equivalent of 1,000 meals every 15 weeks, and weekly community cafés, the project reflects a true “Give What You Can” spirit of compassion and solidarity.

The event also introduced Lincolnshire Together, a new Caritas initiative dedicated to ensuring that every refugee, asylum seeker, and vulnerable newcomer can access essential services, safeguard their dignity, and participate fully in their communities. The network will promote collaboration, share training and advocacy resources, and mobilise the hospitality and goodwill of Lincolnshire residents.

One of the most powerful moments of the day came from Bernadette Jones, who shared her personal journey as a volunteer and her work with Lincolnshire Together. Reflecting on her experiences with asylum seekers, Bernadette spoke with honesty and compassion about the people she has met — men and women of faith, courage, and resilience — whose stories have changed her life and understanding of the “sacred stranger.”

Her words painted vivid pictures of friendship, loss, and hope, reminding all present that empathy must lead to action. She highlighted the importance of offering dignity, respect, and kindness — the simple yet profound things everyone seeks.

The day concluded with a moving poem read by Ehab, a refugee who has recently been granted full refugee status in the UK. His heartfelt reading, written by Bernadette, expressed the pain of displacement and the grace of welcome:

“You ask, ‘Why do you give me these shoes?’
I give you these shoes so your feet may never again be as wet
as they were when you waded through rivers
and sat frightened in a leaking boat.”

“What do I want?
I want you to be part of my country’s future.
I want my country to treat you with humanity, dignity, compassion and fairness.”

The poem’s closing words captured the spirit of the day — a call to embrace the sacredness of every stranger and to build a world rooted in justice, compassion, and shared humanity.