Third Migrant Workers’ Day Celebrated at Satgaon Parish

The Satgaon Migrant Desk of Mary Help of Christians Church, Satgaon parish, organized the Third Migrant Workers’ Day on 3 January 2026 at the parish premises. The annual initiative brought together approximately 600 migrant workers from the parish who had returned home for the Christmas holidays and are employed across various parts of the country.

The event was attended by resident Salesian priests and sisters, parish leaders, and local Church representatives. The key address was delivered by Fr. Charles Sangma, Assistant Parish Priest, who spoke on the theme “Spiritual Responsibilities of Migrant Workers.” Fr. Sangma emphasized that migration is a global reality, and the Church has historically accompanied migrants with pastoral care and spiritual support. He encouraged participants not to neglect their spiritual lives despite the challenges of living away from home, noting that spiritual nourishment can still be fostered even at a distance. He also urged young migrant workers to make meaningful use of the Annual Sobha, particularly by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is traditionally administered during the holiday season.

Earlier in the program, Fr. Albert Thyrniang, Parish Priest and Migrant Desk Director, presented an overview of the Satgaon Migrant Desk initiatives through a PowerPoint presentation. Drawing on real intervention cases, he explained that the desk’s core mission is to build strong networks with other Salesian migrant service desks nationwide. Among its major activities are the organization of the annual Migrant Workers’ Day in early January, awareness campaigns on migrant-related issues across parish groups, scheduled visits to migrant workers in their places of employment, and ongoing advocacy and support services.

During the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Daniel highlighted the Holy Family’s own experience of migration, observing that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were themselves migrants. The biblical story is a story of migration he noted. He commended the organizers for their sustained commitment to migrant ministry, which has become a widely recognized and impactful pastoral outreach of the parish.

Representatives of the migrant community expressed heartfelt appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of gathering migrant workers on a common platform for reflection and solidarity. They also reiterated essential labor rights, including the need for employer-issued ID cards, timely salary payments, Provident Fund (PF) benefits, insurance coverage, and access to other statutory welfare schemes.

The program concluded on a celebratory note as participants, predominantly young workers, took part in the traditional community dance set to the local Christmas hymn “Song Kirtan,” marking a joyful and culturally rooted end to the event before their departure.