09 October 2013 - The Filipino Community Network in Berne and the Philippine Catholic Mission Switzerland jointly organized the first Philippine Migrants Day in Switzerland on October 05.

The event, which was held in the town of Uetendorf in Canton Berne, was attended by around 300 people from across Switzerland. It was the first joint celebration of Migrants Day by the Filipino communities from the German and French speaking parts of the country.

The event kicked off with a mass concelebrated by Fr. Antonio Enerio, Chaplain of the Philippine Catholic Mission in Switzerland, Fr. Kulüke Heinz, Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), and Fr. Wenifredo Padilla. The mass was followed by lunch and a programme which featured a short presentation on Philippine migration and recognition of achievers from the Filipino diaspora community in Berne, as well as an introduction to the Filipino community of the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Berne and the Consulate General in Geneva.

In his message to the Filipino community, Ambassador Leslie Baja expressed his appreciation to the Filipino diaspora community for their contributions to the Philippine economy and society. He extolled the heroism of the Filipino migrants in Switzerland for braving the long separation from their families back home and toiling in various occupations, from the household staff of the various foreign missions in Switzerland to the medical workers and health caregivers in hospitals and care homes to the technical and professional employees at international organizations in Geneva.

In his closing message, Fr. Enerio reminded the congregation of the hardships and sacrifices that Filipino migrants all over the world face and encouraged them to keep their faith and hope and see God’s face in every act of kindness that they receive during their pilgrimage as a migrant community. END