A Nuroyev leaves Russia and we rejoice at the thought of the contribution and excitement his expertise will bring to the American art. A Vietnamese, a Cuban, a lawyer, a doctor, a carpenter asks refuge in the United States and we tend to see it in a different light. Somehow, and unfortunately, we might add, it becomes a burden for the refugees and for us trying to see them become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. For in fact it becomes a long and strenuous road to self-sufficiency.

Granted that things are better now for the Vietnamese refugees than for any other immigrant group who preceded them to this country in the search for freedom; and, as many argue, things are much worse for many Native Americans. Idealism will not take us too far when we have 130,000 Vietnamese refugees waiting to start a new life in this country. It is a fact of life that much talent will be wasted before we realize that out of that number a great majority could make a great and positive contribution to out society. In the meantime, though, we have to face reality and help these people start where society has allowed them to start.

The problems of these people, then, become much more difficult than those of any other group in this nation. There is language and cultural adaptation. There is prejudice and exploitation; degradation. Self-esteem is battered when a head of a family sees himself unable to understand life in a new society, much less guide or provide for the family. All of a sudden, great expectations, in some instances, give way to depression, and a spirit of contribution and cooperation, to resentment and apathy.

Fortunately, however, the majority of refugees overcome these feelings and accept the fact that they will have to start at a very low stage. The contributions to the American society they once hoped to make as a sign of gratitude for the hospitality and generosity of our nation will more than likely have to wait. It will not come in their lifetime unless, of course, they are very young. Instead, they place all their hope in their children, that someday they will reach what their parents once accomplished in their native lands, and make a marked contribution to society; a sign of gratitude.

No one will argue that things are rough for these newcomers to our society. As a matter of fact, this understanding is what has made the Catholic Church in this country the most active institution in the resettlement of refugees.

In our archdiocese, Catholic Social Services Inc., has been blessed with the cooperation of a great number of individuals and parishes, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and ACCW, who have been willing to offer a helping hand to these refugees. All these contributions in the form of sponsorships, material goods, volunteers, friendship or prayers, have been coordinated under the United States Catholic Conference, Migration and Refugee Services, at the national level.

Catholic Social Services, Inc., has, during 1975, resettled 336 Vietnamese refugees totaling 68 families. Refugees from China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, as well as a great number of Latin Americans from different countries have been assisted with counseling, employment, housing, referrals to other agencies for English classes, medical assistance or immigration problems. Catholic Social Services, continues to hold a prominent role in the community as a front-runner in programs and services to this group of people.

During 1976 the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees will be expanded to include adaptation seminars, where the refugees will be able to discuss some of their common problems as well as find some insights and solutions to their problems.

Workshops for sponsors will be offered throughout the archdiocese to help sponsors find better ways of helping these Vietnamese refugees adjust to our area. With this in mind, the Catholic Social Services, Inc. will see its staff increase with the hiring of two new members to help with translations, and the implementation of the seminars and workshops.