The Meera's look like any other family at the ethnically diverse parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Brampton, Ontario. They warmly greet fellow parishioners as they arrive for Mass, as if they have been here a lifetime. But just a few weeks prior, they were stuck in one of the most dangerous countries on earth.
The family of six -- Habeeb, his wife Landa, and their four children -- were originally from Iraq. The family was forced to flee to neighbouring Syria, but war would soon follow them there, as well. Ultimately, they were sponsored by St. Anthony of Padua parish to come to Canada as refugees.
Their story is featured on a new episode of
Catholic Focus, which airs tonight at 7 and 11 pm ET, repeating on Saturday at these same times. The program is also streaming on demand above.