ROCKFORD—A roomful of refugee families, volunteers, diocesan staff and dignitaries including the Rockford mayor, Winnebago County sheriff and two staffers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gathered June 20 at  St. James Parish Hall for a potluck dinner to celebrate World Refugee Day.

Refugee Resettlement Services, a mission of Catholic Charities in the Rockford Diocese, hosted the party for the fourth year.

Guests socialized over favorite foods from the U.S., Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Two groups of young women wore traditional clothing and performed traditional dances.