CAFOD

Gordon Hodgson — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:36:20 +0000

The work of CAFOD continues to be an important part of our parish community. Supported by the deanery, regional and national organisation we have been kept informed and responded to the appeals for overseas aid, action and justice for a fairer world. We responded to the Haiti earthquake appeal with a collection of £800. The Lenten “Give it up” campaign resulted in raising £511 for the Lenten family fast day, £336 from a Lenten lunch in February as well as money raised in the CAFOD boxes. Our Summer campaign will be to get as many people as possible to sign up to ask the government to act on poverty.CAFOD will push for a fair climate change deal at the UN, for the government to honour the commitment on spending on aid and to ensure businesses are accountable to people in poor countries.

Outreach

Gordon Hodgson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:11:01 +0000

Parish Outreach is part of the St. Bernadette family that aims to bring all parish members together to bring love and hope to others locally, nationally and internationally through practising our faith in our daily lives. By reaching out to others through personal involvement, giving, prayers and encouragement the parish family supports many different charitable, ecumenical and social activities. The many outreach activities in our parish include our involvement through Amplius the ecumenical group of local churches, support for the Julian Trust and the Ministry of the Door at St. Nicholas of Tolentino, our links with Cafod, Missio (formerly the APF), the HCPT, Traidcraft, Samaritans Purse shoebox presents from our youth club, our support for projects in Zambia and our prayer links. Awareness of the needs of others has prompted action by many parishioners. We enjoy many social events, themed evenings and meals prepared by our Italian, Malaysian and Indian parishioners. Money raised from these events supports local and overseas projects. Together with other local churches we hold weekly lunches during Lent, a Good Friday walk of witness and a Christmas concert. Our links with Cafod are strengthened through our Family Fast days and our pyramid box donations during Lent. The Cafod national and diocesan organisers keep in regular contact informing us of events in the diocese and overseas. Support for building and aid projects in Zambia is co-ordinated through the Papal Nuncio to Zambia, Monsignor Girasoli and local priests and religious. Through the weekly prayer list of intercessions posted at St. Joseph’s statue in the church we remember the needs of those in our parish and the wider world. Parishioners are invited to add their special intentions to the list so that all the parish can support them in our prayers. The work of the different groups in the parish is supported by representatives meeting together regularly. Our parish contacts are : Zambia projects – Fr. Christopher and Maria Amesbury Cafod – Linda and Gordon Hodgson Missio – Judith Lavelle HCPT – Maureen Case Traidcraft – Marie Forester Amplius – Gerry Panter and Mike Forde Samaritans Purse – Youth Club At present we are collecting groceries for the Julian Trust and gifts and donations for the Samaritans Purse appeal as well as meeting together with other local churches in a community choir to prepare for our Amplius Christmas concert. Events during Advent include the Amplius Christmas concert in St. Bernadettes school hall on Friday December 4th and a quiz night with fish and chip supper in the parish hall on Saturday December 5th. We are always looking for new ideas and our Outreach group would welcome suggestions from parish members in addition to the generosity, prayers and support we already receive.

stbernadettewhitchurch.org » CAFOD

CAFOD

Outreach