A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning

As we saw yesterday, Cafod’s Harvest Fast Day is coming up and I know they are depending on support from parishes especially in these times of the pandemic which has hit countries across the world far more so than ours.

As ever, it is the poor who suffer most and so it’s important to know just where our financial help is going. These are the numbers of people who will be helped by the support of Catholics in England and Wales:

6,686 people and 19,998 families with emergency supplies

28,255 people and 568 families with PPE, sanitizing equipment and Covid-19 tests

The livelihoods of 584 people

1,126 healthcare workers

82,321 people with Covid-19 awareness raising and hygiene training

45,222 people with better equipped and accessible health centres and services

10,500 people and

500 families with cash and voucher transfers

38,638 people and

340 families with additional assistance

I’m sorry I don’t know how to undo the formatting but the figures are very clear - large numbers of people who will benefit directly from our help.

There is also a great link to Cafod’s web page which explains the Church’s response to the crisis

https://cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Family-Fast-Day

It also explains how to donate on line or by text.

‘God, you call us out of darkness.
May we hear your voice
in the cry of our brothers and sisters in crisis.

As you walk alongside us always.
may we walk beside one another
listening and responding in love.

Shine the light of your compassion through us,
dispelling chaos, fear and despair.
Breathe hope and courage into our hearts
aswe work together to rebuild once more.

Strengthen us, Lord, and keep us steadfast.
Bring healing and comfort to all
and lead us renewed into your marvellous light.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

St Joseph, strength of the weak, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John