CAFOD Big Birthday Bash (Caritas)

The Big Birthday Bash – Saturday 19th May 2012

As a part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations this year, Bishop Christopher and the team here at CAFOD Plymouth have been very blessed to have been able to book Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP to come to help the people of the Diocese of Plymouth celebrate their fantastic achievements around the world through CAFOD.

Fr Timothy was the former Grand Master of the Dominicans and is very famous around the world for his books and inspiring talks; he is a CAFOD trustee and great CAFOD supporter and is very familiar with our work around the world. Fr Timothy’s talk will help us all reflect on what we have achieved together over the past 50 years and help us to give thanks for the great blessings that we have received through this work.

After Fr Timothy’s talk during the rest of the event we will hold a family picnic and a barn dance along with lots of fun activities for all of the family. Come along, bring your friends and family and join in the fun!

We are so pleased and grateful that that Bishop Christopher will be with us during the day to help us all really celebrate all of our achievements as the Catholic Community.

Birthday cake competition, Barn Dance, Bring a Picnic

St Boniface’s Catholic College

21 Boniface Lane, PL5 3AG Plymouth, United Kingdom

11:00 until 16:00

See our facebook event for more details

Holding Our MP’s To Account

Damien Hopton on the train

Today I am off to London for a CAFOD Parliamentary reception in the State Room, Speaker residence.  I am looking forward to hearing and hopefully speaking to John Bercow MP  Speaker of the Commons, Tom Clarke Chair of Parliamentary  Friends of CAFOD and other MPs that will be present.

This meeting has been arranged as a ‘thank you’ to all of CAFOD’s MP Correspondants like me for all the action we have taken for CAFOD and our partner organisations. Our actions have demonstrated to our MP’s that their constituents do care about building a fairer world and we hope and expect them to use their power for the good of all of the world.

To keep upto date with what going on check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CAFODPlymouth and our twitter page  http://twitter.com/#!/CAFODPlymouth

Children at St. Joseph’s raise £434.89 for CAFOD.

The fundraising project was part of a school initiative in helping others, and work included finding out about Fair Trade. Each class decided how they should raise their money for the project.

Simon and children from St. Joseph’s with a £434.89 Cheque for CAFOD.

For example, Class 5 baked their own bread and sold it to their school friends. Class 4 held their own school fair, and manned stalls which included face and nail painting, find the treasure and beat the goalie.

On Monday 6th June, Simon visited St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Exmouth and received a cheque for £434.89.

During the day, Simon worked with each class explaining the valuable work CAFOD carries out in developing countries.

This includes the contribution Fairtrade makes to communities around the world which CAFOD has been instrumental in developing.

Why not drive a CAFOD car?

For many years now, whenever I have been offered money by people I have taken to various appointments, I have told them it would go to CAFOD.  It is such an easy way to raise funds, and passenger’s realise they are giving to a good cause.

CAFOD car stickers were available for a long time, then for some reason were unavailable.  After a little “Nagging” (as Tony Vassallo and

Jose Cummings & her CAFOD car

Simon Giarchi will remember!) the stickers appeared again and can be obtained from CAFOD parish reps and CAFOD offices, as they also help with free advertising.  There is a long list of places I have taken people to – Masses, Choir practice, Diocesan and Deanery meetings, shopping, hospital and Doctors appointments, school fetes, carnivals, weddings, funerals(!) even CAFOD meetings!

There are times now when other people take me about, since I try not to drive in the dark, (sighs of relief from my family) so any lift I am given invites me to donate to CAFOD.

The work of CAFOD is so vital to so many people in great need; we could have a national aim to drive a CAFOD car. Why don’t you start to drive a CAFOD Car too?

Email the office (plymouth@cafod.org.uk ) or call (01752 551679) for your CAFOD car sticker and collection box.

An Article by  Jose Cummings

A Harvest of Hope

CAFOD supporters in the Diocese of Plymouth have been getting ready for the annual Harvest Fast Day on 7^th October, this time with the on-going East African drought firmly in mind.

 

Building on the success of last year’s Harvest Fast Day, when the Diocese of Plymouth alone raised over £31,000 for the Catholic agency’s work with poor communities in the developing world, local churches and schools have swung into action once again, holding Harvest Masses and fundraising activities such as sponsored walks and soup lunches for this year’s effort.

The story that this year’s Harvest Fast Day materials focus upon is that of Pany Pan from Cambodia whose world fell apart when he

Pany Pan, saying hello

was only a little boy. At the age of 11, he discovered he was HIV positive and within a few months, both of his parents had died from the disease. After his parents died, Pan’s aunt took him in, living in a one room hut in an area of Phnom Penh called Bouding, which is a slum area.

 “We were very poor and only ate once a day. It was a bad time that I don’t like to remember. I was so thin and I had no strength. Then I heard about Maryknoll [CAFOD’S partner organisation], I wanted to come here because I knew I could start ARVs and continue my life.”

When Pan arrived at Maryknoll he was so unwell they took him straight to the hospital and paid for his medical treatment. He was in hospital for almost three weeks, and was put on ARV treatment. After another month, Pan had regained his strength and started school again. Thanks to the generousity of the Catholic community and their previous donations at Fast Days, CAFOD and Maryknoll have helped find Pan a safe place to live. He’s back at school, and excited about his future.

We can never forget that over one billion people are still suffering needlessly from hunger and poverty, millions of them children like Pan. Through CAFOD, the Catholic community continues to stand in solidarity their poorer sisters and brothers and enable the long-term development of their communities. In emergencies such as in East Africa at the moment, we aim to provide emergency food and water, supply vital medication, saving lives now but also providing the resources to help Africa deal with droughts in the future.

 Simon Giarchi, CAFOD’s diocesan manager for Plymouth says:

 “CAFOD supporters have already given over £150,000 towards CAFOD’s work dealing with the drought in East Africa. Despite the difficult economic times, and the many demands on the times and incomes of our supporters, it’s humbling to know so many people are still willing to give up their time and money to help those most in need. Sadly, there is so much more to do – especially in East Africa – and people in the developing world desperately need our continued support.

 “Harvest is usually a time to celebrate the gifts of the land and remind ourselves of all the good things God provides. However, for many living in some of the poorest parts of the world there simply is no food. The drought stretching across East Africa is the worst for 60 years. The global financial crisis, massive hikes in food prices and climate change have all intensified the problems for those living in poverty.

 

Baby Maria, 9mths, is assessed for malnutrition at the Catholic Clinic at Hula-Hula village near Marsabit.

“Whenever I’ve been privileged enough to see CAFOD’s work overseas it is always the children that inspire me the most. Despite their desperate circumstances, they still aspire to be nurses and teachers, doctors and lawyers, givers in their communities. They have not lost hope and neither should we that their lives can and must change for the better, and that they can achieve the future they deserve. We must listen to their dreams and take action. Together, we can do it.”

 For further information please contact the CAFOD Plymouth team on 01752 551 679

Choosing a CONNECTION – St Augustine’s parish vote for their Connect2 country.

Hagos on his farm after the drought

Parishioners from St Augustine’s, parish in St Austell have chosen to connect in solidarity with the people of Adigrat diocese Ethiopia though the Connect2 Ethiopia program.

 The Justice & Peace group at St Augustine’s parish wrote the following article for us.

“In our parish, the Justice & Peace Group looks after CAFOD. As a group, we were keen to support CONNECT 2 but didn’t feel that the choice of country should be made by a small unelected group.

With the wholehearted support of our Parish Priest we therefore organised a parish election – it was a ‘shot in the dark’ and we had no idea how well it would be supported.

The event was spread over three week-ends – on the first one we put a small paragraph in the newsletter and enclosed the summary leaflet about CONNECT2. The following week-end we made a presentation – in the homily slot – at all masses and stressed that the project was about  communication, understanding and solidarity rather than just another fund-raising venture. We also mounted a display and set out 6 boxes, one labelled for each country, with a dish of buttons, inviting parishioners to put a button in the box of their choice. We also put out the more detailed leaflets about the individual countries.

Parishioners from St Augustine’s voting for Connect2 Country

That week-end 171 parishioners voted and a number took leaflets to consider their choice;  the following week a further 72 voted making a total of 243  – a high proportion of our total mass attendance.We were really encouraged by the level of interest and support and hope we can sustain this.”

We would like to thank the whole parish for their great support and love of CAFOD over the years.

To find out more about Connect2 Ethiopia visit the Connect2: Ethiopia website.

If you are interested in Connect2 or want to find out more about it and the countries it is available in please visits the CAFOD Connect 2 Website

CAFOD/Rwanda Partnership

On the 8^th July Odette Kayirere, a CAFOD partner from Rwanda visited the Stella Maris Parish, Weymouth where the parish One World Group hosted an evening with Odette at which she gave an inspiring talk .

Odette Kayirere, Conchita Dunn and Sisters of Mercy

This took place in St Augustine’s Hall and was well attended by supporters.

Odette described the genocide which took place in  Rwanda and which resulted in many thousands of deaths and mutilations.  Thousands of widows and orphans were left after unspeakable horrors. 

However, Odette, who was left widowed herself and who brought up her own family of 6 children, and has adopted 8 children, spoke inspiringly of positive developments working through Avego Agahozo an organisation working throughout Rwanda helping through training, and psychological support for those traumatised by the violence. 

Photo of Odette Kayirere and Father Stephen Geddes

Communities are assisted in working closely together supporting each other.  Peoples lives are being transformed and further cycles of revenge and violence are being avoided.

 CAFOD moved into Rwanda immediately after the genocide and has supported the organisation and continues to do so for the long term.  It has been difficult for Avega to obtain support from other organisations but CAFOD believes that to provide counselling, psychological advice and practical assistance is most important.  Odette paid tribute to the essential support of CAFOD.

The Stella Maris Group members work hard all year round raising funds to support this inspiring work through their parish Connect2Rwanda commitment.  In the first half of this year they have contributed generously .

In addition they have donated over £2,000 to other urgent needs including local charities.

To find out more about Connect2 Rwanda and Odette Kayirere and the works she is doing visits the CAFOD Connect2 Rwanda blog.

If you are interested in Connect2 or want to find out more about it and the countries it is available in please visits the CAFOD Connect 2 Website

Spirt Of The Common Good Pentecost For Justice.

Spirt Of The Common Good Pentecost For Justice.

Saturday 11th June 2011 10.30-4.45
with
Bishop Christopher Budd, CAFOD & the Diocesan Justice & Peace Commission

Guest Speakers

Chris Bain – Director of CAFOD
John Battle – Privy Councillor & Former Government Minister
Dr. Ann Marie Mealey – Theologian & Senior Lecturer, Leeds Trinity University College
David Wells – Co-Director, Department For Formation, Diocese Of Plymouth

Venue: Buckfast Abbey, St. Cuthbert’s Conference Centre,
Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE

Followed by mass for Pentecost at 5 pm St. Mary’s Abbey

Sri Lanka: victory in sea plane protests

Fishworkers around Negombo Lagoon in Sri Lanka have received good news about the controversial tourism project which they’ve been protesting against since October

The Sri Lankan government has announced that it will re-think the project, which looked likely to cause a huge reduction in fish stock in the lagoon.

Victory in sea plane protests for Sri Lanka fishermen

Since October, our partner NAFSO (National Fisheries Solidarity Movement) has been heavily involved in protests against the government’s plan to dredge Negombo lagoon and to build landing platforms for sea-planes.

Alongside the damage it could have caused to the environment, the project threatened to leave many locals without a means of making a living: thousands of families depend on fishing as their main source of income.

Tourism can be a very good thing for Sri Lanka. But the authorities need to consult local people before giving the go-ahead to projects like this one.

Several Catholic priests joined the protests, and Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, appealed to the government to listen to the fishworkers’ concerns.

“Tourism can be a very good thing for Sri Lanka,” says Olwen Maynard, our Programme Support Officer for Sri Lanka, “but the authorities need to consult local people before giving the go-ahead to projects like this one. We’re delighted that the grassroots campaign supported by NAFSO has persuaded the government to think again.”

Haiti: CAFOD bolsters support for fight against cholera

A father sits by his daughter’s bed in Hopital Alta Mater in the commune of Gros Morne in the Artibonite region supported by CRS/Caritas. [Dominique Chadwick/Caritas]

We’re stepping up our efforts to fight the cholera outbreak in Haiti, as concerns grow at the accelerating rate of the infection. Poor sanitary conditions and flooding in some regions as a result of Hurricane Tomas are putting more and more people at risk. Those living in camps in and around Port au Prince are especially vulnerable

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Earthquake-devastated Haiti is facing the most severe outbreak of cholera in its history. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease has killed more than 1,250 people. The number of cases referred to hospital has reached 20,000. An estimated 52,000 Haitians are now said to be symptomatic.

What we’re doing

We’re bolstering the work of our Caritas partners in the fight against cholera by:

• Supporting the clean water, sanitation and health promotion work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) within camp communities whose poor sanitary conditions make them vulnerable to infections.
• Working through Caritas Switzerland and Caritas Gonaives to support the purchase of medical supplies for seven health centres. These supplies include antibiotics, oral and intravenous rehydration fluids, and sanitation products such as aqua-tabs, bleach, hand sanitizers and soap.
• Supporting Caritas Port au Prince in their work distributing aqua tabs, and in their public awareness campaign in eight camps.

“Our highest priority”

“We are working with our partners to provide life-saving medical supplies and meet urgent healthcare needs,” said Matthew Carter, CAFOD’s Head of Humanitarian.

“CAFOD’s Caritas partners are scaling up all their efforts to respond to the challenges of preventing the cholera from spreading further. This is our highest priority, as prevention is simple, with clean water and regular hand washing. We are reinforcing our partners’ efforts because we know how vital it is to keep people healthy. We will continue to work with those on the ground to try to prevent any further spread of the disease as far as possible.”

The cholera outbreak began last month in the Artibonte region, north of Port au Prince. Cholera is easily treatable with oral rehydration salt sachets, but if left untreated it can kill quickly following the onset of symptoms.

The earthquake that hit Haiti on 12 January killed more than 250,000 people, and left an estimated 300,000 injured and 1.3 million homeless.

Our Haiti Earthquake Appeal raised £5 million, which has been used to provide water and sanitation in camps, as well as hygiene and health education. The money has also been spent on helping people prepare