CAFOD WORLD GIFTS

As Christmas approaches, you might be beginning to wonder what to buy for your friends or family members. If you’re looking for a sustainable, ethical and unusual present, why not consider giving your loved ones a CAFOD World Gift?

World Gifts are a range of virtual presents that will delight your friends and family, all while transforming the lives of communities and families living in poverty overseas.

You could purchase the Goat that Gives, providing milk and fertiliser for a family, or a Happy Queen Bee to produce honey for families to sell.  You could even buy a water supply for a community; ensuring individuals have access to clean, safe water and protecting them from becoming unwell.

All World Gifts are available to buy individually, or you could fundraise within your parish to make it a community effort.

Once you have chosen your gift you will receive a beautiful certificate, explaining how the gift will be used.

 

Buying a World Gift is a wonderful way to make a lasting difference this Christmas, providing hope to some of the poorest communities living overseas.

Find out more: cafod.org.uk/worldgifts

Excellent Day on Countering Consumerism in Ashurst

There was a  Retreat Day in Ashurst on Countering Consumerism last Saturday. It was professionally led by Dan Hale (Head of CAFOD Campaigns) and was an excellent day. It focused on the Pope’s new letter Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), and his call to holiness. We started the morning with a reflection on The Beatitudes which led into an ice breaker where we split up into groups and introduced ourselves and shared which beatitude spoke most to us. We then created a “web” using wool showing how we are all related to each other. After that there was time for individual reflection either in the beautiful chapel at St Joseph’s Retreat Centre or around the lovely grounds among the stunning autumn trees.

After a delicious lunch of soup and sandwiches we then followed the Jesuit tradition of an examination of conscience and focused on an ecological examen looking at 4 areas:- clothes, food, travel and electronics and how our choices impact on the world and each other. This exercise led to very interesting discussions and left us all with lots to think about. We ended the day with a closing liturgy exploring the webs that we had created in the morning.  I highly recommend the day.

My thanks to Dan Hale for leading the day for organising it so successfully.

If you would like to go to one of these retreats there is another one on 24th November at Romero House London from 10 am to 4 pm just book your place here

Jo Lewry, CPC Portsmouth Diocese

Arundel and Brighton Diocese CAFOD Memorial Mass

During November, the month of remembrance, we take time to pray for those who have died and give thanks for loved ones who have made a deep and lasting impression on our lives.

Over the years, CAFOD has been blessed to work alongside the kindest and most committed friends any charity could hope for. The insight, faith and strength of our founders and early supporters still shape our values and way of working today.

But one of the saddest aspects of growing older, as individuals and as an organisation, is that some of our closest friends have passed away in recent months and years. In our own diocese, we have lost a number of friends who have played an inspirational and important role in our work.

Do consider joining us for the Arundel and Brighton Memorial Mass. See details below.

If you would like a loved one’s name to be added to our Book of Remembrance, click here.