Cardinal’s Care Appeal 2018

WelCom December 2018: Following last year’s Synod, Cardinal John Dew reached out to parishes across the Archdiocese to lend a hand with the annual Care Appeal during Advent. The response was…

WelCom December 2018:

Cardinal John Dew. Photo: Woolf

Following last year’s Synod, Cardinal John Dew reached out to parishes across the Archdiocese to lend a hand with the annual Care Appeal during Advent. The response was overwhelmingly generous. ‘With your help, the appeal raised a record $65,750 to fund Catholic Social Services’ projects within the Archdiocese,’ says Cardinal John.

The Appeal focuses on caring for the those on the peripheries, providing food, housing, counselling security and support. Projects have included refugee resettlement and response to the Kaikōura earthquake.

Since 2016, the church has welcomed almost 700 refugees into homes in New Zealand. Over 447 volunteers from parishes have prepared 220 households with bedding.

Parish volunteers help to set up new homes for former refugees settling in our region.

During the aftermath of the Kaikōura earthquake, Catholic Social Services staff and volunteers worked alongside local groups to provide support for children, teachers and carers. Programmes included counselling and supervision, advocacy, and financial advice to help those affected.

‘As we approach the wonder of Christmas, as Christians we are reminded and inspired again and again that Jesus comes to meet us in our poverty and brokenness. We too can make this our mission at Christmas – to meet the poor, to help the broken, to care for those on the peripheries.’

Care Appeal envelopes are available at parishes during Advent or please go to givealittle.co.nz/org/cca2018 to donate online.