![[Saint Laurence]](/saintlaurence.png)
CAFOD − The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
CAFOD is an international development charity and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
CAFOD’s mission is to work alongside the world’s poorest people. We work without prejudice, we don’t preach, and we pride ourselves on our diversity. We believe our Catholic values are best shown through our love for others, and by working for justice and an end to poverty.
CAFOD’s Vision, Mission and Values is drawn directly from Catholic Social Teaching (CST), Scripture, Liturgy, the Gospel and the tradition of the Church. Catholic Social Teaching is at the heart of what we do and who we are.
As well as asking our supporters to donate and campaign, we place equal importance on prayer. Prayer informs and underpins our work. Prayers and reflections for our supporters can be found on CAFOD’s web site.
CAFOD at St Laurence’s
There are two national main fund raising events each year, the Lent and Harvest Fast Day Appeals. Families are asked to give the amount they would spend on a meal to CAFOD. However there are various other events throughout the year, such as the Creation Celebration last year and World Day Prayer for Global Peace.
CAFOD also runs regular campaigns that seek to change policies that keep people in poverty. We try to support these.
Helpers are always wanted to read appeals, collect envelopes and organise events. More information can be found on the church notice board as well as collection boxes, to use at home.
To keep in touch with our local fundraising and campaigning activities, please join our supporters’ email list! See HERE for details.
For more information and offers of help please contact the parish
representative, Serga Collett.
Phone: 07474 724042
E-mail: cafod@saintlaurence.org.uk
Livesimply
St Laurence’s is a livesimply parish, in response to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si' to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”. It is awarded to communities who can show how they have been living:
- simply
- in solidarity with people in poverty
- sustainably with creation.
Reclaim Our Common Home
CAFOD’s recent campaign is a response to Pope Francis’s call for a new way of thinking about the world, and a call to take an active part in renewing our troubled societies by embracing the universal values of solidarity and fraternity.
In 2020, we experienced the worst global health crisis in a century. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated lives and shattered families in Britain and across the world, with disastrous consequences for people’s jobs and livelihoods. The pandemic exposed many of the inadequacies of how our world currently works. It has proved that we need greater cooperation between nations, solidarity between people and a greater focus on the poorest in society.
As Catholics, we are called not to stay silent and not to be passive. ‘Reclaim Our Common Home’ is a call to action! It’s a call to participate both individually and collectively in rebuilding a more dignified and sustainable world after the pandemic.
To do this we need to:
- RECLAIM nature so that everyone can breathe clean air and be protected from the threat of climate disasters.
- RECLAIM the world’s land and resources so they are more fairly distributed and all our brothers and sisters around the world can live in dignity.
- RECLAIM power so that everyone can be involved in decision making and have control over their own lives.
Other campaigns
One way CAFOD stands in solidarity with poor communities around the world is by campaigning in the UK to change the policies and practices that keep people poor. It would be wonderful if you would like to join us and find new ways to put your faith into action.
Become a CAFOD MP Correspondent, a way of lobbying your MP on issues that YOU have the power to change. It’s easy, just go to CAFOD’s Get to know your MP campaign and sign up.
Ways to give money
You can make a bank transfer to:
| Account name: | St Laurences Church |
| Sort Code: | 09-01-53 |
| Account Number: | 14255486 |
| Payment Reference: | CAFOD |
Cheques are also accepted, made out to CAFOD. These should be dropped off at the church in an envelope marked CAFOD – please post through the letterbox.