CAFOD
What does this mean? Well, there have been many suggestions – ranging from the silly – “calories are for our delight” – to the real meaning which is , as you all know, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. Our main contact with Cafod is through the two fast days held annually in autumn and Lent. The idea is that we give the amount of a meal in order that someone, somewhere in the world, may be able to eat. This can mean that a person for whom life is a permanent fast day, may be enabled to grow crops and thereby feed himself, his family and even others in the community. The wonderful aspect of this kind of help is that it is not a handout of food – once eaten it is gone – but a way of feeding whole communities in the longer term and restoring human dignity along the way. Contrary to what many believe, people in the developing world desperately want to work, to provide for their families themselves and not to be dependent on anyone else. It used to be like that in Western Europe until quite recently. For most of us now the direct connection between growing food and staying alive has been lost. Most of us now buy our food rather than grow it ourselves. It is hard for us to really believe that £1 given in the little green and white Cafod envelope can provide a hungry child in Peru with two decent meals – but it does! Remember the words of Jesus – feed the hungry. As you do this for the poorest person on earth, you are doing it for me. Our parish has a great record for generosity – the last Cafod collection in October raised £98. Do you think we could make it £100 this time?
There are other aspects of CAFOD’s work such as campaigning peacefully for FAIR TRADE. There will be a FAIR TRADE fortnight in March 4-17th. Watch the notice board for details of how we can be involved and do our bit for justice in world trade.
Kate Heywood
DOWN MEMORY LANE
The above Fancy Dress Competition was part of the Micklethwaite Road celebrations of the Queens Coronation, almost fifty years ago. Can you find any of our parishioners in the line up?
SOCIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
The Mince Pie and Sherry Evening, held to thank parishioners for their support during the year, went very well. The Christmas Carols and party games made it a most enjoyable evening. We are hoping very much for continued support as we have made a diary of forthcoming events. The first of these will be a St Patrick's Evening on Friday March 15th.
It is the intention of the committee to hold a social function at least evey two months, if at all possible.
Bridget Collier
COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The group was formed, as were all the other groups in the parish, as a result of the parish project in early 2001. There are usually six members who attend the meetings, generally held on the second Wednesday of every month. Frequent meetings initially have now become almost quarterly as the projects undertaken become established.
To date the biggest success has been the production of the parish newsletter "The Messenger" of which there have been two issues, the third being imminent towards the end of March. Thanks must go to Maria and her family for their tremendous hard work in putting everything together and producing such an interesting mixture of items. Naturally thanks are due, too, to all the people who contributed items, ideas and expertise. Please do keep passing on articles and information to Maria for inclusion in future issues.
Peter has set up a calendar log for parish activities where all relevant dates of meetings, functions, outstanding issues to be tackled are listed. This should help the smooth running of the parish and avoid clashes of dates and duplication of effort.
St. Joseph's now has its own website developed by Kate's husband Keith. All computer buffs please pass on any suggestions for improvement. Let us have the dates and details of any event organised by your group so that the site can be regularly updated and of value to those living outside the parish who may wish to keep in touch with us in Moorends. The website address is: www.geocities.com/StJosephsTM We would genuinely welcome any ideas and comments so please let us know what you think.
Progress on the production of a parish booklet with Mass times and other essential information has been slow, mainly due to all the changes and uncertainties about the possibility of a resident parish priest. Hopefully life will settle down and Kate will be able to get on with compiling the booklet.
The communication group is chaired by Maria Stockton; Kate Heywood is secretary; members are Elena McGarry, Cyril Marsh, Eileen O'Neill and Peter Pennington.
Kate Heywood
