Here we remind parishioners of sources, causes and issues which have been notified To us by various church authorities and bodies.
21 February
Catholic Association Pilgrimage to Lourdes
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Applications for this years Catholic Association Pilgrimage to Lourdes are open on our website. This will be a return to a full pilgrimage, including the Acceuil. This year, the CA is pleased to offer funding to provide a number of different options at different prices and even different dates to suit everyone. These include (exceptionally) 80 places at a reduced price of £500 (all in) per person, a fixed price of £575 option for a train and shared room (particularly to suit younger helpers), as well as the usual provision of financial assistance for those who are eligible. In addition, for the first time, the CA are eager to help pilgrims who are unable to join the pilgrimage until Saturday 19th August 2023. Tangney Tours are able to provide assistance with travel and accommodation options for such pilgrims on request. Looking forward to joining you in Lourdes, The CA |
02 December 2022
Dear All,
Please find a letter addressed to the Bishops of England and Wales concerning the Ukrainian Winter Appeal launched by the Ukrainian Patriarch and supported by the Eparchy of the Holy Family in London. If there is anything any parish can do this winter to support Ukrainian families who are suffering as a result of the present war waged against their country, please send funding direct as indicated in the letter.
With thanks, prayers and good wishes,
+Alan The Rt Rev Alan S Hopes
Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of East Anglia
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF LONDON
To: The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales
Your Eminence, Your Excellencies and Fathers,
17 November 2022
Thank you for the unwavering support and continuous prayers you have offered the people of Ukraine. It has been truly overwhelming to witness such solidarity and generosity across the entire spectrum of society; from little children donating their pocket money, and grandmothers knitting blankets and teddy-bears for children or prayer squares for soldiers, to big corporations sending truckloads of aid. It has been heart heart-warming to observe how thousands have come to “Stand with Ukraine” not only in words but in deeds too.
When we set up our Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) and other Ukrainian diaspora organisations, we never thought we would surpass our target and raise close to £3 million for our partner charities in Ukraine: AICM Ukraine, Caritas Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Red Cross. All of whom have received equal funding for their projects.
As I write this letter, Ukraine is facing one of the severest air attacks it has been subjected to since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Peaceful Ukrainian cities have been hit with deadly missiles, civilians have been targeted, and infrastructure destroyed leaving many without the basic necessities including electricity, heating, and water. Millions have been displaced internally or forced to seek refuge outside of their homeland.
Ukrainians remain resilient, but they know a harsh winter is ahead. For that reason, Patriarch Sviatoslav, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has launched a new Emergency Winter Appeal to provide food packages for the most vulnerable on the frontlines and in recently liberated regions in East and South Ukraine which is suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis because of Russian occupation and bombardment.
The Emergency Winter Appeal will be run in partnership with Caritas Ukraine, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church parishes in East and South Ukraine, as well as local NGOs.
The cost of one food parcel, providing enough food for two people for a week will cost approximately £16. Each package will contain the basics (grains, flour, pasta, meat and fish preserves, oil, canned vegetables, sugar, tea, coffee, biscuits etc.)
We hope to raise £160,000 allowing us to supply 10,000 food parcels to those most in need. I write to ask if during this Advent and Christmas season your dioceses and parishes would consider supporting our Emergency Winter Appeal.
Up to now, donations raised to Help Ukraine were sent to my Chancery Office with cheques made payable to AUGB. If you do wish to support our new request in this season of good will to all people, may I please ask that funds be remitted to our Eparchial Account:-
Account Name: Ukrainian Catholic Church Central Fund
Account Number: 2092 7317
Sort Code: 20-92-60
or by cheque made payable to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, referencing “Winter Appeal” in both cases.
Wishing you all a blessed Advent season,
With prayerful best wishes, I remain fraternally yours in Christ,
St. Benet's Minster Catholic Church, Beccles 