CAFOD Nottingham e-bulletin September 2014

National Appeal Totals

Working together in Iraq CAFOD has joined leading Muslim charities – including Muslim Aid, Muslim Charities Forum and Islamic Help – to launch an urgent call for an an end to the horrific suffering in Iraq. CAFOD’s joint statement, also signed by the Act Alliance and World Vision, describes the suffering of minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and Turkmens, as “unacceptable” and "despicable". CAFOD’s Alan Thomlinson said: “People of all faiths are appalled by the wave of attacks in Iraq that has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and in desperate need. That’s why we have joined forces to condemn the violence, and to call for an immediate end to the violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws.” We are calling on the United Nations Security Council, the Arab League and governments around the world to take all possible peaceful measures to prevent killings and other forms of violence. We are asking governments to deliver humanitarian aid, to push for peace and dialogue, and to prioritise the protection of minorities. Our statement says: “The minorities are not strangers or alien to the land, they are important groups firmly rooted in the origin of Iraq and have defined the identity of the country, and have the right to be full citizens in their land. Their homes, their land, historic and cultural sites are connected to their heritage and lives. We are gravely concerned about their exposure to more loss, attacks, rape and other violations.” With the support of Catholics in England and Wales, we are continuing to work with our local partner Caritas Iraq to provide food, healthcare and other basic aid to thousands of families who have been forced from their homes by the fighting. Caritas Iraq is providing aid to 35,000 people around Ain Kawa, Zakho, Dohuk and Erbil, and aims to reach many thousands more over the next six months. The team say that the donations and prayers of Catholics around the world are a muchneeded source of hope.

as at 28/8/2014

Gaza Appeal : Through the DEC To CAFOD direct Total Iraq Appeal

7,338.28 249,085.91 £ 256,424.19 £ 58,670.33

Solidarity in Gaza In a moving act of solidarity, women from a CAFOD-supported savings group in Gaza have generously donated all of their savings to those more in need than themselves.

The savings and loans groups were initially set up in March 2014 to help people save small amounts of money each week, and build social and economic capital over time. When the violence broke out in Gaza last month, some of the groups buried their collective savings to keep them safe. When the violence subsided, the groups were able to return and dig up their savings - finding them intact, albeit a little soggy. One of the groups made the moving decision to give the money to others in even greater need than themselves – people who had lost their homes, were living in UN schools with limited water, sanitation systems and power. One of the CRS project staff in Gaza reports: “This show of solidarity and the strong social fabric in Gaza, and the role that the methodology of the savings groups in our project has played in enabling this generous gesture, is heartening.”

Harvest Fast Day – Friday 3rd October 2014 By now all Parish Fast Day Contacts should have received their Parish Packs direct from CAFOD London. Please do let us know if you are a Fast Day Contact or have been booked to speak at mass and your pack has not arrived.   

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The key weekend for promoting the Fast Day will be September 27th/28th - as always, you have a ‘How to Guide’ in your pack to help you Remember, having someone deliver the short talk at masses, or at least highlight the Fast Day, nearly always results in greater generosity when the collection is taken Arranging for the Fast Day envelopes to be handed out by someone who is friendly and welcoming, rather than just leaving them at the back of church, can also make a huge difference In any talk or newsletter announcements around this time, please take the opportunity to thank those who have offered financial support to the Gaza or Iraq emergencies, either through the parish or individuals. We are very grateful for their generosity and apologise for calling on them again. Fast Day donations go to support on-going development work to which we are already committed and is still desperately needed. Please remind parishioners who are taxpayers to Gift Aid their donation. There is also an option for those who feel able to commit to a regular gift to CAFOD to do so by using the yellow envelope

If you need extra resources or have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the CAFOD Nottingham Office. If you hold any CAFOD –related events such as a Harvest Lunch or a prayer service please do let us know how it goes and take a photo or two if appropriate

Campaigning with CAFOD A day for all those interested in learning about CAFOD’s Campaign work Plus the launch of our new campaign, One Climate, One World Saturday 20th September - 10am to 4 pm St Wilfrid of York, Coalville, LE67 3JB Guest Speakers: Sarah Haggar-Holt, CAFOD Campaigns Team Leon Spence, County Councillor for Whitwick and Thingstone Shared table lunch -please bring a contribution Contact CAFOD Nottingham Office to book your place or need further information CAFOD Nottingham The Briars Youth Retreat Centre Crich Common Crich, Matlock Derbyshire DE4 5BW

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Reg. Charity Number 285776 Phone: 01773 852950

Email: [email protected]