WelCom May 2020:
Tim Gordon
Over Holy Week and the Easter period St Francis of Assisi Ohariu have provided our parishioners with an on-line Liturgy with links to streaming Masses, embedded scripture reflections, children’s activities, quizzes and prayers. Our challenge to update the parish roll with current email addresses – fortunately had begun in the New Year, which meant we have been able to provide easy access to spiritual resources for those isolated. Our Youth Team have produced weekly Children’s Activities on our parish You Tube Channel, where, with production by Fr John Murphy sm of CathNews, we also have recorded weekly Gospel reflections.
On Easter Monday the Leadership Formation Team wholeheartedly agreed to provide the Ss Peter and Paul Hall as a Food Distribution Centre.
Challenge 2000, Catholic Social Services and our local St Vincent de Paul groups have combined with our parish to access and provide food parcels and some relief to individuals and families missing income and facing stressful times due to the lockdown, loss of employment and closure of businesses.
We have had goods donated, money given and large companies giving produce that otherwise might have gone to waste. It has been a wonderful example of the power of love, kindness, collaboration and groups working together for the common good.
Challenge 2000 is an essential service, so as a result, their Youth and Community Workers have been out and about every day and by half-way through April had delivered 200 boxes of veggies, meat, fruit and dry goods, as well as collecting produce from growers and suppliers.
This is a time when many people need something extra. Our Leadership Formation Team is also looking at ways to support those who have lost jobs after Level 4 and 3 are lifted and welcome any ideas on how to support our parishioners and our brothers and sisters in the local community.
Tim Gordon is Interim Transition Manager, St Francis of Assisi Ohariu Parish, timgordon9@icloud.com