WelCom April 2023
Sue Seconi
A parishioner’s random dare placed on the Catholic Parish of Whanganui’s Facebook page, under the Palmerston North diocesan prayer for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, snowballed into three other parishioners coming forward to organise a fundraising garage sale. These people needed money as well as prayer they figured.
In a spirit of unity and with the blessing of Fr Craig Butler, parish priest of the Catholic Parish of Whanganui, 18 March was set, the parish hall was booked, and advertising in newspapers, radio, parish bulletins and school newsletters got underway. Answers to the call for items to sell came in the thousands ranging from toys, jigsaws, magazines and books, quality clothing, furniture and electrics, bulbs, paintings, household items, baking and more.
A total of $2,940 was raised to support the diocesan appeal for cash donations.
The sausage sizzle and Devonshire teas were a hit during the four-hour event, and ‘no change or take this extra money as a donation’, were common comments.
‘Lent is traditionally about giving up, but after seeing TV images of the destruction from this cyclone, giving has become the theme of these 40 days,’ a parishioner reflected.
