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Aid for Chad is a tiny registered charity (no 328051) which was started when the late Sister Dominique was sent home from Chad suffering from cerebral malaria and malnutrition, weighing less than 5 stones. She begged a friend to carry on her work for the Chadian people by fund–raising for them. The friend got together with six other women in Oakham and Aid for Chad began supporting two missions in Benoye and Mberi. Self-help projects were arranged, a well was dug, a granary store built and millet and rice were provided during the famine. More recently, a "hospital" has been erected, medicines have been sent out and a small hut to be used as a schoolroom was built. Aid for Chad has been supported by a small group of people in the parish for over twenty years. Help was sent to Chad at the height of the famine in the early 1980’s when none of the major support agencies were providing help in that area.
The group has also helped support the poverty stricken people in Peru, establishing soup kitchens which fed 300 people daily. The Sisters there have taught the women basic handicraft skills and their work is now sent to England for Aid to Chad to sell, thus enabling the Peruvians to grow in dignity and self-esteem.
Regular feedback is received from all the missions and the Sisters always ask the group to approve their projects before they use any money. Every penny raised is sent out to help the poor and needy. Nothing is taken out for administration or any other costs.
Nigel Stokes, Deanery CAFOD co-ordinator, 01536 460909
Ernie Clement, Schools Liaison, 01536 518297 (please contact if you would like a presentation or visit)
Frank Sudlow, CAFOD area office, Northampton 01604 785254.
Website: http://www.cafod.org.uk
As well as the official Fast Day collections, there is much work for CAFOD going on behind the scenes in our Parish and we would welcome anyone interested in helping in any way in the following areas.
Live Simply Challenge This aims to help communities and individuals to celebrate, reflect and take action, deepening the personal and Church-wide commitment to Catholic social teaching as a fundamental part of Christian life and mission. Based on Pope Paul VIth encyclical 'Populorium Progressio' - his call to the wealthy nations of the world to act in solidarity, justice and charity - it encourages us to respond to Christ's teaching that we should live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.
Becoming a Fair Trade Parish CAFOD encourages all parishioners to purchase genuine Fair Trade products. In this way the increased profits to be made on the sale of produce from poorer countries should actually get back to the growers, rather than increasing the profits of shareholders of already rich multi-national companies who often exploit local workers.
Parish Project Begun in 2007, the Parish is working over a 2-3 year period towards equipping a complete virtual village in Africa, providing large and small items to aid the development. Ultimately CAFOD directs things to where they are needed, however from a visual point of view the collective image of a village development helps us to see the true value. Parishioners can buy individual items from school pens to pigs or even to toilet blocks, by ordering from a catalogue. Orders can be used as Christmas/Birthday/anytime presents or contributions may be made towards larger facilities like a classroom.
A School Coordinator goes into schools to raise awareness of all these initiatives.
The Friday Fast Group Members support the work of CAFOD through their self denial. New members are always welcome.
Secretary of Churches Together in Kettering, Andy Sipple 01546 412511 email: andy.sipple@btinternet.com
Sister Bernadette 01536 513711
Parish Representative at the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, David Tinkler 01536 485490
Website: http://www.Ketteringchurchestogether.co.uk
St Edwards Parish takes part in Churches Together in Kettering. Parishioners are encouraged to attend ecumenical services and meetings, see the Newsletter for details.
Parish Group Page: http://www.stedwardskettering.org.uk/grp_fairtrade.html
Vivien Caldwell, Francesca Denny, Veronica Trotter, Fiona Inman and other volunteers run a Traidcraft Fairtrade Stall on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month in St. Edward's church hall after 10.30am Mass; at the monthly Union of Catholic Mothers meeting; and by arrangement with other parish groups, St. Bernadette, St.Nicholas Owen and Holy Trinity churches.
Canon John Koenig 01536 512497
Sister Liz 01536 513711
Assistant: Eileen Stronge 01536 484984
The hospital Chaplain is Canon John Koenig. He is supported by Sister Liz, Eileen Stronge and a number of Eucharistic Ministers. The Chaplaincy team look after the Spiritual needs of patients and staff. Canon John administers the ‘Sacrament of the Sick’ (anointing) and the Sacrament of Penance. Kettering General Hospital takes patients from Corby, Wellingborough and surrounding towns and villages. It is therefore important that patients or their families should contact Canon John at St. Edward’s if they would like a visit. Sister Liz visits patients during the week and takes Holy Communion to them. Eileen Stronge visits Catholic patients and offers to pray with them. The Chaplaincy team are happy to visit patients of other denominations who request the opportunity to pray with someone.
Each Sunday, Eucharistic Ministers visit hospital taking Holy Communion to those who have requested it. On the first Sunday of each month, Eucharistic Ministers take a ‘Liturgy of the Word’ service in the Chapel at Kettering General Hospital. St Mary’s Hospital, Cransley Hospice and the Welland Unit also come under the care of St. Edward’s Parish. Patients who attend the private hospital at the Woodland need to specifically request a visit.
Kettering area: Rose Smith 01933 622555
Corby area: Agnes Gallagher 01536 263986
Parish Group Page: http://www.stedwardskettering.org.uk/Kettering_Jumbulance.html
Website: KCDSPT - Kettering & Corby Districts Sick Pilgrims' Trust
The Trust was formed in 1992 as a local charity to bring handicapped and unable people on Pilgrimage. The group have travelled each year to Lourdes in France and took one truly fabulous trip to the Holy Land to see in Christmas and the New Millennium.
Anyone interested in joining us on a trip, making a donation, or helping us to raise funds please contact Rose Smith or Agnes Gallagher.
LIFE Pregnancy Care Centre, Northampton 01604 231277
LIFE Pregnancy Care Centre, Kettering (Office hours, Monday 9.15-11.15 am, Thursday 11.00-1.00 pm) Sue McGrenaghan 01536 511332
LIFE Hotline 01926 311511
Website: http://www.lifeuk.org
LIFE Pregnancy Care offers free pregnancy testing, counselling and care (accommodation available)
Parish Group Page: http://www.stedwardskettering.org.uk/FrJo.html
Website: http://www.spacid.or.ug
St. Patrick's Centre for Integral Development (SPACID), is a church based non-government organization founded with the major aim of improving the well-being of the refugee community at Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda, East Africa. Following the motto "THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER", St.Patrick's institution is a Pastoral Centre, a place not only for spiritual growth but also for the psychosocial development of the refugees. It is a home for all categories of people regardless of their faith, tribe or race, or any other cultural background.St. Edward's Parish has worked with Fr. Joe for several years, helping him to raise funds. Parishioners can download St. Patrick's magazine from St. Patrick's website. There are various fundraising events that take place during the year, if you would like to donate please contact Peter Anderson who has details of Fr. Joe's UK based bank account. Fr. Joe is also appealing for DVDs of films and TV programmes that he can use to entertain people in the camp, please send them directly to the above address or check with the Presbytery Office to find out if there is a current donations box available to send via the Parish.
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