Caritas, Justice & Peace Mass
Join us for the annual Caritas, Justice and Peace Mass for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.
This year we welcome Fr Ian Stevenson, Principal RC Chaplain (Army) & Deputy Assistant Chaplain General. He will preach on the theme: 'Peace in a Military Context'. Principal Celebrant will be Canon Brian Gowans (St Marie's, Kirkcaldy) who leads the Archdiocesan Caritas, Justice & Peace Commission.
After Mass there will be a delicious hot and cold food buffet and a chance to meet people from across the diocese. This includes members of our Caritas, Justice & Peace Commission who will be pleased to chat and tell you about their work in the diocese.
It takes place at St Columba's Church in 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, on Monday 4 September at 6:30pm. We look forward to welcoming you.
Please register here so we can estimate numbers for catering. Thanks!
Practical Responses to Laudato Si'
Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si' calls us to hear and respond to the cry of the earth and the poor. In this event, participants can share experience in making practical responses, such as in daily choices and through creative ideas like community gardens. It takes place 10:00-11:30am on Zoom on Saturday 24 April. To register: tinyurl.com/LSiResponses This event is organised by the Caritas, Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese.
ACTION: World Day of Migrants and Refugees (27 Sep)
This year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees is on Sunday 27 September with Pope Francis' chosen theme: “Forced like Jesus to flee,” which focuses on the plight of internally displaced people.
Welcome each other, as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:7)
In scripture, we read the account of the Holy Family fleeing Herod’s persecution. In every person forced to flee for safety, Jesus is present. In the face of the hungry, the naked and the destitute refugee and migrant, we are called to see the face of Christ who asks for our help.
The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right for everyone to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries free from persecution. This right lies at the heart of contemporary work in this area.
Archdiocesan Working Group
The Archdiocese's Commission for Caritas, Justice and Peace has formed The Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers sub-group. It is committed to:
• Finding ways to work with local parishes and other organisations to make life better for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
• To educate ourselves and others about the problems facing displaced people and to communicate accurate information which conveys a positive message about the gifts refugees and migrants can offer.
• To make links with other voluntary and public organisations with a parallel mission.
If you would be interested in joining the Commission’s working group, email m.a.kaikai@ed.ac.uk
Taking Action in Parishes
There are a number of practical steps that you can take as an individual or parish community. Your parish could consider funding an asylum seeker or failed asylum seeker in need of support through the Refugee Survival Trust, at www.rst.org.uk.
Parish communities may wish to publicise or take part in a Befriending Programme. This could be a specific venture, or part of existing programmes such as soup kitchens or food banks. You can get support and access an online programme by emailing life@thewelcoming.org
Your parish can join local networks to show support for refugees through the New Scots Connect map and forum which can be found here.
Schools take to Twitter to praise pupils' Caritas success!
Schools across Scotland have taken to Twitter to highlight pupils' efforts in completing the Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Award programme.
A total of 1280 young people took part, dedicating 40 hours’ service to their local church and community to help others and renew their own commitment to the Catholic faith.
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Bishop President for Education, sent a message to pupils across Scotland, saying: "I hope that the Caritas programme has strengthened your commitment to love God above all things and to serve our neighbour as Christ asked us to do, and that you will treasure your Caritas medal."
Archbishop Leo Cushley, of St Andrews & Edinburgh, said: "Congratulations to all pupils in the Archdiocese and across Scotland who completed the Caritas award programme this year. Thank you for your commitment to living out the faith by helping others."
The Scottish Catholic Education Service Tweeted: "This year pupils completed 51,200 hours of voluntary faith witness in home, school, parish and community = 2,133 days of service to others = 6 years of loving others!
In a message to pupils, John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, "The difference that your energy and the values that you hold make to the people around you and more widely is truly inspiring."
St Margaret's Academy in Livingston told pupils: "The voluntary hours you completed, many more than were needed, showed how committed you are to both the school & wider community."
The Pope Benedict XVI CARITAS AWARD encourages and promotes the ongoing faith journey of young people. To find out more visit the SCES website here