Caritas Director Julianne Hickey says the generosity of New Zealanders will bring joy to the hearts of many, as this year’s Lenten Appeal tops one million dollars for the first time. The Appeal is run by Caritas on behalf of New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops to support the Church’s work of promoting social justice and full human development, especially for the world’s poorest people.
Funds to 17 June totalled $1,000,271.60, including $51,129.80 from schools. However, donations continue to come in from some parishes and schools, so the total will rise even higher.
“Last year, Lent donations exceeded $900,000 for the first time,” says Director Julianne Hickey. “Now, New Zealanders have gone even further. I find it incredible and energising to see this commitment to alleviate suffering. From the ‘widow’s mite’ contribution of people providing a few dollars a week through the Lenten envelopes, to one-off contributions of thousands of dollars: all are appreciated, all are valued, and all show the Catholic community’s caring heart of concern for the poor.”
“Lent is our single largest fundraiser of the year, comprising nearly a third of our public donations,” says Hickey.
‘These contributions enable us to respond immediately when disaster hits, such as the cyclones that hit Samoa and the Philippines last December. They support long-term programmes helping poor communities meet their needs, such as for better water and education in the Solomon Islands.
“At home, high-quality advocacy work has continued, including prompting decision-makers to consider the common good and impact on the poor of new legislation on housing and resource management. Our Justice Leadership Days with senior secondary students around the country encourage a truly Catholic response to global justice issues by our young leaders.
“These funds will contribute directly to work such as immediate emergency help following natural disasters for our Pacific neighbours. Also the leading advocacy work here in New Zealand, prompting decision-makers to consider the common good and impact on the poor of new legislation on housing and resource management. As well as valuable contribution to the formation of our young people with Justice Leadership Days with senior secondary students around the country encouraging a truly Catholic response to global justice issues by our young leaders.”
The Bishops have also thanked all those who “contributed their prayer, time, talent and treasures to the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal.”
“Our heartfelt thanks to all those who’ve contributed in different ways to raise this amount. It is made possible through prayer, support, publicity, encouragement and hard work by countless people, and today we would like to acknowledge and thank one and all, says Archbishop John Dew on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
Despite the challenging financial times we live in, together we’ve raised these funds which will go a long, long way to carrying out the Church’s work of promoting social justice and full human development, bringing hope to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Today as we mark this milestone, we are reminded that the parable of the widow’s mite is evident today as we see the fruits of all the generous donations from those who contributed a few dollars to thousands of dollars, all are valued and all are the result of generosity,” says Archbishop Dew
“The more that is raised, the more that the Church can do to put God’s love in action, bringing the Gospel to life in very real and practical ways.”
Caritas Aotearoa/New Zealand released a short ‘thank you’ video online for their supporters in acknowledgement of their efforts. The video showcases some of the places and people who benefit from donations to Caritas. Our latest Caritas Updatenewsletter out this week also profiles recent work achieved.’
Source
- Caritas Aotearoa/New Zealand
- Image: Caritas Aotearoa/New Zealand