CAFOD celebrates a Harvest like no other

Delivering food in Brazil - image: CAFOD

Source: CAFOD

CAFOD's Family Fast Day is going virtual to mark a 'Harvest like no other' this October.

The crisis of coronavirus is a global one, affecting us here in England and Wales and devastating communities in poor countries. The immediate future seems very uncertain. Millions more vulnerable families around the world are now struggling with food shortages and loss of income as a result of coronavirus.

But there is hope. The generosity of CAFOD's supporters has meant that in Brazil, CAFOD's partners are helping to distribute emergency food packages to families in urban areas unable to earn money and to assist farmers safely sell their produce. In Sierra Leone, Sister Gertrude and her fellow doctors and nurses at the Handmaids Health Clinic and Maternity Unit now have personal protective equipment so they can treat patients safely. In Cambodia, migrant worker Pheng has participated in training in rice farming so that she can overcome travel restrictions and find work in her home country.

Family Fast Day this Harvest in England and Wales looks different. "Our churches may have restrictions placed upon them and we may not be able to meet for soup lunches or coffee mornings. But we can be together as a Church community online," said CAFOD's Head of Fundraising and Participation, Jo Kitterick.

More than ever it is vital to come together, even from a distance, and bring hope and help to those who are most in need. Not all of us are able to go to Church, pray together or meet friends at the moment so CAFOD has created a programme of free events https://cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Family-Fast-Day between Thursday 8 and Sunday 11 October to enable people to gather as a big Church community. Everyone is invited and there is something for everyone. Find out more

A Harvest like no other Programme

Join the Harvest Assembly for Schools. Watch live: at 9.30am on Thursday 8 October.

Listen to a live update about CAFOD's coronavirus response with International Programme Director, Maria Gonzales at 11am on Friday 9 October Book your place here

A Eucharistic Celebration for Family Fast Day will be livestreamed from 6pm on Friday 9 October, celebrated by Bishop Peter Brignall of Wrexham. Register to join our Mass

CAFOD's new Global Family Food Event is at 12-1pm, Saturday 10 October. Have fun, eat some delicious food, and make a donation to transform the lives of people in poverty. Find out more

Get a team together or enter solo for the Harvest Like No Other Quiz at 7-8pm on Saturday 10 October. Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cafods-harvest-like-no-other-quiz-tickets-120214014353

A special Harvest edition of CAFOD's popular Children's Liturgy Live is at 10am on Sunday 11 October. Register here: www.bigmarker.com/cafod/Children-s-liturgy-Sunday-11-October

Prayer and reflection:

At 7pm on Sunday 11 October, Bishop John Arnold will reflect on Pope Francis' catechesis, Healing the World, as well as the new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti Book your place: www.bigmarker.com/cafod/Prayer

Kayode Akintola, CAFOD's Sierra Leone Country Representative said: "a positive outcome of the pandemic is our ability to more easily connect our communities across the world." Travelling to the UK to speak at Catholic parishes about the impact of coronavirus on Sierra Leone was impossible. But Kayode, from his home office in Freetown, has now spoken to hundreds of CAFOD's volunteers and supporters all over England and Wales in Zoom meetings and inspired them with how donations can and are helping people in Sierra Leona survive the impact of coronavirus. Kayode will join CAFOD's Children's Liturgy Live on Sunday 11 October to pray and sing with the hundreds of families joining a special Harvest session.

We don't know the future, but the Holy Spirit is working throughout our global family. This is a tremendous source of hope and encouragement. Let's do all we can to help our brothers and sisters survive, rebuild and heal and in doing so may we rebuild and heal our communities too!

You can also visit ICN's Listing page for more information and bookings. See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/17805