Most of us have a favourite charity or cause that we support.
And then, a crisis pops up either on the horrific level of the plight of the Syrian refugees or, on a more individual level, that of the sad case of one of Fr Ray's parishioners, Paul.
We like to give to those unfortunates also.
So that may make my appeal look somewhat trite and unimportant.
No lives are at stake. No hungry person needs feeding; no naked bodies require clothing.
So what is my good cause and why does it merit a place somewhere on your 'priorities' list?
Well, the good cause is an appeal to raise funds so that three (or thereabouts) young people from West Wales may take part in the Chartres Pilgrimage this year.
It is not a big appeal as money goes; £1500 would just about cover our costs.
The costs include return fares to London, overnight accommodation in the City and then the £350 per head for the Pilgrimage fee.
We have a bit put by but need the £1500 to make it viable.
To summarise, it is a chance to embed the one true Faith in a young person - for life!
What a great gift to endow to a person; one that may last, Deo volente, for the next 60 or 70 years.
And who knows what soldiers for Jesus Christ will be strengthened by such an experience?
So, any contribution, no matter how small, will be appreciated, whether you are Welsh, English, American or from any other part of the globe.
Here is the link for donations -
WEST WALES TO CHARTRES PILGRIMAGE 2014
On behalf of our group in Menevia, I thank you.
Please note, as we are not a registered charity, the payments will go directly to my personal account but all transactions will be scrutinised and verified by two independent individuals.
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| Our Lady of Cardigan, patron for our cause |
And then, a crisis pops up either on the horrific level of the plight of the Syrian refugees or, on a more individual level, that of the sad case of one of Fr Ray's parishioners, Paul.
We like to give to those unfortunates also.
So that may make my appeal look somewhat trite and unimportant.
No lives are at stake. No hungry person needs feeding; no naked bodies require clothing.
So what is my good cause and why does it merit a place somewhere on your 'priorities' list?
Well, the good cause is an appeal to raise funds so that three (or thereabouts) young people from West Wales may take part in the Chartres Pilgrimage this year.
It is not a big appeal as money goes; £1500 would just about cover our costs.
The costs include return fares to London, overnight accommodation in the City and then the £350 per head for the Pilgrimage fee.
We have a bit put by but need the £1500 to make it viable.
To summarise, it is a chance to embed the one true Faith in a young person - for life!
What a great gift to endow to a person; one that may last, Deo volente, for the next 60 or 70 years.
And who knows what soldiers for Jesus Christ will be strengthened by such an experience?
So, any contribution, no matter how small, will be appreciated, whether you are Welsh, English, American or from any other part of the globe.
Here is the link for donations -
WEST WALES TO CHARTRES PILGRIMAGE 2014
On behalf of our group in Menevia, I thank you.
Please note, as we are not a registered charity, the payments will go directly to my personal account but all transactions will be scrutinised and verified by two independent individuals.
You don't state the age of these 'young people' but in our neck of the woods - to go on the Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes - those hoping to go are encouraged to raise the money themselves, which I find a far more constructive approach.
ReplyDeleteSue
In the States, teens raise their own money with car washes, bake sales, cleaning gardens, and so on....kids need to learn to work for things. Agree with Sue on this one
ReplyDeleteIf I can help anyone, which is rare as I am dirt poor, I am inclined to give to the really needy; the homeless, those near me who are very hungry and so on. These people rarely can help themselves.
I believe in direct charity, not socialism as it is our duty to do something as in the corporal works of mercy.
To feed the hungry.
To give drink to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To harbour the harbourless. (also loosely interpreted today as To Shelter the Homeless)
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead.
and the spiritual works of mercy
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish sinners
To bear wrongs patiently.
To forgive offences willingly.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.
Supertradmum - Young people in the UK (and the not so young) also have a tradition of working to raise funds for whatever particular project they are involved in.
ReplyDeleteI would like to make clear that it was my decision, solely, to fundraise in this manner and, now that I have done so, I feel that I have to defend the decision for the sake of the young people and their families.
It is next to impossible for a young person to gain part time employment in rural West Wales. Most openings go to adults who have been unemployed for some time and it is common to have as many as 150 applicants for one part time post.
An added complication is the problem of travel. We have a once a day bus service in the main route rural areas and nothing else.
I in no way wish to embarrass you but, I seem to recall that you yourself frequently ask for donations to support your travel and medical costs and for your seminarian son’s expenses.
That is fine by me but it puzzles me why you then oppose the scheme that has been launched on this blog.
Sue has another agenda to pursue and I refuse to get drawn into a debate with her as she is well aware of the problems that I have outlined.
Of one thing I am certain. The readers of this blog (God bless them) will make up their own minds on the matter and if they wish to contribute, they will do so. Equally, if they do not wish to donate, I will respect their decision and, in no way feel aggrieved.
Needless to state, the young people concerned, and their parents, are also making a contribution.
We have a long tradition in this country, of supporting those who undertake holy acts and, in return, we receive the full benefits of God’s grace as a humble reward for our generosity.
I've no wish for a debate Richard, but you read far too much into my simple statement.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Sue
Sue....simple? I don't think so. God bless.
DeleteReading these comments has confirmed my decision to donate! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHear! Hear! I'm happy to make a donation to encourage the faith of young people, just as others did for my family when they were younger. This by no means precluded their own efforts to raise funds.
DeleteThank you so much Mater mari, we shall remember you in our prayers.
DeleteThank you Ben. Sometimes adverse comments to a cause can actually do good. Bravo!
ReplyDelete