Please join our virtual prayer for the global community on the frontline of Coronavirus

In the face of lockdown, communities have been pulling together to adapt and connect in new ways. We’ve been amazed at how you, our supporters, have come together – whether it be through the facebook community or at the Sunday Children’s Liturgy – and we have lots of virtual ways to keep you updated and connected to our global communities.

Places of worship were among some of the many places forced to close as part of the fight in tackling the spread of COVID-19 but thanks to live-steaming technology, the Catholic community can still ‘congregate’ during the lockdown.

We’ve decided to hold our first ever live-steamed mass today Wednesday 1st April – and we would love for you to join us.The mass, which will be celebrated by Fr Liam Hayes at 6pm, and you can register online beforehand.

Sr Consilia

Our Theology team have published prayers on our website for all those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

We are also holding an online prayer and reflection session, followed by a virtual coffee morning.  Beginning at 11 am, we will be welcoming supporters from across the country to join us in prayer and there will be time to break out and discuss afterwards.

Please join us on Tuesday 7 April, 11 am-12 pm – and remember your brew! Sign up here: Prayer and chat

We would really like to stay connected and reach out to  all those in our diocese. Do let us know if you’ve heard of any heart-warming stories from your parish that we could share on our blog, or if you have any ideas about how to bring our community together.

 

Lent Fast Day Soup Lunches – Thank You So Much!

Soup lunch at Our Lady Immaculate Westbourne

Many thanks to all those parish volunteers who organised a soup lunch or supper on Friday 6th March Lent fast day. We really appreciate all you do to raise funds for CAFOD and to enable your fellow parishioners to put their faith into action and show their love and concern for those living in poverty around the world.

As Jesus said “In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Mt. 25: 40)

Thank you to Susan Kelly our parish volunteer at Our Lady Immaculate Westbourne for sending us the photo of their soup lunch.

CAFOD Portsmouth Update on changes due to COVID 19

Meeting at St Bedes

Thank you for your patience while we take on board the changing situation with COVID-19 and the incredibly important role you play in support of our development and humanitarian work. Thanks to your compassion, we can reach some of the poorest and marginalised communities around the world.

Following the government’s advice, we have taken the decision to cancel all face-to-face events and meetings and have closed all regional offices until at least June.

Please do keep in contact by email portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or my mobile phone number 07710 094447 It would be great to hear from you and keep our CAFOD Portsmouth team connected!

Meeting at St Annes

Online worship     With the Coronavirus pandemic causing Masses to be cancelled, there are now lots of parishes and cathedrals offering virtual worship.  You can find out more information about local live-streamed from parish websites. We are also offering a live streamed mass on Wednesday evenings at 6pm please click here to register.

We’ve also created a ‘Children’s Liturgy Live!’ session which will take place every Sunday to help families to worship in their own homes.   ‘My granddaughter Leila and I joined in on Sunday, it was really lovely to be joining so many families in prayer!’ (Leila’s Grandmother.)

Online resources  If you’re looking for community, we have a CAFOD community group on Facebook. Please do join and invite others to do the same.

If you’re a parent, we have a large range of online education resources tailored specifically for primary and secondary ages, alongside worship and prayer content.

If you’re looking to learn more about CAFOD’s international work, we have online webinars and opportunities to ” meet ” the directors so do join us .

soup lunch

Feel-good stories If you are a CAFOD volunteer and hear of a great story in your local parish for example virtual soup lunches! Please let us know so we can share it on our social media channels and website.It would be great if you would be able to email over a few sentences about what happened, along with a photo.

I look forward to hearing from you. Jo Lewry  CPC  CAFOD Portsmouth