During their Winter 2024 General Meeting held in Maynooth last week, bishops encouraged people to support charities working for families in need and the homeless this Christmas.
Bishops said, “Over the three weeks of the General Election campaign, the twin social challenges of family poverty and homelessness have been to the fore. Conscious of the ongoing effects of energy inflation and other cost of living stresses, we encourage all those who can, to support Catholic and other charities working to support families throughout the year and especially at Christmas time. These include the annual Christmas appeal of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Crosscare (the social services agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin), the Capuchin Day Centre, Trócaire and others. This year’s SVP appeal focuses on providing help to parents whose income has been devastated by high rents and the spiralling prices. One-parent families, low income households, those depending on one-off supports and people with disabilities are all especially vulnerable to food and fuel poverty.
Bishops continued, “We ask parishioners to make a special effort to support the Saint Vincent de Paul appeal this Christmas. The SVP works to provide vouchers to those in need so that families can pay for food, heat their homes and so that children can enjoy the wonder of Christmas.” The SVP Christmas campaign is entitled The Wonder of Christmas, please see svp.ie to donate.
Trócaire’s Christmas campaign
Bishops also encouraged people to support the Christmas 2024 campaign of Trócaire, the overseas development agency of the Bishops’ Conference, stating, “The Trócaire Christmas campaign shines a light on the devastating impact of global poverty and inequality. We ask people to support Trócaire’s working helping children caught in conflict zones. Through powerful stories of individuals and communities affected by crises, Trócaire is encouraging generosity and solidarity, urging people to make a difference with their donations during this holy season. Please give what you can.” To donate to Trócaire’s Christmas campaign please visit Trócaire.org.
ENDS