50th anniversary celebrations: a day to remember
On Saturday 28 January, over 2,000 CAFOD supporters from around the UK came together to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
Supporters from dioceses up and down the country – from Hexham and Newcastle to Westminster – gathered at CAFOD’s London headquarters, Romero House, to mark the history of our organisation before joining many more Archbishop Vincent Nichols for a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral.
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John McBride, CAFOD’s very own barefoot runner said, “It’s really great to be here today as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations seeing so many people from all over the country.”
The gallery area of Romero House was taken up by an exhibition featuring stories and quotes from our history – some of which are in our celebration book: 50 years: 50 voices.
Two of CAFOD’s partners were on hand to talk with supporters: Mahinda Gunaratne from Sri Lanka and Frederikus ‘Suko’ Sundoko from Indonesia. Suko told supporters, “We’re very grateful of your support. It helps us to keep the spirit of life alive.”
Other friends from overseas made their way around the building: Margaret Mwaniki, a CAFOD Board member had made the journey from Kenya to come for the full day’s celebrations. She said, “I’m honoured to see the people behind CAFOD – the parishioners. I know that CAFOD has done a lot of work to help people have a better life.”
Mass in Westminster Cathedral
Countless numbers – including CAFOD celebrity supporter, Ben Price - filled the Cathedral.
During the service, pictures of some of the inspirational people that have played a part in CAFOD’s history were carried through the Cathedral.
Holly Phillips, a 17 year old supporter who visited some of CAFOD’s projects in Nairobi, Kenya, was one of those inspiring people. She said, “If you believe in making the world a better place, you need to act on what you believe in. Do something about it.”
A ‘call to recommitment’ came at the end of the Mass from Margaret Mwaniki who stated, “In my country, CAFOD stood by us during and after our darkest hours in the 2007 post-election violence. The organisation has supported over half a million people affected by the East Africa food crisis. And in my work, I’m heartened to see what just £1 can mean to someone. I thank you for this.
“Thank you also for the Thirst for Change campaign. Coming to England, I have enjoyed the luxury of clean tap water and also having a shower without having to fetch a jerrycan of water and starting a fire. May this campaign bring hope to the thirsty millions across the world.
“This day gives us a chance to look forward – to look at the crises we face: HIV, climate change, the global economy and increasing insecurity – and to see the role CAFOD has to play here. May you continue to bring life to the poor.
“Let us make the celebration a chance to renew our commitment to Just One World.”
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Speaking after the Mass, Director of CAFOD, Chris Bain said:
“It was such an inspiring and motivating Mass. As CAFOD looks back on its history it can also see what CAFOD means to so many people across the country and indeed across the world.
“The liturgy was beautiful, and we heard wonderful music from the CAFOD choir and the St Ignatius African choir from London.
“ Bishop John Arnold’s sermon struck at the heart of what CAFOD is about and what our supporters have helped us achieve over the past 50 years. The day reaffirmed for me and I hope for the entire CAFOD community, that we are part of an organisation that lives out Gospel values every day as we reach out to the poorest people wherever they may be, alleviating suffering and tackling injustice wherever we encounter it.”
Join in the 50th Anniversary celebrations: what lit your flame? cafod.org.uk/whatlityourflame
