Become a parish contact

Campaigners form a white band around the Angel of the North [Anne Marie Hanlon]

CAFOD's existence relies on volunteers in parishes who promote a wider understanding and support for its work. Find out more about what such volunteers do, and how you can become one

Ever since CAFOD became the official overseas charity for the Catholic Church, it has depended on volunteers in parishes who promote a wider understanding and support for its work.

Most parish contacts help their parish priest promote and organise the Lent and Harvest Fast Days. Sometimes the priest prefers to do this himself, but he has a lot of other demands on his time and we find many parish priests appreciate someone else taking on the task, or at least being ready to help out.

CAFOD produces Lent and Harvest Fast Day packs for parish contacts, which contain all the information and support material needed, as well as suggestions about how to increase support. The local CAFOD diocesan office can also provide help with any further queries.

You can choose how much time you give, depending on the kind of work you want to be involved in.

CAFOD Groups

Dominic Emmanuel 15, Andrea Loizou 17, Simone Morrison 17, Nicole Cassar 16 from Young Christian Workers [CAFOD]

It is always helpful around Fast Days to have several people distributing envelopes, and there are plenty of other ways for parishes to support CAFOD's work all year round and the more people who are willing to give time, the better.

Therefore, parish contacts often join with others interested in CAFOD's work to form a CAFOD Group. These can really make a difference to the lives of people across the world by giving time to work with CAFOD on many areas.

Fundraising
Promoting Fast Days is just one of the many ways you can help CAFOD build bridges of hope with the poor. You can also encourage your parish to fundraise at other times of year for projects in specially chosen regions overseas.

In addition to receiving regular mailings and displaying materials in church, you could organise fundraising events and see that the money raised is sent to CAFOD regularly.

Responding to emergencies
Help your parish respond to emergencies, receiving e-appeals from CAFOD as new emergencies break, keeping parishioners informed of what CAFOD is doing, and offering them the opportunity to support the work.

Campaigning

CAFOD's Phil Udeh sports a white band [CAFOD]

Raise awareness of the latest CAFOD campaign and encourage parish support for action each year. We send you regular campaign mailings so you are informed about how the campaign is progressing.

Praying and reflecting
Encourage prayer and reflection on the global implications of faith, through the use of CAFOD materials, at mass and other liturgies and by passing on children's liturgy materials.

Materials are regularly available on the CAFOD website or as leaflets and booklets mailed to you on request.

Working with young people
Act as a link between CAFOD and your parish youth group. You would be sent information about CAFOD's exciting youth initiatives, so you could publicise them in your parish.

Making news
Report on parish activity supporting CAFOD's work for inclusion in the diocesan newsletter and to the local press, in a style that reflects CAFOD's vision, mission and values. You would be sent tips and hints to help get started, and receive ongoing support from CAFOD's media team.

take action

Advent Appeal 2008 Please send a message of support to kids this Advent at a special school run by a CAFOD partner

Shine a light in the darkness Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Buy a World Gift Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty