Latest Parish News

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Nepal update

In April last year (2015) our parish responded to the appeal for urgent help subsequent to the earthquake in Nepal. We sent a donation of €1.500 for emergency relief, channeling it through Ita Sheehan, who lives and works in Nepal (Ita is the sister of Ann Sheehan-Schmidt of our parish).

Below are three emails: one received shortly after we transferred the funds, the second a couple of months later, and the third just received (most recent email first). Below the emails are some photos.

Thank you for your continuing generosity to those in need.

Fr Ed

“Hi all,
Apologies for the delay in updating you on how the rest of the money raised for Nepal was spent.  We sent the second installment over six months ago but due to festival time and India closing its borders with Nepal, the prices of everything rocketed so we decided to wait until things settled down so we could get the most value for your money.

On top of the initial €2,750 sent, we managed to raise a further €2,500, with particular thanks to fund raising efforts by the International Church in Luxembourg (where my sister Anne attends) and Manor House School.  So in total we raised an amazing €5,250!!
With the second batch of money we decided to join forces with UNICEF and help rebuild a school in Darechowk village, near Mugling, which was badly damaged by the earthquake.  Dinesh’s mother and Aunt Paru personally gave the money to the school which involved a three hour trek up the mountains after getting a bus to Mugling – attached are photos from the day.
Once again a big thank you to everyone for all your generous donations, it was extremely overwhelming.  One year on, the country is slowly starting the recovery.
Ekdam denybhat!!
Ita and Dinesh.
On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 3:20 PM, Ita Sheehan <itashe@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their very kind donations to the Earthquake relief in Nepal, we were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.  Thanks to you we have managed to raise an amazing €3,340 and are still receiving more money every week!
Due to the urgency of the situation, we sent €2,750 to Dinesh’s family over a month ago and are planning to send the remainder in the next couple of months.  In the end, we decided not to support Ghorkha and Dhading as originally planned, as those regions are close to the epicenters of the quakes and as a result are receiving a lot of aid from other organizations.  Instead we decided to use the money to help the village of Dahakhani in Chitwan (3 hours from Dinesh’s family home), which was also badly affected but as yet has not received any aid.  With your money, we bought 30 kg rice, 4 kg beaten rice, 2 ltr oil, 4 kg lentil and salt for 70-75 families (approximately 2-3 months supply of food per family) and mosquito nets as they are still sleeping outside due to their homes being destroyed.  So last week, Dinesh’s family and neighbours brought the food and supplies to the village hall where the affected families came to collect it.  Attached are photos from the day and a picture of me from the mini-marathon, just to prove I actually did it!
Again a HUGE thank you for all your support, it has meant a lot to Dinesh, his family and the people of Dahakhani.
Ekdam denybhat!!
Ita and Dinesh.
On Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 3:05 PM, Ita Sheehan <itashe@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for all the kind messages of support over the last few days, it has really meant a lot to us.  Thankfully Dinesh’s family are all ok (some damage to property), but sadly some of his friends and friend’s family were not so fortunate.  Currently his family are still living and sleeping outside for fear of after shocks and are getting concerned about food and water supplies as transportation is still bad.
So we have decided to set up a relief fund (and I am doing the mini-marathon) in aid of Nepal as we would like to get the money to the people who need it in the province where Dinesh is from.  Based on latest reports from Chitwan, a number of homes / buildings are badly damaged, the roads are impassable and a hospital was destroyed.  So if you would like to donate / sponsor me, let us know – every little helps as a euro goes a long way in Nepal.
Also a candle-light vigil is being held this evening (Tuesday 28 April) from 7pm at the Spire, if anyone would like to join us.
Thanks again for all your support.
Denyabhat.
Ita and Dinesh.

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Urgent accommodation appeal

We received the following appeal from Christine Campanella of Sesopi. Maybe someone can help?

Thanks,

Fr Ed

 

AU SECOURS !!!

 

Cherche désespérément une chambre pour une jeune camerounaise de 30 ans en possession d’une autorisation de travail et de séjour avec une date butoir : septembre 2016. Passé ce délai elle risque l’expulsion.

Monique est mariée au Luxembourg, elle a un enfant de 4 ans, né au Luxembourg, qui va à l’école au Luxembourg et dont le père a obtenu la garde du fait de la situation difficile de sa maman momentanément logée au foyer d’hiver.

Merci de contacter Christine Campanella au 44 743 511 (Centre Convict) afin de permettre à Monique qui est universitaire de surmonter les nombreuses situations d’échecs qui ont fait suite à deux accidents de voiture dont l’un avec coma.

Trouver un travail est aussi une priorité. Monique a obtenu une autorisation limitée à un travail de (femme de ménage, gardienne d’enfants ou aide à domicile pour personnes âgées).

Merci de transmettre cet appel autour de vous et de me contacter dès que possible au 44 743 511.

Toute aide, suggestions, personnes ressources seront les bienvenues.

 

D’avance un très grand merci à tous !

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Meeters & Greeters

It would be great if people arriving in church for Mass on Saturday evening and Sunday morning were met with a smile, the offer of a Mass leaflet and a Mass card; and on Sundays, the offer to show them to an available seat (happily, hard to find).

Would you consider being part of this ministry? You wouldn’t need to be there every week, just to be part of a team of volunteers helping to make our parish even more welcoming.

We would have a training session, and once-or-twice yearly spiritual top-ups as to the importance of what we do (as happens with almost all of our ministries – we’re working on the exceptions).

Please give this serious consideration. You don’t need to be holy, beautiful/handsome, influential — just to be able to imagine how a visitor might be helped by a smile and a friendly greeting, with the offer of practical help!

Get in touch!

Fr Ed