How soup is transforming lives this Lent

Saturday 9th March 2019

For Catholics around the world, Lent offers an opportunity for solemn reflection. Many will use the 40 days to fast and pray, and others will give up the everyday luxuries to which we have become so accustomed to. As well as being a time for personal contemplation, locals from around the Diocese of Salford have discovered that their actions have the potential to transform lives around the world too.

This Lent, parishioners across the diocese will be swapping their swanky suppers for simple soup lunches and donating the money they save to the international development charity CAFOD. This straight forward yet powerful act of solidarity can go a long way in ensuring that no one is beyond reach of the love and care they need.

Last year at St Vincent’s parish in Norden parishioners held their own family fast day, raising money for CAFOD.  This year on March 15, hundreds of CAFOD supporters around England and Wales will do the same, uniting in their local parish hall to share a simple lunch of homemade soups and bread.

Local parishioner, Briege Sivills, said: “We know that our community action has the potential to reach people living a long distance from Rochdale! After hearing the story of Mahinur, a woman facing the devastating impact of a changing climate in Bangladesh, we were called by our faith to act.”

School children who attend Catholic primary schools in Greater Manchester have also been giving up their favourite things and learning about how their actions can help to change lives. Nine-year-old, Amy, added: “We like learning about how to care for our planet and enjoy raising money to help other children who aren’t as lucky as we are.”

Drought, floods and storms are having a devastating impact on our global family. In Bangladesh, Mahinur makes a living from fishing. Last year, a drought killed all the fish in the river and she’s struggling to support her disabled husband and son.

Mahinur cooks and cleans in neighbours’ homes for a bit of cash but it’s never enough. There are days the family have nothing to eat. You can help us to reach Mahinur and others like her around the world.

On Friday 15 March, can you eat a simple meal in solidarity and give what you save?

Donate to CAFOD’s Lent appeal: https://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-CAFOD/Lent

Tagged | Charity