Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
Internationalis
SClAF is the official overseas aid and
TO BE READ
AT ALL MASSES IN PARISHES
ON 14/15 MARCH 2015
ON 14/15 MARCH 2015
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On the fourth Sunday of Lent, I write to you on behalf of the
Bishops of Scotland, to thank you for your support of SCIAF -:- the Scottish
Catholic International Aid Fund - in its 50th anniversary year.
In today's Gospel Jesus says "For God sent his Son into the
world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be
saved."
It is by spreading the good news of Jesus' saving power and by
living in the truth that we come in to the light. SCIAF is a beacon of that
light and a living witness to the saving power of Jesus' love. It is by the
grace of God that we are able to live in the truth and witness to the fact that
what we do is done in God.
SCIAF's mission has always been to reach out to the most
vulnerable of our global neighbours. I have just visited Malawi where I was
able to see for myself the great things that SCIAF is able to achieve with your
help. It is through a partnership of respect and friendship, based on our love
for Christ, that we are able to give families the hand up that they desperately
need.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was in Malawi and met Mary Jackson
and her family, whom you see on this year's WEE BOX. With a little support from
you, through SCIAF, Mary has worked hard to grow good food for her children and
to build a small business. Although her life is still hard, she can earn a little
money to provide for her family, to send her children to school and to save for
their future.
Thanks to your generosity and their hard work, women like Mary
are freeing their families from poverty. Today, which is also Mother's Day, I
will remember in my prayers all the inspirational and loving mothers I met in
Malawi, and all those I have met in Scotland.
When in Malawi, I also met some survivors of the terrible recent
floods. 200,000 people have lost their homes, but those I met were already
working to rebuild their homes and communities. We too have a part to play in
caring for our
environment, to minimise the dangers faced by the poorest people.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has said: "Each of us has a personal
responsibility to care for creation, this precious gift which God has entrusted
to us." This Lent, we can each pledge to live our lives more simply, to
care for creation and live in solidarity with others.
SCIAF belongs to all of us in our Catholic community. It puts
Catholic teaching into practice and shows what our faith, our prayers and our
generosity can achieve. From immediate emergency responses to long-term
assistance we are helping people across the world to find their own ways to
live life to the full.
Finally, this year's Lenten appeal is special because every
penny in your WEE BOX or in the collection plate for SCIAF will be doubled by
the UK Government. This allows us to reach twice as many families like Mary's, and
to make twice as much of a difference. To qualify, our donations must reach
SCIAF by 17 May, so please remember to count up your coins and send in the
funds as soon as you can.
I urge you this Lent, in your prayers and in your actions, to
commit yourselves once again to the work of SCIAF, for the love of God and the
love of our fellow men, women and children in need.
May God bless you and your families abundantly during this holy
season of Lent.
+Leo Cushley
Archbishop of
St Andrews and Edinburgh
on behalf of
the Bishops' Conference of Scotland
SCIAF 19 Park Circus, Glasgow, G3 6BE. Tel: 0141 354 5555 email: sciaf@sciaf.org.uk Registered Scottish Charity No: 5C012302. Company No: 5C197327 www.sciaf.org.uk
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