LENT
This Lent Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics to open ourselves to listening, fasting, and community, urging us to abstain from words of hatred to make space for words of hope and peace: …..“I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.” Source - Vatican News
“Love Your Neighbour”
CAFOD Catholic Agency for Overseas Development:
We are the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. With your help, we reach out to people living in hard-to-reach places, in war zones and those who are discriminated against.
Too many people face the injustices of poverty, conflict and climate crisis.
We believe that if one of us is hurt, hungry or abandoned, we all are hurt, hungry and abandoned. No one should be beyond the love and support they need to live a dignified life.
We are a member of Caritas Internationalis Confederation, a worldwide network of Catholic relief and development organisations.
Through our global Caritas Church family, we can show love of neighbour even in the most overlooked regions and be on the ground as soon as emergencies strike.
Ash Wednesday 18th February Beginning of Lent
CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day is on Friday 27th February 2026.
CAFOD donation envelopes will be distributed in Holy Cross on Sunday 22nd February - your donations are much appreciated.
CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day for 2026 is a key date for parishes to focus fundraising and awareness on global poverty, often supporting projects like clean water initiatives, with events like the Big Lent Walk also taking place throughout Lent.
Around the world – despite farmers’ best efforts – crops are failing and families are going hungry - but there is hope and there is a solution.
In South Sudan and Bangladesh, devastating floods are destroying farmland but - thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Catholic community at Fast Days - our local partners have been helping families to develop ingenious solutions like floating gardens that can grow food above floodwaters.
Shorai is a farmer and a father in Zimbabwe, where rain is scarce. With the help of our local experts, he has turned dry ground into fertile land by using drought-resistant crops and helping build a solar-powered water pump. He told us that: “A good neighbour is someone who can help me in periods of need.”
In God's eyes, we are one global family, called to be neighbours. Our parish's support this Family Fast Day will mean more of our neighbours can put food on the table.
Lent Lunches at HOLY CROSS church meeting room help to raise funds and awareness of CAFOD. Please join us for these events which will also be supported by parishioners from other ecumenical churches in Topsham, together with our wider community.
Dates: Fridays 20th and 27th March at midday; donation £4.00
A variety of homemade soups, bread and cheese plus homemade shortbread will be served. PLEASE SUPPORT US!
Wonderful homemade soups for a frugal CAFOD Lent Lunch with a roll and cheese, plus a homemade shortbread biscuit for afters.
To make your Fast Day donation remember to Gift Aid if you pay tax as we receive 25% more. All your donations will be doubled this Lent due to generous CAFOD donors.
To give online follow the link below:
Give by virtual envelope
Or type this address into your computer browser:
cafod.org.uk/envelope
Or return the CAFOD envelopes with your cheque enclosed to CAFOD, Romero House, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB
Or return the CAFOD envelopes to your parish offertory plate at mass.
Thank you
Sandra Barrett (CAFOD Organiser at Holy Cross)
