Caritas Diocese of Salford is the charity of the Bishop of Salford and began its mission in 1864 when the then Bishop of Salford, Cardinal Herbert Vaughan, invited the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FMSJ), a Salford Diocese founded congregation, to begin a ministry in industrial Lancashire to rescue children from poverty and the work house. Today, 111 years later, Caritas Diocese of Salford is still working directly with the FMSJ sisters in Caritas projects with homeless and vulnerable people, some sleeping rough on the streets of Manchester, and with older people and their carers offering respite. Our newest project, again involving the sisters, is one that we ask your prayers for. It is our work with young people with life limiting medical conditions so complex that these have the ability to shorten their young lives. To these young people, we offer a 24 hour nursing and personal care service in our new purpose build home that from the outside looks so ordinary but one you enter through the door you immediately appreciate the atmosphere of love, hope and joy of both staff and young people alike.
Sunday 8th February is Caritas Sunday when we invite you to be part of the rich heritage of charity in our diocese and to reflect on the part that we all as members of our church and community have to play in bringing about a fair and compassionate society. Sunday 8th February is also the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita and we have been asked to especially remember the plight of trafficked people caught up in the terrible curse of Modern Day slavery. Again, Caritas Diocese of Salford is involved in supporting the charitable work of the Medaille Trust who have two safe houses in the Diocese for rescued victims of trafficking. Caritas also supports a brand new anti-trafficking initiative started in our diocese by members of the Parish of Our Lady of the Valley in Clitheroe.
Please remember the work of Caritas Diocese of Salford in your prayers this week support this worthwhile charity.
Thank you
Mark Wiggin, CEO Caritas Diocese of Salford