Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of our Share Lent campaign, and many activities have already taken place just in this first week! We held the national launch of the campaign in the Diocese of Hamilton with special guests Most Rev. Douglas Crosby and Fr. Hagos Hayish, the Secretary General of Caritas Ethiopia. Both did touching presentations on the impact of Development and Peace’s work to be in solidarity with the most poor and vulnerable in the Global South and how this is changing lives.
“I know that a large number of people throughout the Diocese of Hamilton choose to be generous to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace because they know that their gift saves lives,” said Bishop Crosby during his presentation. If you would like to see some highlights from the launch, watch our montage!
Fr. Hagos also participated in the local launch of the Share Lent campaign in Ottawa, organized by the English and French diocesan councils of the Archdiocese of Ottawa. A special mass presided by Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, Archbishop of Ottawa, and concelebrated with Fr. Hagos was held on April 6th at Blessed Sacrament Parish. The mass was followed by a reception and presentation by Fr. Hagos, who is currently participating in activities in and around Ottawa.
After participating in a Shrove Tuesday event in Montreal, Dr. Rita Rhayem of Caritas Lebanon is now in Alberta to share with Albertans the imporant work of Caritas Lebanon with Syrian refugees supported by Development and Peace.
Her colleague May Assad, also from Caritas Lebanon, is currently in Gatineau to speak about socio-economic projects that are helping Lebanese families escape poverty. She spoke at a special event on March 7th with Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
You can view a photo gallery of these many events:
www.flickr.com/photos/devpedu/sets/72157641923083233/
Be sure to check the section about our Solidarity Visitors to see if one is coming to your area!