Cafod Memorial Mass
Thank you for joining us at the Wrexham Diocese CAFOD memorial Mass.
I'd like to begin by thanking Bishop Peter, Canon Simon and Father Johnson for celebrating Mass for us today. I hope you'll agree that it's been a touching occasion and a wonderful opportunity to remember and give thanks for all those who have touched our lives but are no longer with us.
Many of us are here today to remember someone special, perhaps a parent or a grandparent who welcomed us into this world, who walked alongside us as we grew; or a sibling or cherished friend, a confidant we could laugh and cry with; or a teacher or priest who shared their wisdom with us. Whoever each of us brings before the Lord today, we give thanks for the way they touched our lives, and pray that they know the peace of Christ.
Nothing can protect us from the pain of losing a loved one. When someone dies it can feel as if the main character has been ripped from our story, every part of how we view the world changes. But holding onto them in our hearts and prayers, we can revise our story, we can begin to construct a meaningful relationship with our deceased loved ones again. This will be different from the physical one we shared, but it allows them to remain a part of our lives. You are still and always will be their child, or their parent, their pupil or their friend, you carry them with you every day.
At CAFOD we often speak to families who have chosen to support our work in memory of a relative or a friend. By making such a special gift, families, neighbours, colleagues or pupils feel they are remembering their loved one in a positive, far - reaching and life-changing way.
Many families find comfort and hope in knowing that their loved one's memory lives on in our work and in the lives of those who are helped by their gifts. For us, it is truly humbling and a great honour to help families build such an important and lasting memorial. We remember these special people and their families especially today.
We also remember today the many loyal and generous friends of CAFOD who have been at the heart of our work over the years. Their prayers, donations, volunteering and campaigning have helped change and save lives all around the world.
Despite the challenges they have faced in their own lives, and the overwhelming daily struggles they saw their global neighbours facing, they held onto the hope that the world could be a better place, that our voices together are loud and powerful and that they can be real forces for change. Although they saw the world as it was, they were motivated by their faith, hope and love, to see how much better a world it could really be.
They knew they might not be there to see the results of their support first hand, but they were able to demonstrate that by making a gift to the many mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and teachers across the globe that, just as they strived to ensure their loved ones close at home were able to flourish, they would be helping ensure these families would flourish too. Their love, their acceptance that we all belong to a single universal family can be seen today in stronger communities, healthier children, happier families and the belief that we can all help make the world a better place for all of God's children.
Around the world, we're working with some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities - no matter what their faith, race or nationality may be - providing food, clean water, housing, access to education, tools and training; helping them to build a better life for themselves and their families. So I'd like to take a moment to thank you and let you know how greatly we appreciate all of the time, energy, ideas, donations and prayers you offer for CAFOD and families in need around the world. We couldn't do it without you.
It's hard to express what your dedication and encouragement mean to communities who feel they've lost everything. For those who have had to flee their homes because of conflict, who've lost loved ones in cyclones or earthquakes, whose livelihoods have been ruined by drought or floods, your support gives them a lifeline and hope for the future.
Two years ago the great Musaya dam in Kenya was filled with sand and silt instead of water, but with your help supporting and working with wonderful people of Kitui they now have four drinking wells, abundant and productive community farms, 10,000 new trees, but more importantly they have a future. You and your loved ones' commitments to the future has ensured the children in Kitui are reaping those benefits now, but you have also paved the way for generations of children to come, that is your legacy.
On behalf of CAFOD and from families like those in Kitui, thank you for all that you do.
Whatever your plans are for the rest of the day, I hope that you've enjoyed the service. Mass is also said each week for CAFOD supporters, past and present, so please know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
I'd like to begin by thanking Bishop Peter, Canon Simon and Father Johnson for celebrating Mass for us today. I hope you'll agree that it's been a touching occasion and a wonderful opportunity to remember and give thanks for all those who have touched our lives but are no longer with us.
Many of us are here today to remember someone special, perhaps a parent or a grandparent who welcomed us into this world, who walked alongside us as we grew; or a sibling or cherished friend, a confidant we could laugh and cry with; or a teacher or priest who shared their wisdom with us. Whoever each of us brings before the Lord today, we give thanks for the way they touched our lives, and pray that they know the peace of Christ.
Nothing can protect us from the pain of losing a loved one. When someone dies it can feel as if the main character has been ripped from our story, every part of how we view the world changes. But holding onto them in our hearts and prayers, we can revise our story, we can begin to construct a meaningful relationship with our deceased loved ones again. This will be different from the physical one we shared, but it allows them to remain a part of our lives. You are still and always will be their child, or their parent, their pupil or their friend, you carry them with you every day.
At CAFOD we often speak to families who have chosen to support our work in memory of a relative or a friend. By making such a special gift, families, neighbours, colleagues or pupils feel they are remembering their loved one in a positive, far - reaching and life-changing way.
Many families find comfort and hope in knowing that their loved one's memory lives on in our work and in the lives of those who are helped by their gifts. For us, it is truly humbling and a great honour to help families build such an important and lasting memorial. We remember these special people and their families especially today.
We also remember today the many loyal and generous friends of CAFOD who have been at the heart of our work over the years. Their prayers, donations, volunteering and campaigning have helped change and save lives all around the world.
Despite the challenges they have faced in their own lives, and the overwhelming daily struggles they saw their global neighbours facing, they held onto the hope that the world could be a better place, that our voices together are loud and powerful and that they can be real forces for change. Although they saw the world as it was, they were motivated by their faith, hope and love, to see how much better a world it could really be.
They knew they might not be there to see the results of their support first hand, but they were able to demonstrate that by making a gift to the many mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and teachers across the globe that, just as they strived to ensure their loved ones close at home were able to flourish, they would be helping ensure these families would flourish too. Their love, their acceptance that we all belong to a single universal family can be seen today in stronger communities, healthier children, happier families and the belief that we can all help make the world a better place for all of God's children.
Around the world, we're working with some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities - no matter what their faith, race or nationality may be - providing food, clean water, housing, access to education, tools and training; helping them to build a better life for themselves and their families. So I'd like to take a moment to thank you and let you know how greatly we appreciate all of the time, energy, ideas, donations and prayers you offer for CAFOD and families in need around the world. We couldn't do it without you.
It's hard to express what your dedication and encouragement mean to communities who feel they've lost everything. For those who have had to flee their homes because of conflict, who've lost loved ones in cyclones or earthquakes, whose livelihoods have been ruined by drought or floods, your support gives them a lifeline and hope for the future.
Two years ago the great Musaya dam in Kenya was filled with sand and silt instead of water, but with your help supporting and working with wonderful people of Kitui they now have four drinking wells, abundant and productive community farms, 10,000 new trees, but more importantly they have a future. You and your loved ones' commitments to the future has ensured the children in Kitui are reaping those benefits now, but you have also paved the way for generations of children to come, that is your legacy.
On behalf of CAFOD and from families like those in Kitui, thank you for all that you do.
Whatever your plans are for the rest of the day, I hope that you've enjoyed the service. Mass is also said each week for CAFOD supporters, past and present, so please know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
