The Catholic Parish of Crawley
Mission & Evangelisation
Association for the Propagation of the Faith (APF)
The Association for the Propagation of the Faith was founded in Lyons in 1822 by an eighteen year old girl, Pauline Jaricot. 175 years on, the APF remains faithful to Pauline's vision: prayer and financial support for each and every mission territory.
The APF works in England and Wales with the Mill Hill Mission Society. Founded in 1866 by Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop of Westminster, it is the only major missionary society to have been formed in England. Mill Hill was one of the first societies to introduce lay missionaries, and its priests, lay brothers and associates work in 27 countries and every continent.
In England and Wales funds for the Missions are collected through the famous red collection boxes. These can be found in 170,000 homes and they have helped raise millions of pounds for the missions.
The Association publishes a quarterly magazine: MISSION TODAY.
If you would like an APF box or wish to get involved as a promoter, please contact your community APF Secretary.
Community |
Local APF Secretary |
Broadfield |
Brian Parnell |
Gossops Green |
John Connolly |
Langley Green |
JoJohn Connollyn |
Pound Hill |
Philomena Hanson |
Tilgate |
Eric Smith |
The Friary |
Eric Smith |
Feed the Homeless (Faith in Action)
Volunteers feed the homeless and needy on Sundays.
Several teams of about 6 to 8 people, led by core members who are really the committee, provide meals every Sunday in the Friary Hall.
This is an inter-denominational group and has been in existence for some 15 years.
For further information or to get involved please contact Norah or Tony Green or Alison Healy, via the Parish Office.
Knights of St Columba
The Knights of St Columba are an Order of Catholic Laymen dedicated to the Service of the Church and fellow man. The Organisation, which is non-political and essentially democratic, exists to support the mission of the Catholic Church and at the same time to work for the spiritual and material good of its members and their families.
In accordance with the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church, members will diligently work for the Moral and Social Welfare of our Country and in particular to help young people develop in the likeness of Christ. Members of the Order will strive to achieve these aims through the fundamental virtues of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.
Every Knight is by definition a Lay Apostle; one who aims to promote the Catholic Church by Christianising his own environment. By his words and actions, a Knight can influence those with whom he associates and make a positive contribution to the Church's Social Teaching. As a member of the Order his obligation also extends to joining with fellow Knights in those activities which rely on organisation and commitment for their success. He joins with fellow Knights to provide willing help to the Clergy in their duties whenever assistance is required, whether at local level (e.g. Parish fetes, special ceremonies) or at diocesan events (Confirmation, Youth Gather). Social events supported by the ladies, include walks, dinners, coach trips and quizzes and there is considerable fundraising for the Order's own and other charities. Website
For further details contact Bernard Brady, via the Parish Office. Secretary of KSC - Council 358 - Crawley
Traidcraft
Fairly traded goods are available on the 1 st Sunday of the month at a reasonable price from the Traidcraft stall at St. Bernadette's after the 9.00 am Mass. Also occasionally at Christ the Lord in Broadfield, St. Edwards and at the Friary.
The purpose is to raise the awareness of the needs of the third world by trade and not by hand-outs and to promote interdependence and justice in trading.
For further information please contact the Bowles family via the Friary Office.
Also at the Friary after all Saturday and Sunday Masses. Contact Min Merchant via the Parish Office for further details.
CAFOD
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. It is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. CAFOD has been fighting poverty in developing countries since 1962.
CAFOD believes that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and that the world's resources are a gift to be shared equally by all men and women, whatever their race, nationality or religion.
CAFOD raises funds from the Catholic community in England and Wales, the UK government and the general public so that it can:
• promote long-term development, helping people in need to bring about change for themselves through development and relief work.
• respond to emergencies, providing immediate help for people affected by conflict or natural disasters.
• identify the causes of poverty and raise public awareness of them, encouraging supporters and the public to challenge the structures, policies and attitudes that reinforce inequality.
• speak out on behalf of poor communities, explaining the underlying causes of poverty and challenging governments and international bodies to adopt policies that promote equality and justice.
• promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith and gospel values.
CAFOD representatives in the Worshipping Community
Community |
CAFOD Rep |
Broadfield |
Rachael Colbran |
Gossops Green |
Anna Cooke |
Langley Green |
Anna Cooke |
Pound Hill |
Joanne Towner |
Tilgate |
Min Merchant |
The Friary |
Min Merchant |
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP)
The St Vincent de Paul Society (or as it is often known - the SVP) is an international Christian organisation. Catholic in origin and character it is dedicated to helping anyone in need. The concept of need is broadly based, so visiting the sick, the lonely, the addicted and those suffering from disabilities form a large proportion of the Society's work.Membership is open to men and women, young and old, of any denomination. The SVP only asks that members accept fully the Christian ethos of the Society, and are committed to express their love of God through personal service to their neighbour. The SVP respects religious liberty and values all people.
To find out more, contact the President, Aileen Connors, or Fr. Simon, via the Parish Office.
An agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland, Christian Aid works wherever the need is greatest, irrespective of religion. It supports local organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs, as well as giving help on the ground through 16 overseas offices.
Christian Aid believes in strengthening people to find their own solutions to the problems they face. It strives for a new world transformed by an end to poverty and campaigns to change the rules that keep people poor.
Community |
Christian Aid Rep |
Broadfield |
|
Gossops Green |
Nina Williams |
Langley Green |
|
Pound Hill |
|
Tilgate |
|
The Friary |
Faith in Action
The Group meets on most Mondays after the 10.00 am Mass at St Edward's. We pack boxes with much needed clothing, bandages and soap for adults and babies to be sent to Malawi. The Group sort, mend and iron used clothing before it is labelled and packed in plastic bags.
Donations of clean clothing are always very welcome as are new members who would like to be involved in this valuable work.
Further details from Pat McCrory via The Parish Office
Justice & Peace
Parish Co-ordinator : Bill Ward. Contact via The Parish office
Child Protection
Parish Co-ordinator :Triona Horrocks. Contact via The Parish office
SPUC
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
We are part of the national pro-life organisation which campaigns to focus hearts, minds, and legislation, against threats to human life, from such things as: +abortion
+embryo research
euthanasia
to name just a few. We aim to encourage the respect all human life deserves and to support policies that assist those who, even though they might be in difficult circumstances, wish to protect human life.
Further details from Paddy Hall. Contact via The Parish office
Parish Directory |