Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Saturday 18th January 2025

Today we reflect on the fantastic work of our diocesan charity – Caritas Diocese of Salford – as we mark Caritas Sunday.

Each year, the last Sunday in January is a day where we celebrate the work of Caritas staff and volunteers, as well as reflecting on the key challenges that are facing families and individuals in our diocese.

The charity supports people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage, or homelessness, many of whom are facing acute crisis.

We believe that everyone has a right to a dignified life, and that all people deserve the same chances and opportunities.

Caritas – putting love into action – is more than an act; it is the very heart of our faith in action, the living embodiment of our call to love God and our neighbour, not just in words but through real, meaningful actions. When we offer our love through practical and financial support, we bring to life the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). In doing so, we don’t just serve those in need; we also enrich our spiritual lives and strengthen the bonds within our community.

Over the past year, your support has helped Caritas provide the following:

• 1,300 birth and new baby start packs, or 2,500 toiletry sets for people experiencing homelessness;
• 13 bedrooms to provide supported accommodation for more than 100 people over the 12-month period;
• Weekly food shopping or support with energy bills for 150 families experiencing poverty of crisis.

We take today to thank you for your ongoing generosity in supporting our diocesan charity to carry out their fantastic work.

Ways to get involved

As well as making a donation, there are lots of other ways you can take part in Caritas Sunday…

• Download our resources at the bottom of this page – we have a range available, from posters and fact sheets, to scripts to read in Church.  There are links to various free toolkits and information packs too.
• Take a look at the services we provide and signpost people in your area who may benefit from our support.
• Share our posts and this page on social media to help raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
• Volunteer with our teams to help local people.
• Take on an event or challenge in 2025 in aid of Caritas.

 

Let us pray

We pray for local people experiencing poverty whose lives are transformed with loving support from Caritas Salford.

We give thanks and pray for Caritas Salford staff, volunteers and everyone who supports Caritas in so many different ways.

We pray that our parishes will become the embodiment of ‘caritas’ – LOVE IN ACTION – helping to eradicate poverty here in our own communities across the Diocese of Salford.

Amen.