The Joy of Giving

Keep Christ in Christmas
Feed the hungry
Shelter the homeless
Welcome immigrants
Forgive others
Embrace outsiders
Share with those in need
Advocate for the marginalised

Once again we are emerging from “lockdown” and many of us are trying to make sense of the new normal way of life. We look forward to being able to reconnect with our relatives, friends, return to our workplaces and be sociable once again. Most of all we are looking forward to being able to reunite and physically embrace our families.

For our brothers and sisters seeking asylum and refuge this is not possible having no family or wider social networks around them for support. Across the world political conflicts are more intense and are taking a heavy toll on civilians. The last decade has seen the highest number of people internally displaced by conflict and violence. Hunger is on the rise, with conflict the main driver of acute hunger for over 77 million people in 22 countries.

The global impacts of the pandemic and climate change are seriously affecting food systems worldwide. The last 10 years has been the hottest on record. Severe and frequent weather events and natural disasters are increasing which exacerbates chronic vulnerabilities.

As I write this it has been reported that:

  • forces have used tear gas and water cannons to repel migrants and refugees who were attempting to cross the Belarus-Poland border
  • Iraq began the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from Belarus
  • the European Commission and Germany rejected a proposal by Belarus that EU countries take 2,000 migrants and refugees
  • 10 people died in an overcrowded boat off Libya
  • malnutrition is soaring in northern Ethiopia
  • Somalia is on the verge of a fourth consecutive failed rainy season
  • a shipwreck in the English Channel claimed 27 lives
  • a group of 93 asylum seekers were evacuated from Libya to Italy

and the news on the refugee and asylum seeker space worsens day by day. Australia is supporting people affected by some of these most severe crises around the world however there are the thousands more seeking asylum living in the Australian Community on a temporary basis with limited rights. For them troubles are not temporarily to be endured. They are a way of life.

Let us not forget about those in our own community, our state, our suburb, our streets who are in need. The homeless, the poor, the sick and otherwise disadvantaged members of our community know isolation, insecurity and uncertainty. Families suffering hardships, domestic violence and mental health issues.

We also should not forget many of our four-legged friends who are also in need. They have no control over their circumstances and crave simple care and love or belonging.

But where do we start, how do we help, what can we do?

When you support a charity or a social cause you find that this becomes a part of your story. You form a connection. Finding an appropriate giving project presents a challenge. There are so many charities imploring us to donate money. You need to decide your cause and decide your gift – donation, patronage, time or even prayer. No matter what cause you are hoping to support or how you support it, you will feel that connection. You could buy a Christmas tree or Christmas cards or give gifts to financially support a charity.

Here are a few ways you may like to consider supporting a cause:

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – there are many different ways you can support the work of the centre to empower refugees and asylum seekers by donating money, providing food or material goods or buying ASRC merchandise.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Catering – is a social enterprise creating pathways to employment for people seeking asylum. The menu is inspired by the cultures of the people employed, delivering a global food experience with impact for your next event.
Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) – help BASP house and support asylum seekers and refugees in the Australian Community by donating money, groceries, household goods, gift cards or volunteer your time.
Caritas Australia – support families struggling with poverty and injustice by bringing hope and joy to the world’s most vulnerable. Choose a Global Gift – the gift of education, the gift of food or a gift of water.
CatholicCare Virtual Giving Tree Appeal – this Christmas the aim of CatholicCare is to deliver hampers to 500 families and individuals throughout the Greater Melbourne, Geelong and Gippsland areas. Funds raised beyond the need for hampers will go towards vital services that support at risk families and individuals.
Melbourne Overseas Mission – is a volunteer based missionary organisation with a focus on providing funding, material goods and volunteer personnel to partner Catholic dioceses and parishes in Papua New Guinea and to some other countries for programs in education, training, literacy, health, village development, water supply, emergency relief and other activities.
Opening the Doors Foundation – help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Victoria with educational funding by purchasing Christmas ornaments made from Australian timbers.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal – help to uphold the dignity of families in Christmas by donating to Vinnies annual Christmas Appeal. Since the pandemic began many people have lost work and now as the bills continue to mount up, they worry about losing their homes too. 1 in 8 Australians are living in poverty, as are 1 in 6 children.
St Vincent de Paul Deepdene Balwyn Conference – have a direct funding page, visit to donate to our local Conference.

For other ways to donate to our parishes’ St Vincent de Paul Conferences, download the SVDP Christmas Appeal Donation Form.

And for our four legged friends the Lort Smith Animal Hospital supports some of our community’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged pets and their owners. Melbourne Animal Rescue help and care for many animals with many of them arriving severely under conditioned. Pet goods that will restore the animals to complete health and vitality are required. Their Goods Wish List provides a list of items they need and your financial support of their program is most welcome.

The Advent season is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. It is a time for us to prepare to do Christian deeds. A time to connect with family and friends. A time to connect with and help our community, particularly all those less fortunate.

Everyone deserves a happy Christmas.

By Kate Baines

 

 

 

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