Archdiocese of Mumbai organises a fundraiser for Advent against hunger and for jobs
This year's goal is to improve livelihoods in order to achieve sustainable income, connecting “donors with our beneficiaries”. Children and youth are asked “to save part of their pocket money to contribute to this cause.”
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The archdiocese of Mumbai is organising a fundraiser against hunger and disease for the period of Advent. The goal is to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
This means “focusing on enhancing livelihoods, so that our vulnerable brothers and sisters may have a sustainable income. This involves giving them the appropriate skills, linking them with markets, and providing them support structures like access to credit and insurance.”
The cardinal’s letter follows with details about how to donate.
Let us love, not with words, but with deeds!" declares Pope Francis in his letter calling for a World Day of Peace to be observed on November 19, 2017. This call reminds us that the situation of poverty in the world is challenge to our collective consciences, urging us to eradicate the causes of poverty through the whole of humanity coming together.
Every year, the Advent Campaign Against Hunger and Disease organised by the Centre for Social Action of the Archdiocese of Bombay (Mumbai), seeks to offer all people of goodwill avenues for translating our noble intentions into concrete acts of love and concern for the poor. This year, we are focusing on enhancing livelihoods, so that our vulnerable brothers and sisters may have a sustainable income. This involves giving them the appropriate skills, linking them with markets, and providing them support structures like access to credit and insurance. We also provide training to vulnerable youth and soft skills as well as certain domain skills to enhance their employability.
In keeping with the perspective set forth by Pope Francis in his Message for the World Day of the Poor, we seek to connect our donors with our beneficiaries, such that it leads to ‘a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life... (and) allows us to judge how best to use material goods and to build relationships that are neither selfish nor possessive.’
I wholeheartedly endorse and bless this campaign. I urge the faithful of our Archdiocese to continue our tradition of generosity and concern for the poor. You may donate online at www.csamumbai.in or send your Cheques/drafts favouring Centre for Social Action, to Eucharistic Congress Bldg No. III, 5 Convent Street, Mumbai 400 001. Those contributing Rs. 10,000/- and above are requested to send their PAN number. Donations made to this cause are eligible for exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
The contents of this official are to be made known to our faithful on the Sundays of Advent through appropriate announcements, posting it on your notice board as well as on your parish/institution website. Also, kindly ensure effective distribution of the donation envelopes to the faithful. I also recommend that you appeal to children and youth to make a sacrifice during the Advent season, and save part of their pocket money to contribute to this cause.
My personal thanks to you for your efforts in this Campaign to make ours a more humane world, and the Church a more Christ-like Church. May God bless the Archdiocese of Bombay abundantly.
* archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC)
.png)
