Diocesan News25 Sep 09

Clogher Events for Holy Land Medical Relief Fund

Diocese of Clogher Fundraising Events for Holy Land Medical Relief Fund

This autumn the Diocese of Clogher will be engaged in several events leading up to Christmas designed to raise money for the Holy Land Medical Relief Fund.

During 2008/2009, almost one hundred people visited the Holy Land on two pilgrimages organized from within the diocese of Clogher. Challenged forcibly by the humanitarian crisis which had unfolded in Gaza, people across the diocese generously supported the work of the Christian Al Ahli Hospital, where all who suffered injury in the hostilities were treated without discrimination.

The Holy Land Medical Relief Fund is an initiative which came about as a result of a direct request to the Bishop of Clogher to suggest further ways in which to offer practical help to the beleaguered people of that place. The fund seeks to support the development and delivery of medical services in the Holy Land, by supporting financially those hospitals administered by Clogher's sister diocese, the Diocese of Jerusalem. These hospitals are charitable and non-profit making. They receive no support from the government and their services are open to everyone.

There is now a committed group of individuals embarking on a fund raising initiative to raise $100,000 towards the purchase of a C.T. (computer tomography) for St Luke's Hospital, Nablus. The Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher, says, 'The diocese is seeking your support in this urgent work of practical and strategic development of services which we, in our own situation, would regard as essential and, dare we say it, an automatic entitlement. We believe this project will bring hope where there is fear, dignity where there is uncertainty and relief where there is real suffering.'

If you feel that you can support this worthy cause, Gift Aid is fully applicable to all tax-payers who give to the Holy Land Medical Relief Fund. Cheques should be made payable to Clogher Diocesan Board of Missions. Should you wish to find out any more information, please contact the committee by e-mail at [email protected].

Various fund raising activities over the next few months are as follows:

A harvest tea in the Monaghan area, in St. Patrick’s Hall, Church Square, Monaghan on Saturday 24th October, from 2.00pm – 5.00pm.

There will also be a fun colouring-in programme for children and their parents, to encourage small donations, to be handed in at Carol Services and a Christingle Service in January.

Calendars and Christmas cards will be for sale in different venues from October onwards.

ENDS