Diocesan News14 Dec 09

Diocese of Clogher - Holy Land Medical Relief Fund in aid of St. Luke's Hospital, Nablus

The Holy Land Medical Relief fund is an initiative of two groups of people from Clogher Diocese and further afield who went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in late 2008 and early 2009 led by Bishop Jackson and certain clergy of Clogher diocese. 

Mrs Una Bourke, Bishop Michael Jackson, Revd David Skuce and Miss Isobel Stewart

Between the two pilgrimages there occurred the internationally condemned human suffering of Gaza.  The fund is a response to the need of the people of the Holy Land, as witnessed by the pilgrims and following on from the horrors of Gaza. A group of dedicated people have pioneered this initiative and they seek your support in addressing the medical needs in particular in the twenty nine institutions under the auspices of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. These institutions cater for medical, nursing and educational needs, including those of children with disability and are wholly dependent on international aid, freely given, to survive and to develop.

The Holy Land Medical Relief Fund (HLMRF) is spear heading a major fundraising drive this Christmas to support the updating and restructuring of St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus. The hospital, which was built around the turn of the 19th century by the Church Missionary Society (CMS), is administered by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and provides health care services to the poor and needy, regardless of race and religion.  It is also an essential symbol of mutual respect and co-operation in the city of Nablus where it is a major employer, providing Christians and Muslims the opportunity to work together for the common good.

The HLMRF invites you to support some of the following Christmas fundraising events.

There is a Christmas tree colouring- in competition for the Sunday School children, their families and friends to encourage small donations.

There will be bag packing at Tesco’s Supermarket in Enniskillen on Tuesday 22nd December.  Volunteers are urgently needed.  Please contact co-ordinator, Mrs Ethne McCord on 07884411896.
Christmas Cards and calenders are for sale at several different venues or please contact [email protected] for further information as to their purchase.

A Christingle Service will be held on Sunday 3rd January 2010 in Christ Church Maguiresbridge at 4.00pm, when donations from the Christmas tree colouring competition will be handed in.

Perhaps you may wish to make a personal contribution to the Fund in some other way.  If so please contact the Chairman at [email protected]

No contribution is too small and every donation is greatly appreciated.