The Catholic Social Services Hope Appeal is running from 1 – 30 November 2024 and asks for the community’s support in continuing their important work, bringing hope to individuals and families.

Catholic Social Services is the social outreach agency of the Archdiocese of Wellington and is guided by Catholic Social Teaching. Their work includes social work, parenting programmes, providing prison and hospital chaplaincy, supporting people through grief and loss, refugee resettlement work, advocacy and community facilitation.

“As we prepare for the Year of the Jubilee, I have been reflecting on Pope Francis’ call to us all to be tangible signs of hope for people in our community who are experiencing hardships and need our support. Catholic Social Services has been bringing hope to the community since the 1960s, and needs our support to continue this important work” Archbishop Paul Martin SM shared.

Over the last year, Catholic Social Services has brought hope to:

• those in Hospitals and Prisons, providing over 5000 hours of chaplaincy support to patients, prisoners, whānau and staff
• over 50 newly-arrived refugees by providing household items and food, and supporting family reunifications
• children and adults experiencing grief and loss, training over 40 Companions to work through these issues in school and community settings
• over 30 men seeking parenting support, providing training and mentoring to become the Best Dads they can be.
• over 60 people seeking accommodation, access to health services, support dealing with government agencies, and others with significant needs in our communities.

“I believe the Church has a key role to play in addressing those experiencing real needs in our community, and that collectively we can make an impact. We are committed to expanding our reach to meet the needs in the community and journeying alongside people” Chris Ward, Director of Catholic Social Services said.

Archbishop Paul Martin SM invites people to support the Annual Appeal; either donating to the appeal to fund the important work of the agency, donating time as a volunteer in one of the programmes, or through prayer. “I ask you to pray for individuals and families in our communities who may be going through hardships and looking for signs of hope at this time in their lives, and that the work of Catholic Social Services will provide an anchor of stability and security amidst the anxiety” said Archbishop Paul Martin.

Donations can be made online at catholicsocialservices.org.nz/donate or via internet banking 02-0560-0213864-000; PARTICULARS: your Surname & Initials, REFERENCE: your Phone Number, CODE: CSS – HOPE.For more information contact Catholic Social Services at reception@wn-catholicsocialservices.org.nz or phone 04 385 8642.