Generous Gift from Minehead
Parishioners from the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Minehead have raised over two thousand pounds for poor people in Peru.
A contingent of parishioner travelled to Clifton Cathedral in Bristol to handover a cheque for £2,235.62 towards the Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal. They presented the donations to Right Reverend Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, after the recent Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass draws people together from around the Clifton Diocese which covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire as well as Somerset.
The special appeal aims to help people of the Parish of San Antonio in the Moquegua region of Southern Peru. The parish is in the care of the former Somerset-based priest, Father Danny O’Sullivan.
Father Michael Thomas, Sacred Heart’s Parish Priest, said, “We’ve being fundraising for Peru throughout the year. We started back in August with a barbeque and picture hunt which gave us a start of about £350.
“We then invited donations from visitors and parishioners and held a very successful Harvest Lunch in October which raised just over a thousand pounds.
“At Christmas we designed and printed 2000 cards which we very popular. All were sold, raising another £300. The cards showed the Nativity stained glass window in our church.”
Many Minehead parishioners knew Father Danny O’Sullivan when he was assistant priest in Taunton so there is a strong personal link to this special appeal.
Father Michael Thomas added, “I admire for the work the Sacred Heart Parish has put into collecting funds for this very poor Parish of San Antonio on the other side of the world.
“Sacred Heart parishioners and our many welcome visitors have displayed a care for those who have so little and live a long way a way. This is an example of our Christian mission to help our neighbours where ever they are.”
On hearing of the news in Peru, Father Danny O’Sullivan, said, “I thank most sincerely Father Michael and the very generous parishioners of the Sacred Heart for their outstanding support of our appeal.
“I have fond memories of the Minehead parish since my days as a priest in Taunton. At the invitation of the former parish Priest Father Frank Norbury I visited the Sacred Heart parish on two occasions to speak of my experiences in Peru. It’s good to know I am not forgotten!”
When Bishop Declan visited Peru in 2005 the people of San Antonio asked for help from the people of Clifton Diocese in building a church for this new and thriving parish. The Bishop launched the appeal at the 2006 Chrism Mass to help make this dream become real so it was fitting that a year later Minehead’s donation could be made.
People in Moquegua have a very low income and over 50% are unemployed. However, they had raised already £7,000 to get things started. The chapel in which they presently worship is made of reed matting and serves a town of over 3000 families.
For more information about the Peru appeal please download the files below. Donations to the Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal can be sent payable to ‘CCDTR re Peru Appeal’, to Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal, St Ambrose, North Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW.
A contingent of parishioner travelled to Clifton Cathedral in Bristol to handover a cheque for £2,235.62 towards the Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal. They presented the donations to Right Reverend Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, after the recent Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass draws people together from around the Clifton Diocese which covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire as well as Somerset.
The special appeal aims to help people of the Parish of San Antonio in the Moquegua region of Southern Peru. The parish is in the care of the former Somerset-based priest, Father Danny O’Sullivan.
Father Michael Thomas, Sacred Heart’s Parish Priest, said, “We’ve being fundraising for Peru throughout the year. We started back in August with a barbeque and picture hunt which gave us a start of about £350.
“We then invited donations from visitors and parishioners and held a very successful Harvest Lunch in October which raised just over a thousand pounds.
“At Christmas we designed and printed 2000 cards which we very popular. All were sold, raising another £300. The cards showed the Nativity stained glass window in our church.”
Many Minehead parishioners knew Father Danny O’Sullivan when he was assistant priest in Taunton so there is a strong personal link to this special appeal.
Father Michael Thomas added, “I admire for the work the Sacred Heart Parish has put into collecting funds for this very poor Parish of San Antonio on the other side of the world.
“Sacred Heart parishioners and our many welcome visitors have displayed a care for those who have so little and live a long way a way. This is an example of our Christian mission to help our neighbours where ever they are.”
On hearing of the news in Peru, Father Danny O’Sullivan, said, “I thank most sincerely Father Michael and the very generous parishioners of the Sacred Heart for their outstanding support of our appeal.
“I have fond memories of the Minehead parish since my days as a priest in Taunton. At the invitation of the former parish Priest Father Frank Norbury I visited the Sacred Heart parish on two occasions to speak of my experiences in Peru. It’s good to know I am not forgotten!”
When Bishop Declan visited Peru in 2005 the people of San Antonio asked for help from the people of Clifton Diocese in building a church for this new and thriving parish. The Bishop launched the appeal at the 2006 Chrism Mass to help make this dream become real so it was fitting that a year later Minehead’s donation could be made.
People in Moquegua have a very low income and over 50% are unemployed. However, they had raised already £7,000 to get things started. The chapel in which they presently worship is made of reed matting and serves a town of over 3000 families.
For more information about the Peru appeal please download the files below. Donations to the Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal can be sent payable to ‘CCDTR re Peru Appeal’, to Clifton Diocese Peru Appeal, St Ambrose, North Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW.
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