CONGREGATIO DIVINUM CARITAS

Getting involved...

There are various opportunities for parishoners to get involved in activities...

The Daily Mass Online attracts an average 1'200 viewers a month, many are housebound, elderly or infirm with limited opportunities to participate in the offering of the Mass except via this medium; other viewers are devout Catholics unable to attend Mass in person due to work commitments or for whom getting to Mass is difficult through distance or lack of transport. Still others are curious about the Catholic Faith and particularly about the traditional form of Mass of the Latin Rite. For all, the Daily Mass Online is an opportunity to participate spiritually in the offering of the supreme act of the Church's worship, uniting their prayers with those of the Church and of Our Lord Himself on the Cross for our redemption.

How can you get involved in this apostolate of charity? In the first instance, by attending! Come and answer the Mass and enhance the experience of viewers by being able to see members of the Body of Christ at “the work of the people” of God i.e. the Liturgy. If you have a car, perhaps you could bring someone along with you? The venue has complete disabled access and facilities. You might like to consider sponsoring a Mass or several Masses, perhaps donate towards the cost of the web expenses? Certainly you can help spread the word and encourage others to watch the Mass.

The Homeless Drop-in On Wednesdays the Salvationists at Brighton Congress Hall, open their main multipurpose hall as a “drop-in” for the homeless and impoverished of our City. It has been my personal joy to assist the provision of hot/cold drinks and food to those who come and I should like to extend to you an invitation to join us. This drop-in is one of only three in the City and is the only one to offer food and drink for free. It is also, since the closure of another centre, the only place to offer free showers and washing facilities to the homeless. Why not come to the 8am Mass on Wednesday and then join me with the Salvationists? I can tell you, there's no better feeling than receiving Christ at Mass and then serving Him straight afterwards in the person of the poor.

Otherwise, why not support this wonderful expression of charity, that gives hope to the poor and through which you might express your faith by offering, if not your time, your old clothes or contributing towards the cost of food? Unfortunately the Salvation Army can't collect any clothes but will welcome any brought to the hall. Or visit their website at www.salvationarmybch.org.uk and go to the “donate” page to give a financial contribution to the “Homeless Project” for which they receive no other funding.

“Peace of Mind” - Churches Working Together in Brighton & Hove Another project you may wish to assist with is a new initiative borne by our other ecumenical friends at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church with whom we are collaborating to establish a Mental Health Day Centre. The project has begun with the running of Mental Health Awareness workshops designed to make members of congregations aware of Mental Health symptoms and behaviours as much for the benefit of their brethren as for visitors. The next stage will be to run workshops on passive counseling skills and perhaps more advanced interventionist skills. Ultimately the goal is to provide a Day Centre where people suffering with Mental Health can come and enjoy activities designed to relieve and distract them from their condition, arts and crafts and musical activities as well as a place to meet counselors and a safe place “to be”.

Why not offer to become an “aware” member of the Mission? The training is delivered over half a day in a very informal and relaxed atmosphere that encourages thought and interaction with other course attendees. The initial courses focus on awareness of signs, symptoms and breaking down misconceptions and stereotypes about Mental Health. Alternatively, why not contribute to the cost of training. Contact Fr Jerome for more information.