Fr Chris Camino Challenge
A Modern Day Palmer
In Medieval times pilgrimage was an important part of the faith of Christians and if at all possible they would try to make the journey to the Holy Land, Rome or Santiago de Compostella at least once in their lives. If someone was unable to go they would ask a Palmer to make the journey for them.
The name comes from the pilgrim bringing a Palm back if they had been to the Holy Land. Still today pilgrimage is an important part of our journey in faith and there are many different places to go on pilgrimage including Lourdes and Santiago de Compostella. I hope to make this journey as part of the Every Step Challenge for Caritas Salford. The schools will be joining the running challenge and with the help of the Jesuits there will be an Imaginings Prayer experience led by members of the Jesuit Institute taking place on Wednesdays.
I see this opportunity as one for me to be a modern day Palmer taking your intentions on The Way so please use the prayer on the back of this card and know that I will be carrying your intentions with me,
God Bless, Fr Chris
Caritas Salford
I am fundraising for Caritas Salford, the official local diocesan charity of Salford Diocese. Their work includes supporting children and their families, as well as individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination in projects such as Caritas Cornerstone, Caritas Lalley Centre, Caritas Red Door and Caritas Maryvale, and supported accommodation at Caritas Morning Star for those that would be otherwise sleeping rough. They also have a small crisis fund - the Caritas Bishop's Fund - to provide immediate financial support to those in need.
In Bolton, an area where 45% of children are living in poverty (that's almost every other child in a classroom!), the Caritas School Service is able to work with Headteachers to identify families in crisis and award a small one-off grant to help with various difficulties that might arise due to illness, unemployment, job insecurity, and the increasing costs of energy and food. This fund is available for parishes to access too, through a simple application form on their website. https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/service/bishops-fund/
I would be so grateful - if you are able - for any small donation parishioners can give in sponsorship of my Camino challenge in aid of Caritas Salford, knowing that every penny raised will support those local people in desperate need. Your prayers for them and for me would also be very gratefully received. My JustGiving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/page/fr-chris-camino