From our Reader, Stephen Carden
With the blessing of Father Marcus and the clergy team, Gemma and I are launching a Chaplaincy wide appeal to collect long life food, cleaning materials and men’s toiletries for the homeless and ill men in the care of the Franciscan Brothers at Palma de Gandia. The plan is for members of our congregations to bring items to church to be placed in a box. Information with a list of the items required is follows (below).
The items can be quarantined in the box before being given to a member of the clergy team. They have kindly offered to collect them whenever they visit on the rota and pass the items on.
This is a targeted appeal starting on Sunday the 25th April, running for six weeks until the 6th June.
I know that many members of our congregations have helped this worthy cause in different ways over the years, and some still are very much involved. I’m very grateful for that, as are the Brothers. There may be others who are not so familiar with the Hospice and would like to know more and to help in some way. This is a good opportunity to do just that.
I hope and pray that we will make this appeal a big success.
Yours in the service of Christ,
Stephen
THE FRANCISCAN HOSPICE AT PALMA de GANDIA
The Franciscan Hospice (sometimes called a refuge or a shelter)provides a home and nursing care for around 45 homeless men, many of whom are elderly and suffer from mental or physical illness.
The hospice is funded entirely by charitable donations. Three Franciscan Brothers care for the residents around the clock. In normal times they have help, including donations of food and essential supplies, from volunteers and local support groups, but due to the current pandemic and the vulnerable state of the residents they have been in strict lockdown since the 10th March 2020.
This wonderful place is a refuge of love and charity in our troubled world.
YOU CAN HELP BY BRINGING ANY OF THESE ITEMS TO CHURCH(or contacting your local warden if you’re staying at home)
tinned food,
rice or pasta,
long life milk,
toiletries such as hand soap, shampoo/shower gel, shaving foam, disposable razors,
washing up liquid,
disinfectant spay,
hand sanitiser gel,
fly spray (sin olor),
scouring pads and ‘J cloths’,
Unused medication (in date please) is also needed.
Single bedding (90 cms) blankets and towels in good condition are also useful, but at the moment the Brothers are not taking clothing or shoes.
Please contact Stephen or Linda Carden if you would like any further information or would like to help in other ways.
Tel. 647 285485 (with Whatsapp) or e-mail cardenstephen@yahoo.co.uk
El Centro de Acogida de San Francisco de Asis is a registered charity.