The Association for the Propagation of the Faith (APF) is best known for its red box collections, which can be found in 200,000 homes and raises millions of pounds for the missions. We support all 1,069 mission dioceses throughout the world providing pastoral care and preaching the Gospel. The APF works with the Mill Hill Missionary Society. Its priests, lay brothers and associates work in 27 countries and in every continent.
We have an active CAFOD network in our parish, the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. They work with partners across the world, wherever the need is greatest, to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice. During Lent we have Lenten lunches in our parish to raise money for CAFOD. This is a simple meal of soup, bread and a drink.They are held in people’s homes and in the church hall. Catch up with the latest events in our area at the CAFOD Portsmouth blog: cafodportsmouth.wordpress.com
The St Vincent de Paul society (SVP) motto is ‘Turning Concern into Action’ and here in Basingstoke, the St Bede’s and St Joseph’s SVP group aims to tackle poverty in all its forms, particularly by visiting the sick and the lonely. Volunteers are very welcome to join and all members of the parish are asked to recommend names of people who might like a visit or some help; the confidentiality and dignity of those we serve is always respected. Funds are used for specific purposes such as a small grant to someone in need; helping our twinned SVP Conferences in Southern India; contributions to social, peace and justice projects here in Basingstoke.
We’re proud to support the Basingstoke Food Bank, providing emergency food for local people in crisis. We donate non-perishable, in-date food – check our newsletter for their latest requirements. Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Police identify people in crisis and issue them with a voucher. The voucher can be redeemed at a foodbank centre for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or coffee and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.