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Thanks for the attention and interest you are taking towards my request of help for the children of “St. Daniel Comboni Social Development Center”.

We, the Comboni Missionary Sisters, started this Center in 2016, in a very poor compound (Makeny Villa) in the suburb of Lusaka, Zambia. Our desire was to create a safe place for children, adolescents and young mothers where they could be away from the street, learn good values and attend the Literacy course.

In this compound life is hard and infrastructures are almost inexistent…. People try their best to find piecework to have something to eat in the evening. The women try to sell something sitting at the street side: a bit of tomatoes, few onions, charcoal…. Many of the children spend their day on the street, learning what the street offers them. Some go to the Government school, Twashuka School, with classes of about 200-230 children. Unbelievable but true!

Some of the children and adolescent of the compound come to our Centre, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. At the beginning, we were organizing various sport activities for them. Then, little by little, we have started giving more attention to their academic education, organizing some classes and teaching children either who have never been to school or that dropped school in grade 1 or 2: we firmly believe that the way out of poverty is education…. Personally, I have been here since January 2024. From the beginning, I noticed children moving too frequently in and out of the classrooms and going to the tab to drink. Observing them better, I noticed that their leaving the classroom was because of hunger. They kept on drinking and drinking and drinking to fill the stomach with something…

We started giving a bit of milk now and then, but the children need to eat every day, not only “now and then”!!!!  And, trusting in God’s Providence, we started giving them a cup of milk and two slices of bread, or a bun, everyday… With God’s help, we will continue ….What we give is not much but the children long for “our lunch time” since they come to the Center with no breakfast and some of them even remained with no supper the previous night because there was no food… . They eat, drink the milk and run to play in the football ground until 2:00 pm when they go back to class.

Yes…to class. Here we have another challenge: the desks… They are not enough and so the classes are still few. It pains me when the children come to me and ask to be assigned to a class because “I want to learn how to read”…

Near to the Center, at a walking distance, there is a Refugee Camp: families from Congo and Rwanda live in tents or in one room only. Some of their children come to the Center, too, and enjoy learning, playing, sharing, making friends with the Zambian ones… no barriers, simply children and friends. Sadly, now and then a group of them is transferred to another Camp and the children have to leave friends, Centre, their teacher…and go.

They are all beautiful children but they have come to know suffering too early; nevertheless, they are full of enthusiasm and dreams … They dream to become teachers, doctors, police officers…; one even wants to become President of Zambia… and we dream with them.

Yes, I dream that no child goes to bed at night without dinner.   I dream that everyone may go to school and not be left on the street. I dream that there will be no more cases where a five-year-old girl, like Jamina (false name), is locked in her house, from morning to night, because no one can look after her; or that another girl, Liza (false name) also five years old, is locked out of the house every day, because no one stays at home…

I dream that there might be justice everywhere and no more schools for the poor, with 230 students per class, standing or sitting anywhere, on the floor, on tables, literally everywhere…

I dream that there will  never be children who, to calm their hunger, constantly go to the drinking spot to drink, drink, drink… and fill their stomachs. I dream of happy children in families, not in refugee camps, children who can look at the future with serenity and forget the fear of suddenly being picked up and sent away to another camp, leaving the Centre, the teacher, the friends.

I dream of peaceful days, full of children growing up well, who study, who have food and a home….

I entrust this dream to God our Father who will surely answer us through the good people of this world.

With gratitude, Sr. Enza Carini  Comboni Missionary Sister

1/ CAFOD’s Call for debt justice in the Jubilee Year.  The world is currently facing the one of the most acute debt crises in history. 54 countries – from Kenya to Sri Lanka – are facing debt distress.  We are asking world leaders: 1. for unjust debt to be cancelled 2. Support a law to make private lenders take part in debt relief 3. To prevent further debt crisis through a new debt framework within the United Nations.  Please sign the petition at both churches

2/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen http://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk

There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity.

 

SHOUT have opened a new charity shop recently at 147 Montague Street, Worthing, supporting the most vulnerable in our community

 

 

3/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week Become zero waste. Slowly try to reduce your waste a bit every week. Consider giving a home-made gift instead of buying a present, upcycling items or looking at your food shop and seeing what items you could buy differently, spending a bit more on loose fruit and veg for example.

 

 

 

 

4/ Parish Projects The parish is donating to a number of charities both home & abroad with money that’s tithed from the weekly collection during this financial year. In the next few weeks information will be given about each one.

The Comboni Missionary Sisters, have started a Centre in a very poor area of Lusaka, Zambia. To create a safe place for children, adolescents, young mothers & refugees from a nearby camp, a place where they can learn good values and attend the Literacy course.

Life is hard & people try their best to find piecework to have something to eat in the evening.

Some children come to our Centre, each day. Little by little, we have started giving more attention to their academic education, we firmly believe that the way out of poverty is education. We noticed the children were very hungry & started giving them a cup of milk and two slices of bread, or a bun, every day. With God’s help, we will continue. What we give is not much but the children long for lunch time since they come to the Centre with no breakfast because food is very scarce. You can read the very moving full version of the letter from Sr. Enza Carini of Comboni Missionary Sister, it’s on the notice boards at St Mary’s & at Holy Family.  The letter is also on the website https://www.catholicparishofworthingandlancing.co.uk & our  Facebook sites

St Mary of the Angels & Holy Family Justice & Peace Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen

There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity http://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk

SHOUT have opened a new charity shop recently at 147 Montague Street, Worthing, supporting the most vulnerable in our community

 

 

2/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week Introducing more plant-based meals into your diet is one of the best ways to cut your carbon footprint, and it’s often a healthier choice too.  Lots of supermarkets now offer great meat-free options, so why not try some plant-based – or try eating meat-free one day a week or opting for a vegetarian option whilst eating out.  Whatever you get up to this summer, remember your actions and everyday choices make a difference – and influence those around you to take action too. This goes hand-in-hand with calling on leaders to act. Together, we can build a greener, fairer world that will help people in poverty who are hardest hit by the climate crisis.

 

 

 

 

3/ Parish Projects the parish is donating to a number of charities both home & abroad with money that’s tithed from the weekly collection during this financial year. In the next few weeks information will be given about each one.

The first one is St Martin’s Mission in Kingstown, Jamaica. The Dominican Friars (English Province) run two parishes, one of which is desperately poor and in an area policed by the military because of gang violence.

In addition to normal parish duties, and a food ministry to the poor and pre-schoolers, the friars aim to build up and empower the Catholic presence in Jamaica through education: a parish Nursery school, teenager and young adult catechesis, chaplaincy outreach in the local university and hospital. Young men are beginning to enquire about vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and at present two of them are living in the friary during a period of discernment.

The leadership of the English province visits the mission yearly, to oversee the mission and provide direction and guidance.  Student friars are sometimes sent on pastoral placements during the summer to further assist in the mission to young adults. Leaflets are available at carpark entrance at St Mary’s and at Holy Family Dominican Friars (English Province) www.english.op.org

 

 

 

 

4/ A Message from Worthing4Refugees I have recently heard about a Ukrainian woman and son seeking to move to the UK.  A host is needed.  Do you know of anyone who would be willing to consider this?

Here is what Olha writes about herself: Hello! My name is Olha. My son and I are looking for a sponsor in the UK. Currently, we live in Ukraine, Kyiv. Our city is constantly under attacks and missiles. Shelters are not very well equipped. So it becomes impossible to stay here. We have a hope for peaceful and quiet life and nights.

I’m working as an English tutor and studying psychology. I have started my psychotherapeutic practice. I speak pretty good English. My son also speaks English. He studies in the 6-th grade. We’re friendly and quiet. I would like to find a sponsor ASAP. Thanks in advance.       O.Shmaleniuk@gmail.com +49 160 93448706 What’s App
+38 063 2996212 Telegram, viber
If you or someone you know are able to help, please contact Olha directly. West Sussex County Council will be able to help you understand the hosting process. Thanks for your support. Gay Jacklin. Worthing for refugees

 

 

Clare Neal, a committed and long-standing parishioner, well-known to many, died recently. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11.30am on Friday 18th July at St Mary of the Angels, Worthing. May she rest in peace.

TODAY IS SEA SUNDAY: Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they work in difficult, hazardous conditions, often separated from their families for months on end. On Sea Sunday, the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your financial support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. Stella Maris Chaplains offer  spiritual and pastoral support to workers who may not have been able to receive the sacraments for months at a time.

You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. The collection on Sea Sunday is vital for Stella Maris to continue its
important apostolic mission.

The parish is donating to a number of charities both home & abroad with money that’s tithed from the weekly collection during this financial year. In the next few weeks information will be given about each one.

The first one is St Martin’s Mission in Kingstown, Jamaica. The Dominican Friars (English Province) run two parishes, one of which is desperately poor and in an area policed by the  military because of gang violence. In addition to normal parish duties, and a food ministry to the poor and pre-schoolers, the friars aim to build up and empower the Catholic presence in Jamaica through education: a parish Nursery school, teenager and young adult catechesis , chaplaincy outreach in the local university and hospital. Young men are beginning to  enquire about vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and two of them who are currently living in the friary during a period of discernment have now been accepted into the English Province. This September, they will begin their year’s noviciate in Cambridge. After that, God willing, they will begin their priestly formation in Oxford.

The leadership of the English province visits the mission yearly, to oversee the mission and provide direction and guidance. Student friars are sometimes sent on pastoral placements during the summer to further assist in the mission to young adults. Leaflets are available at carpark entrance at St Mary’s and at Holy Family

1/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen.  There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity http://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk

 

2/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week  When you put on a load of washing over the summer, try lowering the temperature setting. This reduces the amount of power your machine uses as 90% of your machine’s energy use is for heating the water. Lowering the temperature helps your clothes last longer.  Also drying the clothes in the garden is for free, instead of using a tumble dryer.

 

3/ CAFOD We need your voice Will you join us in the ‘Act Now, Change Forever’ mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 9 July 2025 along with thousands of people from across the country?Register your interest now and we’ll keep you updated as plans develop http://www.cafod.org.uk  The link will take you to The Climate Coalition website, as you need to be registered officially to meet your MP. The Climate Coalition will send you logistical information about the lobby, but your details will not be shared and you won’t receive emails from The Climate Coalition after the lobby itself.

 

4/ Fr Silvester A few weeks ago the Justice & Peace Group managed to get an ambulance to send to Uganda, it should arrive in about 8 weeks, the shipping company are kindly sending it free of charge.  Fr Silvester said it’s a very important asset. It will be the only one to serve the whole district. It can also be hired out to neighbouring hospitals & by doing so help support our centre

 

 

 

5/ “Sea 2 Shore” is an event run by a  local charity, “Between Blue and Green”   to support the local Worthing Fishermen on Sunday 13^th July 10.30am – 7pm  at Windsor Lawns, Worthing.

 

1/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen  There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity http://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk

 

2/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week  If you’ve been spending more time at home than usual this year, you might notice that cleaning is a job that never ends! How we clean has the potential to impact the environment – from the ingredients in the products we buy and the packaging they come in to the temperature we wash our clothes at.

 

3/ CAFOD We need your voice  Will you join us in the ‘Act Now, Change Forever’ mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 9 July 2025 along with thousands of people from across the country?Register your interest now and we’ll keep you updated as plans develop http://www.cafod.org.uk  The link will take you to The Climate Coalition website, as you need to be registered officially to meet your MP. The Climate Coalition will send you logistical information about the lobby, but your details will not be shared and you won’t receive emails from The Climate Coalition after the lobby itself.

 

4/ Fr Silvester A few weeks ago the Justice & Peace Group managed to get an ambulance to send to Uganda, it should arrive in about 8 weeks, the shipping company are kindly sending it free of charge.  Fr Silvester said it’s a very important asset. It will be the only one to serve the whole district. It can also be hired out to neighbouring hospitals & by doing so help support our centre

 

 

1/ The theme for this year’s Refugee Week (16-22 June) is “Community as a Superpower.” Communities can bring people together, bridging divides and offering support and places for healing. This Refugee Week everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods www.refugeeweek.org.uk/
Could you get involved in a local charity or organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers? There are many charities and groups in our diocese working to support refugees and asylum seekers in Surrey and Sussex, ensuring that our brothers and sisters seeking refuge and a place of safety can build stable new lives. To find out more  www.abdiocese.org.uk/news/refugee-week?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2_17_2022_14_56_COPY_05)&mc_cid=aa3b25cbb8&mc_eid=24d11430c0 and visit the diocesan website

 

 

2/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen

There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity http://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk

 

 

3/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week  Calculate your carbon footprint. Carbon calculators can be helpful tools to pick up tips on how to further reduce emissions, and www.zero.giki.earth   is a great tool for whatever stage of the journey you are on. It could also spark conversations in your household to learn what areas of your lifestyle you could change to live a little greener.

 

4/ CAFOD We need your voice  Will you join us in the ‘Act Now, Change Forever’ mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 9 July 2025 along with thousands of people from across the country?Register your interest now and we’ll keep you updated as plans develop http://www.cafod.org.uk  The link will take you to The Climate Coalition website, as you need to be registered officially to meet your MP. The Climate Coalition will send you logistical information about the lobby, but your details will not be shared and you won’t receive emails from The Climate Coalition after the lobby itself.

1/ Refugee Week 16^th to 22^nd June On Wed 18^th June there will be Vigil for Refugees after the 10am Mass at Holy Family. We are going to spend time together reflecting on the plight of the refugee.  We will pray together & have time for personal reflection and silent pray. Please see Refugee Exhibition “THE STATIONS” on display at both churches

 

 

2/ SHOUT Helps those who are really struggling to feed their families and the homeless. If you can spare an extra item from your shopping, please donate it to SHOUT Worthing – Soup Kitchen

There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of St Mary of the Angels. Holy Family also support a similar charity

 

 

3/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week LED Light’s – SWITCH TO LED LIGHTING & SAVE MONEY & ENERGY. It works out that a nationwide switch to LED lightbulbs would dramatically slash UK electricity demand.  LED lighting is so efficient that if UK homes, street lights, and businesses were to switch, we’d save 2 x the amount of electricity Hinkley Point C nuclear plant will produce at peak times (like during the winter). And in the long term it would save money on consumer bills too!  Solutions like these, where power is used more efficiently, should play a bigger role in the transition to a clean energy future. You can buy LED’s in many High Street stores.