The Catholic Church’s overseas development aid agency, Trócaire, has
written to Irish dioceses to thank them for all the support Trócaire has
received from the faithful during the year.
In a letter this week to the Diocese of Derry, Regional Manager of
Trócaire Kevin Donnelly thanked the people of the diocese.
“I would like
to thank all from County Derry for their loyal support for Trócaire’s
work over the past year.”
He added: “We are extremely privileged to work
on behalf of the people of Ireland in some of the poorest countries in
the world. That work would not be possible without the generosity of
parishioners, students, teachers, clergy, volunteers and supporters who
believe passionately in remembering those less well off than
themselves.”
Speaking about the donations from the public to Trócaire, he said
“The year has seen the continued bloodshed in Syria and millions of
Syrians having to take refuge in camps in the Middle East and Europe.
Your donations have enabled us to support these people, who fled with
nothing and are desperate. People are getting essential shelter, food
and healthcare and also longer term assistance including training
schemes, housing refurbishments and education so families can provide
some normality for their children.”
Meanwhile, in a letter to the Diocese of Cloyne, Trócaire Executive
Director Éamonn Meehan thanked the people of Cloyne for their generosity
and said that “Trócaire’s 2016 Lenten Campaign focused on
drought-affected communities in Kenya. Helping families to survive in
the face of the region’s growing drought crisis is a major focus of
Trócaire’s work … In addition to our work in Kenya, the Lenten Campaign
is vital for continuing our work throughout the developing world. Last
year, we brought relief to 2.4 million people in 25 countries.”
Trócaire has also thanked fast food giant, Supermac’s, for its
support throughout the year. Over the past year, in excess of
€40,000 has been raised in aid of Trócaire by Supermac’s throughout the
country. The contribution came from a combination of fundraisers and
collection boxes that were organised in Supermac’s outlets over the past
year, as well as contributions made at the Supermac’s Trócaire
Fundraising Evening in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa in Galway in December.
Éamonn Meehan said that “Supermac’s staff and customers have made an
enormous contribution to Trócaire’s work around the world. Their efforts
to raise funds to support our work have allowed us to deliver support,
relief and aid to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
That support has changed people’s lives and helped people to work their
way out of extreme poverty. I would like to thank Pat McDonagh and the
entire Supermac’s organisation for their commitment to helping people
living in extreme poverty overseas.”