lready, the first light dusting of snow has fallen on the mountains and foothills in the far north-western reaches of our Archdiocese. Mission Priests are making lists of parishioners most in need of warm blankets for the coming winter.

Among those at the top of the list are the elderly, whose old bones ache from sleeping on a grass mat on the floor of their huts … the father in his wheelchair who sustains four members of his family on his tiny disability grant … the mother with a new baby, rejoicing that her child will have its own blanket …

But it’s the gogos (“grandmothers” in the Zulu language) that worry us most. These are women who have lost their own children to HIV Aids and other deadly diseases. Now they have taken on the responsibility of bringing up a second family of grandchildren.

Gogo Ngcobo of the Sacred Heart Parish cares for five grandchildren aged between four and 16 years. Any blankets she receives she will give first to one of these young ones.

Gogo Ndlela of St Peter’s Mission takes care of her two grandchildren after their mother went missing during a trip to collect her daughter’s birth certificate. Despite a police investigation, the missing woman has never been found.

Both these families survive on tiny government pensions and child care grants. Like many others, the two gogos sacrifice everything for their grandchildren, going without things they need for themselves so the kids don’t go hungry.

Please help us bring some warmth and comfort into their lives this winter – by making your donation towards blankets right now.

Every time I have the pleasure of blessing a parishioner on the Missions with blankets from kind supporters like you, I witness the joy on their faces as their new gift surrounds them in a hug of warmth and care.

Please share this feeling by downloading our little “Pocket Hug”, printing it and keeping it close to your heart as a reminder of the precious role you play in the lives of poverty stricken people on the Zulu Missions.

Or you may want to pass it on to someone you want to hug – but are unable to do so – during this time of social distancing.

Please also let us know if you have any special intentions you’d like included in our monthly Mass for Mission friends.