f you can imagine living in a mud or stone hut on an isolated hillside covered in snow … with no heating, and only a grass mat on the floor as your bed – you’ll understand the true value of your gift to help buy blankets for poor people on the Missions this winter.

Those who’ve never visited Africa, imagine it as a place that’s hot and dry. But in the mountainous areas of South Africa, winter brings snow. And with weather patterns around the world changing, the first small snowfalls of the year have already been reported … and are likely to continue sporadically right through to September.

Combined with bitter winds, it makes life in a traditional rural hut pretty bleak.  Our Mission families really suffer – some even die. So once again, I am appealing for donations towards blankets for the poorest people.

Rural people don’t only use their blanket at night – on cold days, they ‘wear’ them when they have to go outside to tend to their livestock, collect water or gather firewood.

But when money is tight, the first priority will always be food. And a blanket, however badly needed, may be beyond the reach of poverty stricken families.

That’s why, with winter on the way, I’m asking for help from more fortunate families.

Your gift won’t only be the warmth, comfort and protection it will give to someone during the worst of the winter weather  – but also the warmth of your caring generosity.

God bless you for your kindness. And if you have any intentions you’d like included in our monthly Mass for Mission friends, please let me know.