Could You Help Share the True Spirit of Christmas?
Christmas is a season of giving, and each year parish communities across the north of Ireland help turn that spirit of generosity into practical support for families facing poverty around the world through Trócaire’s Gifts of Change.
Gifts of Change offer people the opportunity to give a Christmas present with a difference. Rather than simply buying another gift, they can choose something that will help support communities overseas and contribute to Trócaire’s work alongside people experiencing poverty and injustice.
Parishes can play a simple but valuable part.
Each Christmas, volunteers set up a small Gifts of Change stall after Masses, giving parishioners an opportunity to find out more and purchase gifts for family and friends.
Last Christmas, 50 parishes took part, and Trócaire would love to see even more communities involved this year.
You do not need previous experience to volunteer. Trócaire provides everything required, including training, materials and ongoing support. What is needed most is a little time and a willingness to help.
It could be a lovely way for individuals, families, parish groups or young adults to become involved in something practical this Advent, helping our celebration of Christmas reach beyond our own homes and communities.
If you would like to find out more about setting up a Gifts of Change stall in your parish, please contact Mark McMahon at [email protected] or telephone 028 9080 8030.
You can also find out more about Trócaire’s Gifts of Change and how they work here:
https://www.trocaire.org/ways-to-help/gifts/how-it-works/
This Christmas, a small commitment of time in our own parish could become a very real gift of hope for someone elsewhere in the world.