Amnesty International

The Parish Amnesty group was formed a few years ago to provide an avenue of assistance within the Parish to various individuals worldwide whose human rights are being abused. The main activity of our group is collecting appeal letters once a month, signed by our fellow parishioners. Our Coordinator picks the topic beforehand, creates the letters and afterwards, makes sure the letters are stamped and sent. Occasionally, we are approached by a member of our Parish asking for a letter campaign on a particular cause or individual. If the parameters are within the Amnesty International guidelines we are happy to do this and would, indeed encourage this level of interest.

If you want to help with collecting letters – only once a month for 30 minutes right after Mass – please send your contact details to our Coordinator, Harry Moneypenny at this e-mail. Also watch in the bulletin for information about the Urgent Action Appeals.

Fair Trade

The principal of trying to support initiatives to ensure that the primary producers in the Third World receive a fair price for their goods is one which we try to back up in many ways. We buy Fair Trade products for the church's own needs and encourage parishioners to do the same, while also trying to persuade companies to take up a Fair Trade policy in their canteens. On the first weekend of every month the Fair Trade shop situated at the church is open. Once the renovations are over we will be opening our own shop which can then be open more often. Contact Chris Khouw e-mail.

Meals for the Homeless (The Hague)

During Lent 2006 our special campaign was to support the work of Mariëtte Brekelmans, the Street Pastor of The Hague and her work with the homeless. Following this a new initiative was begun, linked with the St Egidio Group, to assist in helping to prepare and serve evening supper on two Fridays a month to the homeless. On the second and fourth Friday of each month a team prepares and serves a 3-course meal to their clients at Westeinde 101a. There is a short service prior to the meal. Special evenings are also created around St Nicholas and Christmas. Here are some pictures of the event at Epiphany 2008
If you are interested in joining the team then contact: Anne McMahon

Microfinance Group

Welcome to the news about the Microfinance Group!

The Microfinance Group was established as a result of the 2008 Lenten Campaign, which successfully raised €7,453 to provide microcredits to entrepreneurs in developing countries via Kiva. The funds were converted into US dollars as Kiva loans are denominated in US dollars. To date (December 2009)we have lent a total of $28,250 to 175 projects in 40 countries across the world. We can lend more than we raised because as loans are repaid, we re-lend the funds.

For deeper information go to:

• Project Portfolio to see exactly who it is that we are supporting.
• Lending Guidelines to see the criteria we use to choose our projects
• Success Stories for some real cases where microfinance has made a life-changing difference
• What is Microfinance for some background information and a range of links to find out more.

Soup Kitchen, Rotterdam

Every Tuesday a group of parishioners spends a few hours helping the Missionaries of Charity (founded by Mother Teresa) at the Rotterdam Soup Kitchen, where about 80 -100 homeless people are served one warm meal daily. A donation of your time helping to prepare meals, or performing any job that may be required, is always appreciated. Often the Sisters need handymen or women to fix, repair or paint. From time to time we make special appeals for items of particular use to the Sisters in their work.
Contact: Francesca van Duren, 070-346 2866.

Here are just a few pictures of our team at work.

Unemployed - support possibilities

For a few years the Parish had a special group called Outreach to the Unemployed. The group is currently suspended as a result of the fact that its members all succeeded in solving their employment problems. However, during its existence a good deal of information was gathered and should any parishioners find themselves suddenly unemployed and in need of support do not hesitate to contact the Parish House. You would then be put in touch with someone who might be able to help. In the event of an obvious need, the group would be re-formed.

Below are some site contacts which could be useful in looking for new employment - both paid and voluntary.