Pope Francis
Pope Francis gave us this invitation.... ‘let us persevere in our closeness and in prayer for the dear Ukrainian people who are experiencing immense cruelty’

Praying for Peace in Ukraine and the World
Exposition will now be at Sacred Heart (Leigh) Church on Tuesdays and St Joseph’s Church on Wednesdays.
Exposition will begin at 11.30am and will conclude with midday Mass.
In the event of a Funeral Mass at midday, Exposition will be cancelled.

Archbishop Malcolm has approved the launch of an Archdiocesan urgent and major appeal to support Ukraine. Text numbers have been set up for anyone wanting to make a financial donation. All donations will be sent to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.
TO DONATE TEXT:
• HELPUKRAINE to 70085 to donate £2
• HELPUKRAINE to 70450 to donate £3
• HELPUKRAINE to 70460 to donate £5
• HELPUKRAINE to 70470 to donate £10
Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard network rate message

A Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

(From the CAFOD website)

Retiring Emergency Collections for Ukraine
Holy Family and St Ambrose Barlow: From next week there will be a retiring collection at weekend Masses for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO DONATE MONEY DIRECT:  Please visit the CAFOD website:  www.cafod.org.uk
CAFOD is a member of DEC, Disasters Emergency Committee, and part of one of the largest aid networks in the world – Caritas Internationalis.  Because of their global reach and local presence, they are there when an emergency hits. Their Ukrainian and neighbouring Caritas local aid workers and volunteers are part of the communities they work with and so understand people’s immediate needs.
Donations will go to local Caritas aid workers providing humanitarian aid and safe spaces for thousands of Ukrainian civilians caught up in the fighting.

Catholic bishops in Europe have expressed support for Ukraine and appealed to Christians to pray for peace. “At this extremely delicate time, we ask Christians to pray for the gift of peace in Ukraine so that those responsible may be filled with,  and radiate, a peace that is ‘contagious’ and that the crisis will be overcome exclusively through dialogue.'

Let us come together to pray for peace at this very important time.