Become a Parish Volunteer and help eradicate poverty

Interested in making a difference to the World’s poorest communities? Join CAFOD as a parish volunteer and discover fantastic ways to make that difference. Two of our volunteers, Jill and John,  share the opportunities they gained from volunteering at CAFOD. You too can sign up today and get active in your parish.

Jill and John’s journey to becoming a parish volunteers

There are many reasons why parishioners choose to volunteer for CAFOD, from wanting to take concrete action to making the most of their free time.

Jill Cass, parish Volunteer from St Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Biggin Hill, at the Share the Journey walk last June 2018 in Hartley

Jill Cass became a volunteer in her parish by accident four years ago, when she had to fill in for someone else. “I have been a CAFOD volunteers for four years. In the past we had relied on a speaker at mass for Family Fast Day but one day we could not get one so I thought I would do it and that’s how I became a volunteer,” she says.

Since then, Jill has enjoyed being an active member of her community and has helped with a range of activities, from coordinating CAFOD’s Family Fast Days to helping other volunteers speak at mass.

On the other hand, a long time supporter of CAFOD, John Vine decided to become an active parish volunteer after retiring.

“I have supported CAFOD financially for as long as I can remember but when I retired I felt I needed to do more to follow St James’s exhortation to do something and not just talk about it.  So I decided to become our parish representative and set up a small parish group to help fundraise and support campaigns,” he says.

Interested in volunteering with CAFOD? Find out more

Speaking at Mass for Family Fast Day

John Sibley is a volunteer at CAFOD and an experienced public speaker. Here, he shares his best tips and tells you everything you need to know about speaking at Mass for Family Fast Day. The message? Speaking at Mass can seem daunting, but all it takes is good preparation!

What I learnt from speaking at Mass.

About five years ago, I volunteered to speak at mass and went to Romero House (CAFOD’s London office) for a day of training.

One of our volunteers speaking at Mass

There are different forms of public speaking. Speaking on a soap box to shoppers at a junction on the South Circular Road is different to speaking at St Joseph’s! For example, teachers and lecturers are naturally proficient at speaking, but usually at church, you would not expect to be questioned during your talk as you would in a classroom.

Get some tips and ideas for speaking at Mass

Speaking at Mass: Keep calm and arrive prepared.

Public speaking is not easy and speaking at Mass can be quite difficult for the beginner with little or no experience. In fact, it can be difficult for anyone, with or without experience. The main reason for this is because there is little audience reaction.

But, if you keep your talk short and sweet without mumble or waffle then the congregation will show an interest by looking at you, maybe smiling at something you have said and afterwards giving their reaction.

Family Fast Day is coming: join us this September for a briefing.

With just over a month to go, it’s time to get ready for Family Fast Day. Join us for a briefing and find out more about what you can do to change lives with CAFOD’s help.

CAFOD speakers at mass for Family Fast Day

CAFOD’s 2018 Family Fast Day will be taking place on Friday 5^th October. On Family Fast Day, you are invited  to have a frugal meal such as soup and donate the money you have saved to help your brothers and sisters in need.

Whether it’s holding a soup lunch or fundraising event in your parish, giving a short talk at Mass or spreading the word about Family Fast Day in your community, there is a lot you can do to help!

Join us for a briefing to be ready for Family Fast Day. During the briefing, you will hear more about CAFOD’s latest actions and receive all the information you need in order to be prepared for Family Fast Day.

Join us for a Family Fast Day briefing