Justice and Peace: The Parish supports the work of Justice and Peace in a number of ways including SCIAF and promoting Fairtrade. It is committed to helping the homeless and vulnerable members of our Society and in our city, in particular, working with and through established charity networks.
SCIAF: The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund is the official overseas development fund of the Scottish Bishops Conference. The parish supports SCIAF’s WEE BOX Lenten Campaign, ad hoc special collections for disaster appeals and by displaying SCIAF promotional materials. During Lent Justice and Peace themes are reflected on in the Stations of the Cross.
Fairtrade: We are a Fairtrade parish and promote Fairtrade by using Fairtrade tea and coffee at all parish events and by publicising and promoting Fairtrade fortnight. We also hold occasional bake sales with Fairtrade products and Fairtrade dry goods for sale.
North West Edinburgh Foodbank: St Kentigern’s Church supports our local Foodbank; donations collected for tea and coffee after Sunday Mass are used to buy food and non perishable items for the Foodbank.
Fresh Start is an Edinburgh charity that helps people who have been homeless get established in their new home. The Parish supports their work by collecting reusable household goods and basic items for their Starter Pack service. We also donate food on occasion for their food starter packs. Items can be handed in at any time to either of the Churches.
Bethany Christian Trust Winter Care Shelter: The Parish provided a team of volunteers for one night to run the Winter Care Shelter which provides a free night shelter, sleeping facilities and a hot meal to people who are homeless. The service is run by a small team of staff and relies on around 1,000 volunteers from churches across the Lothians on a nightly rota basis.
For more information on these charities and their activities refer to their websites:
Archdiocese of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh Justice and Peace
Justice and Peace Scotland – A division of the Catholic Social Movement.
Ss John the Baptist and Kentigern is a Parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, registered charity No. SCO08540