Bishop Brain welcomed over 250 representatives to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist to give thanks for the charitable work carried out through Department of Social Responsibility in the Diocese of Salford. Concelebrating the Mass were several priests who have close ties to the professional and voluntary organisations that deliver these valuable caring services across the diocese. In his homily, Bishop Brain, paid tribute to the dedication and service of so many people who, inspired by their faith, brought about the ‘corporal acts of mercy’ that made a dramatic difference to the every day lives of so many people in need. A bidding prayer that summed up this collective efforts offered thanks

for the priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people who make up the communities and congregations who serve the poor and marginalised in our diocese. We especially pray for the chaplains who minister to prisoners, the sick and to young people in our schools and universities.

Amongst those present were groups from the St. Joseph’s Mission to Deaf People and the Catholic Fellowship of the Handicapped, Faith and Justice, Racial Justice, Revive Asylum and Refugees project, St. Antony’s Centre for Church and Industry, Cornerstones Day Centre for Homeless people, the SVP, Jericho Benedictines and staff and volunteers of Caritas - the newly established charity of the diocese created to coordinate and support the many organisations that make a positive difference to the lives of children, families and adults in need. Also present were many more volunteers representing the organisations that made up the family of God in the Diocese of Salford.

The Diocese of Salford has a long and rich tradition of care that is inspired by a love of God and our neighbour. Our Caritas story (caritas means love+ charity) is the story of ordinary and extraordinary people working together over last 125 years to serve God through serving our neighbour.

This year, Caritas took up new offices in the new Cathedral Centre, Salford. The building is designed to bring into close proximity the different functions of the Diocese and ensure that social welfare and justice are integral to the life of the established Church. On the plaque that commemorates the opening of the new centre is the inscription ‘Congregavit nos in unum, Deus amor’ - The love of God gathers us into one – a reminder that we are all the family of God in Salford Diocese.