Caritas Sunday
This Caritas Sunday, thank you for taking time to reflect on our work, consider ways you can take action in your community this year, and make a donation if you’re able.
However you choose to mark Caritas Sunday, we’re extremely grateful.
Caritas Sunday, which takes place on 31 January 2027, is an important date in the annual calendar.
Parishes, community groups and individuals across Greater Manchester and Lancashire hold collections and make donations to help tackle poverty, homelessness, discrimination and isolation in our diocese.
It’s a time for us all to pause and reflect on all of the amazing action that has taken place in communities over the last year, and to remember the importance of charity in our lives.
As Pope Leo XIV said: “Hope is born of faith, which nourishes and sustains it on the foundation of charity, the mother of all virtues. All of us need charity, here and now…Charity engages us and guides our decisions toward the common good…those who lack charity not only lack faith and hope; they also rob their neighbours of hope.”
We believe everyone deserves hope, a safe home, and a future built on dignity.
Thank you for enabling that to happen through your support for Caritas Sunday – and all year round too.
Our charity supports people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage, or homelessness.
Many who come to us are facing acute crisis.
We believe that everyone has a right to a dignified life, and that all people deserve the same chances and opportunities.
As well as taking action by delivering services alongside people who need additional support to transform their lives, we also know it’s important to call out injustices – to make sure we’re continuing to take action not only in our day-to-day services, but also to demand sustainable change and advocate for real, tangible change.
We want to have an impact on people’s lives not just immediately as we support them through a crisis situation, but for the long-term too.
The difference you can make
“My youngest child was rushed to hospital with a serious illness. Movement between two hospitals meant that we had to navigate significant public transport to be with our child. This impacted our other children at school, who were affected from an emotional wellbeing point of view, and the financial impact on our family was huge. We were unable to pay for school dinners or essential items.
“Caritas provided us with the ability to purchase supermarket vouchers to help at that time. Thank you for your support during this difficult crisis.”
Person accessing our services
What parishioners who support our work say
“I prefer to donate to charities working locally, and it’s important that those of us who’re lucky enough to be comfortable whilst times are hard for others do something to help those not as fortunate.” Caritas supporter
“I have a lifetime commitment to this diocese. Origins in Collyhurst make my experience of poverty very real. God given talent and much parental sacrifice lifted me out of poverty. Now I give something back. It’s your turn Caritas. God bless your work.” Regular giver to Caritas Salford
“I have the luxury of being able to go to my cupboard or my fridge and eat whatever I choose whenever I want. The thought of people going hungry and in particular children going to school on an empty stomach really saddens me.” Caritas supporter
Where your money goes
It costs £12,000 per day to provide the level of service and support being delivered in Caritas projects across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Which means that everyone who needs it is able to access urgent practical help required, as well as any advice and support that will help them for the long term.
Every single donation matters because it means nobody is turned away or left behind.
These are just some examples of how your donation could be used to provide critical support – right now – or help someone begin to transform their own life with dignity.
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£10could provide three nutritious meals at a Caritas day centre
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£20could support someone with today's food shopping
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£35could fit a person's home with energy-saving devices to save on bills
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£50could provide 70 of the most vulnerable people with a hot shower and toiletries at a Caritas day centre
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£105could help with a family's weekly food shopping
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£400could provide an essential furniture package for a young parent and child moving into their own home
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£1,500could sponsor a room for one year in our safe and supported accommodation, to help a person out of homelessness
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£2,100could prepare six people, who are homeless, with training and support for viewings, sign-up and resettlement visits
Other ways to get involved
As well as making a donation and arranging a collection in your parish, there are lots of other ways you can take part in Caritas Sunday…
- Download our resources at the bottom of this page – we have a range available, from posters and fact sheets, to scripts to read in Church. There are links to various free toolkits and information packs too.
- Take a look at the services we provide and signpost people in your area who may benefit from our support.
- Share our posts and this page on social media to help raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
- Volunteer with our teams to help local people.
- Take on an event or challenge in aid of Caritas.
And please…do get in touch if you have any more ideas about how you could support us this Caritas Sunday and beyond. You can also call the team, who can assist if you require additional resources or other information. They can be reached on 0161 817 2250 (press 1 for fundraising).
Become a Caritas parish volunteer:
Caritas parish volunteers are an essential part of our strategy to enable love in action in our parishes.
They focus their skills and interests in a way that serves our mission and helps bring it to life in our local communities in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Some focus on spreading the message of our work and helping to raise much-needed funds, some act as a catalyst for parish social action as parish reps, and some work as accessibility advocates to improve accessibility and inclusion.
Each volunteer works in a way that suits their skills to build a parish community where people flourish, contribute, and feel included.
Need more information?
Email volunteer@caritassalford.org.uk or click the orange button below to apply to become a parish volunteer now.
Did you know?
“I can’t tell you how much this means to have support. Things are so hard at the moment and I’m really grateful for everything you do. My boys don’t know where the food comes from, but they know they will be fed.
Person accessing our services
Resources
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Caritas Sunday School Ambassador Script
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Caritas Sunday Homily
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Prayer of the Faithful
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Human dignity and homelessness resource
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Setting up a warm hub in your community
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Your guide to becoming a volunteer at Caritas Salford
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Caritas Annual Report
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Caritas Impact Report
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How you can help challenge poverty in your community
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Free homelessness video resources for schools and community groups
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Free signposting resources for your local community
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Leave a legacy that lasts
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