ust as three wise men journeyed to Bethlehem to greet the newborn Jesus, each of us is called to journey toward Jesus during Advent. We are ‘Walking to Bethlehem’ spiritually.

Walking is very much part of life – especially for rural people on the Zulu Missions who don’t own motor cars or even bicycles. Come mid January when the new school year starts – the hottest, most humid time of the year in Durban – many children will walk to and from school … often without shoes. Imagine having to walk barefoot on burning hot tar or along stony dirt roads.

But, as badly as they are needed, school shoes are not the priority in families where money is tight. Food comes first. And after the maize meal, rice, sugar and bread are paid for, there’s often not enough left over for new school shoes.

Especially when children’s feet grow so fast! Shoes bought last year are now too small or worn out after being passed down from child to child.

Your donation, made right now online, will help us reach our target of distributing 1200 pairs of school shoes to Catholic primary schools in disadvantaged rural areas of our Archdiocese.

Please consider making a special Christmas donation now towards new school shoes. Your gift of any amount will help us make our target … and bring you the joy of helping a child in need this festive season.

For many of us, the joy of giving extends beyond our own circle … to those who are poor, homeless, sick and afraid. If you are looking for a truly meaningful gift for someone less fortunate this Christmas, please consider donating a pair of school shoes to a Mission child.

In thanksgiving for your kindness and compassion, Father Brett Williams will offer a special Mass for the intentions of all our supporters. You are most welcome to send special prayer requests for inclusion in this Mass.

Make the peace of Christ fill your heart and home this Christmas season. And may you be richly blessed for this simple act of kindness towards children in a far off land. Thank you!