TO THIS TINY TIN SHACK
WHERE 10 PEOPLE LIVE
TO PLACES LIKE THIS
AND UPLIFT POOR PEOPLE
IN HIS NAME
WITH SOMEONE
ON THE MISSIONS
This one will surely bring the most happiness, relief and heartfelt gratitude.
Just picture the look on the faces of this poor family when Sr Francis arrives at their home, carrying the Buckets of Blessings you sponsored.
Ten people live here in this tiny tin shack. Ten! Four mothers and six children. The house has no toilet or electricity and there is only one bed. Some family members sleep on the bed. Others sleep on the floor. Some even have to sleep under the bed, as there is nowhere else for everyone to lie down.
Cooking is done outside over an open fire. That’s when there’s any food in the house to cook. Too often, they all go to bed hungry.
None of the adults are employed. And, because they don’t have identity documents, they’re unable to access any kind of government support or essential services. They survive mainly through begging.
Sr Francis is helping the mothers with documentation that could enable them to claim a social services grant for the children, at least. But the most pressing need right now is food.
It really would make all the difference to them to be put on our Buckets of Blessings beneficiary list this Christmas.
Each bucket is filled with bags of rice, maize meal, milk powder and sugar … canned meat and fish and a packet of biscuits and some sweets for the children.
Hardly a feast. But a welcome relief from the constant gnaw of hunger and the worry of not having enough food to go round.
But with so many families living below the breadline now in South Africa, it’s going to take all the help we can get to make sure that no one is left out.
Please will you make a donation towards Buckets of Blessings right now?
Your gift of just £12/$15 will cover the cost of a bucket
of basic groceries for a family in true and desperate need.
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 to spread the Christmas message of ‘peace and goodwill towards all men’, please consider donating a Bucket of Blessings now.
In thanksgiving for your kindness and compassion, your special intentions will be included in our special Christmas Mass for friends of the Missions.
May the peace of Christ fill your heart and home this Christmas season. And may you be richly blessed for caring about others in a far off land. Thank you!
LATEST NEWS
Cardinal Napier – where is he now?
Long time Zulu Mission supporters who remember receiving Cardinal Napier’s friendly letters, will be glad to know that the Cardinal may have retired as Archbishop of Durban, but he is still very much involved in the work of the Church!
May God be with the flood victims in America
Our thoughts and prayers are with the American people in the aftermath of the deadly floods in Texas over the July 4th holiday weekend. At the time of writing, at least 110 people were reported dead – including 30 children.
Thank you for giving winter warmth to so many
Every year, we ask for your help to provide warm blankets for those in our Archdiocese who face winter without weather-proof shelter, heating, or hot running water. And every year, we are humbled by your generosity.
Fr Wandile Cagwe called to eternal rest
We mourn the loss of Fr Wandile, parish priest at Corpus Christi in Upper Tongaat, who was called to rest on Thursday 3 July 2025. Prior to leading this parish, Fr Wandile assisted Fr Desmond Nair at Our Lady of Lourdes in Westville.
First American Pope – a missionary at heart
On Thursday 9 May, Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost) was elected as the first American pope, marking a new chapter for the Church, rooted in missionary service and pastoral care.
Message from the Archbishop on the passing of Pope Francis
Our joy at entering the Easter Season was immediately met by the sad news of the passing of Pope Francis. This came as a shock, after seeing him giving his Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday.
SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IN AFRICA
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Prayers and spiritual support for friends of the missions.
MASS INTENTIONS
Please use the form below to let us know your special intentions for inclusion in our monthly Mass for Mission friends.
MASS INTENTIONS FORM
PRAYERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
There are times when we feel weary, sad, confused or afraid. And there are times when we burst with joy and thankfulness. Our selection of prayers and readings help you talk to God in good times and bad.
