CAFOD Harvest Fast Day

‘Lord of the harvest, we praise you for this season of plenty.  We rejoice that you created everything for all of us to share.’  (CAFOD 2016)

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, standing alongside poor communities and working with them to end poverty and injustice across the world.  At Assembly on Friday 7^th September, Lower VA reminded us of the ways in which we can help CAFOD in supporting families in countries like Bolivia, where life for some people has not been easy.  We heard the story of 16 year old Rebeca who lives on the Altiplano, a high, flat plain in the Andes with her parents and younger sister, older siblings having left home to find work.

CAFOD has three partners in Bolivia who are working alongside the people of the Altiplano, offering training in traditional and modern farming methods, including technical help for families to construct their own greenhouses and wormeries, which can create rich compost.  Rebeca’s family is one of those who have been supported by CAFOD, and are now able to share their knowledge with the community as well as growing enough food for the family to eat and even enough to sell.  After teaching us about how Rebeca and her family have benefitted from support from CAFOD, the girls read the following passage from Leviticus, 19: 9-10

When you reap the harvest

of your land,

you shall not reap your field to its very border,

neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest…

you shall leave them for the poor

and for the sojourner:

I am the Lord your God.

Lower VA reminded us that by raising money to support CAFOD projects, we can help people around the world to grow or earn enough to feed their families and build a brighter world for their communities.  So, on Tuesday 18^th October girls may come to school in non-uniform in red, yellow or green – the colours of the Bolivian flag, to help raise money.  CAFOD not only asks for donations, but places equal importance on prayer, and provides the following for us to use for guidance and inspiration,

‘Lord of the harvest,

We praise you for this season of plenty.

We rejoice that you created everything

for all of us to share.

Thank you that you have given us so much.

Give us generous hearts

to share what we have been given.

We pray for those who labour

to feed their families.

Working together, help us all

to make our world a brighter place.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen’