Welcome to Caritas Portsmouth

Caritas Portsmouth supports parishes, schools and groups across the diocese to reach out to those on the margins to share the love and mercy of God in practical ways.

Guided by the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, our work combines the themes of social and environmental justice as we hear and respond to ‘both the cry of the earth and cry of the poor.”

To stay up to date with Caritas Portsmouth sign up to our newsletter.

 

glass jar laying on its side with coins spilling out
a preson clasping hands which are resting on top of an open book
two masked volunteers are packing food into paper bags for guests to take away with them
Flower patch of wildflowers

Biodiversity Review

If you are looking to increase the biodiversity of your parish grounds this year this Biodiversity Review may be a useful tool to help evaluate the potential for action in your parish grounds. By sharing your completed form with us, we can send out relevant information on actions you are interested in, build a  picture of activity across the diocese and have a clearer idea of new resources that would be helpful. In addition, we sometimes hear of regional or project funding and we’d like to know where to direct it.  Do get in touch if you would like the review in a Word document or would like to discuss any plans.

2 flyers on a table with title Caritas' Sunflowers and 4 brown paper envelopes with small round stickers with a picture of sunflower on them.

Caritas’ Sunflowers

We have lots of sunflower seeds to give away to parishes and schools across the diocese! Sunflowers are good for attracting bees and butterflies and their seeds can be used for feeding birds in the winter so great for increasing biodiversity and the bold bright flowers are just a joy to see.

If you would like a pack for your parish or school, whether for a confirmation group, youth/children’s club, class, the eco-group or gardening team, just get in touch at [email protected] and we’ll get them to you (Each pack has about 50 seeds and we have lots!). If you are limited on planting space the packs include dwarf varieties that can work in pots and we’re more than happy for the plants to go to home gardens,

You can find guides to planting, making eco-pots, photo boards and competitions here.

Caritas Online Networking Lunch – LiveSimply Award 

Update: Notes from networking event March 24 LiveSpimply

CAFOD’s LiveSimply Award is a great way for a parish to come  together and and make changes that help us  live more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.  For our next networking event we are being joined by Jo Lewry, CPC for CAFOD in Portsmouth to explain more about the award, the positive impact it has made in parishes and give an opportunity to ask lots of questions.

 

Becoming the Church Beyond Walls 

The Church Beyond Walls Workshop is a interactive session to help your parish start exploring the needs in your local community and deciding how to respond to them. Following the See-Choose-Act pathway it is an opportunity to focus on getting to know your neighbourhood and the specific opportunities it offers for engagement and outreach using the gifts and resources of people in your parish. 

Based on the goals of the 10 year mission plan You Will Be My Witnesses, the workshop includes

  •  The opportunity to answer the question ‘what does poverty look like in this parish/pastoral area?’ examining what poverty is, and what is it’s impact
  • A mapping exercise to identify examples of social outreach already present
  • Identifying the most pressing needs and ways to respond in line with Catholic Social Teaching

This workshop is suitable for small parish groups or wider pastoral areas so if you would like to find out more or book a session,  please contact us at [email protected]

Green Lent Resources

The Diocese Laudato Si’ Network has been gathering some green actions and resources to share this Lent. In the busyness of life, it is easy to slip away from our intention to live more simply, sustainably to take care of God’s creation. So this is a chance to take a moment, to pause, reflect and try a new step in the journey in Caring for our Common Home

white back ground with blue text. the letters c o on top line and underneath o p making the co-op logo.

Are you a Co-op member?

If you are, you can help the work of Caritas Portsmouth to support people struggling with social isolation by choosing us as your local Co-op cause through their Local Community Fund. Each time you shop at Co-op, purchase their branded products, and use your membership card we receive a donation at no cost to you. Donations will be used to purchase items needed to run social groups, anything from gardening to book clubs, that will create a safe and welcoming spaces for our neighbours and help us become the Church Beyond Walls. To select us, just visit our profile page and click on the ‘choose this cause’ button and please spread the word to family, friends, in parishes and schools.

Not a Co-op member yet?

Not a problem! You can join for £1, just click on this link to find out more.