Parish of the Holy Child & St Joseph

Midland Road, Bedford

Faith Journeys

EVC Uganda 2021 Review

Many of you are generously sponsoring young children in Uganda in their education. Ted Fawcett, parishioner at St Joseph’s and chairman of EVC Uganda, gives us an update on the achievements of the charity during 2021:

A Message FROM EVC Uganda’s CHAIRMAN


“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left.”

Isaiah 54:2-3

This year, through the Grace of God and the hard work of the EVC team, has been another great success in meeting the needs of the children we serve in Uganda and seeing the work grow.

At the smaller of the two primary schools EVC supports, a boys’ dormitory was completed, as well as a 5-classroom block. The latter will provide vocational training facilities, an IT suite, and also a library. Water harvesting facilities were installed on three of the buildings and a new toilet block for the 5-classroom block was built. Our aim over the next couple of years will be to fully resource the library, to improve the standard of education, to recruit more highly qualified teachers and, ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

[Read more…] about EVC Uganda 2021 Review

Bedford Prayer Line

Do you have worries or problems that are getting you down?


Bedford Prayer Line is a new phone line for anyone who feels overburdened or in need of prayer and would like our Catholic Church communities to pray for them.

Simply phone the number 07835 571333 and leave a message. A church volunteer will check the messages and our local Catholic Church communities will pray for those leaving messages and their requests.

SmartLoving Fertility

SmartLoving Fertility is an online course for learning how to manage fertility naturally in the context of the Catholic faith.

SmartLoving Fertility

Based on the Sympto-Thermal method, the course incorporates a unique blend of scientific insights, relationship frameworks and Catholic Theology.

Please visit their website for more information: www.smartloving.org/fertility

EVC Uganda: A Good News Story

Many of you are generously sponsoring young children in Uganda in their education. Ted Fawcett, parishioner at St Joseph’s and chairman of EVC Uganda, gives us an update on the achievements of the charity during 2020:

EVC Uganda Chairman’s new year message

As I look back on 2020, with all its disruptions, I am pleased to report much positive news about our work in Uganda. The building of a boys’ and a girls’ dormitory at one of our primary schools has been completed and work has commenced there on the building of a five-classroom block, which will be used for the teaching of IT and vocational skills. This is due for completion in April and all of this work is a great step forward for the school. Regular inspections are carried out by qualified people on all EVC building work and the standard is consistently very high.

With the closure of schools in March, due to the virus, our team in Uganda has worked tirelessly and successfully to provide outreach education to the EVC sponsored children in their homes. On 15th October, those children due to sit their Primary Leaving Examination and those secondary students due to sit GCSE and A level exams returned to school. We hope to see the schools reopen for the remaining children in early January.

[Read more…] about EVC Uganda: A Good News Story

A Message of Hope

Canon Seamus has recorded a video message, inviting us to trust in God and to find hope and peace in daily prayer. He reminds us that, despite current uncertainties, the Lord is with us.

 

 

If we are comfortable, he also extends an invitation to attend Sunday Mass. Please see our latest newsletter for Mass Times.