London parish hosts fundraising weekend for Bethlehem children's home

Orphaned children in Bethlehem will be the focus for a celebration and fund-raising weekend at Holy Apostles, Pimlico, to help disabled toddlers and children whose impoverished and desperate parents cannot care for them.

The parish Justice and Peace Network is inviting Della Shenton, of 5th Gospel Retreats, to talk about the work of the children's home on her return from the Holy Land on Saturday, 3 December, at 7pm, and Sunday 4 December, at 11.30am. As she left on her November pilgrimage, laden with clothes and medicines for the children, she said: “It is a heartbreaking fact that some babies are literally thrown away by their families because they are born out of wedlock or are too difficult to look after without money for medicines.

Now she has returned, Della will describe the work of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in Bethlehem looking after the children with mental of physical health problems. They are working to expand the current home from accommodating 20 youngsters aged 3 to 18 to 50 from different parts of the West Bank.

“By providing a loving home, and caring for these children, the sisters are giving them a lifeline - possibly even life itself. They are in need of basic things like nutritious food, clothes, bedding and equipment,” said Della.

She and Parish Priest Canon Pat Browne are inviting everyone to come to A Light for the Children of Bethlehem, an after-Mass celebration and sale in aid of the 'Christ Child Home for Disabled Children in Bethlehem' in the Parish Hall, Cumberland Street, SW1V Saturday, December 3rd from 7 pm, and Sunday December 4th after 9 and 10.30 am Masses for Holy Land music, wine, olive, nuts, embroidery, handcrafted olive-wood gifts and ceramic products. Donations via Holy Apostles, Pimlico, SW1V 4LY.