CAFOD – We are an international development charity and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. We reach out to people living in poverty with practical help, whatever their religion or culture. Through our global Church network, one of the largest in the world, we have the potential to reach everyone. We campaign for global justice, so that every woman, man and child can live a full and dignified life.
CAFOD Milton Keynes Pastoral Area covers 11 parishes: St Barnabus Cluster including St Augustine’s, Heelands, Christ the Cornerstone, Central Milton Keynes, St Edward the Confessor, Shenley Church End, Our Lady of Lourdes at St Paul’s School, Leadenhall, Christ the King (Ecumenical Church) Kingston, St Bede’s, Newport Pagnell and St Mary’s, Woburn Sands. Parishes outside the cluster: St Thomas Aquinas and All Saints, Bletchley, Our Lady Help of Christians, Olney, St Alban’s Winslow and St Bernadine of Siena and St Martin’s, Buckingham and Brackley.
Please check this page regularly for details of up and coming events.
CANCEL THE DEBT – join the campaign
The world is currently facing the most acute debt crisis in history: 54 countries – from Kenya to Sri Lanka – are facing debt distress.
It’s the world’s poorest countries who are the worst affected, with many forced to spend more on payments to big banks, wealthy nations and global institutions than they spend on health, education or tackling the climate crisis.
Catholic Social Teaching provides a powerful lens through which to understand this crisis and respond with action.
Five foundational principles help guide us:
1. Life and dignity of the human person – Each human life is sacred. When debt deepens poverty and suffering, this principle is violated.
2. The common good – We are called to build a society where all can thrive. Unjust debt hinders this by draining public resources.
3. Solidarity – We are one global family. Solidarity means standing with our brothers and sisters across borders to promote justice.
4. Preferential option for the poor – Those most affected by debt, especially the poor, must be at the centre of our concern and action.
5. Care for Creation – Environmental degradation often follows when indebted countries are forced to exploit natural resources to repay loans.
Catholic Social Teaching also emphasises justice. Debt relief is not simply charity – it is a matter of right relationship between nations, a step toward economic structures that allow everyone to flourish.
Jubilee 2025 is a chance for Catholics to act in faith and hope, rooted in Scripture and committed to justice. Let us once again be a voice for the poor and a sign of God’s liberating love in the world.
Sign the petition to cancel the debt today at : https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/164876/action/1
Write to your MP at We need a Debt Justice Law
JUBILEE YEAR 2025
Pope Francis decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee, a holy year which happens every 25 years in the Catholic Church.
Be a pilgrim with us in the Church Year of Jubilee
In a world that is growing more unjust and unequal, we invite people, schools and communities to experience the joy and strength in coming together as we respond to God’s call for a reset, a renewal of faith and a recommitment to a just world.
“For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.”
Pope Francis
Make a Jubilee pledge
Recommit to our global family this Jubilee year by pledging a transformative monthly gift, and you’ll receive our weekly gospel reflections by email.
Our weekly email reflections include reflections on the Sunday gospel, and ways in which you and the wider CAFOD family can give, act and pray with us during the Jubilee Year.
https://cafod.org.uk/pray/jubilee-2025/jubilee-20
CAFOD SUPPORTER’S DAY
SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER – St Augustine’s Church 1 Langcliffe Drive, Heelands, Milton Keynes MK13 7PL 10am – 1.30pm followed by lunch. An opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and hear more about the fantastic work of CAFOD. Please give me a call if you would like to attend
NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE – An invitation to join the Pilgrimage of Hope for one or more days – four walks, North, |East, South and West of varying lengths, starting on 28th August and ending on 13 September. See more information below
If you enjoy walking or know people who do, why not be part of this wonderful pilgrimage. Walk the St John’s way or other ways (see What it means to be a day pilgrim).
You can choose to do it as a sponsored walk too and we have a dedicated a JustGiving page that supporters can do that through: Jubilee Pilgrimage for CAFOD – JustGiving.
SEASON OF CREATION – Sat 6 Sept
Celebrate the Season of Creation as Pilgrims of Hope with CAFOD – 6 September 2025, coffee from 10.30am, talk and conversation from 11 am to 12.30 . Our Lady of Lourdes Church 135 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ. Contact Jane Crone for more information – jcrone@cafod.org.uk
SILVERSTONE RUN – Sun 23 November 2025
A really wonderful opportunity for you and the family if you like running or walking. All welcome. Last year we had people participate who had never done such a run before and they really enjoyed it. All details here.
COFFEE MORNING
Join your fellow parishioners for coffee/tea after 11am Mass every third Sunday of the month – a warm welcome awaits you.
For more information on the above or if you would like to volunteer with the parish team please give me (Maggie) a call on 01908 563277
Catholic Bletchley 