GOOD Shepherd parishioners in Lockridge have demonstrated their utmost generosity in recent weeks with thousands of dollars donated to several overseas and domestic causes, according to parish priest Fr Francis Ly.
In support of handicapped and orphan children in orphanages in Vietnam and other poor in different places, Fr Francis sent 1,300kg of toys and clothing in 80 boxes to these institutions. Freight on these boxes was negotiated at a considerably reduced rate thanks to the generosity of Jon Jordan of Qantas Courier.
Since Christmas and New Year, Fr Francis and parishioners have been collecting quantities of used toys and new clothing. Much of the clothing has come from two schools – Padbury Catholic and Iona College – in the form of new, unused uniforms. There was also a quantity of clothing from a manufacturer connected to a family in the parish. For this, Father is very grateful.
“This surely is a very worthy Lenten sacrifice which makes Fr Francis very proud of his parishioners and he prays for abundant blessings on his flock,” a parish statement said.
“He would like to thank all within the parish who collected the toys and clothing, including Vietnamese Catholic friends and the parishioners who helped to pack all these boxes. Fr Francis intends to continue the parish charity world mission in the near future, perhaps including Burma and India.”
Past parish donations have included $5,000 from Mass Intentions given to Archbishop Barry Hickey for his overseas charity, $5,000 from Christmas Offerings used for repairs to the airconditioning system in the church, parish centre and office, and $1,200 to support Fr Loyola De Rose, an Indian priest who is experiencing financial difficulties while studying in Canada.
The parish also supported local efforts when $5,000 was send to the St Vincent de Paul Sociey’s Appeal for Queensland flood victims.
Also to date, the Lenten Project Compassion has raised a total $2,382.20. These parishioners have demonstrated that, in the words of 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.”