In this Spotlight, Kathryn shares her journey with CAFOD, the inspiring dedication of parish volunteers and why connecting with our global neighbours through faith, prayer and action matters. She also looks ahead to opportunities to get involved and support CAFOD’s work.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role as CAFOD’s Community Participation Coordinator for the Shrewsbury Diocese?

My name is Kathryn Keenan and I am the contact person for CAFOD in the Diocese. I work with parish volunteers who engage with CAFOD’s work and share it with their parishes to encourage support for our appeals and campaigns. I also visit parishes and groups to speak about the impact of this support on the communities and individuals that CAFOD works with.  

What first inspired you to get involved with CAFOD and its work?

I knew of CAFOD’s work growing up, through the parish I attended with my family (St Chad’s, Cheadle) and the Catholic schools I attended (Cheadle Catholic; Loreto and Aquinas College). I was a teacher before I joined CAFOD and saw volunteers come and give assemblies so was aware how important CAFOD’s work continues to be. When I decided to leave teaching, CAFOD was organisation whose values and mission really appealed to me so when I saw the role advertised, I applied and was fortunate enough to be offered the job! CAFOD is a great organisation to work for. I am lucky to work with wonderful people every day – our volunteers, supporters and my colleagues!

Can you share a particular moment or encounter through your work that has stayed with you?

There are so many! As we have recently had a Fast Day appeal, it has been great meeting parishioners, thanking them and hearing about their reasons for supporting CAFOD. However, one encounter that really stays with me is that earlier this year I had the privilege of presenting papal blessings to volunteers at St Vincent’s in Altrincham.

This was in recognition of their many years of volunteering, campaigning and support for CAFOD. There has been an active CAFOD group in the parish for over forty years and some of the original members of that group are still actively fundraising and supporting our campaigns. My great uncle, the late Canon John Burgon, was the parish priest at St Vincent’s when the CAFOD group was founded. I found this out when speaking to John Mulholland, one of the original members of the group who, along with his wife Maureen, was a recipient of the papal blessing for their many years of service to CAFOD and to the church. It felt really special to have that connection when presenting the papal blessings. It was also an honour to be invited to the celebration in the parish for those parishioners whose great love for our global neighbours and dedication to justice over many years is so inspiring and a great example of faith in action

CAFOD connects our local Catholic communities with people and communities around the world. Why is that connection so important?

CAFOD’s vision, mission and values draw directly from Catholic Social Teaching which views everyone as a global neighbour with a shared responsibility to care for each other and the planet. When the Catholic community join us in this mission – by volunteering, donating, praying for our work and supporting our campaigns, they connect with CAFOD colleagues, partners and the communities we serve.  By making these connections and coming together, we’re reminded that we are part of something greater.

As we look ahead, what are you most excited about in your work with the Diocese?

In terms of events, I am looking forward to the Bollington Christmas Fun Run on 28th December and the next Fast Day in Lent. I feel very privileged to be working for CAFOD within the Shrewsbury Diocese. I am inspired everyday by the great faith of our volunteers and supporters which inspires them to support CAFOD and the impact that their efforts have through CAFOD’s work with communities overseas. I am excited to continue to this work, to visit more parishes and to meet more of the clergy and supporters in the diocese who, through their prayers and generosity, make CAFOD’s work possible. If anyone would like to join CAFOD’s mission by becoming a volunteer in their parish, by visiting schools in the diocese, helping at events such as the Fun Run, or just wants to know more about our work, I would be delighted to have a chat with you so please get in touch!

You can contact me at kkeenan@cafod.org.uk, on 07920 232 936 or visit https://cafod.org.uk/volunteer.

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_{CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Churchin England and Wales, and part of Caritas International, working withcommunities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fightpoverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agencyworks with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.Find out more: www.cafod.org.uk}

_{CAFOD is funded mainly by voluntary donations from peoplein the Catholic community of England and Wales. We also receive funding fromfellow Catholic Caritas and development agencies, the Disasters EmergencyCommittee (DEC), Trusts and Foundations, UK and other governments.}

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