The Catholic Diocese of Nelson is sponsoring a Youth Justice Rally in Nelson on February 26 and 27 at St. Joseph’s school.
One hundred youth in grades 7 to 12 from across the diocese — Kelowna to Sparwood — will gather to discuss how as young people they can participate in the work of justice in their home parishes. As well, they will participate in justice activities and actions while here in Nelson.
The action that will involve the whole community will be a bottle drive for the Food Cupboard. This will happen Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in at least the Uphill area. Please have your recyclable bottles and cans ready and support this worthwhile event when the youth come to your door.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace Committee is the organizing group for this event. Committee is the overseas development support program of the National Catholic Church and sponsors partners and their programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. This organization was started by the Canadian Catholic bishops in 1967 and in excess of $500 million has be donated by Catholics and other partners across Canada to support hundreds of partners and millions of people.
The committee also provides emergency assistance during natural disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti. Some $20 million was collected and has been or will be used for emergency relief and long term development over the past year and for the next five years. Together with partners in Haiti some 2.3 million people were immediately assisted with food, water, housing and medical assistance.
The five year long term program is starting with other partners. This program will assist several local Haitian partners re-establish their offices which were destroyed. Some 1,700 homes will be rebuilt. A new primary school to accommodate 850 students will be built and assistance will be provided to purchase equipment and canteen supplies as well as subsidizing teachers salaries in several schools needed to get children back to school.