Charis - Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

As the Season of Creation begins, we give thanks for the love offering from the Catholic community that has blessed over 200 indigent families including children and seminarians in Tagaytay, Philippines.

S$41,800 was disbursed to build a holistic, integrated, and sustainable eco-farm through the Focolare Movement to uplift rural livelihoods by providing jobs and nutrition.

▶️ Learn more: bit.ly/focolare-ecofarm

As we celebrate the Queenship of Mary, we welcome a new member organisation ❤️

𝗚𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗵 empowers people in need throughout the world, regardless of their economic, social, national, or religious circumstances, through social outreach in ordinary life, work, and spirituality.

To make hope happen, Gebirah extends compassionate action through material and non-material support, such as a humanitarian response app, educational centres, children's orphanages, and more.

💡Find out more: go.charis-singapore.org/gebirah

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

Brother Mike, FSC, reflects on our mission trip to the Zotung Refugee Catholic Learning Centre:

🗣 “My heart is full. Dancing on the rooftops last night, I witnessed pure joy. This morning, during liturgy, my heart overflowed with gratitude. Despite the challenging conditions, the children radiate confidence and grace. When I asked Henry (a former student) about his time in Zotung, he smiled and said, ‘Of course, this is where I learned my moral values.’

For anyone new to missions:
1️⃣ Be open to the unexpected
2️⃣ Take time to unwrap and relish God’s gifts
3️⃣ Love is the surest sign of God's presence."

📖 Read more: charis-singapore.org/when-we-are-open

CHARIS - Make Hope Happen Join us in being the helping hand of the Church – reaching out to those afflicted by natural disasters and poverty – and making hope happen!

𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀' 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴)

The Catholic Nurses Guild (CNG) is our partner that fosters the professional and spiritual growth of its nurse members, encouraging them to engage in Church activities to assist the sick, elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

CNG is a befriender of the Catholic Aids Response Effort (CARE) which builds meaningful relationships by organising lunches with residents.

They also participate in the Balai Mission to let the families in need know that there are people who do care, provide light in their darkest times, share love with fellow humans, and spread God’s love. 🕯

Their presence in Balai is to feed those who are hungry, clothe those who are cold, and help those who are sick.

💡 Find out more: https://makehopehappen.charis-singapore.org/MemberOrganisation

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻.

In late July 2024, Typhoon Gaemi (Super Typhoon Carina) ravaged the Philippines, Taiwan, and parts of China, resulting in over 40 fatalities and displacing more than 900,000 people.

In response, CHARIS has committed SGD 26,000 to support our partner, Ako Ang Saklay, in providing immediate relief to those affected in the Philippines. However, we anticipate that much more aid is needed in the typhoon-affected areas.

We invite Catholics in Singapore to respond with love and compassion to our brothers and sisters impacted by the typhoon. Join us in prayer for those suffering, and consider contributing in any way you can through https://makehopehappen.charis-singapore.org/Campaign/typhoon-gaemi-relief.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆

Today is the feast of St. James the Apostle – brother of St. John the Evangelist – who witnessed the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus' daughter, and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In his journey with Jesus, he had to unlearn what it means to be great. Jesus showed him the way of servant leadership, and later, St. James became the first apostle to be martyred for his faith.

While not all of us are martyrs like him, we are all on this spiritual pilgrimage to become more Christ-like through prayer and self-giving in unique forms. St. James, pray for us. 🙏

📖 Read more: catholic.sg/follow-me-the-passion-of-christ-and-true-leadership

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲

Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief course was held last month. We give thanks for the facilitators from Caritas Philippines and a diverse group of participants.

Seated among those who attended was Fr. Arnold Abelardo, CMF, from the Philippines who helps to empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities at akoangsaklay.com.

He kindly shared that, as a Christian, the first response when reaching out to people who suffer is that of compassion, gentleness, and offering one's life.

“𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰, 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

📖 Read more: charis-singapore.org/first-response

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿

In March, Carolina volunteered with Association Cahaya Masa Depan, a member organisation of CHARIS, on a mission trip to Batam. While serving at a children's orphanage and a soup kitchen, she learned to serve others with humility and care.

“We spent time visiting and playing with them, and it brought me joy to see how delighted they were by our presence. A quote from one of the nuns that stayed with me is, ‘If there is love, there is no labour.’ This profound statement highlights how love transforms volunteering into a fulfilling and joyful activity rather than an obligation – love that emanates from the love of God.”

📖 Read more: charis-singapore.org/when-there-is-love

𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 (𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗦)

We are grateful to announce that CHARIS has been approved as a Qualifying Local Intermediary by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Qualifying SFOs can now receive a tax deduction by making cash donations through CHARIS with a PTIS letter of award and ACRA documents.

To learn more, visit bit.ly/CHARIS-PTIS.

Keen to be a part of a team to inspire, unite and enable the Catholic Community in Singapore to love and serve our neighbours?

We are seeking an Executive (Communications) to be a part of our CHARIS family!

For more information visit: charis-singapore.org/careers

A 19-year-old intern of Jesuit Refugee Service - Singapore shared her story to encourage every girl all over the world.

"Writing this takes me back to 9 years ago when I was just ten. That was when my real journey began. People in my country have always lived in fear, and no one could be sure of their tomorrow."

She was the first female graduate from the Cisco-certified course, part of the Education for Economic Empowerment. 🌟

Discover more stories, crafts, and workshops by refugees at Holland Village! For further details, visit World Refugee Day Singapore.

Anisa Low, who joined last year's mission trip to Vietnam, shared how she started each day filled with immense gratitude and joy. 🌟

Come and share your talents and resources in health, education, and general work on one of the ACTS mission trips at the end of this year!

Learn more: acts-singapore.com

In Batam and surrounding islands, some families depend on daily wages to meet basic needs, making it a challenge to feed their children and send them to school. If you wish to contribute, item donations are open until next Friday, 14 June.

Let's ignite hope by sharing what we can to give others a chance at a better life. By providing for their needs, we open doors to learning spaces that empower individuals to reach their full potential as adults and strengthen their faith. 🕯️

To get involved or learn more, contact Angelika at [email protected].

We give thanks for the S$18,100 in donations from the Catholic community that have fed and clothed children and families in Cambodia ❤️

🍚 250 families received food relief packages.
🍼 1,200 reusable water bottles were given to students, helping reduce plastic waste.
👕 1,600 t-shirts for Catholic students were produced by a team of regular and handicapped staff, creating jobs and training opportunities for economically challenged families.

To learn more, visit makehopehappen.charis-singapore.org.

CHARIS - Make Hope Happen Join us in being the helping hand of the Church – reaching out to those afflicted by natural disasters and poverty – and making hope happen!

God wants His people to be free so that we can share in His life. Yet, something might have taken us away from Him. This moment is not the end of the story but a new beginning 🌟

He came all the way down to save us and He gave us the Holy Spirit. In trust, let us seek help in quiet prayer: 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰.

As in John 8, "When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed," Fr. Dave Pivonka suggested this prayer for the next week or month: 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 [2 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮].

From all of us at CHARIS, we wish you a blessed Pentecost ❤️‍🔥

Source: Wild Goose by Franciscan Friars, T.O.R.

Join us for a 3-day interactive course where experts in disaster response, Jeanie Curiano and Ava Guardian, will share the fundamental principles and strategies when delivering disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴.

To learn more or sign up, visit bit.ly/SENT24.

𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲

"I saw their resilience and perseverance and how little they needed in life to survive. Each time I see the smile from a child, it is like an encounter with Christ." — Stella Tan, Volunteer

Find out more about Stella's meaningful journey from her past mission trips and its hidden treasure on bit.ly/mission-journey.

🕯️ 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴? 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰@𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴-𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘦.𝘰𝘳𝘨.

Join us for a 3-day interactive course where experts in disaster response will share the fundamental principles and strategies, including case studies and group work, when delivering disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

📆 Date: 7 – 9 June 2024
🕒 Time: 9am – 5pm
🗺️ Venue: Catholic Centre
💰 Cost: Free

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴.

To learn more or sign up, visit https://makehopehappen.charis-singapore.org/Activities/humanitarian-aid-disaster-relief-course.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

CHARIS would like to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support and generosity that you have shown for humanitarian aid to the Gaza crisis.

On February 20, S$431,000 was disbursed to support the National Caritas in the Holy Land for renovating medical centres affected by recent attacks, enhancing healthcare access in Gaza and the West Bank, and improving mental health support services. Additionally, cash assistance will be provided to enable individuals in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem to purchase basic necessities.

We give praise to the Lord for inspiring all of us to come together and provide for our neighbours in need. Let us continue to pray for a ceasefire and lasting peace in the Middle East. 🙏

𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 — Fourth Week of Lent ❤️‍🔥

As we go through life, there are places in our hearts that are hurting. To protect ourselves, we built boundaries fueled by control or fear. But God is unafraid of our boundaries. “He pursues us anyway because He loves us that much.”

Dive deeper with Fr Mark Toups for 6 minutes at bit.ly/lenten-companion 🌟

Source: Ascension Press

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 - 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱

In southern Mongolia, dormitories are like homes for kids from nomadic herder families. In the Zuunbayan-Ulaan dormitory, 100 children faced a lack of safe water, sanitation, heating, worn-out beds, and inadequate furniture.

Thanks to a generous S$8,400 contribution from the Catholic community, their sleeping and living spaces have been improved. With our love, these children can now thrive, learn and dream in a safe and dignified environment.

𝙄𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨

Hand in hand with fellow Catholics in Singapore, CHARIS made heartfelt impact for 64,000 beneficiaries across 17 countries, supporting 49 grants totalling S$1.43M in FY2023.

The response included humanitarian aid and disaster reliefs in Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East.

To our cherished Catholic community, including donors, volunteers, member organisations, and partners, we extend heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable contributions.

Swipe for key stats ➡️ or dive into our annual report at bit.ly/CHARIS-2023 📖

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙩?

As we begin this journey, let’s start with having the trust in God and the courage to ask Him. If caught in a recurring pattern, naming our struggle and desire can be the first step.

For practical wisdom, dive into “Lent Is a Process—Not an Event” with Fr Mike Schmitz for an uplifting 8-minute session at bit.ly/lent-is-a-process. 🌻

Source: Ascension Press

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿! 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝗲𝗯.

"An impactful and inspiring session for me. I was very encouraged by all the speakers, that despite their fears, in faith and trust they said ‘YES’. This ‘yes’ opened up a beautiful missionary journey which in turn has impacted so many lives." — Anne Goswami

Explore “what”, “why”, and “where” your calling may be in our interactive course, and embark on the journey to becoming a missionary disciple.

📅 Saturday, 24 Feb 2024
⌚ 9am to 5pm
📍 St Joseph's Institution

Sign up or learn more: bit.ly/CHARISOHFC4

𝙄𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨

Hand in hand with fellow Catholics in Singapore, CHARIS made heartfelt impact for 64,000 beneficiaries across 17 countries, supporting 49 grants totalling S$1.43M in FY2023.

The response included humanitarian aid and disaster reliefs in Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East.

To our cherished Catholic community, including donors, volunteers, member organisations, and partners, we extend heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable contributions.

Swipe for key highlights ➡️ or explore our annual report at bit.ly/CHARIS-2023 📖

When we go on a mission, we put on the mind and heart of Christ, beginning with care and compassion. Through our competence, we can use the gifts and talents that the Lord has bestowed on us to be a blessing to others.

Explore deeper at the Overseas Humanitarian Foundation Course on Saturday, 24 Feb 2024, from 9am to 5pm at St Joseph's Institution. For more information, visit bit.ly/CHARISOHFC4.

Epiphany empowers children in the Riau Islands through sustainable English education. Post-COVID challenges initially posed obstacles with increased travel costs.

But, by God's providence, renewed hopes for children's education flourish, as students eagerly anticipate biweekly English lessons. Enrolment at one station surged from 100 to 350 as parents appreciate the love and generosity of Singaporean volunteer teachers in answering God's call.

𝗔𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗡 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀’ 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱.

To learn more, visit bit.ly/epiphany-mission.

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲?

Join us for an interactive and collaborative course, and discover “what”, “why”, and “where” your calling may be, to be open and have a courageous heart in becoming a missionary disciple.

It will be held on Saturday, 24 Feb 2024, from 9am to 5pm at St Joseph’s Institution. 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!

Register or learn more at bit.ly/CHARISOHFC4.