Lent: A Time For Silence

Despite its sincere title, yes, this is another blog-post about charity, and, to be more specific, my trials towards accomplishing the success of the group I run. (I love fund-raising, but it is bloomin’ hard to organize)!

                                                        

On the afternoon of Friday 23th March 2012, the majority of the Year Sevens (First Years), at a small Catholic Secondary school in Abingdon, were challenged to be silent through their last three lessons, two hours from two ‘til four. The point of this silence, aside from giving some peace to the rest of the school (!), was to raise money for CATHOD in its 50^th year.

I run the Peace and Justice Club at my school. Though it has links to Amnesty International and Rotary, Peace and Justice has a slightly different aim, trying to advocate human rights, especially those of the minority. Throughout the year, we try to put on fundraising events, the money from which goes to various charities. For example, this year, it was the turn of ‘DiabetesUK’, to which the money from the Peace and Justice stall at my school’s Christmas fayre went.

CATHOD- or the CATHolic organisation for Overseas Development- is currently running a ‘Thirst for Change’ campaign, to make drinking water safer and more available in developing countries. From the money we raised, though it has not yet been counted, all will be going towards CATHOD’s fund; so we hope to have taught the Year Sevens more about society’s imbalance as well as the skill of patience when it comes to mind over mouth.

 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah)

Our appeal happened to coincide with another charity event to do with water for Third-World countries; World Water Day was the 22^nd March, raising awareness and creating change: as 783 million people still don’t have access to safe drinking water.

Ironically, since it was Lent for myself too, the amount of money I donate in this time has interest; instead of £1, I give £3. What would I do with such money anyway? But that is the point, is it not? Alms-giving has its sacredness.

A friend of mine shows how to 'zip one's lip' for silence.

 

CATHOD website: http://www.cafod.org.uk/?gclid=CM–m7Gc_a4CFUcntAoddQlf0Q

Wateraid website: http://www.wateraid.org/uk/default.asp?gclid=CL2Mh63MyK8CFVEjfAodpjiXaw

Our Lady’s School website: http://www.olab.org.uk/page/default.asp?title=Home&pid=1

 

“The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesise. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues…” (I Corinthians)