It may seem a little premature but in order to be properly organised in these unusual times I would like to introduce to you this year’s Advent Appeal. (If you are unable to make your donation in person and would like someone to collect it from you respecting, of course, social-distancing, please call Wilma on: 07711296934)

This year I would ask you kindly if you can support one or some of the following projects:

The Toy Project – Donations of hard (not soft, because of hygiene issues) toys for Primary School aged children. Toys should not be wrapped in Christmas paper, but left plain for ease of appropriate distribution to children. The sooner donations of toys can be handed in the better, as they will then need to be transported and left for a while (because of the Covid situation) before they can then be given to the children’s families. The closing date for us being able to accept toys is Sunday 13th December 2020. Toys can be handed in after any of the Masses or members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be available on Wednesday morning from 10.30a.m. until 12 noon, or on Sunday afternoon from 3.30p.m. to 5.00p.m. Toys should be left at the church hall in St. James’, or at the back of the church in St. Matthew’s, Auchtermuchty.

Vouchers for the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Nuns in Dundee) – The Missionaries of Charity in Dundee have an important apostolate ministering to the needy and the deprived, offering them spiritual comfort and practical charitable support where they have the means to do so. Our hope is that either as an individual or as a family you would like to buy one or several vouchers in any of the following denominations: £5.00, £10.00, £20.00, or £30.00. The vouchers will be on sale from the parish and your donation will go to buy supermarket vouchers of the same amount which will then be available to be given to individuals or families in particular need who have been identified by the Sisters. Hopefully this will provide some well needed support for struggling individuals and families especially over the Christmas period and during this continuing crisis. The vouchers can be purchased after Mass, or at the same times mentioned above in regard to the handing in of toys at the church hall.

General Donations for the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – The SSVP does sterling work for the needy in our area, they receive great support from parishioners and have been active, even in these difficult times, in supporting those who are struggling. Should you simply wish to give a donation to their general work these donations should be posted through the letterbox at the Presbytery (5 High Street) in an envelope marked “SSVP Donation” or can be handed in to Fr. Martin after Holy Mass, again in an envelope marked in the same way.

God bless you, thank you for your generosity, and your kind response to the needs of those less fortunate. With every blessing and good wish,

Fr. Martin Pletts