St Clare of Assisi Parish

The refugees have been put onto a new system to sustain them.

They have been given a card called an Azure card, which allows them to buy food in some shops. They are still not given any cash at all, so they cannot buy at cheaper outlets. They have no money for bus fares, phone calls etc.

We are asking them to exchange some of the £35 Azure card for gift cards in Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury and to bring these to the drop-in at the Avenue Methodist Church on a Wednesday. These will be usually £5 or £10 cards.

If you feel you would like to help to make their lives better, please buy these cards at their face value from Gerry Butterfield or Barbara Morris, who go each week to give money in exchange for a gift card. We will try to get you the card you would like. Just order it.

Many thanks to all who have supported us in this project to help the destitute.

The refugees have been put onto a new system to sustain them.

They have been given a card called an Azure card, which allows them to buy food in some shops. They are still not given any cash at all, so they cannot buy at cheaper outlets.They have no money for bus fares, phone calls etc.

We are asking them to exchange some of the £35 Azure card for gift cards in Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury and to bring these to the drop-in at the Avenue Methodist Church on a Wednesday. These will be usually £5 or £10 cards.

If you feel you would like to help to make their lives better, please buy these cards at their face value from Gerry Butterfield or Barbara Morris, who go each week to give money in exchange for a gift card. We will try to get you the card you would like. Just order it. Many thanks to all who have supported us in this project to help the destitute.

The foods brought in for the Harvest Celebration in St Clare’s School have been very kindly donated to the Mary Thompson Fund, which supports refugees and asylum seekers in the Tees Valley many of whom receive no other support. Continue reading

The fund provides packs of food and toiletries to refused asylum seekers who are homeless and destitute. If you have tinned food (especially tomatoes, fish, corned beef, chick peas, etc.), packets of pulses, sugar, tea bags, or powdered milk (and especially rice), bottles or jars of coffee or cooking oil, or toiletries (especially toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razors, shaving foam, deodorant, or sanitary towels) or items such as baby wipes and disposable nappies for children’s needs please drop items off at Brian Dowd’s home or give these to any member of the Justice and Peace group.

There will be a meeting of the Justice and Peace group in the Parish rooms at 7pm on Monday 8th June to discuss the Refugee week service on 18th June

Please come to our meeting if you could contribute in anyway.

Also if you would be able to make a dessert please put your name on the list on the table at the back of the church.

Thank you.

Begins 15th June

On Thursday 18th June there will be a service with some Asylum Seekers in St Clare’s Church at 12.00 noon.

This will include reflections, prayers, and music.

After this refreshments will be offered.

Tea, coffee or a soft drink and desserts.

Any donations will be given to the Mary Thompson Fund and Justice First.

Please support this worthy cause to show friendship to refugees.

There will be a ‘vigil’ at St Mary’s Stockton for Anselme Noumbiwa on Tuesday 28th April, 4-7. Justice First hope to contact MPs etc.

Anselme is a Cameroonian Christian who faces a grave threat in his home country as a result of his beliefs. He was arrested again last week and may be deported imminently. Continue reading

A threat of deportation hangs over a family from Sacred Heart Parish in Middlesbrough.

Last week MPs, including our local MPs will have received a letter from Justice First plus a 12 page summary of the ‘We will crush you ‘ report (Nov. 2008) on the crushing of the opposition by President Kabila of DR of the Congo – 500 killings in the last two years, arbitrary arrests, torture and rape documented over 96 pages. Continue reading

A great “Thank you!” to the 118 people (especially our young parishioners) who signed the petition last weekend on behalf of Anselme. This is tremendous support!

At the time of writing (Wednesday evening) there have been no further developments except that the new Immigration Minister Phil Woolas is now seeking advice from his officials regarding Anselme’s case.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Despite a long running campaign, Anselme Noumbiwa Home Office reference no. N1126839 is due to be deported tomorrow Thurs 23rd Oct 2008 at 06:15 hrs on BA flight BA 302 to Paris then Air France flight AF940 to Yaounde, Cameroon.

All supporters are urged to please send out emails to Willie Walsh CEO British Airways at and Naomi Dulfer Press and Communications Manager Air France

Faxes should can also be sent to Home Office Jacqui Smith 020 8760 3132