Bishop Reflects on Parish Social Action

Published by Charlie Bohan-Hurst on September 25, 2026

Sunday 15 November is the 10th World Day of the Poor, when Bishop Peter wants every parish newsletter to note the occasion and remind the parish how it contributes to accompanying, advocating for and supporting the needs of the poor.

“Having seen at each of our seven deaneries’ Caritas Festivals that many parishes have their own projects and/or well-established links with food banks, night shelters, etc., I hope that the World Day of the Poor will be a chance to host and thank local charities for their work and to encourage even more parishioners to volunteer with them,” Bishop Peter has said.

Looking to the future, David Livesey of Caritas East Anglia said that the World Day of the Poor and the World Day of Migrants and Refugees link to two common concerns that have arisen in discussions with Caritas in other dioceses:

Listening to and documenting grassroots lived experience to inform practice and advocacy.
Promoting the integration and participation of Catholic migrant communities in parishes.

The Commission would like to encourage a pilot project in an East Anglian diocesan parish aimed at addressing one or both concerns and would welcome any thoughts on how and where this could be done.