July update

You helped fund an Outreach Service Programme at Tryphina House which helps to improve the safety and well-being of children and their families.

With three children and a new baby, life was busy for Carol. Days would merge into one another as she juggled the demands of a new born, her other children and a husband whose behaviour was rapidly deteriorating. Ever since the birth of their baby, Mike’s behaviour had started to decline and had reached the point where Carol believed that it was safer for her and the children to leave the family home and go and live with her mother.

It was while Carol was seeking refuge at her mother’s, that an incident with Mike forced Carol to seek immediate help. She called the crisis line for Tryphina House.

Under the care of Tryphina House, Carol received extensive wrap- around support services for herself and her children.

Although Mike had no criminal history, and worked full-time, his abuse profile highlighted psychological and verbal threats, sexual abuse, harassment, and stalking. Mike had been diagnosed with depression and had previously threatened suicide.

‍

Transport service, a life-line for rural elderly

You help people get to essential health services when they live rurally and can’t get access to regular public transport.

Living in a rural area with only one bus service a month to the local city of Whangarei, many residents in the Kaipara, Mangaturoto, Mangawhai to Ruakaka areas have come to treasure the Linking Hands transport service, which allows them to access medical services in the city.

Health providers understand that it can be stressful for patients to travel to appointments from rural areas where there is high deprivation as well as difficulty accessing public transport. The Linking Hands service is able to fulfil that very real need in the community.

Thank you Catholic Caring Foundation supporters.

“We have been supported by Catholic Caring Foundation for some years now and it has meant we have been able to offer a reliable, safe service to support these folk during difficult times. It is a privilege to walk together making a difference for them by removing some stress and be some small part of their journey. Without this grant from Catholic Caring Foundation we would not be able to help so many folk. If they have no family or good support systems in place our service becomes their life-line for ongoing treatment.”

Thanks to your donation, Carol and her family were guided and supported to a healthier future.

The family had help to have a protection order put in place to keep them safe, and the children were given counselling for the abuse they had witnessed. Carol was referred to a specialist maternity mental health service to help her manage and cope with her depression and anxiety, and was offered budgeting advice and mentoring to get work.

Now Carol is working on building better and healthier relationships with her family, including her ex- husband so that he can have a good ongoing relationship with his children.

You helped families like Carol’s to get help and safety and ongoing support in a time of real crisis. The extent of that support for Carol and her family is far-reaching, with Carol now in a position where she has a part-time job and her children feel that they are in a stable and safe place.

‍

A message from Bishop Pat

Thanks to you all for being the caring heart of my Foundation and living your faith everyday through your support of the poor and vulnerable. It is through your care and compassion that families, individuals and communities can be supported through times of hardship, poverty and crisis.

Please know that you are making a difference in our community. Our partner organisations are thankful for your support, and so too am I.

You’ve helped bring healing to a family trapped in intergenerational crime and violence. You’ve helped give them hope. You’ve helped provide refuge for a family fleeing violence and uncertainty. You’ve helped provide a welcoming home when there is no other place to go. You do this as part of a connected family of faith who follow the gospel teachings to help when it is needed.

Your support touches me greatly.

The Foundation has had the privilege, on your behalf, of notifying over 50 organisations that they have been successful in receiving a grant for 2018.

Collectively, the work they do throughout the diocese adds great value to the lives of thousands of families and individuals who seek help, support and skills for building better lives. Please remember these organisations and those they help in your prayers.

Thank you for your support and prayers, and your commitment to show care and compassion.

With every blessing,

Bishop Pat