HONG KONG (SE): The Lenten Campaign for 2017 raised a grand total of $7.445 million, the chairperson of the Lenten Collection and Allocation Committee, Bernard Chan, reported at the conclusion of the year.
Running under the theme, Upholding marriage and family values with the love of God, Chan pointed out that the financial result from the 2017 campaign represents a 5.2 per cent increase over the previous year.
In attributing the increase to a recovery in the local economy, he expressed his gratitude to all donors and volunteers who put effort and sacrifice into reaching out to those in need through their positive response.
Of the total donations received, parishes accounted for $3.374 million (45 per cent), schools $3.43 million (46 per cent), Catholic institutions $282,400 (3.79 per cent) and individuals $358,000 (five per cent).
Money has been allocated to various causes, with $712,450 going to 18 parishes for charitable outreach and $91,400 to 37 Catholic secondary schools for service projects, $500,000 for overseas and local emergency relief as a sign of universal solidarity, as well as $6,496,150 to six welfare agencies—$6,243,250 being apportioned to Caritas Hong Kong; $7,500 to the Faith and Light Community Hong Kong for service to people with mental health difficulties, and $24,500 to St. Camillus Benevolent Association for service to the physically afflicted and people of advanced age.
In addition, $180,000 was allocated to the Diocesan Reception Group, which subsidises the living and travelling expenses of religious from poor mainland dioceses to undertake short-term pastoral and liturgy programmes in Hong Kong.
A further $8,500 went to the Catholic Secondary Schools North-East New Territories Deanery Council to subsidise services to people of advanced age and $32,400 to St. Peter’s Revival Association for rehabilitation and employment programmes for people who have been discharged from prison.
