Maria's Lenten reflection

SCIAF's Maria MacNicoll reflected on her first Lent as SCIAF's Community Engagement Officer. Read on to see what inspired her from the schools and parishes she visited.

My first weekend was spent at St Peter’s Parish in Morningside where our Parish Volunteer Anne-Marie and her team had prepared a fundraising lunch for SCIAF after Mass. It was a joy to have the opportunity to spend time chatting with our supporters. Hearing their thoughts and ideas reminded me how connected they feel to the wonderful work of our Church.

It’s been amazing to visit a number of primary and secondary schools to deliver our WEE BOX presentation and hear all of their brilliant and creative fundraising ideas. From Lourdes Secondary’s ‘Change Challenge’ to St Anne’s Primary taking on the Big Lent Walk. The children decided they wanted the added challenge of taking turns to carry a 15kg suitcase on their walk to Mass, roughly the same weight in the water carrier that Hirit in Ethiopia used to carry home on a journey that took up to four hours, before SCIAF installed a water pump in her village. This was an incredible act from the children and made me reflect on how powerful it is when learning moves beyond the classroom into lived faith witness.

We hosted our first ever coffee mornings at Pauline Books in St Enoch Square. Sr Angela, Veronica, Karen and their team made us feel so welcome and set up a wonderful opportunity to meet with our supporters over a coffee and some lovely cakes. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, and to Sr Angela and her team for their kindness!

One of the final events of our Lenten journey was our Stations of the Cross in St Andrew’s Cathedral. Led by fourth-year seminarian Aidan Kelly who has written this years’ reflections in the SCIAF Stations of the Cross booklet, we prayed the Stations of the Cross, reflecting on the final steps of Jesus’ journey to Calvary. It was a moving and powerful opportunity for quiet prayer and reflection.

I’m not sure if our supporters quite realise the true impact of their generosity and the difference this really makes for our sisters and brothers around the world. Simply put, we could not do the work we do without the generosity, kindness and prayers of our incredible supporters, schools and parishes! As my colleague Michael always says, “we are so blessed to do the job we do” and, two months in, I agree wholeheartedly!