Churches hold Holy Hours for Mary’s Meals
Our supporters are keeping the children who eat Mary's Meals in their prayers.
Catholic churches across the UK held Holy Hours for Mary's Meals in May – the month dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
During these special online services, priests led their congregations in prayer for our work, which is named after Our Lady.
Father Frankie Mulgrew, of the Diocese of Salford, says: “Some parishioners are feeling helpless in these times because they want to do more to help. As people of faith, they know their prayers can make a difference. So we are delighted to pray for the work of Mary's Meals in these days as the charity continues to serve, bless and change young lives.”
We normally feed hungry children in schools, attracting them to the classroom where they can gain an education that will one day be their ladder out of poverty.
With schools across the globe closed, we have had to adapt quickly to ensure that we can continue to feed more than one million children every school day in countries including Malawi, Zambia, Liberia, Kenya, Haiti and India, providing meals at home instead of in the classroom.
Daniel Adams, UK Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, says: “It brings me great joy and comfort to know that priests and church leaders have gifted these Holy Hours to Mary’s Meals as an act of love."
Father Jeremy Milne, Parish of St John the Baptist & St Kentigern in Edinburgh, says: “Our congregation gathered virtually to pray for the children Mary’s Meals is reaching with a vital meal through this pandemic. In a time of crisis, it provides great solace and hope for my parishioners to know that this amazing mission continues.”
We have also created a suite of resources for church leaders to share with their parishioners during lockdown, including activities for children and a special message recorded by our founder, Magnus McFarlane-Barrow. We hope that this message will be shared as part of virtual services, as well as on websites and social media channels.