Charity at Holy Trinity
Practice in charity giving at Holy Trinity is inspired by the following Gospel passage from St Mark’s Gospel (12:38 -44).
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.
The Gospel of the Lord.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus rebukes the religious scribes for their ostentatious and grandiose approach to giving for charity. Jesus then praises a poor widow for her humility and humble approach to charity, pointing out that the little that she could afford to give, was at a ‘higher value’ because it came from a ‘pure heart’.
Charity work at Holy Trinity is embedded in school life and echoes our motto of Learn to Love, Love to Learn. Through our many different charity events throughout each year, pupils and staff alike, show that they love and care for all fellow human beings, no matter where they are in the world.
Practice in charity giving at Holy Trinity is underpinned by the following key Catholic Social Teaching:
- Human Dignity
- Common Good
- Preferential option for the poor and distributive justice
Holy Trinity supports local, national and international charities.
An example of a local charity supported by Holy Trinity: Christmas hampers appeal to support the local community.
Christmas at Holy Trinity is a very special time. Our diverse community celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord and show love towards all through the donations they make. Our charity work during Advent is a very important part of our Catholic life. In the past each form have produced a box of goodies which go to Father Hudson’s Homeless Shelter, Tabor House in Birmingham. This spreads the love and shows that we care and love all, no matter the circumstance. Each form has also produced a wonderful food hamper which is filled with food, toiletries and other pleasant goodies. These hampers are distributed to 30 of our most vulnerable families within our Holy Trinity school community and give much needed joy to those who struggle financially.
In April 2023 we set up our very own Holy Trinity Food bank. This was linked to the Parent Association who helped on the day. Pupils and staff held a non-uniform day, and each person kindly donated an item of food or toiletries. Over 30 parents benefited from this event and were extremely grateful for the support they received. This event was so popular that we held it again on the final two days of the summer term. Spreading joy and happiness to our families is a very important part of our school life. Parents and pupils are sincerely thankful for our donations.
We are also working with the MAC charity who kindly donate food and toiletry items every two weeks to school. These much-needed items go to our needy families and help support them on a day-to-day basis.
Thoughtful Tuesday is an initiative we started in September 2022. Every Tuesday we join as a community to help those in need. It can be a monetary donation or a food item. All are added to our charity funds and donated, making a positive impact on the lives of so many. This Advent (2024) we will use all the money from our Thoughtful Tuesday donations to buy essential items for the food hampers which will go to our needy families.
An example of a national charity supported by Holy Trinity: Saint Vincent De Paul Society and Macmillan
Each autumn term we hold a Macmillan Coffee morning for parents. Student voice run the event with the aim of raising as much money as is possible to go to support Macmillan nurses. It is a lovely community event, which brings pupils, staff and parents together over a cuppa and a delicious cake, made by our own pupils.
We have supported the St Vincent De Paul Society during the Advent period with providing the use of our school canteen to prepare and cook a full Christmas dinner for the homeless of Birmingham. Staff also volunteered with the preparation and cooking of the food. Holy Trinity at its best – serving the needs of our local community.
An example of an international charity supported by Holy Trinity: CAFOD and Islamic Relief
On the final day of the autumn term in December we join in holding our annual Christmas Jumper Day. Staff and students can wear a Christmas jumper or just ordinary clothing with a donation of £1.00 which will go to CAFOD and Islamic Relief. A fun way to end the term and to spread some Christmas Cheer. It is always a very popular event.
During Lent each year pupils and staff participate in a range of Lenten charity events. During the 40 days of Lent forms challenge themselves to participate in many fun events and raise as much money as is possible. Money goes to CAFOD and Islamic Relief.
Holy Trinity responds to local, national & international crises that are unexpected and is always willing to offer support to those most in need.
During February 2023 earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. Staff and pupils were very quick in asking to support an appeal for help. We ran a charity food sale and raised £485.00 which went directly to Green Lane Mosque who were running a direct appeal to raise money to help those in need in Turkey and Syria. Global Citizenship in action.
During Advent in 2023 we supported UNICEF and CAFOD with their Gaza charity fund raising. We responded to the conflicts in Gaza and raised money to support the two charities with their work in Gaza.
Students voted to donate their money to CAFOD and choose the water aid packages as the World Gifts which we wished to supposed. The money raised went directly to CAFOD to buy ‘Water for a family’. This helped to support families to be able to cook, drink and wash in clean water.
Student voice is very active at Holy Trinity. We listen to our wonderful pupils, who help to lead on different charity events and propose ideas for different charity events. Student voice recognise and support the need to contribute, as a Catholic school, to CAFOD, and have a deep understanding of the work of CAFOD throughout the world. Student voice expressed their wish for us to also donate to Islamic Relief as this reflects and supports many of our pupils’ own backgrounds and religious beliefs. Part of our donations now regularly support Islamic Relief or a similar Islamic charity.
