Why We Need Help
At present the Catholic academic community in Cambridge is served by the chaplain Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv and a Dominican sister. About 450 people attend Mass on Sundays. The standard of music in the liturgy is extremely high thanks to both Latin and English choirs. The atmosphere is at the same time reverent and lively and conversions are averaging eight a year. There have been ten vocations to the priesthood and the religious life in the last decade and countless marriages between those who met as students. The premises are well used by both undergraduate and graduate groups. Generation after generation, students and dons find a home at Fisher House.How is the Chaplaincy financed?
The Chaplaincy is funded almost entirely by the Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA) from donations by its members, hiring out the hall and income from investments built up over many years from donations and legacies. The Chaplaincy receives no funds from either the University or the Church apart from a small subvention from the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board.
What has changed?
Since Fisher Hall was built in 1973, a substantial contribution to the income of the chaplaincy has been raised from hiring it out to traders. Building developments next door have threatened this income.
A Providential Loss?
While any reduction of regular income is serious, this may be providential. The uncertainty of income from the hall has inspired the launch of this appeal. A substantial endowment will free the chaplains to devote themselves to their primary work rather than managing the hall as a market place, and allow Fisher Hall to be dedicated to its primary purpose - serving the Catholic members of Cambridge University.
Who is being approached?
Academics, current and former students, Companies and Trusts. A fundraising office has been set up to administer the appeal. If every past student for whom we have contact details gave £333, our target would be met. Many could give more.
When are the funds needed?
Funds are needed as soon as possible to build up the existing endowment. We hope to have all gifts and pledges in place by the end of 2007, building an endowment which will enable the Chaplaincy to be staffed and run, and the buildings to be maintained, without the need for constant fundraising or dependence on rentals.
Please support the chaplaincy!
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