The annual Closer to Christ Campaign (CTC) Mass of Thanksgiving was held at the Cathedral last week. It provided a chance to thank all those priests and parishioners who have supported the Campaign to date from across the Diocese.

The Campaign has reached its halfway stage. Prayers of thanks were said for all that has been achieved through the wonderful generosity of so many. Parish communities that have completed the appeal include Windsor, Winchester, Fareham, English Martyrs Reading, the Cathedral, Southampton City Centre, St James & St William Reading, Alton, East Hendred and St. Edmund Campion Maidenhead.

Parishes currently underway are Jersey, Guernsey, St Swithun Wells, St Joseph Maidenhead, Andover, Wokingham, Cosham, Tilehurst, North Hinksey, Waterlooville, Leigh Park, Stubbington, Shirley, Lymington, Faringdon, and Waterside.

The campaign is about raising the resources we need for our seminarians, for the ongoing formation of clergy and for the care of our retired priests. Some parishes have local projects of mission and service that are part of our diocesan Ten Year Plan You will be My Witnesses.

Before the Mass, there was an opportunity for donors to meet some of our seminarians, who also served at the Mass.

Read more on the campaign at  Closer to Christ – Portsmouth Diocese, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth