Following the Coronavirus outbreak, many parishes have moved their services online. In the initial few days of lockdown, our local CAFOD worker Bronagh Daly volunteered her Sunday to bring an online version of Children’s Liturgy to young families, interested in keeping a bit of normality to their Sunday routine.
There are so many different tools to help people get online, but it can be difficult to know where to start. CAFOD volunteer Serga Collett, from St Laurence’s church in Cambridge, shares her top tips:
- Create a social media community
“Father is working hard to create a community – this is an interesting process and it’s amazing how quickly people have mobilised. Social media is always there. It is such an immediate way to contact people, which is so good.” CAFOD has its own Facebook community too!
- Use existing channels to promote new things
“We now live-steam masses every day and post about them in our weekly newsletter and on Facebook to remind everyone.” Diocese of Leeds online streaming
- Set up a tech team of parish volunteers
“We have an amazing tech team. If anyone visits the church website and has a problem, the number for the tech team is on there and they can help. This is especially important for parishioners who aren’t used to everything being online.”
- Use online tools to set up meetings
“We have used meeting platforms such as Zoom to have an ‘Ablaze’ mass experience for our confirmation candidates.” In the Diocese of Leeds, maybe we could set up an online group for CAFOD volunteers to discuss how we can all stay connected in these challenging time. Send me an email bdaly@cafod.org.uk to Bronagh know your ideas and availability.
- Even if you encounter difficulties, make sure to persevere
“In these times, computers are a real live-saver. Through technology, you can see how many people are out there, and while you can’t meet them face to face, you can still see them and speak to them.”
You can read Serga’s full blog here: https://blog.cafod.org.uk/2020/04/16/helping-your-congregation-get-online/. And, if you would like to share your story, do get in touch.
What treasured item has helped get you through lockdown?

Elouise and her treasured cuppa and good book!
The period of lockdown has been a massive change for all of us – and each one of us has that one special item that has helped get us through.
Here at the CAFOD, we’re creating a story about the items that have helped our supporters and volunteers across the country stay happy and healthy during lockdown.
Whether it is knitting needles, a musical instrument, a yoga mat or mixing bowl – we’d love to compile all your stories and share them on the CAFOD website and in the media.
If you’d like to get involved, then please email a landscape picture of yourself holding your treasured item along with your name, age, profession, location, and 50-75 words about your treasured item to Elouise in our media team: ehobbs@cafod.org.uk
Connecting to the wider church

Founding mothers of CAFOD
Thanks to streaming technology, many parishes are now able to live-stream Sunday mass – and the theology team here at CAFOD have been working hard to create time to connect the wider CAFOD family.
On Thursday 23 April we have an online opportunity for prayer and chat. And, next Wednesday 29 April, Fr Liam will be saying mass for all CAFOD volunteers and supporters at 6pm.
You can sign up to both talks here: https://cafod.org.uk/Volunteer/Online-talks
We hope you have a wonderful week, and if you’d like to get in touch, please feel free to ring or email us on: leeds@cafod.org.uk or call Bronagh Daly on her CAFOD mobile 07748 514641