Inspired by Pope Francis` s challenge to become a Church FOR the Poor and WITH the Poor, and prompted by Bishop Philip`s call that we must ALL have a special concern for justice, peace and social responsibility, our Parish re-drafted and renewed our Covenant with the Poor in 2013. Originally we had drawn up this Covenant at Pentecost in 1998 at the instigation of Bishop Crispian Hollis, and recently we have reaffirmed our commitment to the new Covenant at the Parish Day in 2014. Meetings are held periodically in the Parish to review how we fulfill these commitments and are open to all.
 
COVENANT WITH THE POOR
We commit ourselves
·         To pray regularly for those who are disadvantaged and marginalised and to support with our prayers those organisations, local and international, who work with people in need.
·         To inform ourselves of the causes of poverty and to campaign for change in the light of what we have learned.
·         To continue and increase our financial support for the Advent and Lenten Parish Projects and for those organisations who work in our area with those in need.
·         To continue and increase our support for CAFOD, Christian Aid, Pax Christi and other organisations who work in the light of Catholic Social Teaching for a world of justice and peace.
·         To buy and encourage the use of fairly – traded goods, both as individuals and as a parish.
·         To support our sister Diocese of Bamenda in Cameroon by prayer and financial help.
·         To live as simply and sustainably as possible in our individual lives, recognising that we are stewards of God`s Creation.
·         Loving Father, help us to share justly the good things that come from your loving hand; to bring peace and reconciliation where strife and disorder reign; to speak out for those who have no voice; and to rejoice in a bond of prayer and praise with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
 
·         Our Lady and St Edmund Parish September 2013