Fair Trade in the Parish

As part of Fair Trade Week on Saturday 10^th March 2007 St James the Less celebrated their new status as a Fair Trade Parish, conferred on them by the Diocese of Salford for the use and promotion of fairly traded goods.

The Selassie Orthodox Church Choir dressed in traditional robes sang and drummed at the 6.30p.m. Mass when the certificate of Fair Trade Status was presented to parish representatives

Following the Mass CAFOD provided a free supper based on fairly traded ingredients.

(Opposite:    Fr Lupton is seen cutting the cake accompanied by Joanne Hill)

Hugh and Maura Spink sell Fair Trade goods at the monthly CAFOD coffee mornings at the church.  They had first hand experience of the difference Fair Trade makes when they visited Malawi as part of an educational project. The local priest took them to visit tea plantations owned by a major multi-national company and some owned by a local co-operative. They were struck by the vast difference in living conditions and the beneficial effects on health and family of working in the co-operative.

Profits from sales are donated to CAFOD (The Catholic Association for Overseas Development) to continue working for the world's poor.

Below :

Father Lupton with The Selassie Orthodox Choir