An integral part of our Catholic religion is reaching out and touching as many lives as possible in our lifetime. Easier said than done ! DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, CARITAS CANADA gives us the opportunity to fulfill this mission. One of the most established international development organizations in Canada, it was founded in 1967 by the Catholic bishops of Canada to inspire the solidarity of Canadians towards their sisters and brothers in the global South suffering the injustices of poverty that lead to a life of desperation.
Their track record is impressive: over 50 years of existence it has invested $600 million in over 15,000 development projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.It is a strong and effective movement of Canadians from all over our country acting for justice so that the poorest can live in dignity and with respect and equality for all races and gender.
By addressing the root causes of poverty they work on such diverse issues : Democracy and Citizen participation, Equality between women and men, Food, Natural Resources, Ecological justice, Peace, Humanitarian aid.
Here in Canada Development and Peace organizes campaigns to raise awareness of the global systems that cause poverty and injustice so that the funds raised are judiciously used to address the root causes of these issues.
As an example: In Afghanistan we are helping women launch small businesses, teaching them the basics of reading and writing to improve their standard of living. In the Philippines, we created the Pope Francis village after the biggest typhoon devastated a province with thousands of people in Tacloban Leyte. They are now a thriving community that has extended to cultivating farmlands mostly by women farmers. Just recently we have responded to the dire Covid situation In India, sending them much needed relief aid. Needless to say, your contribution goes a long long way. And just as important, spreading the Awareness campaign of Development and Peace amongst our immediate circles will cause enough ripples to create change.
Welcome and come join hands with Development and Peace and be part of the movement of social justice and peace. As Mother Teresa says “ Peace starts with the smile of a giving heart!”
For more information contact Development and Peace Representative for St. Francis de Sales via the parish office.
Share Lent
On Track for Justice - 2026 Campaign
This year’s Development & Peace – Share Lent Campaign invites us to journey On Track for Justice.
Across the Global South, communities are working courageously to defend human dignity, protect creation, and secure safer futures in the face of environmental harm and social injustice. Development & Peace–Caritas Canada accompanies these communities through over 59 life‑changing projects in 34 countries, empowering local leaders to pursue justice, peace, and sustainable development.
