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.
More about our 2026 Campaign, please visit:
Campaign
Venezuela Earthquakes Donations matched until July 14
July 2026
Brothers and sisters, in La Guaira, Venezuela, a local parish has become one of the centres for relief and spiritual support, as the Church accompanies those affected with both practical aid and compassionate care. Father Antonio Rella urges continued solidarity—especially through prayer— reminding us that rebuilding will take time, perseverance, and hope grounded in faith.
Please click on the purple button below to read more about this parish of great provision and its pastor, Fr. Antonio...
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On Track for Justice - 2026 Share Lent
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.
Turn Debt into Hope - 2025 Share Lent
As we begin our journey for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis reminds us that “hope should be granted to the billions of the poor who often lack the essentials of life” and that “the goods of the Earth are not destined for a privileged few but for everyone.” (Spes Non Confundit, 15-16)
Inspired by this call to justice, we are joining Caritas Internationalis’ campaign Turn Debt into Hope along with many other faith-based and civil society organisations.
Together, we urge decision-makers to prioritise people and planet over mere profit and demand debt justice for communities crushed by unjust and unpayable debts.
As the Holy Father writes, “if we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, we must commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts” (Spes Non Confundit, 16).
For more information, please click on the graphic bellow:
