Mass collections for Phillipines, Syria, Dublin families

A special collection at masses in Kilcullen tomorrow will be for aid to the survivors of the Philippines typhoon and for refugees from Syria, writes Brian Byrne.

It was originally scheduled for the Syrian need, but is now being shared.

Meanwhile, food collections during the four Sundays of Advent will be given to the Dublin Diocesan charity Crosscare, which distributes food to families in Dublin.

Demand for the service is threatening to outstrip supplies. Archbishop Diarmaid Martin has appealed for donations of non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, fruit juice, tea,coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meat or fish, tinned vegetables or fruit, packaged desserts, biscuits, and hygiene products. The donations in 199 parishes will be collected and distributed by Crosscare every Monday and Tuesday