The trustees of the Johnson Fund must come from the same stock as Fr Johnson as they too are ‘incomparable good men’ who administrate a fund established over three hundred years ago to support the secular clergy of the Archdiocese of Birmingham who on account of age, infirmity of sickness need financial help.
On Tuesday March 10 a team of twelve, six young priests from the Archdiocese of Birmingham and six lay people (staff from Catholic Today) and Jenny Davies, Archbishop Vincent’s Secretary) will do a tandem parachute jump from 13,000 ft in the hope that parishes, individuals, companies and organizations will support us in our hope to raise funding for an important organization that does great work for the the needs of the clergy in sickness and old age.
On Thursday January 22 the jumpers and representatives from the Johnson Fund gathered at Archbishop’s House for a photo opportunity and to meet up with their fellow jumpers. Canon Sean Grady, the secretary of the fund, could not have been more encouraging and supportive, he said, ‘To be honest, I think its just amazing and wonderful that these six young priests and the staff from Catholic Today are willing to help raise funds in the way they are for the Johnson Fund. The monies raised go to such a good cause – the parachute jumpers can certainly count on my parish’s support!’
Canon David, a trustees of the Fund echoed this sentiment: ‘The Trustees of the Johnson Association are deeply grateful to Catholic Today for their fund raising initiative on behalf of the Association. They also gladly welcome the support of the six priests of the Archdiocese and the office staff of Catholic Today who are making a parachute jump in aid of the Association.’
Archbishop Vincent also said: ‘I am delighted that Catholic Today and the Johnson Fund are embarking on a fundraising venture to raise much needed funds for the care and welfare of our sick priests and those who have stepped down from their parish duties. I am grateful to the priests and staff from Catholic Today who are prepared to make this leap of faith - jumping out of an aeroplane from 13,000 ft is not for the faint hearted. They have my full support and I hope that we will all give generously to such a worthy cause.’
Catholic Today is proud to be working in association and collaboration with the Johnson Fund and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the trustees for their continued and on-going encouragement and support.
Donation envelopes and an information sheet about the Johnson Fund will be made available through your parish.
Our Leap of Faith Challenge Team are:
Catholic Today Team
Mike Conway
Editor
Jenny Davies
Archbishop Vincent’s Secretary
Claire Wakefield
Accountant
Rebecca Kerr
Graphic Designer
Lauren Matthews
Administrator
Clare Conway
Part-time Administrator
Priests from the Archdiocese
Fr Paul Moss
St Patrick’s, Coventry
Fr Peter Norton
St Dunstan’s, Kings Heath
Fr Stephen Fawcett
St Werburgh’s, Clayton
Fr Paul Smith
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch
Fr Paul Haines
Our Lady Help of Christians, Kitts Green
Fr James Mealy
St Joseph’s, Wolverhampton
