Our Lady of Mercy Parish is formed of the Catholic communities of St Cecilia’s and St Patrick’s Church, St Mary’s Church, the Sisters of Mercy, St Mary’s RC Primary School, St Anthony’s Girls' Catholic Academy, St Aidan’s Catholic Academy and the Sunderland University Catholic Chaplaincy.

Jesus Christ unites and inspires us through his Word and the sacraments to share the good news with the people of Sunderland. Together with others working for the common good, we welcome everyone in a spirit of friendship and service so that all people may know God’s love.

Most people in Panyangara, Uganda, cook using wood on open fires. Not only does this cause deforestation and loss of habitat it means that women, in particular, spend a long time every day collecting firewood.

In addition to being bad for the environment, the wood produces smoke and harmful pollutants as it burns, which are particularly bad for babies and young children who breathe them in.

This Lent, Our Lady of Mercy is looking to give our brothers and sisters in Panyangara a gift: eco stoves.

Eco stoves burn far more efficiently, use less word and prooduce far fewer pollutants. it frees women from hours of gathering firewood.

Each eco stove costs £30 and we asking each family in the parish to contribute as much as they can this this.

If you would like to help please put your donation into an envelope marked 'Eco Stoves' and put in the collection or hand it into the parish office.