It has been enthusiastically embraced by parishioners, students, staff and families of parish schools, and staff, volunteers, residents and families of Vincent Court.

To date, over $12,000 has been raised by the parish to help struggling farmers.

Particular initiatives have included the parish special stall for remote parishes and monetary collections; the St Joseph’s Primary School Stockman Challenge, which raised funds for the Macleay Hay Run; and the St Paul’s College Francis Farm has also donated bales of hay.

Last Wednesday, Vincent Court held their farmer dress up day with morning tea. The morning tea was well attended by residents, staff, volunteers, families and visitors. With many dressing up in their farmer outfits and singing along to the Country and Western Karaoke DVD.

Across the Lismore Diocese, over $40,000 has been raised by parishes and their various entities towards the cause.

One hundred per cent of the funds raised are being used towards feed for stock and for food and household items for farming families affected by the drought.

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The Bishop of the Lismore Diocese, Bishop Greg Homeming, has been in conversations with drought-affected parishes out west, including parishes within the Bathurst, Armidale and Wilcannia/Forbes Dioceses, to work out the best way to get help to those who need it most.

Funds have been distributed to buy hay, grain and water for stock through programs such as Buy a Bale and the Rapid Relief Team. Food vouchers are also being made available to farming families in need through supermarkets in drought-affected areas to help boost their local business communities. Also, funds are supporting a pastoral care program in the Wilcannia/Forbes Diocese, which supports farmers by enabling them to stay in town at a motel for the night to have showers and wash clothes.

Kate Englebrecht, Chancellor of the Diocese of Wilcannia, Forbes, has written a letter of thanks to the parish, in her letter she thanked the Macleay Catholic Parish for their generosity.

“Thank you so much for the very generous donation from the Macleay Valley parishioners. At this time of drought it is so very heartening to receive support from other parishioners in other places. We’ve been much moved by the thought of your parishioners selling handmade items, jams and such things in support of people out here. It is lovely to feel so connected.”