Local services
As Advent approaches, the Municipality of Debrecen, the Debrecen Charity Board, the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, the Reformed Diocese of Tiszántúli and the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog would like to offer a helping hand to the needy in Debrecen, as in previous years.
The Hungarian Reformed Charity Service will collect durable food and toiletries in the Love Boxes, which will be distributed to donating organisations and institutions throughout the city, and will be distributed to families and people in need before Christmas.
The Debrecen Charity Board held a press conference on the fundraising campaign with the participation of László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Reformed Church District of Tiszántúli, and Zoltán Krakomperger, János Terdik, Pastoral Vicar of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, Diána Széles, Co-President of the Debrecen Charitable Board and Edit Bódor, President of the Debrecen Charitable Board on the 19th of November, 2024 at Karakter 1517 bookstore.
As László Papp said, it is the best time of the year. In spirit we are already preparing for Advent and the period of anticipation that will prepare us for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. This time of year is, of course, not only about waiting, but also about loving togetherness. It is also one of the most beautiful times of the year because it is a time when we feel an inner urge to listen more, to focus more on each other, on our loved ones, on our family members, and on all those who need help and support. In Debrecen, we have been working together for five years now. Every year, representatives of the churches in Debrecen meet with the leaders of the charity body and representatives of the member organisations to show that Debrecen can set an example of spirituality, love and cooperation, and can stand by the side of families and people who are in need of support and help. The action will be launched, in the framework of which, under the auspices of the Churches and the Charity Board, participants will collect and deliver durable food and donations in the form of parcels to people in need. This year the fundraising will run from the 19th of November to the 15th of December. In recent years, the partnership has delivered more than 8,000 parcels a year to families in need, helping them greatly in their Christmas preparations. László Papp is confident that the strength of the coalition will be evident in the city again this year, and that those who need help and support can be counted on. Each and every durable food item that goes into the donation basket is very important, but perhaps the most important thing is the human attitude that leads us to give to those in need. With this in mind, the mayor asked the people of Debrecen, if they have the means and the opportunity, to seek out the member organisations of the Debrecen Charitable Association and the activists of the Hungarian Reformed Charity Service and help families in need at this very special and very beautiful time of the year.
According to Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Reformed Church District of Tiszántúl, Debrecen can set an example if the people of Debrecen, those belonging to churches and organisations, have an example, a model to which they can follow. The Bishop quoted the Gospel of John, “ God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son”. This “giving” is an example that binds Christians of all denominations, because one of the components of the love of Jesus and of the Father was love in action. “And this love in action is the characteristic that we can imitate when we give,” Károly Fekete said, who wants the representatives of the charity body who will literally hand over the donations and the parcels to remember that the love of Jesus was active love. “He does not accept love, he gives love, in fact he creates this love. Jesus’ love is also an initiating love. He does not just give to those who turn to him, but takes steps towards them. This is what those who give will do. The love of Jesus is also a love that adapts to the situation, that is unconditional, that bridges the gap. He who gives from a pure heart can reach the heart of another person. The parcels are signs, the signs of love, signs of attention”. The bishop also quoted the Apostle Paul, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” “The law will not touch anyone if it does not offer love, but if it offers love, it fulfills what Christ came to do, at the first Christmas. Let us do our work in this way, as we have seen from Jesus, and then Debrecen will be an example,” Károly Fekete said.
“For years now, the aid campaign called Together for Debrecen has been fulfilling its purpose. Let it open the hearts of all those who have realised that there is no point in preparing for Christmas thinking only of myself. Everyone can do good, and a little is enough to do good, and this little must be done with spirit,” Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza said. He noted that today is the liturgical feast day of St. Elizabeth of Arcadia, the patron saint of charity.
János Terdik, Pastoral Vicar of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, pointed out that Greek Catholics are in a special situation, because they started preparing for Christmas on 15 November, lighting six candles. The Father said, “if we give something of ourselves, we become something more. Even if sometimes it seems like a small thing”. Quoting Mother Teresa, he said,” what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but without the drop the ocean would be shallower”.
According to Diána Széles, co-chair of the Debrecen Charity Board, the charity board has volunteers and member organisations who share their hearts, and the Advent and Christmas period is when they can involve others in this. She thanked the Board for the support of everyone who is here now, and the breadth of this collaboration because everyone is on board when the call comes.Ten years ago, when they started this joint fundraising, they had to explain what the charitable body was trying to achieve, they had to explain that these donations were going to the right place. After a decade of activity, it no longer needs explaining. This fundraising is not simply about caring, about Christmas donations, but about the fact that members of the coalition can listen to those who are in need, those who are struggling. Diána Széles said, “during the fundraising period, the Debrecen Charity Board asks the citizens of the city to help and look out for those in need. Now the board would also like to give something in return to the donors, on the day of the first Advent candle-lighting, the members of the board will be hosting a charity reception to thank them for their support and attention in the past years”.
Edit Bódor, in her position as president of the Debrecen Charity Board, is participating in the charity fundraising campaign for the first time. As she said,” the body is a bridge between donors, those who want to do something and those who are donated to, and it is a strong, stable bridge that is constantly being built and built on, it is open in both directions, it is easy to cross. Now the Love Boxes are being sent to various institutions, companies, schools, foundations and NGOs, and each one can be filled according to his or her wishes and possibilities. Donations can only be truly made when our souls are prepared. This preparation will be served by the Reformed parish of Debrecen Great Church, thanks to the fact that the Memorial Garden behind the church will be transformed into an Advent “soul garden”. It will be possible to take walks and visit different stations, both individually and with the help of spiritual guides. They will also open the chapel that once belonged to the St Andrew’s Church, where you can find quiet and contemplation. There will also be programmes and shows in the “soul garden”, a traditional nativity scene and a live nativity scene, the latter with members of Italian and Spanish families with 800 years of tradition, and the well-known “Give Away” collection point. There will also be a “prayer tree” in the garden, where you can place wishes and thoughts written on cards. Thanks to the support of various sponsors and supporters, the garden will host a charity reception after each Advent candle-lighting”.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
