Following Yonder Star Jubilee Christmas Appeal 2025
“And in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and halted over the place the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight and going into the house they saw the child with His mother Mary and falling to their knees they did Him homage. Then opening their treasures they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh”. Matthew 2:9-12
“From the Manger the Child Jesus asks us to be a voice of those who have no voice”. Tuesday’s Child Christmas Appeal wishes to send donations received to charity partners helping children exhausted by war, hunger and extreme hardship.
Monies go to life essentials as well as parties for children and Christmas gifts.
This year the Following Yonder Star Christmas Appeal hopes to help children in the following areas ravaged by war and injustice:
On 7 October 2023, feast day of the Holy Rosary, Israel declared war on Gaza after a horrific attack on a Kibbutz. Twenty six months on the world continues to witness a holocaust of little children. At least 20,000 children have been killed, thousands are missing, entombed under rubble, many are injured and all are deeply traumatised. Some children have lost their whole families.
On 11 October 2025 after a global day of prayer, led by Pope Leo XIV, the bombing ceased for a time. Now, as Christmas approaches, bombs continue to fall, children continue to be killed and injured and children and their families need all the essentials for survival.
Gaza was the escape route for the Holy Family of Nazareth when they fled King Herod into Egypt and also their return route to Nazareth. Children in Gaza today are trapped inside a wall of steel and are unable to flee with their families from modern day Herods. Almost all children are displaced and there is no place safe to live. Donations received will go to provision of food and water to children and their families.
Please also pray to the Baby Jesus, Prince of Peace, for an end to the holocaust and peace in the Holy Land, the land of His birth. If we focus on the little children, the solution is very simple – peace, peace, peace. The call to first help children n Gaza came from the shores of Galilee in August 2007.
All donations currently received go to the Holy Family Parish via the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, Russia declared war on Ukraine. Almost three years on children and their families are facing another freezing winter because of ongoing Russian airstrikes. As in all wars it is little children who suffer most.
This Christmas, Tuesday’s Child continues to ask for donations to help displaced children and their families in Kiev. Funds go to Fr. Rolf and his team who co-ordinate aid delivery throughout the Ukraine and run children’s homes consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary sheltering children affected by war.
Tuesday’s Child first met Fr Rolf in Fatima on 8 December 2018, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three little shepherds – St Jacinta, St Francisco and Ven. Lucia - in Fatima and told them to “pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world and an end to the war”. Let us also pray for an end to the horrific war on children in Ukraine.
Syria
This Christmas Tuesday’s Child hopes to provide Christmas gifts for 1500 children and teenagers living in Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the world. The children attend a centre in the Latin Church of St. Francis. The price of a gift for a child is approximately £5.
Syrian children continue to live with the reality of war.
Ethiopia
On 3 November 2020, on the feast day of St. Martin de Porres, patron saint of the poor, war broke out in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Numerous killings and massacres have been committed by the Ethiopian National Defence Force and the Etitrean Defence Force. One of the towns badly affected is Wukro.
This Christmas, Tuesday’s Child appeals for funds to help many orphaned and very poor children cared for in St. Mary’s parish. Tuesday’s Child met the parish priest Fr Hagos in Our Lady of Grace monastery, San Giovanni Rotundo, Italy, after praying the Divine Mercy chaplet at the 7th century Crucifix in front of which St. Padre Pio received the visible wounds of Christ.
War inflicts terrible wounds on little children and their families that can last for generations. May the Christ Child bring His love, peace, hope and joy to children in Wukro and all of Ethiopia this Christmas.
Uganda
Tuesday’s Child helps children in Uganda by provision of food, fresh drinking water from newly drilled wells and educational materials.
This Christmas we hope to raise funds to help malnourished children with food support and medicines in the Zombo area near the border with Congo DRC.
Donations will go to provision of food, powdered milk, blankets, mosquito nets and soap. A blanket and a mosquito net costs £10.
Our partner is the area is Fr. Albert who we first met at the IEC in Dublin back in 2012 and continue to support his wonderful work for children.
Kenya
Tuesday’s Child supports Fr Conor and his team in Eastlands slums in Nairobi who do wonderful work organising Christmas parties for up to 1500 children including street kids. Gifts are also distributed to primary school children including shoes and socks. Teenage boys living on the streets are cared for and given the opportunity to go to college.
Tuesday’s Child also continues to fundraise for children with disabilities in the Garissa diocese, North East Kenya. Children are cared for by Camellian sisters. Donations go to the salary of a school teacher, food and juice for children at school and new clothes.
Tuesday’s Child also wishes to support children in Karbiobangi, Nairobi, who are cared for by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Africa. The sisters rescue children and provide the opportunity of education with a daily meal of porridge in their schools.
India
Tuesday’s Child hopes to support education of primary school children in Karnataka, Southern India through the coming year. Funds go to Fr Jerome, a Carmelite priest who builds schools and co-ordinates education for poor children. Fr. Jerome has special devotion to the Infant of Prague who blesses his work educating little children of Karnataka. “The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you”.
Tanzania
This Christmas Tuesday’s Child hopes to support children living in St. Francis of Assisi orphanage in Bunda, Tanzania. Children living here include orphaned children and children who have been abandoned. The call to help these children also came in San Giovanni Rotundo. The children need all the essentials for daily living.
Brazil
Tuesday’s Child supports a wonderful centre of education and fun for children in Sao Paulo. Here children from poor families meet to enjoy learning together and playing sports and enjoying other fun activities. The centre is run by Fr. Mario and his youth team.
Pakistan
Karachi known as the city of lights is the largest city in Pakistan. This year, we are asking for donations for distribution of food and clothes to children and their families in St. Philip’s parish in Karachi. We met the parish priest Fr Jahanzeb last year in Medjugorje.
Tuesday’s Child was inspired during a first pilgrimage to Medjugorje in May 2006, where Our Lady first appeared to six children in the village on the feast day of St. John the Baptist in June 1981. Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for peace for the world and peace for every child, born and unborn.
Jubilee Year
During this Holy Year of 2025, we are called to be “tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind. The faithful, following the example of the mandate of Christ are encouraged to carry out works of charity or mercy, more frequently, especially in the service of those brothers and sisters who are burdened by various needs.
The corporal works of mercy are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead”. The Jubilee Year ends on 6 January 2026.
St. Nicholas’ Day
6 December 2025
St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, patron saint of children pray for love, peace, hope and joy for every child this Christmas.
A prayer to Santa Claus
St. Nicholas so kind and good
please pray for us today
that we might always live for God
in all we do and say.
Please pray that we might care for those
whom others might ignore;
and show God’s love to everyone especially the poor. Amen.
Beautiful Christmas cards of the Holy Family of Nazareth
“For there is a Child born to us, a Son given to us, and dominion is laid on His shoulders; and this is the name they gave Him: Wonder Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6
Pack of 10 cards £6 plus P&P
Proceeds to Tuesday’s Child Christmas Appeal for children exhausted by war and hunger.
Proceeds to Tuesday’s Child and Medical Aid Palestine
Emergency Appeal for Gaza
The Gaza strip is the most densely child populated place in the world. Israel declared war on Gaza on 7 October ‘23. At least 20,000 children have been killed; thousands are wounded, almost all are displaced.
All donations received to date have been used to supply flour, water, food parcels, medicines and hygiene kits.
100 percent of donations received go to catholic missionaries working in Gaza for emergency relief.
You can also donate via PayPal...
Concert for Humanitarian Relief in Gaza
Ormeau Churches Together are kindly organising a concert for humanitarian relief in Gaza with part proceeds to Tuesday’s Child. Tickets £15.
Thank you for helping raise £3,730!
Peace be with You
Rosary for peace with Pope Leo XIV 11 October 2025
St. Peter’s Square, Rome
5 p.m. Irish time
Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for us
Easter Appeal - Children of Nairobi
In his Easter Urbi et Orbi Pope Francis told us we are all children of God.
The Easter Appeal this year is for children in Nairobi to provide for food and education of poor children attending the schools of St Francis and St Clare and give them hope for the future.
Tuesday’s Child first visited Nairobi in October 2011 and witnessed the wonderful work the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Africa do, even rescuing children from a life of scavenging on Dandora rubbish dump of the city for food and giving them the dignity of a place in school with a school uniform and the opportunity to learn and to be fed at school with a breakfast meal of a cup of porridge and a live of rice and beans.
All monies received will go to helping these children.
Even the price of a red rose or box of chocolates can make a difference.
St Valentine please bless the appeal and pray for an outpouring of love for the children of Gaza and all children exhausted by war and extreme hardship.
May all nations learn to love every child, born and unborn.
Donate via PayPal...
St Brigid’s Day Appeal 2025 for children in Nebbi, Uganda
St Brigid patroness of Ireland had a great love of the poor from when she was a child. She gave away her belongings to the poor and gave her father’s sword to a man with leprosy. Her charity angered her father who thought she was too generous to the poor.
St Brigid was professed a nun by St Mel, nephew of St Patrick. She founded many convents in Ireland, healed the sick, and worked miracles for the poor.
Today on St Brigid’s say we ask her for a miracle for children living in extreme hardship Uganda in need of food, school uniforms, sweaters, school books, shoes, mosquito nets, bed sheets and blankets. St Brigid bless these poor children. 100 percent of donations received will go to providing these essentials for these children.
Photo: St. Brigid holding her lamp. Stained glass window in St Mary of the Rosary Church, Cong, Mayo, Ireland
Divine Mercy Novena for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and peace in the Holy Land
Tuesday 7 - Wednesday 15 January
Holy hour each day with prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet united with Our Lady and through the intercession of St Faustina and Pope St John Paul II and St Pio.
“Mankind will not know peace until it returns to My Mercy”. Jesus to St Faustina
Jesus I trust in You
Gaza Emergency Appeal
Gaza is the most densely child populated place in the world. There are more children living here per square mile than in any other country or state. Children live in already terrible conditions denied basic human rights for life and are trapped between two sealed borders where transfers out of Gaza for life saving medical treatment for children are also often refused.
Many children are malnourished and deeply traumatised from ongoing inhumane and collective punishment by Israel. The killing and wounding of children has become a blood sport and international media turns a blind eye to the atrocities.
On 7 October 2023, Israel declared war on Gaza following an escalation of violence in Israel and terrorist attacks by militants tragically claiming many lives and wounding many others including children.
Day of prayer and fasting for peace
Holy Hour in St. Peter’s Square,
Rome 6 pm
5 pm Irish time
Peace, peace, peace
Pope Francis calls for penance and prayer on Friday 27 October imploring God for peace.
He also invites all believers to unite with him in prayer from St Peter’s Square in Rome at 6 pm Italian time, 5 pm Irish time.
“Dear brothers and sisters, my thoughts go to Palestine and Israel, the victims are increasing and the situation in Gaza is desperate. May, please, everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster. It’s possible that this war might grow and there are many many wars in the world. May the weapons fall silent!
Jesus is on the side of the poor, the children, the suffering. Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problems, it only sows death and destruction, it increases hatred, it multiplies revenge, war destroys the future, it destroys the future.
I call on all believers to take only one side in this conflict that of peace, not with words, with prayer.
Photo - Candlelight prayer walk for peace in the Holy Land,
Belfast 6 Jan 2009
Thinking about this, I decided to make the 27 October a day of penance so that people can in the way they see best, brothers and sisters of all Christian churches, and all other religions can come together for peace in the world.
That evening at 6 pm in St Peter’s Square in a spirit of penance we will have an hour of prayer to implore God for peace in our days, peace in this world.
I ask all the particular churches to participate by putting on similar events which bring together the people of God.
…please brothers and sisters let us pray for peace in the world and let us not forget tortured Ukraine, people are not speaking about it at the moment but there are a lot of dramas going on.
My blessing to all”
Pope Francis
18 Oct 2023
on the feast of St Luke the evangelist.
Pope Francis calls all believers to pray and fast Tuesday 17 October for peace in the Holy Land and an end to all war.
“Dear brothers and sisters, I continue to follow with great sorrow what is happening in Israel and Palestine. I think again of many..in particular children and the elderly. I renew my appeal for the freeing of hostages and I strongly ask that children, the sick, elderly, women and all civilians not be made victims of this conflict.
Humanitarian law is to be respected, especially in Gaza, where it is urgent and necessary to ensure humanitarian corridors and to come to the aid of the entire population. Brothers and sisters already many have died. Please let no more innocent blood be shed neither in the Holy Land or in the Ukraine, nor in any other place. Enough! Wars are always a defeat! Always.
Prayer is the meek and holy force to oppose the diabolical force of hatred, terrorism and war. I invite all believers to join with the Church in the Holy Land and to dedicate next Tuesday 17 October to prayer and fasting.
And now let us pray to Our Lady
Hail Mary full of grace
The Lord is with you
Blessed are Thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen”.
Happy Birthday Our Lady
Friday 8 September ‘23
A bouquet of red and white roses was presented to Our Lady Queen of Peace in Medjugorje on 8 September.
The bouquet represents people in Ireland wishing Our Lady Happy Birthday by praying the Rosary and asking Jesus to give Our Lady the gift of peace on her birthday. Children in São Paulo Brazil and Children in Uganda also prayed the Rosary to wish Our Lady Happy Birthday.
Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for us. Peace for every child born and unborn!
Easter Appeal for Children in Ukraine
Tuesday's Child is raising funds to help children and their families displaced in the terrible war on Ukraine. 100 percent of monies received will go to aid distribution in Ukraine and to refugee centres in Poland and Romania.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a devastating war on the Ukraine. Thousands of innocent people have been tragically killed. Hundreds of thousands of families are displaced by war and exhausted by sheer trauma. As in all wars, children are suffering terribly and displaced children are at risk of trafficking.
Tuesday's Child is fundraising to support catholic missionaries working in the Ukraine under the banner "triumph of hearts"; they have have been doing amazing work for years bringing much needed aid to children and people of all ages in Ukraine. Since the outbreak of war they have distributed aid through a logistically excellent and long established network of humanitarian support. They also support children's homes dedicated to the Heart of Mary. We first met them in Fatima on 8 December, where Our Lady appeared to three little shepherds in 1917 asking for the daily Rosary and sacrifices for an end to war and told the children she will come to ask for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and reparation on first Saturdays. On 25 March 2022 Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In March 70 trucks of aid were distributed to key areas affected by the war. Areas helped include Kiev in Northern Ukraine, Lviv, Ternopol, Ivano Frankisvk, Khmelnyzkyj, Chernivisti and Vinnyzja in Western Ukraine and Odessa in the South. In April they are sending aid also to refugee centres in Poland and Romania. Food costs are approximately 5000 Euro per 15 tonnes of food and freight costs €2,500 per truck. Other items distributed include: fire fighting equipment, medical aid, blankets, clothes, hygiene items and items for babies and children.
“For there is a child born to us,
a Son given to us
and dominion is laid on His shoulders;
and this is the name they give Him:
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”.
Isaiah 9:6
We also ask your prayers this Christmas for all children in the world and the gift of peace for every child, born and unborn.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Holy Family of Nazareth, for all the children of the world. Maybe every child be loved as Mary and Joseph loved the Baby Jesus. May the star that shone brightly over in Bethlehem shine brightly this Christmas over all the children in the world and bring hope and joy to all. “Raise your tiny hand, Divine Child, and bless these young friends of yours, bless the children of all the earth”.
Department of Communities NI - Covid 19 Charity Fund
Tuesday’s Child is delighted to receive an award of £20,000 from the Department of Communities NI - Covid 19 Charity Fund. Thank you!
Santa Claus launches Following Yonder Star Christmas 2020 Appeal
Santa Claus made a surprise visit to Ardglass on 6th December and to launch our Following Yonder Star Christmas Appeal for children and bring a little joy and cheer. Santa and his helpers were greeted by children of St. Nicholas’ Primary School, who gathered outdoors in the school Eco garden and sang Christmas songs and carols.
Santa arrived by donkey and trap with donkeys Remus and Hobnob kindly provided by Kinedale Farm in Ballynahinch. Hobnob was loaded with baskets of blessed clementines for children and staff. “Santa is very special to the children of St. Nicholas PS as he is patron saint of our school” said Principal Kevin Burns.
Afterwards, Santa Claus journeyed around town where he received a generous cheque from Joanne of £1000 towards our Christmas Appeal! Santa Claus is a wonder-worker and a bringer of gifts. We hope, with his help, to bring many gifts to children this Christmas. Santa Claus is patron saint of children, so we will be asking his prayers to help all children in the world this Christmas. All monies received go to purchasing gifts for children.
Following Yonder Star - The Live Christmas Crib 2013 -2019
“We saw His star as it rose and have come to do Him homage”.
Matthew 2:3
Thank you to everyone who has supported our annual Christmas fundraiser – The Live Christmas Crib in The Grotto at St. Mary’s - over the past 7 years. The outdoor Live Crib has brought great joy to children both at home and abroad and to people of all ages and all faiths in Belfast City and across the Province. Many international visitors, have visited, some who journeyed especially to Belfast especially to visit the Crib! Thanks to Blackberry Farm and Kinedale Farm for the beautiful animals over the years, to the all the crib volunteers and to the schools and choirs who have come to sing Christmas carols at the crib and to St. Mary’s for hosting the crib. Live Crib has raised a total of £72, 383.23 for children at the crib over the 7 blessed years and daily prayers offered for peace in the world and peace for every child, born and unborn.
All monies raised in the buckets have gone to missionary partners working in areas of war and extreme hardship, to bring Christmas gifts to children in 10 countries – Syria, Gaza, Kenya, Sudan, India, Cameroon, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia and Child Boat Refugees in Syria. Public benefit from monies raised for children overseas includes: Christmas gifts and parties for children, food aid for children and their families, education of children, music therapy, health-care and wood shelters for families. St. Francis of Assisi, built the first live crib in Greccio in 1223, almost 800 years ago! St. Joseph please lead us to a new place for and The Live Crib in 2020!
The Bethlehem Song
Children of St. Mary’s recorded a beautiful Christmas carol for us, “The Bethlehem Song”, written by Theresa Gosh.
The song was recorded live at the Live Crib.
To order a copy of the song on CD email events@tuesdayschild.org.uk.
Cost is £2.50 plus P and P and makes a lovely stocking filler!
Loose Change Appeal
Your loose change can really make a difference.
Why not have a spring clean and gather up the loose change around your home or car?
We give everything we receive.
Thinking of running a marathon?
It’s the marathon season again.
Want to get fit and make a difference to the lives of children?
Why not run or walk a marathon, not just for yourself, but to help others?
Belfast singer-songwriter releases song for children of war for Tuesday’s Child – Just Like You and I
Just Like You and I was written by Olive for children ravaged by war. "In my dreams you cried and I heard you, with love, I dedicate this song to all children of the world, born and unborn". Buy online here »
To all Tuesday’s Child’s friends on Facebook
Our Tuesday's Child friends page was disabled last week while posting reports from the war on children in Gaza. We have lost almost all of our facebook posts for the last 7 years and all photo albums taken on trips overseas to help children in all areas we have helped in have been removed - Bosnia, Brazil, Congo DRC, Gaza, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Bolivia, Chile, West Bank, Israel, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe... Read more »
Peace for every child
Please pray for peace between Israel and Palestine and throughout the Middle East and all areas of war and conflict.
Peace and justice for every child
Get involved and make a real difference to Tuesday’s Child. Organise an event, collect your loose change, buy our merchandise, makea donation to one of our appeals, or shake a bucket. Contact us at events@tuesdayschild.org.uk
Photo: In loving memory of our eldest volunteer Gerry Rock, who died 83 yrs.
“I just love helping wee children”, Gerry Rock RIP.
Child Scavengers of Nairobi: Field Report... read it here »
Buy our music album
The things we do
Gifts / A Helping Hand
Buy our double album of Irish music supported by some of Ireland’s
best musicians and bands ?Snow Patrol, Westlife, Ronan Keating, Duke Special, Mary Black, Liam O’Maonlai,
Kila, Cara Dillon and many more.
Concerts, pub quizzes, marathons, wine tastings, art exhibitions, gala events, bucket collections, coffee mornings – Tuesday’s Child has lots on to help raise funds for babies and children. Why not get involved and make a difference. Email us at events@tuesdayschild.org.uk
Lend a helping hand to a child in one of the areas we help in...Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Congo, Egypt, Gaza, Israel, Phiippines, Syria, Uganda, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe ... Read more here »
Make a donation, sponsor a child, feed a family, have a fundraiser, volunteer. We take no costs and give everything we receive. Bring a smile to a child today!
Tuesday’s Child gives 100 percent of donations received and funds raised.
You can also donate online at the following links: ….
All over the world, children face terrible hardship and suffering. There is a global war of evil raging against babies and children.
Many children face horrors such as: forced labour, child abuse, child imprisonment, child torture, recruitment as child soldiers, deliberate maiming, child trafficking, child organ trafficking, labelling as child witches, abandonment, child sacrifice and genocide. When natural disasters e.g. flooding, earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis child predators often move in. Millions of other children don’t even get the chance to be born because of abortion. Please pray for protection of every child and that each may “have a chance to grow in God’s love like a flower in the morning sun”. Children need your prayers. Pray for them and encourage the children in your life to pray for them too. Peace for every child in the world and the womb.
Donate now & download a song for peace
Give what you can and download a song for peace in the Holy Land, Just Like You and I by Olive Kayes. 100 percent go to helping children in both Palestine and Israel. Donate here »
Tuesday’s Child was inspired by a visit to Medjugorje in May 2006. Medjugorje is a little bit of heaven and a fountain of light and grace for the world in dark times. Everything we do is All Through Mary for the glory of the child Jesus.
We take no salaries or administration costs and work directly with missionaries in all project areas. Peace in the world and the womb for every child...
Bookmarks with beautiful poems written for Tuesday’s Child by Belfast poet Ann Murray. Bookmarks with prayer to Guardian angel (Angelus Dei) also available. Click on the images to view larger.
Protecting Babies Tuesday’s Child is pro-life.
Many speak of “the unborn” as if they are a different species, they are little babies and
they need our special love and protection.
No matter what has happened, it is not the baby’s fault.
No matter how hard life is, or how difficult your circumstances are, it’s not the baby’s fault
Even if life may not be viable outside the womb, a baby is still entitled to a name and to die comforted.
Cherish life. Peace for every child in the world and the womb.
Photo: Mother and child, medical clinic, Lodwar, Kenya
It’s the marathon season again.
