Christina Lucey (83) honoured for more than 25 years of dedicated service to CAFOD.
Collington Park Lodge care home resident Christina Lucey received a Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in recognition of her outstanding commitment and more than 25 years of voluntary service to the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
Apostolic Blessings from Pope Leo XIV are awarded to only a small number of individuals each year, making the recognition an exceptional achievement.
Christina’s involvement with CAFOD began more than 25 years ago. Alongside her late husband, Denis, she supported campaigns for global justice and took part in international Jubilee marches, including the landmark debt cancellation campaign in Copenhagen in 2000.
Throughout her years of volunteering, Christina organised parish fundraising collections and local events, led petition-signing campaigns, liaised with local Members of Parliament, and attended campaign rallies in London.
Her efforts have helped raise awareness of CAFOD’s work across more than 40 countries, supporting vulnerable communities around the world regardless of faith or background.
During the Mass, CAFOD representatives praised Christina’s selfless commitment, noting that her service had touched countless lives and describing her dedication as “nothing short of extraordinary”.
Speaking about receiving the Apostolic Blessing, Christina said:
“I feel very honoured to receive this blessing. It was very overwhelming because I never imagined that I would receive such recognition. I feel a real sense of pride to have been recognised in this way, and I am very grateful.”
Bianca Wilson, the General Manager at Collington Park Lodge, added, “We are immensely proud to witness this wonderful achievement with Christina.
“An Apostolic Blessing from Pope Leo XIV is an exceptional honour and a fitting tribute to her unwavering faith and decades of dedicated service to CAFOD. Christina is an inspiration to everyone at Collington Park Lodge, and we were privileged to celebrate this special occasion with her.”
For more information about celebrations at Collington Park Lodge, call 01424 541010, email [email protected], or drop into the home on Collington Lane East, Bexhill, TN39 3RJ.
