Catholic aid agency launches its first iPhone and iPad App

In the run-up to Christmas, Catholic aid agency CAFOD has launched its first iPhone and iPad App for young people.

The Advent Calendar App, which is available to download for free, brings the candles and cardboard calendar into the 21st century as well as giving a generation of smartphone users another way to engage with CAFOD’s work. The traditional Jesse Tree – a tree hung with Old Testament symbols that represent the different ways God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus – has been reinvented this Advent. App users can click on a numbered tag hanging from the tree, to reveal the story, reflection, prayer and action for that day.

The app also links users to CAFOD’s online activities on Facebook and Twitter and gives them an opportunity to engage with CAFOD’s ‘Hungry for Change’ campaign.

Kathleen O’Brien, CAFOD’s Secondary Writer and Materials Co-ordinator, said: “I love this app! The design is clean and fresh, and it’s great that people will be able to reflect with CAFOD while they’re on a bus or standing in a shop queue, rather than needing access to a computer or laptop. This is a wonderful way for young people to put their faith into action, learn about the work of CAFOD, and show their solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world this advent.”

Julia Anna Byrne, former school chaplain and Programme leader at St Vincent’s retreat centre, Whitstable, said: “I wish I’d had this app last year when I was still working in a school. It would have been great to carry the Advent calendar in my pocket as well as using the PowerPoint version in assemblies.”

Featuring inspiring stories, photos and reflections from CAFOD’s partners and projects around the world, CAFOD’s first app is a great alternative to the more commercial chocolate filled calendar.

In addition to the new app, the popular Advent Calendar PowerPoint’s for primary and secondary schools are available for download on the education page of CAFOD’s website.

Download the Advent Calendar app for free at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cafod-2012/id575482319

Download CAFOD’s PowerPoint advent calendars for Primary and Secondary students at: http://www.cafod.org.uk/Media/Files/Resources/Secondary/resource-pages/Young-people-s-Advent-calendar