Westminster Record | July 2016
St Edmund’s School Pilgrimage of Mercy Cardinal Vincent welcomed St Edmund’s Primary School on the steps of Westminster Cathedral 16 June on their pilgrimage for the Year of Mercy. He began by pointing out the inscription on the Tympanum of the Cathedral, ‘Lord Jesus, King and Redeemer, save us by your blood’, and the writing above the holy door Porta Misericoridia which is painted above the
Cathedral Holy Door. He went on to explain how they were connected: that Christ saves us through Mercy. He told them how important it was to show Mercy to each other. To finish he led the gathered pupils in the Our Father before welcoming them into the Cathedral where they followed the Way of Mercy.
Haringey Deanery Pilgrimage Walk
© Rumold van Geffen
The 31st Annual Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace and Friendship in Kensington took place on Saturday 21 May 2016. About 120 pilgrims representing various religions took part, among them Christians of different denominations,
Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, as well as others. Deacon Jon Dal Din of Westminster Interfaith reports: ‘We visited a Synagogue, a Baha’i and an Ismaili Centre, a Sunni Mosque and a Sikh Gurdwara, as well as a Coptic Church, a
Catholic Church, where not only were we fed well by a group of Sikhs from Birmingham but also moved by the prayer chants of a Russian Orthodox group. It was an exciting and spiritually uplifting day enjoyed by everyone. ‘
Door of Mercy Opened at St Thomas More In May, Fr Chris Connor opened the Door of Mercy at St Thomas More Catholic School in Wood Green during one of the school’s weekly voluntary Mass, which was attended by many of the students and staff. Pope Francis explains that, ‘to pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.’ The Year of Mercy is a time for the Church and Catholics everywhere to show mercy and compassion in our thoughts and our deeds. There is also a focus on forgiveness, reconciliation, and doing good work for the needy and those on the boundaries of society. It
is also a sign of spiritual renewal, and the passage from sin to grace. The students at St Thomas More Catholic School have been taught about the purpose of the
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Door of Mercy and how important it is to ask for forgiveness for the wrong that we have done to others as we pass through the door.
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by Fr Joe Ryan Over the May Bank Holiday about 70 parishioners from the Haringey Deanery set out to visit each of the six Catholic churches, beginning at St Francis de Sales, Tottenham. The most challenging part of the pilgrimage was the climb to Muswell Hill. But the sight of Alexandra Palace and the treelined pathways encouraged those of us who were struggling a little. Fr Mark celebrated Mass in honour of Our Lady and reminded us that once the 'Mossy Well' (Muswell) was a place of pilgrimage, prayer and healing. The well no longer exists, as it was devastated during the Reformation. After a most delightful walk through Highgate Woods with magnificent views over the City of London, we arrived at St Peter-in-Chains, Stroud Green. I never knew we had so many beautiful spots in the Borough of Haringey. Fr Sean Carroll and parishioners welcomed us and
we were given a brief history of the church and the foundation of the parish by the Canons Regular over 100 years ago. As we progressed to St John Vianney, West Green, we took in a view of the former parish of St Augustine's, Mattison Road, now housing the London Catholic Worker and a place of refuge for up to 20 asylum seekers. On arrival at St John Vianney, we learnt about the Lampedusa Cross, reminding us of the sad stories of migrants who are uprooted from the security of their homes by war, violence and starvation. At St Ignatius, Stamford Hill, we were welcomed to the Jesuit parish by Fr Hugh Duffy SJ who pointed out some of the beautiful mosaic works adorning this magnificent church. All the participants declared that 'we must do this again'. I feel we have stumbled on a real blessing here as a deanery and have no doubt a tradition has begun. Page 15