Westminster Record - Advent/Christmas 2019

Westminster Record

Advent/Christmas 2019 | 20p

Camp Unity

Newman Canonisation

Fr Francis Wahle

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Pages 14 & 15

Pages 16 & 17

Destined for eternal glory

by Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Advent and Christmas fill my mind with so many words and images.

Here is a simple phrase to ponder: we are indeed dust of the earth, but dust destined for eternal glory!

I think of the shepherd fields of Bethlehem, dusty and rocky, in the shadow of the prosperous and well-supplied Israeli settlements.

Yes, Jesus enfolds himself in the dust of our humanity. But he opens for us the royal road by which our dust attains its fullest purpose. The child born in poverty will rise again in glory. And we who bow in humble adoration will be carried by him to that same fulfilment.

I think of millions of children born into searing poverty, particularly those living in refugee camps and those without basic amenities.

I think about ‘the coming of our God’ who chose similar circumstances for his taking up the flesh of our humanity.

I think about the angels whose glorious appearance would certainly have won them four straight tens!

Yes, the roads we travel are long and often arduous. But he is indeed Emmanuel, the one who walks with us, never leaving our side and carrying us home.

Come, let us adore him!

But my mind stays with the image of that wondrous birth, so often portrayed in art, in music and poetry.

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Editorial

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Towards future hope

As the year, and indeed the decade, draws to a close, each of us is minded to look back upon recent events, and dare a glimpse to the year that is hardly upon us. We are no different at the Westminster Record, with stories that both draw together strands of our history, and others that look forward with hope to the future.

One of the most significant events of 2019 was the canonisation of Cardinal Newman, and we carry accounts of the events in Rome and in Westminster. The long course of Cardinal Newman’s life encompassed his experience as Anglican and Catholic. It is timely, then, to rekindle hope of reunion, evoked on the tenth anniversary of Anglicanorum Coetibus – the provision for groups of Anglicans to enter into Communion with Rome. A wider ecumenical journey is described by Bishop John Sherrington, reporting on the Catholic-Methodist meeting, one of the most lively of the bilateral international dialogues.

With the centenary of St Philip the Apostle, at Finchley Church End, and other awards for long and faithful service, we have a sense of drawing the year to a fruitful conclusion. We turn to the new year, with ‘The God Who Speaks’ programme

Westminster Record – Contact us for the Year of the Word, promising a time of refreshment through the Scriptures. The wonderful work of our diocesan schools, which nurture our hopes for the future, is highlighted, as is the work of Caritas, whose charitable work itself fosters ecumenical and inter-faith relations.

Our journey from past to future is encapsulated in pilgrimage, through which our past experience travels towards future hope. Diocesan pilgrimages to Walsingham and the Holy Land (which we describe) not only stir the soul; they enable us to become a people who walk boldly towards the future, confident in the assistance and blessing of the Lord.

Editor Mgr Mark Langham Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QN Managing Editor Marie Saba Editorial Team Anna Dixon, Simeon Elderfield Photos Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk Design Julian Game For distribution queries contact Michelle Jones 0161 820 5722 or email michelle.jones@thecatholicuniverse.com Print management and distribution by The Universe Media Group Ltd.

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Editing St John Henry Newman

Produced by the Communications Office of the Diocese of Westminster. News and articles published in the Westminster Record do not necessarily represent the views of the Diocese of Westminster, unless specifically stated otherwise.

by Fr Nicholas Schofield

Appearance of advertisements does not imply editorial endorsement.

Ten years ago I was asked to help prepare a new edition of one of the lesser known works of our new saint, John Henry Newman: Essays Critical and Historical. It was recently published as part of Gracewing’s ‘Newman Millennium Edition’.

Most people have heard of Newman’s autobiographical Apologia pro vita sua, his Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine or his famous sermons, but there are many volumes Page 2

which have slipped into relative oblivion and are waiting to be discovered.

I was asked to work on the second volume of Essays Critical and Historical. If I am honest, when I began work on the edition I wondered whether the essays were really worthy of re-publication. They are almost all book reviews that Newman wrote in the early 1840s, with wide-ranging themes such as church history, private judgement, the prophecies of Daniel and the Catholicity of the Anglican Church. He later decided to collect them together for republication in 1871. I asked myself: would anyone really be interested in reading them today?

As time went on, however, I realised that they were a lot more significant than their rather dull title suggests. All but one of the essays in the volume were written when Newman was still an Anglican.

It is indeed surprising how the author republished them, just eight years off being made a cardinal, and was content for

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them to stand as they were, with very little adaptation. It reminds us that Newman’s life had a remarkable consistency: a gradual development of thought and awareness of God’s plan for him, rather like different movements in a symphony.

Many of the essays were written shortly before Newman’s conversion, when he was living at Littlemore. He initially convinced himself that the Church of England possessed ‘Catholicity’ despite its separation from the rest of the Universal Church but doubts about his position continued to grow. Meanwhile, old prejudices about Catholicism were dying in his mind, such as the old Protestant prejudice identifying Rome with the Antichrist, dealt with in one of the essays.

Another essay, focusing on the eleventh century pope St Gregory VII, shows that Newman not only looked back to the early Church for inspiration but also to the middle ages. He stressed the Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

importance of church history and noted that ignorance of it damaged ‘our whole view of the Gospel truth’ and led to many a misconception. Perhaps he saw something of himself in Pope Gregory, who ‘thought he had failed’ in his work of reform. Newman concluded: ‘so it is; often a cause seems to decline as its champion grows in years, and to die in his death; but this is to judge hastily; others are destined to complete what he began. No man is given to see his work through.’

This second volume of Essays Critical and Historical provides a snapshot of the development of Newman’s thought in a crucially important period, as he came to realise the possibility of doctrinal development and the importance of a correct reading of ecclesiastical history.

Throughout these essays, he used the past to interpret the present and saw his own struggles in the lives of those who have gone before.

It has been a great privilege working with Newman on this

new edition of long-forgotten articles. His writings are always full of profound insights, with the occasional surprise or moment of humour along the way. May he continue to inspire us as we search for and proclaim the same truths today.

Newman’s Essays Critical and Historical (volume 2) is published by Gracewing, ISBN: 9780852444115.700 pp. £35 (hb).

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Praying for 39 Vietnamese lorry death victims On Sunday 3rd November 2019, Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated Mass at the Vietnamese chaplaincy in London which is based at the Church of the Holy Name and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Bow Common. The Mass was offered for the repose of the souls of the 39 Vietnamese people who died in the back of a lorry in Essex in October 2019.

Bishop Nicholas offered prayers for all those individuals who had been personally affected by this tragedy.

‘As we offer Mass for them we pray for all who mourn them. We pray for those who fear their relations were among the dead. We pray for the emergency services who recovered their bodies. Human trafficking is an abominable

crime which needs to be eradicated. We pray for those who commit such crimes that they might, as a result of such a tragedy, have a change of heart.’

In his homily, Bishop Nicholas spoke about the victims who died in the lorry, and reminded those listening that each one of those victims is known to God. ‘Each of them was a unique human being known eternally to God. We know almost none of their names; yet each one them is known to God. God knows their parents, their brothers and sisters, their dearest friends who will be bereaved once their identities are confirmed. He knows all those families in Vietnam who fear it is their child, their sibling, who perished in that lorry.’

He also offered more prayers for the victims, their families, emergency services and for the Vietnamese community living in the U.K. ‘We ask the Lord to forgive any sins they may have committed in this life; and to grant them now eternal rest; as we also pray for all who mourn them; for all the members of the emergency services who were so deeply, and understandably, affected by the sad, shocking discovery of so many dead; and we pray for ourselves; for this community; for all Vietnamese living in the U.K. We ask the Lord to be close to each one of them at this time.’

Bishop Nicholas affirmed that Jesus was present with those who died in the back of the lorry.

‘Our faith tells us he was present to, he suffered with, those who died in the container that night. You could even say, “he died with them”; as he will have been there to receive them on the other side of death… All we need to say, all we need to find room for in our hearts, is to make the same

act of faith as Zacchaeus and say: “Lord, let us see your face; come to be with us this day, especially with those who suffer most. Comfort those who mourn; grant deep eternal rest to all who died that day; and give strength to our nation, our community in this hour of deep grief.”’

During that meeting we listened, learned and developed together an understanding of the deep and lasting damage that has been done. I have given, below, a link to a statement I made shortly after that meeting. I have also been able to put before the Inquiry the steps we have taken to establish a system of audit of the work of every Diocesan Safeguarding Office and the fact that our National Catholic Safeguarding Commission has itself initiated an independent review of all our work and structures.

The Independent Inquiry will scrutinise all these matters. It will, in due course, make recommendations covering many, if not all, aspects of safeguarding in the Catholic Church. I am sure that this scrutiny will be wide-ranging, and will include comment on the consistency with which our procedures are followed, the effectiveness of our record keeping, the quality of training we offer, the relationship between religious orders and dioceses and many other matters besides. All of this will take place in the context of our record of failures as well as our achievements. All of this will, quite properly, give importance to the voice and experience of survivors.

I hope these few comments help you to understand what will happen in these coming weeks.

All this makes perfectly clear that, as a Church, we share in the sinfulness of humanity. This we know. Yet we also know that Christ came to bear the weight of that sinfulness on the cross. He alone can redeem us from it. He does so by his suffering, death and resurrection. Only by being close to him can his healing become a reality. With prayer and penance, this time can become, even if only slowly and painfully, a deep purification for our community. Then we may be more faithful to the great gift of faith we have received and more credible witnesses to the mercy and healing it can bring.

Please keep in your prayers all who are involved in this period of the Inquiry.

More importantly, remember in prayer those who carry the heavy burden of childhood abuse every day of their lives.

Safeguarding in the Church today

by Cardinal Vincent Nichols In the last twenty years or so, the evil of the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church has been laid bare. This abuse is both deeply damaging to all those who have been its victims and a scandal against the faith we strive to proclaim.

From 28th October to 8th November, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, established by the Government, will turn its attention to the present situation in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

As you may know, it has already investigated and reported on the Archdiocese of Birmingham and on the English Benedictine abbeys of Downside and Ampleforth. A further report concerning Ealing Abbey will be published imminently. These reports have made clear the extent of failures in the Church and, more importantly, the lasting damage to all those who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

On 6th November, I will give oral evidence to the Inquiry. I will do so as President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. I write these words now in order to provide some context within which you can follow these proceedings and whatever publicity may follow.

In the first place, appearing

before the Inquiry will enable me to offer again an unreserved apology to all who have suffered in the context of the Catholic Church and to express my profound regret at all that has taken place. It will also enable me to offer assurance of our willingness to learn further lessons about how to improve and strengthen our response to those who have suffered and our work of safeguarding.

In the context of our willingness to learn from the rigour of this scrutiny, I am also able to present an account of our current work in safeguarding and the improvements which we are undertaking at this time.

Since the independent Report of Lord Nolan in 2001, we have endeavoured to build a culture of safeguarding within our parishes and religious communities. In our parishes there are Parish Safeguarding Representatives; in this diocese, as in every diocese, there is a Safeguarding Coordinator and a Diocesan Safeguarding Commission, composed of experts in the main disciplines needed for effective safeguarding. This Commission takes the lead in handling every allegation of abuse, whether from the distant past or the present day. In doing so they

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follow nationally agreed protocols, including the swift reporting of allegations to the statutory authorities. There are also protocols to be followed if allegations of abusive behaviour or gross negligence are made against a bishop or leader of a religious congregation. We have an established National Catholic Safeguarding Commission with a strong majority membership of experts, who are independent of the authority structures of the Catholic Church. Much has been achieved. Much is to be learned.

I will also be able to give evidence about more recent steps we have taken, including my participation in the meeting in February in Rome which brought together the President of every Bishops’ Conference around the world to study closely aspects of the Protection of Minors in the Church. In written evidence to IICSA I have also offered evidence about the role of the Survivors Advisory Panel which the NCSC has established so that the voice of survivors can have a significant role in shaping our understanding and responses to abuse. I have also written about the three day meeting which the Bishops of England and Wales held with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the spring.

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This is the text of the letter sent by the Cardinal to priests and parishes of the diocese in October. The report of the Independent Inquiry will be published next year.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Annual celebrations at Westminster Cathedral

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The Red Mass which is celebrated at the beginning of the legal year in October

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Priests and faithful from ethnic chaplaincies from Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood filled the Cathedral on 29th September for a celebration of the rich diversity of Catholics representing different nationalities. Taking place just ahead of the Extraordinary Month of Mission and the canonisation of five saints from different countries, Cardinal Vincent, who was the principal celebrant, said that it was evidence of the ‘international outreach of the Holy Spirit, vibrant and fruitful in holiness of life’.

He called the Mass was ‘indeed a moment of Eucharistic thanksgiving!’

The Cathedral was lit up for #RedWednesday on 27th November, as part of Aid to the Church in Need’s ‘Stand up for faith and freedom’ campaign to pray for people who are persecuted for their faith.

Pupils from schools around the diocese gathered on 2nd October to celebrate the Extraordinary Month of Mission at a Mass dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux, patron saint of the missions.

The Mass was organised by Mission Together, the children’s branch of Missio.

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Altar servers gathered from parishes around the diocese for the Mass for Altar Servers celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

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Praying for Holy Souls in November

At the annual Requiem for deceased clergy at Westminster Cathedral on 7th November, priests from around the diocese gathered to pray for the souls of their deceased brethren.

Bishop Paul McAleenan led a service of remembrance in St Patrick’s Chapel, Westminster Cathedral on 5th November, the eve of the feast of All Saints of Ireland. The service was organised by the Irish Chaplaincy, a charity which provides support to Irish people living in Britain.

Deceased police officers and police staff were remembered at Westminster Cathedral on 6th November 2019. The 96th annual Solemn Requiem Mass was attended by Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Ian Hopkins, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Andy Adams, Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police and a number of serving police officers and police cadets.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated a Solemn Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday. Each of the armed forces was represented in the congregation, with serving members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force in attendance. The Last Post was played at the end of Mass, followed by two minutes’ silence.

A remarkable act of reconciliation

Mgr Phelim Rowland with Bishop Santiago Olivera

At the General Audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday, 30th October, a remarkable act of reconciliation took place. At the end of the Falklands conflict a statue of Our Lady of Luján, Patroness of Argentina, which been brought to the Islands by the Argentine forces for divine protection, was left behind in a church in the capital Port Stanley. It was subsequently brought to the Military Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Aldershot.

At the audience it was returned by Bishop Paul Mason, the Bishop to HM

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Forces to Bishop Santiago Olivera, his Argentine counterpart, who in return gave him a replica of the statue.

Pope Francis met both bishops and blessed the two statues.

There were also about 25 Argentine veterans present and a priest of Westminster, Monsignor Phelim Rowland, a Falklands veteran and former Principal Chaplain to HM Forces. Monsignor Phelim commented that ‘it was a true act of reconciliation when you meet and embrace those who might have taken your life 37 years ago. Blessed indeed are the peacemakers.’

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

St Philip the Apostle, Finchley: A centenary year of celebration

Saturday 14th September 2019 marked one hundred years since the founding and first Mass of a new parish in Finchley which would become the Church of St Philip the Apostle. The parish was founded at the instruction of Cardinal Bourne in July 1919 during a visit to the new Convent of the Sisters of Marie Auxiliatrice. The sisters agreed to their chapel being used as the temporary church and the convent chaplain Fr James O’Rafferty was appointed Parish Priest. In 1925, Derwent House and its grounds were bought as the site for the new church. The new chapel in Derwent House was blessed on 2nd September 1925 and the first Mass was celebrated on 4th September. On Sunday 8th November 1925 Cardinal Bourne blessed the building and inaugurated the Church of St Philip the Apostle.

The first turf for the new church was cut by Fr Hogan in 1932. On 10th February 1933 the foundation stone was laid and the church was completed in May 1933. The building was extended in 1960 and was consecrated on 3rd May 1975, the parish’s patronal feast,

by Bishop Gerald Mahon.

The parish is unusual for having had just seven Parish Priests during its 100-year history: Fr James O’Rafferty 19191924, F Francis Hogan 1924-1957, Fr George Ingram 1957-1964, Fr

parishioners to attend a special guided tour of the Manor House Convent, the first home of the parish. The convent was sold in 1980 and is now part of the Jewish Sternberg Centre.

In May, the parish celebrated its patronal feast of St Philip the Apostle with a variety show and buffet supper. Talented parishioners performed musical items from each decade of the past 100 years. Later in May, parishioners attended a walk organised by a local expert on ‘Hidden Finchley’, with a slide show ten days before as a taster session.

On the last weekend of June, the church was beautifully decorated for a Flower Festival.

Each display represented a significant event from one decade of the history of the parish.

A souvenir booklet with a selfguided tour was produced for visitors and a display of the parish’s history was exhibited in the Weekday Chapel. The festival (later Canon) Louis Thomas 1964- was attended by the Sisters of 1993, Fr Anton Cowan 1993-1995, Marie Auxiliatrice who moved from the parish in 1991. On the Fr Joe Gibbons 1996-2000 and Fr Saturday afternoon a strawberry John Dermody since 2000. A tea was held in the parish centre. number of diocesan priests have For younger parishioners, a also helped, as have clergy from children’s picnic and games the Vincentians, Xaverians and afternoon took place after the Consolatas.

Family Mass on Sunday 14th July Since 2006, St Philip’s has welcomed the Polish community in the gardens of Stephens House with the Sunday evening Masses on East End Road. For senior celebrated in Polish. Three priests members of the community, one have undertaken this ministry, Fr parishioner hosted a special tea Krzysztof Kawczynski 2006-2011, party in their garden on the August Bank Holiday Monday.

Fr Roman Kowalski 2011-2018 The highlight of the year was and Fr Marek Gałuszka since the Centenary Mass on Saturday 2018.

14th September, the actual The parishioners of St Philip centenary day. The principal the Apostle marked their celebrant was Cardinal Vincent. centenary year with a series of The Mass was concelebrated by celebratory events throughout Fr John Dermody, Fr Alexander 2019. The planning for the Master, Fr Marek Gałuszka, centenary started in September Monsignor John Conneely, Fr 2018 and it was agreed that any Gerard Balinnya, Fr Kevin Ryan funds raised from the celebrations would be donated to SX, Fr Carlo Bonelli IMC, Fr Ray Armstrong CM, with Deacon St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School. The celebrations began in Anthony Clark serving. An adult and children’s choir led the January 2019 with a Race Night. singing in a packed church and In February, the Polish the Sisters of Marie Auxiliatrice community organised a Polish proclaimed the readings and Evening with entertainment, bidding prayers. In his homily, dancing and a delicious buffet supper. A Parish Retreat day took the Cardinal focused on one word from each of the three place in April, with input from readings, ‘remember’, ‘rejoice’ guest speaker Bishop John Crowley. Bishop John took as his and ‘serve’, and urged us to do all of these. At the end of the theme the words of St Philip in the Gospel and their relevance for Mass the Polish community presented Fr John with an altar Christians today. In April and June, there were opportunities for crucifix. This was followed by a

reception in the parish centre where Cardinal Vincent cut the centenary cake. The Mass was also attended by the Deputy Lieutenant and the Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet, and the MP for Finchley and Golders Green.

In October, the parish’s Justice and Peace group organised the annual International Food Fair, an evening of food from many countries, all prepared by talented parishioners. The final event of the centenary

celebrations took place in November with a concert of sacred music performed by the parish choir. The musical programme was varied and included the African Gloria, Irish Blessing, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring and Lead Kindly Light.

To commemorate the Jubilee, two parishioners produced a souvenir booklet detailing the history of the parish, with contributions from many parishioners. Copies may be obtained from the parish.

Finchley student wins Catenian speaking competition and warm feedback.’ She thanked the Catenian Association for affording Daniel and other students the opportunity, adding: ‘It makes such a difference to our young people and affords them a wonderful learning experience.’

Catherine Whitehead from Torquay Girls Grammar School, representing Province 13, won second place with the topic, ‘If life were forever, would it be Daniel Moloney, a Year 13 worthwhile?’ She received a student and Head Boy at cheque for £150 and a cheque for Finchley Catholic High School, £75 for her school. In third place was the winner of this year’s was John Gompels from St Catenian National Public Bede’s Catholic College, Bristol, Speaking Competition. He won representing Province 12. His first place out of a field of 16 topic was, ‘How can the church students from provinces across make amends and regain the UK. credibility after the widely Daniel won the Catenian reported abuse scandals?’ He Association Province 14 received a cheque for £100 and a competition earlier in the year, cheque for £50 for his school. which qualified him to represent Dennis Cooper, organiser of the province at the national final the Province 14 event, said that at the Manchester Conference the whole province was Centre on 8th September. delighted with Daniel’s success.

Speaking on the topic, ‘A Time ‘It is only four years since we for Choosing’, Daniel explored started running this competition the importance of foreign aid. He in our region and to have a received the winner’s trophy national winner so soon is and a cheque for £200 from wonderful news. The standard National President, Phil Brown, of speakers is extremely high together with a trophy and a and each year more and more cheque for £100 for his school. schools are taking part.’

Responding to his win, Preparation for the 2020 Daniel said, ‘I am a bit shocked Province 14 event will start soon. to have won as the standard was It will be held early next year at very high but I am really happy The University of Hertfordshire. to have been selected.’

Catholic schools should register Headteacher Niamh Arnull their interest by emailing said, ‘As you will understand, dennis29@virginmedia.com. we are so proud of Daniel and This year’s national final, his achievement, we which was generously congratulated him on his success sponsored by the Emerson at our full staff briefing and he Group, was contested by sixteen rightly received huge applause young adults from across the UK.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Former port chaplain celebrates Mass for seafarers

Parishes working together in aid of Stevenage There are some remarkable examples in the Diocese of Westminster of parishes helping each other. Our Lady of Victories, Kensington has recently donated a large and powerful relief sculpture of the Risen Christ to a parish at the other end of the diocese and provided help with the cost of its installation.

The newly rebuilt Church of St Joseph, Stevenage stood in need of help with its completion last year. Mgr Jim Curry and his parish finance committee in Kensington generously came to their aid.

Their great statue of the Risen Christ by Michael LyndsayClark, recently replaced in Kensington with the beautiful reredos by Stephen Foster, was offered to Stevenage. It now graces the façade of the new church and looks powerfully out across Stevenage. The cost of rebuilding the church had brought the parish of St Joseph’s to the limit of its loan facility and there were still parts of the decoration of the building to be done with no funds to complete the work.

These areas included the west front of the church and the empty reredos space on the sanctuary.

Not only did the parish of Our Lady of Victories donate the statue for the outside and help financially with the installation costs, they also provided the reredos framework for the sanctuary.

This had been removed from Our Lady of Victories during its refurbishment. In its new location the reredos surrounds

the tabernacle and frames the smaller sanctuary in St Joseph’s beautifully.

Canon Robert Plourde and the finance commitee of St Luke’s Parish, Pinner have generously donated funds to help Stevenage begin the process of repaying the debt for the new church and hall. The newly restored Tabernacle is now the focal point of St Joseph’s and was kindly donated by Fr Mehal Lowry from his parish, Holy Cross, Parsons Green. Being too large for their small chapel, it was replaced and now fits into its new location in Stevenage very well.

The facilitator of all this cooperation has been Chris Fanning, Chief Surveyor for Westminster Diocese. Chris is also responsible for obtaining the great crucifix, now restored and above the altar at St Joseph’s, which came from Our Lady and St Joseph, Kingsland.

St Joseph’s now looks wonderful and the parish offers great thanks to Chris for his unique energy and his skill in knowing where to house religious works of art in locations where they can help new people in their worship and praise of God.

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Fr David Burke, a former port chaplain with Apostleship of the Sea, celebrated Mass for seafarers, their families and all who support them at Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Warwick Street, Soho on September 26th 2019.

Fr David, now parish priest at Sacred Heart, Berkhamsted, previously served as a port chaplain in the ports of Hull and Goole before becoming a priest.

In his homily Fr David said, ‘During my time as port chaplain I had the privilege to visit many ships. And despite the hardship, loneliness and isolation felt by the seafarers, those on board were always full of smiles of gratitude that someone from the Apostleship of the Sea had come to visit, with a word, a prayer, some news, a phone card, a bible, a woolly hat, a trip to the local seafarers centre or into town, or the opportunity to have Mass on board that evening.’

Nearly 70 percent of seafarers are estimated to be Catholic, coming from places like the Philippines, Poland and Goa. Apostleship of the Sea has a network of port chaplains, ship visitors and volunteers who provide spiritual and practical assistance to seafarers by being a friend in port.

Fr David also spoke of ‘kabayan’, a Filipino word used when one Filipino meets another they haven’t met before.

It asks if the other is a countryman and informs a stranger that they are a friend that they have not yet met. Fr David explained how the word

conveys a sense of fraternity, friendship, a closeness established between seafarers, and a connection that they are children of God. ‘At this Mass we celebrate for all seafarers, families and those who support them, we also celebrate the “kabayan” of the Apostleship of the Sea around the world and in the UK; “kabayan” showed to all seafarers, our “kabayan” as Apostleship of the Sea’, said Fr David.

‘Our ship visit, our welcome, the small gesture, the friendship, the chat, the rosary, the sharing of a biscuit, these can never be underestimated because it is often in these encounters that God works’, he added.

Apostleship of the Sea celebrates its centenary in October next year, which kicks off with its 25th World Congress in Glasgow where it was founded. Watch the welcome video at http://bit.ly/360q5Fy

60th anniversary of church in Bushey

On Sunday 10th November 2019, Sacred Heart and St John the Evangelist parish in Bushey celebrated the 60th anniversary of its church building. The parish church in London Road opened its doors for the first time in 1959. The occasion was honoured with a special Mass and celebration to give thanks for the people and events that contribute to the life of the parish community.

In a mark of the continuing vitality of the parish, six new altar servers were enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen as part

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of the Mass. The celebration was also attended by three founding members of the parish RCIA team, which was established 30 years ago. These three parishioners continue to guide new Catholics into the Church today.

The celebration included a big surprise for two unsuspecting parishioners, Andrew Kelly and Elizabeth Simpson. They both received the Papal Medal, Bene Merenti, in recognition of their services to the Church. Andrew has served for over 30 years, and Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

has trained and supported the girls and boys who serve at weekend Masses. Elizabeth has nurtured and developed the music ministry into a wonderful parish choir (alongside Giovanni Marseglia, a previous Bene Merenti recipient). The parish choir has the honour of playing a significant part in the annual diocesan pilgrimages to Lourdes and Walsingham.

After the Mass and presentations, parishioners enjoyed a celebratory buffet lunch in the parish centre.

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St Gregory’s eco-garden feeds the homeless

On 9th November, a Mass commemorating the tenth anniversary of Anglicanorum Coetibus, the Apostolic Constitution which gave rise to the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England was celebrated at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Borough. Mgr Keith Newton presided and Cardinal Vincent preached the homily, thanking God for ‘these expressions of Catholic life and faith’ and ‘asking God’s blessings on their growth and mission’.

St Gregory’s creates Remembrance Day tribute During the week leading up to Remembrance Day this year, pupils from St Gregory’s Catholic Science College placed over 550 commemorative crosses in the school’s prayer garden.

Every pupil in years 7, 8 and 9 made a small wooden cross and poppy in their Design Technology lesson. In their Art lesson, they painted their cross and poppy and in their RE lesson, they wrote a prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving for a soldier they had either researched or who had been a member of their family. The prayer and the name of each pupil’s chosen soldier were engraved onto the crosses made by pupils.

The crosses were placed in the school's garden in a regimented format, resembling that of a war cemetery. Pupils and staff gathered around the crosses for an assembly to mark Remembrance Day, where pupils offered prayers of thanks to those who gave their lives in the Great War and all subsequent conflicts.

The theme of Remembrance Day was incorporated into lessons across the whole school curriculum. As well as lessons on the trench warfare of the First World War in History classes, pupils learnt about the impact of conflict on population pyramids in

Geography; they calculated ratios and percentages of the number of people who died in conflict during Maths lessons; they performed the ‘Last Post’ in Music lessons; studied parts of a poppy flower in Science; learnt the vocabulary of war in French lessons and analysed war poetry in English.

Headteacher, Mr Andrew Prindiville, said, ‘This wonderful initiative, spearheaded by our Religious Education department, has helped to educate our pupils about the significance of the First World War and has brought the whole school community together in prayerful contemplation and thanksgiving.’

Pupils from St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Kenton have turned produce, grown in the school’s ecogarden, into a hearty soup for the homeless.

As part of the Royal Horticultural Society Big Soup Share, a campaign to get school children growing and cooking edible plants, the pupils planted seed potatoes and baby leek plants in the summer term.

They harvested their produce in

October and, under the guidance of the school’s cookery teacher, Damian Cullen, cooked up over 100 portions of delicious leek and potato soup.

St Gregory’s sixth form pupils and staff took the soup to Ealing Abbey soup kitchen, where it was served up to the charity’s grateful customers.

St Gregory’s head teacher, Andrew Prindiville, said, ‘I’m really proud of our pupils for sharing the fruits of their labours with those in our community who will benefit the most.’

Ealing Soup Kitchen is made up of different church teams from across the Ealing borough, of which Ealing Abbey is one.

Ealing Soup Kitchen has been helping the homeless and those in need for over 40 years.

St Gregory’s Catholic Science College recognised by Mayor of London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has celebrated the outstanding performance of St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Brent with an awards ceremony.

The school was honoured for its work to reduce educational inequality and achieve exceptional results for children at a Schools for Success awards ceremony.

The ceremony was hosted on Friday 27th September 2019

by Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare Joanne McCartney.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, ‘I’d like to congratulate the staff of St Gregory’s for their excellent work. Schools for Success was

created to celebrate the difference that teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and governors are making every day to support children and reduce inequalities, and this school’s inclusive and supportive learning environment is a great example of this. London has the best schools and teachers in the country, and by working together we can make sure that no young Londoner is left behind.’

Andrew Prindiville, Headteacher at St Gregory’s, said, ‘We are proud and delighted that our excellent work has been recognised by the Mayor of London for the 5th consecutive year.’

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

A lesson in human determination

Apples and prayers A bastion of biodiversity is what is on offer in the grounds of St Augustine’s Priory. This Ealing Catholic independent day school for girls is utilising all that its 13 acres of grounds have to offer. Alongside their farm and allotment, they are proud that they are the custodians of an orchard containing over 20 fruit trees, from which they produce their very own apple juice.

A representative from the Heritage Fruit Tree Company recently paid a visit to the school to give advice on how to manage the apple and pear trees in the orchard and also to try to identify the different varieties. With an orchard containing trees that are over one hundred years old the school was interested to learn that old orchards were very carefully planned, with attention given to providing a mix of varieties of fruit to ensure there is a supply of ripe fruit for as much of the year as possible. The school also learned that each variety of tree was planted in relation to others to maximise pollination and exposure to sunlight whilst sheltering them from the prevailing winds. For example, one of the pear tree varieties at

St Augustine’s Priory is a Bellissime d’Hiver which can be picked in October and stored for ripening right through until March.

Staff at St Augustine’s Priory have been able to identify some varieties, including Granny Smith, Bramley, Howgate Wonder and Lord Derby apple trees. The representative from the Heritage Fruit Tree company has taken samples of others to aid in identification and all at St Augustine’s Priory look forward to hearing the results.

The production of apple juice is going well at the school with the pressing, crushing and pasteurising equipment donated by the Parents’ Committee really coming into its own. With such a bumper crop of apples this year apple juice will be provided for many weeks to come.

In addition, the many trees in the grounds at St Augustine’s Priory provide lungs, not only for the school, but for Ealing. Considering that the grounds border the North Circular Road, the orchard at St Augustine’s Priory boasts an expanse of lichen, a sign of a healthy environment for their pupils and clean air for all.

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In October 2019, St Benedict's History department led a school trip to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Students from Years 11 and 13 enjoyed stunning scenery and returned with an enriched understanding of Vietnamese history and culture.

On day one of the trip, the group landed in Hanoi very early in the morning, and after a traditional Vietnamese breakfast of Banh Mi (a Vietnamese baguette), the students visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, to file respectfully past Ho Chi Minh’s body. They were then given a taste of Vietnam’s beautiful natural landscape with a boat cruise around Halong Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site that has been designated one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’.

Nicola Nicholls, Head of History at St Benedict’s, said: ‘The scenery was breath-taking, and the students were given the opportunity to kayak to their

own private beach where they played volleyball in the sea. We also explored some of the multiple sea caves. This was certainly an experience I don’t think any of us will ever forget.’

The week-long trip included a journey to Vung Tau, where the students visited the site of the Battle of Long Tan (18th August 1966), an Australian army base and a memorial for the soldiers who died in the battle. The students and teachers commemorated all the lives lost with a minute’s silence.

Afterwards there was an opportunity for the group to meet people who had experienced the war.

One day was dedicated to visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of connecting tunnels which runs underneath Ho Chi Minh City.

Sixth Form student Chris Moran said: ‘Seeing the size of the tunnels that the Vietnamese people were forced to live in during the Vietnam war gave

us a real insight into the living conditions. Hoang, our tour guide, explained to us that many Vietnamese people would be born and then live inside the tunnels for the duration of the French Indochina War and the Civil War, 30 years, which I found staggering.’

During the trip, the students had the opportunity to visit the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which exhibits planes, tanks, and a grounded American plane, a national treasure of Vietnam. The students’ time in Ho Chi Minh City also included a visit to Diem’s presidential palace, now the Reunification Palace.

Reflecting on the trip to Vietnam, Elikem Nornoo, in Year 11, said: ‘The lack of anger and vengeance in a country which has been through so much was humbling, and their determination to build their country for a bright new future was inspiring.’

Harrow students tackle bullying with Diana Award On October 29th, 100 students took part in a one-day antibullying training session run by The Diana Award at St Dominic’s Sixth Form College in Harrow. Young people from nine local schools, aged 14 to 17, worked together and acquired vital skills to enable them to change the attitudes and behaviours of bullying in their school or college. The students also developed confidence in how to address different bullying situations, both online and offline.

The Diana Award’s free AntiBullying Ambassador Programme, which is available to schools across the UK, sees trainers working with students and other young people to change the attitude surrounding bullying. The programme has a

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strong peer-to-peer focus, with trainers giving young people the skills and confidence to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to tackle bullying in their schools long after the training has finished. The Diana Award’s anti-bullying work is recognised as world-class thanks to this sustainable approach.

The training looked at bullying in different situations including face-to-face and online.

At the end of the day, pupils

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made an action plan of how to approach bullying issues that may arise in their schools and committed to their roles as AntiBullying Ambassadors.

Commenting on the training, Andrew Parkin, the Principal at St Dominic’s, said, ‘It is really important that Catholic schools and colleges take a lead in ensuring that all forms of bullying are tackled robustly so as to foster a climate of tolerance and respect for all our students.’

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

‘So go out there and change the world!’

On Tuesday 8th October 2019, Maria Fidelis Catholic School welcomed Mike Kane MP, Shadow Minister for Schools, to deliver an evening lecture on the topic of, ‘Faith, Politics and Power: The Catholic effect in public life’. The evening was organised by Catholic People’s Weeks (CPW) and marked the group’s inaugural autumn lecture.

Headteacher Helen Gill welcomed those gathered with an introduction to Maria Fidelis, a co-educational, inner city secondary school located in the Somers Town ward of Camden.

There are 78 languages spoken, 49 nationalities represented and multiple faith traditions observed by those who attend the school. ‘In this diversity, we are a typical Catholic school’, said Helen.

Recalling Pope’s Francis’ encouragement for religious leaders to ‘smell like the sheep’, Helen remarked that it is impossible not to be affected by the issues facing the local community. Knife crime and drug dealing are a reality in Camden, and, like Pope Francis, she believes that the Catholic Church has a special mission in areas like this.

Helen spoke with confidence about Mike Kane’s commitment

to Catholic education. She had recently learned that they shared the experience of being educated by the Loreto Sisters and that Mike was formerly a teacher himself. Helen praised Mike for openly occupying the public space as a person of faith. She shared her belief that the Catholic faith is one of the great engines of social justice.

Mike Kane acknowledged that he would not be where he is today without the Catholic education he received. He then moved to the central issue of power, admitting that politics is often about the exercise of power but that people of faith have a framework within which to engage it. Quoting Karl Rahner’s assertion that ‘power is a gift from God’, Mike suggested that we all have some power, however small, and it is our duty to grow it and apply it to bring about goodness. He distinguished between coercive power (power over others) and relational power (power shared with others).

Mike observed that the Church is being primarily visible in the world through liturgical practice, sacramental presence and social action as outlined in Catholic social teaching (CST). In his role as an MP, Mike explained how CST provides him with

three distinct lenses through which he views his parliamentary responsibilities.

These are human dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity.

He acknowledged that recent parliamentary sessions have not always been a masterclass in MPs displaying mutual respect for the human dignity of one another. However, as a silver lining, he also noted how the high-stakes political drama is increasing public engagement and interest in politics. He suggested that the dignity of each person can be interpreted in two ways. The first, from Genesis, is that we are all created equal. The second is about flourishing and reflects John 10:10, that we may have life to the full, in abundance.

Quoting the Jewish Philosopher Martin Buber, who, when challenged as to the whereabouts of God, stated that God was in the ‘spaces between people’, Mike described the strengthening effect of solidarity.

One person with little power acting alone can have little effect, many people with little power working together can change hearts and minds. God’s presence in the spaces between them is a powerful one.

Mike defined subsidiarity as giving people the power and

agency to make decisions to bring about the changes which will impact them. He reminded the audience that the lecture was being delivered in a week when Extinction Rebellion was making its presence and protest felt on the streets of major cities, including London. Mike suggested that the Church continues to speak and display subsidiarity through the teachings in Laudato Si’ and the Amazon Synod taking place in October 2019.

He explained how placing his decision-making within the context of these three principles has provided him with a framework for his political life where he can be true to what the Church calls the corporal works of mercy. Finally, quoting the American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, he encouraged the audience to ‘never doubt that a small group

of like-minded committed people can change the world’ and reminded them that social action is one of the most effective ways to draw people to faith.

After he had delivered the lecture, Mike answered questions about a variety of issues, including whether Jesus was a socialist, the interpretation of Catholic social teaching through a Conservative viewpoint, the sanctity of life and climate change.

The conversation continued informally in the drama studio where attendees were also able to view the exhibition, ‘Sink or Swim - Catholicism in Sixties Britain through John Ryan’s cartoons’, co-curated by Isabel Ryan and Dr Alana Harris. The following day the exhibition curators delivered a talk to the Year 13 students at Maria Fidelis Catholic School.

Celebrating diversity at Camp Unity in Borehamwood

In the final weekend of August, a number of families came together for Camp Unity, a multi-faith camping event in Borehamwood. Camp Unity provided children and their families with an opportunity to meet people from different religious traditions and foster new friendships. The aim of the weekend was to create greater community cohesion and celebrate diversity.

The camp took place from Monday 26th to Friday 30th August, and offered three Page 10

vegetarian, nut-free (Kosher/Halal) meals per day.

Children enjoyed taking part in craft and sports activities, including making slime, building sun catchers, archery and climbing. In addition to roasting marshmallows and learning campfire songs, with a bit of ingenuity, Camp Unity even had an outdoor cinema!

The camp was organised and staffed by volunteers from five faith organisations in Borehamwood, including representatives from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. The six organisers were Fr Dominic McKenna of the Catholic Parishes of Borehamwood, Sister Rumbi Hitchcock from St John Apostolic Church of the World, Kashif Merchant from the Islamic community, Rivka David

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and Rabbi Jeff Berger of the Jewish community, and Cllr Victor Eni of Cowley Hill District.

‘By investing in the wellbeing of our children we hope this will also lead to them acquiring more confidence and stronger leadership skills which will also serve our town’s interest’, said Fr Dominic.

‘We believe one of the best ways to promote better social cohesion in Borehamwood and Elstree is to start with young children of primary school age, to give them an experience engaging with nature and each other in a safe, nurturing and wholesome atmosphere’, said Camp Director Rivka David.

‘The children are thriving.’

‘We've seen that our faith communities are robust and resilient but that they tend to be

self-segregating and know little about each other. Our aim is to melt some of these barriers and build long-lasting friendships’, said Rabbi Jeff Berger.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss CBE

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visited Camp Unity, which hosted about 35 children and was funded by grants from a handful of County and Borough Councillors, food grants from Caritas Westminster, The Felix Project, plus private donations.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Holy Land pilgrimage: ideal preparation for advent by +Paul McAleenan

‘O little town of Bethlehem’, we sing. ‘O little town’?

Bethlehem today is a very large town. I travelled through it in the last week of November along with 44 others on the annual diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is a very busy town. Of course it was busy on the night that Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem. It was so crowded in fact, that they had to find their own accommodation, not in one of the fine hotels which are still full of visitors and pilgrims but in a stable in a field.

God spoke volumes through a new born child who could not speak. He speaks continually and is best heard in silence.

This year we apply our minds to the Scriptures, in these words God’s voice is heard.

A little further away from these holy sites there is another feature, a wall. Built in recent years, it surrounds Bethlehem, cutting it off from Jerusalem.

We went to see it. ‘Go as pilgrims, not as tourists’, our spiritual director told us. We were as silent there as we were at the manger, each with our own thoughts.

The Sunday following our return from the Holy Land, the season of Advent began. Those of us privileged to travel had experienced an ideal preparation. We are now familiar with the name places and events we hear in the readings at Mass and carol services: Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Judean

Today all roads lead to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, an opportunity to kneel as the Magi did, at the spot where Jesus was born.

Close by there is another cave, one in which St Jerome lived for 38 years translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin. As we prayed there I thought of those words, ‘The God who Speaks’, the subtitle for this ‘Year of the Word’, which in England and Wales we began to celebrate on the First Sunday of Advent, to commemorate the 1600th anniversary of St Jerome’s death.

wilderness where John the Baptist lived and preached.

Many other visits to places associated with the earthly life of Jesus were included in our itinerary. In these weeks however we are all drawn to Bethlehem, to the Holy Night, remembering God’s plan to communicate to all mankind by sending his Son to live with us.

I remember the star on the floor of the church where it is

said that Jesus, the Prince of Peace was born. I remember the initiatives which are supporting the local Christian community. I remember the devotion of pilgrims striving to be close to Christ. I remember the nearby wall covered with images, paintings and messages revealing the ongoing deep longing for peace felt by the people of Bethlehem and so many in our world today.

Shalom.

Bishop Paul McAleenan led the diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land where the pilgrims met Bishop Guacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Auxiliary Bishop of Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Over a thousand Westminster pilgrims visit Walsingham

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our loyalty and our love’ and we should strive to ‘do our best to call other people to her side, because there is room for everyone there.’

The warm weather and green surroundings created a perfect backdrop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, the pilgrims processed along the Holy Mile from the Slipper Chapel to Little Walsingham.

The Holy Mile marks the final mile of the ancient pilgrimage

route to the Holy House in Walsingham, where Our Lady appeared to noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches in 1061.

Pilgrims carried banners representing their parish groups and recited the Rosary as they processed along the Holy Mile. As they walked, the pilgrims also sang ‘Ave, Ave, Ave Maria’.

The day culminated with Adoration and Benediction in the Priory Grounds.

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dependence on God, rather than on our own success or strength, then we are in the right place to receive all that God wants to give to us.’

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This year, the 4th annual diocesan pilgrimage saw more than 1000 pilgrims travel up to Walsingham on Saturday 21st September. The theme of the day was based on the words spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of God is theirs.’ (Matthew 5).

In his introduction to the pilgrimage booklet, the Cardinal expanded on this theme, reminding the pilgrims that, ‘when we recognise our

The pilgrimage took place on a bright and warm day, made even more so by the fellowship shared by the pilgrims at one of the holiest sites in England. After an early coach ride, the pilgrims spent the late morning exploring the grounds of the Basilica and visiting the Slipper Chapel, a place of worship which dates back to the Middle Ages. Many also took up the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation outside in the September sunshine. In this time of quiet and prayerful reflection, individuals were able to light candles and pray for their own personal intentions, before gathering together for the open-air pilgrim Mass in the basilica.

Before the Mass started, the gathered pilgrims prayed the unique Litany of Our Lady of Walsingham, a fitting prequel to a Mass which was celebrated in her honour. Cardinal Vincent presided and focused his homily on the role of Mary. He told the pilgrims ‘We owe Mary

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Friends of the Holy Land, the charity that supports Christians in the Holy Land.

Cardinal Vincent joined Anglican Bishop of Warwick John Storey and Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem Suheil Dawani in conferring a blessing at the end of the ecumenical service held in Coventry Cathedral.

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A saint who will hear you in your hour of need

by Bishop Nicholas Hudson Advent is a time to look both forward and back. We look forward to the coming of Our Saviour. We look back over the year that has passed. I will always remember 2019 for the canonisation of St John Henry Newman. I felt very privileged to be in St Peter’s Square for the Mass. It was a powerfully prayerful liturgy. One of the most poignant aspects was the presence, close to the sanctuary, of a large family.

They were the Villalobos family, recipients of the miracle which had enabled the canonisation. It was deeply moving to see eight-year-old Gemma walk up the steps to greet the Holy Father, a child whose life had been saved in the womb of her mother Melissa through the intercession of St John Henry.

I had the joy of meeting Melissa and her seven children a few days later at a Mass of thanksgiving in the London Oratory. Melissa addressed the boys of the London Oratory School at the end of the liturgy.

What impressed me was not just her fluency of expression but the fact that she resisted telling them anything of her story and Gemma’s. They had all heard it. She simply told them how Cardinal Newman had become a friend to her through prayer.

Ever since she heard of him on television and received a prayer card with his image, she said, she had called on him

regularly to help her. So it was natural, when she was in danger of losing, because of desperate complications in pregnancy, the eight-weeksconceived Gemma that she should call on him in her peril.

She knew her prayer was heard as the bleeding stopped instantly and her bedroom was filled with the most beautiful fragrance of roses. ‘St John Henry Newman does not need to be the saint whom you choose to befriend, she told the boys, but do choose someone; make him or her your special friend, call on him or her in your moments of greatest need, and know that your prayer will be heard.’

One of the saints whose help I call on every day is my own patron, St Nicholas. Each of us meets him, as children, in the person of Santa Claus. But we easily confuse Santa Claus with Father Christmas. For Nicholas, Sint Claus, Santa Claus is the patron saint of children.

Accordingly, in many European

the garden wall where the three women lived. The women married without ever knowing who was the cause of their transformed circumstances.

Stories abounded of similar acts of generosity by Nicholas towards people in need.

Since Nicholas is my patron, I ask him to make me generous too. ‘Teach me to be generous, Nicholas’, I pray. At Christmastime we might think of asking Nicholas, the original Santa Claus, to make each one of us more generous; to give us the grace and imagination to surprise with generosity those who have much less than we do; seek, with his aid, to lavish anonymous generosity on someone less fortunate than ourselves. And for a New Year’s resolution? Why not choose a new saint to befriend and be befriended by; a saint who will hear your prayer in the hour of your greatest need and help you start living more like the One whose feast we wait with joy to celebrate?

countries, children receive lavish gifts on his feast day, 6th December. Hence the confusion with Christmas.

I like to think of St Nicholas as the ‘saint of generosity’. For generosity really was his way of being. He is the patron saint of children because of his generosity towards three boys and three girls. Nicholas was a Bishop in sixth-century Myra in Turkey. Tradition has it that one day he was told of three boys who had suffered a dreadful fate: they had been captured by an inn-keeper who killed them and hid their disremembered bodies in a barrel. Nicholas prayed over the barrel and the boys were restored to life.

Even more touching is the tradition around his spontaneous generosity towards three poor girls. One day, he overhead three girls lamenting the fact they could not marry because their father was unable to afford a dowry.

So he collected three bags of his own gold and threw them over

and to desire to see him more clearly in the activities of each day. If we wait patiently then we will rejoice more fully in the ‘For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now mystery of the Incarnation when half-gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne...’ we celebrate Christmas. Patrick (ESV, Wisdom 18: 14-16).

Kavanagh in his poem Advent

by Bishop John Sherrington invites us into the ‘AdventIt is difficult to wait and many At the same time important holiness found in our next-door darkened room’ to open our neighbours, those who, living in eyes, to gaze again with ‘spiritpeople become more impatient matters cannot be rushed. A baby needs nine months to grow our midst, reflect God’s with daily life. While trains shocking wonder’ and presence.’ (Gaudete et exsultate 7). rediscover the ‘newness in every run with remarkable regularity in the womb. A wound needs time to heal. Back pain needs The Pope’s reflection reminds stale thing’. We will then on the Victoria line, one a weeks for the soreness to me of a celebration of the minute, frustration quickly recognise that ‘Christ comes disappear. The dawn needs time sacrament of confirmation builds up when there is a with a January flower’. As we to enlighten the sky and bring earlier this year for a teenager longer delay. Coffee can be ponder and wait, we will find forth again colour into the with profound disabilities. Her drunk ‘on the go’ and food time to glimpse signs of the world. The call to grow in parents showed their love and consumed in the street and on mystery of the Incarnation in holiness needs patience and their care of their daughter in the God’s creation, our common the train. Time to pause fidelity to the little acts of love way that she needed attention disappears. Amazon Prime home. that make daily life more and calming. The family promises to deliver the next Amidst the many graphic bearable and bring a smile to the together revealed saintly care day, and even sometimes on and rather disturbing paintings face and joy into others’ hearts. and tenderness in difficult the same day. Today the of William Blake at the recent In his letter on the call to circumstances. I am also promise of the credit card that exhibition in the Tate, his was advertised with the slogan holiness, Pope Francis invites us reminded of the love and care illustration, The Descent of Peace: to pause. ‘I like to contemplate shown by an elderly husband ‘Take the waiting out of Milton’s Hymn ‘On the Morning of the holiness present in the towards his beloved but wanting’ can be fulfilled with Christ’s Nativity’ (1809), reveals patience of God’s people: in awkward wife, who now lives the click of a mouse. All these the tender love of Mary for the those parents who raise their daily with Alzheimer’s which dynamics make it more child Jesus who lies in the children with immense love, in makes her angry and difficult. difficult to wait. The season of manger while Joseph leans those men and women who The Church invites us to waiting, Advent, can be lost if across her back and touches her work hard to support their approach Advent with an Christmas is pre-empted and shoulder.

The scene is serene, families, in the sick, in elderly attitude of waiting and celebrated early. We are in calm and full of love. As Milton religious who never lose their contemplating the mysteries for danger of losing the wisdom writes, ‘It was the winter wild, smile. In their daily perseverance which we prepare; the coming of of the Church that we find in While the Heav'n-born child, All I see the holiness of the Church Christ at the end of time, the the liturgical calendar. meanly wrapt in the rude militant. Very often it is a celebration of his Incarnation

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Advent is a time for waiting

manger lies’ and later, ‘But peaceful was the night / Wherein the Prince of Light / His reign of peace upon the earth began’. This is the hope we ponder in our hearts this Advent.

On the longest night and the shortest day of the year, we will hear the hopeful words of the great O Antiphon: ‘O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.’

(Antiphon, 21st December). This is our hope this Christmas.

I wish you a blessed Advent and a peaceful and joyous Christmas.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

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Reception at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano Celebratory symposium The official celebrations began the day before the canonisation Mass with a symposium, ‘Cardinal Newman: A Celebration’, hosted by Cardinal Vincent, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Sally Axworthy, British Ambassador to the Holy See, at Casina Pio IV.

Prayer Vigil and Sacred Music Concert On the Saturday evening, a prayer vigil took place at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The opening prayer

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reception at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, where St John Henry Newman studied for the priesthood. Among the guests was Melissa Villalobos. The Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School sang at the reception.

Addressing those gathered at the reception, the Prince of Wales spoke about Saint John Henry Newman: ‘He was able to advocate without accusation, disagree without disrespect and, perhaps most of all, to see differences as places of encounter rather than exclusion. These are principles that continue to inspire, and to guide each new generation.’

Musical Oratory On the evening of the canonisation, a musical oratory took place at Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova, ‘new church’), which was constructed for St Philip Neri and the Congregation of the

On Saturday 19th October, Cardinal Vincent Nichols welcomed Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to Westminster Cathedral for Solemn Vespers. The ecumenical service was held in celebration of the canonisation of St John Henry Newman.

Cardinal Vincent presided, with Archbishop Justin Welby delivering the sermon.

Cardinal Vincent extended a particularly warm welcome to the Archbishop of Canterbury: ‘His presence is a sign of the deep bond between our Churches and of the ways in which, in our new Saint, we find such encouragement for our common life in Christ and our shared exploration for faithfulness to his gospel and teaching. His presence is also, for me, a cherished sign of our personal friendship.’

Cardinal Vincent also highlighted the ‘shared joy’ of both Churches at the canonisation of St John Henry Newman, a saint who lived out his ‘pastoral mission’ in both.

‘His life was also characterised by a constant pastoral ministry, from his early days as a young priest of the Church of England to the last of his many years of Catholic priesthood in Birmingham.

There he made his ministry to the poor and to the sick a daily priority. In this, too, he is an inspiration for us today.’

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged both the privilege and the apprehension he felt at speaking about St John Henry Newman. He pointed out that it is wrong to present the two Christian traditions as

rivals: ‘For we are not enemies, nor are we opponents, nor even rivals. God forbid! Indeed, God has forbidden. We are more like a family that had a very bitter dispute, a divorce in the past, and has acquired the habits and occasionally bad manners of separation. For all that we are still family, called together by grace, caught up in the love of God.’ The Archbishop of Canterbury argued that, although ‘it is easy to find faults in St John Henry’, the new saint ‘stands as a model of the purposeful disciple.’

‘We may disagree with his actions, but we know their origins – he pretends to little – and we see their structures.

As the old Maths exam papers say, “show your workings” and he did.

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

and final blessing were given by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, representing the city where St John Henry Newman founded the Birmingham Oratory.

Prayers of intercession were offered by individuals whose lives had been changed by St John Henry Newman. One of these was Melissa Villalobos.

The sudden healing she experienced in 2013, during the pregnancy of her fifth child, and after a prayer to Cardinal Newman, was approved as a miracle by Pope Francis in February 2019. It was this miracle that paved the way for his canonisation. The vigil concluded with St John Henry Newman’s famous hymn, ‘Lead, Kindly Light’. After the vigil, the basilica played host to a concert of sacred music sung by the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School.

Cardinal Vincent and Archbishop of Canterbury celebrate ecumenical vespers for St John Henry Newman

Oratory after the society was officially recognised by the Pope in 1575. Five of St John Henry Newman’s reflections were read, each one describing a virtue exercised by St Philip Neri. An address was given by Fr Ignatius Harrison, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory and a blessing was offered by Robert Byrne, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

Cardinal John Henry Newman has been declared a saint by Pope Francis. He is the first English person to be canonised since 1970. Born in 1801, he is also the first English saint from post-Reformation times to be canonised. The open-air canonisation Mass was celebrated by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on Sunday 13th October 2019. Four women were also promoted to full sainthood: Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan from India, Marguerite Bays from Switzerland, Giuseppina Vannini from Italy and Dulce Lopes Pontes from Brazil.

Banners depicting the faces of the five new saints transformed the façade of St Peter’s Basilica. The Mass was attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims from across the world, including those representing the home countries of the new saints.

From Westminster, Cardinal Vincent and Bishop Nicholas Hudson concelebrated at the Mass, while twenty young pilgrims in the crowd wore the red Youth Ministry T-shirts. In a mark of the historical significance of the canonisation for the United Kingdom, the Prince of Wales was also in attendance.

Pope Francis’ homily focused on the Gospel story of Jesus healing the ten lepers (Luke: 17:11-19). He explained how the story reflects the journey of faith, which has three steps, and how each one of these three steps is seen in the actions of the lepers. As Pope Francis outlined at the

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

The Canonisation of St John Henry Newman

beginning of his homily, ‘They cry out, they walk and they give thanks.’ The Pope concluded his homily by giving thanks to God for the five new saints and sharing two extracts from St John Henry Newman’s writings.

‘Such is the holiness of daily life, which Saint John Henry Newman described in these words: “The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden peace, which the world sees not ... The Christian is cheerful, easy, kind, gentle, courteous, candid, unassuming; has no pretence ... with so little that is unusual or striking in his bearing, that he may easily be taken at first sight for an ordinary man” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, V, 5).

‘Let us ask to be like that, “kindly lights” amid the encircling gloom. Jesus, “stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest: so to shine as to be a light to others” (Meditations on Christian Doctrine, VII, 3). Amen.’

A number of special events took place during the weekend of the canonisation to celebrate and give thanks for St John Henry Newman.

‘The care for salvation, the passion for truth, the desire for holiness, are apparent and more apparent than the weaknesses.

If we want perfection in saints, give up. There are no perfect saints, but we have as witnesses

to our struggles the great crowd of witnesses who are sanctified not by their own efforts, but by a particular openness to grace, an unusual, utterly entrancing willingness to be the person whom God is calling.’

Newman Catholic College celebrates canonisation of patron Mass of St John Henry Newman in St Peter’s Square by headteacher Mr Coyle.

The celebrations continued back at home on 30th October with a Mass of thanksgiving.

The school welcomed past pupils and friends of the school for the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington, assisted by the

Thanksgiving Mass The final celebration took place the next day with a Mass of thanksgiving at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Cardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant and the homily was given by Bishop Robert Byrne. The Gospel was read by Deacon Jack Sullivan, who was healed from a spinal disorder after praying to Cardinal Newman in 2001. It was this miracle that led to Cardinal Newman’s

Dean of Brent, Fr Stephen Willis. The Mass was also attended by Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi, the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, Paul O’Shea, Chair of Governors, Paul Stubbings, Headmaster of Cardinal Vaughan and Andrew O’Neill, Headteacher of All Saints Catholic College.

Following the canonisation Mass, Cardinal Vincent and the Prince of Wales attended a

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

Cardinal John Henry Newman: A new saint for England

Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated Mass with a group of young pilgrims from the Diocese of Westminster at the Venerable English College in Rome on 14th October. The votive Mass of thanksgiving for the canonisation of St John Henry Newman marked the final celebration in a four-day pilgrimage.

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Newman Catholic College has celebrated the canonisation of its school patron, St John Henry Newman, in a number of creative ways. In Art lessons, students created their very own portraits of St John Henry Newman. Teachers and staff also contributed their talents to help mark the occasion. When the school held a competition to design a new badge in honour of the canonisation, the winning

design was put forward by the Head of Art, Miss Farrell. The school’s chaplain, Mr Roche, created a Newman prayer card.

In addition to these creative projects, Newman Catholic College marked the canonisation of its patron saint in a more traditional manner with a series of special Masses and a trip to Rome. On 9th October, students celebrated the feast day of John Henry Newman. Years 7 to 11

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travelled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden for Mass celebrated by Fr Andrew JaxaChamiec.

The Sixth Form marked the feast day back at school with a Mass led by celebrant Fr Marcelin Blai, who shared ten lessons from the work and example of John Henry Newman. On 13th October, Newman Catholic College was represented at the canonisation

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Page 15

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Page 14

Reception at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano Celebratory symposium The official celebrations began the day before the canonisation Mass with a symposium, ‘Cardinal Newman: A Celebration’, hosted by Cardinal Vincent, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Sally Axworthy, British Ambassador to the Holy See, at Casina Pio IV.

Prayer Vigil and Sacred Music Concert On the Saturday evening, a prayer vigil took place at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The opening prayer

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reception at the Pontificio Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, where St John Henry Newman studied for the priesthood. Among the guests was Melissa Villalobos. The Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School sang at the reception.

Addressing those gathered at the reception, the Prince of Wales spoke about Saint John Henry Newman: ‘He was able to advocate without accusation, disagree without disrespect and, perhaps most of all, to see differences as places of encounter rather than exclusion. These are principles that continue to inspire, and to guide each new generation.’

Musical Oratory On the evening of the canonisation, a musical oratory took place at Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova, ‘new church’), which was constructed for St Philip Neri and the Congregation of the

On Saturday 19th October, Cardinal Vincent Nichols welcomed Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to Westminster Cathedral for Solemn Vespers. The ecumenical service was held in celebration of the canonisation of St John Henry Newman.

Cardinal Vincent presided, with Archbishop Justin Welby delivering the sermon.

Cardinal Vincent extended a particularly warm welcome to the Archbishop of Canterbury: ‘His presence is a sign of the deep bond between our Churches and of the ways in which, in our new Saint, we find such encouragement for our common life in Christ and our shared exploration for faithfulness to his gospel and teaching. His presence is also, for me, a cherished sign of our personal friendship.’

Cardinal Vincent also highlighted the ‘shared joy’ of both Churches at the canonisation of St John Henry Newman, a saint who lived out his ‘pastoral mission’ in both.

‘His life was also characterised by a constant pastoral ministry, from his early days as a young priest of the Church of England to the last of his many years of Catholic priesthood in Birmingham.

There he made his ministry to the poor and to the sick a daily priority. In this, too, he is an inspiration for us today.’

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged both the privilege and the apprehension he felt at speaking about St John Henry Newman. He pointed out that it is wrong to present the two Christian traditions as

rivals: ‘For we are not enemies, nor are we opponents, nor even rivals. God forbid! Indeed, God has forbidden. We are more like a family that had a very bitter dispute, a divorce in the past, and has acquired the habits and occasionally bad manners of separation. For all that we are still family, called together by grace, caught up in the love of God.’ The Archbishop of Canterbury argued that, although ‘it is easy to find faults in St John Henry’, the new saint ‘stands as a model of the purposeful disciple.’

‘We may disagree with his actions, but we know their origins – he pretends to little – and we see their structures.

As the old Maths exam papers say, “show your workings” and he did.

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

and final blessing were given by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, representing the city where St John Henry Newman founded the Birmingham Oratory.

Prayers of intercession were offered by individuals whose lives had been changed by St John Henry Newman. One of these was Melissa Villalobos.

The sudden healing she experienced in 2013, during the pregnancy of her fifth child, and after a prayer to Cardinal Newman, was approved as a miracle by Pope Francis in February 2019. It was this miracle that paved the way for his canonisation. The vigil concluded with St John Henry Newman’s famous hymn, ‘Lead, Kindly Light’. After the vigil, the basilica played host to a concert of sacred music sung by the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School.

Cardinal Vincent and Archbishop of Canterbury celebrate ecumenical vespers for St John Henry Newman

Oratory after the society was officially recognised by the Pope in 1575. Five of St John Henry Newman’s reflections were read, each one describing a virtue exercised by St Philip Neri. An address was given by Fr Ignatius Harrison, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory and a blessing was offered by Robert Byrne, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

Cardinal John Henry Newman has been declared a saint by Pope Francis. He is the first English person to be canonised since 1970. Born in 1801, he is also the first English saint from post-Reformation times to be canonised. The open-air canonisation Mass was celebrated by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on Sunday 13th October 2019. Four women were also promoted to full sainthood: Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan from India, Marguerite Bays from Switzerland, Giuseppina Vannini from Italy and Dulce Lopes Pontes from Brazil.

Banners depicting the faces of the five new saints transformed the façade of St Peter’s Basilica. The Mass was attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims from across the world, including those representing the home countries of the new saints.

From Westminster, Cardinal Vincent and Bishop Nicholas Hudson concelebrated at the Mass, while twenty young pilgrims in the crowd wore the red Youth Ministry T-shirts. In a mark of the historical significance of the canonisation for the United Kingdom, the Prince of Wales was also in attendance.

Pope Francis’ homily focused on the Gospel story of Jesus healing the ten lepers (Luke: 17:11-19). He explained how the story reflects the journey of faith, which has three steps, and how each one of these three steps is seen in the actions of the lepers. As Pope Francis outlined at the

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

The Canonisation of St John Henry Newman

beginning of his homily, ‘They cry out, they walk and they give thanks.’ The Pope concluded his homily by giving thanks to God for the five new saints and sharing two extracts from St John Henry Newman’s writings.

‘Such is the holiness of daily life, which Saint John Henry Newman described in these words: “The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden peace, which the world sees not ... The Christian is cheerful, easy, kind, gentle, courteous, candid, unassuming; has no pretence ... with so little that is unusual or striking in his bearing, that he may easily be taken at first sight for an ordinary man” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, V, 5).

‘Let us ask to be like that, “kindly lights” amid the encircling gloom. Jesus, “stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest: so to shine as to be a light to others” (Meditations on Christian Doctrine, VII, 3). Amen.’

A number of special events took place during the weekend of the canonisation to celebrate and give thanks for St John Henry Newman.

‘The care for salvation, the passion for truth, the desire for holiness, are apparent and more apparent than the weaknesses.

If we want perfection in saints, give up. There are no perfect saints, but we have as witnesses

to our struggles the great crowd of witnesses who are sanctified not by their own efforts, but by a particular openness to grace, an unusual, utterly entrancing willingness to be the person whom God is calling.’

Newman Catholic College celebrates canonisation of patron Mass of St John Henry Newman in St Peter’s Square by headteacher Mr Coyle.

The celebrations continued back at home on 30th October with a Mass of thanksgiving.

The school welcomed past pupils and friends of the school for the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington, assisted by the

Thanksgiving Mass The final celebration took place the next day with a Mass of thanksgiving at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Cardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant and the homily was given by Bishop Robert Byrne. The Gospel was read by Deacon Jack Sullivan, who was healed from a spinal disorder after praying to Cardinal Newman in 2001. It was this miracle that led to Cardinal Newman’s

Dean of Brent, Fr Stephen Willis. The Mass was also attended by Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi, the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, Paul O’Shea, Chair of Governors, Paul Stubbings, Headmaster of Cardinal Vaughan and Andrew O’Neill, Headteacher of All Saints Catholic College.

Following the canonisation Mass, Cardinal Vincent and the Prince of Wales attended a

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

Cardinal John Henry Newman: A new saint for England

Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated Mass with a group of young pilgrims from the Diocese of Westminster at the Venerable English College in Rome on 14th October. The votive Mass of thanksgiving for the canonisation of St John Henry Newman marked the final celebration in a four-day pilgrimage.

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

Newman Catholic College has celebrated the canonisation of its school patron, St John Henry Newman, in a number of creative ways. In Art lessons, students created their very own portraits of St John Henry Newman. Teachers and staff also contributed their talents to help mark the occasion. When the school held a competition to design a new badge in honour of the canonisation, the winning

design was put forward by the Head of Art, Miss Farrell. The school’s chaplain, Mr Roche, created a Newman prayer card.

In addition to these creative projects, Newman Catholic College marked the canonisation of its patron saint in a more traditional manner with a series of special Masses and a trip to Rome. On 9th October, students celebrated the feast day of John Henry Newman. Years 7 to 11

Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

travelled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden for Mass celebrated by Fr Andrew JaxaChamiec.

The Sixth Form marked the feast day back at school with a Mass led by celebrant Fr Marcelin Blai, who shared ten lessons from the work and example of John Henry Newman. On 13th October, Newman Catholic College was represented at the canonisation

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

Page 15

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Fr Francis Wahle: ‘Out of a sense of

Fr Francis Wahle today Fr Francis Wahle turned 90 this year, and although he has been retired for a good number of years, he remains in active service. In this interview, he shares the story of his remarkable life.

Around the time of his ninth birthday, an event happened which dramatically altered his future. At the time he lived in Austria with his parents and sister; but over the border, an authoritarian regime was on the rise with an intense anti-Semitic bent. Although not Jewish himself, Fr Francis had Jewish grandparents, and so according to the Nuremberg laws of 1935, he was considered racially Jewish. But it was Kristallnacht, ‘the Night of Broken Glass’; a night in November 1938 which

resulted in the destruction of over 7,000 Jewish businesses, that precipitated the reaction to move him and his sister somewhere far from Hitler’s Lebensraum. Before then, Fr Francis admits, ‘Nobody knew it was going to be slaughter. They thought it was going to be slave camps perhaps, confiscation of property, things like that. But Kristallnacht made it so clear that whatever it was, it was going to be really nasty’.

This was of course the Holocaust and the deaths of over 6 million Jewish people.

Thankfully, due to what is now known as the ‘Kindertransport’, Fr Francis, his sister and many other children were able to escape what was coming. ‘I think the first one actually was from Germany as a result of the parliamentary discussions with Eleanor Rathbone and others in this country, who finally boxed through the quota of 10,000 unaccompanied children. And I came under that. Along with my younger sister, a whole lot of children, we travelled by train with some soldiers or Gestapo in the carriages with us. It was rather grim, as you can imagine.’

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles following the First World War had been punitive for both Austria and Germany.

Francis and Anna Hedwig Wahle as children Page 16

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As Fr Francis explains, it ‘dismembered Austria, stopped it from really flourishing, and so a lot of people were hankering to go find a big brother or a big sister, namely Germany, to join together. So there was a great wave for amalgamation with Germany.’

It was in this climate that Fr Francis’ parents read the signs of change and arranged for their children to escape. ‘I don’t know at what stage my parents were aware of the possibility [of the Kindertransport], but until that time, we were busy learning Italian because our family in Italy was going to be the people to send us to, but we couldn’t get all the papers, so when Kristallnacht came, my parents just switched over. My mother had connections among the Soroptimists and other clubs, where she found out about this. And so for them it was a way of at least getting us out.’

When asked if he was aware that this was an escape, Fr Francis said that to him it was more of an adventure. But his sister ‘picked it up very quickly that this was a very sad occasion because she could see my parents were very anxious.

And from the parents’ point of view, it was awful. Can you imagine, sending your children away into the unknown? You’re sending them to a country which speaks a different language, which has different customs, different food, different dress, a different way of travelling on the roads.’

As for his parents who were left behind, ‘they were able to slip away and go into hiding for three years, and survived. With two children, none of us would have. And if we had been taken, we would have been sent to Auschwitz and we would have been dead by the end of that year.’

He goes on to reflect, ‘so I’m 90 now. I’ve had 77 extra years; I know that because if they hadn’t sent us away I would have been dead at the end of 1942, like Edith Stein and Anne Frank who perished around this time. It was the start of the extermination camps.’

When they arrived in Britain, the situation was

Fr Francis’ parents on their honeymoon confusing to say the least. ‘They had told my parents that a man from Norwich was going to be fetching me from Liverpool Street Station. He never turned up!’ On the other hand, his sister in fact went ‘to some nuns in the East End of London, where she was most unhappy because they had no idea of how to treat her. She was a very spoilt girl, we were all spoilt children, and suddenly she was being told, here’s your food.

You don’t want to eat it?

Alright, you don’t get any more.’

Instead, Fr Francis ended up at a house loaned to the Catholic Committee of Refugees in Crawley Down along with several other refugee children. Although separated, the siblings occasionally saw each other, with his sister eventually moving back to Vienna after the war, joining the nuns who had taken her in, and becoming very well known for her work in improving Catholic and Jewish relations, as well as being the first religious to teach in a council-school under the Soviet occupation of Vienna.

Fr Francis himself was sent to Stonyhurst, eventually finishing in 1947, by which time his parents had resurfaced out of hiding and helped organise a stipend for him to study Economics at University College London.

This was followed by ‘four years’ study to become a chartered accountant, then five years in John Lewis and then the Lord got me. So at the ripe old age of 30, I went down to Rome to do my studies at the English College.’

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In the end, Fr Francis attributes his call to a natural progression. Already active as a layman, he knew a number of priests. ‘One of them once said to me, “Why aren’t you a priest?” I’d never been asked the question that way round.’

But also, he says, ‘I think, behind it all is probably a sense of gratitude. Without God’s doing, all four members of our family would have been dead.’

This gradual call became firmer upon entering seminary. ‘The first thing they did in those days was to throw you into a retreat. And at the end of that retreat I was certain. Now, many of the other lads took years to discern. Mind you I was much older. Of the 12 in my year, I think four were under 18, and I was 30.’

In fact, his time at Rome coincided with the Second Vatican Council, and so he was right in the midst of the discussion and debate. ‘You see, we were lectured by the Jesuits at the Gregorian University, who were periti (theological advisers to the Council), so we were getting the stuff which was going into the council documents from the people who actually put it there. We had the whole of the English hierarchy living in the English College so we knew them personally.’

Moving back to England was an experience for him. He came back a bit of a stranger as most priests then were trained at St Edmunds. He remarked, ‘funerals were a great occasion, especially a priest’s funeral where you could meet a few more!’

Young Anna Hedwig after the War

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

In the footsteps of the martyrs

gratitude’

by Canon Stuart Wilson

Young Francis with his parents after the War His first placement was at Westminster Cathedral, a place he describes as ‘more or less like an Oxford club’, with a group of chaplains living together. After eight years at the cathedral, he moved to East Acton and served as Catholic chaplain for Hammersmith Hospital. This was followed by five years at Allen hall, 11 years at Enfield, 12 years at Queensway, ‘and now 15 years retired.’ Although as he went on to specify, not so much retired as simply ‘not in charge of anything’. He continues to say regular Masses in a number of parishes and is a familiar face to many around the diocese.

Among all the stories of parish and chaplaincy ministry, one story which stands out is from his time as chaplain at the old Westminster Hospital was when he gave out the cards his predecessor left, with hospital notices on one side, and a verse from scripture on the other.

Now, although his predecessor never went into the maternity ward, Fr Francis did. ‘I went into the maternity ward and after about a month one of the nurses said, “Father, would you mind not giving these cards to those who’ve had caesareans?”

“Well, sure, but why”, I asked.

She said, “they laugh so much they burst their stitches”. So I looked at the card and it said, “Come to me all you who labour under a heavy burden!”

(Matthew 11.28)’

Of all the things which are remarkable about Fr Francis, it is this sense of humour and self-awareness. When we asked about advice for priests nowadays, he said, ‘It’s no use, you simply can’t do what you did then, you know.’ But he encourages creativity and taking risks. As he said ‘as a general principle, nothing is ever wasted. You may think it is, but it isn’t’.

When asked about what he sees as the future of the Church, he is candid, saying, ‘I can give you a sort of nice, optimistic picture but I suspect the Church has to suffer first and lose a lot of what it has. We’re too comfortable and we’re not poor enough … I think we’ve got to go down first before we’ll go up.’ But, as he remarks, ‘well, we’ve got a good precedent.

Our good Lord first went down to the grave.’

The seminary community at Allen Hall is both a present reality and a past history. All that came together on the morning that our four Westminster candidates were part of a group of nine men who were admitted into the Ministry of Acolyte. It was the transferred feast day of the Douai Martyrs. Our seminary is the continuation of the postReformation Seminary that Cardinal William Allen created in Douai, France. On the feast day, Mass usually begins with the seminarians reading aloud the names of the 174 men who trained for the priesthood at Douai and then came to England to be put to death for the crime of ‘being a Catholic Priest’. Our new acolytes, Jakub Joszko, Daniel Daley, Michael Guthrie and Marco Salvagnini, follow in their footsteps.

The Mass was celebrated

by Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth, previously a seminarian at Allen Hall and then later a member of staff and finally Rector of the seminary.

Bishop Mark reminded us that the call to priesthood is filled with challenge but it is also filled with grace. God will never call without supplying the gifts we need to do his work well. The ministry of acolyte is a moment when our seminarians are able to recognise that the Lord is calling them on, to take a further step upon the road to priesthood. By

being instituted as an acolyte the seminarian is being asked to recognise how important in his priestly life will be his love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

His own devotion to the Lord as well as his commitment to bringing our Lord to the people the Lord has called him to love and serve.

Our liturgy that day was lovely and it was moving to witness Bishop Mark handing each man a pyx, the metal container that holds the Blessed

Sacrament when a home visit is made. He charged each man to take with love the Love of Christ in the Holy Eucharist to those who desire that love.

It was a love-filled day in every way. It was good to see family and friends support the seminarians. It was good to see another generation of men walking in the way of the martyrs. It was good to know that our diocese will have, God willing, four new priests in a few years’ time.

‘God has created me to do him some definite service.’

St John Henr y Newman

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Join us to listen to the stories of those being called to the Priesthood and Religious Life fe, and share your experience of what at the Lord is doing in your life fe.

SPEC , Waxwell House, 125 Waxwell Lane, Pinner HA5 3EP Saturday ay 25th January 2020 from 10am until 4pm.

This day re Th retre reat will be fo focused on young adults, but all are re welcome.

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Registered charity no. 233699

Young Francis Wahle

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

On the road to Bethlehem and home to God

by Deacon Roger Carr-Jones, Marriage and Family Life Coordinator

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk

occur in an ideal setting, yet it is transformational for us. If we accept that our lives and those of past generations have not always been perfect, we are better able to find the Light. In the messiness, or indeed calm, of family life it is the glow of the presence of God which matters.

There is a modern narrative that seems to imply that trying to live out the vocation of marriage and family life has never been more under threat. If so, this loses sight of the example of the quiet reflection on the road to Holy Family, whose experience Bethlehem, we find escape in is far removed from the doing more and so arrive tired chocolate-box images so and disheveled before the prevalent amongst the Christmas manger.

If so, do not be disheartened, cards. The Holy Family had to or feel a failure. Real life is messy move from what they had known and set out in faith on a and at different points families long and taxing journey that have experienced challenges ended with a less-than-ideal unique to their times just as we welcome, or setting. Later on it do today. What matters on the would involve exile, fear and Christian journey is not the change. Out of this the bond events around us, but our grew stronger. attitudes to them. If we feel that Affirming the vocation of the modern world is terrible, or that we do not make the mould, marriage and family life is a duty then think how the Holy Family of all the baptised. If we take the trouble we will see it being lived felt at the end of a long and out across our land, despite the taxing journey, which included challenges of modern society. hardship, worry and rejection.

Family life may not always be The Nativity of Jesus does not

In the hustle and bustle that now marks the Advent season, the concept of expectant waiting and preparation, both for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming, can get lost. Our society tends to expect everything to happen ‘now’, without any grasp that anticipation, savouring and later consummation are qualities to be cherished rather than dispensed with.

As we dash from one school celebration, carol service or party to the next, we can increasingly find ourselves exhausted and not a little disorientated. Rather than finding moments of stillness and

perfect, but where love is present, then we know that God abides. Of course, affirmation does not imply ignoring what needs to be tweaked, or adjusted, but it is a reminder that we are all asked to help and support those called to this vocation.

However, the problem is that quite often the witness to Christian married life in our parishes, schools and society rarely gets the affirmation, promotion and support that it merits. We need only look at the news headlines, or watch television, to know that the voices of doom and gloom tend to dominate the airwaves at the expense of opening up the other deeper reality of those living out the vocation of married life.

Quite often the temptation by various commentators is to analyze what they think is wrong without recognising the good, or else to overlook that marriage and family has always faced challenges and has always prevailed. The key point is to find the good and celebrate it. If we spend all out time focused on a negative narrative, then it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy

and our failure to work with God. It is worth recalling that married love is best expressed by the ordinary actions of human life: the anxieties of forming a home, the demands of bringing up children and the gentle caring for each other in the ups and downs of life. Married love is always a work-in-progress, which is a liberating thought, enabling the couple to avoid trying to judge their joint lives against unrealistic images and expectations.

In this context it would be good to reflect further on the example of the Holy Family and their experiences, and to know that, provided God is in the mix, the bond grows stronger. As we approach the season of Advent it might be good to share their journey and learn from it. They became refugees, made their home among strangers, were worried, persecuted and even denied accommodation. Do we not see these situations around us today? It is good to recall that marriage is caught up in Divine Love. This really does make all the difference, especially when things are not going smoothly.

Sixty years of Teams of Our Lady in Great Britain On 16th November 2019 over 250 members of Teams of Our Lady (Teams) from across the country gathered at Westminster Cathedral to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the movement in Great Britain. The principal celebrant was Bishop Peter Doyle (the Bishop responsible for marriage and family life) and concelebrants included Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton, Westminster Auxiliary Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of the Forces Paul Mason, Fr Chris Vipers (Director of the Agency for Evangelisation for Westminster) and clergy members of Teams.

The day was captured in a single phrase by Piotr and Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko (Super Regional Couple – Transatlantic), who wrote after the event: ‘We are still on a high,’ a simple yet profound Page 18

expression of the overall joy and happiness associated with the day. The other key fruit was the number of young couples and their children who continue to make up the rich tapestry of Teams.

Teams is an international lay movement in the Catholic Church, designed to enrich ‘married spirituality’, helping to make good Christian marriages even better by growing the graces received in sacramental marriage. Across the world Teams provides a proven method of increasing and improving prayer life, which helps couples grow closer to God and each other.

The movement was founded in France in 1947 by Fr Henri Caffarel as the fruit of a simple request from three married couples in 1939 to find ways to support and develop holiness in the sacrament of matrimony.

From a small beginning,

Teams has grown into an international movement. There are now 13,575 teams worldwide, comprising 68,615 couples and 10,194 priests and religious. Each team is made up of four to six couples and a priest/spiritual director. The spiritual wealth of Teams derives from the fusion of two types of priesthood: the priestly ministry and the priesthood of the faithful. Together they create ‘the small church’, a beautiful image of the domestic church in its fullness. The concrete relationship between the priest and the people of God helps to reinforce the understanding of the Church as a community in which members enrich each other on the road to salvation.

In Great Britain there are 111 teams, of which 38 are in the Diocese of Westminster. In the last five years the movement has experienced a 20 percent

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growth in the number of new teams worldwide. This growth is seen as a direct response to a desire by Christian married couples to seek the benefits of spiritual assistance to live out their vocation.

The gathering was a visible affirmation that, not only is marriage and family life alive

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and well, but that this particular model of mutual accompaniment helps affirm and reveal its beauty. Each of the teams, in their different ways, was a flickering reflection of the light that emanated from the beautiful icon of the Holy Family, which adorned the sanctuary.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Inside the Parish

by Adrian Cullen, Evangelisation Coordinator

by Fr Peter Michael Scott

© Fr John Scott

Compass for Life

Bishop Paul McAleenan celebrated Solemn Vespers at Westminster Cathedral on 1st December to open the Year of the Word To encounter Jesus Christ is at the heart of evangelization.

During 2020, dedicated as a year of focus on the Bible and ‘The God Who Speaks’ by the Bishops of England and Wales, we are invited to renew that encounter with Jesus through a greater exploration of the Bible.

At Mass each Sunday, at various liturgies in the week and even in our simplest of prayers we already touch on the riches of the Bible. Yet, it seems that for many Catholics the Holy Scripture feels inaccessible, or there is a perception that the regular reading of the Bible is for other traditions. Pope Francis tells us, ‘The Sacred Scriptures are the very source of evangelisation’ and if we are to evangelise, that is, bring others to an encounter with Jesus Christ, ‘A Christian's first task is to listen to the word of God, to listen to Jesus, because he speaks to us and saves us with his word’. He suggests that we should always carry a small Bible or pocket edition of the Gospels, whether in a book or on our smartphone, so that we can explore God’s word whenever and wherever we have few minutes to spare. Pope Francis has also declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time will be ‘Sunday of the Word of God’.

Whether it is through the books of Wisdom and the Prophets of the Old Testament, or through the Gospels and Letters of the New Testament,

by engaging more fully with the word of God, we come closer to Jesus Christ. We cannot walk with Jesus across the hills of Galilee or along the dusty roads to Jerusalem, but we can hear the witness of those who did.

‘We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.’ (1 John 1: 1).

In an increasingly demanding and confusing world, let the Bible be our guide. Pope Benedict, in his exhortation, Verbum Domini, speaking to young people particularly, says that sacred Scripture can be a ‘compass pointing out the path to follow’.

During this year we particularly follow the Gospel of Matthew, who presents Jesus as a teacher from God, full of wisdom and goodness, and indeed the expected Messiah.

Matthew’s Gospel guides the early church, a growing community, as it discovers its mission to the world. Let Matthew guide us in our journey of renewed discovery of Jesus, and of our mission to bring the world closer to the risen Christ.

I am getting used to baptisms.

Having been away from parish life working in a hospice, I am out of practice presiding at services other than Mass and funerals. Thankfully, East Finchley has lots of young families, so baptisms are frequent and rather lovely too.

Recently at the baptism of a baby girl, I was told that the little child was the first of a new generation and the family all had to change names. Brothers and sisters became aunts and uncles, mums and dads became grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles became great aunts and great uncles and Ruth and David became a mum and dad.

These name changes were automatic, free of charge and welcome.

The birth of a child has that capacity to change us, not just in name, but making us take on new responsibilities. We inadvertently become more protective and our hearts are softened so that we can love and nurture the little person who presents themselves as vulnerable and needy. Often the birth of a child will open our eyes to see how wonderful we actually are. A baby can enable us to see ourselves as God does, as educators, healers, protectors, forgivers and life givers.

Soon we will celebrate the birth of another child, ordinary in the sense He is fully human, extraordinary in being totally divine. This child is God’s only son, born of Mary and Joseph.

This child will change us, but unlike any other He will wondrously catapult us into a relationship with God where we acknowledge that we are His children, and that He wants to educate, heal, protect, forgive, and open up for us eternal life.

We are all made in God’s image, so it should be no surprise that our good parental capacities are inherited from Him. Christmas is about letting God nurture and love us and to delight in that. So put away doubt or fear, and as a child rests in its parent’s arms, let God enfold you in love.

Please pray for all those who work or volunteer in your parish.

‘Your Church and our Church’ On 31st October 2019, Bishop John Sherrington joined the Young City Catholics at St Mary Moorfields Church where he celebrated a Vigil Mass for the feast of All Saints. Around 30 young people attended the celebration, which was followed by a meal and a Q&A session with the Bishop.

The group put forward questions on a variety of topics, ranging from life issues to building community among young people.

In one of his answers, Bishop John spoke of how in our contemporary world, ‘lots of people are searching for meaning’, but ‘ultimately our hearts are restless until they find God’. Throughout the questions ran the theme of living life as a young Catholic, and on this Bishop John said that we ‘need not be isolated’. It is ‘finding good people to work with in the Church which will sustain you’. He emphasised that, when it comes to belonging to the Church, there

is no distinction in terms of age, it is ‘your Church and our Church’.

Young City Catholics is a group which was set up in 2005 for young professionals working in the City and Canary Wharf. It fosters professional and personal development based on Christian values, in a friendly and welcoming environment with events including pilgrimages, Masses and talks. To find out more, visit www.ycc-london.co.uk or email info@ycc-london.co.uk.

More information on ‘The God Who Speaks’ is available here: https://rcdow.org.uk /faith/ adriancullen@rcdow.org.uk

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Leave to remain for Bakhita guests There were celebrations in Caritas Bakhita House in September when four former residents had their right to remain in the UK recognised by the Home Office.

All four women sought refuge in Bakhita House, which is funded by Caritas Westminster, and provides a safe home for women who have been trafficked, or forced into slavery. Each has come from a different place, and has her own unique story, but all have faced extreme hardships.

Zauna (not her real name) came from Nigeria having been promised an education.

The man she travelled with abandoned her at the airport, leaving her to be collected by another man who then forced her into sexual slavery.

In 2015 she was rescued by a client and went to live with him, but he threw her out when he discovered she was pregnant. She was living on the streets until she was discovered by the British Red Cross who referred her to the

newly opened Bakhita House.

Her baby girl was born a few months later, the first of six newborns who have stayed at the house since it opened in 2015.

Although Zauna and her daughter left Bakhita House in February 2016 they stayed in touch with the staff and volunteers who continued to help her to navigate the complicated process of applying for leave to remain.

More than three and a half years later, in September 2019, Zauna was granted leave to remain for five years, a status often granted to refugees and victims of trafficking and slavery.

Zauna, along with the three former residents who also achieved this status, is now legally entitled to claim certain benefits, access the NHS and study or work in the UK. They will never forget what has happened to them, but they now have a chance to move on, and to gradually build new lives.

The most recent Global Slavery Index estimated that 40.3 million women, men and children were subjugated to labour or sex trafficking in 2016. The figure, it said, ‘accounts for more lives enslaved than all of the years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade combined’.

Caritas Bakhita House has now seen well over 100 guests from 37 different countries pass through its doors since it opened in the Summer of 2015.

Their ages have ranged from 17 to 68, not forgetting the six newborn babies who have been welcomed, all conceived through rape.

The women stay anything from one night to thirteen months. Whilst at the house, they are supported to access healthcare, therapy and legal support, each woman’s support being tailored to their own needs.

Thanks to the support of staff and volunteers at Bakhita House, one guest bravely gave evidence against her abusers in October at Snaresbrook Crown Court, seeing the conviction of one man and two women for trafficking, prostitution and drugs offences.

Royal award for multifaith community group Neighbours in Poplar was created in October 1969, when a group of concerned people organised a Christmas Party for senior citizens at Pope John House. The event was extremely successful and a need had obviously been met, so the volunteers began to meet regularly, visiting and providing services for people living in the Poplar area of Tower Hamlets.

These days the services they provide are many and varied from exercise classes to summer holiday projects and a winter night shelter for the homeless.

Volunteers even go to Calais once a month to deliver clothes and other essentials to asylum seekers and migrants living in desperate conditions there.

On 22nd October 2019, the community gathered together to celebrate 50 years of Neighbours in Poplar. This was a double celebration. Earlier in the year, the charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Today, Neighbours in Poplar is supported by the work of volunteers from many different faith backgrounds.

But back in 1969, the sisters from the Faithful Companions of Jesus were instrumental in organising the first gathering.

On receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, one of the founders, and current manager of the project, Sr Christine Frost FCJ MBE, said, ‘Neighbours in Poplar is delighted to receive this award and are extremely grateful to the volunteers who have committed themselves to the Poplar Community over the years.’

Cardinal Vincent Nichols was a special guest at the celebration in October and unveiled a brand new banner which Neighbours in Poplar will use to boost their activities as they begin their next 50 years of dedicated service to the community.

Caritas Food Collective launches project to tackle holiday hunger

Caritas Food Collective, part of Caritas Westminster, has launched a new project tackling holiday hunger during the October half term.

The project, which was especially highlighted by Cardinal Vincent in the Lenten Appeal this year, and supported by parishioners across the diocese, is ambitious in its work to combat food poverty.

With 2.3 million people living in poverty in London, thousands Page 20

of families are struggling to feed their children healthy food. The problem is worse during school holidays when those who usually have free school meals are at risk of going hungry.

To tackle this problem the Caritas Food Collective organised seven holiday clubs, across the diocese from Feltham to Stevenage, inviting families in deprived communities to their local parish centre or school for a day of fun and food.

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Families and teams of volunteers worked together to prepare the food and serve over 400 meals across the seven clubs.

These events also aimed to build a sense of community and let families know what support is available for them. Children took part in a variety of activities from making masks and decorating biscuits to archerby and other sports activities run by Queens Park Rangers in the Community Trust.

One mum said was impressed by the way the club kept ‘the children busy during half term in a healthy way,’ with ‘brain stimulating, interactive, activities, and a good way to socialise and make great friends.’ Another parent described how the club offered a much-needed day out for her son who had been ill and stuck at home for two months. Others added that they appreciated there were no ‘expensive fees’ which might have stopped them taking part.

In some locations, information was available for

parents about credit unions, and at one event a dentist came to speak. At the end of each day all the families took home two big bags of food provided by The Felix Project, a charity which collects fresh, nutritious food that cannot be sold and distributes it to those in need.

Fr John Byrne, Parish Priest of St Lawrence’s, Feltham, said: ‘It was a very happy occasion, everybody enjoyed themselves and we can’t wait to run it again.’

Coordinator Anna Gavurin said: ‘We always intended that the Caritas Food Collective should be about more than just providing food. These holiday clubs are just the beginning of our project, which will not only provide practical help for people, but support them in their journey to food resilience.

Along the way we aim to raise awareness about the various causes of food poverty in the UK and what we can all do to help.’

Caritas Food Collective has created an ‘Advent Giving Calendar’ which suggests an item to donate each day during

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Advent to a local food bank or homeless shelter. Many parishes and schools are taking part to tackle food poverty this Christmas.

If you would like to find out more and get involved please contact cfc@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7931 6077. The Advent Giving Calendar can be downloaded at caritaswestminster.org.uk

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Transforming lives in North Hertfordshire Feed Up Warm Up, a project supporting homeless people in Hitchin and Stevenage, celebrated its first anniversary on 5th December 2019.

It was started by Shane Cole, who was once homeless himself and who has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.

Shane wanted to reach out and help others who were struggling with similar problems. With the support of Caritas Westminster and the Parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchin, the first drop-in event was held on 5th December 2018.

Over 75 volunteers from the local community and church were eager to help.

The weekly drop-ins offer hot meals supplied by local restaurants, free haircuts and chiropody treatments, parcels of food and clothes, sleeping bags and tents. Counselling is available as well as advice on where to go for further help.

Live music gives the drop-ins a friendly and relaxed feel.

The project was only set to run for the month of December but due to high demand it

continued throughout the year, and now offers weekly drop-ins at two locations in North Hertfordshire. Outreach teams also support rough sleepers throughout the region.

One of the guests who came to the Hitchin drop-in every week for six months told us how it has helped him turn his life around: 'Without it I would still be out on the street looking inward instead of outward to a brighter future. My personal life and my mental health have come on leaps and bounds.

From sleeping behind Wilkinsons I now have a secure flat and feel safe. I am now building on my confidence to help me find full time employment. With the ongoing support and help from the project and God I am sure I will achieve this.’

A typical drop-in day in Stevenage recently saw 63 clients come through the doors, 54 of whom received a hot meal and a food parcel to take away.

Forty-three clothing parcels, three sleeping bags and one tent were also given to clients.

Approximately 140 clients make use of the two drop-in centres. Around 60% of them are street homeless and the other 40% are experiencing other forms of poverty. With the help of the project several are now in full time work and others are in permanent accommodation. The project works closely with other agencies including Christians Against Poverty.

It relies on volunteers who often benefit almost as much as clients. One volunteer said: ‘Since volunteering my life has been given a new purpose. I love my Wednesday sessions with the other volunteers and clients. It has given me a reason to leave my house every week and to focus on other things and other people. Before this, weeks would pass where I wouldn’t leave my house or interact with other people.’

In addition to marking the first anniversary of Feed Up Warm Up, Shane and the team have also been celebrating a successful application for charity status, which will allow them to apply for grants and other

sources of funding. They have already built up links with celebrities and corporations, including David Croft, the Formula One commentator, who hosted a fundraising quiz, and driver Lewis Hamilton. Designer company Tommy Hilfiger donated 1,000 pairs of women’s and 1,000 pairs of men’s pants and socks.

In a recent interview with BBC radio, Shane spoke about the importance of clean underwear from his own experience. ‘When you're homeless and you're smelling and you haven't got clean underwear on, it really gets you down. A pair of new, clean pants and socks can help you see light at the end of the tunnel.’

He also acknowledged that the numbers attending the dropin centres are not something to be celebrated. ‘The more people we get through the doors means more people are in need and that isn't a good thing, but the good thing is that we are there to support them when they need it.’

To find out more visit feedupwarmup.co.uk.

Catholic and Jewish pupils create ‘good works’ On 14th November, 75 children from Catholic and Jewish schools gathered for a day of interfaith encounter and charity organised by Caritas Westminster. The students worked together in the parish hall of Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate in Mill Hill to assemble 400 Vinnie Packs.

The day celebrated the twin occasions of Mitzvah Day, a day set aside in the Jewish calendar for good works, known as mitzvahs, and World Day of the Poor, which both fell on Sunday 17th November.

As Siobhan Garibaldi, from the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) explained to the children, Vinnie Packs are sealed bags containing items to help those who are sleeping rough, or in need for other reasons. The packs contain toothbrushes, woolly hats and socks, ideal for winter weather. The children were fired up after hearing Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Siobhan’s talk and worked hard for well over an hour, preparing items and packing them exactly as she had said.

Some of the packs will be distributed at the New North London Synagogue Asylum Seeker Drop-In, and the rest will be used in SVP projects across London.

The students also wrote individual messages for the recipients.

‘Dear receiver, this pack is complete with lots of stuff to keep you warm. I hope that you wake up feeling refreshed and with many people around you. Let the angels help you. – A person who cares.’

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‘Dear reader, I hope this kit and letter brightens your day!

Today has been the best day ever for you and me. Speak out, stay safe and good luck!’

Rosa Lewis from Caritas Westminster, who helped organise the event, said, ‘We were amazed by the enthusiasm of the children. The notes they wrote reflect a high level of understanding and a sense of solidarity.’

This event was the second time Caritas Westminster had worked with the Jewish Mitzvah Day organisation but it was the first time so many children from the two faiths had gathered together in one place. The schools represented included six Catholic schools (St Joseph’s, Hendon, St Anthony’s Schools for Girls, Bishop Challoner, Cardinal Pole, St Albert the Great and Pope Paul Catholic Primary School) and three Jewish schools (Jewish Free School, Sacks Morasha and Etz Chaim).

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Exploring volunteering Caritas Westminster recently hosted a workshop about how to get started volunteering, with Jo Masters from the Jewish Volunteering Network, which works with Caritas Westminster’s Volunteer Service. Jo shared a number of insights about volunteering and how to get started.

More than just not being paid for a job or doing a good deed,the ‘broadest, and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering’, according to volunteering expert Ivan Scheier, is ‘doing more than you have to because you want to in a cause you consider good.’

Participants explored their own reasons for wanting to volunteer, such as getting back into work, giving back to a charity and improving physical or mental health. They were also given information on how to identify suitable opportunities.

Although the process of applying for a role varies from charity to charity, it can typically include filling in a form, an interview or informal chat and, for certain roles a DBS check. References, training, insurance and much more were also discussed.

But what do you do if it all does not work out as expected, or if circumstances change and you want to move on? Jo gave useful suggestions on how to manage this potentially awkward situation.

To search for volunteering opportunities please visit www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/vo lunteer and register for a free account.

If you are a interested in posting your volunteering roles on the website, please contact Elke Springett at caritasvol@rcdow.org.uk.

Rosa said that the children who attended expressed a wish to come back next year.

‘Many of them were keen to know who their packs would be delivered to, and we hope they will continue to act for social justice during their school years and beyond.’

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Pope’s prayer intention for December: A future for the young

by Fr David Stewart SJ Education is a human right.

In 1948, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights enshrined the right in international law. Denial of education is one way in which the young suffer through no fault of their own.

The very young, less visible, with no power, unable to speak for themselves, suffer greatly in many parts of our world, for various reasons including denial of education. This month, in his prayer intention, entrusted to his personal worldwide prayer network, Pope Francis invites all of us to pray with him ‘that every country determine to take the necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority’.

Since that declaration, other major international conventions have confirmed that every country must provide education, starting with the very young. Yet many countries, not least those in the Majority World, still crippled with debt owed to the rich North, struggle to meet this requirement. Three years ago, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tough but practical, necessary proposals for every country to eradicate poverty while

redirecting policy towards sustainability; a plan to ‘heal and secure our planet’ that the young will inherit. These SDGs demand that no-one be left behind. As Pope Francis pointed out to a young gathering before last year’s Synod On Young People, ‘too often the world treats young people as “disposable” by not providing an adequate education or job opportunities’.

It is not just the denial of education that affects the very young and their futures; our world makes them suffer in other ways. To echo the words of the intention, alleviation of their suffering is, too often, far from a priority. The December intention invites us to pray for, and to work for, this prioritisation. We need never to forget that even very young children are still living in extreme poverty. This is true of our so-called advanced civilisations, not only the Global South. Others are victims of trafficking, another blight on our societies. Others are forced to become child soldiers. Images of young children bearing heavy weapons are obscene pictures that shame us all. In each of these unacceptable situations, decent education is absent.

What futures will these children have?

Pray … and act!

It is impossible to read the Gospels without recognising two essential calls on us.

Firstly, that every marginalised person must be part of our prayer and secondly, that our prayer must always lead to action, or at the very least to prepare our hearts, mobilise ourselves, to do good, starting with those on the margins. Jesus concluded the parable of the Good Samaritan with the simple, stark injunction, ‘go and do likewise’. Saint Oscar Romeo, preaching not long before his assassination, declared that ‘besides reading the Bible, the Word of God, a Christian who is faithful to that Word, must also read the signs of the times, current events, to illumine them with that Word’. The Pope’s December intention invites us to engage in such a reading and to ask, ‘how am I called to illumine the future of the very young?’

life, death and resurrection we are called to mission. This Christmas, we can resolve to echo in our own lives and prayer the Pope’s petition that each country give young people a future and a meaningful life, which is everyone’s human and divine right.

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, legally based in the Vatican City State, has its UK base at St Ignatius Jesuit Church, Stamford Hill, London N15. Our App, Clickto-Pray (www.clicktopray.org), gives you a new set of prayers every day.

A festive season?

‘LEARN FROM ME’

Christmas, we are frantically told by media and advertising, is a time for children. However, not all children are part of the tinselly picture. Neither is Mary’s child, through whose

Matthew 11:29

CERTIFICA RTIFICA ATE TE IN PARISH P ARISH MISSION AND MINISTR RY Y CERTIFICA RTIFICA ATE TE IN CA ATE TECHESIS A CA ATE TECHESIS ON MARRIA AGE AND FAMIL LY Y MARYV RYV VALE ALE INSTITUTE INTERNA ATIONAL TIONAL CA ATHOLIC THOLIC DIST TANCE ANCE LEARNING COLLEGE

INFORMA ATION TION EVENING

Faith is not a problem to be e solved, but a gift to be discovered.

Please register attendanc nce with Anna Dupelycz at annadupelycz@rcdow.org.uk or by telephone 020 7798 798 9026

Cardinal Vincent Nichols

A Formation i Programme For All Involv l ed d In Parish i h Ministry y..

A Partnership between the Agency ffor E Ev vangelisation, Diocese of W Westminst estminster and the Maryv vale ale Institute.

Page 22

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Thursday 23rd January y,, 2020 2 7.30pm 7 .30pm – 9.00pm Vaughan V aughan House, 46, Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN

For more infformation ormation please ease contact your parish priest or Anna na Dupelycz at the Agency for E Evvangelisation sation at annadupelycz@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7798 9026.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Youth Chaplain’s Corner

Youth Director’s Spotlight Andrezj Wdowiak Director of Youth Ministry This year the Bishops' Conference want us all to focus on celebrating, living and sharing God’s word during this year of ‘The God Who Speaks: The Year of the Word’. We might perhaps reflect on the ways in which God speaks to us and maybe even come up with some New Year’s resolutions, such as spending five minutes each day reading the Bible or perhaps even getting a Bible.

A few years ago I attended a retreat led by Fr Nicholas King SJ. It was designed to help us re-energise and plan for the year ahead. I enjoyed listening to passages from the Bible and felt really engaged with what I heard. The language in which it was read sounded contemporary. It was not until the end of the retreat that I realised Fr Nicholas was reading in English from a Greek Bible! After so many years this was a moment which transformed my approach to the Bible and its importance in my life.

I hope that in the New Year the Bible will be one way for children and young people to encounter God during retreats at SPEC Retreat Centre. SPEC stands for Spiritual Personal Encounter with Christ and we pray that this is the case for those who visit us. The centre is close to fully booked for 2020, with secondary schools increasingly choosing to participate in residential retreats. In 2019 SPEC offered ministry to 17 secondary schools, 18 primary schools and 34 parishes, and in 2020 we would like to extend this ministry to even more schools and parishes.

It has been a similarly busy year for the Westminster Youth Ministry Outreach Team who ministered to 12 secondary schools and 61 parishes.

Page 24

On 13th October 2019, Westminster Youth Ministry and a group of twenty or so young adults from the diocese were fortunate enough to be present in St Peter’s Square in Rome for the canonisation Mass of St John Henry Newman. In his homily, Pope Francis referenced the words of St John Henry on holiness in daily life: ‘The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden peace, which the world sees not...with so little that is unusual or striking in his bearing, that he may easily be taken at first sight for an ordinary man.’

Holiness can sometimes be seen as something odd, even foreign to our everyday experience. Particularly for

young people in their teenage years, the idea of holiness conjures up an idea of being different and inevitably becoming set apart. At an age when the desire to ‘fit in’ and be accepted is of paramount concern, holiness can therefore seem a dangerous quality!

Holiness can be manifested in ways that on the face of it may not seem extraordinary but can make such a difference to own our lives and the lives of others: cheerfulness, kindness, candidness and courteousness; the last is perhaps particularly relevant in an age where dialogue is often anything but courteous. We can see that holiness is indeed accessible to all if we seize the graces that

God offers us, young people included. The love of Christ is not going to take away from their happiness but will direct them properly towards it, and their response to this offer doesn’t have to make them an oddity to their peers.

Pope Francis concluded with a further quote from St John Henry: ‘Let us ask to be like that, “kindly lights” amid the encircling gloom. Jesus, “stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest: so to shine as to be a light to others”.’

As we approach the celebration of Our Lord’s Nativity, when the Light of the World was born, witnessed to by a star, we ask that by drawing closer to the Light of Christ, we

Fr Mark Walker Youth Chaplain may in turn shine as a light to our young people and show them that the holiness Christ invites them to will be the source of the ‘deep, silent, hidden peace’ we all seek in life. May God bless you in the forthcoming Christmas season.

Deanery summits have proved particularly popular with young people of Confirmation age. We have planned summits throughout the year across the diocese, with the next two scheduled for 7th February at St George’s, Sudbury and 21st February at Ss Michael and Martin, Hounslow. The summits provide a time for young people to socialise, share their journey of faith and pray together in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Resonate group, which offers an opportunity for discussion, prayer and social time for young adults, has attracted about 30 participants.

The group normally meets in the evening at Vaughan House in Victoria. The next gathering is on 24th January 2020. In 2019 we introduced the quarterly Youth Ministry Mass in the Crypt of Westminster Cathedral. The next one is on 20th February at 6.30pm and all are welcome.

At the end of the calendar year and at the start of a new liturgical year and Christmas I wish you a happy and peaceful festive season and a blessed year ahead.

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Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Fr Peter Stevens RIP ‘Let nothing disturb you, nothing affright you; everything passes; God never changes, patience wins all. He who has God needs nothing more, God alone suffices.’

These words from St Teresa, on a laminated card, were carried in the pocket of Fr Peter for many years of his life. On the reverse of the card Fr Peter had written ‘I am a Catholic Priest – in case of emergency call my Bishop’. Fr Peter, ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Westminster by Cardinal Basil Hume on 1st July 1989 at the age of 57, was always close to the Church and had deep respect for the Church’s teachings and practices and a love of the papacy expressed, in part, by annual letters written before he began seminary formation to the Holy Father to wish him a happy Christmas. Letters received in response, from the Secretariat of the Vatican State, every year from 1979-84 were among Fr Peter’s treasured papers, as were letters written by family members over many years.

Born in London on 23rd October 1931, Peter Stevens was the second son born to Emma and Alfred Stevens. His sister, Angela, was born in 1939.

Peter’s family life was marred by the death of his older brother, Bernard, at the age of 20 from an incurable illness and then the separation of his parents. He and Angela became very close, ‘a wonderful and beautiful person, so thoughtful, generous, kind and loving…my dearest friend for almost forty-six years’ is how he described her. Peter and Angela bought and shared a home with three acres of land in Suffolk for many years, until her death on Christmas day, 1984.

While living in Suffolk Peter owned and bred Great Danes.

He and Angela became founder members of the East of England Great Dane Club. Peter progressed from Chairman, and Editor of the club newsletter ‘Danedata’, to club President.

However, he found Suffolk somewhat remote and planned to move to Hertfordshire to be closer to London. The plan to move was thwarted by the onset of Angela’s terminal illness.

Peter was then able to write ‘I now believe my energies should be used to the service and glory of Almighty God and for his

Fr Barry Ffrench RIP

Church,’ and Peter applied to the diocese for acceptance as a student for the priesthood.

Peter’s desire to be a priest had surfaced earlier in his life, perhaps due to the influence of his uncle, Fr Harold Carter, formerly a police officer who became a priest of the diocese and a chaplain at Westminster Cathedral at the time of Peter’s birth, hence Peter’s baptism at the cathedral at the age of three weeks. Peter was educated at the Salvatorian College, Wealdstone. For the Stevens family Sundays were always the most important day of the week, when they attended the 6am or 7am Mass and returned for High Mass at midday. After lunch the family again went to the church for Rosary and Benediction.

Peter and Bernard were altar servers on Sundays and at early weekday Masses. He loved involvement with the Church.

At the age of 14 Peter left school and was apprenticed to a firm of tailors in Savile Row, making military uniforms. The hours were long, 8am to 6pm, and the pay small but with a bonus for good conduct. Peter was proud to have been involved with the making of the full dress uniform for King George VI. In 1949, when 18 years of age, Peter made known his interest in the priesthood and his vocation.

Following the recommendation of his Parish Priest, and an interview with Cardinal Griffin, Peter went to Campion House, Osterley to begin formation for priesthood. He was very happy at Osterley, but the death of his brother in 1950 soon after discharge from the RAF meant family responsibilities fell to Peter and it was agreed that he would leave Osterley with the intention of returning the following year. Against the backdrop of family break up and economic hardship Peter was called up for National Service and he joined the RAF. He used whatever money was paid to him to assist his mother and sister. Peter was posted to Egypt where he remained for two years. It was during this time that his parents were reconciled, but circumstances prevented Peter from returning to Osterley. He embarked on a career as a sales representative, including a period with Hayes and Finch, manufacturers and suppliers of candles, furnishings

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Barry Ffrench came from and other church requisites. He Rosslare, County Wexford in enjoyed this chapter of his life, Ireland. He was born on 23rd travelling to churches and October 1936 and ordained to convents and meeting priests and Religious in London and the the priesthood by Cardinal Godfrey in Westminster south of England. But all was Cathedral on 24th May 1962. He not well between his parents returned to his home county to and his father left home, for the live in retirement and later in a second time, leaving debts that nursing home where he died Peter had to meet. Peter was peacefully on 1st October 2019. made redundant, yet another Fr Barry died on the annual bitter blow, but he secured day dedicated to the memory of employment with another St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and company. He went on to become was buried on the day dedicated a sales manager with a London- to St Francis of Assisi. His based engineering company. In formation for priesthood, and the 1966 his mother died, aged 63. early years of his ministry, was as On her deathbed she asked an Oblate of St Charles. The Oblates were founded as an Peter to promise to care for his English institute of diocesan sister, a commitment he gave priests in 1857, with a rule of life willingly and gladly; he never based on that kept by the Oblates told his sister of this promise.

When Angela died in 1984 Peter of Milan, founded by St Charles Borromeo. The Oblates lived as was free to offer himself for a communities of priests dedicated second time for service as a to the ministry and mission of the priest. Cardinal Hume’s local Church, including pastoral message concerning vocations work and the education of was ‘God calls at any age’, and children and young people. he accepted Peter and sent him Following his ordination to to the Beda College in Rome the priesthood Fr Barry was where Peter studied from 1985 appointed Assistant Priest at St to 1989.

Mary of the Angels, Bayswater Fr Peter’s first appointment from 1962 to 1964. His next was to St Scholastica’s, Clapton appointment, as Assistant Priest, where he served as Assistant was to St Francis of Assisi, Priest from 1989-91. He was then Notting Hill where he remained appointed to Holy Trinity, Brook until 1966 before returning to Bayswater. From 1967 to 1969, Fr Green until 1994 when he was Barry served as Priest in Charge appointed Parish Priest at St at Our Lady of Sorrows, John Fisher, Chorleywood until Paddington. He then took on the 2006 when, aged 75, he retired role of Assistant Priest at Our and went to live in a flat in Lady of Lourdes, New Southgate, Ruislip. In 2012 he moved to St until his appointment as Anne’s Home, Stoke Newington.

Diocesan Youth Chaplain, based On 1st July 2014, now using an at London Colney, from 1973 to electric wheelchair, Fr Peter 1976. From here, Fr Barry became celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Parish Priest at St John the his ordination, with Mass and a Baptist, Hackney where he party at St Anne’s. He spoke of remained until 1983. Fr Barry his vocation, and Cardinal then moved to Yeading where he Hume’s words to him in 1989, ‘If was appointed Parish Priest at St you can give ten years as a priest Raphael’s. In 2003 Fr Barry went I will be very consoled.’ Fr Peter on sabbatical leave but health issues necessitated retirement was a priest for 30 years. from full time parish ministry the Fr Peter died peacefully on following year. He returned to 8th November 2019 at St Anne’s Ireland where he gave muchHome. He was steadfast and dutiful, reliable and dependable, valued assistance in the local parish and was close to members compassionate and merciful. of his family. On 25 May 2012 Fr When visiting sick people in Barry celebrated his Golden their homes, and bringing them Jubilee of ordination with a Mass Holy Communion, and when and party at St Brigid’s, comforting the bereaved, Fr Askamore. He was delighted to Peter’s pastoral sensitivity be joined by the retired shone, and warmth radiated Archbishop of Westminster, the through his steadiness. Fr Peter late Cardinal Cormac Murphywas deeply conscious of doing O’Connor. Fr Barry’s 80th God’s work. The God whom he birthday was marked with Mass knew, loved and served will, we and a party at Askamore on 23rd pray, grant Fr Peter eternal rest.

October 2016. Fr Barry always loved a party! Fr Barry gave May he rest in peace.

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pastoral support in Askamore for 12 years until failing health prevented further public ministry.

He continued to celebrate Mass privately in his home. However, with the advance of years and deteriorating health, Fr Barry’s needs required additional care, and he took up residence at The Moyne Nursing Home, Enniscorthy. There Fr Barry was well cared for and secure, with many regular visitors.

Many people will treasure their memories of Fr Barry, ‘a people’s priest’. During his years of active ministry, he was known for the warmth of welcome and hospitality extended to family, friends, brother priests and parishioners. He was a friend to everyone, especially the young and less fortunate. At his Funeral Mass children from three local schools formed a guard of honour. People of all ages expressed their sadness at the loss of a much-loved priest, and shared their stories of his engagement with them. He was attentive and responsive to people’s needs, and was seldom unavailable to callers. In his prime Fr Barry attracted people to the Church, and he had a winning way with children and young people. There were many altar servers and members of uniformed groups in his parishes and parish youth clubs flourished. The pilgrimages he organised, to Lourdes and to Rome, attracted young adults and he inspired them in their faith and commitment to the Church. As Diocesan Youth Chaplain his commitment to young people had a lasting influence on many. He was known to be a sympathetic confessor. For many years he had a dog, favouring spaniels. While in Yeading he named his dog Pod, the name by which a popular Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Pat O’Donoghue, was known. This brought amusement to the late Cardinal Basil Hume who enjoyed Fr Barry’s sense of humour, as did so many people over the years.

Fr Barry will be fondly remembered by parishioners and friends alike, and missed by all who knew him. At the Funeral Mass a message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols was read to the congregation: ‘…We pray that our Blessed Lord will bring this faithful servant of His to His Heavenly Father, so that he might enfold him in His mercy and ensure eternal rest in His loving presence.’ May he rest in peace.

Page 25

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

rEGuLar EVENtS

If you have an event, please email: communications@rcdow.org.uk

Prayer Groups SuNdayS taizé at St James, Piccadilly W1J 9LL every third Sunday 5pm.

Call 020 7503 5128 for details. tyburn Benedictines Monastic afternoon Every first Sunday 2-5pm Martyrs’ Crypt, Tyburn Convent, 8 Hyde Park Place W2 2LJ. Westminster Cathedral young adults meet socially after the 7pm Mass on Sundays and then at the nearby Windsor Castle pub.

For further details please contact: westminsteryoungadults@gmail.com

MoNdayS Mothers’ Prayers at St dominic’s Priory, Haverstock Hill NW5 4LB Mondays 2.30-3.30pm in the Lourdes Chapel.

All are welcome.

tuESdayS adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesdays 6-9pm concluding with Benediction at Newman House, 111 Gower Street WC1E 6AR. Details 020 7387 6370.

Prayers for London at the Shrine of our Lady of Willesden Tuesdays 7.30pm. Organised by the Guild of Our Lady of Willesden, Nicoll Road NW10 9AX. our Lady of Walsingham Prayer Group First Tuesday of the month 2.30pm to 4.15pm in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs in Westminster Cathedral. Details: antonia@walsingham.org.uk Vocations Prayer Group Second Tuesday of the month 8pm at 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB. taizé at St James’, Spanish Place W1V 3QY every first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Email: penny28hb@aol.com or just come along.

WEdNESdayS Corpus Christi Contemplative Prayer Group for young adults Wednesdays from 7pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Contact corpuschristipg@yahoogroups. co.uk Our Lady, Untier of Knots, Prayer Group of Intercession every third Wednesday at St Anselm & St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3JA. Mass at 6pm followed by Prayer Group. Rosary, Adoration, silent prayer and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Email Antonia antonia4161@gmail.com.

Gregorian Chant Explore the riches of the Gregorian chant tradition every Wednesday 6.30pm to 8pm, Bulbeck room, Ealing Abbey parish centre. New members welcome. For details, email gregorianchantealing@gmail.com

Jesus Christ the Fullness of Life (JCFL) provides a space for Christians of different traditions to join together in prayer and friendship. For further details please visit www.jcfl.org.uk.

NFG Prayer Group weekly at 8pm for praise & worship followed by a social. Held in St Mark’s Room, Christ the King Church, Cockfosters N14 4HE. Contact Fr Christophe: christophe.brunet@cheminneuf.org.

Soul Food A Catholic charismatic prayer group for young adults Thursdays 7-9pm at St Charles Borromeo, Ogle Street W1W 6HS. Details www.soulfoodgroup.org.

St John Paul II Prayer Group Every second Thursday of the month 7-8pm, Mass, Adoration and prayer at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB

FrIdayS divine Mercy Prayers and Mass Every first Friday 2.30-4.30pm at Our Lady, Mother of the Church, 2 Windsor Road W5 5PD Westminster Cathedral Charismatic Prayer Group every Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praise and Teaching. First Friday is a healing Mass. For details, call 020 8748 2632.

Queen of Peace Prayer Group at Our Lady of Lourdes, Acton W3 8AA. After 7pm Mass, Exposition, a homily, Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Friday prayer meeting 1:30pm to 3pm with Adoration in St Matthew's Hall, Northwood, Middx HA6 1DW except 1st Friday. Summer break- August.

Contact Patricia 07918128248

SaturdayS taizé at Notre dame de France 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX at 7.15pm. Call 020 7437 9363.

Carmelite Spirituality Group meet first Saturday at St Joseph’s Church, Bunhill Row EC1Y 8LE. 11.30-15.30 for prayer and reflection. Enquiries: Sylvia Lucas 07889436165.

tHurSdayS Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament first Thursday of the month, Mass 6:30pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB followed by Adoration and Benediction. www.sodality.co.uk Page 26

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In Memoriam December 3 Fr Harold Purney (1983) 4 Fr John Simcox (1972) Fr Peter Allen (1978) Mgr Wilfrid Purney (1987) Fr Benedict Westbrook (1989) 6 Fr John Harper-Hill (1998) Mgr Alexander Groves (1998) 11 Fr Dalton Haughey (1991) 12 Fr Laurence Kingseller (1975) 13 Fr Jeremiah Daly (1974) 14 Deacon Michael Bykar (2008) 15 Fr Francis Donovan (1983) Fr Robert Joseph Barry (2018) 16 Mgr George Tancred (2002) Fr John Donlan (2006) 18 Canon Bernard George (1980) 19 Canon John Shaw (1981) Fr Edward Gwilliams (1981) Fr Edward Scanlan (1992) Fr William Campling (1996) Canon John McDonald (2016) 21 Fr Clive Godwin (1974) 23 Fr Ian Dickie (2012) 24 Fr Manoel Gomes (1989) 25 Deacon Ron Saunders (2007) Canon Charles Acton (2016) 26 Fr Alan O’Connor (1992) Fr Bernard Lavin (1999) 27 Fr Andrew Morley (1993) 28 Mgr Canon Joseph Collings (1978) Fr Gerard Mulvaney (1996) 29 Fr Robert Bradley (1976) 30 Canon Alexander Stewart (1976) 31 Fr Wilfrid Trotman (1976) Fr Stephen Rigby (1978) Fr George Swanton (1979) Fr Dennis Skelly (1996) Fr Michael Ware (1998)

17 Fr Edward Dering Leicester (1977) Fr George O’Connor (1989) 18 Fr Gerry Ennis (2000) Fr Robin Whitney (2012) 19 Fr Oldrich Trnka (2003) 20 Mgr George Leonard (1993) Fr Thomas Gardner (1995) Fr Stephen Bartlett (2012) 21 Preb Ronald Pilkington (1975) 22 Cardinal William Godfrey (1963) 23 Fr Derek Jennings (1995) 24 Fr Adrian Walker (2019) 25 Fr Bernard Fisher (1990) 26 Bishop Patrick Casey (1999) 29 Fr Frederick Vincent (1973) 30 Fr Joseph Fehrenbach (1985) Fr Patrick Howard (2000) Fr Philip Dayer (2005) February 1 Fr Harold Gadsden (1972) Mgr Edward Dunderdale (2001) 2 Fr Charles Lowe (1978) Bishop Philip Harvey (2003) Fr James McCormick (2009) 3 Fr Hugh Bishop (1984) 6 Fr Patrick McEvoy (1974) Canon William Ward (1993) Canon Daniel Kay (2003) Fr Kenneth McCabe (2013) 7 Fr Bernard Ferry (1970) Fr George Haines (2000) Fr Michael John Groarke (2008) 9 Canon George Groves (1997) 11 Fr Alan Body (1988)

12 Fr Joseph Francis (1984) Canon Edward Armitage (1987) Mgr Canon Francis Bartlett (1992) 13 Fr Patrick O’Callaghan (1970) Mgr Canon Maurice Kelleher (1994) 15 Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (1865) Fr Richard Wakeling (1988) Fr Leo Straub (2000) Mgr Canon Adrian Arrowsmith (2014) 16 Mgr Bernard Chapman (1999) Fr John Kirwin (2003) Canon Patrick Davies (2010) 19 Fr Ronald Aylward (2010) 20 Fr Joseph Scholles (1983) 21 Fr Michael Hollings (1997) Canon Peter Bourne (2001) Fr Cathal McGonagle (2010) 22 Deacon James Richards (2014) 23 Canon John O’Callaghan (1981) 24 Mgr Canon Arthur Rivers (1978) 25 Fr Charles McMenemy (1976) Fr Archibald Bardney (1985) Fr Andrew Clancy (1986) 26 Fr Brian Heaney (2013) 27 Fr Nicholas Lambert (1976) Canon Michael Richards (1997) Canon Charles McGowan (2006) Canon Peter Moore (2006) 28 Fr Joseph Gilligan (1990) Fr John Taylor (2005) 29 Fr Frank Rochla (1992) Fr John McCoy (2012)

January 1 Cardinal Francis Bourne (1935) Fr Brendan Soane (2000) 2 Fr Sidney Dommersen (1970) Fr Alexander Wells (1970) Fr Cyril Wilson (1988) 3 Fr Donald Campbell (1985) Fr Denis Cantwell (1995) 4 Fr Bernard Canham (1990) Fr William Brown (2001) 6 Fr Thomas Anderson (1974) Fr Thomas McNamara (1976) Mgr Graham Leonard (2010) Mgr Ralph Brown (2014) 7 Fr John T Carberry (1988) 8 Fr John Kearsey (2004) 10 Mgr Ernest T Bassett (1990) Fr William Kahle (1993) Fr Patrick Nolan (2014) 11 Mgr Eustace Bernard (1972) Fr Mark Coningsby (2014) 12 Fr Arthur P Mintern (1993) 14 Cardinal Henry Manning (1892) Fr Peter Lyons (1998) 15 Canon James Hathway (1976) Fr Anthony Busuttil (2013) 16 Fr Edward Hinsley (1976) Canon Frederick Smyth (2007) Fr Seamus Noctor (2019) Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/rCWestminster

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Events & Calendar

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Liturgical Calendar – December, January and February DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

1 Sun 2 Mon 3 Tue 4 Wed 5 Thu 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Sun 9 Mon

1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon

10 Tue 11 Wed 12 Thu 13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue

+ 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT Advent feria, First Week of Advent St Francis Xavier, Priest Advent feria or St John Damascene, Priest & Doctor Advent feria Advent feria or St Nicholas, Bishop; Friday abstinence St Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor + 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Patron of the Diocese Advent feria, Second Week of Advent or Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto Advent feria or St Damasus I, Pope Advent feria or Our Lady of Guadalupe St Lucy, Virgin & Martyr; Friday abstinence St John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor + 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Gaudete Sunday) Advent feria, Third Week of Advent Advent feria Advent feria Advent feria Advent feria; Friday Abstinence Advent feria (St Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor, commemoration) + 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT Advent feria (St John of Kanty, Priest, commemoration) Advent feria + NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) ST STEPHEN, The First Martyr ST JOHN, Apostle & Evangelist; No Friday abstinence HOLY INNOCENTS, Martyrs + HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH ST THOMAS BECKET, Bishop & Martyr, Patron of the Parish Clergy 6th DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS 7th DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS (St Sylvester I, Pope)

4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday + THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Ss Laurence, Dunstan and Theodore, Archbishops of Canterbury Feria, Fourth Week of Year 2 St Agatha, Virgin & Martyr St Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs Feria; Friday abstinence Feria or St Jerome Emiliani or St Josephine Bakhita or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday + 5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St Scholastica, Virgin Feria, Fifth Week of Year 2 or Our Lady of Lourdes Feria Feria Ss CYRIL, Monk and METHODIUS, Bishop, Patrons of Europe; Friday abstinence Feria or Blessed Virgin on Saturday + 6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Feria, Sixth Week of Year 2 or The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order Feria Feria Feria Feria or St Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor; Friday abstinence THE CHAIR OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE + 7th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Feria, Seventh Week of Year 2 Feria ASH WEDNESDAY; fast and abstinence Lent Feria Lent Feria Lent Feria

JANUARY 1 Wed 2 Thu 3 Fri 4 Sat 5 Sun 6 Mon 7 Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13 Mon 14 Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 17 Fri 18 Sat 19 Sun 20 Mon 21 Tue 22 Wed 23 Thu 24 Fri 25 Sat 26 Sun 27 Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu 31 Fri

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors Christmas feria or Most Holy Name of Jesus; Friday abstinence Christmas feria + EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Christmas feria Christmas feria Christmas feria Christmas feria Christmas feria; Friday abstinence Christmas feria + BAPTISM OF THE LORD Feria, First Week of Year 2 Feria Feria Feria St Anthony, Abbot; Friday abstinence Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday + 2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Feria, Second Week of Year 2 or St Fabian, Pope and Martyr or St Sebastian, Martyr St Agnes, Virgin & Martyr Feria or St Vincent, Deacon & Martyr Feria St Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor; Friday abstinence CONVERSION OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE + 3rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Feria, Third Week of Year 2 or St Angela Merici, Virgin St Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor Feria Feria St John Bosco, Priest; Friday abstinence

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Catholic Internship named in Vatican list of best practice Faith in Politics, the Parliamentary and Public Affairs Internship run by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has been featured on www.laityinvolved.org, a new website launched by the Holy See’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

The website hosts initiatives and ‘best practices’ which contribute to the formation of the lay faithful.

In April 2019, the Faith in Politics interns and the coordinators of the scheme met with members of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life to talk about the scheme and to learn about the work of the Dicastery.

Faith in Politics is a Catholic Parliamentary and Public Affairs internship scheme which offers a foundation of Catholic faith and spiritual formation for those who believe that they may have a vocation to public service in politics or public affairs. The internship begins and ends with a retreat, and spiritual guidance is an integral part of the year.

Applications for Faith in Politics 2020-21 are now open and more information can be found on www.faithinpolitics.org.uk.

Applications close on 28th February 2020.

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Other regular Masses Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue Young Adults Mass with an Ignatian twist Every Sunday at 7pm. Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street Contact: yam@mountstreet.info or visit www.pathwaystogood.org Mass at Canary Wharf Held Tuesdays at 12.30pm at 2 Churchill Place E14 5RB. Organised by Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Chaplain to Canary Wharf Communities. Details at www.cwcc.org.uk.

St Alban’s Abbey Fridays at 12 noon. Mass in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY. Members of the Westminster LGBT Catholic Community are specially welcomed on 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month for Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Farm Street at 5.30pm, and invited to the parish hall afterwards for tea/coffee, where there is anopportunity to learn of pastoral help available.

EXTRAORDINARY FORM MASSES Sundays: Low Mass 9am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 9.30am, St James Spanish Place W1U 3QY. Dominican Rite Missa Contata 4.00pm, Rosary Shrine, St Dominic’s Priory NW5 4LB. Low Mass 5pm, St Bartholomew, St Albans AL1 2PE. Low Mass 5.30pm, Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, NW10 9AX. Mondays: Low Mass 8am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. (St Joseph’s Altar.)

Sung Mass 6.30pm, Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Low Mass 8am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. (St Joseph’s Altar.)

Fridays: Low Mass 8am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. (St Joseph’s Altar.)

Low Mass 6pm, St Etheldreda, Ely Place EC1N 6RY. First Friday only.

Low Mass 6pm, St John the Baptist Church, King Edward's Road E9 7SF. First and third Fridays only.

Low Mass 6.30pm, Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Second Friday only.

Saturdays: Low Mass 8am, St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 4pm, Lady Chapel, Westminster Cathedral SW1P 1QW. First Saturday only (from January 2020).

Page 27

Westminster Record | Advent/Christmas 2019

Building reconciliation between Catholics and Methodists

by Bishop John Sherrington

Recently I travelled to Kenya for the meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church (MERCIC). The meeting was hosted by the Focolare community at Mariapolis Piero outside Nairobi. Meeting from 10th to 17th October 2019, we continued this round of four meetings on reconciliation as this relates in particular to the unity of the Church.

We experienced a very warm welcome from the Focolare Community at Mariapolis, one of a number of Focolare communities in Nairobi. Inspired by Chiara Lubich’s desire for peace, Focolare is an ecumenical community which aspires to build unity between Christians and with people of other faiths.

At Mariapolis, the international community of about 30 people felt very affirmed by our presence. They appreciated our choice of venue and celebrated our presence with dance and song. Their compound has a church which is central to it, a number of houses, workshops for wood carvings and textiles, a sports field as well as a few animals. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the bustle of the suburbs of the busy city.

Some of the members of Focolare provide education and empowerment to people in the slums: their courage and simplicity of life is humbling.

Others run courses and retreats for young people. Mariapolis Page 28

regularly hosts clergy from the diocese for in-service formation.

This year’s meeting was the third of four sessions. We are at the stage of drafting chapters for the final document on the theme. Draft texts were presented and discussed at Mariapolis and the form of the document evolved to four chapters: soteriology (or the doctrine of salvation) understood as reconciliation; the Church and its structures with a view to how our respective structures might be reconciled; practices of reconciliation in the two traditions; and the Church’s mission to take God’s reconciliation to the world.

The final report will be presented to the World Methodist Council meeting in Gothenburg in 2021 and they will later present it on their website with a critical commentary. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will also receive it.

The members of the Commission are aware that it is often difficult for these documents to reach parishes unless there is a champion for ecumenism or prior good working relationships between churches and communities at the local parish level. The reception of the work of the Commission can be difficult.

For this reason the Commission agreed also to present a liturgy of reconciliation with its document to encourage Methodist and Catholic communities to engage in a healing of memories through joint worship.

Each day the Commission commenced its work by sharing together in morning prayer which was led alternately by Methodist and Catholic members. I celebrated the Catholic Mass on Wednesday evening and offered the intention for the repose of the soul of Mgr Denis Edwards, a member of the Commission from Australia who died suddenly in March. Fr Tony Currer from Rome preached about Denis’ passion for the care of creation as our common

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home and his great expertise in ecumenical dialogue both in Australia and internationally.

The Methodist Eucharist was celebrated by the Reverend Dr David Chapman, well-known to ecumenical circles in Essex and Hertfordshire as the Chair of Bedfordshire, Essex & Herts District of the Methodist Church. When we worship together, we bear the pain of separation which is also deeply felt by many of our family members, friends and parishioners. I pray that the carrying of this cross can help bring about the greater unity for which we work.

We visited the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations where we heard from the Reverend Dr Kifle Wansamo SJ, the Acting Dean, about the work of the institute. HIPSIR is run by the Jesuits and is part of Hekima College (founded 1984), which is a constituent college of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Commission members shared MERCIC’s work on reconciliation during a time of discussion with staff and students of the institute.

The most challenging questions came from young postgraduates who asked, “How do you bring your work to young people and involve them in the process? How do you serve the poor?”. They highlighted an area of our work to be developed and recalled the words of Pope Francis to the Commission when it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2017, ‘The blessing of the past fifty years resides in the grace we have discovered in one another,

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which has enriched both our communities. But the task is not yet ended, and we are called to look ahead as we continue our journey. We have learned to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ; now is the time to prepare ourselves, with humble hope and concrete efforts, for that full recognition that will come about, by God’s grace, when at last we will be able to join one another in the breaking of the bread. I would ask you to pray for this, as together we ask the Father for the daily bread that can sustain us along the way: Our Father…’

We also visited Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan. He spoke about his work in the ongoing peace process in South Sudan and the wonderful visit of the leaders of South Sudan to Pope Francis some months ago. His earlier posting in Sudan and Eritrea meant that he could speak with

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passion about the complexity and challenges in these counties.

This plenary was hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU). On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank the Focolare Community of Mariapolis Piero for the generosity of their hospitality and the warmth of their welcome, and particularly Mary Kristine Amata for her help in the planning of the meeting. Next year we will meet at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem where we will be hosted by the Methodist World Council.

The Commission comprises members from the Catholic Church and the Methodist World Council from England and Wales, the United States of America, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. I cochair the meetings with the Reverend Dr David Chapman.

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