News CCS
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Spring/Summer 2104
Lent: A time for joyful messages of challenging proposals Lent is a time when we are called into the desert for 40 days to deepen our relationship with God, a relationship that is lived out and evidenced through our relationship with others. As our daily examination of conscience or preparation for confession reveals, each one of us is a work in progress; none of us are perfect. Key to the work of the CCS is the building up of relationships, particularly those of the family. Pope Francis in his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) states that: “the family is experiencing a profound cultural crisis, as are all communities and social bonds. In the case of the family, the weakening of these bonds is particularly serious because the family is the fundamental cell of society, where we learn to live with others despite our differences and to belong to one another”. To strengthen families and to improve the lives of children we address three forms of poverty: spiritual, relational and material. All three forms of poverty impact upon the present and future life of the child; their family and the wider communities and society, in which we all live. In brief, poverty in all its three forms, helps to create a lack of hope in those who experience it and so undermines the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven which is now but not yet. (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817-1818). Through its work the Society thus seeks to bring hope and so be a sign to all, of the coming of the Kingdom. CCS by its actions, inspired by the two great commandments: love of God and love of our neighbour, is evangelising. Without seeking to proselytise we are thus what Pope Francis calls us to be: “joyful messengers of challenging proposals”.
We raise children’s understanding of the Gospel through the Good Shepherd Masses, the Good Samaritan Mass and the Carol Services in Westminster Cathedral. In so doing we share, and invite them to also share, in the mission of the Church by helping others. Whilst our therapists and counsellors work within Catholic schools they do not teach religious education and to that extent they do not catechise; however by their journeying with pupils and staff they manifest charity, inspire hope and witness to the Common Good. The same is true for our staff working in family centres and post-adoption and after care. Following research undertaken by the CCS last year with diocesan head teachers about child poverty in their schools we established our new Crisis Fund, which seeks to bring hope to children and families in poverty. Catholic head teachers may apply to the fund for assistance in helping children who are in emergency need of food, clothes and essential items such as a bed to themselves. So, as we enter Lent, we invite all our supporters to join us, for “In the desert people of faith are needed who, by the example of their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive”. (Pope Francis). God bless.
Dr Rosemary Keenan