From the Editor

Fr John writes

Dear Parishioners, Friends and Readers of Oremus

As the pages started to fill for this month’s edition, it began to look as if most of them would be stories related very closely to the Cathedral, with fewer general feature pieces. However, I hope that you will still find a range of stories of interest. I know that readers have been pleased to read articles by the children of SVP School which show their particular view of the Cathedral and of our faith, but this month it is the Governing Body of the School which writes. Brexit, Covid-19 and the changing demographics of Central London, including the City of Westminster, mean that small schools are under severe financial pressure as families can no longer afford to live here. The proposal for amalgamating Westminster Cathedral School in Pimlico with SVP School underlines the extent to which we are deeply involved with the wider social movements that are being experienced by the local community.

Bearing in mind the make-up and mix of the Cathedral congregation, I have included a piece about the work of tackling child labour and exploitation in the Philippines. Our Filipino worshippers are much-valued members of the community here and the Chaplains are regularly asked for blessings after Mass by those who are travelling home to see family. May the prayers of the Church here in Westminster go with them.

Aid to the Church in Need comes to light up the Cathedral this month for Red Wednesday, and I offered the charity a couple of pages so that we could learn more about some of its current concerns. As it happens, their latest report is on the exploitation of Christian women in a number of countries, a reminder that the freedoms which we enjoy are not available to many others of the faithful. The courage and steadfastness of faith which many display in face of sustained adversity is a true gift to the Church.

Getting down to brass tacks, Linda McHugh and the Finance Committee of the Cathedral lay bare our situation and we shall be continuing this theme by monthly Newsletter reports on how we are doing. On the Notices page you will see that the locations and meeting times for a number of Cathedral groups are listed again. This work of opening up is not yet complete and Covid-19 may still have some tricks up its sleeve, but at least we can begin to rebuild our lives of faith through these varied activities. With my best wishes

Westminster Cathedral

Cathedral Clergy House 42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW Telephone 020 7798 9055 Email chreception@rcdow.org.uk www.westminstercathedral.org.uk

Cathedral Chaplains

Fr Sławomir Witon´ , Administrator Fr Brian O’Mahony, Sub-Administrator Fr Michael Donaghy Fr Hugh MacKenzie Fr Mike Maguire, Precentor Fr Vincent Mbu’i SVD Fr John Scott, Registrar

Also in residence

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories

Music Department

Simon Johnson, Master of Music Peter Stevens Obl. OSB, Assistant Master of Music Marko Sever, Organ Scholar

Cathedral Manager

Peter McNulty

Estates Manager

Neil Fairbairn

Finance Manager

Agnes Dabrowska

Chapel of Ease

Sacred Heart Church Horseferry Road SW1P 2EF