Westminster Record - August 2015 by RCWestminster

Westminster Record

August 2015 | 20p

Celebrating Young People Awards

Chaplaincy on the High Seas

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A First for St Mary’s, Twickenham Page 17

Countdown to Krakow

Have you ever stood in an airfield or on a beach and seen so many people around that they seem to merge into the horizon? Have you ever been in a celebratory crowd of over a million people? Did you know that over a million people gather every three years in a different part of the world, bringing their

different languages, cultures, cuisines and flags but all united by one simple constant: their faith in Jesus Christ? In a secular world in which there is an assumption that young people are turning their backs on religion, this carnival of young Catholics, these millions of people, is what World Youth Day offers. As we enter the summer

months, our countdown to Krakow and World Youth Day 2016 has begun. As we head towards the Year of Mercy, it is appropriate that World Youth Day will be spent in the city which the great Pope and founder of World Youth Day, St John Paul II, once called his home. St John Paul preached and wrote about mercy throughout his papacy and his

successor, Pope Francis, has echoed this during the first two years of his. Krakow is taking the theme: ‘Blessed are the merciful’. This edition of the Record has been guest edited by our friends at the Youth Ministry. In it they present testimonies from pilgrims at previous World Youth Days, the exciting programme for 2016 and the

history of this great gathering. They invite the youth of the Diocese to join them in Krakow next summer. And if you are a parent or grandparent, aunt or uncle, cousin or friend, we want you to tell a young person about World Youth Day, so that they too can one day say: ‘I was there. I saw people stretching to and beyond the horizon’. More on pages 12 -15

Editorial Westminster Record – Contact us

Westminster Record | August 2015

‘The Courage to Be Happy’

Editor Mgr Mark Langham Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Marie Saba 020 7798 9031 Inhouse writers Chris O’Callaghan, John Scott 020 7798 9030, and Hannah Woolley 020 7798 9178 Design Julian Game Proofing John Scott To order copies contact Andrea Black 0161 214 1216 or email andrea.black@thecatholicuniverse.com Print management and distribution by The Universe Media Group Ltd.

September publication dates Editorial deadline: 14 August 2015 Listings email: communications@rcdow.org.uk News and stories call 020 7798 9030 Email: communications@rcdow.org.uk Advertising deadline: 21 August 2015 To advertise contact Carol Malpass 0161 214 1244 or email carol.malpass@thecatholicuniverse.com 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. Appearance of advertisements does not imply editorial endorsement.

Pope Francis, true to his own personality, has called upon young people to ‘have the courage to be happy’, not merely in a short-lived sense of ‘enjoying the moment’, but recognising that only Christ can fulfil their deepest yearning for happiness. Young people must take the lead in rediscovering the true nature of love, which for the Pope means being revolutionaries, challenging the culture of cheap gratification, selfindulgence, and irresponsible pleasure seeking. This sets a joyful and challenging tone for the next year’s World Youth Day in Poland, and members of our Westminster Youth Ministry team are already hard at work with preparations, both practical and spiritual. This month’s Record highlights the superb fortnight of events they have organised in the lovely cities of Łódź and Krakow,

which will provide an unforgettable experience for Westminster participants. Do encourage young people to think about embracing in this exciting opportunity. The Polish community in our Diocese is one of our most vibrant and visible elements, and its deep-rooted faith and verve for celebration have enlivened many a diocesan event. We report from the Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa and St Casimir, and we feature a saint dear to the Polish community, St Maximilian Kolbe. Our Diocese has indeed many reasons to follow Pope Francis’ advice to proclaim our happiness. At the priestly ordination of five men (itself a cause for celebration) on 27 June, Cardinal Vincent spoke of the joy of priesthood and quoted a young priest who was ‘overwhelmed at the deep love and respect that our people have for us priests.’ Something of the joy our faith affords must characterise our lives as Catholics: as the Pope says, we can never evangelise effectively with long faces!

For more news from around the diocese throughout the month, please see

www.rcdow.org.uk

where new stories are posted daily.

Bishop Nicholas Marks 7/7 Bombings

Remembering the victims of the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005 when 52 people died, Bishop Nicholas celebrated a Requiem Mass on 8 July in Westminster Cathedral. Reflecting on his own experience on the day of the bombings, Bishop Nicholas Page 2

recalled being in Rome with Cardinal Cormac where they heard the news and the Cardinal’s immediate decision to return to London. He also recalled a prayer that he heard in the days following the attacks which asked God to ‘stand beside these

victims…their children and loved ones and to comfort them in this darkest hour’. Bishop Nicholas acknowledged all those affected by the event, noting ‘the courage of those who went to hold the dying and injured’, those who lost relatives and friends and those who ‘were traumatised through their involvement that day’. He mentioned being ‘deeply touched’ by the story of a commuter who held a dying man in his arms and thanked God he could be there to comfort him as he died, believing that ‘no one should die alone’. Expressing how touched he was by the man’s sense that ‘God used him to help that day, he recalled St Teresa of Avila’s words: ‘Christ has no body now on earth but yours’ for continuing His saving work. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

News

Westminster Record | August 2015

Proclaim Conference Calls Delegates to Renewed Mission By Daniel Stevens & Armelle Lee ‘Let everything we do flow through Christ’, Cardinal Vincent told the assembled media at a press conference held prior to the National Evangelisation Conference in Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre on 11 July, as part of Proclaim ‘15. The Cardinal said that the Proclaim initiative should be ‘rooted in our relationship with Christ’ and should ‘flow from the desire to share the gifts we are given’. Bishop Nicholas added that Proclaim ‘15 is a ‘national response to the Pope’s call to be creative and bold in our evangelisation’ and a way to ‘develop this in the light of Evangelii Gaudium’. 850 delegates attended the Conference, representing each diocese in England and Wales. The Cardinal called this an ‘historic meeting’ after two years of preparation, with the aim of building missionary parishes across the country. Four keynote speakers led the Conference and 17 practitioners led 11 workshops, each of which looked at fresh methods of evangelisation, focusing on the question of how to evangelise different groups of people in varying situations and how parishes might approach this new initiative. Rooting his words in the Lord's call to 'go out and make disciples of all nations', Cardinal Vincent pointed out in his keynote address that the 'plan for the entire Second Vatican Council rested on the question

of how well the Church is measuring up to the call', since each person, by virtue of their baptism, is called to be missionary. He explained that we can only do this by entering into 'the heart of God, the very mystery of the Holy Trinity’. It is within the 'Divine communio: the sharing within the mystery of His divine life, love, truth, goodness and beauty' that our mission arises. He proposed that we look at 'three Cs': 'Our colleagues who have

lost their way… our fellow Catholics who are resting. Can we lead them, step by step, to know Jesus more clearly? ‘The curious: curiosity, even if tinged with hostility, can be a marvellous opportunity if we are open ourselves and remember that within that curiosity may well lie the prompting of the Holy Spirit. ‘The cry of the human heart: a cry of confusion, pain, hunger, loneliness, need and anger. Whatever action we take in response to the cry of the world around us must bring together

the cry of prayer and the cry of pain. Only then can it be the mission of Jesus.' A legacy document will be released for every parish in England and Wales on Home Mission Sunday, 20 September, containing all of the videos and key speeches from the Conference. A report with 60-100 tips on how to evangelise will also be made available. This will be an ‘irresistible resource for all parishes to help them follow the Proclaim ‘15 initiative’, Bishop Nicholas said.

IOM Memorandum Builds on Church’s Trafficking Work Cardinal Vincent and Ambassador William Swing, Director of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), have committed themselves to strengthening their joint work in preventing human slavery. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the IOM began collaborating four years ago and the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 30 June develops that partnership by enhancing the project on training and raising awareness.

This programme, delivered by a combined CBCEW-IOM team, works with a wide range of groups and has already trained several hundred people to identify the signs of human trafficking and advise on how to assist victims. That programme will now be expanded significantly. The IOM is an intergovernmental body founded in 1951. It now has 157 member states and works 'to promote humane responses to the growing migration challenges of today.’ Page 3

News Cardinal Marks 600 Years of Bridgettine Witness WestminsterWestminster Record September 20112015 Record | August

Cardinal Vincent gave thanks for 600 years of Bridgettine witness on 19 July at an ecumenical service to commemorate the anniversary of the foundation of Syon Abbey in Syon Park. Joined by the Christian communities in Isleworth and Brentford, Cardinal Vincent delivered the homily in which he recalled the joint foundations of the male and female monasteries on the site, ruled over by an abbess. Speaking of the turbulent history of Christianity in this country and the faithful witness of the Abbey, Cardinal

Vincent said: 'That is the wonder of spiritual treasures: they survive material destruction! Our spiritual heritage is far more powerful than the material goods we may leave behind.' Paying tribute to the Bridgettine nuns and monks, Cardinal Vincent spoke of their 'enduring witness to the wonderful effect of letting Jesus’ love touch us'. Looking at their example, he said: 'I hope we will all set out from here with a fresh sense of mission: that we are called to invite others to know the joy and freedom of our faith'.

The Cardinal also spoke of the example of St Bridget in showing us the importance of contemplation to the mission to evangelise, observing that: 'St Bridget would ask us to first stand at the foot of the Cross, with Mary, Mother of Jesus, to whom Bridget and the Bridgettines have such tender devotion. With Mary we gaze lovingly upon Our Crucified Lord, only to grow in the utter conviction that He is risen; and so with Mary we rejoice in God our Saviour. Filled with joy, we gladly go forth announcing Jesus as the one Hope to whom all are called'.

Cardinal Calls for Urgent Action Against Assisted Suicide Bill On Friday 11 September the House of Commons will be debating and voting on a Private Member’s Bill to legalise assisted suicide. It would ‘enable competent adults who are terminally ill to choose to be provided with medically supervised assistance to end their own life’. This means it would licence doctors to supply lethal drugs to terminally ill patients to enable them to commit suicide. As a matter of urgency, Cardinal Vincent and the bishops of England and Wales are asking Catholics to write to their MP to oppose this dangerous bill. Archbishop Peter Smith, chair of the Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, released the following statement on 7 July: Very many people of all faiths and none will be concerned about a Bill to legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales which will be debated in the House of Commons on 11 September. This Private Members Bill, introduced by Rob Marris MP, will have a free vote and it is important that people make their views known to their own MP ahead of this extremely important debate. Information about the issues, together with resources and guidance will be circulated to all parishes in the next week or two.

©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

There are excellent resources on the Bishops’ Conference website:www.catholicnews.org.uk/assisted-suicide and on the website of the Anscombe Bioethics centre: www.bioethics.org.uk. I strongly urge all Catholics to contact their own MP as soon as possible to express their concern about the dangerous impact which such a Bill would have on the most vulnerable people. MPs do listen to their own constituents. What is needed is more and better palliative care, not assistance with suicide. With this in mind, Catholics are asked to write to their MP as soon as possible as Parliament returns from its summer recess on Monday 7 September. Resources, including a Q&A and a model letter for your MP, can be found online at: http://rcdow.org.uk/news/cardinal-vincentasks-for-urgent-action-against-assisted-suicide-bill/

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News

Westminster Record | August 2015

Kensington Friends Raise Money for Palestinian ‘Relatives’

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Celebrates 125 Years

On 5 July Cardinal Vincent visited Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Staines, to celebrate Mass for the 125th Anniversary of the parish. On arrival he was greeted by the Brownies who processed in with him, alongside children who had recently received their First Holy Communion. Also present was the current Parish Priest, Fr Phillip Dyer-Perry, and predecessors, Frs Tom Quinn and Adrian Walker. In his homily, the Cardinal spoke about the challenges of being a Catholic in modern Over £4,000 was raised at the Kensington Friends of the Holy Land annual Garden Party held at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington, in the beautiful ‘Italian Garden’. Bishop Nicholas thanked everyone involved in organising the party and encouraged those present to continue in their efforts to support Christians in the Holy Land. Reflecting on his recent visit to Iraq, he said he was struck by how the local Chaldean Archbishop, when talking of the assistance being given, referred to them not as refugees, but as relatives, part of our family. It was this spirit that impressed Bishop Nicholas and was also applicable to the Friends in the work of helping Palestinian Christians.

Mgr Jim Curry, Chairman of Friends Kensington group, commented: ‘This year has been an extremely challenging one for all the peoples of the Holy Land. However, it has not been without hope, as in May Pope Francis canonised two remarkable Palestinian women: St Marie Alphonsine Ghattas and the Carmelite nun St Mariam Bawardi. They are the first saints of the region to be canonised since the days of the Early Church in Palestine and Israel.’ ‘They remind us that it takes faith to keep building a just and peaceful society. Christians are an essential part of the rich mosaic and diverse culture that is the Holy Land. Christians

society, and the importance of the witness of faith in our daily lives. At the end of Mass the Cardinal presented a diocesan award and medal to parishioner John McNamara for his service to the parish community. Subsequently the Cardinal blessed the new parish facilities in the church building and unveiled a commemorative plaque. A barbeque and celebrations followed in the new parish courtyard.

belong in the Holy Land.’ Returning from a recent visit to Gaza, Fr Mark Madden gave a poignant speech about the plight of Christians both there and in the West Bank, outlining the daily difficulties they faced. Fr Madden suggested the ‘Four P’s’ by which everyone can help, ‘Prayer, Pilgrimage, Pay, Pressure.’ He explained, ‘Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the land of Jesus. Make a pilgrimage there to witness the hardships faced by Palestinian Christians. Be generous. And fourthly, bear witness to their plight.’ Bishop Nicholas will lead the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in November.

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News

Westminster Record | August 2015

Golders Green Parish Our Inspirational Young People Celebrates Centenary

By Deacon Anthony Clark On the weekend of 4/5 July the parish of St Edward the Confessor, Golders Green, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the building of the church with a flower festival. Many of the neighbouring Christian churches, the nearby synagogue and the horticultural society in Hampstead Garden Suburb all contributed displays, whilst Floral Enterprise students from Caritas St Joseph’s Centre in Hendon dressed the statue of St Joseph (below). A total of 28 arrangements made the church a remarkable place of colour and beauty. Visitors were offered guided tours, a rolling photographic display of the history of the parish in the hall along with tea and cake, and the chance to talk to parishioners. The building of the church began under the stewardship of Fr William Bendon, the first Parish Priest, in March 1914 and was completed in October 1915 when the first Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Bourne on the feast of St Edward the Confessor. Over the years there have been many notable visitors, including Mgr Ronald Knox, who preached a sermon on St Edward the Confessor which is now included in the Divine Office of the Church for his feast day. The present Parish Priest, Fr Tony Convery, was delighted with the festival and open church, offering warm congratulations to those who organised it all. Page 6

The first ever ceremony of the Celebrating Young People Awards took place at the Prince Charles Theatre in Leicester Square on 1 July. The awards, sponsored by Million Minutes, honour the achievements of remarkable young people from across England and Wales who serve their communities in diverse ways. Centred on Catholic Social Teaching, the awards recognised individual and group achievements of young people in six categories, each reflecting a principle of how we should treat each other and the world around us. Over 200 were nominated for their contributions in various areas of service to their community. According to Director of Million Minutes, Danny Curtin, these nominees are just a few representatives of the extraordinary transformation that ordinary young people can and do effect in their communities. He said: ‘Young people all too often get a bad name, but they are amazing. Million Minutes is all about giving a voice to the young people who get overlooked. We’re delighted to have held these awards to celebrate all that young people are and all that they give to our world.’ Cardinal Vincent was guest

of honour. He presented the Pope Francis Award for overall youth achievement to Ryan O’Neill for his tremendous contribution to his alma mater, Bishop Hedley Catholic High School in Merthyr Tydfil. The Cardinal paid tribute to the work of these outstanding young people and commended them for living out the calling of missionary discipleship, for being leaders of integrity and courage, and for getting out there and making things happen. There were a number of other awards presented on the night. The winners of the St Josephine Bakhita Award celebrating human dignity were Anna Sylvester, Emma Walley, Abbie Lee Rendell and Beth Mickleburgh, whilst the Joseph Cardijn Award, recognising work to protect the dignity of workers, went to Lucy Gardner, Ryan Earle, Scott Thomas and Zoe Parker. For promoting solidarity

and peace, the Jimmy Mizen Award went to Oussama Kardi, Kate O’Donoghue, Jamie Halliwell and Aysha Ahmad. The Barbara Ward Award for caring for the environment was given to Isabella Breslin, Fisher More CAFOD bloggers and St Gregory’s Eco Committee, and the Dorothy Day Award for fostering community and participation went to Reizel Angela Quaichon, Deborah Kormi, Alton Mathew-Moghan and Harriet Allen. Finally the Cardinal Hume Award, recognising those who live out the option for the poor, was given to Cheenie Fabro, Class 7J and Tharaney Puvanachandran. The celebratory atmosphere was further reinforced with music by the Gospel choir from the St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, which performed at various intervals throughout the evening.

Parish Profile

Westminster Record | August 2015

The Polish Heart of Islington By Chris O’Callaghan The Record returns to Islington this month following our profile of Copenhagen Street parish in July’s edition. However, we do so with good reason. With our friends at Youth Ministry taking an editorial lead to look ahead to World Youth Day in Krakow next year, it seems apt to visit one of the three Polish parishes of the Diocese. The Church of Our Lady of Częstochowa sits in a quiet road behind Islington High Street, just a stone’s throw from the parish church of St John the Evangelist. The church was built by the Swedenborgians, a religious sect who could no longer support the building and a pastor by 1930; and so it was bought by the small Polish community of the area. Cardinal Bourne was present when it was consecrated and devoted to Our Lady and St Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania, in October that year. The simple ragstone front of the building hardly prepares you for the beauty of its interior. Upon entry your eyes are immediately drawn to the main altar and the large reproduction of the icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, painted by Marek Święcicki, which hangs proudly as she surveys the church and its people in front of her. The original icon is housed in the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa

itself and has been associated with Poland for around 600 years. Its history before then is shrouded in myth and legend, but it is known that the icon arrived in Poland in 1382. During a month-long siege of the Sanctuary by the Swedes in 1656, the people inside prayed to the icon for protection and victory; and against the superior numbers of the invaders, the monks and local volunteers defeated the Swedes. This led King John II Casimir Vasa to crown Our Lady of Częstochowa as Queen of Poland in April 1656. Surrounding the icon are votive offerings, which include medals donated by soldiers after the Second World War, badges and lockets. The two most interesting items are the sword below the icon, which was presented to the church by General Władysław Sikorski, and a silver eagle above which was donated by Władysław Raczkiewicz, President of the Polish Government in Exile from 1939 to 1947. Below the icon is a painting of the Last Supper by Adam Bunsch, who also designed the remarkable stained glassed windows of the church. Bunsch, originally from Krakow, was an established artist who came to London after the war’s end. His memory and experience of the war is etched into these windows depicting the Polish

One of Adam Bunsch’s stained glassed windows

The view from the pews with the icon of the Black Madonna and painting of the Last Supper within the reredos

involvement and victory over the German aggressors. During the war the church was the only free Polish church in Europe and the place of worship for the exiled government and the numerous soldiers, sailors and airmen based in London. Bunsch’s work reflects the pain that the Polish nation and people suffered from 1939 to 1945. Most strikingly this is shown in the window to the left of the altar, which shows soldiers stabbing a man to death. Similar depictions can be seen in the Stations of the Cross made by J.Z. Henelt, where the soldiers wear helmets similar to those of the German Army. Other interesting items around the church include a small statue of the great Polish Pope, St John Paul II, incorporating a relic of his blood; a votive candlestand donated to the church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII in memory of the countries which could not express their Catholic faith freely behind the Iron Curtain; plaques dedicated to former Rectors of the church, Polish war leaders and those who built the church; and the Sanctuary lamp marking Christ’s presence in the Tabernacle, which was donated by the airmen of 303 Squadron who fought valiantly in the Battle of Britain.

The modern situation of the parish is a far cry from the wartime reminders on its walls. The church welcomes around 1,000 people each weekend for Mass, with a congregation of older Poles who survived the war and stayed in London and a new, younger generation who have come to the UK after Poland’s entry into the European Union in 2004. Marek, my host, tells me this is a ‘life church’, a second home to many people and the centre of the community. Below the church is a hall for social events, with a bookstore and an industrial kitchen which serves 100 meals every weekend after the Masses. As well as the church, the site is also home to the Polish Catholic Mission in the UK, which oversees Polish priests and churches nationally. Currently there are 125 Polish priests in the UK working in 87 parishes and offering Mass in an additional 215 churches. At the most recent count in October last year around 59,000 people were attending Mass in Polish across the country. This year sees the church celebrate 85 years of Catholic worship. In October there will be a Mass to mark this occasion celebrated by Bishop Wiesław Lechowicz, an Auxiliary from

the Diocese of Tarnów. The parish also joined in celebrations marking the 1,050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland on 6 June. The church of Our Lady of Częstochowa is one of the most interesting, both historically and visually, in the diocese. The windows, the icon and the assorted other significant items mean that with every turn of the head there is something else interesting to ask about. As the parish history book summarises: ‘It is a beautiful church with an interesting history and well worth a visit’. I certainly found it so.

Statue of Pope St John Paul II

Founded: 1930 Mass Times: (Sat 6pm), 9, 11, 12.30pm, 3.30pm, 7pm Address: 2 Devonia Road, Islington, N1 8JJ Telephone: 020 7226 9944 Website: www.parafia-devonia.org.uk Page 7

Schools

Westminster Record | August 2015

Douay Martyrs Bids Fond Farewell to Martin Rainsford Past and present staff and students gathered at Douay Martyrs School, Ickenham, on 15 July for a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop John on the occasion of Martin Rainsford’s departure from the school. Martin is a valued member of the Diocesan Education Commission and, although he is retiring from the headship of Douay Martyrs, he will continue to work in education. In his homily, Bishop John said ‘Today we thank God for headship of Martin and his commitment and dedication to education over his professional life and the Catholic faith which is at the heart of his life. In the supreme act of thanksgiving, the Mass, we express our gratitude to God.’ He went on to explain how generosity is an important means of evangelisation, and that we proclaim our Catholic faith through faithful daily service. At the end of the Mass, Bishop John read a letter from Cardinal Vincent to Martin, thanking him for his work in the diocese and for contribution to Catholic education.

A New Building for Larmenier School

Tanzanian Exchange Students Welcomed to the Diocese Students from the Tanzanian school of St Ignatius Prep and Primary paid a visit to Westminster Cathedral on 15 July, where they met Cardinal Vincent as one of the highlights of their first visit to London. The relationship between the school and St Ignatius College, Enfield, both run by Jesuits, dates back to 2008, when Sixth Form students and staff from Enfield began visiting Tanzania annually. Each year 20 British students spend a fortnight

teaching and another 10 days visiting parishes, orphanages and other networked schools. The trips are intended to provide a life-changing experience for the British students, as they encounter a different culture, showing them how fortunate they are and how, as Catholics, they are called upon to use their own privileged lives to improve the community, both locally and globally. The relationship also provides an opportunity to a

number of students in Tanzania who would otherwise receive no education, as they cannot afford school fees. Fundraising in London provides scholarships for students of far less affluent backgrounds and also provides the Tanzanian school with muchneeded materials and teaching expertise brought over by staff members. For all, it is a bridge between two very different groups, connected by their faith and their love for education.

Pupils, staff and parents gathered in the playground of Larmenier and Sacred Heart Primary School, Brook Green, on 2 July for a Mass of Thanksgiving to commemorate the opening of their new building, ‘The Curve’. Bishop John celebrated the Mass and was joined by Fr Richard Andrew, Parish Priest of Brook Green, and Mgr Nizar Semaan, Syriac Chaplain. The school choir and orchestra accompanied the music throughout the Mass and performed ‘I Will Sing in the Spirit’ by John Rutter as a motet. During the Mass Bishop John blessed a crucifix to hang in the new building, and the building itself, which will serve both as a dining hall and multi-purpose studio with improved provision for sports and performing arts. Page 8

Schools Diocesan Schools End Year Marking Milestones

Westminster Record | August 2015

As the academic year came to a close, three schools gathered their communities together to celebrates milestone anniversaries with Cardinal Vincent and Bishop John Sherrington.

The new mosaic at St Augustine’s Priory, Ealing, to mark its centenary

On Tuesday 30 June St Augustine’s Priory celebrated its centenary with Cardinal Vincent. On 21 September 1915 a community of Augustinian Canonesses Regular of the Lateran moved their convent and school in Paris to a new site of Hillcrest Road in Ealing. At the opening of the Mass four pupils performed short monologues which provided a snapshot from the past century; one representing 1915 when the community first moved to the site, one for 1945, another for 1968 and finally,

the present day. They demonstrated that the school has seen many years of change, but has been sustained and nourished by the continuity of the faith which is at the heart of its community. In his homily Cardinal Vincent reflected that we must desire to be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness. After Mass he blessed the new Prayer Garden, worked on by pupils of all ages. A beautiful and colourful mosaic was created to make One

Hundred Years of Faith, into which each pupil had laid a tile. On 1 July Bishop John celebrated Mass at St John’s Catholic Primary School in Rickmansworth to mark the 50th anniversary of the school’s opening in 1965. Among the congregation were the first headmistress, Sr Sheila, and her successor, Mrs Maureen Glynn. In his homily Bishop John asked the students to say what was needed to build a school. The pupils suggested important features, such as

Bishop John blesses the new birdbath in St John’s garden in Rickmansworth

classrooms and computers, whilst one pupil said the Church. It was on this point that Bishop John focused; telling them that Jesus is at the heart of a Catholic school and that the crucifix on the wall behind him is the reminder of Christ’s love for us. After Mass Bishop John blessed a new birdbath in the school garden which had been donated to the school by the parents of the Year 6 pupils. Before he blessed it, he told the students about the Pope’s new encyclical, Laudato Si’, which speaks of caring for the Earth as our common home and how we should all be stewards of God’s creation. On 2 July, under glorious sunshine in Stevenage, Cardinal Vincent led celebrations at St Margaret Clitherow Primary School for its Golden Jubilee. The Cardinal concelebrated Mass with a number of clergy from the surrounding area. Also in attendance were JP Morrison, Director of Education for the Diocese, Stephen McPartland, the recently returned MP for Stevenage, and former pupils of St Margaret Clitherow who now attend the John Henry Newman School. In his homily the Cardinal told the pupils that they can learn from St John’s Gospel where Jesus tell us to ‘remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed

my Father’s commandments and remain in His love’. He asked the pupils to be inspired by St Margaret, their patron, a ‘special friend of Jesus’ who always stayed close to the Lord and is a wonderful role model for us all. At the end of Mass he presented diocesan medals to Mrs Mary Cawley and Mrs Wendy Marley for service to the Diocese and th the Church. Canon Daniel Cronin, Parish Priest of Knebworth, described their steadfast work and commitment and commended them for their service.

Painting of St Margaret Clitherow

To mark the Jubilee of the school a number of commemorations have already taken place, including the performance of a new school song written by Nicky Footer which invokes events in the school’s history. There is also a new memorial stone in the grounds, an anniversary prayer written by the children, whilst 50 varieties of flowers have been planted in the gardens.

Pupils sign the hymns at St Margaret Clitherow, Stevenage Page 9

Schools Heads of RE Prepare for Curriculum Reform

Westminster Record | August 2015

Schools Champion Receives Papal Award

A ‘Homeless’ Day for St Vincent’s Pupils

By Amanda Crowley On 3 July the majority of our schools were represented at our annual Heads of Religious Education Conference. This year the focus was the impending curriculum reforms in Religious Education. Each examination body was invited to present its intentions for the new GCSE and A Level specifications. Dr Anthony Towey from St Mary's University and Philip Robinson, the Catholic Education Service’s RE Adviser, were also invited to present the particular GCSE specification they are currently writing. Our group was very excited to learn of the involvement which members of our Catholic community have had in writing a specification for our schools. We were also incredibly fortunate to be joined by Dr Margaret Carswell from the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, who shared her wisdom and experience on Higher Order Questioning. The conference was a wonderful opportunity to ensure our Heads of Religious Education remain informed, inspired and provided with opportunities to network and share good practice. Our time together culminated in the celebration of Mass in the Cathedral Crypt by Fr Michael Dunne. We are blessed to have such dedicated and professional specialists working in our schools. We value their commitment and know that they will rise to the challenge of curriculum reform and build on the opportunity it offers, whilst keeping the child at the heart of all that they do.

For more news from around the diocese throughout the month, please see

www.rcdow.org.uk where new stories are posted daily. Page 10

The pupils and staff of St Vincent’s Primary School, Acton, have presented a cheque for £2,000 to Ian Breen from the Damien Centre for the Homeless in Acton. Pupils in Year 6 spent a day ‘homeless’ to understand the plight of homeless people in our communities and country. By fasting for the day, the pupils explored the Lenten approach through abstinence and service for others. The annual event is part of the school’s sponsorship of the work carried out by the Damien Centre. They also support the Centre through collections at their annual Nativities, Holy Week Pageant, and Year Six Musical. In this way they are dedicating their efforts to support those in need in their locality. Their call ‘to serve’, following the plea from Pope Francis, supports their awareness and understanding of Social Justice in their locality, nationally and globally within their religious education curriculum.

LONDON PILGRIMAGES Our Lady of Assumption & St Gregory Church, Warwick Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. Buses: 23, 12, 38, 22, 19.

On 30 June, Bishop John Sherrington, on behalf of Pope Francis, presented John O’Donnell with a Benemerenti medal at a Thanksgiving Mass in the Cathedral crypt for his tireless work on behalf of the Church and Catholic education. The citation recognised John as a ‘committed and dedicated member of the Catholic Church’, who works for his parish and local community as well as at a national level. His extensive list of appointments includes Chair of Governors at

Sion-Manning Girls’ School and Vice Chair of both St Charles Catholic Primary School and the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. He is also a Company Director and Trustee of the Catholic Children’s Society. Over the years he has also represented the interests of Catholic secondary education, serving in various capacities with local authorities and working parties. He has ‘always supported the Church in its teaching, education of young people and pastoral activities’.

Newman Students Walk Camino

A famous shrine where hundreds of miracles were worked. Grateful people donated many silver hearts in thanksgiving for cures. The Church is run by the Ordinate, former Anglican vicars who became Catholic priests. Pilgrimage: Saturday – 8th August 3.00 – 3.30pm Carmelite Church, Kensington Church Street, London, W8. Tube: Kensington High Street. Buses: 52, 452, 328, 70, 27, 28. Venerable Herman Cohen was a Jewish convert who became a Carmelite priest at this Church. Pray for his speedy canonisation – a big boost for London! Pilgrimage: Saturday – 15th August 12.15 Mass, Rosary Our Lady of Muswell Church, 1 Colney Hatch Lane, London, N10 1PN. Tel. 020 8883 5607. Mass 11.45am, Rosary. Famous Shrine for hundreds of years until Protestant ‘Reformation’ stopped it. Pilgrimage: Sunday – 23rd August Our Lady of Willesden Church, 1 Nicol Rd, London, NW10 9AX. Tel. 020 8965 4935. Mass 11.00am, Rosary. Famous Shrine for hundreds of years until Protestant ‘Reformation’ stopped it. Pilgrimage: Sunday – 30th August

Come and join us Be a public witness for Christ Jesus said, “Could you not keep watch one hour?” We pray for the people of Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, Nigeria and our own nation On the last Friday of each month 11.30am-12.30pm In the Piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral Mass follows at 12.30pm

On 10 July eight students from Newman Catholic College, Brent, departed from Sarria in Spain to walk part of the Camino, the pilgrimage route to the shrine of the Apostle St James the Great. Led by Head of Music, Mr Dan Playford, their 108km journey began in Sarria, reaching Santiago de Compostela on Thursday 16 July. Before they departed for

Spain they were blessed and commissioned for the walk by Fr Stephen Willis, Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden. The pilgrims were Year 7 student Milan Varsani; Year 8 student Athithiyan Kanesh; Year 9 students Dawid Mika, Bartosz Sitkowski, Patryk Maciejewski and Akash Raguesh; and Year 10 students Sathriyan Kanesh and Matthew Chinn. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Schools

Westminster Record | August 2015

St Benedict’s Welcomes Home Fencing World Champion

A First for the Salvatorian College St Benedict’s student Dimitri Coutya became the youngest wheelchair fencer in Great Britain ever to win a World Cup when he took the Gold in the Epee Category B event in Montreal at the beginning of May. Dimitri, who is studying for his A Levels, is now ranked 2nd in Epee and 5th in Foil in the Paralympic Qualification rankings for the Rio Olympics. Dimitri made a great start in the epee, powering his way through a 6 victory win in the poule rounds. This gave him a bye through the first round, before he recorded a 15-4 victory over Joey Brinson of the USA. His next fight held a real

challenge; Chik Sum Tam from Hong Kong, the silver medallist from the London Paralympic Games and the reason Dimitri lost out on medals in his previous competition. Dimitri was nervous right up until the referee called play on the first hit but, after several close exchanges, he emerged victorious with a 15-12 score, having stayed ahead for the whole fight. Next he faced Hu Daoliang, the Chinese athlete who had knocked him out of the Foil competition the previous day. Dimitri reports that: ‘I kept my cool, patiently waiting for an opening to present itself. In the

On 8 July Bishop John celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Cathedral for Salvatorian College, Harrow, in its first visit to the Cathedral as a school since its opening 89 years ago. end, I scored five straight hits in In his homily Bishop John spoke about the Salvatorian order, a row to win 15-12 and progress which seeks to bring people to knowledge and love of Jesus to the finals, where I was to face Christ, the Divine Saviour. He quoted the prayer above the west world number 1 Alexander entrance to the Cathedral, which reads ‘Domine Jesu, Rex et Kuzyukov of Russia. I was Redemptor, per sanguinem tuum salva nos’. This tells us of the love ready for it. I lost the first two and mercy of God poured out through Jesus Christ who offered points, then stormed through to himself so that our sins might be forgiven. He said that: ‘every a 15-8 victory!’ time we celebrate Mass, we unite ourselves with Christ’s sacrifice Denis Cranwell, Head of on the Cross’. Fencing at St Benedict’s said: Reflecting on the Gospel where Jesus summoned the Twelve ‘We are so proud of Dimitri. He Disciples, Bishop John told the students that we are sent out to tell joined the school at the age of others of Jesus Christ, His kingdom, and to offer hope and the eleven, never having fenced promise of God’s love and mercy. This is a great theme of Pope before, and was taken on by our Francis’ papacy; that each person is to be sent out as a missionary fencing coach Jon Sloman. What disciple. We must use the gifts that we are given and develop at a fantastic journey so far! We school to make a difference for the good of others. are continuing to support him Referring to the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, Bishop John told through the provision of the students that we can learn from his message about training facilities, coaching and consumerism, and that we need to appreciate the world around fundraising for the Rio us, and this begins with ‘daily acts of love’ towards the world Olympics in 2016.’ and others.

Diocese Pays Tribute to RE Inspection Pioneer By Pamela Singh On 19 June Diocesan Inspectors of Religious Education gathered at Cathedral Hall to say a warm thank you and farewell to Sr Mary Jo Martin, the Diocese's Chief Inspector of Religious Education. Sr Mary Jo was appointed in 2009 by the Education Commission to review and strengthen the inspection of religious education across the diocese. With her customary enthusiasm and vision, she suggested to the Commission that schools needed to know what they were to be measured against. Thus began the preparation of the third edition of what is known as the Red Book or, more formally, Our Catholic Schools. Published in 2010, it offers, to quote Cardinal Vincent, ‘support, challenges and a Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

measure by which our schools and colleges may be judged by all who, in their various ways, help us to maintain the valued tradition of Catholic education in this country and our commitment to the common good of society’. Following on from the Red Book, Sr Mary Jo tackled the allimportant recruitment and training of inspectors. Alongside this, a Diocesan Framework for Inspection was published with an Inspection Handbook and an outline Self Evaluation Form for schools to complete prior to inspection. Although she has been the main inspiration for, and the considerable driving force behind, the changes in diocesan inspections, she has always recognised the importance of consulting those responsible for

religious education and of the need to take serious account of what they say, whence the revisions of all the inspection materials. Sr Mary Jo has spearheaded a revolution in the inspection of our religious education. A significant outcome of the now well-established inspection regime has been a steady rise in the quality of teaching and learning in line with high expectations of the inspection process. At her farewell in Cathedral Hall, Mrs Jane Goring made a presentation to Sr Mary Jo on behalf of the inspectors. Jane, currently Deputy Headteacher at John Henry Newman Secondary School, will be taking over the role of Chief Inspector in September. Page 11

Youth

Westminster Record | August 2015

Youth

Westminster Record | August 2015

Chaplain’s Corner

The History of World Youth Day

WYD Attendances Since its inception in 1984, over 20 million people have particpated in World Youth Days in five of the world’s continents.

Fr David Reilly, Diocesan Youth Chaplain

1986 - Rome, Italy 300,000 1987 - Buenos Aires, Argentina 1,000,000 1989 - Santiago de Compostela, Spain 400,000 1991 - Częstochowa, Poland 1,600,000 1993 - Denver, United States 500,000 1995 - Manila, Philippines 5,000,000 1997 - Paris, France 1,200,000 2000 - Rome, Italy 2,000,000 2002 - Toronto, Canada 800,000 2005 - Cologne, Germany 1,200,000 2008 - Sydney, Australia 400,000 2011- Madrid, Spain 1,500,000 2013 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 3,700,000

n Paul II, uld become Pope St Joh Karol Wojtyła, who wo y history. us heart of 20th centur lived in the tumultuo pation of not only the Nazi occu As a Pole, he endured of the war. o the resulting terror his homeland, but als nd itself in the country quickly fou Liberation came, but unists utal regime. The Comm the grip of another br ic Catholic pe God and the histor were determined to wi rol studied culture of Poland. Ka faith from the life and the ry and became part of in a clandestine semina odic the form of the ‘Rhaps cultural resistance in as ed secretly and later, Theatre’. He was ordain Huta to wa No of le op pe , led the Archbishop of Krakow d. He Go nity as the children of e and assert their inherent dig lif of e gh his deep experienc was a man who, throu the ch essential need to prea leadership, knew the tnessed wi d lan Po e, tim e sam Gospel of mercy. At the gh the n to God’s mercy throu the spread of devotio a continent a. Europe had become message of St Faustin ion and faith. in need of reconciliat

It was in 1978, at the age of 57, that this great man of destiny received the call from God, in the form of the Conclave, to come to Rome and became that city’s first nonItalian bishop for 455 years. At his installation, he implored the world to ‘let Christ speak to man’ (22 October 1978).

He knew that Jesus, who died on the Cross, is the personification of God’s mercy for the salvation of the world, the one who teaches us how to be genuinely human. He began his remarkable pontificate with a series of encyclicals that focused our vision on God’s

Director’s Spotlight: The Countdown Begins

As you are reading this I am beginning to flap; we are less than one year away from World Youth Day and there is so much for the Youth Ministry team to do.

Page 12

We face a complex challenge, given that we are charged with the development and execution of an interesting, vibrant and faithful pilgrimage programme, both during Mission Week in Łódź and especially during World Youth Day week in Krakow. Expectations are rightly very high. We also assume the responsibility for the safe journey of our pilgrims to and from Poland and for their well-being. One of my old bosses would say that it’s NOT a challenge; it’s an opportunity. Fr David Reilly and his clergy team are our spiritual

To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

guides for the duration of the pilgrimage and they have a pivotal role to play. Remarkably, this is Fr David’s sixth WYD. He really doesn't look old enough! Of course, this is a very exciting project and a remarkable opportunity for us all to meet like-minded Catholic pilgrims from across the globe. In excess of one million pilgrims will be based around Krakow for the duration of the event and these numbers will swell to many millions for the Saturday evening Vigil. The time that we will have with the Holy Father, witnessing and Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/doywm

benefiting from his spiritual guidance, is all-important to us. I have no doubts that the 250 or so Westminster pilgrims heading to Łódź and Krakow, led by Bishop John Sherrington, will have an incredible experience with memories that they will treasure for a lifetime. It is important to reflect at this point that we are to spend Mission Week in the Diocese of Łódź with our friends from the Chemin Neuf Community. We remain indebted to Fr Arnaud and Fr Sebastian for their help, patience and guidance. The Chemin Neuf Youth Festival programme looks amazing and Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

Łódź is a beautiful city, whose cathedral was raised to the status of a Minor Basilica in 1989 by St John Paul II. We are hoping to celebrate Mass there during our stay. For this World Youth Day we have re-introduced an option for under-18s to join the pilgrimage. For those in fulltime employment and facing holiday allowance challenges, there is also a one week option. Poland is almost on our doorstep, so this is an ideal opportunity to join us and spend a week in the company of our Holy Father. Don’t miss out! See photos of youth events at: http://flickr.com/ photos/catholicwestminster

mercy, most notably Redemptor Hominis (On the Redeemer of Man) in 1979 and Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy) in 1980. St John Paul, with his instinctive sense for youth, entrusted to the young people of the world the Holy Year Cross. This stood in Rome for

the Holy Year of the Redemption. It became known as the WYD cross, with the first celebration of World Youth Day held in Rome in 1986, nearly 30 years ago. After a pontificate of more than 27 years, John Paul II died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday.

To the young people outside his window he said: ‘I have searched for you, and now you have come to me.’ The great apostle of God’s mercy had gone to heaven. Next year, on the 30th anniversary of the first World Youth Day, we will celebrate Krakow 2016. This city in the heart of reconciled Poland was the place from which John Paul was called to Rome. We will also celebrate in the midst of Pope Francis’ ‘Jubilee Year of Mercy’. Here, surely, is a clear

call from the Spirit for the world to awaken once more to the need for merciful living. The history of the last century and the witness of St John Paul II testify to the need for mercy and reconciliation in the face of destruction and division. The young adults of our Diocese are called by the same Spirit not only to become disciples of World Youth Day, but to open their hearts to the Gospel of salvation: to become, like St John Paul II, the apostles of mercy in our own time and place.

Mission Week with Chemin Neuf The first half of the Youth Ministry’s trip to Poland, known as Mission Week, will be spent in Łódź for the ‘Paradise in the City’ Festival, organised and hosted by the Youth Mission of the Community of Chemin Neuf. The festival, which will welcome 10,000 young people, is intended to provide an intense week of formation ahead of WYD proper. Home to 150,000 students, Łódź is a city of creativity and culture and the perfect location for this week before the journey to Krakow. Conferences, concerts,

encounters, sports and cultural and historical visits have all been planned to encourage and inspire the young people to make an impact on the world by enlarging their vision of life and their future. A full day will be dedicated to the theme of reconciliation and peace, enabling participants to have an experience of God’s forgiveness. Chemin Neuf is a community with an ecumenical vocation which grew out of a prayer group in Lyon in 1973. It currently has around 2,000 members in over 30 countries. Couples, families

To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

and celibate men and women have chosen to serve the Church and the world by following the life of Christ as members living in community. Their spirituality is rooted in the Ignatian tradition and in Charismatic Renewal, with the practice of the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian discernment structuring their prayer and way of living. The spirituality of the Exercises expresses the certainty that ‘God can communicate himself directly to His creatures’ and act effectively in people’s lives. From the outset, in

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answering the call to proclaim the love of Christ to all, the community has had the mission to evangelise and to teach Christians, strengthening their faith and understanding. In 2013 Cardinal Vincent invited Chemin Neuf to serve Cockfosters parish, its first in the UK. Gathering people together in prayer is an essential aspect of their mission and charism; with a recent parish feast bringing together more than 200 people of all ages, a strong beginning has been made, a sign of good things to come.

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

In August we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. The preface of that Mass, reflecting Lumen Gentium 68, describes the Blessed Virgin as a ‘sign of hope and comfort to the pilgrim people of God’. In the glory she now possesses in body and soul in heaven, Mary shines upon the earth as a reassuring light, an evening star to guide God’s people on their journey through time and history. During the summer months many hundreds of young people from our diocese will take part in pilgrimages. These special journeys, which in their own way symbolise our own journeys through life, remind us of the pilgrimage that God’s people make through time. Many of the young people will have travelled to Lourdes, where Mary offers a great source of hope and consolation to the elderly and the sick. As we celebrate her feast, let us fix our vision and our hopes on her, the light shining from heaven to illuminate our path through life. After she appeared at Guadalupe in Mexico and caused a great evangelisation of the New World, Mary was known as the ‘Star of the New Evangelisation’. Perhaps we too need to refocus our vision on what Mary shows us from heaven in the night of history. We are beginning a long journey towards World Youth Day and beyond. At the same time we are exploring the New Evangelisation in our Diocese and country with Proclaim ‘15 and Proclaim Westminster. Let us entrust both these audacious adventures to her, our star of hope, who guides our way and brings all things to Christ. See photos of youth events at: http://flickr.com/ photos/catholicwestminster

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Youth

Westminster Record | August 2015

Youth

Westminster Record | August 2015

Chaplain’s Corner

The History of World Youth Day

WYD Attendances Since its inception in 1984, over 20 million people have particpated in World Youth Days in five of the world’s continents.

Fr David Reilly, Diocesan Youth Chaplain

Director’s Spotlight: The Countdown Begins

As you are reading this I am beginning to flap; we are less than one year away from World Youth Day and there is so much for the Youth Ministry team to do.

Page 12

To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/doywm

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

Page 13

Youth

Westminster Record | August 2015

Krakow Awaits You The Programme Tuesday 26 July Morning: Official welcome to pilgrims Afternoon: Opening ceremony Evening: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Wednesday 27 July Morning: Catechetical sessions with participating bishops Afternoon: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Evening: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Thursday 28 July

After our mission week in Łódź, on Monday 25 July we head south to Krakow for World Youth Day, staying in student halls, a short distance from the main square. Tuesday sees the opening ceremony, with over a million young people and the bishop of the host city, Archbishop Stanisław Dziwisz. There will be tremendous variety in banners, flags and music: a joyful and colourful experience. From Wednesday to Friday, we’ll journey each morning to a catechesis session in English. We shall be mingling with Americans, Canadians, Aussies and other English-speaking pilgrims – this is always great fun and an opportunity to show off our British flags. The afternoons offer an opportunity to visit a range of

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spiritual, cultural and musical events across the city and to witness to our faith with pilgrims from around the world. On Thursday afternoon we’ll welcome Pope Francis. The arrival of the Holy Father is an event in itself, broadcast on large screens tracking his journey to the sanctuary. There will be a growing sense of anticipation among us and a realisation of the immensity of the event. Friday brings Stations of the Cross on a scale that is truly hard to imagine. It’s a wonderful experience and can help us contemplate and reflect on our journey thus far. Now the very essence of World Youth Day and our time with the Lord is close at hand. The Vigil on Saturday evening is a special time and the reason

that we have journeyed from all over the world. From dedicated starting points across Krakow, we make our way to the vigil on foot. Generally this is a pilgrimage of around ten kilometres, arriving at the site with our sleeping bags, where many millions of young people begin to fill the area, a truly staggering sight which must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. The vigil with the Holy Father begins at dusk, before we sleep in the open on Saturday night. As pilgrims gradually fall asleep, a sense of peace descends; and, then a few hours later with the sunrise, the energy returns as everyone begins to wake up. On Sunday we have the final Mass with Pope Francis as World Youth Day comes to an end. He will provide us with

words to ponder, to take away and to put into action as we return home. Sunday afternoon sees us start our journey back to our families, both charged up and tired out, refreshed in spirit and set to ‘make disciples of all nations!’ Pilgrimage Options: The full two-week pilgrimage from 18 July to 31 July, including mission week in Lodz, is offered to young people 16 to 35 years of age, at a cost of £750, which includes travel, accommodation, meals and all WYD passes. A one-week option from 25 July to 31 July for pilgrims over 18 years of age is offered at £675. For full details and booking forms, please visit www.dowym.com or email youth@rcdow.org.uk

Morning: Catechetical sessions with participating bishops Afternoon: Arrival of the Pope and welcoming address Evening: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Friday 29 July Morning: Catechetical sessions with participating bishops Afternoon: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Evening: Stations of the Cross Saturday 30 July Morning: Walking pilgrimage to vigil site Afternoon: Shows, music, prayer and reconciliation opportunities Evening: Evening vigil Sunday 31 July Morning: Final Mass and closing ceremony

Youth Revisiting Poland’s World Youth Day Legacy Westminster Record | August 2015

©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

By Julie Etchingham I went to World Youth Day in 1991 in the shrine town of Częstochowa in Poland, St John Paul II’s home country. Revisiting grainy video footage all these years on made me realize

I was sent to Poland at the age of 21 as a media officer for my parish and for the Diocese of Nottingham. We’d travelled by coach across the bumpy roads of Eastern Europe, but the welcome we received in the homes we stayed in couldn’t have been warmer. The trip was one of extraordinary highs and lows. Apart from the final Mass itself, my most enduring memories were of the visit to AuschwitzBirkenau. Its horrors were still part of the living memories in all of the Polish families: a room full of shoes left from the industrial destruction of Jewish children, a room full of the human hair Julie meeting Pope Francis at the First Santa Marta Conference in Rome in 2014 shorn from the victims of the gas chambers, a room full of prosthetic limbs and crutches morning and the overwhelming torn from those deemed not what an enormous impact it worthy of life. All were kept in sense of suddenly being had on me. I can remember the silent witness. connected to a Church which smell of the damp grass on The human and political stretched tens of thousands of which we’d spent the night in scars left as its dreadful legacy miles from the doorstep of my our sleeping bags, bottles of were still raw, but the joyful gathering of young people from water handed out on an August own parish back in Leicester.

across the globe surely formed a small part of healing the political divisions which had marred the 20th century. A Polish friend of mine who now lives in London tells me of her friend who met his French wife at the Mass in Częstochowa. That’s just one small example of how West embraced East on that August day. Over twenty years later, meeting a new generation of media officers as they prepared for World Youth Day, I realize that they are living in an enviably different world. They can spread the word in an instant: to capture an atmosphere, share a thought, chat to friends back home, all right from the heart of the crowd. It’s a long way from that blurred and juddering footage of 1991. Julie Etchingham is a journalist and reporter for ITN News. She can be seen anchoring the News at 10 on ITV 1 during the week.

In the Shadow of Christ the Redeemer: Memories of Rio By Simeon from Blackburn

By Anel Zuniga World Youth Day is an incredible opportunity to journey to a different part of the world and discover a different part of your identity. I love pilgrimages. After having been on a few, I’ve not only seen how unique each of them is, and how they can touch you in a very different way, but these experiences have helped me see how World Youth Day can surpass them all. There is so much energy around it. You feel that extra desire to share and be proud of your faith and the country you come from or live in. There is the chance to learn about different places by speaking with other young people coming from all around the world, to witness how in spite of the many cultural differences we may have, we are

all one, rejoicing in our faith in Jesus Christ. WYD starts from the moment you decide to make the pilgrimage, but does not end when you return. It’s not just a few days’ journey; you continue the celebration once you’re back home. You get to share your experience with your family, friends, your new friends on social media, your parish and, more than anything, in your renewed relationship with God. Rio 2013 was two years ago and I still feel in my heart the mission that was entrusted to me, and to the other three million young people that were gathered on Copacabana beach, when Pope Francis said to us: ‘This is just the beginning, go and make disciples of all nations!’

To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

In the year prior to WYD 2013, I had begun a journey of discovery into the Catholic Church, which has shown me the love of Jesus and the grace of God in the Sacraments and has drawn me closer to Him. In finding these foundations in Jesus’ life and teaching I knew that I had found my home. As this journey of discovery was unfolding I heard about World Youth Day less than two months before it started. I felt a tremendous fear about venturing into the unknown, but an unshakeable and compelling call from God to go; so I went to Brazil with the Westminster Youth Ministry. To celebrate the faith with like-minded people with a real passion for Christ was a blessing. It was at WYD that I realised that, although you can feel desperately alone in your faith as a young person, surrounded by prevailing secularism, you are not in fact alone. There are millions of young people who share the joy of the faith. This was the encouragement I needed to continue on my own pilgrimage of faith.

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/doywm

The atmosphere was electric, filled with happiness, enthusiasm, friendship and unity in Christ despite cultural and linguistic differences. My fondest memory is of praying the Our Father and Hail Mary with Pope Francis and over 3 million people in different earthly languages but one spiritual language. I knew God was with us in this moment. Previously when I had prayed these prayers at home I felt alone and questioned whether God was really hearing me; now when I say these prayers I am brought back to Copacabana beach and hear the echoes of the 3.8 million pilgrims praying and I am certain now, as I was then, of God hearing us.

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To return from this ecstatic experience to the UK was initially deflating and in the weeks that followed I felt sad. Phil Ross put me in contact with the Salford Youth Group in my area which I did not know existed until then. Ever since, I have developed new friendships and am actively involved in the group. I do not feel alone but feel a great togetherness and more alive than ever before! I am now preparing to go to the next WYD in Poland 2016 as a leader. This is a blessing that I never could have predicted. None of this would have been possible without the experience of WYD 2013 and the help of my friends in Westminster. Roll on Poland 2016!

See photos of youth events at: http://flickr.com/ photos/catholicwestminster

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Social Action

Westminster Record | August 2015

Chaplaincy on a Floating City

One of the ships Fr Peter has ministered on, the P&O Oceana, off the Italian coast

Going on a cruise is the perfect holiday for some people. But for the chaplains who serve on cruise ships, life on board can be just as challenging and rewarding as in any parish. Fr Peter Wilson, parish priest of St Pius X church in St Charles Square, is one of a team of 35 Apostleship of the Sea cruise chaplains. ‘Being a cruise chaplain is a special experience. People usually smile that knowing smile if you tell them you have been chaplain on a cruise, thinking you have just been on a “jolly”,’ he says. ‘It is certainly fun, but it is also hard work. For the chaplain, the crew is usually the main priority. They are incredibly hardworking and usually forgotten about when people think of a cruise.’ With shops, theatres, bars, restaurants and gyms, cruise ships usually require a crew of 1,000 or more.

The hours are demanding, Fr Peter adds. He would usually celebrate an early morning Mass for the passengers, so they could get ashore or enjoy their day aboard ship. For the crew, Mass would have to be celebrated late at night after they had finished their shift. Many of the world's seafarers are Catholic and being away at sea for long periods means they miss the Sacraments. ‘On some ships, they only get to have a priest on board occasionally. Others are more accommodating and regularly have a priest travelling as chaplain. However, it means every crew has to get used to a new priest every couple of weeks. So the ship’s own lay leadership is important. The demands of being at sea are intense, especially for cruise ships where the passengers expect to be constantly pampered.’

‘I was interviewed for the radio when the Costa Concordia sank in 2014, and all the questions were about the passengers. I tried very hard to talk about the crew, but the interviewer was not interested,’ Fr Peter says. ‘Their own homes, families and loved ones are always far away, and out of necessity they miss out on birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, births, and other important events.’ But he is amazed at how cheerful, hard-working and committed to service the crew are. Ministering to passengers is different. ‘Often one is also dealing with people who are bereaved or going through difficult life situations. I used to stand right at the back of the ship, on the open deck, in the evenings. Invariably someone would come up and start to talk, and open up about their lives.’

Experiencing the Nautical Mission By Max Charlton On Monday 6 July I began my two-week work experience with Apostleship of the Sea (AoS), an environment differing vastly from the routine of Year 10 at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. I soon realised that AoS is not as small as I had first thought, working diligently to help all those working at or around the sea, be it seafarers

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or port workers. It seeks to ensure that all are allowed their basic rights and are given their basic needs: food, water, salary, and protection from abuse and/or exploitation. As well as this, AoS tries to provide seafarers with the opportunity to attend Mass by sending port chaplains on board ships: a comfort and a reminder of home. On my second day I was

taken to see the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a highly-valued branch of the United Nations. While this was interesting in itself, I soon discovered the magnitude of the scope of AoS in the affairs of the sea: ranging from piracy to the withholding of the salaries of seafarers, this agency of the Catholic Church is also instrumental in resolving maritime issues, which was another surprise. On a more personal level, these past two weeks have opened up my understanding of my Catholic faith, which previously consisted of going to weekly Mass. While I have always been aware of the work of the Catholic Church in countries around the world, only recently has the dependence upon communities of faith come into focus for me. As Christians, it is our duty to aid those less fortunate than ourselves, and I fully believe that AoS is a model of this Max at the helm of the MV Arklow Raven in Ipswich vocation. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Social Action Caritas Celebrates All Caritas and Magic Breakfast Gifts Mass in Finchley Thank Primary Schools Westminster Record | August 2015

On Sunday 5 July Caritas Westminster celebrated the gifts of all people with a special Mass at St Mary’s, East Finchley. This brought together the parish congregation, friends from the Saturday Clubs, and families from Caritas St Joseph’s. In his homily, Parish Priest Fr Terry Tastard unveiled a new altar cloth made both by members of the parish youth group and of the Saturday Club in Arnos Grove. Participants had decorated the cloth with their names and outlines of their hands. Fr Terry reflected on these images of hands, noting that it

is with our hands that we help each other to recognise our uniqueness, and how the greatest hand of all, that of Christ, offers the greatest help we can receive. After his homily Fr Terry invited people to spread the message with a handshake: ‘Jesus says to you today, be strong in me’. After the Mass all parishioners were invited to add the outlines of their hands to the new altar cloth, so that everyone in the parish is included in the new artwork, providing a fuller expression of the parish’s character.

On 7 July Caritas Westminster hosted an end-of-term tea party to celebrate the hard work local primary school staff have put in to make our breakfast clubs so successful. Together with Magic Breakfast, Caritas has been supporting clubs in five primary schools in the Diocese since 2012. Magic Breakfast was set up to address the growing problem of children arriving at school too hungry to learn. To make sure they get the best out of their education, the charity aims to provide free and healthy breakfasts in schools where over 35% of pupils are on free school meals. Thus far, the charity has ensured that 223 primary school children nationwide are receiving a nourishing start to the day. The clubs would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the staff at each primary school that Caritas works with. The tea party was an opportunity for Caritas and Magic Breakfast together to say a personal thank you to all the staff and volunteers.

London: The Scandal of the Capital’s Hunger Building on their ongoing relationship in the East London Hub, Caritas Westminster and the Hurtado Jesuit Centre hosted a roundtable discussion as to why London, a global, economic powerhouse, is a city where people still can go hungry. Professor John May from the University of London opened the evening and spoke about the ongoing research into reasons for the growing number of foodbank users, the most prevalent being delays or changes to people’s benefits. Knowing the reason behind their use, Professor May stressed, is key as their root causes may lie beyond addressing hunger. With focus on a local level, Fr Michael Dunne described his experience of the Bow Foodbank, highlighting the strength of the interfaith community group that runs it and their warm welcome to those who use it. When it opened in March 2014, 20 people were coming weekly. Now they see 90 to 100 per week, showing the acute need in the community. The need for Catholics to address the issue facing London was reflected on by Fr John Moffatt, who explained how the ‘Universal Destination of Goods’ in Catholic Social Thinking is a powerful reminder against indifference to global injustices and inequalities where some do not have enough to eat. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

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Social Action

Westminster Record | August 2015

CAFOD Thanks Supporters for Nepal Relief © CAFOD

Holy Rood Parish Watford Embraces Love in Action Throughout June and July, Caritas Westminster embarked on a trial of a new social action initiative, Love in Action. Holy Rood Parish, Watford, is the first to run the project, designed to give parishioners a deeper understanding of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and to demonstrate the importance of social action at the parish level. St Anthony’s and Holy Rood Primary schools have also been taking part in this new initiative. Danny Curtin, a co-author of the project’s materials, explains: ‘Love in Action brings together the experience and generosity of so many different people and organisations within the Church. It has been a long time in the making, but now is a great time to be running it. The call of Pope Francis to step forward in love as a Catholic community is at the heart of Love in Action. The project will help parishes and schools to discover some of the often hidden treasures of the Church’s teaching. It can inspire, equip and support our social Page 18

action, helping us to live our faith in the world and to be Christ’s presence in our local communities.’ Holy Rood Parish began Love in Action on Pentecost, when parishioners were introduced to the aims of the project. Over the following six weeks parishioners explored six themes of CST. These themes were taken up in the liturgy, parish groups, and materials for private or family contemplation. Parishioners were asked to think about how these principles reflected their own experiences, and in what ways social barriers might be challenged through the parish. In the primary schools, children also explored the themes through assemblies, RE classes and school displays. Materials were provided by Caritas Westminster, but the project is being delivered by a dedicated team within the parish itself and through staff at both schools. In Holy Rood Parish, the six weeks of CST culminated in

The earthquakes which struck Nepal on 25 April and 12 May, of 7.8 and 7.3 magnitude respectively, were the worst to hit the country in some years, damaging both major cities and rural areas and causing at least 8,700 deaths. The earthquakes were followed by monsoon rains, making the provision of relief to the most affected areas even more difficult. CAFOD has been working alongside the rest of the Caritas International network to support Caritas Nepal. Together they have helped deliver aid to over 290,000 people in the form of food, shelter kits and emergency supplies, as well as providing assessment and expertise on water, sanitation and hygiene management. All of this has been made possible by the generosity of Catholics in England and Wales who have donated over £3.3 million to the appeal. CAFOD is also working with 12 other British aid agencies as part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which has launched a joint appeal and raised over £73 million.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated thus far, with particular thanks to the students of Douay Martyrs School in Uxbridge who raised £2,120. If you would like to find out more about the situation and how you can help, please visit www.cafod.org.uk. St Benedict’s students in Ealing have also been fundraising, raising £1,345 for Kidasha, a development charity dedicated to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people in Nepal. They created a ‘Tree of Money’ which was filled with coins on the floor of the Cloisters Hall.

two well-attended parish workshops, where the principles were explored in more depth. Parishioners formed groups to discuss principles of charity and justice, and made many suggestions as to how a parish could respond in the community. These ideas will be taken forward to a parish planning session in September, which will follow an exhibition to raise awareness of existing social action initiatives within the parish. Edward de Quay, the Development Worker for Caritas Westminster’s Hertfordshire hub, said: ‘We’re thrilled by how warmly received Love in Action has been both in the parish and in the schools. The enthusiasm and positivity of everyone involved has been great to see, and I look forward to supporting this project going forward.’ For more information about how to use Love in Action or run the programme in your parish, please contact via email: caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Social Action

Westminster Record | August 2015

Welwyn GC Fasts for the Climate

Following the launch of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, around 60 individuals from parishes across Hertfordshire gathered at Our Lady, Queen of Apostles Church, Welwyn Garden City, on 1 July for the Fast for the Climate event. Parish priest Fr Norbert Fernandes, pictured above,

opened the event, questioning participants who were representing different countries on how climate change affects their country. Cesar Marmolejo Morales spoke about his Mexican hometown of Michoacan, the ‘world centre for avocados’. The town is a victim of its own success after forests were cut down to make way for the crops following an increase in demand. However, the consequences proved to be bitter when rainwater was not retained and temperatures rapidly increased. Head girl at Loreto College, Ama Owusu Afriyeh, pictured right, represented Africa and expressed a deep concern at the lack of rainfall in the Sahel and the devastating consequences this brings to surrounding countries. The group also heard from

Anne Chappell who spoke about North America, which once was the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but has made the biggest effort to cut down emissions. China is now considered the biggest culprit for a rise in greenhouse gases. The Focolare group then went on to state that Europe was additionally a great contributor to the problem with 25% of toxic gases coming from home emissions and 23% from transport, suggesting this problem needed to be addressed on all levels: personal, national and international. Mike Cade, who represented New Zealand and Australia, revealed how many in his part of the world deny responsibility for climate change, claiming their small population does not cause great consequences.

However, both New Zealand and Australia are huge producers of methane gas, which has proved to be more toxic and powerful than CO2 by a factor of 28, showing that even countries with small populations are capable of causing an effect. The event was followed by a celebratory meal with food from around the world and music from Sister Gill of the Daughters of the Cross of Liege from Much Hadham.

Forthcoming J&P Events 29-31 August: Cycling Pilgrimage to Paris Stage 1; Cycle from London (Westminster Cathedral) to Newhaven, stopping at parishes on the way to raise awareness of the urgent need for action on Climate Change ahead of the UN Paris Climate talks. 7 November: Annual Justice and Peace Day. Why are the Paris Talks Important? A Study Day on Climate Change with Columban theologian Fr Sean McDonagh. For more information on any Justice and Peace events, please email: justice@rcdow.org.uk

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Vocations

Westminster Record | August 2015

Five Men Ordained to the Priesthood On 27 June, the feast of St John Southworth, Frs Bill Bowder, David Burke, Cyril Chiaha, Daniel Humphreys and David Lucuy were ordained Priests for the Diocese by Cardinal Vincent. Also assisting were Cardinal Cormac, Bishops Nicholas Hudson and Mark Jabalé OSB (Emeritus of Menevia), Fr Roger Taylor, Rector of Allen Hall Seminary, Mgr Roderick Strange, Rector of the Beda College in Rome, and over 100 Priests of the Diocese. Cardinal Vincent began his homily by noting that it was a day rich in gifts, given and received. He spoke of the gift of the priesthood to each of the men saying: 'Through this gift we are kept bound to Christ, in bonds of love which alone can bring us to the fulfilment of life, our salvation, for which we have been created.’ Recalling the gift of the lives of Cardinals Wiseman and Manning and of St John Southworth, he remarked that all were men who incurred great loss in fulfilling their ministry and are shining examples of 'what it is to be a missionary priest'. In contrast, he also spoke of the joys of priesthood, quoting a young priest recently ordained who reported that he was 'overwhelmed at times by the deep love and respect that our people have for us as priests'. Cardinal Vincent explained it thus: 'We are loved, we are criticised, because, like those who have gone before, we are Catholic priests. We wear the vestments and the collar with pride in Christ Jesus, whose heralds we are.' He enjoined the men being ordained always to 'be ready with open hearts; to give yourselves entirely to the Lord; to receive these great gifts of Sacred Priesthood from the Lord Himself; to see the path ahead as one of true service, bearing all for love of Page 20

Him, striving always to do His work, through Word, Sacrament and merciful pastoral care and thereby rejoicing always in this calling which is your hearts' desire and your greatest joy'. Fr Bill Bowder will serve as Assistant Priest in Highbury; Fr David Burke will serve as Assistant Priest in Burnt Oak; Fr Cyril Chiaha will serve as Assistant Priest in Enfield; Fr Daniel Humphreys will serve as Assistant Priest at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington; and Fr David Lucuy will serve as Assistant Priest in Islington. Please pray for all these men as they take up their ministry.

©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Peace and Joy For Deacon Guido Amari On 12 July at the Church of Our Lady of Snows in Palazzola, Italy, Guido Amari was ordained to the Diaconate along with five of other seminarians from the Venerable English College in Rome. He writes:

Mgr Miles Marks 65 Years of Priesthood

‘The Ordination was a powerful experience after all these years of formation. It was a great joy that the Mass was celebrated by the new Bishop of Salford, and our former Westminster Auxiliary, Bishop John Arnold. One moment which particularly struck me was when, immediately after ordaining us, the Bishop gave the newly-ordained Deacons the Kiss of Peace and then the other Deacons did the same. This is a simple sign at the beginning of one’s ordained life, an affirmation that, as an ordained minister, one will be sustained and supported by the brethren of the diocese and the people of God whom we shall strive to serve. The Kiss of Peace is a sign that we must always seek to encourage each other and, through the help of God, play our part together in building the Kingdom of God. It was a beautiful moment which I will always treasure.’

Mgr Freddie Miles celebrated 65 years of Priesthood on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 16 July. Cardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant at the Thanksgiving Mass for Mgr Freddie in the Chapel at St Peter’s Residence in Vauxhall. Reflecting in his homily on the momentous occasion of this Blue Sapphire Jubilee, the Cardinal said that only one event was more important in the history of the Residence: Pope Benedict’s historic visit in 2010! At the end of Mass, in Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

recognition of this significant Jubilee, Mgr Freddie was presented with a Papal Blessing. Ordained in 1950 by Cardinal Griffin at St Edmund’s College, Ware, Mgr Freddie has served under six Cardinals, including serving as Private Secretary to Cardinals Heenan and Hume between 1966-1977. For 22 years subsequently he was Rector of St James Church, Spanish Place. Such is the affection and esteem in which he is held that many priests, former parishioners, friends and family joined the celebration. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Westminster Record | August 2015

Benedictine Ordination at Ealing Abbey

On 4 July Cardinal Vincent ordained Dom Ambrose McCambridge OSB to the Priesthood at Ealing Abbey. In his homily Cardinal Vincent said to Dom Ambrose that he is 'called to continue this great tradition of monastic evangelisation, to contribute richly to the missionary outreach of this parish'. Recalling the Lord's threefold question to St Peter, the Cardinal said that Jesus asked the question of him, Dom Ambrose, 'because He wishes to grant you countless opportunities to profess your deepest love for Him, even though you may be painfully

aware of many moments of betrayal. By letting you exclaim your love for Him, your willingness to hand yourself over to Him unreservedly, Jesus opens wide your heart to the mission He gives you as His priest: "Feed my sheep".' Continuing his address, he noted that: 'it will now fall to you to feed the Lord’s sheep by your prayer, by your preaching and by the Sacraments you celebrate. Celebrate them with that special Benedictine sensitivity to the Sacred Liturgy’s power to proclaim the presence of the Risen Lord and to draw us into a relationship with Him.’

Vocations Hemel Dominicans Celebrated On 27 June parishioners from the Hemel Hempstead parishes came together in the Church of St Mary and St Joseph to celebrate the work of the local Dominican Sisters through 60 years of their presence in their convent at Boxmoor. Parishioners were joined by more than 20 of the Sisters for the Mass celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington. Both Bishop John and Parish Priest, Fr John Byrne, paid tribute to the outstanding work of the Sisters in our Catholic Schools, in parish pastoral work and in the hospitality extended by the convent as a venue for so many activities. Sr Ann, the Congregation’s Prioress, responded saying how very difficult, though necessary, the decision to close the convent had been, and acknowledged the great resulting sadness felt by both Sisters and parishioners. However, she added that both the Sisters as well as parishioners had gained so much during this period and was sure that the many strong links and friendships would continue for years to come. The Sisters then joined parishioners in a very packed parish centre for refreshments and a chance to catch up with news. It was wonderful to see the hall so alive with conversation and laughter.

Diaconate Vows Renewed and Lectorate Conferred By Deacon Anthony Clark Each year Cardinal Vincent invites the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese to meet him and to share our top three priorities. After the meeting on 18 July, the Cardinal celebrated the Mass of Renewal in the Cathedral, during which he asked the Deacons a number of questions adapted from the Rite

for Diaconal Ordination. In response, we reaffirmed our commitment ‘to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to assist at the Eucharist and other liturgical services with sincere devotion’, and ‘to proclaim the Gospel of Christ’. In his homily the Cardinal spoke about the Deacons’ witness to a culture of service

and the need to ask: ‘What can I give, as opposed to the prevalent culture of rights which asks, what can I get?’ There are currently 18 ordained Permanent Deacons in Westminster, with a further eight men now in formation. Three of these men received the Ministry of Lector at a Mass at Our Lady and

St Michael’s, Garston, on 12 July celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington with Fr David Barrow, the Parish Priest. Of the newly-instituted Lectors, Paul Quinn from Garston is a school governor, Liam Lynch is school chaplain at St Joan of Arc, Rickmansworth, whilst

Jeremy Yates from Mile End parish is an astrophysicist. The Ministry of Lector is conferred when a man has completed his first year of formation for the Permanent Diaconate. He will receive the Ministry of Acolyte at the end of the second year and then be ordained deacon at the end of the third year.

For more information on vocations please contact Fr Richard Nesbitt richardnesbitt@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7349 5624 If you have a story or an event you would like to have featured on this page, please contact communications@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7798 9030 Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Page 21

Saints & Obituaries St Maximilian Kolbe: 14 August St Maximilian has an unusual distinction, in having been beatified as a Confessor of the Faith, but then canonized as a Martyr. This stems from the well-known story of his death in 1941 in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. After some prisoners had escaped and to deter future attempts, ten men were taken at random and condemned to be starved to death. When one of them, Franciszek Gajowniczek, begged mercy on account of his wife and children, Fr Maximilian offered to take his place and the camp authorities accepted him as a replacement. We understand that the deprivation of food and drink continued for a fortnight, until only the saint was left alive, at which point he was given a lethal injection. Blessed Pope Paul VI presided over St Maximilian’s beatification in 1971, when he referred to him as a Confessor and a ‘martyr of charity’, since his death was not brought about primarily out of hatred for the Christian faith. Eleven years later, though, Pope St John Paul II canonized St Maximilian expressly as a Martyr, since he understood that the Nazi ideology, with its intention to exterminate whole ethnic and social groups, was inherently anti-religious and in opposition to the worth of every human being in the eyes of God. The saint’s remains were cremated on the following day, the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption. There is a wonderful appropriateness in

this, since St Maximilian’s apostolate had lain largely in promoting devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. From the age of 12 he had developed a deep veneration for the Mother of God. Born in 1894, both he and his elder brother joined the Conventual Franciscans and Maximilian took the additional name of Maria when he made his final profession as a Friar in 1914. After ordination to the priesthood in 1918 he served in various teaching capacities, whilst also engaged in publishing and in founding a new monastery. The years from 1930 onwards saw him in East Asia, where his efforts met with varied success; time spent in China apparently bore little fruit, whilst he succeeded in founding a monastery which still thrives in Japan. India saw another monastic foundation, which did not last. Publications and then broadcasting did continue, however, when illhealth forced his return to Poland in 1936. The outbreak of war led to the Franciscans offering aid to the needy and they were able to provide shelter to a significant number of Jews. St Maximilian himself was offered special privileges, as his father was ethnically German, but he refused these. In his younger years as a Friar he had felt compelled to fight forcefully for the rights of the Church against those perceived to be her enemies, Freemasons and Communists prominent among them; now his understanding seems to have evolved into a

more profound appreciation of the need for human solidarity in the face of the evil revealed in the war. It was that recognition of the face of Christ in others that led to his offering

of himself for the life of another. We praise God rightly for St Maximilian’s witness and ask the prayers of ‘the patron saint of our difficult century’ (St John Paul II).

Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life Bishop Philip Egan will lead the pilgrimage in Walsingham on Sunday 27 September commencing at 12 noon with Pilgrim Mass in the Chapel of Reconciliation celebrated by Fr Jeremy Davies. For more information please visit www.prolifepilgrimage.org or call 01858 571242. St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club meets on every Sunday for walks around London and the Home Counties. Contact by email: antoinette_adkins2000@yahoo .co.uk, call 020 8769 3643 or check out the website: www.stfrancisramblers. ukwalkers.com

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Westminster Record | August 2015

In Memoriam: August 1 Fr Richard Johnson (1992) Fr Ignatius Tonna (1993) 2 Fr Thomas Stack (1984) Fr Michael Archer (2014) 3 Mgr Canon John Mostyn (1981) 5 Fr William Lynagh (1977) Fr Alan Fudge (2011) 9 Fr John Greene (1980) 11 Fr Laurence Allan (1981) Fr Guy Martin Heal (2009) 12 Fr Roderick Cuming (1981) Fr Wilfrid Soggee (1990) Fr Joseph Finnegan (2002) Fr John Milne (2001) Fr John D’Arcy Dutton (2013) 14 Fr Philip Dwerryhouse (1986) 15 Fr John Adam (1979) Fr Bernard Mortimore (1980) 16 Canon Denis O’Sullivan (1983) Fr Peter Latham (2005) 19 Canon George Davey (1986) Fr Leslie Cole (1997) 20 Cardinal Bernard Griffin (1956) Fr Joseph McVeigh (1977) Fr Desmond Mullin (1988) 21 Fr Percival Fielden (1990) Fr Edward Houghton (2009) 24 Fr Patrick Cassidy (2007) 25 Fr James Gunston (1972) Mgr Canon Herbert Haines (2004) 26 Fr Thomas Kilcoyne (1972) Fr Peter Keenan (1984) 27 Mgr John Coonan (1979) 29 Fr Edward Fowler (1973) Fr Michael Lynam (1984) 31 Fr William Rees (1984) Canon Maurice O’Leary (1997)

Free Catholic Tours ‘Saints and Scholars’ walk first Sunday of the month, including Mass. Contact Peter on 07913 904997 or circlingthesquaretours@ hotmail.co.uk.

Events & Calendar

Westminster Record | August 2015

REGULAR EVENTS

Liturgical Calendar - August

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.

Evangelisation Prayer Group for young adults meets from 7pm on Wednesdays at Notre Dame de France, 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX. For further details please contact Armel at apostles.jesus@yahoo.co.uk. Our Lady, Untier of Knots, Prayer Group of Intercession meets every third Wednesday at St Anselm & St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Parish Mass at 6pm followed by Prayer Group until 8.45pm. Rosary, Adoration, Silent prayer and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Email: Antonia antonia4161@gmail.com.

MONDAYS

THURSDAYS

Mothers’ Prayers at St Dominic’s Priory, Haverstock Hill NW5 4LB Mondays 2.30-3.30pm in the Lourdes Chapel. All are welcome.

Jesus Christ the Fullness of Life Every first Thursday of the month. Young adults from all Christian denominations pray and share a meal. Details www.jcfl.org.uk.

TUESDAYS

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

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. Vocations Prayer Group Second Tuesday of the month 8pm at 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB. Taizé at St James’, Spanish Place, W1U 3UY every first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Email: penny28hb@aol.com or just come along.

WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays on the Wall (WOTW) Every first Wednesday 6pm at All Hallows on the Wall, 83 London Wall EC2M 5ND. A short service of prayer and reflection at 6pm, coffee at 6.45pm followed by discussion. Corpus Christi Contemplative Prayer Group for Young Adults Wednesdays from 7pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. For further details please contact corpuschristipg@yahoogroups. co.uk.

1 Sat

St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor

2 Sun

+ 18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

3 Mon

feria, Eighteenth Week of Year 1

4 Tue

St John Vianney, Priest

5 Wed

feria or The Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

6 Thu

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

7 Fri

feria or St Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs or St Cajetan, Priest; Friday abstinence

8 Sat

St Dominic, Priest

9 Sun

+ 19th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

10 Mon

ST LAWRENCE, Deacon & Martyr

11 Tue

St Clare, Virgin

12 Wed

feria, Nineteenth Week of Year 1 or St Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious

13 Thu

feria or Sts Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs

14 Fri

St Maximilian Mary Koble, Priest & Martyr; Friday abstinence

15 Sat

feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

16 Sun

+ THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

17 Mon

feria, Twentieth Week of Year 1

18 Tue

feria

19 Wed

feria or St John Eudes, Priest

20 Thu

St Bernard, Abbot & Doctor

21 Fri

St Pius X, Pope; Friday abstinence

22 Sat

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

23 Sun

+ 21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

24 Mon

ST BARTHOLOMEW, Apostle

25 Tue

feria, Twenty-First Week of Year 1 or St Louis or St Joseph Calasanz, Priest

Association of Divorced and Separated Catholics Every third Friday of the month. All divorced and separated Catholics are welcome. Call Frank or Christine on 020 8422 1591.

26 Wed

feria or Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, Priest

27 Thu

St Monica

28 Fri

St Augustine, Bishop & Doctor; Friday abstinence

29 Sat

The Passion of St John the Baptist

Divine Mercy Prayers and Mass Every first Friday 2.30-4.30pm at Our Lady, Mother of the Church, 2 Windsor Road W5 5PD.

30 Sun

+ 22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

31 Mon

feria, Twenty-Second Week of Year 1 or St Aidan, Bishop, and the Saints of Lindisfarne

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

Westminster Cathedral Charismatic Prayer Group meet every Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praise and Teaching. First Friday is a healing Mass. For details, please call 020 8748 2632.

SATURDAYS Taizé at Notre Dame de France 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX at 7.15pm. Call 020 7437 9363.

For more events from around the diocese throughout the month, please see www.rcdow.org.uk

Sing Well and Pray Twice A day of music and prayer with international composer Christopher Walker on 29 August from 10am until 4pm at St Augustine’s Church, Hammersmith. Workshop, Celebration of Mass & Lunch. Individuals & Parish groups welcome. Advance booking is required: 020 8748 3788. Praying with Pope Francis - August 2015 Universal Intention: Volunteers - That volunteers may give themselves generously to the service of the needy. For Evangelisation: Outreach to the marginalised - That setting aside our very selves we may learn to be neighbours to those who find themselves on the margins of human life and society.

Other regular Masses Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QW. Young Adults Mass Held every Sunday at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 114 Mount Street W1K 3AH. Quiet prayer 7.15pm, Mass 7.30pm. Social gathering afterwards. Contact: team@fsplus.info or visit www.fsplus.info. Mass at Canary Wharf Held on Tuesdays at 12.30pm at 2 Churchill Place E14 5RB. Organised by Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Chaplain to Canary Wharf Communities. Details www.cwcc.org.uk. St Albans Abbey Fridays at 12 noon. Mass in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY. LGBT Catholics Westminster Mass 2nd & 4th Sundays 6.15pm, Church of the Immaculate Conception, 114 Mount Street, W1K 3AH. Contact: lgbtcatholicswestminster@gmail. com EXTRAORDINARY FORM MASSES Sundays: Low Mass 9.30am, St James Spanish Place W1U 3QY. Low Mass 9am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. 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 Mass 6.30pm Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Low Mass, 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Fridays: Low Mass 7.45am St Mary Moorfields, 4/5 Eldon Street EC2N 7LS. Low Mass 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. 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 Friday only. Low Mass 6.30pm Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Second Friday only. Saturdays: Low Mass 12.15pm, St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 4.30pm, Side Chapel, Westminster Cathedral SW1P 1QW. Second Saturday only.

Available from the first Sunday bi-monthly, the magazine is designed to be read by Catholics of all ages who want to immerse themselves into the history and present culture of their religion. The August/September edition is now on sale in your parish church.

PRINTED Subscription. Six issues - Price £21.00 includes P&P. Single issues £3.50 + £1 P&P. Follow on Twitter @Catholic_LifeUK

To subscribe or to order single issues telephone 0161 908 5301. You can also order back issues at discounted prices.

Page 23

Tradition

Westminster Record | August 2015

Hinsley at 150

By Fr Nicholas Schofield A century and a half ago, on 25 August 1865, Arthur Hinsley was born at Carlton, near Selby in Yorkshire. He would later become the fifth Archbishop of Westminster and a much-loved religious leader. At the time of his birth Henry Edward Manning had recently been appointed as Archbishop of Westminster and Hinsley’s own parish priest, Canon George Heptonstall, had been a contemporary of Cardinal Wiseman’s as a seminarian. This little baby would lead the Church in very different times, when German planes bombed London. It was to the English College, Rome, that Hinsley went to study for the Priesthood. Ordained in 1893, he taught at Ushaw and founded St Bede’s Grammar School, Leeds (now St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College). However, it seems that various disagreements led him to seek incardination within the Diocese of Southwark, where he became a close associate of Bishop Peter Amigo. Hinsley became Rector of the Venerable English College, Rome, in 1917, doing much to solve its financial problems and inspire high standards among the students. It led to the oft-repeated quip that to become an English bishop you had to be male, celibate and an old boy of the College – the first two could be dispensed with, but not the third. Hinsley was consecrated a bishop in Rome in 1926 and Page 24

started work as Visitor Apostolic (and then Apostolic Delegate) to British Africa. His area of responsibility was huge, covering about nine million square miles, and the Church in many places was still in its embryonic stage. His health declined and he returned to Rome in 1934 to begin what he thought would be a peaceful and honourable retirement as a Canon of St Peter’s. Much to everyone’s surprise, however, not least his own, he was named Archbishop of Westminster in 1935 in succession to Cardinal Bourne. It was an astute appointment, however, especially given his long experience of dealing with both the Vatican and the British Government. This proved to be invaluable during the Second World War. Hinsley became a popular radio broadcaster and, unusually for the times, worked closely with the Church of England in crusading against totalitarianism in all its forms, perhaps most famously through the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ movement. Such were his criticisms of the Nazi regime that he was branded a ‘Bolshevik’ and ‘lover of the Jews’. As he lay dying in 1943, his final public statement was produced for the World Jewish Congress in New York: ‘I denounce with utmost vigour the persecution of the Jews by the Nazi oppressors.’ On his 150th birthday, our diocese honours him as a brave leader and a warm-hearted pastor. May he rest in peace. Amen.

A First for St Mary’s On 20 and 21 July St Mary’s University, Twickenham, hosted its first graduation ceremony as a university in Westminster Cathedral, with over 1,000 students being awarded degrees in Education, Humanities, Arts and Sciences amongst other subjects. The ceremony included speeches by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Bishop John Sherrington as well as Francis Campbell, Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s. The graduation ceremony provided a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the richness and fullness of Catholic education. Bishop John focused on this in his address to the Education graduands saying: ‘Catholic education helps students not only to be experts in their subjects, but also to develop a multidimensional understanding of the human

person and variety of gifts.’ Cardinal Vincent, who spoke at the Arts and Humanities graduation, also reminded those present that Arts and Humanities centred on training critical minds and developing creative expression, which are essential freedoms

underpinning the dignity of the human person. On this foundation, the Cardinal said, the lives of each graduate would yield much fruit in their own lives and in those around them for the glory of God.