From the Chairman

It’s time to follow our star!

Many of us have experienced looking at a night-time, star-studded sky. We love stars, because stars have always

© Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk called us to greatness. They stir up within us a sense of mystery. Poets have written about them, singers sing about them, artists and children love to paint them. From a very young age we are told to ‘follow our star’. Following our

stars sometimes leads us to challenging places. A star can guide us to deeper insight. With that new insight responsibilities can come. It is not always easy to follow our star. Some, however, take the challenge.

St John Paul II, after Ali Agca made an attempt on his life, saw a star that said: ‘forgive’. This star led him to meet his would-be assassin in prison. The light of the star enabled him to discover within his own heart a capacity for mercy he did not know he possessed, Divine Mercy. This Mercy belonged to the Creator of the stars, but it was the saint’s to use and he used it well. He used it magnificently.

St Mother Teresa was a woman who could not stop following her star that said: ‘serve the poor’. This star that twinkled in her native Albania led her to embrace the poor of Calcutta, and many other places around the world. After her death, the Sisters and Brothers of Charity continue her compassionate ministry all over the world. Her star shines on, losing none of its brightness.

There was a man of God from El Salvador, St Oscar

Romero. His star said: ‘speak out’ against injustice and violence being perpetrated against the poor people of his country. This led to his martyrdom but his star shines on brilliantly though all those who continue to work for justice and peace.

What kind of star are you and I following? Have we been seduced by the false, empty stars of celebrity? Following these ‘stars’ will never bring us to God or give us life. Our

Star was born in a stable and died on a cross, but only this

Star can offer us hope, tenderness, mercy and compassion, justice, peace, love and eternal life. I hope that during this

Christmas the Star that is Jesus will enlighten each one of us.

May Jesus pierce our darkness and help us to see the things we really need to see, the things that God has in store for us.

May we, like John Paul, Teresa and Oscar follow this Star by serving others and journeying towards eternal life.

With every blessing Fr Sławomir Witon´

Westminster Cathedral

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

Cathedral Chaplains

Fr Sławomir Witon´ , Administrator Fr Michael Donaghy Fr Andrew Gallagher, Precentor Fr Hugh MacKenzie Fr Vincent Mbu’i SVD Fr John Scott, Registrar

Also in residence

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories

Music Department

Awaiting appointment, Master of Music Peter Stevens Obl. OSB, Assistant Master of Music James Orford, Organist in residence Marko Sever, Organ Scholar

Cathedral Manager

Peter McNulty

Estates Manager

Neil Fairbairn

Chapel of Ease

Sacred Heart Church Horseferry Road SW1P 2EF