Westminster Record July 2014 by RCWestminster

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Cathedral Excellence

Celebrating 20,000 Years of Marriage in the Westminster Cathedral

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Welcome Bishop Hudson

Cardinal Vincent ordained Mgr. Nicholas Hudson (picture, centre left) as an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster on 4 June 2014 in a Pontifical Mass at Westminster Cathedral. Cardinal Vincent was the Principal Celebrant and was assisted by principal co-consecrating bishops, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor and Archbishop Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark. The ordination was also attended by 25 bishops from across England and Wales and Europe, two abbots and over 180 priests. In his address at the end of Mass Bishop Nicholas alluded to his priestly ministry in Southwark Diocese: ‘It occurs to me that there are many bridges

between Southwark and Westminster; and I hope I can be another.’ As is customary, Cardinal Vincent then led Bishop Nicholas through the Cathedral so that he could confer a blessing on all who had joined the celebration. Bishop Nicholas will have pastoral responsibility for the deaneries of central and east London and oversight of the Agency for Evangelisation; he has also been assigned the titular see of St Germans by Pope Francis. For our interview with Bishop Nicholas, see page 12

Editorial Westminster Record – Contact us

Westminster Record | July 2014

‘Come, follow me’

Editor Bishop John Arnold Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Marie Saba 020 7798 9031 Inhouse writers Alex Balzanella 020 7798 9178, Chris O’Callaghan 020 7798 9030 & John Scott 020 7798 9035 Design Julian Game Proofing Michael Holmes, 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.

August publication dates Editorial Deadline: 14 July Listings email: communications@rcdow.org.uk News and stories call 020 7798 9178 Email: communications@rcdow.org.uk Advertising Deadline: 18 July To advertise call 0161 214 1200 Produced by the Communications Office of the Diocese of Westminster. News and articles published in Westminster Record do not necessarily represent the views of the Diocese of Westminster, unless specifically stated. Appearance of advertisements does not imply editorial endorsement.

The summer months happily bring us ordinations. This year we have celebrated diaconal, priestly and episcopal

and celebrate our own personal vocation on a daily basis. According to our circumstances, we do this in a vast diversity of ways but we do so in response to the invitation of Jesus when he says each day to us (as he did to his disciples) “Follow me”. We do not wait until we are fully educated in our faith before we proclaim it to others. The disciples in St Mark’s Gospel were sent out to teach and heal long before they had learned much from the Lord and they continued to learn much more. Equally, we cannot wait and we must be prepared to proclaim and show our faith wherever we are.

TripAdvisor recognises Cathedral excellence Westminster Cathedral has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for 2014 by the popular travel website TripAdvisor. The award recognises ‘consistently earned outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travellers’ and is based on the quality of reviews and opinions that tourists have submitted to the website over last twelve months. The Cathedral is currently rated 4.5 out of a possible 5, based on over 300 reviews. Recent comments have focused on the peace and tranquillity than can be found in the Cathedral among the hustle and bustle of the city. Hugh Mackay from Oxford said: ‘I visited several times recently and have been struck by the peacefulness of the place. You are never rushed and you can just sit down and take it all in’. Other recent reviews have praised Cardinal Vincent and the priests of the Cathedral for the Easter services, in particular the prayerful atmosphere that was created and the quality of the music from the famous choir. KPatL88 from Kuala Lumpur for example:

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ordinations in our diocese with gratitude and thanksgiving. We have also seen, once again, the celebration of the Mass in the Cathedral for married couples celebrating significant anniversaries, just as weddings are celebrated in so many of our parishes. In their different ways all these celebrations speak of the strengthening of our Church through vocation and the response to God’s call. It is certainly right that we solemnly mark the beginning of ministry and the conferring of the power to celebrate sacraments in our ordinations, just as it is good to mark the anniversaries of the years of the faithful living out their vocations. But these milestones are only part of the picture as you and I are called to live out

Catheral Facilities Manager Sarah Dorgan with the TripAdvisor certificate

‘I visited the Cathedral for the Good Friday Liturgy with Cardinal Nichols as the Principal Celebrant. Very moving service with the joy of listening to the Cathedral Choir... lovely to sit and take in

the atmosphere.’ Other qualities highlighted by the reviews included the quality of St Paul’s Bookshop next door, the view from the bell tower and the unique architecture of the building. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

News

Westminster Record | July 2014

Blessed Sacrament Processions to mark Corpus Christi By Alex Balzanella

n Sunday 22 June, parish communities across the diocese went from their churches out into the streets to mark the Solemnity of Corpus Christi by holding Eucharistic processions. In central London hundreds of people walked in procession from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm

Street, through Grosvenor Square to the Ukrainian Cathedral in Duke Street and then across Oxford Street into Manchester Square to St James’ Church, Spanish Place. Elsewhere Cardinal Vincent celebrated Mass at St Boniface Church, the location of the German Catholic Mission in Whitechapel, where he spoke of the importance witness the Eucharistic Procession gives: ‘The procession tells us where we’re going. It is our road map, our sat nav to our destiny to be with Jesus. It provides a profound expression of our witness to the faith and it reminds us that Jesus is always with us in our lives.’

Cardinal celebrates 400 years of Heythrop College The 400th anniversary of the foundation of Heythrop College was marked on 21 June by a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Cardinal Vincent at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Simon Stock parish in Kensington. In his homily, the Cardinal celebrated the origins and history of the College as ‘a simple novitiate established in Louvain in 1607’ but also looked towards its future: ‘Being the inheritors of such a long tradition is indeed a cause for thanksgiving. Yet it is also a source of real challenge. As the College reflects on its role and future it must surely call on this heritage and be shaped by all that is best in it.’ Cardinal Vincent then gave thanks for Heythrop College in its many manifestations. ‘We pray that this College will

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be true to its great history and make a truly evangelical contribution to our world today.’ The anniversary of the college, which is part of the University of London and

specialises in philosophy and theology, was also marked by an international academic conference at Senate House entitled ‘For the Great Glory of God and the Common Good: the Jesuit Educational

Tradition’. The celebration of the anniversary also included Mass on Friday 20 June with the Jesuit Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ, at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street.

News in Brief Cardinal Vincent addressed the Global Summit to End Sexaul Violence in Conflict on 12 June, supporting the aims of the summit and calling sexual violence: “An instrument of warfare and conflict that is a deep wound on the body of humanity”.

On Pentecost Sunday, Cardinal Vincent sent a pastoral letterin which he spoke of the Sacrament of Marriage being the work of the Holy Spirit: ‘Today I invite you to see Pentecost as a feast of the family. In the eyes of faith, marriage and family life are essentially the work of the Holy Spirit. They are a vocation, a call from God, through which God brings stability and new life into His world.’ Page 3

News

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Marylebone Celebrates Half Century C ardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant at the Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the present church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Marylebone, on Sunday 15 June. Also concelebrating were parish priest Fr Michael Johnston and Fr Austin Garvey. At the front of the church was a photo of Cardinal Heenan at its opening in 1964;

Cardinal Vincent stood on the same spot to give his homily, reflecting on the beautiful building which had come about from hard work, commitment and sacrifices made by so many people in years gone by. He reminded the congregation that the church is the people who have built up the parish community over the 159 years since its founding in Marylebone. After the celebration the Cardinal greeted members of the congregation composed of people from all over the world who worship at this very multinational parish, which also welcomes visitors to the capital who are staying in one of the 120 hotels within the parish boundary. Fr Michael said: ‘I am delighted that the parish has reached this 50-year milestone. I look forward to a strong and vibrant parish in the years to come here in Marylebone.’

Mount Street Jesuits Host ‘Question Time’

Cardinal Re-opens German Church Hostel On 22 June, Cardinal Vincent celebrated Mass at St Boniface Church and opened the newlyrefurbished Wynfrid House which operates as part of the German Catholic Mission in London. The Mass was celebrated in German and English and concluded with a Eucharistic procession to mark the feast of Corpus Christi. The hostel offers bed and breakfast accommodation with 35 rooms and 2 dormitories.

On Wednesday 4 June the first Faith Matters Question Time took place at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre. The discussion, which took the form of a panel debate and question and answer session, debated ‘Pope Francis’ Vision for the Catholic Church: What does it mean for us?’ The panel included Lord Glasman of Stamford Hill, Julian Cowan, Assistant Editor of the Observer, Sarah de Nordwall and Sarah Teather MP. The evening saw discussions including the 8 June visit to the Vatican by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders and whether the Church should be involved in politics. Concluding the evening on Wednesday, Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, who hosted the session, said he hoped it would be the first of many Faith Matters Q&A sessions to be held at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre. Page 4

We want your News You can send us your latest news online, please email communications@ rcdow.org.uk Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Parish Profile

Westminster Record | July 2014

St George, Sudbury: Medieval & Modern in Inspiration By Alex Balzanella

rriving on a quiet Thursday afternoon in Sudbury my expectation was to find the parish of St George in a similarly sleepy state. However, I noticed an image of the Blessed Sacrament framed just above the church door and all manner of people coming in and out. As I met Mgr Jeremy Fairhead in the middle of it all he told me that the parish was beginning its Quarant’Ore - 40 hours of devotion before the Blessed Sacrament - in preparation for Corpus Christi whilst holding its usual playgroup in the hall. ‘There’s always something going on here’, he says, ‘on Corpus Christi this year we’ll be having two Blessed Sacrament processions. One with our First Communion children and a more traditional one following the Solemn Mass.’

The parish of St George has a vibrant community of over 1,500 drawn from parts of Wembley as well as Sudbury. Mgr Jeremy and Assistant Fr Shaun Richards, ordained Priest in January, arrived together in Sudbury within a day of each other in September 2013 and both found the parish community very welcoming, with many parishioners travelling down to Our Lady of Victories, Kensington for Fr Shaun’s ordination. Since their arrival they have been aided by the experience of Pastoral Assistant Margaret Simon and Rebecca Gormally, the new youth worker, in serving the Church in Sudbury. A Church inspired by beauty The church building itself is built under Gothic inspiration and so I was surprised to find out from Mgr Jeremy that it was only erected in 1926. Much of the design is due to the original Parish Priest, Fr Clement Lloyd Russell, who was keen on the imagery of pre-Reformation England; this even extended to writing the Notices of the Week in medieval script! The Church has some particularly interesting statues and artwork that offer useful focal points for prayer. Above the West Door of the church there is a statue of St George, to whom the parish is dedicated, whilst within the Church there are further icons of St George as well as a first class relic of the saint. The Lady Chapel was one of the first dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham outside the Shrine itself and also houses an

alabaster statue of Our Lady of Pity believed to have been rescued from Exeter Cathedral during the Reformation; the church also houses a number of fine stained glass windows. ‘A generous parish’ Depicted in them is one of the parish groups which has existed since the early days of St George’s, the amateur allmale choir. Mgr Jeremy spoke to me about the character of the group: ‘It really is impressive, they have been going since the foundation of the parish and are one of only two amateur all-male Catholic choirs in the UK. It’s got a strong social element too; the group numbers 30, many of them fathers and sons, providing them with an opportunity to spend time together in the parish community.’ I asked Mgr Jeremy about other organisations that are popular in the parish and what characteristic best defines the community: ‘It’s a very generous parish, we’ve a large and active response to Cafod, a Justice and Peace group and have recently raised £4,000 for Mary’s Meals. People are generous with their time too; there are a large number of Catechists in the parish, many who have given time over a number of years.’ The parish also has Knights of St Columba, who were generous enough to give their statue of St Richard Reynolds, under whose patronage they

are, to the newly-built Catholic schools in Twickenham. Helping young people develop within the Christian Community Mgr Jeremy and Fr Shaun are also keen that young people feel welcome and be engaged in the parish. St George’s Primary often welcomes them into the school which, in turn, often comes for celebrations in the church. As their Growing in Faith project, St George’s chose to employ a youth worker, Rebecca Gormally, to provide direction and encourage activities in the parish that really appealed to the young. In the last six months the parish has formed both a new weekly youth club and an after-school club. Rebecca told me something of what they

have done so far: ‘We have had a range of fun activities: water fights, painting a big mural, football, as well as welcoming speakers talking about their experience of being Christian. I hope that through youth ministry and events for them they will become more open to

the Church and develop within the Christian community. ‘We have just started the post-confirmation programme, which we began with a BBQ on 21 June and are planning to meet twice a month; it is important that the events we host link to a wider programme that offers young people the faith of the Church.’ The last question I ask Mgr. Jeremy is about the particular challenges facing the parish, to which he is clear in his response: ‘We must be responsive to the changing demographic of Sudbury, first to ensure new communities are included and also to make a clear witness as the largest Christian community in the area.’ ‘We also have a duty to rediscover afresh the tradition with which the parish was founded and reinterpret that anew to make it vibrant and relevant for the present day.’ It was a joy to visit St George’s, a church inspired by a vision of beauty drawn from England’s Catholic past and so obviously now enthused with desire to live out the fullness of Catholic faith in witness to the surrounding community. Mass Times: (Sat 6.15pm), 8.30, 9.45 (Family), 11.15 (Solemn), 5.30pm (Sung) Address: 970 Harrow Road, Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 2QE Telephone: 020 8904 0744 Website: http://parish.rcdow. org.uk/sudbury Page 5

Schools News

Westminster Record | July 2014

Good Shepherd Mass looks to ‘Stars of Hope’ St Anne’s in Fatima Students from St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls, Enfield, visit a pilgrim site once a year with a special focus on experiencing faith beyond the school environment. Following last year’s school trip to Rome, 39 students and 5 teachers embarked a spiritual journey to Fatima, Nazaré and Lisbon in the May half-term under the direction of the school chaplain. The purpose of the visit was to explore and reflect on one of the popular pilgrim sites of Roman Catholicism.

St Christina’s Celebrates New Buildings On Friday 13 June Bishop John Sherrington visited St Christina’s School in St John’s Wood to celebrate the Good Shepherd Mass in the school’s Chapel and visit the new extension to the school buildings. In his homily Bishop John reflected on the mission of the Good Shepherd and reflected on his visit to the Holy Land to describe the challenges a shepherd would face in leading a flock in an arid environment. After the service Bishop John congratulated Headteacher Nathalie ClyneWilson, School Chaplain Sr Angela ACI and Religious

Education Co-ordinator, Gemma Raimondo, who are all retiring this year. Bishop John thanked them all for their dedication to the pupils of the school and their commitment

to Catholic teaching. The new extension adds a floor to the school, to include two classrooms, a designated music room and two practice rooms.

he annual Good Shepherd Masses, organised by the Catholic Children’s Society, took place at Westminster Cathedral on 5 June, based on the theme of ‘Stars of Hope’. The morning Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Arnold, whilst the afternoon service was celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington. Reflecting on the children’s contribution, Mgr Phelim Rowland, Chair of the CCS, said: ‘The stars in the sky can only be seen in the dark. You can’t see them during the day even though they are still there. ‘There are parts of our society that are very dark. Even here in London, there is

violence and real poverty in places. In that darkness, there are children here today who think they can and ought to be light in the darkness, that they can be a star. It’s very important that we never lose sight of the fact that we can be that light, that we can make a difference.’ During the offertory procession in both Masses children from each school presented a cheque for the sum they had raised as part of their Lenten project, which were then handed to Rosemary Keenan, Chief Executive of CCS. Dr Keenan thanked the children for their support and prayers in assistance of other children.

Walking To Help St Luke’s On a very wet Saturday morning in June, students and staff from St Dominic's Sixth Form College, Harrow, took part in a 5-mile sponsored walk to raise money and awareness for St Luke's Hospice, Kenton, a local centre which provides palliative care for terminally ill patients.

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Vice Principal Nicola Walsh was delighted to announce that over £1500 had been raised so far for the charity and said that all of the people involved in this great day not only enjoyed the typically English summer weather but, most importantly, learnt of the vital work that St Luke's does and of its need to raise over £3 million every year.

Schools News

Westminster Record | July 2014

St Bernadette’s celebrate 60 years O

n 18 June Bishop John Sherrington celebrated Mass at All Saints Church, Kenton, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of St Bernadette’s Primary School. In his homily Bishop John spoke about the mission of Catholic education and thanked those who had participated in the life of the school: “The role of a Catholic school is to form friends of Jesus and to help children become the people God wants them to be. I thank your teachers, headteachers and governors from the last 60 years. Your dedication means that a school becomes a house of prayer and a safe home for our young people” He also asked for the congregation to pray for the pupils of St Bernadette’s, that some of them may consider as their future profession the great vocation of teaching. David O’Farrell, Headteacher of St Bernadette’s said: “This momentous year for our school began with a wonderful Mass in the School celebrated by the then-Archbishop in May 2013 and celebrations have continued throughout the year culminating in a series of events that included; a whole school picnic with a celebration of each decade, a school reunion and a lovely community Mass in All Saints Church with Bishop John Sherrington. It has been a great year for our school and its alumni.”

New Heads of School at St Benedict’s

Bishop John Sherrington celebrates Mass at St Mary’s Priory School St Mary’s Priory School in Stamford Hill has been passed from the care of the Servite Order to the diocese. Bishop John Sherringon celebrated Mass at the school with representatives from the other Servite-run schools in the diocese on 23 June to thank the Sisters for their service to education in the local area. As a parting gift to the school, the Servites gave a generous cheque to the Headmistress, Mrs Florence Collins, to fund the building of a much-desired Music Room for students to develop.

Congratulations to Alexandra Vangelatos and Xavier Crean who have been appointed Head Girl and Head Boy at St Benedict’s School, Ealing, for the academic year 2014/15. Both are potential scientists studying Chemistry and Mathematics, to which Alexandra adds Biology and Economics while Xavier’s other choices are Physics and Latin. The Heads of School represent St Benedict’s at various student functions during the year but they also have a vital role in organising and motivating the whole Sixth Form team of officials, Deputies and Decans (school prefects). The Sixth Form team helps out at numerous school events during the year and serves as a wonderful role model for younger pupils of service to others, in the true Benedictine tradition. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Folk Fusion are a hit

The Folk Fusion Ensemble from St Benedict's School, Ealing, is making waves in the music world. The Upper Sixth students performed in the final of a national Folk competition called ‘New Roots’ at the Trestle Arts Base in St Albans. A panel of judges comprising some of the UK's most high-profile folk artists liked what they heard and awarded the ensemble a feature spot at the Redbourn Folk Club near St Albans on evening of June 26. Tom Best describes how it went: “When our name was called we were nervous to say the least, but excited as it was

our first live performance as a group. Our pieces went well with few hiccups! After listening to fellow competitors and a long waiting period, the judges gave their feedback valuable and constructive but most of all, positive! We are now looking forward to the chance to perform in more venues.”

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Westminster Record | July 2014

Connecting to Ethiopia On the evening of Tuesday 3 June, more than 50 CAFOD volunteers welcomed Abba Solomon and Abba Teum, two priests from Sebeya, Ethiopia, to share their experiences of working with the Connect2 programme. Stefan King reflects on forming a direct link with others overseas: ‘This is my first event as the parish CAFOD volunteer. My first recollection of Ethiopia was the 1984 famine. Later, I became interested in the political problems of this region of Africa. Stefan King

The two speakers came from Sebeya, a village in northern Ethiopia where food poverty, malnutrition, HIV/Aids and economic justice are some of the daily challenges. This reinforced my energy to help my brothers and sisters, and encouraged me to really try to understand the situation better. It also highlighted that there are so many ways to help and participate. Despite the Ethiopian economy growing 11% last year, the wealth divide is also increasing, meaning that most people live on less than two dollars a day. This angers me as one of the stumbling blocks to social justice, emphasising that inequality happens everywhere. Sebeya is at the foot of a mountain which thirty years ago was covered in trees. Due to repetitive extensive droughts, the mountain is now just covered in scrub, causing further problems. Maintaining

Abba Solomon from Sebeya, Ethiopia, speaks to volunteers

a good water supply is crucial for any community and I am encouraged to play my part in helping Sebeya, which is a rural village, to have access to this basic resource. The Connect2 campaign, as well as helping on the ground, allows parishes and individuals in the UK to have a

direct link with Sebeya. I am reinvigorated in my support for CAFOD and the realisation that any fundraising will have a real and direct impact is very profound.’ For more information on the Sebeya community and on CAFOD’s work in Ethiopia, visit cafod.org.uk/connect2.

Stand By Brazil during the World Cup – and beyond

Westminster rides against Poverty and Hunger In May more than 150 cyclists from around the diocese and beyond came together for the annual Pedal Against Poverty sponsored ride. The sun shone and the cyclists raised more than £6000 – enough to help CAFOD support indigenous communities in the Amazon to secure rights to their lands and to adapt to the effects of climate change. Then in June 30 children took to their bicycles and scooters at Hemel Hempstead, as part of the Children Cycling Against Hunger event, following a custom-built circuit around the parish car park. Well done and thank you to everyone who helped to organise and who took part in each of these events. CAFOD is now seeking runners for the Great South Run, a 10 mile course through Portsmouth which takes place on Sunday 26 October. To find out more, visit cafod.org.uk/fundraise/ Sponsored-Event/GSR Page 8

During the World Cup, and ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, CAFOD is asking you to stand by the people of Brazil. We are petitioning the Brazilian authorities to protect people’s rights to live in decent housing, have access to education, healthcare, sanitation and a say in community development. We are also

calling on them to ensure that development for large sporting projects, like those for done for the World Cup, do not force poor people from their homes. Will you Stand by Brazil? To read CAFOD’s full letter to the Brazilian Government, and to add your name to the petition, visit cafod.org.uk/standbybrazil

For the Diary • Thursday, 10 July – Tackling Poverty in the Face of Climate Change – CAFOD welcomes Antony Mbandi, Director of Caritas Kitui (Kenya), who will share his experience of climate change in East Africa. • Saturday, 6 September – Harvest Volunteer Morning – Join us for a look at the work behind this year’s Harvest Fast Day Appeal. Held at the Church of Christ the King, Cockfosters N14 4HE. • Friday, 3 October – Harvest Fast Day – We would like CAFOD envelopes will be distributed and speakers to be available at Masses on the weekend of 28 September, with a retiring collection for CAFOD on the weekend of 5 October. For more information or to book for any of these events, call 0208 449 6970 or email: westminster@cafod.org.uk

We want your News Award-winning actress Jo Joyner (Eastenders) joins in a demonstration for fair housing in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of her visit to CAFOD supported projects ©Shea Bradley/CAFOD)

You can send us your latest news online, please email communications @rcdow.org.uk Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Social Action

Westminster Record | July 2014

Walking for Peace in the heart of London By Barbara Kentish On June 28 Justice and Peace and Pax Christi took a ‘Walk for Peace’, from the Conscientious Objectors’ Memorial in Tavistock Square to the Peace Garden at the Imperial War Museum, using a trail devised by St Mellitus parishioner Valerie Flessati to celebrate those who have taken concrete steps for peace over this last century since the Great War. Parishioners from Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster paused at monuments across the city, remembering peace workers and also peace successes, such as the Peace Pledge Union and the United Nations. The statue of Fenner Brockway, who suffered two years’ imprisonment as a conscientious objector, stands in Red Lion Square, whilst nurse Edith Cavell, whose statue sits opposite the National Portrait Gallery, was executed for nursing English and German soldiers alike. How little we know London! Some were not aware that the first United Nations session was held in 1946 in Westminster Central Hall or that a statue of Archbishop Romero, opponent of oppression in El Salvador, is above the West Doors of Westminster Abbey. The trail finished at the Buddhist Peace Garden with prayers led by Archbishop Kevin McDonald. Peace Trail booklets may be obtained from Valerie Flessati at flessati@uk2.net

The statue of Indian peacemaker Mahatma Gandhi in Tavistock Square.

Chipping Barnet Foodbank The North London J&P network welcomed Sheila Gallagher to speak about food poverty in June. Sheila is a founder member of New Barnet Justice and Peace Ecumenical Group and chair of the Chipping Barnet foodbank. She explains: ‘The need has grown; we now have more voucher holders than ever and are open an extra day. Donations have been generous, so the store at the Salvation Army is now too small and we have had to expand our storage facilities’. The 2013 Chipping Barnet Foodbank Report gives the background: ‘We discovered that three churches, independently of one another, had begun giving emergency food to individuals requesting help. The J&P group invited a representative from the Trussell Trust to explain how to set up a foodbank. They appealed to seven local churches for donations for start-up costs.’ Regular donors now include St Peter’s RC Church, St Gregory’s RC Church, several other churches and two local synagogues. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Justice and Peace: inspired by the Cenacle Prayer Group, and the power of prayer West London Justice and Peace Network hosted the recentlyformed Cenacle Missionary Prayer Group in June. Slovakian, Eritrean, Portuguese and English members explained how a campaign had been set up to oppose the torture of kidnapped Eritreans in Sinai. Sister Azezet told of kidnapped victims being held in Sinai torture camps so that their Bedouin kidnappers could extort ransom money from relatives either back home or abroad. The group’s prayers inspired them to lobby Parliament and to set up an online petition. Feven, a member of St Aidan’s Eritrean Mass Community in East Acton, journeyed to Ethiopia to track down two victims and organise financial support. This little-known trade is now being exposed and challenged by senior politicians such as Frank Field and taken up by the international e-petition group, Avaaz. To find out more about Cenacle prayer group, contact the Comboni Missionary Sisters, 2 Chiswick Lane W42JF Tel: 02089940449. To find out more about the trafficking issue, see www.stopsinaitorture.org Page 9

In Pictures

Westminster Record | July 2014

In Pictures

Westminster Record | July 2014

Ordination and Religious Profession On 4 June Bishop Nicholas Hudson was ordained at Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The Bishop is called as an Apostle fearlessly to teach the faith whilst caring for all the people of God and especially for the needy and frail among them. It is for this reason the Bishop is presented with symbols of his office, including a Crozier, which illustrates his duty of shepherding the whole company of the faithful and a Ring to show the unbreakable commitment which a Bishop has to the Church.

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On 28 June Andrew Chamiec, Derek Hyett and Brian O’Mahony were ordained Priests at Westminster Cathedral, with an estimated 100 Priests and Bishops concelebrating with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Priests are called to be co-workers with the Bishops in caring for the members of Christ’s Body, the Church. This centres on the celebration of the Sacraments, both those received regularly, such as the Eucharist, and those which mark turning points in human life. No less do priests care for the welfare of the faithful in their daily lives and troubles.

On Wednesday 18 June at Tyburn Convent, Marble Arch, Mother Marie-Joseph Newsome OSB made her Solemn Profession with the Adorer Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Speaking about her solemn profession, Mother MarieJoseph said: ‘It is important to me to make vows to God at Monastic Profession because they bind me for life to this Congregation to which He has called me. It is a renunciation of everything; I come to God with all that I have and all that I am. The more I contemplate its implications the more unfathomable to me is the immeasurable love, mercy and condescension He has for me and each one of us – it is beyond words.’ The particular charism at Tyburn is perpetual adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, whilst the Community continues to cherish the memory of the many Catholics martyred at Tyburn. Solemn Profession is the perpetual life-offering of a Religious under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, with the additional characteristic Benedictine vow of stability. It is the fulfilment of the desire to serve God which has been tested through the years of noviciate and then of simple vows.

On 14 June 2014, Bishop John Arnold ordained three men to the diaconate at Westminster Cathedral. Cyril Chiaha and David Lucuy were ordained for the Diocese of Westminster, while Kevin Athaide was ordained for the Diocese of Nottingham. All three newly-ordained deacons will continue in formation for the priesthood over the coming year. Deacons assist the priest both in sacramental ministry and preaching as well as in pastoral care for God’s people. Page 10

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In Pictures

Westminster Record | July 2014

In Pictures

Westminster Record | July 2014

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Interview

Westminster Record | July 2014

Getting to know Bishop Nicholas By Marie Saba

n his ordination address, Bishop Nicholas said he was looking forward to getting to know us. So, to help us get to know him, he recently shared his own story. One of a family of five boys, he speaks of how both sides of the River shaped him: ‘if it was Southwark which gave me faith, it was Westminster which gave me life.’ The strong connection with Westminster was also evident in his baptism in Wimbledon parish since it was a Marist priest from the French church in Leicester Square who celebrated the sacrament. ‘In so many ways I think of myself as belonging to Westminster and this new chapter as a homecoming of sorts.’ Speaking of his childhood, he says, ‘Just being a large family and having to learn to yield to one another was so important because you are only one of five. It always gave me a very strong sense of family and I’ve always felt that family is one of the most

important units in society and in the Church.’ ‘Some people find it almost difficult to believe, but I began to feel a call to the priesthood from 5 or 6, and it stayed with me. Whenever I shared it with the family, whilst they took it seriously, they also took a very balanced approach, saying that you have a long time to think about what God is wanting to do with your life.’ The Diocese of Southwark encouraged him to go to university to gain experience. He explains, ‘First, however, I had the opportunity to go to seminary during a gap year, to embark on a course of formation and to understand more deeply what my vocation might be.’ In Cambridge studying history, he encountered a different world. ‘Part of the formation is to observe different values that people hold whilst also getting to know those people for the good people that they are. It was a good way to refine my own value system.’

After Cambridge, he was sent to the Venerable English College (VEC) in Rome in 1981 to continue his formation with degrees in philosophy and theology. After ordination, Fr Nicholas was appointed to serve in Canterbury, ‘an important city in the history of the Church, ecumenically and for understanding the history of Christianity in Great Britain.’ Whilst there he became involved in catechesis, working with the Christian Education Centre which continued when, in 1991, he was asked to train further in evangelisation and catechesis at Louvain to prepare to become Director of the Centre in 1992. In 2000, he was asked to become Vice-Rector of the VEC. Bishop Nicholas is keen to stress that changes of work were all made after a period of discernment. ‘I always found that, if discernment is well made with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then one finds real

happiness, even if one is slightly surprised at first.’ He was later asked to become Rector, continuing until 2013: ‘The more I’ve worked with seminarians, the more I admire them for offering themselves to the priesthood because it is so counter-cultural these days.’ Prior to taking up his next appointment as Parish Priest at Wimbledon, he spent a sabbatical term with L’Arche, whom he has known since his time in Canterbury. ‘It has taught me that those with disabilities have a prophetic value. They remind us that you find the Kingdom when you invite into your life people who have no possibility of repaying the hospitality that you offer.’ Many friends from L’Arche were present at his episcopal ordination, along with family and other friends. Reflecting on preparations for his ordination on 4 June: ‘One of the joys was being in contact with so many people who’ve been part of my journey, right

back to first teachers, and to bring them all together.’ Bishop Nicholas combines pastoral responsibility for Central and East London with oversight of the Agency for Evangelisation. Asked what his vision is, he replies: ‘If you think of catechesis, prayer, marriage and family life, and the poor, and ask parishes and individuals to reflect on how all of those might be seen to connect in terms of the call to be evangelisers, I think all sorts of different answers will occur. Some parishes might be given the grace to pray for the evangelising work of the diocese. Others may be able to develop and support marriage and family life. There is already deeply impressive outreach to the poor, taking place at the parish level, but which might be owned by families.’ Asked what we can expect from him as a bishop, he says, ‘I’m deeply touched by what Pope Francis says about the role of the bishop in Evangelii Gaudium and I will try hold on to what he asks of a bishop: to be an unassuming and merciful presence in the midst of the people. I’m very clear that I need first and foremost to get to know as many of the parishes and schools and religious as I possibly can in the area before I know what I can be for them.’

St Germans in Cornwall is Bishop Nicholas’ titular see Page 12

Vocations, Marriage & Family Life

Westminster Record | July 2014

20,000 Years of Marriage Celebrated in the Catherdal By Marie Saba

ardinal Vincent celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony at Westminster Cathedral on 7 June 2014. Over 600 couples, between them celebrating a total of over 20,000 years of marriage were in attendance at this 7th Annual Mass at the invitation of the Cardinal. In his homily the Cardinal gave thanks and rejoiced at the love expressed in celebration of these marriages, ‘Love is the true and lasting prize, the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ‘When a family is centred on Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, divine Love, flows freely within it, love given and received, nurtured and faithfully sustained.’ He went on to say, ‘When we are centred on Jesus in our family lives, the Holy Spirit fashions within us the capacity to forgive, the readiness to be selfless, and the strength to be faithful. The Holy Spirit fashions within us a love that is ever-generous in the giving of new life, in the accepting of new neighbours, in readiness to embrace visitors and strangers, in compassion for all who are needy and lost. Noting the great example couples set by their witness, Cardinal Vincent encouraged them to ‘pass on this great gift to your children and especially your grandchildren for whom you are such a source of wisdom and wonder. Teach them how to pray, for in doing so you obey the Lord’s command and offer a divine teaching, better than any other teaching you can give.’ He expressed his gratitude,

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‘I thank you for the witness of your lives, of your tenacity to each other and to your Lord. Yours is a voice which is much needed in our world and in our Church.’ During the Mass, the couples renewed and reaffirmed their commitment to each other, giving thanks to each other for sharing their lives together and vowing to continue to love and stand by each other. After the Mass, the Cardinal greeted the couples individually and congratulated them on their commitment to each other and their families.

Below: Maria and Antonio, celebrating 50 years, pictured with their youngest daughter Donata. ‘It’s just like the first day,’ they said with a twinkle in their eyes. Speaking of her parents’ marriage, Donata says, ‘Seeing my parents’ example is an inspiration. I’m married myself and I know that marriage isn’t necessarily easy. It’s about working through the struggles, talking to each other and being honest.’

Above: Festus and Francesca, celebrating 25 years: ‘We find great strength in our faith, living the Catholic life day to day and handing the Faith on to our children.

Above: Rudy and Hazel, celebrating 25 years: ‘Our faith has been central to our marriage, sustaining us and bringing us much joy.’

Left: Eugene and Kathleen, celebrating 60 years, picture with Canon Christopher Tuckwell who gave them a blessing when they celebrated their golden jubilee. ‘For better or for worse, in sickness or in health, till death do us part. We said these words 60 years ago to each other and we still abide by them, acknowledging that in married life you have to take the rough with the smooth.’

Diocese welcomes three more Permanent Deacons Please keep in your prayers our three soon-to-beordained permanent deacons. These are: Justin Cross from St Bartholomew parish in St Albans, Ian Edwards from Ealing Abbey parish, and Stephen Khokhar from St Anselm parish in Southall. Their ordination is at 12.30pm on Saturday 19 July in Westminster Cathedral. All welcome! Ordination photos and profiles of each of the men will appear in our August issue.

Page 13

Westminster Record | July 2014

Director’s Youth ALIVE in Enfield another success Spotlight

Not long after World Youth Day in Rio, Pope Francis met with 500 young people in St Peter’s Basilica, as a part of the Year of Faith. ‘I called it for selfish reasons’, Pope Francis explained, ‘Do you know why I like being with young people?’ ‘Because you have in your hearts a promise of hope. You are the bearers of hope. You live in the present, but are looking at the future. You are the protagonists of the future, artisans of the future.’ We need to work with this invitation: to be with our young people and to support and harness their energy, courage, hope and vision. Being where the young people are is the simplest way to engage and encourage their insight. So how can we do this practically? We start by listening at every opportunity to what our young people say; not only ‘hear’ the words but ‘listen’ to their appeals, hopes and dreams to harness their passion and determination. Let them even make a mess - in fact, encourage them to make a mess – in every parish of our diocese. Pope Francis continued: ‘This is your challenge…you can do it: you have the power to do so. If you do not, it is because of laziness.… I want to tell you: Have courage. Go forward. Make noise.’ So make it happen, share time with young people, invite them to take responsibilities in the parish – it may well need a direct personal invite – but try it and you may be surprised. To finish, read Psalm 127: 3-5; Scripture tells us what we need to know. Page 14

the gifts at the Offertory. Fr Benedict's homily was wonderful and the reference to Psalm 127, which focuses on the blessing of having a family, wasn't lost on anyone. After Mass, there was a roaring barbecue feeding us all and Jon Stricklin-Coutinho of CAFOD walked us creatively through the challenges that face young people today in developing countries. Samba teacher Andre Johnston managed to convert novices into high end samba musicians inside a couple of

On the evening of Friday 20 June at Christ the King Parish, Cockfosters, the latest Enfield Deanery Youth Alive event took place, the adopted samba theme neatly lining up with the World Cup.

hours and their first public performance was fantastic. Plenty of football, hanging out and social interaction between the parishes is always the highlight - loud music and the traditional dance off took place and thirty minutes after the scheduled close we were still trying to usher the young people homeward! Great credit to Giulia Kemp, Anna, Sybil and Fran for again showing that Catholic Youth in Enfield is most certainly Alive.

These events have been running now for nearly two years and each parish in the Deanery takes its turn to host. The event was raising muchneeded funds for CAFOD, which is based within the Parish complex. Fr Benedict Fadoju was the principal celebrant at the youth Mass, attended by over 80 young people. Musical support came from Rita and Tom O’Neil from the Chemin Neuf community and young adults from a number of Enfield parishes led the readings, bidding prayers and presented

Youth Worker Spotlight: Jack Bull Why did you choose to become a youth worker? I wanted to do youth work because I was asked by my old youth worker to help out at clubs for children and then I just fell in love with it. He then asked me to do more and more and from then on I just kept on enjoying telling young people about God and what He has in store for them. What do you enjoy most from the work?

Age: 19 years old Home Parish: Berkhamsted Youth Worker at: St James, Twickenham

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

That is a tough choice because there are so many amazing things you encounter whilst doing youth work, from playing computer games, eating pizza and drinking fizzy drink to talking about God. But I really like watching young people grow Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/doywm

up into men and women of God and then seeing them lead other youth activities.

is my youth work and when it is at its weakest, then my youth work is lacking.

What is the greatest challenge?

Who is your favourite saint and why?

There are so many challenges and it isn't easy. The greatest challenge for me is knowing my own limitations! Knowing you can't change the world overnight, whilst also trying to balance your personal life and other things as well are crucial.

My favourite saint is probably Saint Blandina. She was a French slave girl who was martyred for her faith. I think she is amazing because at such a young age she was willing to stand firm in her faith and eventually be killed for her love of Jesus. She reminds me of the persecuted Church today, but also of how amazingly privileged I am to be able to worship God in peace. She also makes me put the question to myself: 'How far would I go for Jesus?', which is a very important one I think!

How does your faith shape your approach to your work? This sounds simple, but is true: faith is the foundation for everything I do. It is why I want to do this work and it is God who keeps me doing it. When my faith is strongest, so Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

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

Youth

Westminster Record | July 2014

Chaplain’s Journal

A Louisiana Experience of Faith

JULY 2014

by Rebekah Curran

Fr David Reilly, Diocesan Youth Chaplain

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). However, the context in which young people find and experience faith has been transformed. The world has changed dramatically in the last forty years, loosing social control and restrictions on young people. Through communities and education, adherence to a cultural form of faith was a given for many; but not so today. The Holy Spirit calls us to something more radical. Each one is asked to be both an agent and a subject of the New Evangelisation. We do not project our own experience onto others but are first inwardly converted so that others experience us as authentic agents of the Gospel. The seed of faith needs to reach those who, believing they have heard the message already, have either abandoned or forgotten it. Perhaps the seed fell by the wayside or its life-giving force was choked by other concerns (Mt 13:1-23) in the more opaque and complicated scenarios of modern life.

We want your News You can send us your latest news online, please email communications @rcdow.org.uk

We mistakenly expect the sacraments such as Confirmation to work like ‘rites of passage’ transforming our children into grown-up Catholics overnight. Perhaps in the past that even appeared to happen, if for other reasons. That is not going to happen now, but if we begin to understand and experience the sacraments for what they really are – encounters with the Living Christ – then we might begin to understand what renewal genuinely means presently and for the future. The Church for our young people will not be renewed until we are ready to evangelise them and allow ourselves to be evangelised by them. As St Paul wrote to the Romans: ‘How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe if they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!”’ (Romans 10:14-15).

So I am pretty sure that I have one of the best jobs in the world. At the end of May I was off to Louisiana, to see some of their parish ministry and to take part in the ECHO camp – a Theology of the Body Summer Camp for Teens, facilitated by Dumb Ox Ministries. Youth ministry in the USA feels like a world away from what I have often experienced here in the UK. Of the parishes I went to visit, many of their youth group evenings are connected to a youth Mass. I loved how our faith as Catholics is so clearly evident in their ministry. Their youth groups are there to bring their young people into relationship with Christ and they are not ashamed to do it. Watching it

was so freeing, because I know I have been one of those ‘let’s not push them too far’ people; however the message from across the pond: set the standards and they will rise to them. My time in the States climaxed with this week-long summer camp. Dumb Ox Ministries (named after the ‘dumb ox’, St Thomas Aquinas) is a nonprofit organisation aiming to form teenagers, young adults and families ino people open to God’s unique plan for their life; it was a pleasure to spend time with such joy-filled and holy people. This 5th annual ECHO camp (named Echo after a quote in Theology of the Body by Pope St John Paul II) was wellattended by 150 young people

in total. The week starts with 18-30 year olds receiving teaching and formation as a young adult community. Then, a few days later, we welcomed the young people (16-18), taking on roles from mentoring to hospitality and intercession. The programme and setup was slick and well-run; it felt effortless, which is a sign of good planning. The young people were a huge joy, full of life, energy and questions. My favourite part of ministry is this idea of discipleship, walking and journeying alongside and the whole camp was set up in a way that we had that opportunity to invest in that work. Personally, I find that the teaching of Theology of the Body is foundational to our efforts to evangelise. Within it can be found truth, answers and freedom, because it points us to the ultimate source: relationship with the Trinitarian God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My prayer is that I can use this experience of ECHO to bring that same freedom home. Seeing it used in such an effective and liberating way makes me realise how much is possible, and I am excited to see where God will lead this ministry to our youth.

Exciting Future Events! 2014 Lourdes: On July 20 Youth Ministry will be going to Lourdes with a mass of young people from the diocese. This is an opportunity for people to visit the place where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette. Pilgrims also devote time to helping those who are less able to visit the shrine too. It promises to be an action packed and truly holy week. Holy Land: Follow in the footsteps of Jesus and visit the Holy Land this year with Westminster Youth Ministry. We’ll be taking a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, walking up Mount Tabor, celebrating Mass with the Cardinal in the desert, visiting the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the shrine of Jesus’ birth, floating in the Dead Sea and so much more! Book now and join us for this incredible adventure. 2015 Camino: The Camino de Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage in Spain is one of our planned trips for next year. We will be walking the Way of St.

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

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

James, starting in a town called Sarria and walking the 100km to the city of Santiago de Compostela. A great opportunity to journey together, learning more about St. James, each other and ourselves. It will undoubtebly be a spiritually enriching and unforgettable experience. 2016 World Youth Day: Yes it’s going to be epic. World Youth Day is being hosted by Poland next time in the beautiful and historical city of Krakow. We’ve already been out there to visit and it is as stunning as they say it is. WYD will take your breath away. Millions of young Catholics from all over the world gather together for this extraordinary event which takes place only once every two or three years. Celebrate Mass with the Pope, share your faith with others, participate in a range of engaging workshops and sing, dance and celebrate. This is one of those life changing experiences so don’t miss it for the world. Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

See photos of youth events at: http://tinyurl.com/5vqohvo

Page 15

Technology Review

Westminster Record | July 2014

App Review: Catholic Study Bible

By Alex Balzanella

revious reviews in the Westminster Record have shown how apps on your smartphone or tablet device can be a valuable tool in exploring your faith and understanding more about the Church, its teachings and its traditions. This month we are looking at the Catholic Study Bible App, a programme that seeks to offer a 'catch all' approach to tech-savvy Catholics who want a variety of tools included within one programme.

The developers of the Catholic Study Bible App are Ignatius Press and Lighthouse Media, whose resources are used as tools of Catechesis in parishes and schools. The app itself is free and provides users with a range of resources including a full RSV bible, indexed so that key biblical passages such as the Miracles of Jesus and those relating to doctrines of the Church can be swiftly found, biblical commentary, including the full Gospel of John given by the renowned Catholic theologian Dr Scott Hahn and Daily Mass readings. The app also provides additional content which users can pay for; these range from a library of Lighthouse Media talks on over 100 subjects which are often less than £2 to the option of a Catholic Study Bible complete with audio for £19.36. Whilst some of these may offer good

value for money others can be found cheaper, or even free, by using YouTube or other Catholic apps. One element

Pure Manhood and Pure Womanhood By James Kelliher Pure Manhood and Pure Womanhood are two little booklets based on the experiences of a young married couple, called Jason and Chrystalina Evert. They are the folks behind Chastity Project – an impressive and growing movement to teach young people about chastity and true love. Starting in America, the movement to help young people understand about relationships and finding real love has seen big growth in recent years – and it’s not hard to see why. At a time when popular culture often encourages our younger generation towards a life based around the individual and the pursuit of instant pleasure Jason and Chrystalina show that there is a better way. By waiting until marriage to begin sexual relations and giving ourselves fully to only one person, we are not only respecting our own bodies Page 16

more, but we’re also telling our loved one that they are the one and only person for us – the person with whom we share all that we are. People don’t really speak about chastity and relationships as being humanitarian issues, but I think they are, especially with the current scale of social and mental problems in young people. These pamphlets are both timely and valuable in their advice.

which is noticeably absent from both paid and free content on the app are the text for the different Offices of the Liturgy of the Hours, something which would be essential for this to be the definitive Catholic app. In sum the Catholic Study Bible App offers a useful programme for anyone wishing to have a wellindexed and easily accessible RSV Bible or wanting to use the renowned Lighthouse Media resources to understand their relationship

with God. It doesn't, however, have the necessary content to compete with the vast range of other apps for prayer and the price of some of its paidfor material may be seen as excessive for the casual user.

Catholic Study Bible Cost: Free OS: Apple, Android, Kindle http://www.lighthouse catholicmedia.org/app

I encourage everyone reading this to get involved in this issue. Take an interest in learning more about chastity and help build a safer, happier future for young people everywhere.

Pure Manhood and Pure Womanhood Authors Jason Evert & Chrystalina Evert pp.54 & pp.47 Available from Amazon UK Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

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Westminster Record September 2011

Westminster Record | July 2014

A View from Behind Bars By Fr Roger Reader, National Prisons Adviser to the Bishops Conference

here are six hidden congregations at Mass, Sunday after Sunday, across the Diocese of Westminster. In each one there can be up to 100 people who have come together to worship God and to ask for His help in their lives. These congregations are in HM Prisons Wormwood Scrubs, Pentonville, Holloway, The Mount, Bronzefield and HM Young Offenders Institution in Feltham. Like every parish community, the congregation is made up of all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds and nationalities. Some have been practising Catholics all their lives, some are just beginning on the great journey of faith. What they have in common is that the courts have sent them to prison, and that means that for many of them there, there are victims of their

crimes outside. Most are very aware of the damage they have caused to other peoples’ lives and are trying, often against all the odds, to change their own lives. Most of the prisoners have themselves been damaged in one way or another by the injustice of daily living – poverty, alienation, difficult relationships and struggles with substance misuse. Not just in Westminster, but up and down England and Wales, these people are looked after by devoted chaplains and volunteers, people called by the Church to serve Christ by visiting Him in prison. As Catholic Bishops’ Prisons Adviser I have been asked by the Church to help those who either live in prison or who work or volunteer in prison. This makes for a very varied ministry, where I am

privileged to meet all sorts of people who are dedicated in their service of these hidden brothers and sisters. There are those who help with pastoral care in the prisons and those who are keen to mentor people on release, to be a shoulder to lean on in the crucial period after a man or woman emerges through the prison gates. I meet those who are keen to have conversations about the reasons for offending, about creating neighbourhoods which could be safer and more inclusive. I have visited schools, to open the eyes of our young people to the issues of criminal justice, and the dark world of gangs and violence into which it can be so easy to get drawn. Last week I took a group of young people into a prison to meet the men there and exchange experiences and

listen to the Word of God in the Scriptures. When we spoke about what it means to be Catholic, one of the young men in this hidden community said “What attracted me to the Catholic Church was its message of love and

forgiveness for everyone and that everything comes back to loving each other and forgiving those who have wronged us”. It is my privilege as Catholic Bishops’ Prisons Adviser to enable many others to hear that truth.

Page 17

Saints

Westminster Record | July 2014

Saint of the Month - St Ignatius of Loyola (31 July) Since we have a Jesuit Pope, we look this month at the Jesuits’ founder, St Ignatius of Loyola. Born as the youngest in a family of 13 children, he took to a military career in which he achieved some fame, until he received serious leg injuries from a cannonball at the siege of Pamplona in 1521, by which time he was 30 years old. This proved, for Ignatius, to be the turning point of his life. Laid up in convalescence and reduced to reading, he began to discern a pattern in his responses to what he read. In particular he noticed that stories which briefly excited his interest left him dissatisfied, whereas the Lives of the Saints provided more solid and positive reflection and reaction. Thus he came into contact with, for example, the life and witness of St Francis of Assisi. A further influence came from a work called De Vita Christi [On the Life of Christ] by Ludolph of Saxony, who recommended his readers to place themselves imaginatively in scenes from the Gospels. This seems to have resonated with Ignatius, who later made it into a foundation discipline for his followers. As he recovered he resolved to make a complete offering of his life in imitation of Christ, a vow which he demonstrated by leaving his military equipment as a votive offering at Our Lady’s Shrine at Montserrat before retiring to

In Memoriam: July 1 Mgr Anthony Howe (2011) 3 Fr William M Brown (1989) Fr George Ennis (2007) 4 Fr Anthony Carr (1999) 6 Fr Terence Wardle (2010) 7 Canon Alfred Cuming (1978) Fr John Power (2002) Fr Frank Morrall (1995) 8 Fr Joseph Gardner (1992) 9 Fr Christopher Pemberton (1983) Fr John Norton (1989) 10 Fr Peter Harris (1976) Fr Thomas Kelly (1983) 12 Fr Daniel Higgins (1996) 14 Mgr Canon Joseph Williams (1991) 15 Fr Christopher McKenna (2003) 16 Fr Michael Giffney (1987) Canon John McKenzie (1988) 19 Fr Peter Pearson (1971) 21 Fr Anthony O’Sullivan (1997) Canon Philip Moore (1976) Fr Norman Kersey (1999) Canon Herbert Veal (2005) 22 Fr Tom Allan (2007) 26 Fr George Fonseca (1998) Fr David Roderick (2005) 27 Fr Graham Feint (2000) 28 Fr Ralph Gardner (1976) Fr Patrick Whyte (1988) Deacon Sydney Adams (2005) 30 Fr Calum MacLean (1982) Fr Vincent Commerford (1997) 31 Fr Albert Vaughan (1995)

Manresa for a number of months of intense prayer. Inspired, perhaps, by the example of St Francis and his desire to preach in the Holy Land, Ignatius went there in 1523, but was only permitted to stay for three weeks. Instead he turned to study, first at university in Spain and then later in Paris, where he received his Master’s degree at the age of 43. But Paris offered more than intellectual achievement; it was there that Ignatius found six companions who joined him in the Chapel of St Pierre, Montmartre to take their religious vows. Thus the foundations of the Society of Jesus were laid, with Ignatius’ 200-page Spiritual Exercises as the guide for its members. The Society itself received Papal approval in 1540, although the Church’s customary caution meant that the Exercises had to wait another eight years. Designed to be used over a period of four weeks, they have shown themselves to be capable of use over longer periods and by those living busy working lives as well as by clergy and religious in deep retreat. The Exercises stand as a tribute to St Ignatius’ profound understanding and discernment of the life of the soul, whilst the Society of Jesus, sometimes controversial in the life of the Church and of wider society, continues to offer a distinctive spirituality which has enriched many. St Ignatius, pray for us.

Summer programme in Liturgy and Latin at Ealing Abbey Short courses for credit (KU Leuven) or interest “Western Liturgical Books” D. McCarthy 21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July) morning “Theology of the Liturgy” E. Carr 21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July) afternoon “Christian Initiation” J. Leachman 21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July) morning “Beginners, Intermediate and Proficient Latin” D. McCarthy and others 11-22 August (not 16, 17 August) “Seminar on Initiation” E. Carr 11-22 August (not 16, 17 August) Contact: http://liturgyinstitute.org/ courses-summer-2014/ Post: 74 Castlebar Road, W5 2DD. Telephone: 020 8862 2156 Email: il@bsac.ac.uk

Page 18

Events, Calendar

Westminster Record | July 2014

Other regular Masses

REGULAR EVENTS

If you have an event, please email communications@rcdow.org.uk Liturgical Calendar - July

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 2pm-5pm Martyrs’ Crypt, Tyburn Convent, 8 Hyde Park Place W2 2LJ. Westminster Cathedral Young Adults meet socially after the 7pm Mass on Sundays and then at the nearby Windsor Castle pub. For further details please contact: westminsteryoungadults@gmail.com

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

TUESDAYS Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesdays 6-9pm concluding with Benediction at Newman House, 111 Gower Street WC1E 6AR. Details 020 7387 6370 Prayers for London at the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden Tuesdays 7.30pm. Organised by the Guild of Our Lady of Willesden, Nicoll Road NW10 9AX Vocations Prayer Group Second Tuesday of the month 8pm at 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB

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 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

THURSDAYS 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 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 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 Association of Divorced and Separated Catholics Every third Friday of the month. All divorced and separated Catholics are welcome. Call Frank or Christine 020 8422 1591 Divine Mercy Prayers and Mass Every first Friday 2.30-4.30pm at Our Lady, Mother of the Church, 2 Windsor Road W5 5PD. Westminster Cathedral Charismatic Prayer Group Every Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praise and Teaching. First Friday is a healing Mass. Details: 020 8748 2632

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

DEDICATION OF THE CATHEDRAL (1910) feria ST THOMAS, Apostle feria or St Elizabeth of Portugal; Friday abstinence feria or St Anthony Zaccaria, Priest or BVM on Saturday + 14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME feria feria feria or St Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

10 Thu feria 11 Fri ST BENEDICT, Abbot, Patron of Europe; Friday abstinence 12 Sat feria or BVM on Saturday + 15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 13 Sun 14 Mon 15 Tues 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun

feria or St Camillus de Lellis, Priest St Bonaventure, Bishop & Doctor feria or Our Lady of Mount Carmel feria feria; Friday abstinence feria or BVM on Saturday +16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

21 Mon feria or St Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest & Doctor 22 Tues St Mary Magdalene 23 Wed ST BRIDGET, Religious, Patron of Europe 24 Thu

feria or St Sharbel Makhluf, Priest

25 Fri

ST JAMES, Apostle; Friday abstinence

26 Sat

Sts Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

27 Sun

+ 17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

28 Mon feria 29 Tues St Martha 30 Wed feria or St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor 31 Thu St Ignatius of Loyola, Priest St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club meets on every Sunday of the year for walks around London and the Home Counties. Contact: antoinette_adkins2000@yahoo.co.uk 020 8769 3643 www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com

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

Free Catholic Tours. ‘Saints and Scholars’ walk first Sunday of the month, including Mass. Contact Peter on 07913904997 or cinclingthesquaretours@hotmail.co.uk

Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm, Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QW Young Adults Mass First & Third Sunday of the month, 114 Mount Street W1K 3AH. Quiet prayer 7.15pm, Mass 7.30pm. Social gathering afterwards. Contact: organise@fsplus.info or visit www.fsplus.info Mass at Canary Wharf Tuesdays 12.30pm 2 Churchill Place E14 5RB. Organised by Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Chaplain to Canary Wharf Communities. Details www.cwcc.org.uk St Albans Fridays at 12 noon. Mass in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY 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. 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 Fridays only. Low Mass 6pm St John the Baptist Church, King Edward's Road E9 7SF First Fridays only. Low Mass 6.30pm, Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB Second Fridays 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.

Page 19

Spotlight

Westminster Record | July 2014

Called to Missionary Discipleship Pope Francis has used the term ‘missionary disciple’ as a key theme in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, calling us to preach the Gospel through our example and work every day. However, discovering what preaching the Gospel might mean and how to live it in our day-to-day lives can be a challenging experience. Below Catholics from throughout our Diocese, in many different walks of life, explain how they are seeking to live out this call to Missionary Discipleship:

Norah Flatley There are many challenges in Catholic leadership today: in proclaiming the Gospel in the face of poverty (both spiritual and material), violence, and secularism. As a Catholic Headteacher for 17 years, the great joy of faith has been, for me, in supporting the vulnerable, breaking down barriers which prevent academic achievement and fullness of life, and building bridges of peace and reconciliation within the Catholic community. I am mindful of the need to be present to accompany others on this joyful journey of faith. And if sometimes the going gets tough, reassurance can be found in Jesus’ words: ‘And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Mt 28.20)

Fr William Nicol Pope Francis upholds the teaching of the Church but asks us a question, too: ‘Is it the teaching of the Church that puts people off or is it the sometimes narrow way it is interpreted or expressed that puts people off?’ St Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he had fed them ‘with milk not solid food; for you were not ready for it’. Does this not apply to those teachings of the Church with which many may struggle? As their faith grows, so the more challenging aspects of our faith can become more comprehensible. That doesn’t mean giving Holy Communion indiscriminately or marrying on demand, but rather welcoming people whoever they are, on the basis that by belonging they may, through the Holy Spirit, grow in faith. If all we can say to many in society is go away and come back when you and your lifestyle are acceptable, then we should not be surprised if they never return. Fr William Nicol has been Parish Priest at St Patrick’s, Wapping since 2012

Kay Diamond

Norah Flatley is Headteacher at Blessed Sacrament Primary School Boadicea Street, London N1 0UF

Elaine Commons I place a lot of trust in God; so when I pray to him, I focus on what I think he would want me to do. I don't think I fit my co-workers’ image of 'religious'. I try to lead by example: by being honest, kind, patient (not always easy) and honourable. This is what missionary discipleship is for me. In a multi-cultural environment of social workers dealing with child care cases, the work is pressurised and can be heartbreaking; it is easy to disregard others’ feelings and become insular. I try to get my staff to empathise both with social workers (for whom administration is generally not a strength) and carers, and to see situations from their point of view. Elaine Commons manages finance and administration for social work teams looking after foster children and their carers for a London borough

Esther Trewinnard and Daniel Hale Being a ‘missionary disciple’ means sharing God’s love for the poor, those whom society prefers to ignore and discard. We live in a world of inequality, where exclusion leads to a devaluing of human dignity, concentrating wealth in the hands of the powerful few. We need to create space so that people whose voices are not being heard can have a say in how society may serve the common good. That’s why Progressio is raising the voices of women living in some of the world’s poorest countries. These are just some of the people to whom we have to listen. Esther and Daniel work for Progressio

Kay Diamond is Pilgrimage Lead Liaison and Pastoral Care Nurse Westminster

©Progressio

©ILO

Page 20

Since entering nursing in response to God’s call in 1964, I worked in general nursing, mental health and midwifery. As a midwife, I have delivered the babies of ‘babies’ I had previously delivered. At other times, I was privileged to be with those who were dying, finding the best way of providing end-of-life care that recognised the dignity of each patient. As a volunteer nurse, I have also served on sixteen pilgrimages providing support to the sick. I feel privileged to have shared moments in people’s journeys, enabling me to follow the calling to live the Gospel way, to care for the sick and vulnerable. In return, I have been blessed to see through them the face of Christ.