Two Helping Initiatives – An Art Auction and ‘Super Nuns

Journeys in Hope

John Woodhouse

Two years ago on the Westminster Lourdes pilgrimage the idea of an art auction was born and I duly painted the Lourdes torchlight procession. Then I heard Lord Alf Dubs speak about the appalling conditions in which children were living because they had been denied their lawful right to rejoin their families in the UK. So I decided to change my painting to express what I believe in, hence: Unsafe passage. And so we began to prepare for the art exhibition at Mount Street Jesuit centre. Seven artists joined me in donating work and the opening was a great success. We definitely got our message across to the many young people present. The three weeks culminated in an art auction, which raised over £5,000 to be divided between the Westminster Lourdes pilgrimage, Aid to the Church in Need, and Safe Passage. My teacher, Nelson Ferreira, offered portraits as a lot. Jennifer Scott, the Sackler director of Dulwich

Picture Gallery, opened the auction and spoke about the beauty of the work and the profound effect of pictures like Syrian Pieta.

Graphic Artists Support ‘Super Nuns’

Vatican News

On Saturday 8 February, the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, and Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, Pope Francis launched an on-line fundraising initiative – 'Super Nuns’ – to raise funds for the Talitha Kum network of Religious Sisters who dedicate their lives to the rescue and rehabilitation of human trafficking survivors.

For 10 years the global network of Sisters has been quietly dedicated to prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of human trafficking survivors. The work they do is challenging and often risky. They are out on the streets raising awareness, making contact with victims in dangerous contexts, sheltering

6 them from traffickers and exploitation, providing a passage home and new skills with which to rebuild shattered lives. That’s why fundraising is important – and particularly complicated, because the Sisters operate out of sight and don’t publicly announce successes.

The ‘Super Nuns’ community is a project launched by Talitha Kum that aims to reach a whole new range of potential supporters as a collaboration between the Sisters and some wellknown graphic artists who will be posting their comic strip style images on the subscriber-supported Patreon platform.

The Holy Father said that studies show criminal organizations increasingly using the internet to lure victims. He also spoke both about providing healing for those who have already fallen victim to this form of modern-day slavery, and about the need for prevention. ‘To heal this scourge - because it is truly a scourge - which exploits the weakest, the commitment of all is needed: institutions, associations, as well as educational agencies.’ So, he added, the Church needs to educate people ‘about the healthy use of technology, while at the same time ‘reminding the providers of online services about their responsibilities.’ Talitha Kum has responded to his call. Visit the ‘Super Nuns’ site at: www. patreon.com/SuperNuns