Westminster Record - May Edition by RCWestminster

Westminster Record May 2014 | 20p

New Auxiliary Bishop for Westminster

Christ’s final journey

Pope Francis’ vision of Priesthood

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Pages 10 & 11

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Witnesses to the Faith

by John Scott The beginning of Holy Week brought our Christian witness out onto the streets across the diocese, proclaiming Christ the King. The Palm Procession in his honour was celebrated with the usual mixture of donkeys, branches and babies in buggies. Simply to be with the Lord and with each other were the keynotes of the Procession’s perhaps rather disordered joy and witness! (see page 5) Good Friday saw us many of us out again, some joining happily with our fellow Christians in Westminster for the walk called ‘The Crucifixion on Victoria Street’. The tone of this and similar Processions is different, yet still conveys to all who saw it the deep message that Jesus Christ is the one who draws us to himself. Then the great space of Trafalgar Square filled up twice for the dramatic re-enactment of the Passion presented by the Wintershall Players. Mary Magdalene came to the Empty Tomb, the Cardinal spoke on big screens across the Square and in between Thieves, Pharisees and Roman soldiers chatted amongst themselves. Yet none of this detracted from our simple witness that this story of Christ Crucified has taken hold of our imagination. In our churches at the Vigil, with the one flame of the Paschal candle spreading its light to us all, the Lord called us again to be his witnesses. Especially, then, we give thanks for our new brothers and sisters in the faith and promise to support them in their new witness to Christ.

Editorial Westminster Record – Contact us

Westminster Record | May 2014

Models of Discipleship

Editor Bishop John Arnold Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Alex Balzanella 020 7798 9178 Inhouse writers 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.

June publication dates Editorial Deadline: 12 May Listings email: communications@rcdow.org.uk News and stories call 020 7798 9178 communications@rcdow.org.uk Advertising Deadline: 16 May 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 Canonisation of two popes has a great deal to say to us. First of all, these are two men who have lived in our modern age, Pope John Paul until just a few years ago, and Pope John within the living memory of so many of us. This reminds us that sainthood is not something that is isolated in the dim, distant past, but something that is attainable today. It is all too easy to slip into an idea that the Church only celebrates historical figures whose holy lives belong to a very different time with little relevance to our own day.

We should also recognise that these were very different men drawn from different backgrounds. John, an Italian, had worked in the Church’s diplomatic service, and whom many believed was intended to be just a caretaker pope

after the long and turbulent papacy of Pius XII which had seen the Church and the world embroiled in a World War. Was this to have been a calmer papacy and a time for the Church to take stock of itself? John took the bold and radical step of calling the Second Vatican Council and challenged the Church to encounter the modern world in new ways, while returning to the foundation stones of the scriptures. The laity were to have a new voice in the mission of the Church. Religious orders were to examine their original charisms in the context of modern evangelisation and the Church was to engage with other faiths, while renewing its own liturgies and internal government. John Paul, a Pole from the Communist Bloc and the first non-Italian pope for several centuries, travelled extensively engaging the Church in a new form of evangelisation to meet the needs of a fast-changing world. Both men sought to renew the sense of mission and evangelisation that is at the heart of the life of the Church. Pope Francis, though different in personality and style, is pursuing the same priorities and emphasising, time and again, that the mission of the Church is not the reserve of bishops, priests and religious but the baptismal privilege and responsibility of each and every one of us, as "missionary disciples". The mission of the Church must be at the heart of our parish communities, which Pope Francis calls "the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship, and celebration. In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelisers.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 28)

As we welcomed over seven hundred new Catholics into our Diocese at Easter, we would do well to remember that we have a continuing responsibility to accompany them, in our parish communities, in their journey of faith, and with them to speak of our faith, by our words and actions, to the world in which we live. The mission of the Church must be continually renewed. The canonisation of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II reminds us that, in our own generation, and in our different ways, we can be saints in the furthering the mission of the Church.

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News

Westminster Record | May 2014

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop for Westminster M

gr Nicholas Hudson has been appointed as a new Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese. Ordained in 1986 for the Diocese of Southwark, Bishop-elect Hudson was Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome from 2004 to 2013. Since his return, he has been parish priest of Sacred Heart in Wimbledon, the parish where he was baptised and later ordained. Speaking about his appointment, Bishop-elect Hudson said, ‘I feel both honoured and humbled to have been appointed by the Holy Father. I pray that I

might emulate the Holy Father’s radical simplicity and outreach to those on the margins of society and the Church.’ Cardinal Vincent welcomed the appointment warmly, saying, ‘Mgr Hudson will bring wide experience and fine personal qualities to our Diocese. I know that he will be enthusiastically received on this side of the Thames.’ Following his episcopal ordination on 4 June in Westminster Cathedral, Bishop-elect Hudson will have pastoral responsibility for the parishes of the Central and Eastern areas of the Diocese.

Cardinal washes the feet of News in Brief Sacred Heart Chelsea Pensioners at the ‘Outstanding’ School Mass of the Lord’s Supper by Alex Balzanella On Maundy Thursday 12 Chelsea Pensioners came to Westminster Cathedral to have their feet washed as part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the liturgy which marks Christ’s Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper and his washing of the disciples’ feet. In his homily Cardinal Vincent spoke about Jesus’ washing of the feet and the example it sets us: ‘In washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus gives us not only an example of service but also an experience of being forgiven. This washing teaches us to put aside the great obstacle of our pride and also to be ready to receive from Jesus the liberating gift of his mercy. We do not serve out of guilt craving forgiveness. Rather we serve out of joy, knowing that we have been set free.’ As well as the washing of the feet in the Mass, during the the Gloria all church bells were Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

rung, to remain silent until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil on 19 April. At the end of the Mass the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly processed from the Sanctuary to the Altar of Repose in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Cathedral. Both the tradition of the silencing of bells and the removal of the Blessed Sacrament from the Church before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper underline the significance of Good Friday and Holy Saturday when we acknowledge the depths of Christ’s Passion.

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The Sacred Heart Language College has been rated ‘outstanding’ in a recent Ofsted inspection. The 11-16 Catholic girls’ school in Wealdstone, Harrow was judged as outstanding in all areas: for the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management and its overall effectiveness.

Campaign for Better Care London Citizens, whose corporate members include the parishes of Farm Street, Southall and Stamford Hill, are meeting with members of Westminster Council on 6 May from 7-9pm at City of Westminster College to encourage a joined-up and holistic system of health and social care, as well as a living wage for care workers. All are welcome to attend and show support. RSVP to John Tabor on jlstabor@yahoo.co.uk Page 3

News

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‘Santa Marta Commitment’ agreed to combat Human Trafficking O

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n Thursday 10 April the 'Combating Human Trafficking' conference, chaired by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and attended by police chiefs and law enforcement officals from around the world made a declaration of commitment in the fight to bring an end to human trafficking. The Santa Marta Commitment, named after the house in the Vatican where the signatories stayed during the two-day conference, is a ‘personal commitment’ by the signatories to work together to: ‘develop partnerships with the Church and civil society to bring to justice those who are responsible for these horrendous crimes and to alleviate the suffering of the victims.’ Pope Francis addressed the conference calling human trafficking ‘An open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.’

Archbishops call for the most vulnerable to be heard Archbishop Justin Welby joined Cardinal Vincent Nichols in an initiative to highlight the value of the more vulnerable in our society, ‘Listen to God, Hear the Poor’. They visited Giuseppe Conlon House, a Catholic Worker home in Haringey where works of mercy, in particular supporting and caring for destitute refugees, are the focus. Throughout the week of the initative reflections were given by priests, religious and lay people on scriptural passages that linked to experiences in their own lives of meeting Christ in the poor of the world. Beside Cardinal Vincent reflections were given by Fr Michael Dunne and Fr Dominic McKenna of Bow and Borehamwood parishes respectively.

The Archbishop and Cardinal also visited the Rainbow Centre in Folkestone, which supports the homeless and is located within the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Diocese. To view the talks, prayers and reflections visit: http://www.rcdow.org.uk

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Syria Vigil marked by death of Fr Frans Van de Lugt SJ

News in Brief

On the eve of a Vigil for Syria which took place on 8 April news came from Syria that Fr Frans Van de Lugt SJ, a Dutch Jesuit priest, was killed outside of his monastery in Homs. Speaking on the eve of a talk at the service of music and meditations, organised by Aid to the Church in Need to raise money and awareness for Christians in Syria Lord Alton spoke of the qualities of Fr Frans: “He personified all the best qualities and ideals which the Society of Jesus stands for. He joins a long list of Jesuit martyrs who have sacrificed their lives truly believing that a man has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Fr Frans, 75, had been living in Syria since the 1970s and had refused to leave the besieged city, in spite of the dangers he faced.

The annual Chrism Mass took place at Westminster Cathedral on 13 April, with the blessing of the three Holy Oils for the Sacraments: the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil for the Sick and the Oil of Chrism. In his homily Cardinal Vincent Nichols spoke of the joy in the hearts of the priests gathered, from knowing Christ and ‘being heralds of the message of His unfailing love to the world’.

300 Priests join for the Chrism Mass

Hampton Hill entrusted to the Society of Christ

©AFP

On 11 April the Parish of St Francis de Sales, Hampton Hill, was entrusted to the Society of Christ to care for its pastoral needs. The new Parish Priest will be Fr Krzysztof Olejnik SChr

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News

Westminster Record | May 2014

Cardinal Vincent calls Catholics to take the ‘invitation of faith’ to all Processions for Palm Sunday occur across the Diocese.

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The Palm Sunday procession, which commemorates Jesus’s entry into the city of Jerusalem, was celebrated outdoors by parishes across the Diocese. At Brook Green the Feast was marked by two processions, one of which was in the Syriac Catholic rite, led by its chaplain Mgr Nizar Semaan. A number of parishes also held ecumenical processions including St Thomas More parish, Manor House which processed with four other nearby churches.

by Alex Balzanella

n his homily at the Easter Vigil Mass on 19 April, Cardinal Vincent reaffirmed the mission to take out the message of the Risen Christ. ‘As we rejoice we take hold again of our calling, the mission that we receive this night: that of bringing to others the same invitation to faith that we ourselves have received. As we celebrate our Easter joy, please look for ways in which you too can be its messengers.’ Recalling the celebratory

meals that prefigure the supper of the Lamb, the Cardinal continued, ‘Our ultimate destiny, proclaimed by the Risen Christ, is described as a heavenly banquet.’ He pointed to the parable of the wedding feast to which ‘some are refused admission because they have no wedding garment’ because they refused to accept one. He spoke about the white robe of baptism as ‘the invitation card, the wedding garment for the eternal Supper of the Lamb.’ ‘Here are the Lord's first preferences: that no one be

excluded, unless they so choose, and that the poor are particularly close to his heart. These must be our preference too. These are lessons for our journey. On this night of such promise, we keep in mind all who feel excluded from the fruit of the earth: the homeless and the poor, those in our midst who are destitute and the vast numbers of hungry in our world today. As we rightly rejoice, we rightly hold in our hearts all who are burdened with sadness.’ ‘May our prayers and the promise of this heavenly banquet, which is never withdrawn, sustain them in their hours of need.’ ‘Let each of us try to bring others to our finest beauty spot, to stand at the foot of the cross and gaze on his love for us. And let us be a people who joyfully invite others to this delicious banquet of the Lord, his Easter feast of every Mass and its promise of fulfilment in heaven. Let us really show our faith by the way we live!’

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News

Westminster Record | May 2014

St Thomas More win under 17 Middlesex Cup Final

©Heythrop College

St Thomas More Catholic School in Wood Green played against Finchley Catholic in the Middlesex Cup Final at Wingate and Finchley stadium on Thursday, 3 April 2014. It was a tightly fought game from the start, with both teams creating chances. Krystian Strycharski, the St Thomas More goalkeeper, was not letting anyone score and can now claim two clean sheets in both Middlesex Cup Finals. Congratulations to the team and their coaches.

Ministries of Welcoming in the Church by Helen Gilbert Here is the cold, hard fact: almost 40% of British Catholics brought up in the faith no longer identify as such, according to recent British sociological data. What can be done to reverse this trend? Landings, a lay-run ministry, is a reconciliation process that helps faith communities welcome inactive Catholics who want to take another look at the Church. Landings trains compassionate lay people to reach out to those cut off from the Church for any number of reasons, to offer them a safe place to tell their story, discern a place in the Church and find a way home. To celebrate the re-launch in the UK of Landings, “Ministries of Welcoming in the Church: A Conference on Healing and Reconciliation,” will be held on 5 July at Heythrop College in London. “This conference addresses the theology of the New Evangelisation fostered by Pope Francis and ministries directed toward healing and reconciliation,” said Fr Thomas A. Kane CSP, director of Landings, a Paulist Fathers’ ministry of reconciliation. “This ministry is multi-faceted, with invitations to the wider society, to the Church, to parish Page 6

St Benedict’s School Choir Concert The seventy-strong concert choir of St Benedict’s School closed the Lent term with a concert at St John’s, Smith Square in Westminster. The choir, consisting of staff and pupils from the Senior School, performed a range of challenging works by Darius Milhaud, Bob Chilcott, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Kate Mythen, a parent of one of the Year 7 pupils, said: “What a fabulous opportunity for them to sing such a work at such a magnificent venue.”

communities, and to individual Catholics in various pastoral situations.” From women and the divorced to the abused, the conference will address many issues of reconciliation in the Church with presentations on “Catholic ‘Disaffiliates’ in the U.K.” by Dr Stephen Bullivant, senior lecturer in theology and ethics at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham and “The Art of Compassionate Listening,” by Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ, a clinical psychologist who taught Psychology of Religion at Heythrop for 30 years. “This day is all about how to bring people into reconciliation with one another, with the Church and with God,” said Fr Kane. “We hope it will help parish communities enkindle the spirit of reconciliation and healing.”

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Parish Profile Haverstock Hill: The Black Friars in London

Westminster Record | May 2014

by Chris O’Callaghan

Our Lady giving the Rosary to St Dominic

n 4 May, Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP of Nottingham will be installed as the new Archbishop of Liverpool. With this in mind it seemed fitting to visit the new Archbishop’s home parish of Our Lady of the Rosary and St Dominic, Haverstock Hill, where he attended school and was an altar boy before entering the Dominicans in 1982. Later he returned to serve both as Parish Priest and Prior. Founded in 1867 by order of Cardinal Wiseman, who wanted churches on top of London’s hills to mirror Rome, the current priory, built a few later, now stands on the intersection of a busy north/south road. The most impressive element of the Church is the stained glass which sits high up on all sides, filling the building with colour and light. Fourteen side chapels, plus the main altar, signify the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Each chapel has an intricate stonework reredos depicting Biblical scenes, such as the Annunciation, Visitation and Pentecost. Last year St Dominic’s celebrated 150 years since its foundation and the history of the Church and of the Order in London have remained central to its identity. Did you know, for example, that Blackfriars Bridge was named in honour of the Dominicans? A reminder of this history can be found in one corner of the church, where

stands a pillar from the old bridge which was donated to the Order after being found in excavations in 1900. St Dominic’s not only stands on a busy road, but at the crossroads of rich and poor in the area. The wall at the back of the church historically marked the boundary between St Pancras and the beginning of Hampstead and parish priest Fr Timothy Calvert tells me that the wall still represents the wealth divide of his parish. The Belsize Park area houses wealthier parishioners on the north side and Gospel Oak on the south historically the poorer. The Church acts as a meeting place for all in the community though, rich and poor, old and young or as one parishioner said ‘a little bit of everything’. St Dominic called his followers to be great preachers and this call continues to be a central part of parish life on the Hill. Parishioners agree that you can always expect a good homily from the Dominican Fathers. Their preaching does not just stay within the four walls of the Church, but rather is taken out into the world. The community has previously had a stall in the local market for people to request prayer intentions, as well as holding public ecumenical processions and visiting parishioners at home. Fr Timothy said he tries to visit all of the Communion candidates at home before they first receive the Sacrament and pray together with their family to promote faith in the home and also to meet members of his flock, a daunting task considering they have around 100 candidates a year. Fr Timothy also visits the primary school next door three or four times a week to be amongst the students and talk to them. The mission to preach that St Dominic gave remains central to the character of the parish. Parishioners spoke in glowing terms of all aspects of parish life. They describe Fr Timothy as ‘brilliant, creative, a man who loves everybody, full

The West Entrance of St Dominic’s

of energy’. They spoke highly of the activities offered, particularly the sports club which keeps children away from gang culture and shows them the value of sport, the visitations to elderly parishioners, including at the care home where there is a Mass said every week and the new nursery in the parish hall. There was a real passion for the parish’s investment of time and effort and the people listed these activities with genuine enthusiasm. They all spoke in glowing terms about Fr Timothy, but I am sure he would say the same of his flock. Real friendships and mutual respect were evident in the time I spent there. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Bishop Malcolm clearly learnt good pastoral ministry and interpersonal skills in his time at St Dominic’s. The man ‘who still thinks of himself as an altar boy’ is remembered fondly by those he left behind and when I asked them if he will make a good Archbishop, one word seemed to be repeated by all: ‘Absolutely’. Founded: 1867 Church built: 1874 Consecrated: August 1923 Mass Times: (Sat 6pm), 8.30, 10, 12, 6pm Address: St Dominic’s Priory, Southampton Road NW5 4LB Telephone: 020 7482 9210 Website: haverstockhill.org.uk

Stained Glass fills the building with colour Page 7

Social Action

Westminster Record | May 2014

Parliamentary welcome for our Campaigners

Football presenter Adrian Chiles, Caroline Flint MP, and TV presenter Dermot O’Leary attend the Parliamentary Reception for CAFOD.

Over 100 CAFOD supporters from Westminster and other dioceses in England and Wales were invited to a reception at the House of Commons on 31 March by the

Rt Hon Tom Clarke CBE MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of CAFOD. MPs from all parties, as well as guests Dermot O'Leary and Adrian Chiles, praised the lobbying

efforts of supporters who work hard to ensure that the voices of the world's poorest communities are heard by those in power both nationally and internationally. Adrian recently visited Guatemala and El Salvador to see CAFOD’s projects for himself: “We can all do our bit, not just by voting but by speaking to our MPs, marching, signing petitions, doing anything we can to make sure these voices are heard.” Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Caroline Flint, his Shadow, welcomed the pressures CAFOD campaigners exerted to help strengthen the bid to secure the international Climate Change agreement in 2015. Caroline Flint said that CAFOD was easing the task of explaining to constituents of all ages why, for example, development aid benefited both the donors as well as the

recipients. Ed Davey commented that CAFOD and the wider faith community might have ways of influencing policy development in other countries which are not available to the British Government.

When was the last time that you wrote to your MP? They make decisions that can have a dramatic effect on the world’s poor. Visit cafod.org.uk/mpc to learn how to become an MP Correspondent.

MP correspondents Wyn Maxted, Michael Walsh, Megan Russell, Kathleen Nyland, and Gabriel Allison meet with Sarah Teather MP (centre).

For the Diary

The Holy Family CAFOD group meets with Odette (left) and Simon (right) from Musha, Rwanda, in 2011.

Sunday, 6 April, marked the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. In the 100 days that followed the assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana, it is estimated that an average of six people were killed every minute while the international community watched. Supported by £6million in donations, CAFOD helped lead the relief effort that followed the genocide. Rob Rees, CAFOD’s programme officer for Tanzania, became involved when refugees

began crossing into North western Tanzania: “I went down to one of the border points…there was still a trickle of people coming over: mothers, grandmothers, small children, but very few men of any age. They were carrying what they could.... All of them had a look of fear on their faces, as if their pursuers were not far behind.” Beyond the immediate needs of survivors and refugees, CAFOD’s longer term work focussed on supporting orphans’ and widows’ organisations; establishing

community peace building and reconciliation; providing legal advice for survivors to get justice for the murders of family and the destruction of property; and medical support and counselling for people affected by HIV and AIDS. Several years ago the CAFOD group at Holy Family, Welwyn Garden City, welcomed Simon Nsabiyeze, a Rwandan psychologist, and Odette Kayirere, from AVEGA East, which helps survivors overcome

Last Call for Pedal Against Poverty - We’re accepting registrations for CAFOD’s annual sponsored bike ride until Thursday, 8 May, so don’t let this opportunity ride away! The date is Sunday, 18 May and the venue is Lea Valley Country Park. Last year over 200 riders raised over £10,000.

trauma and get back into work and housing. During the visit Odette, who lost her husband and much of her family in the genocide, spoke movingly of how counselling and building links with communities overseas has helped her to heal psychological wounds. As part of the 20th anniversary, CAFOD is revisiting the stories of many from Rwanda. You can read more on the CAFOD blog: blog.cafod.org.uk/tag/rwandaanniversary/

10 and 19 mile routes are offered, with a picnic at the midway point. For more information and to register (£6 per rider), visit cafod.org.uk/ pedalagainstpoverty

©Camilla Storrie/CAFOD

©Peter Cherry/CAFOD

Rwanda: Two decades on

Villagers in Musha, Rwanda, read cards sent by CAFOD volunteers in England through the Connect2 programme.

Thursday, 10 July – CAFOD Campaign Evening – We will launch our new Climate Change Campaign, with guest speaker Antony Mbandi, director of Caritas Kitui, Kenya at 6:30pm–9pm, at Amigo Hall, London SE1 6HR. Contact westminster@cafod.org.uk All CAFOD events can also be booked and enquiries made on 020 8449 6970.

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Social Action

Westminster Record | May 2014

The Kurdish/Turkish Question by Fr Joe Ryan

SEE

JUDGE

ACT

In the turbulent Middle Eastern region, Turkey is seen as different because of its tradition of democracy. But if you happen to be Kurdish it may seem rather different. The Kurdish people – who total 20 million - have been struggling for identity since the founding of Turkey in 1923. There has been a denial of Kurdish identity, with traditions and customs even being outlawed, leading to violent resistance and repressions. I was invited by the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) to be in Istanbul as an observer during the elections on 30 March 2014. As well as observing and hearing of ‘irregularities’ at polling stations, we met Kurdish politicians who stood as candidates: lawyers just released from prison; members of trade unions; human rights workers and those documenting the disappearances of ordinary family members; and the “Saturday Mothers” of the Disappeared.

Here at St John Vianney, West Green, is the Kurdish Community Centre with a membership of over 4,000, which offers a great variety of social activities as well as language, cultural and social support for families and individuals. There I have heard many stories of the Kurdish struggle for recognition of their identity and claims of unjust imprisonment facing Kurds seeking equal rights, with figures in excess of 15,000 detainees being quoted.

Discrimination against the Kurdish community is echoed in societies across the world. It is difficult to ignore injustice when you meet real people who are the victims and those I have spoken to repeatedly say “Please tell our story.” In this way we are all called to be the ‘voice of the voiceless’, a mission we can fulfil in many ways: Investigate the situation facing the Kurds in Turkey and those in similar situations worldwide. Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and

Transparency International all have detailed research on the discrimination and oppression facing people globally. Check with your Local Authority about particular community groups in your area with whom you can be in touch. Your MP and local councillors may also be useful sources of information and contact. Information about all countries around the world is easily accessed at the Foreign Office website: https://www.gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/

Fr Joe Ryan (left) with photograhhs of the disappeared in Turkey

A View From: St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre by Gail Williams, Centre Manager St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre has been the diocesan agency for those with intellectual disability since 1977. It is also a project of Caritas Westminster with two main functions, one to serve families in the parishes in the form of the Caritas team and the second to provide life-long learning for adults with intellectual disabilities at the centre in Hendon. I have had the joy of working in both areas. I started as a volunteer in my parish in 2006 and quickly fell in love with this simple and powerful way of sharing

my faith. Our first special Mass was held that same year with just a handful of people attending; now in our parish alone there are annually four Masses with over 100 present. Across the diocese last year there were over 200 Masses when those with intellectual disabilities carried out their ministries in the liturgy with quiet dignity and pride, proving that it does not matter how society views you, we are all made in the image and likeness as God. It is now my job to run the life-long learning centre at Hendon. Founded over 12

years ago, it began in one room with a couple of volunteers; it has grown from these beginnings to support over 200 adults with intellectual disabilities to fulfil their potential. This is achieved through vocational courses teaching life and business skills, encompassing everything from cooking to words and numbers to horticulture. We are currently working towards accreditation for our students to help with CV building through OCR and we actively encourage the views of the students in decision-making. The centre welcomes

students of all faiths, whilst maintaining our Catholic ethos. We bring our values and mission into our everyday life at the centre and encourage all those who enter to do the same. And we would not be able to function without our team of volunteers both in outreach and at St Joseph’s. We are always looking for more people to join us. If you think you would like to join our team of volunteers please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiries@stjoseph.org.uk

Student Nadine with Cardinal Vincent

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In Pictures

1. Jesus is condemned to death, taken from Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew, Hitchin

Westminster Record | May 2014

2. Jesus carries the cross, taken from St Edward the Confessor, Golders Green

3. Jesus falls the first time, taken from St Etheldreda, Ely Place

Christ’s Passion shown in the life of the Diocese

10. Jesus is stripped of his garments, taken from the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood Page 10

11. Jesus is nailed to the cross, taken from Holy Trinity, Brook Green

12. Jesus dies on the cross, performed on Good Friday by the Wintershall Players

In Pictures

Westminster Record | May 2014

4. Jesus meets his Mother, taken from St Dominic’s, Haverstock Hill

7. Jesus falls for the second time, taken from St Aloysius FCJ convent in Somers Town

5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross, taken from the Long Corridor in Clergy House, Westminster Cathedral

8. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem, taken from St Michael’s, Ashford

9. Jesus falls for the third time, taken on the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2013

13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross, taken from St Augustine’s, Hammersmith

6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus, taken from Our Lady and St Joseph, Kingsland

14. Jesus is laid into the tomb, taken from Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Warwick Street Page 11