Lent 2022
Your acts of kindness are like pieces in God’s mosaic of hope in action around the Diocese
“ From this crisis we can come out better or worse.” “ This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities – what we value, what we want, what we seek – and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of.” Pope Francis, from Let Us Dream
Caritas is marking 10 years of working for social justice. With your support, we are continuing to bring marginalised people back into the heart of communities across the Diocese. John Coleby, Director of Caritas, has been involved from almost the beginning. “Then, as now, there were large numbers of volunteers doing a wonderful job in parishes across the Diocese, but there was nothing joining up their efforts. Cardinal Vincent, then an Archbishop, had a vision inspired by the Papal visit of 2010, of providing support to help maximise the impact of these projects, by sharing knowledge, skills and resources,” he explains. “At that time, there were Caritas organisations in many other countries, but not here in the Diocese of Westminster, and it was agreed one was needed.” continued on page 4
It’s Thursday morning in Islington. In the hall of Blessed Sacrament parish on Copenhagen Street, a group of volunteers (above) are hard at work. They’re laying out fresh food, tins and cans, as well as bags of rice and pasta. Soon, the foodbank will open. Up to 100 people will come through the doors to collect supplies they urgently need. People across the Diocese continue to be extremely generous in their support for families who cannot make ends meet. As you know, many are facing one setback after another. They have nothing in their cupboards. They can’t put on the heating. And they dread the next bill arriving. A foodbank can only ever provide temporary respite. That’s why, as well as
providing emergency food, the parish is working with Caritas Westminster to find ways to help families onto a more stable footing financially. Thank you for helping people in urgent need. This Lent, you could help families across the Diocese who are struggling. read more on page 2
Contents 2
How you can get involved
3 “I’m close to the end of my training…” 4-5 Caritas Westminster at 10 6
Helping survivers of trafficking into education at Caritas Bakhita House
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My experience as a newly ordained priest
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Safeguarding – your questions answered