Mosaic, Lent 2022 by RCWestminster

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

My experience as a newly ordained priest

Safeguarding – your questions answered

Helping struggling families on the road to resilience… Since the pandemic started, there has been a huge increase in the numbers of people using foodbanks, but many struggling families need more than food. Copenhagen Street foodbank opened in March 2018 with practical support and advice from Caritas Westminster. “There was snow on the ground,” remembers Sister Miriam. “The pipes had frozen and we couldn’t even make a cup of tea.” Despite the shaky start, the number of people using the foodbank steadily increased. “When we marked our second birthday in early March 2020, we were providing food to 60 people fortnightly. Only a couple of weeks later, the national lockdown started.” Sister Miriam and the team of volunteers moved fast to adapt. They joined forces with the local mutual aid group to start delivering food to people in need.

Helping people in this situation is the focus of Caritas Westminster’s Road to Resilience programme, that you can read more about on p5.

As restrictions have come to an end, Sister Miriam has battled to ensure there’s food to distribute each week, and enough volunteers to do so safely. It’s a weekly struggle – made harder because Sister Miriam also works fulltime in the parish.

There’s more than one way to get involved… In this issue of Mosaic, you will spot little icons next to some of the articles. They are suggestions of how you can get involved in the work of the Church across the Diocese.

Pray

“Recently, a woman who’d used the foodbank came in to tell us she’d got a job,” says Sister Miriam. “She said the next time she came in it would be to donate.” A foodbank can help people get through a difficult time until they’re able to manage once more. But many families go from one financial crisis to the next – never managing to get their heads above water.

Act Volunteer Volunteer

The most valuable way each of us can play our par t is to pray, for the success of the work and for the Volunteer people involved. Something as simple as an email to your MP can bring about change and help others.

Share Share Learn

Pray Give Give

Telling others who might be able to support this work can help it to grow. Passing on your copy of Mosaic is just one idea. Give We are grateful for every donation, small or large, including gifts in wills. We work hard to be good stewardsAct of what you Act entrust to us.

Act Volunteer

There are lots of ways to offer your time and skills, from roles in your parish to a host of opportunities beyond. Share Learn Find out more about our work, and see the impact your suppor t has in people’s lives.

Learn Learn

Pray Pray

Look out for these icons in future issues too!

“I’m close to the end of my training. Soon – God willing – I’ll have a new beginning…”

Rev. Daniel Daley who is preparing to be ordained this year.

In the last Mosaic, Rev. Daniel Daley took us on a tour of Allen Hall, now one of only two seminaries in England. Today, he tells you about the next stage in his training. “I’m straddling two worlds,” explains Deacon Daniel. “During the week, I’m a student at Allen Hall, studying for my Theology degree. I spend my weekends at St Anthony of Padua, in Edgware, learning from Father Robert.” Having been ordained as a deacon in 2021, Deacon Daniel has been able to get involved in many aspects of parish life. “Every other week, I preach the homily,” says Deacon Daniel. “I think about what God is saying and how it will help the people of the parish in their lives.”

After Mass, Father Robert and Deacon Daniel spend time talking to members of the parish. “Covid-19 casts a shadow over all these conversations. Older parishioners talk about the difficulties they face after long periods under restrictions.Younger parishioners are often under a great deal of pressure – either at school or at work.Those are experiences I remember so that’s helpful.” Deacon Daniel has also celebrated his first wedding and house blessing, and led

the baptism classes for parents. He will continue to study at Allen Hall and work in the parish at weekends until May. His ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for June. Deacon Daniel is aware that many people are wishing him well. “I’m very grateful for all the support I receive. I can see where all my work is leading. I’m close to the end of my training. Soon – God willing – I will have a new beginning.”

Deacon Daniel’s reflection on Lent “A while back, I was working with a group of primary school children and I asked them what they were doing for Lent. Many of them talked about starting something rather than giving something up – helping their parents or teachers in some way for Lent. Since then, I have continued to give something up, but also to take something on that deepens my relationship with Jesus, for Share example, doing extra adoration or reading ” Act a spiritual book. Volunteer Give Learn

Pray

Pray for Deacon Daniel and our other seminarians, and for all discerning a vocation to priesthood or religious life.

MOSAIC • Lent 2022

“ In every action we carry foundations for restoring th and in so doing allow us continued from page 1 Caritas itself means ‘Love of humanity’ or ‘charity’ and the idea of love in action drives forward a whole range of work. We recognise the innate human dignity of each person and help them to reach their potential. To star t with, two long-running projects were brought under the wing of the newly-formed Caritas Westminster. Caritas St Joseph’s: For more than for ty years, Caritas St. Joseph’s has suppor ted people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. •A t our Hendon Activity Centre, more than 200 adult students of all faiths and none explore and develop their skills, taking vocational, leisure and therapeutic courses. •T hrough the work of volunteers in parishes, Mass and the sacraments are made accessible to people with intellectual disabilities. Caritas Deaf Service: For decades, Caritas Deaf Service has been working to ensure deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people have the chance to pray, worship, and par ticipate in the life of the Church. We also run the life-saving counselling service Signs of Hope, with sessions offered in British Sign Language (BSL) and other languages, without the need for an interpreter to be present. Caritas Bakhita House: The Diocese and the Met police have been working together to end human trafficking for many years. In 2014, we began to plan a new service, offering women a safe place to stay while they star t their recover y. In 2015, Caritas Bakhita House opened and has been a sanctuar y for women ever since. Turn to p6 to read more about Caritas Bakhita House.

CARITAS ST JOSEPH’S Supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families for over 45 years. 165 adult students currently developing their skills, and taking vocational, leisure and therapeutic courses.

CARITAS DEAF SERVICE The Sign of Hope counselling service has been running for 21 years. Currently working with over people

200

Over 450 signed or interpreted Masses have been celebrated

Caritas Volunteer Service: Launched in 2017, this service aims to make volunteering as Volunteer easy as possible for the Catholic community in London and Hertfordshire, by enabling parishes and local charities to advertise. Hundreds of people have found roles.

Give

Act

Lear

Find a volunteer role at www.caritasvs.org.uk CARITAS BAKHITA HOUSE

145 women aged 15-70 have stayed at Caritas Bakhita House 12 babies have been born to women staying with us We’ve helped secure prison sentences totalling 134.8 years for those who traffic

and exploit women

1,500 hours were generously donated by volunteers last year

To find out more about the work of Caritas Westminster, Act Share Volunteer Give visit www.caritaswestminster.org.uk

Learn

Pray

arry out for the sake of others we lay the ng the dignity of our people and communities, us to better heal, share and care.” Pope Francis, from Let Us Dream

Development Workers support parishes across the Diocese

SEIDs

Through its Outreach work, the Caritas Westminster Development Team works with parishes to ensure their initiatives are developed successfully.

90% of the participants were able to

“There’s no shortage of great ideas,” says John Coleby. “It’s heartening to see – people want to help others. But it can be hard to get a new project off the ground. The danger is one person may tr y to struggle alone, and something positive and promising ends there. “We can advise on setting up projects with the correct safeguarding in place. We can share ideas on securing funding. We can enable groups with the same aims to share their knowledge, skills and experience.” Thanks to Caritas Westminster, a simple idea for how to ser ve local people becomes a project that changes lives in the community. The pandemic has been a critical time when parishes have had to act quickly to respond to new and urgent needs for suppor t. In response to the pandemic, Caritas Westminster has launched the Road to Resilience. Through this programme, the Development Team helps projects run by parishes and schools in the Diocese to go beyond meeting emergency need and offer suppor t to help people out of pover ty, by tackling the challenges they are facing. For instance, project staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge in key areas such as benefits, debt advice, employment and housing. CARITAS DEVELOPMENT TEAM

127 parishes and schools joined the emergency supermarket voucher scheme Over two years, over 10,000 people from over 3,000 households have been supported

Has supported over since 2019

100 people

complete the programme

18 participants completed the programme during the pandemic 100% of participants who completed our programme have gone on to start and run their own business venture

Caritas SEIDs: Access to Dignified Work: In 2018 Caritas Westminster created its Business start-up programmes called SEIDs. Conceived to help people help themselves, by developing their own business opportunities. We offer individuals the chance to train and develop their business skills, increase employability and find decent, dignified work through self-employment. The service is located in a specially designed shared working space in Wembley. During the pandemic the centre had to close for periods and the programme was delivered online. Facilities include hot desks, meeting rooms, training facilities, hospitality and access to WIFI and printing. Each participant has access to professional business advice, workshops and a business mentor. Many of the candidates on the programme are facing other life challenges and may be locked out of the labour market. The SEIDs holistic approach helps to provide the support they need to make their participation successful.

Meriel Woodward, Assistant Director of Caritas Westminster, said: “This programme builds on the amazing Help grow our social action already being delivered by social action work parishes and schools. It works alongside in the Diocese direct relief projects, by bolting-on with a gift to the longer term inter ventions, and building Cardinal’s Lenten on individuals’ strengths, to suppor t Share Volunteer Appeal people out of pover ty for good.

Act

Give

5 MOSAIC • Lent 2022

“I want you to see that there is a future…” Caritas Bakhita House is a safe haven for women who have been trafficked, sexually exploited or kept in modern slavery. Last summer, guests were part of a pilot scheme, with St Mary’s University, designed to help survivors back into education. The summer school, the first of its kind in the UK, was developed to address the lack of educational opportunities for trafficked women, who live with high levels of trauma and have had little or no education. With your help, nine students aged 28 to 57 years old, from seven countries, took part, and all successfully completed the programme. The six-week course included two days online and one day on campus. Classes started at 10:00am and finished at 4:30pm with the last half hour dedicated to reflection on the day’s learning. The project has demonstrated that the Higher Education sector can help survivors reintegrate. Education

empowers them to rebuild their lives, whilst acquiring new skills to gain employment or further study, and modules included were: • English as a Second Language • IT • Nutrition • Employability Skills • Creative Writing • Life Skills There were also sessions on wellbeing, finances and careers. The university experience had a profoundly positive effect on the

students’ emotional and psychological wellbeing. Their newly acquired confidence was evident at the formal Graduation Ceremony that took place in July, where after receiving their Certificate of Completion, students took everyone by surprise by coming to the front of the room and giving impromptu speeches to the audience about their experience of the Summer School. The feedback from one of our students speaks for many: ‘… through the Summer School I have understood that I can find myself again. I have learned that I can rebuild my future again. I can say that I was not thinking this way before I started this school’.

“I thank God for the vocation he’s given me.” More priests are needed. With your help, we can continue to support men like Father William Johnstone who have a vocation.

“I was ordained to the priesthood in June 2021, and in September, I became one of two priests serving three churches in Welwyn Garden City. I’d come from a parish in Central London to a town in Hertfordshire, with green spaces all around.

“I was brought up in the Church of England and I briefly served as an Anglican minister before becoming a Catholic. I studied in Rome for three years and I was always drawn to the life of a priest. “I went on to do other things, but there was a particular moment in 2016 when I saw a video from an American Bishop on Facebook. His message was, ‘If you think you may have a vocation, you owe it to yourself and to God to explore it.’ So I did. “Having already studied Theology for a number of years, it was decided that the next step for me was to gain experience in a parish.

“A few months into my time at Holy Cross, Parsons Green, the pandemic hit and changed everything. The first time I went into a hospital, I was in full PPE and it made me realise how much we rely on seeing people’s faces to communicate. I think that Covid-19 has pushed us to be more imaginative about how we reach people.

“There have been moments when I’ve felt I’ve really connected with someone on a deeper level and made a difference. That’s when it makes sense. This is my vocation and I thank God for it. I would say to anyone who has a niggling sense of a vocation, as I did, ‘Trust your instincts. Explore that feeling. Follow what God wants you to do’.” Father William’s reflection on Lent For me, Lent is a time of spiritual renewal. For several weeks, we live our Christian life in a more intense way, focussing on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.The goal is to draw closer to God and to each other.

If you’re considering remembering our work in the Diocese in your Will, whether your parish, priest training, the Cathedral or simply where the need is greatest, we are very grateful. You can find information about leaving a gift in your Will at rcdow.org.uk/donations/legacy or email legacies@rcdow.org.uk

‘The love of Christ urges us on…’ You will find this mosaic in St Peter’s Italian Church, Clerkenwell. Consecrated in 1863, this beautiful and tranquil church remains a home from home for London’s Italian community. It’s a wonderful place to spend time in quiet contemplation. The words ‘Caritas Christi Urget Nos’, which appear on the mosaic, mean ‘the love of Christ urges us on’. It’s taken from St Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 5:14, where St Paul explains what compels him to proclaim and bear witness to Christ.

MOSAIC • Lent 2022

Thank you for your feedback “It’s very encouraging to read about all the good work carried out by volunteers to help all those in need”

‘o h no , “M y fir st th ou gh t wa s to ig no re !’. ter let g an ot he r be gg in an d de cid ed Ho we ve r, I re ad it al l I sh ou ld do na te”

“I am really pleased that some of my donation is helping seminarians & young priests”

Your questions answered: safeguarding In response to the last edition of Mosaic, a supporter sent us a question about safeguarding. Geraldine Allen, Safeguarding Co-ordinator for the Diocese, replies. “We take safeguarding very seriously in the Diocese. I started my role in July 2019 and lead the team that includes eight full-time staff and two part-time staff. My career began as a registered Social Worker and I went on to hold a range of roles, including Service Manager and LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer).

“Glad to read about al l the good being done in the community” “This dedication is for all the volunteers, like Gerry and Jackie, who give their time for the activities of the Charity”

Once you’ve finished reading Mosaic, we’d love to hear back from you. On the back of the form enclosed, you’ll see there’s a space to share your thoughts, and we’d love to hear what you’d like to see on the pages of future editions. Please take a moment to let us know.

“Loved reading the Mosaic!” niel on “Nice to see Rev. Da aic os (M r ve the front co unate rt fo en be d Ha 2021). work od to experience his go ph se Jo . St at Our Lady & ” Church, in Hanwell

“As a team, we cover a breadth of preventative safeguarding work, as well as acting in response to safeguarding concerns and allegations. For example, we provide a great deal of support for parishes and Parish Safeguarding Representatives to help ensure the structures and processes are in place for parish activities to be safe.” The safeguarding team covers four key areas. 1. Recognising and responding to allegations or concerns: ensuring a survivor is listened to, treated with respect, and supported appropriately at every stage. Equally, ensuring that the person against whom the allegation has been made is treated with respect and supported. 2. Creating a safe environment: when Church activities are organised well, with regard for the safety and wellbeing of all, we reduce the risk of avoidable harm to all participants and create safe spaces. 3. Safer recruitment: the Diocese undertakes the Safe Recruitment process in all volunteer and paid roles, to ensure the individual’s suitability for the role they will undertake.

Each copy of Mosaic costs around 9p to print and helps us to raise even more precious donations. Donors often tell us they appreciate hearing how we have used the gifts entrusted to us, and we are conscious of our duty to be wise stewards of the funds you donate. When you have finished reading, please put Mosaic into the recycling, or pass it on to someone else.

Please share your thoughts today. Thank you. 4. Creating a safeguarding culture: supporting departments across the Diocese, and also Westminster Cathedral, to recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and integral to its mission and ministry. “One of our guiding principles is that we respect and have concern for each individual, whoever they are”, explains Geraldine. “We will speak to anyone and everyone who wants to speak to us, listening to them and working out how best to respond to them.” The expansion of Geraldine’s team reflects the greatly increased investment which has been made by the Diocese in safeguarding in the past few years. Geraldine concludes: “We work in partnership with parish priests, Parish Safeguarding Representatives and departments across the Diocese to support them in ensuring that the structures and processes in all the work undertaken is in line with safe working practices.” You can find out more, including how we comply with national safeguarding guidelines, at rcdow.org.uk/safeguarding

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Last year, many people were kind enough to share their thoughts on Mosaic and the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. Here are some of the comments we received: