Westminster Tecord May 2017 by RCWestminster

Westminster Record

May 2017 | 20p

Stories of dedicated service

Called to serve the sick

George Malcolm centenary exhibition

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Bright Flame of Easter Last night there was a fire in the Cathedral. It was strong and powerful and it spread very quickly. We did not call the fire brigade. It was the Easter fire, the fire of the Resurrection of Jesus from the tomb of death. It spread until every person present was holding its flame, at the tip of the candle that each held high. Today we celebrate that new fire, the new life brought to us from beyond the doors of death for he is risen from the dead! We have heard from the witnesses to this event: Peter, who was first to enter the empty tomb and who met, walked and talked with the Risen Christ; John, who was also present and who stepped aside to allow Peter to enter first; Mary of Magdala who first raised the astonishing news; Paul, whose life was so dramatically changed by his encounter with this Jesus and who says to us that the glory which is Christ’s will be ours also! The fire of faith, ignited by this unique event, burns brightly today throughout the world. It burns in the hearts of the people of the villages of Qaraqosh and Karemlash in the plain of Nineveh, where today Mass will be celebrated in churches damaged by ISIS. There Christians will again gather now that this reign of terror has, at least in those places, been brought to an end. It burns brightly in the hearts of so many Christians, in Egypt, in many countries in Africa, and in other parts of the Middle East, where many have been martyred for their faith in this Risen Lord.

For them, life in Christ is worth more than life without him. These are no suicide deaths. They love life and die only because it is taken from them because of their faith. Theirs is the true meaning of martyrdom. This Easter fire burns strongly in the hearts of so many people in this country who dedicate time and effort, in the name of Jesus, to providing food, shelter, comfort and hope to millions of the world’s poor, both here and in many nations around the world. This faith sustains the long, slow work for peace. Patriarch Louis Sakho, speaking about peace in Iraq, said: ‘Peace must be achieved by us religious leaders as well as politicians, through courageous initiatives and responsible decisions.’ With other religious leaders, he will take forward the process of seeking the rebuilding the 12,000 damaged homes and churches, ‘in the land’, as he said, ‘where we were born and have lived for 1400 years, together with our Muslim brothers and sisters, sharing one civilisation’. We too must sustain this work, starting here with our neighbours in this land. Today we pray for peace in our troubled world, as confrontations harden and threats increase. We pray for wisdom and prudence in world leaders and an unwavering determination for cooperation rather than conflict. This Easter Day is a call for us to renew, in our lives, the pattern of this faith. In the days of Holy Week we have learned again what that means. There are four aspects, four facets to this

by Cardinal Vincent Nichols

pathway of faith we are to walk. They come to us directly from the Risen Lord. We are to honour him, day by day, with our prayer, especially in the prayer of the Eucharist, for he told us: ‘Do this in memory of me.’ We are to follow him in service of those in need, the forgotten ones. This is his Royal Road of service, which he told us to take, freely offering respect and reverence to the poor for in them we encounter the Risen Lord himself. They are not recipients of our gracious charity. They are the face of the one whom we love. This is why our efforts will never cease, for this love is stronger even than death. Thirdly, we are to bring to him the burden of our sin and

the sorrows of our broken world. He wants us to be free of that load. He soaks up the anger and evil of our world, without retaliation, as he dies on the Cross of Good Friday. Only there will we find the peace and salvation for which our hearts and our world aches. And, finally, we are to keep fresh in our hearts the readiness to see beyond death, to the vista he opens for us. We are never to lose these eyes of faith, which take us beyond the agony of suffering and tragedy, beyond the pain of the injustices of this world, beyond the darkness of death that awaits us all. In his Resurrection is our hope. His Resurrection is true. Our hope is not deceptive. It is strong and firm and utterly reliable.

The light of this Easter day, the strength of this fire of faith, is the true antidote to the corrosive cynicism of aspects of our public culture that wants to belittle what it cannot comprehend and undermine what it may reluctantly admire. Today we celebrate the true victor, the one whose triumph entails no losers except sin and death, in which all who wish share the victory and find in it the true fulfilment of their souls. Christ is Risen. Alleluia. May he reign in our hearts and bring us his peace. I wish you all a most joyful Easter indeed!

This is the homily given by Cardinal Vincent on Easter Sunday at Westminster Cathedral.

Editorial

Westminster Record | May 2017

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Anointed for Service

Editor Mgr Mark Langham Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Marie Saba 020 7798 9031 Inhouse writer Martha Behan 020 7798 9030 Photos Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk Design Julian Game To order copies contact Andrea Black 0161 908 5327 or email andrea.black@thecatholicuniverse.com Print management and distribution by The Universe Media Group Ltd.

May publication dates Editorial deadline: 12th May 2017 Listings email: communications@rcdow.org.uk News and stories call 020 7798 9030 Email: communications@rcdow.org.uk Advertising deadline: 19th May 2017 To advertise contact Carol Malpass 0161 908 5301 or email carol.malpass@thecatholicuniverse.com Produced by the Communications Office of the Diocese of Westminster. News and articles published in the Westminster Record do not necessarily represent the views of the Diocese of Westminster, unless specifically stated otherwise. Appearance of advertisements does not imply editorial endorsement.

At the conclusion of St Matthew’s Gospel, the Risen Lord appears to the disciples (who were having a bit of difficulty in digesting the Easter events) and tells them directly, ‘Go to every part of the world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation’. The Resurrection is not only an affirmation of our faith, but a command to live out our proclamation of the Gospel in prayer and service. Cardinal Vincent, speaking at the Chrism Mass, stressed to his priests that we are anointed for service of one another, and he developed this theme in his Easter Sunday homily (which we reprint) with the theme of offering ‘respect and reverence’ to those in need, in whom we encounter the risen Christ.

This is our Christian vocation: to live out our faith in whatever situation God has placed us (not merely in church on Sundays), so that by our actions and our prayers, Christ is made known to the world. For that reason, our diocese is strongly commending Archbishop Welby’s movement Thy Kingdom Come, ten days of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost in which the Archbishop invites us ‘to make a lasting difference in our nations and in our world, by responding to his call to find a deep unity of purpose in prayer’. Vocation concerns us all: we each have a calling to proclaim our faith day by day, whatever our status or occupation. But of course we have a special concern for vocations to priesthood and religious life, and this issue of the Westminster Record profiles four men in different stages of their formation. It is good that this issue is coming to you in the month of May, when we remember Our Lady who, in her willingness to hear and accept the call of God, is surely the pattern of all vocation.

where new stories are posted daily. www.rcdow.org.uk

For more news from around the diocese throughout the month

Nuncio Appointed to Great Britain Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has offered Archbishop Adams his heartfelt congratulations on the appointment. He extended the warmest of welcomes to the incoming apostolic nuncio and gave him an assurance of prayers as he takes up his new office.

before being appointed Nuncio to Zimbabwe where he served for five years. In 2007 Pope Benedict appointed him Nuncio to the Philippines and, in 2011, served in the same capacity in Greece. On 8th April 2017, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Adams Nuncio to Great Britain.

Brief Biography

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain His Excellency Edward Joseph Adams, titular Archbishop of Scala and formerly Apostolic Nuncio to Greece. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Page 2

Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams was born on 24th August 1944 in Philadelphia, USA. He was ordained priest on 16th May 1970 by John Joseph Cardinal Krol, the Archbishop of Philadelphia. Having studied in Rome, His Excellency graduated from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1976 and has served three Popes in Apostolic Nunciatures around the world. Archbishop Adams was Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh from 1996 to 2002

As we go to press, the diocesan pilgrimage to Fatima is taking place. Story and photos will be in the next edition.

Westminster Record | May 2017

Cardinal Leads Delegation of Muslim Leaders to Meet Pope

Moulana Muhammad Shahid Raza said: ‘This is a historic moment when the two biggest religions in the world, Christians and Muslims, must come together in unity and solidarity for peace.’ Moulana Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi said: ‘I was deeply

the Pontifical Council, the delegation visited the UK Embassy to the Holy See. On the previous day, the delegation visited the Venerable English College in Rome where they also met with HRH the Prince of Wales who was also visiting the College (below).

moved by the audience with Pope Francis. I could see the sincerity and love in his eyes as he offered words of encouragement to all of us as we came together in unity. This is an important meeting offering hope for everyone, regardless of religion. There is a common humanity to all of us. Some seek to divide people, religions, east versus west, but there is no east or west; there is just our common humanity as we seek a peaceful future for all based on justice and compassion.’ Following the Papal Audience and the meetings in

Catholic leaders in England issued a statement standing united in prayer with the Coptic community after deadly explosions in two Coptic churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday: ‘It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we learned of the bombing of St George’s Coptic church (Mar Girgis) in the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta, and the explosion outside St Mark’s Coptic church in Alexandria. Both blasts took place during a Palm Sunday service, where traditionally palm branches are blessed as a symbol of peace. Nothing can justify these atrocious acts of terrorism. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic community across the world and the people of Egypt. ‘We have sent an assurance of our prayers and a message of support to Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.’ Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Archbishop Bernard Longley and Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald - Catholic Members of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum On the same day, Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom released a statement decrying ‘the senseless and heartless brutality that can lead a person or people

to indiscriminately take innocent lives, especially at the most vulnerable hour of prayer’. He went on to add: ‘Today we suffer with our sisters and brothers who have experienced losses in London, in Stockholm, and as well as those who continue to suffer on a daily basis across the Middle East. We pray for them and their families as well as their suffering and struggling communities. ‘We pray for His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and all our Coptic clergy in Egypt who continue to serve their spiritual children faithfully and diligently at a time in which their leadership and pastoral care is needed by our whole community. We also pray for our Coptic Orthodox sisters and brothers who continue to be resilient in the face of ongoing and escalating attacks, and who resist the urge to react vengefully or reciprocally. ‘As we celebrate Palm Sunday today and Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, we now also mark the entry of those who have passed today into the heavenly Jerusalem. As we continue into the Holy Week of our Saviour, we share in the pain and heartbreak of their families and of all those affected by today’s incidents. As we celebrate the Feast of the glorious Resurrection at the end of this week, we are reminded that our life here on earth is a journey often filled with pain, at the end of which is a promised glorious and eternal life void of such suffering and evil.’

‘Prayers and sincere good wishes’ for Pope Emeritus Benedict

Cardinal Vincent led a delegation of four Muslim leaders to Rome for a private audience with Pope Francis on 5th April to promote dialogue and close collaboration on social action in the United Kingdom. The Pope told the delegation that listening to each other was essential for the common future of humanity as we walk together in our shared lives. This ability to be attentive and to listen to each other is vital as we all seek a future together united in mercy and peace. Joining Cardinal Vincent were Moulana Muhammad Shahid Raza, Moulana Ali Raza Rizvi, Moulana Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra. Cardinal Vincent has engaged in dialogue with a number of Muslim leaders over the past few years and brought the delegation to Rome for the Papal Audience and meetings with Cardinal Tauran at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The Cardinal said: ‘We are deeply moved to meet Pope Francis and we draw great inspiration from his leadership and his encouragement to walk together on the road of profound spiritual dialogue. I also hope that this moment will help the voice of authentic Islam to be heard clearly. We look forward to our continuing promotion of collaboration at a local level at the service of all in society.

Catholic leaders united in prayer with Coptic community

To commemorate Pope Emeritus Benedict’s 90th birthday on Easter Sunday, 16th April, Cardinal Vincent sent him a message offering ‘prayers and sincere good wishes’ of the bishops, clergy and people of England and Wales ‘on this happy occasion’. In the message, Cardinal Vincent writes: ‘Most Holy Father, Dear Pope Benedict, ‘On the occasion of your 90th birthday I send this message on behalf of the Bishops, Clergy and People of Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

England and Wales to offer our sincere good wishes and prayers for you on this happy occasion. ‘After Easter, the Bishops will come together for the Plenary Meeting of our Conference, in Palazzola, and we will celebrate Mass together for your intentions and those of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. ‘Please be assured of our warmest greetings and prayers for you at this Easter time. ‘May God continue to richly bless you in all that you do.’ Page 3

Westminster Record | May 2017

Faithful Discipleship

by Fr Michael Dunne At the Solemn Mass on Easter Sunday in Our Lady of Grace and St Edward the Confessor Church, Chiswick, our longstanding parishioner Joseph Carty was presented with the Diocesan Medal, in recognition and gratitude for decades of outstanding voluntary service. In his personally signed citation awarding him this honour, Cardinal Vincent writes that ‘the Diocese recognises Joseph’s deep faith

and voluntary service to the community as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Reader, transporting the elderly and infirm to and from Sunday Mass and the invaluable help he gives to the life of the Church in the parish and beyond’. His last phrase, certainly points to Joseph’s generosity beyond our parish church itself, but it cannot fully describe it, as such a contribution cannot of course be detailed on a certificate.

Representatives from other parishes and diocesan communities and families, such as the Catholic Police Guild, the HCPT, or the Guild of St John Southworth at Westminster Cathedral, who were present on the day to see Joseph honoured, are indicative of his wider generosity. The moment seemed right to recognise Joseph in this way now, both because of his generosity in itself but also because this particular expression of his goodness is, tragically but necessarily, going to have to change in the light of his recent diagnosis of motor neurone disease. As for all of us, the expression of our faith, hope and love, is made from within the circumstances of our lives, and when these circumstances change, so must the expression of our discipleship, our following of Christ. As we honour Joseph and thank him for all he’s done for our parish and for the diocese for so many years, let us assure him of our prayers and support for the future as we also ask him to continue to pray for us. Joseph, thank you and congratulations!

47 Years’ Dedication

Teacher’s Reward

Greg Donoghue (circled), Associate Headteacher at St Eugene de Mazenod School, was honoured by Bishop Nicholas Hudson for over 40 years’ dedication to the school. He continues to be very active in school and parish life. He is pictured here with his family. Page 4

On Palm Sunday, 9th April 2017, Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated Mass at Saint Mary and St Michael Church, Commercial Road. At the end of Mass, he presented parishioner Mrs Tess Doran with the Benemerenti for her dedicated service to the parish. Tess has been volunteering in the sacristy and around the church for over 47 years, assisting 11 Parish Priests, including current PP Fr William Skehan. The Benemerenti medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for dedicated service to the Catholic Church.

Westminster Record | May 2017

Papal Blessing for Welwyn Garden City Parishioner Welwyn Garden City parishioner Mary O’Neil, who volunteered for the aid agency CAFOD for 40 years, has been presented with a Papal Blessing at a Mass at Holy Family, attended by family, friends and CAFOD representatives,in recognition of her untiring efforts to help the world’s poor. Now 96, Mary’s journey actively volunteering with CAFOD began in 1972, when she founded the Holy Family CAFOD group and became secretary, and continued until 2007. During her time as

secretary, Mary was instrumental in organising and assisting at fundraising events. From raffles and quiz nights to international food evenings, the group was persistent in their commitment to raising money for CAFOD. Some of the events they began, such as the Strawberry Tea Garden Party and the Summer BBQ, have become parish institutions that continue decades later. Mary’s talents were not restricted to fundraising, however. In the 1980s she volunteered at CAFOD’s Head Office and, alongside her

husband Bill, Mary was an active campaigner for justice and peace, supporting movements such as the Campaign Against Apartheid. Mary and the CAFOD group were also instrumental in making Holy Family a Fairtrade parish, before going on to encourage Welwyn Garden City to become a Fairtrade town. By the time Mary stood down as secretary in 2007, she was 86 years old and had led the group for 35 years. The efforts of the group, the unending generosity of the Holy Family parish and the

continuous support of Parish Priest Fr Nobert Fernandes, had resulted in the parish raising an astonishing £100,000 for CAFOD since the group’s founding in 1972. Community Participation Co-ordinator, Tony Sheen, said: ‘Mary and the Holy Family Group are an inspiring group of parishioners. They aim to live out the word of the Gospel by supporting our sisters and brothers overseas as part of their daily life. It is a privilege to know them and to have had their support for so many years.’

Benemerenti for Hatfield Parishioner

On Sunday 23rd April, Bishop Paul McAleenan presented Mrs Linda Graham, a parishioner at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Hatfield, with the Benemerenti medal and a parchment from Pope Francis for her contributions to the Catholic Church and Catholic Education. Linda has been a Foundation Governor since 1996, initially at St Philip

Howard Catholic Primary School, Hatfield, and then at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, St Albans until August 2016. As Chair of Governors at Nicholas Breakspear, Linda was proactive in raising standards across the school to support the move from ‘Special Measures’ to ‘Good’ in record time, as evidenced by both diocesan inspection in May 2016 and Ofsted inspection in June 2016.

Linda has been a First Holy Communion catechist at St Peter’s for over 15 years and has also led the First Holy Communion programme at neighbouring Marychurch for the last two years. In this vital role in the Church she has supported over 400 young children in the development and deepening of their faith, giving her time and energy freely. Linda has also serves her parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Linda commented: ‘I am absolutely delighted and highly honoured to receive this award. When I moved to Hatfield I attended Mass at St Peter’s and on my first visit I knew I wanted to be part of this wonderful community. I wanted to help in any way possible and got involved as a catechist preparing children to receive their First Communion. It is the children who make it fun and so enjoyable. ‘I have also been privileged to work with two wonderful schools whose aims are to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. My role as a governor is to support and challenge the headteachers to ensure that we give every child the best chance possible. I would highly recommend any parent wishing to support their child’s school to become involved in either being a

governor or joining the PTA/Friends. All schools need support, now more than ever due to the financial cut-backs

schools are facing. The rewards are great in knowing that you are helping the next generation.’

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Westminster Record | May 2017

Extending a Helping Hand Cardinal Vincent Nichols Consecrates the Church of the Holy Family and orphaned children. Moyo

Parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden have been supporting the work of Moyo Babies Home in Uganda through donations for refurbishment and redecoration work. The parish’s Developing World Group (DWG) has been encouraging parishioners to support the three-stage project to help the home provide a clean and safe environment for the children in its care. Many children become orphaned during times of conflict and forced displacement. The nature of conflicts in northern Uganda and across the border in South Sudan has made it especially difficult to find relatives of lost

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Babies Home offers hundreds of babies and children a safe and loving environment. The parish has already sent funds to the home through International Refugee Trust to enable it to refurbish two of the houses. Over Lent, they began raising funds for the refurbishment of the flushing lavatory block. Launching this latest effort, the DWG explained in their letter to parishioners the urgent need: ‘It has developed a number of cracks, which can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, thereby exacerbating the threat of malaria’. They expect the refurbishment to offer ‘a much cleaner and healthier environment for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children under the age of five.’ In a recent letter to the parish, Moyo Babies Home Director Sr Maureen Kojoa wrote to the parish about the transformational effect that the donations had made to the lives of the children, staff and community, and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support of parishioners.

by Robert Ewan

Cardinal Vincent consecrated the Church of the Holy Family in West Acton, London on Saturday, 1st April 2017, on the 50th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone by Bishop Patrick Casey. The building of the church was supervised by Fr Gerrard Barry, the first Parish Priest. Much work has been undertaken recently to complete a comprehensive program of internal restoration and renovation. Former Parish Priests, Frs John Wiley and Charles Cahill were also present, as was Mr Richard Kornicki, one of the Lieutenants of London, local MP Dr Rupa Huq, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and some local councillors. In a traditional service of consecration, the Cardinal sprinkled the congregation and the altar with holy water; and the altar and the walls of the church were anointed while the choir sang ‘Holy is the temple of the Lord’. Following the Litany of Saints, he placed the relics of three martyrs, Saint Proba, Saint Reparata and Saint Casta in the pedestal of the altar. This was followed by the burning of incense on the altar and the incensation of the consecration cross spaced around the church, after which

the altar was prepared for Mass with all the candles of the church lit as a sign of rejoicing, to the accompaniment of celebratory hymns and psalms sung by the church choir and pupils from Holy Family School. With hands extended the Cardinal blessed the people and gave thanks to those who have helped in the process of renovation and ensuring the completion of the church, and those who worked hard to prepare for this special occasion. Parish Priest Fr Neil Reynolds said: ‘The consecration went very well and was a beautiful and

moving celebration; as always with these occasions, their success is dependent upon everyone who is involved working together and this was certainly the reality on the day, and I reiterate my thanks to all those who contributed in any way whatsoever to making it so.’ Father Nadheer Dako, the Catholic Chaldean chaplain who regularly celebrates Mass at the church, said: ‘For me, it was a very reverent event, so inspiring and moving. The faith-filled congregation, together with the church and school choirs made it a very special Mass.’

Cardinal Vincent speaks with pupils from Holy Family School.

Westminster Record | May 2017

‘What Good Looks Like’ On the 30th March Tesco Borough Community Champions held a bespoke employability workshop for victims of human trafficking from both Caritas Bakhita House and Sophie Hayes Foundation as part of the continuing effort to support these women into independent living. The workshop came about as a result of Karen Anstiss, Caritas Bakhita House Manager meeting Debbie Briody, Tesco Community Champion through another project they are both involved in.

Rianne Black-Foster and Debbie Briody

Through Debbie and Rianne Black-Foster, a fellow Tesco community champion, and Naomi Telfer of the Sophie Hayes Foundation, Tesco was able to offer something that takes relatively few resources, but has great effect. The workshop, which was tailored specifically for these women and their needs, was not designed just to teach them employment skills but to show them the importance and dignity of work. Debbie described how she and Rianne saw the girls grow in confidence throughout the day, partly because they were learning valuable skills, but mostly, because of hearing the testimonies of those who have succeeded in a work environment despite

experiencing difficult situations themselves, which demonstrated to the participants that there is no reason they should not achieve the same. Tesco often use the phrase ‘what good looks like’ and this shaped the programme of the workshop. Through small group work on interview skills and online job applications, it was emphasised that a willingness to work hard was more important to Tesco than good grades, or having the loudest voice, something that instilled confidence in the women. The day had a comfortable atmosphere, with the women sharing their opinions, asking questions and expressing doubts freely. The women from Caritas Bakhita House were invited because of their English language skills, but Karen hopes that the partnership with Tesco will continue, and that other women will be able to benefit. Karen and Debbie met through the Club Alice Hair Salon and Frankie Cox. The salon is currently supporting Caritas Bakhita House as its project for the year, with clients donating toiletries for the women who live there. Through this partnership Karen is able to spread the word about the essential services that Caritas

Bakhita House provides. Frankie Cox has also become a volunteer at the house furthering the community of people supporting these women. The Sophie Hayes foundation works to ‘empower survivors of trafficking to build hope filled futures’ Their programme is a confidence and employability programme called ‘Day 46’, comprising of workshops, oneto-one coaching and a bespoke vocational experience. They partner with businesses like Tesco to create opportunities that assist the learning and development of the people they work with, increasingly their likelihood of future employment and independence. Although unfamiliar to most people, Tesco Community Champions offer valuable help and resources to groups throughout the UK. The community champion works to ensure Tesco is ‘a great neighbour that can bring genuine benefit to the local community’. They offer what any good neighbour does, only on a larger scale: staff volunteering their time, facilitating fundraising and assistance planning events in their stores, and, as demonstrated by the work they did with Caritas Bakhita House, anything they can reasonably do to help in

the community. One of the major benefits of community champions is having someone working on your behalf in an organisation as big Tesco. What started off as a conversation between Debbie, Rianne, Naomi and Karen has borne fruit in a successful day. They hope to continue working together to help women who have had so much taken from them look towards the future.

Marriage Blessings at Quex Road On St Patrick’s Day, couples from Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, who were married on the saint’s feast day over past years were invited to receive a special blessing on

their shared anniversary. Parishioners who were also married on this day and who are now widowed were invited to come forward to share in this blessing.

Exploring the Riches of the Mass The parish of Holy Rood, Watford ran a five-session course on Biblical Walk through the Mass as their Lenten course. Fr Shaun Richards writes: ‘We were well oversubscribed (as attested by the photo taken at the last session) and feedback on the course has been excellent. We are going to organise a rerun for those who missed out on a place first time around.’ Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

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Westminster Record | May 2017

Prestigious Music Award for St Charles St Charles RC Primary, in Kensington and Chelsea, has been recognised for its wideranging commitment to providing music opportunities for its pupils. The Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Music was presented to teaching staff by former ballerina and TV celebrity Darcey Bussell. All children at St Charles receive specialist music lessons weekly as well as specific singing sessions. In key stage two every child is given the opportunity to learn an instrument with a specialist teacher. Disadvantaged pupils receive subsidised or free individual music tuition to

ensure they can fully access musical opportunities. The school has two thriving choirs and an orchestra which reflect the cultural make-up of the school. These musical groups support the wider community through concerts, performances and outreach work with the elderly. Headteacher Anne Slavin said: ‘We received the award on behalf of our wonderful pupils, parents and staff who engage so wholeheartedly in all our musical activities as well as the governors who make the arts a priority and help to fund our instrumental lessons.’

L-R: Darcey Bussell, Yvonne Sebuyira, Music Coordinator at St Charles, Ann Slavin, Headteacher, Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare.

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Westminster Record | May 2017

British Science Week at St Thomas More School Last month St Thomas More Catholic School pupils celebrated British Science Week with experiments, tropical animals and a Science Fair. Throughout the week, pupils had the opportunity to take part in lunchtime activities, enabling them to interact with scientific phenomena. The school hosted a visit from the Urban Farm, to teach pupils about a range of reptiles and apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to the realworld applications of science. On Tuesday, 14th March, Year 7 pupils had the chance to explore the power of science and get ‘hands-on’ with science, technology,

engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects through attending The Big Bang Fair at the NEC in Birmingham where two St Thomas’ pupils, Chriso Panayi and Eriver Kawuma, had made it to the finals of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition.

On Thursday, 16th March, inspired by The Big Bang Fair, St Thomas More School held its very own Science Fair where pupils presented to parents, pupils, governors and special guests, projects and experiments they had spent the previous months preparing.

St Anthony’s Pupils Get Egg-cited for Easter St Anthony’s School for Girls pupils had a cracking time celebrating Easter at the end of term. They took part in an Easter Bonnet Parade showcasing their hand-crafted bonnets, pupils with the best bonnets were each awarded a book about nature. They also participated in craft sessions, creating brightly coloured paper baskets, as well as Easter cards which they gave to pupils from St Anthony’s Boys School. The girls also took part in an Easter egg hunt on school grounds.

St Paul’s Catholic College, Sunbury raise money for StreetInvest

St Paul’s Catholic College took to the streets of Sunbury and Kempton Park Racecourse on Friday 24th March to raise money for StreetInvest which is a charity that seeks to improve the lives of children living and working on the streets in this country and abroad. Students and staff took part in a sponsored walk, and were encouraged to dress up for the event. As well as the sponsored walk, the students also organised other fundraising events around the school such as bake sales, car washes and ‘Beat the goalie’ competitions. St Paul’s is well on the way to reaching their target of £12,500.

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Westminster Record | May 2017

‘For on this Cross Jesus is raised up not only in agony, but also into glory.’ With a procession of palms and shouts of ‘Hosanna’ the Solemn Commemoration of the events of Holy Week began throughout the diocese on Palm Sunday.

Commemorating the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday

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conformed to him’ in fulfilling the ‘sacred duties towards Christ’s Church’. Immediately following, the Holy Oils are blessed. The Oil of the Sick was presented by the medical team of the Lourdes pilgrimage; the Oil of Catechumens by two catechumens preparing for Baptism at Easter; and the Oil of Chrism by a Confirmation candidate and Deacon Michael Maguire who is preparing for Ordination to the priesthood. The Chrism Mass marks the start of the Church’s holiest days of the year, when ‘we stand at the threshold, ready to step gratefully into the mystery of faith, the vast landscape of the great plan of God for our human family,’ said the Cardinal. ‘We know that all of this takes place out of the aching love of God, who longs that his people find their way home, to him, with their wounds bandaged up, their

At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist, on Maundy Thursday, 13th April 2017, Cardinal Vincent washed the feet of 12 Chelsea Pensioners, recalling the Lord’s washing of his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. In his homily, Cardinal Vincent explained the origin of the word ‘Maundy’, or mandatum, meaning command.

As Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending Passion and death, he gives them a ‘double command: two inter-connected actions, which we do this evening,’ explained the Cardinal. ‘”Do this in memory of me.” Take bread and wine and do what he told us to do,’ he continued. ‘I wonder if in the entire history of humanity any command has ever been so widely or consistently obeyed.’

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The second command is ‘inseparable from the first. It is the command to love and serve one another, as symbolised in the washing of feet,’ said the Cardinal. ‘Service flows from the true participation in the Mass. Service is the gateway through which we must pass in order to be truly part of this Eucharistic celebration,’ he added. In the light of faith, ‘we see that Jesus, the Eternal Word in our own flesh, shows us the wholeness of human life: a

service that springs from a glimpse of the wonder of God; the finest of prayers, the Mass, which flows in selfless service of those most in need.’ After Communion, the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly processed from the sanctuary to the Altar of Repose in the Lady Chapel. The high altar in the sanctuary is stripped and all bells are silenced, adding to the mournful atmosphere for the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.

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Immediately following, the Cardinal attended the Passion Play in Trafalgar Square, performed by the Wintershall Players, where he led the crowd in the Lord’s Prayer. At 3pm, the Cardinal presided over the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion in a packed Westminster Cathedral. In his homily, the Cardinal said: ‘Today, we come to venerate the Cross, in its stark cruelty and in its penetrating beauty.’ ‘As we come forward,’ he added, ‘we may hand over to the Lord every burden of our sin, of our dismay at failure, of our broken hearts. We may place at the foot of the Cross every sorrow and suffering of our broken world, including that of his disciples who still today are being martyred.’

‘This Cross is the moment in which we see beyond the immense and relentless suffering in our world, which it represents,’ he continued. ‘For on this Cross Jesus is

raised up not only in agony and pain, but also into glory; for his glory is to be, in his being, in his body, the unwavering total love of God for his creation.’

‘Brilliant, life-changing newness’ of Easter At the Easter Vigil of the Holy Night celebrated in Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal reflected on the meaning of the Paschal fire from which the Paschal candle is lit and light then radiates to every individual present. The fire is a symbol that is used once in the Church’s year at the Easter Vigil to ‘help us to understand the brilliant, life-changing newness of what we celebrate,’ he explained. Looking at the story of Moses who encounters God in the burning bush and receives from him his mission to demand the freedom of the enslaved Israelites, we too receive a mission ‘that seems as impossible: to bring to this troubled, war-torn, exploiting world, the peace and new life of Christ; to bring to our wayward hearts, with our capacity to misuse people, to belittle them, to cast them aside, the mercy and gracefulness of Christ’. It is with the help of the Risen Christ that this mission can be met, added the Cardinal. He invited all

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present to hold high their candle, and to see in the tip of fire ‘the sign of God’s power and presence now given to you that you too may live in God’s freedom and be his witnesses in your way of life, today and into life eternal’. Mirroring the hundreds of catechumens and candidates being welcomed into the

Church across the diocese, the cathedral parish saw six catechumens baptised and another six candidates received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Along with one more candidate, all completed their sacraments of initiation, being confirmed and receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

‘Be accompaniers of the people entrusted to you and be discerners of the promptings of the Holy Spirit among them,’ Cardinal Vincent told priests of the diocese at the Chrism Mass celebrated on 11th April 2017. ‘Let that call, and the dedication and generosity of time it requires of us, the prayerfulness of life it presupposes within each of us, be powerfully in our hearts,’ he added, just ahead of the renewal of priestly promises. The Cardinal emphasised that ‘the work of Salvation, costing nothing less than the precious body and blood of Christ himself, is done for the sake of the entire world. That is the focus of our mission: not our own safety or salvation, but that of every person, in every time and in every place.’ In the words of the renewal of promises, priests resolve ‘to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely

Service Flowing from the Eucharist

bearing a cross symbolising Christ’s journey to Calvary, beginning at Methodist Central Hall and proceeding down Victoria Street to the cathedral. On the steps of the cathedral, Cardinal Vincent explained that Christ’s suffering on the Cross includes all the suffering of the world throughout history to our present day, encompassing persecution, injustice, and every form of suffering.

‘Be accompaniers of the people entrusted to you’

burdens laid down, their sins forgiven and a shout of exaltation on their lips. This love of the Father has no limits. It is for everyone. Its landscape embraces our whole world.’ ‘And, in this great work, God our loving Father calls for our help, our cooperation, the effort of each one of us,’ he said. The Oil of Chrism is the ‘powerful sign’ that we all have a part to play in fulfilling God’s plan, as it is the oil used for anointing in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. Many of the faithful had come from every part of the diocese to pray for and with their priests, filling the cathedral to capacity.

At Westminster Cathedral, Holy Week offered a time to reflect on the Passion and Resurrection, and their significance for Christians today.

On Good Friday, Cardinal Vincent marked the Lord’s Passion in central London by joining the Walk of Witness and attending the Wintershall Passion play in Trafalgar Square before leading the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion in Westminster Cathedral. At 12 noon, Cardinal Vincent joined Christians of different denominations in the Walk of Witness, led by a man

Cardinal Vincent’s homilies from Holy Week are available at rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/homilies Additional photos of the liturgies are available at flickr.com/catholicism and flickr.com/catholicwestmisnter

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Westminster Record | May 2017

Commemorating the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday

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‘This Cross is the moment in which we see beyond the immense and relentless suffering in our world, which it represents,’ he continued. ‘For on this Cross Jesus is

raised up not only in agony and pain, but also into glory; for his glory is to be, in his being, in his body, the unwavering total love of God for his creation.’

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Twitter at: twitter.com/dowym

Service Flowing from the Eucharist

‘Be accompaniers of the people entrusted to you’

At Westminster Cathedral, Holy Week offered a time to reflect on the Passion and Resurrection, and their significance for Christians today.

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Westminster Record | May 2017

Inside the hospice: Being prepared by Fr Peter Michael Scott

Recently I visited a patient who was preparing her daughter to begin primary school in September. I asked her if she thought it was a bit early, but she replied it was very important that her daughter was primed as soon as possible. She had spoken about the journey to school, how she would meet lots of new friends, and have a wonderful teacher. The drawback was that mummy was not able to come into the school, and they would not be spending the day together. When I left the patient’s room I thought about the Good Samaritan accompanying the injured man to the inn. Perhaps Jesus wants us to understand that, in that journey, the

Samaritan would have prepared the man for the hospitable community he would be joining. The Samaritan would leave him there and go on with his travels, but the inn would not be a place of surprises or shocks because the injured man would have been prepared. Quite a few times, I have met patients who are not ready for eternity. It is not that they are unworthy or great sinners, but they have never allowed themselves to think or investigate what living with God might be like. So, with gentle conversations and readings from scriptures, I try and act as the Good Samaritan, getting them ready for the journey, the new friends they

will meet (the saints and angels) and the wonderful Teacher they will live with. We must not be frightened of talking about dying or being received into God’s mansion of many rooms. We must be prepared for it. A very useful aid is the Bishops’ Conference website called The Art of Dying Well (artofdyingwell.org). It is not only a practical guide but a spiritual one too. I always remember the journey to my new school and my mother telling me to be good. She said ‘try’, and the key to God’s merciful judgement, is that we try our best. Please pray for the patients, staff and volunteers at St Joseph’s Hospice.

Why should Catholics be interested in healthcare? Why should Catholics be interested in health and social care? That’s just one of the issues being raised in a series of roadshows coming round the diocese in June, as part of the Called to Serve the Sick season. The roadshows, championed by Bishop Paul McAleenan, will discuss a Catholic understanding of health and social care, why Catholics should feel a particular vocation to health and social care, and what parishes can do about it. They are a direct response to Cardinal Vincent’s call in his pastoral letter to make a renewed effort to serve the sick and place them at the core of our community. ‘It is fitting that this season comes as a continuation of the Year of Mercy, giving us the opportunity to practice that most important act of Christian love, care for our neighbour,’ says Bishop Paul. ‘Good health, poor health, disability and ultimately our death, are integral aspects of what it means to be humans precious to God, and so they are of huge importance to us as Catholics.’ ‘The Church has a special place of value for those who are sick, those with disabilities and those who work with and for them. Cardinal Vincent and I very much want priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful to understand that Page 12

working with the sick is part of their core ministry and mission.’ The roadshows come just weeks after the Vatican produced a new Charter for Health Care Workers, which makes clear that health and social care is a way of sharing in and furthering the love and ministry of Christ himself. The care worker is a minister and ‘the healing ministry of care workers is a sharing in the pastoral and evangelising work of the Church’, which teaches that healthcare is a vocation. The events include speakers who are pastors, healthcare workers and theologians including Fr Peter Scott, Chaplain at St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney, Professor Jim McManus a Director of Public Health and cancer survivor, and Dr Pia Matthews from St Mary’s University. ‘Catholics are present in higher proportion in the health and social care profession,’ says Jim McManus. ‘The history of healthcare is full of efforts by the Church, its saints and people to provide health and social care. Hospitals exist because our Catholic forebears pioneered them, and Catholic agencies still provide well over 100 care homes alone in England and Wales.’ Participants will have time to reflect on this teaching and their role. ‘There is so much we

do already, and so much we could do easily, like supporting and valuing stressed and hardworking frontline care workers, and welcoming those with mental ill-health and dementia better in our parishes,’ he added. ‘This evening will give signposts and pointers to help people do just that.’ Organisers hope people come away feeling valued and enthused, says Bishop Paul. ‘Participants will be aware of the importance of a Catholic understanding of health and social care, why the Catholic Church is so interested in health and social care, and come away with ideas and resources on what they could do next.’ The evening roadshows will come in seminar format, with especially-written prayers to begin and end, time to listen to talks, and time to discuss with other participants over a cuppa. The events will give Catholics a range of resources from a delegate pack with prayer material, reading and website links to brief talks about the Art of Dying Well (artofdyingwell.org) and the newly launched foundation degree in healthcare, theology and ethics at St Mary’s University. To register and for more information go to www.rcdow.org.uk/called-toserve-the-sick Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Westminster Record | May 2017

‘Living through, with, and beyond the experience of death’ On Thursday 30th March 2017, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham visited St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney to deliver one in a series of the hospice’s annual Lenten Lectures. Archbishop Bernard is very familiar with the work of St Joseph’s Hospice from his time as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. The lecture focused on ‘service’ as its theme, which is the fourth vow professed by those entering some religious orders and which is key to the work of St Joseph’s Hospice. Archbishop Bernard described the unique nature of service rooted in Catholic teaching which reaches out ‘to those most in need, irrespective of ethnic, cultural or religious background, political affiliation, or economic circumstances’ and which includes a willingness to serve ‘in fruitful partnership with others, where we have shared values and priorities’. He said that ‘St Joseph’s continues to draw on the strength of its Catholic foundation. It has known how to adapt its mission and evolved in a way that I would describe as authentically Catholic. By this, I mean, that the service that arises from the love of Jesus Christ has always to be offered freely and indiscriminately’. This has enabled the hospice to be ‘at the forefront of ecumenical and interreligious cooperation and witness’.

Just ahead of Holy Week, Archbishop Bernard took this opportunity to speak about ‘the view from the cross’, asking his audience to consider how ‘Christ, in his passion, looked upon those who were around him’, essentially, what it feels like to be dying. He suggested that to view a world in the midst of suffering could make us more aware and open to the compassion that can come about during times of great distress. He also spoke of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and how it ‘accompanies us from the first moments of our existence, throughout our childhood and youth, and all along life’s journey’. He said that comfort can be found from knowing ‘that the Lord is always at our side, at times to support and comfort us, but often too challenging us and urging us on’. Archbishop Bernard added that ‘the way we respond to the most important moments of our lives, whether a challenge, a moment of great stress, or preparing for our own journey towards the end of our natural lives, is often a reflection of the way that we have lived, the experiences that we have had and how we have been preparing for that one great challenge that is before each one of us’. He linked this to a key theme from the Art of Dying Well: that to live with death in mind, memento mori, is to live well and fully. Preparation for death, in its

most intimate stages does not have to be without life. ‘Hospice care enables every day to be a source of joy and a channel of love. It brings meaning to the lives of all. The witness of service and prayer of the sisters and all who are united with them enhance the quality of care received by patients. Care, prayer and life are part of the intrinsic make-up of St Joseph’s Hospice, and so many other palliative and end-of-life care institutions. For the staff, the work is life enriching, and for the patients, the end of life is enhanced and cherished. As Archbishop Bernard explained, ‘God does not take his gifts away from us. Life is for living through, with, and beyond the experience of death’. During his visit, Archbishop Bernard also celebrated Mass

for the intentions of residents and staff of the hospice, and met staff, Religious Sisters of Charity, and the families of patients. Opened in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity, St Joseph’s Hospice has been a

ground-breaking centre for change in the hospice care system since its foundation. It continues to be a forerunner in the field and is today an expansive, modern hospice that offers palliative care, education and research.

Rooting Healthcare in the Christian Tradition by Dr Pia Matthews People who work in healthcare and who minister to others at often crucial and vulnerable times of life encounter many challenges, surprises and sacred moments. We at St Mary’s University Twickenham recognise that the healthcare practitioner has a vocation that is not only fundamental for society and for individuals, but it is also part of the Christian mission to continue the work of Christ in the world. That is why St Mary’s is building on the success of its Foundation Degree in Healthcare Chaplaincy to offer a new Foundation Degree for Practitioners in Healthcare Ethics, Theology and Care. The new degree is for all healthcare practitioners, from those working in care homes to those working in hospices and in hospitals, not forgetting healthcare chaplains. This is a reminder that chaplains are part of a much wider Christian healthcare community and that the practice of healthcare is itself a vocation where expert and effective care has spiritual, theological and ethical dimensions. With its focus on pastoral care, theology and ethics, and rooted in respect for the dignity of all human beings

made in the image of God, the degree looks at forming each practitioner, enabling them to develop professionally, to grow personally and to make an impact in their work environment and beyond. We explore the experience of care-giving that is both personcentred and Christ centred. Attention is given to the values of dignity, confidentiality, honesty, respect, privacy, true compassion in care, and to some practical and legal requirements. We look at what it is to be human and ethical issues from the very beginning to the natural end of life. We engage with the art of listening, team work, and responding to the needs of those of different faiths or none. We explore the relationship of religion and psychology, and the significance of spirituality for ourselves and for others. We focus on areas of particular concern in the UK such as care for elderly people, for those suffering from dementia, for people with disabilities, and for those with mental health issues. We draw links with the ‘see, judge, act’ method and with principles of Catholic social teaching that are foundational for good and effective care. Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

The realities of dying, death, grief and bereavement are relevant for all healthcare practitioners. We reflect on the reality of care, and in particular spiritual care, through the lens of the art of dying well, the changing relationships involved when people encounter dying and death, the need for good and effective communication, and the building up of trust. Our reflection on the fragility of life and the reality of death is always in the light of the Incarnation, Resurrection, and Christian hope. It is a two-year programme for people already working in a healthcare setting. This form of blended learning provides the opportunity to link theory with practice, and to identify and work through challenges. It encourages deep reflection on those moments that are formative for healthcare practitioners and often lifechanging for people they meet on the journey. For further information please contact Dr Pia Matthews at pia.matthews@stmarys.ac.uk

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Westminster Record | May 2017

A Call Heard and Answered

As we pray for vocations on Good Shepherd Sunday, 7th May, we asked four seminarians studying at Allen Hall to share their stories of answering the call to priesthood. clearly in the fact that, even with all the suffering, my parents still remained together. As I grew older, I began to go on pilgrimage. One that struck me in particular was World Youth Day in Brazil in 2013. In this experience, I felt a calling from Jesus Christ to follow him. Thus I decided to enter seminary in order to discern if God is calling me to the priesthood. In these two years of formation, I have learned that, in following the will of God, I can find happiness.

Garcia Before entering seminary, I had struggled for many years in the attempt to find happiness. Times were tough growing up, as my parents were migrants from Mexico. My family and I experienced many financial problems which caused arguments and clashes between my parents, and that was difficult for me as a child to witness. So I attempted to seek happiness outside of my home, but the more I searched the emptier and more unsatisfied I felt. My parents insisted that we go to church. I was quite rebellious, thinking that God could not fix the mess in my family, but somehow the word of God I listened to in my Neocatechumenal community stuck with me. It began to give me a sense of hope, saying that God loves me exactly as I am. This struck me so much that I began to go to church willingly, seeking to understand how exactly God could love me despite all the problems. The more I searched for God, the more I could see him acting in my life. I saw this

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response was not what I had expected: he told me that unless I gave it a go I would never know. It was this conversation that spurred me to act and to explore God’s call for me. This led me to the seminary in Valladolid, Spain where I had the opportunity to explore a new culture and to fulfil a dream to see Barcelona play at the Nou Camp! I am now studying at Allen Hall. It is an intense but rewarding journey and I thank God every day for the opportunity.

Daniel Daley

Mike Guthrie

My name is Dan and I am a first year seminarian for the Diocese of Westminster. I was raised a Catholic, went to a Catholic primary, secondary school and college in Harrow, in the north west of London. I regularly attended Mass at my local church, St George’s and became and altar server. So God has always been a part of my life. At eighteen I did consider the priesthood but thought it was not for me because I could not see myself in such bizarre clothes! Instead I went to university, got my degree and became a banker, just after the financial crisis of 2010! I enjoyed my work and earned enough to do what I have loved to since I was small boy: play football! However, despite having all I thought I wanted, it felt like there was something missing. My manager at the bank had a conversation with me one day about my future and I told him I had once considered the priesthood. His

Originally from New Zealand, I’ve spent my last few working years managing cabin crew for an airline and as a Special Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police. I began to sense God’s call to the priesthood several years ago. My friends, and my colleagues in the Police and at work, most of whom are not Catholics, have been amazingly supportive. Their wisdom, common sense and belief in the genuineness of this call have strengthened me and enabled me to get to this early stage in my formation.

Deacon Mike Maguire

When I was a young lad I was always drawn to priesthood, but as I was finishing my Alevels I felt a stronger sense that the Lord was calling me to follow a different path: to serve the sick. So, I came to university in London, where I studied nursing, and after qualifying enjoyed a 13-year career in Accident & Emergency departments across London. Now, before I came to university my parish priest

gave me the best piece of advice I have ever received: ‘Don’t just hear Christ,’ he said, ‘but listen to him’. I had absolutely no idea what he meant! Throughout my career there were times when I felt God nudging me, almost telling me to stand back from the hustle and bustle of A&E, and listen to him a little more. But the more nudges I felt, the more I resisted! It was in Lourdes, however, that I began to recognise what God wanted for

my life; I not only saw how the sick truly embraced their calling from Christ, but I finally realised that the years I had cared for the sick, I had also been caring for Christ himself. The Lord was working through the sick and dying to help me to understand my true vocation in life. I finally gave in to the nudges, and I ‘listened’ to the Lord. Only then did I know that God was calling me to follow him on a different journey to priesthood!

Westminster Record | May 2017

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ – a global prayer movement

As we move from Easter to Pentecost, let us pause for a while at the feast of the Ascension. It is at the Ascension that Jesus hands over to his Apostles, and to us, his mission to bring all people closer to God the Father, through knowing and following his Son. Jesus commands us, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations!’ We are to bring God’s Kingdom into the lives of all we meet so that they too may share in the new life of the Resurrection. And we are not alone. Following the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem, to the upper room where they were staying and prayed constantly for the coming of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost they were

filled with the Holy Spirit, and stepping out into the world, they carried on the mission of Jesus. Through prayer we too are able to call on the Holy Spirit to fill us with courage as we take on this mission of evangelisation, of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the call to mission, the Diocese of Westminster is supporting the global prayer movement for evangelisation Thy Kingdom Come which takes place from Ascension to Pentecost. Thy Kingdom Come invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer. In his role as Joint President of the Council of Churches for England, Cardinal Vincent says: ‘To have a week of prayer for Christian mission is just a

Faces of Mercy: Faith Matters Talks in Lent wonderful thing. Please do join in before Pentecost, this drive to pray together for the gift of God’s spirit for our mission. We know how rich Pentecost is in the life of the Church from its very beginning. That richness can be ours too, if we ask God for it.’ Individuals, families and parishes are invited to Pledge to Pray. This is done by logging on to the Thy Kingdom Come website, and each pledge lights up a dot on worldwide map. Please do consider making a pledge to pray for evangelisation during this period. We hope to encourage as many people as possible to become involved in Thy Kingdom Come and, through the workings of the Holy Spirit, take forward the work of evangelisation in the Diocese of Westminster. Posters advertising the novena, a guide with ideas on how the parish community can be involved, and prayer leaflets for individuals and families to pray are available in parishes across the diocese. All materials are also available to download from the diocesan website http://rcdow.org.uk/faith/thykingdom-come-2017/ Further information, ideas and a range of resources are also available from the Thy Kingdom Come website www.thykingdomcome.global/

Mercy has many faces as revealed in the Faith Matters talks in the run up to Easter. The Lenten reflections, entitled ‘Faces of Mercy’, were given by leaders in their field, where the mercy of God is shown in practical ways. The theme for the series of talks came from Pope Francis’ letter on the closing of the year of Mercy, Misericordia et misera, in which he considers how the truths of the Gospel continue to be shown through everyday acts of mercy. The first talk ‘When I was in prison…….’ on the demands of life in prison, and on the issue of crime and punishment was given by Mgr Roger Reader, Prison Adviser to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The talk demonstrated how the mercy of God continues to be shown through chaplains and others who visit and pray for prisoners, and prompted one listener to consider how they might be a volunteer working with prisoners. Fr Peter-Michael Scott, The Cardinal’s Advisor for

Healthcare Chaplaincy, in addressing the theme ‘When I was sick…..’ shared poignant stories about the care the dying and those coping with death of loved ones. His talk drew the comment that to be chosen as a hospital or hospice chaplain was a gift from God, for which we are thankful. In her informative talk on refugees and asylum seekers, Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, considered ‘When I was a stranger…..’; and opened a discussion on an interesting, challenging and, for some, a disturbing topic. The final talk on ‘Seeing Mercy’ was given by Fr Geoffrey Wheaton SJ. He explored the power and potential of praying with art, bringing prayer alive and opening listeners’ eyes to the creativity of how mercy can be practiced. The excellent talks from all speakers demonstrated the challenges and rewards of carrying on Christ’s practical work in revealing the Faces of Mercy.

Deacon Adrian Cullen – Evangelisation Coordinator

The Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come Almighty God, your ascended Son has sent us into the world to preach the good news of your kingdom: inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts with the fire of your love, that all who hear your word may be drawn to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

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Westminster Record | May 2017

Director’s Spotlight

Phil Ross, Youth Ministry Director

As I am typing this month’s column the building programme at SPEC enters the home straight and everyone here at Pinner is moving into overdrive. The move to residential retreats brings with it a much more complex operation and this is never more evident than in the support teams. We’re on the road to recruiting a caretaker, who’ll be responsible for the smooth

Five Things a Year of Mission Taught Me

running and security of the entire campus, a chef and a catering team, who’ll serve up to 300 meals a day and a lead housekeeper and support team, who’ll manage up to 90 occupied beds and over 50 rooms, which all need to be spick and span! Sara Rhodes, our Operations Manager, is very much at the epicentre of this activity, working tirelessly to keep the show on the road. Sara’s teams, alongwith with ground maintenance and administration support ensure that we provide the highest quality service and that’s pretty much 24/7. We have an opening ceremony to prepare for in July, and then, quickly following, our first residential summer booking will arrive from France. We absolutely need to be ready. If you’d like to know more about our work then please do contact me on philross@rcdow.org.uk or 07795 153033 and I’ll arrange a campus tour for you.

Alex Pooler reflects on completing her time as a volunteer missionary at the SPEC Retreat Centre, in the Diocese of Westminster. I’ve just wrapped up my time at SPEC and I would recommend a year of mission for many reasons. It helps to develop public speaking skills, gives a greater world perspective, teaches you how to live with other people, and it’s just absolutely fun. But, there are a few things about a year of mission that were far more important for me. If you’re feeling called to be a missionary, then let me share a few of the ways God worked on my time in mission. Everything is for nothing if I don’t pray I was very involved in my parish in Florida. I did a lot, but I didn’t really pray a lot. I remember when I started the young adult group at my parish, one of the women I was working with said: ‘We should do a novena before meeting.’ We did the novena, but when she suggested it, part of me was thinking, ‘no, why? We don’t have time for this! We need to act!’ Wow, how mission has taught me how wrong I was. The whole point of everything we do is to serve God. How can we serve God if we don’t know what he’s telling us? From praying the Divine Office, to prayer before retreats, to prayer before meetings and silent Adoration, mission taught me that, unless I pray, I might as well be doing nothing. God wants to be involved with everything, and when we pray and invite God in, we’ll see the fruits.

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Being in a relationship with a mission is a gift The small print of a first year of mission says, ‘I will not pursue any romantic relationships’. Well, I was 25 when I entered mission and part of me felt like this rule didn’t apply to me. My heart wasn’t fully living this rule and I regret that. Had I been in a relationship, it would have been hard to experience fully the love that God wanted to show me personally, to experience the healing in my heart that I needed, and to see my identity fully. A year is so short, and if you can give it totally and freely to God, or give someone else the space to have that year, I think God will bless that. We are called to live in the light. Conflict resolution is difficult and uncomfortable, but if you’re on mission, you don’t have much to be afraid of. After all, the people you’re on mission with love God, they probably love you even if you’re irritating, and they all desire holiness. I can’t imagine a more perfect person with whom to resolve issues. If being on mission taught me anything, it’s that we are called to live in the light and we should. Each time I brought something into the light, or other people brought some of their issues with me into the light, God blessed it. I was expecting awkwardness and anger, and, actually, all I ever experienced was peace and forgiveness. God rewards honesty tenfold. Don’t allow things to sit. God wants to be my Comforter At home, I am known and loved by everyone: family, Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

friends, co-workers, my pastor. Only when I left home for mission in a foreign land and became unknown did I really start to turn to God for comfort. It was good that people were there for me when I needed someone, but it was important to learn that God really wants to comfort me first. I noticed the difference at World Youth Day. When things went wrong and I was upset and crying and falling apart, for the first time ever, all I wanted in those moments was Jesus. I can’t say that for any other time in my life before mission. Jesus is the embrace, he’s the friend nodding while I complain and saying, ‘Yes, yes, I hear ya’. He has been my Comforter this year. Hearing Jesus called Comforter created a funny but nice image for me: an image of being enveloped and at rest. Let Jesus be your Comforter. I was the Mission The truth is I came to England thinking I would teach children how much Jesus loves them. I was going to make so many sacrifices for Jesus leaving my important job in Florida and giving a year of my life to bring truth to all the people in London. The woman who interviewed me for my year at SPEC laughed and said ‘This year is for you’. But she was completely right. I was the mission. God called me on mission because he wanted to speak something to me and spend time with me, and, outside of this mission, I wasn’t giving him the space to do that. One of the most important things I learnt was that I still need Jesus. To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

Westminster Record | May 2017

George Malcolm: Before and after Westminster

George Malcolm, Westminster Cathedral’s Master of Music 1947-1959, is the subject of a major centenary exhibition in the Chapel of St Gregory and St Augustine, from 10th May to 30th July. Giles Dawson, curator of the exhibition, looks at George Malcolm’s remarkable career before and after Westminster.

play to Director Sir Hugh Allen no less. Although this was some years before the RCM opened its Junior Department, young George struck Sir Hugh very forcibly as an exceptional case. He was duly awarded a special LCC scholarship to attend the college on Saturdays, so becoming its youngest-ever student. Scholarship awards would become almost routine for Malcolm. He won a valuable one to read classics and music at Balliol College, Oxford, from 1934 to 1938; and, when he returned to the RCM for advanced piano studies, he won a succession of scholarships and prizes including the coveted Chappell Gold Medal. ‘My teacher, Herbert Fryer, made me work really hard,’ Malcolm

harpsichords held at the Royal Festival Hall, sponsored by Thomas Goff, who made the instruments. Malcolm did not keep his ‘impulse buy’ harpsichord for very long, and it was on Goff’s models that he played for some 20 years. Eventually tiring of the difficulties of maintaining them and the personality of their maker, Malcolm turned to Robert Goble & Son near Oxford, playing and espousing their rather more authentic harpsichords for the rest of his life. In this he was vitally assisted by a gifted and dedicated technician, Malcolm Russell, who owned and maintained the Gobles that Malcolm played. Although most music lovers know of George Malcolm as a harpsichordist, he always had several strings to his bow, not least as a conductor. Soon after leaving the cathedral, he was invited by Benjamin Britten to help prepare, and to conduct the second and third performances of, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the 1960 Aldeburgh Festival. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Malcolm was associated with orchestras such as the Philomusica of London and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He worked extensively, both as continuo player and keyboard soloist with Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and as conductor and soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra. The George Malcolm Archive a Balliol College attests to how much he was admired by his fellow professionals, and how much he must have taught them in matters of style and musical taste. The most celebrated of these acolytes is Sir András Schiff, who began to take informal lessons with Malcolm as a teenager and with whom he often collaborated in later life. One enduring legacy of their work together is the CD of Mozart’s piano music for four hands, recorded for Decca on Mozart’s own instrument. Indeed, a less well-known aspect of Malcolm’s career is his prowess in chamber music, particularly as a pianist. On disc, Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

this is represented chiefly by the LP he made in 1976 with Christopher Hirons (violin) and Kenneth Heath (cello) of two early trios by Beethoven. They made a formidable ensemble; and Malcolm’s playing, with peerless articulation in the fast movements, is as good as any you will hear in this repertoire. Malcolm appeared in 13 BBC Promenade Concerts over the years. ‘Last year,’ he told an audience in 1978, ‘I even played the piano at the Proms – to the confusion of my adversaries!’ He was alluding to a performance with András Schiff of Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos, at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1977. He had appeared there in a more customary role on 22nd August 1972, directing the Northern Sinfonia from the harpsichord in all six of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. It was no doubt thanks to some very special friends that Malcolm was able to extend his concert career into his late seventies. Not long after his mother died in 1972, he invited Chris and Margaret Hirons and their daughters to share his house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea; and the following year they all moved to a house in Wimbledon, where Malcolm had his own apartment at the end of the garden. A further move to nearby Raynes Park was to be the great musician’s last. Friends and colleagues made a memorable event of both his 70th and 80th birthdays. Janet Baker and Yehudi Menuhin were on stage at Wigmore Hall on 28th February 1987; ten years later, at the same venue, Malcolm was joined by the Academy of St Martin’s Chamber Ensemble, with his friend and frequent duo partner in recitals of baroque music William Bennett (flute), Chris Hirons (violin), Andrew Marriner (clarinet), and Ian Partridge, who as a young tenor had sung under Malcolm in the Westminster Cathedral Choir and has never forgotten the musical debt he owes him. George Malcolm died on 10th October 1997. His Requiem Mass was celebrated at Westminster Cathedral and he is buried at Saintbury in Gloucestershire.

It is no exaggeration to apply the term child prodigy to George John Malcolm, born in Clapham, southwest London, on 28th February 1917. An only child, little Georgie showed exceptional musical ability from a very young age. He took the opportunity to learn both violin and piano from the age of three, and was soon playing the organ in the chapel of his convent school. He was a budding composer too, as surviving printed copies of his Hymns & Benediction sung for First Communion show. Few youngsters can have been the subject of a 2,500-word eulogy in their school magazine as Malcolm was, aged 7. It was also in that year, 1924, that he was invited to audition at the Royal College of Music, to

wrote 40 years later, ‘and became increasingly encouraging and enthusiastic about my prospects.’ All the signs were for a career as a concert pianist. Malcolm, who cherished his Catholic roots in both worship and music, took a job as choirmaster-organist at the Church of the Redemptorist Fathers (St Mary’s) in his native Clapham, where he was able to develop his experience of choir management, as well as try out his own compositions for liturgical use. Several of these would go on to form part of the repertoire at Westminster Cathedral and gain wider currency in the worldwide church. Malcolm’s piano studies and church music were interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1939. He enlisted in the RAF Reserve and was called up to Mildenhall air base in Suffolk. His skills as a musician recommended him to lead one of seven new RAF bands formed in 1941; thus he became, at 25, Bandmaster of Bomber Command Band based at Uxbridge with the rank of Warrant Officer. The work involved extensive touring all over the country, which brought him into contact with men from all walks of life and degrees of experience, a feature of wartime that Malcolm always looked back on with pride and satisfaction. After the war, he developed an interest in the harpsichord. Initially, he fancied owning one as ‘a sort of toy’; so when a fine 18th century instrument came up for auction, he went along to Sotheby’s and bought it. He soon became known not only as the owner but as a very fine player of the harpsichord, and work, as much as he could manage in holidays from the cathedral, came his way. Beginning with 78 rpm discs, by 1954 he was making his first 10-inch vinyl record at 33 rpm, and it was a great success: Bach’s Italian Concerto and Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue made the ideal calling card for the new era of recorded music. Malcolm’s largest audiences for his harpsichord playing must have been at the annual concert of music for multiple

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Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden May Procession

Join the pilgrims at the London Shrine of Our Lady on Sunday 14th May to pray for the Capital and our Diocese. The street procession begins at 3.30pm from the Shrine Church, 1 Nicoll Road, NW10 9AX Preacher: Rt Revd Hugh Allan, OPraem Bakerloo and Overground to Willesden Junction Bus routes 18, 187, 206, 220, 226, 228, 260, 266 & 487 Our Lady of Willesden, Protrectress of London, pray for us.

Westminster Record | May 2017

Finding Fatima on the Home Front by Fr Richard Nesbitt

By the time you read this article, Cardinal Vincent, along with over 140 other pilgrims from the Diocese of Westminster, will have just returned from Fatima and Pope Francis will be about to go there! In this centenary year of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd children, Fatima looks set to be the most popular destination for Christian pilgrimage on the planet this year. Here in my own parish of Our Lady of Fatima in White City, we will be travelling to Fatima on pilgrimage in August, joining the several million who will make the journey this year to the still small town in central Portugal. The recent news that Pope Francis is set to canonise Blessed Jacinta and Francisco on 13th May, during his own pilgrimage, will surely attract even greater numbers still.

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The irony of all this, however, is that unlike in many other Marian apparitions around the world, the message of Our Lady at Fatima does not include an invitation to physically come on pilgrimage to the site. Think of how, for example, Our Lady’s message to St Bernadette at Lourdes, in contrast, explicitly invites people to travel personally to that place as pilgrims (‘Come here in procession’, ‘Bathe in the waters..’). There is nothing of this in the Fatima message. Our Lady appeared to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta at a moment of crisis for humanity. Amidst the carnage of World War One, Pope Benedict XV in early May 1917 appealed to Christians to pray a novena in honour of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, asking her intercession to help end the terrible conflict. On day eight of the novena, Sunday 13th May, Our Lady appeared with her response to the three shepherd children while they were tending their sheep in the fields outside their village near Fatima. It might seem like a charming picture: a pastoral idyll with innocent children and a radiant Madonna. But there is nothing sentimental about Fatima; from the very first of the six apparitions we enter a world of gritty and graphic realism. Our Lady and Lucia (who we need to keep on reminding ourselves was only 10 years old at the time!) immediately enter into a conversation concerning the reality of heaven, purgatory and Satan, the salvific power of

the Rosary, how offended God is by human sinfulness and the urgent need for us to make reparation through penance and prayer. War is shown to be the tragic result of human sinfulness and peace the fruit of human contrition and conversion. In the apparitions which follow, the children are transcended into heaven and shown the horrors of hell; they are given specific details about the fate of Russia, about how Communism and Nazism will spread their poison across the globe and how this will lead to the brutal persecution of the Church. This most ‘political’ of Our Lady’s messages directly predicts the coming of the Second World War and gives exact details about the signs which will signal its beginning. The world is blindly heading for the abyss and Our Lady, with her maternal care, urgently gives us the remedy for our sickness. This remedy calls each one of us firstly to reject sin and live good, holy lives; secondly, do personal penance so that sin may lose its power over us; and thirdly, offer acts of reparation and intercession for those who have forgotten God or who deliberately offend him. Our Lady also repeatedly speaks of God’s desire that humanity should establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart as a way of answering its deepest needs and contributing to the salvation of souls. What strikes me powerfully is that, 100 years on, the urgency of this message remains

undimmed. While we have (at least for now) drawn back from the darkness of world war, the level of indifference and hostility to God is surely at a much greater level across the globe than it was 100 years ago. One of the graces of this centenary year will hopefully be a deeper understanding among many of how Our Lady’s message at Fatima offers a powerful antidote to this malaise. And not only the six Fatima apparitions, but also the later appearances of Our Lady and the Child Jesus to Lucia in 1925 when she was a postulant with the Dorothean sisters at their convent in Pontevedra, Spain. Here Lucia is given more explicit instructions about the First Saturday devotions mentioned by Our Lady during the apparitions in Fatima in July 1917. Fr Andrew Apostoli CFR, in his superb book ‘Fatima for Today’ (which I would recommend as almost compulsory reading for everyone this year!) writes powerfully of the First Saturday devotions as a ‘formation programme’ for modern men and women to train us how to consecrate ourselves and the world to the Father’s will. These First Saturday devotions involve nothing unfamiliar: in essence, receiving the Eucharist and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, together with a Holy Hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament including communal praying of the Rosary, 15 minutes

of silent meditation upon one of the mysteries of the Rosary and a litany to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All of this is to be offered in a spirit of personal conversion and reparation for the sins of the world, including the following five specific blasphemies against Mary: blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Motherhood of God, Sacred Images, and the blasphemy of those who seek to plant in the hearts of children indifference, contempt and even hatred against Our Lady. St John Paul II fulfilled Our Lady’s other urgent request at Fatima: the consecration of Russia. And yet we still do not see the promised-for peace in our world or the conversion of Russia. It has been argued that we need to take seriously the urgent request for the First Saturday devotions and the path of conversion they offer before this can happen. Here at Our Lady of Fatima in White City we will be celebrating the First Saturdays between May and October this year with particular solemnity and with guest preachers. See our parish website for full details (www.ourladyoffatima.biz). You are warmly invited to join us. Yes, we are eagerly looking forward to our own pilgrimage to Fatima in August, but we understand that the mission of Fatima begins here and now on the home front and in our own hearts.

Photos from the Mass honouring the visit and crowning of the National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Westminster Cathedral on 19th February 2017. © Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk