Westminster Record May 2018 by RCWestminster

Westminster Record

May 2018 | 20p

Global wave of prayer: Thy Kingdom Come

Royal Connection: From Cardinal Wiseman to Ms Markle

Living Simply: The Barnet Way

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Rejoice and Be Glad

by Cardinal Vincent Nichols What is your picture of holiness? In your eyes, what does a saint look like? Pope Francis’ recent Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (‘Rejoice and be Glad’) offers us his answers to these questions. He says that we should look for holiness not only in those who have been formally declared to be saints but also in the people ‘next door’. He writes: ‘I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s

people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile...Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbours, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence’ (GE 7). This is the holiness to which he wants us, every one of us, to aspire. We are all called to be holy. Holiness is our destiny; it is what God has planned for us. There is nothing frightening or intimidating about this. Rather

it is liberating, a way of becoming who we really are. In writing this short message, I want to urge you, everyone, to read this wonderful document. In it the Pope ‘reproposes the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time with all its risks, challenges and opportunities’ (GE 2). He does it in a way that we can all understand and follow. So, please do get a copy and read it for yourself! Pope Francis shows us that the secret of being holy is to keep God, and not ourselves, at the centre of our lives. Only

when there is space for God, and a heart centred on God, do we find the right balance and poise for our daily living. In his message, then, Pope Francis is constantly exploring the space in which God speaks to us, in which God touches our lives, in which God leads us to new life. Pope Francis wants us, in a great struggle, to keep this space open, not letting it be shut down by fear, by rigidity, by neglect, by laziness, by the clamour of fashion, the invasion of noise or the bombardment of opinions. Listening to God in the

depth of our being, responding each day in every small way, returning to that fountain of love and mercy: this is the way of holiness he opens before each one of us. At the end of his Exhortation, Pope Francis has a beautiful prayer in which he seeks the intercession of our Blessed Lady and begs ‘the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory’. This is our true pathway in life. Let’s do our best to follow it and to encourage each other, especially within the circle of our families and friends.

Editorial

Westminster Record | May 2018

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Universal Call to Holiness

Editor Mgr Mark Langham Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Marie Saba 020 7798 9031 Inhouse writers Martha Behan 020 7798 9030, Sharon Pinto 020 7798 9178 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.

June publication dates Editorial deadline: 11th May 2018 Listings email: communications@rcdow.org.uk News and stories call 020 7798 9030 Email: communications@rcdow.org.uk Advertising deadline: 18th May 2018 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.

‘There’s a lot of it about’, once sang Spike Milligan. Whatever he meant by that (and you could never quite tell), in this season he might well mean holiness, for it is at the forefront of our thoughts for various reasons. Firstly, of course, Pope Francis has issued his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et

Exsultate calling us all to holiness. Secondly, we are encouraged to take part in Thy Kingdom Come, ten days of prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost that have become a global witness to holiness. In the third place, we have just celebrated Easter, and the glow of that sacred season is with us yet. But holiness is not a matter of initiatives, documents, or headlines. It is a matter for each one of us, in our daily lives. Vatican II first spoke of this ‘universal call to holiness’, declaring, ‘all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity.’ This is very much the theme of Pope Francis’ Exhortation: we find holiness not only in extraordinary feats, but in ‘the saints next door’. Cardinal Vincent speaks of

seeing the world and of ourselves in a way that affirms their intrinsic goodness. ‘You can tell a saint’ as someone said, ‘by the way she shuts a door.’ Our diocese furnishes plentiful examples of holiness in the lives of its faithful members. Vocations Sunday renewed our focus on how God calls us to live out our lives, while the annual Mass for Matrimony celebrates the holiness of the sacred bond of marriage. Holiness means charity, also, and we report on a new social enterprise initiative by Caritas, as well as the work of our parishes and schools in forming a new generation of Catholics who can live out the call to holiness.

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Bishop Welcomes UK Government’s Apology to Windrush Generation Bishop Paul McAleenan, Chair of the Office for Migration Policy, has welcomed the UK government’s apology for challenging the residency status of undocumented members of the Windrush generation, people who came to the UK from the West Indies in the 1950s and 60s. Some 50,000 people, were at risk of deportation including children who had travelled on a parent’s passport, following recent Home Office policy. Bishop Paul said: ‘We welcome the government’s apology for the unacceptable rejection and denial of access to services for some members of the Windrush generation, whose vital contribution to the reshaping of the UK after the Second World War is hugely acknowledged. Page 2

‘Such an oversight is both extraordinary and unacceptable; a fact now recognised by the government. To deny them access to the benefits of the State they have served so well would have

been truly reprehensible. ‘The Windrush generation and all communities that have made meaningful contribution to this country deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.’

Westminster Record | May 2018

Cardinal offers prayers as Commonwealth Heads of Government meet On Monday 16th April, at the start of the week of Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, Cardinal Vincent sent a message to Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of the Bishops of England and Wales, offering prayers and good wishes. In the letter, the Cardinal writes: ‘Your Majesty, ‘As the Heads of the countries of the Commonwealth join and meet with you in London today at the beginning of the Heads of Government Meeting, we, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, send our prayers and good wishes to you and to all who will participate in this important gathering. ‘The Commonwealth is a wonderfully diverse community of nations and organisations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. These values are intrinsic to promoting the dignity of the human person and the common good, both of which are at the heart of

Catholic teaching. ‘As the Head of the Commonwealth, Your Majesty’s personal commitment over many years to reinforcing the bonds of unity whilst celebrating the

diversity of each nation is an inspiration to us all. Your Majesty’s role within the Commonwealth family has been a paradigm of selfless service to the people of the Commonwealth.

‘Your Majesty, may you and all leaders of the nations be inspired by the values of the Commonwealth, and may this meeting of the Heads of Government bear much positive fruit for all.

Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation Welcomed by Bishops The Bishops of England and Wales have expressed their gratitude for the reflection on holiness which the Holy Father has given in Gaudete et Exsultate, and have commended it to all those who seek wholeness and peace in their lives. In their statement, they write: ‘Gaudete et Exsultate is a personal letter addressed to each of us, inviting us all to put God, and not ourselves, at the centre of our lives.’

‘In this simple, direct and beautiful letter, Pope Francis reminds us that holiness is not the preserve of specialists. It is for all of us, not a select few. Holiness is our destiny. It is what God has planned for us. There is nothing intimidating or overpowering about this. ‘It is in small gestures and little things that we are led to be holy. Jesus Christ not only invites us to this holiness but enables us, through his grace, to make the journey to God. This

journey, although deeply personal, is never private. Our worship becomes pleasing to God when we devote ourselves to living generously. God’s gifts, granted in prayer, are seen in our concern for our brothers and sisters, particularly those most in need. We are to set out afresh to do all we can to love the least in our society and culture. ‘As we receive Gaudete et Exsultate, we commit ourselves and commend all people to be

bold and courageous in the mission of the Church (GE 129) and recognise that spiritual combat and renewal are at the heart of this journey to God. We echo the Holy Father’s own prayer in seeking the intercession of Mary, our Mother, and we ask “the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory” (GE 177). We will continue to encourage one another, and all our people, in this effort.’ Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

Bishops express concerns about gender ideology

The Bishops of England and Wales have expressed their concern that gender ideology is creating confusion. In a statement issued following the April plenary, they said that the intense public debate about gender ‘raises profound questions about human nature, how we understand ourselves, relate to one another and our capacity for self-determination’. Reaffirming that ‘the body is God’s gift’, and that ‘it is with and through our bodies that we make our earthly journey, with all its ambiguities, sufferings and joys’, they explained that ‘this understanding is vital for welcoming and accepting not only ourselves, and each other, but also the entire world as gifts of God’. They expressed their ‘hope for a renewed appreciation of the fundamental importance of sexual difference in our culture and the accompaniment of those who experience conflict in their sense of self and Godgiven identity.’ They recognised that ‘there are people who do not accept their biological sex’ and expressed their commitment to their pastoral care: ‘Through listening to them we seek to understand their experience more deeply and want to accompany them with compassion, emphasising that they are loved by God and valued in their inherent Godgiven dignity.’ They emphasised that ‘there is a place of welcome for everyone in the Catholic Church’. For the full statement, please visit rcdow.org.uk. Page 3

Westminster Record | May 2018

Bishop of YouTube by Albert Lawes, Parish Catechist, Shepherd’s Bush Parish

One of the greatest attractions of Adoremus, the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Liverpool over 7-9 September, will be the presence of Bishop Robert Barron. Together with Cardinal Nichols, Bishop Barron is the keynote speaker on the Saturday. Known to all Catholics familiar with social media, he is one of the most pre-eminent and compelling evangelists of our contemporary culture.

Originally a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, he founded Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, the global media apostolate that seeks to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially through YouTube and Twitter. Pope Francis appointed him an Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles in 2015. As one of the most followed Catholics on social media in the world, he has more than 1.5 million Facebook fans, over 115,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, and over 100,000 followers on Twitter. 350,000 people receive his daily email reflections and his videos have been viewed over 25 million times! His appeal is not limited to the Catholic world, as seen from his YouTube commentaries on topics as diverse as the music of Bob

Dylan or the Star Wars films, to the philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas or the mystery of the Trinity. He also created and hosted CATHOLICISM, an awardwinning documentary series, used by many parishes and groups here in Westminster. It is a powerful and attractive presentation of the Catholic faith, containing Catholic art, poetry, philosophy, theology,

applaud this revival of Eucharistic Adoration, precisely because I agree with Vatican II that the liturgy is the source and summit of the Christian life.’ To hear Bishop Barron speak in Liverpool and to join the Church of England & Wales united in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, contact adoremus@rcdow.org.uk or 07738 183829.

prayer, and the saints. Indeed, it is through the beauty of the Christian life that Bishop Barron seeks to attract people to Christ. What is more beautiful than the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and what is more essential for Christian living than to draw closer to him? Bishop Barron encourages us to draw close to the Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist: ‘I

A Global Wave of Prayer by Mgr Mark Langham

Some ideas are so simple, yet so profound, that you wonder why no one has come up with them

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before. In 2015 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York suggested that people might

use the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost as a special time of prayer. This simple invitation caught the imagination of Christians from many traditions, so that by 2016, 100,000 Christians had committed themselves and their families to the ‘global wave of prayer’, and by last year, over half a million people throughout the world took part. Entitled ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, the initiative has received the enthusiastic support of the Catholic Church, with the happy suggestion of praying a novena during these days. In conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Vincent said that using the prayer ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is an act of confidence in the innate goodness of our world and ourselves: a way of seeing the world that we know as distinctively Catholic. Taking part in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is an act of confidence in the power of prayer to bring us to faith, to transform our lives and to change the world. Do join in this worldwide initiative from 10 to 20 May, visit www.thykingdomcome.global for resources, and join in the prayer of all the Church: ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

The Choir of Westminster Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage with Actors from The Catholic Association for the Performing Arts Present

Peter’s Way of the Cross

By kind permission of His Honour Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC Recorder of London & the City of London Corporation This wonderful event will take place in the

Grand Hall of the iconic Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EM on

Wednesday 30th May 2018 Reception from 18:30 Performance from 19:30 Tickets are now on sale at £50.00 per person including pre-performance reception, canapes and complimentary drinks Email: sandra.macgregor@freshfields.com All proceeds donated to assisting the sick and disabled pilgrims of WDLP

Payment by bank transfer to: WRCDT Lourdes Pilgrimage 2018 Account no.: 41307649 Sort code: 40-05-20 Reference: Surname/SotC (eg: ‘Smith/SotC’)

Or by cheque made out to WRCDT Lourdes Pilgrimage 2018, sent by post to: ‘Stations of the Cross’, c/o Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QN

Registered Charity No. 233699 – Website: www.rcdow.org.uk

Westminster Record | May 2018

Sharing Joy in Hounslow In early March, Fr. Mamdouh AbuSada, Director of the School of Joy, spent two weeks visiting the UK. The School of Joy, in Beit Sahour, is dedicated to helping young people aged 6-23 who have learning difficulties or have been abandoned by their families. With the help of FHL’s Westminster Diocesan Coordinator, Fr. John Deehan, Fr Mamdouh addressed nine

audiences in schools and churches across the diocese. On each occasion, he shared the difficulties faced by Christians living in the West Bank and the challenging situations of the students in his School. During his first weekend, he spoke at SS Michael and Martin in Hounslow. The total attendance, over five Masses, was 3,600 and the resulting donation was over £6,000.

HCPT Pilgrimage: ‘An inspiring renewal of our faith’

One Step Closer to Lourdes Each year the Diocese of Westminster organises a pilgrimage, taking the sick, infirm and disabled pilgrims to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. There are many sick people who wish to visit Lourdes but are unable to do so due to financial constraints, and depend on generous donors. With this in mind, 15 year old William Lavery did a walk for Lourdes to raise money for sick people to join in this years pilgrimage from 21st -27th July. William began his walk accompanied by grandfather Bob Lavery from his parish church St John Fisher in Shepperton, covering 25 miles following the river Thames downstream and ending at Westminster Cathedral where he was welcomed by Cathedral Chaplain Fr Michael Quaicoe. Bob, comments, ‘My grandson William has been on pilgrimage to Lourdes every year since he was born. Now at the grand old age of 15, he feels up to helping his decrepit grandad try and raise enough money to send a sick person to Lourdes. I assure you that your generosity will be remembered and a prayer for your intentions offered at the Grotto this year.’ Asked how was he feeling after the walk, William said,’ Quite tired, but very happy.’ The Lavery’s have a dedicated fundraising page where you can donate. Please visit the link https://www.gofundme.com/b ob-amp-william-walk-towestminster or contact Katrina Lavery for details Katrina.Lavery@clovershipping. com.

by Ellen Teague

New SVP President Welcomed

Bishop Manuel Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and a Cuban-American, accompanied 5,000 pilgrims, including 1,100 disabled and disadvantaged children on the 62nd Easter Week pilgrimage to Lourdes. The theme ‘You are special’ was picked up throughout the lively liturgy at which, Group 144 from Chiswick decorated personalised figures representing each one of them for presentation at the Mass. Over the week, children

were cared for in small familysized groups, accompanied by doctors, nurses, chaplains and helpers, of whom more than half were young people whose lively music and colourful dress provided a joyful presence around the Grotto, and in the Torchlight and Blessed Sacrament processions. HCPT pilgrimages for 2018 continue until November at Hosanna House in the hills above Lourdes, primarily for pilgrims with disabilities or lifelimiting conditions.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, Spiritual Director of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), celebrated a special Mass for members of St Aloysius parish, Somers Town on Saturday 7th April. The Mass marked the beginning of the presidency of Simon Matthews who is to head the of the SVP for the next five years, taking over from Siobhán Garibaldi.

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Westminster Record | May 2018

John Henry Newman student wins Public Speaking Challenge

The Catenian Association Sixth form Catholic Schools Public Speaking 2018 Challenge, Province 14 regional final was won by Hannah Meek from John Henry Newman, Stevenage, who spoke on the ‘Power of Words’. Head Teacher Clive Mathew said ‘We are very proud of Hannah and her achievement. She is an excellent ambassador for the school and we hope that she continues to pursue public speaking in the future.’ Hannah will go on to compete in the national final to be held in Manchester in September. Runner up was Nana Edjekoomhene, a Sixth Form student at St Paul’s Catholic School, Milton Keynes, who spoke on ‘What worries me about the future’.

Judging the competition were Chair Penny Carey, Dean of School, Hertfordshire Law School, John Coleby, Director of Caritas Westminster, and Paul McHugh, Secondary School RE Advisor for the Dioceses of Northampton. Penny said ‘We all enjoyed it very much and thought the standard of speaking was really excellent,’ adding ‘I’m already looking forward to next year’s competition.’ This year’s competition attracted the largest number of schools ever, with 14 students from seven schools competing. Organiser Dennis Cooper said ‘This Sixth Form schools public speaking challenge is growing into a significant annual event, and the quality of presentations gets better each year. The facilities offered by the

Sport Relief at Our Lady’s High School On Friday 23rd March, 2018 Our Lady’s High School, Hackney organised a host of events to raise money and awareness for Sport Relief. This included, a non-uniform day where students were encouraged to wear red or sports clothes. At breaktime there was a bake sale, selling cakes made by students and staff. There were also sports competitions, a Zumba workshop and a staff vs Sixth form Dodgeball match. Page 6

University of Hertfordshire gave us a venue worthy of the high standard the students have set.’ Schools interested in taking part next year should email denniscooper238@btinternet.co m. For more information about the Public Speaking Challenge and the Catenian Association, visit www.thecatenians.co.uk.

Science week at St Anthony’s St Anthony’s School for Girls got stuck into celebrating British Science Week. Budding scientists participated in a range of activities throughout the week, delving into the wonders of science, technology, engineering and maths. To kick-start the national event, a batch of living eggs were delivered to the school and placed in an incubator. Intrigued pupils monitored the eggs throughout the course of the week before they hatched, leaving the school with seven new residents. The pupils then also went on a whole school trip to the Science Museum. The week culminated in an exhibition of inventions which were created by the pupils. Pupils of all ages became inventive, designing and building their own creations which would help the environment, made solely from recycled materials. Head Teacher, Laura Flannery commented: ‘The girls have had a great week exploring the subject of science, they have been highly engaged and inspired by the broad range of activities.’

Sporting Success in Sri Lanka

Students from St Benedict’s School, Ealing spent an inspiring April afternoon visiting the Foundation of Goodness in Seenigama near Hikkaduwa, in Sri Lanka. The charity, which is supported by the MCC foundation: the charitable arm of Marylebone Cricket Club of London, has transformed the lives of rural communities in Sri Lanka since the Tsunami wave of 2004, through providing education

and sporting opportunities. After touring the foundation, and finding out about its work, the pupils played football and cricket with a group of young people helped by the foundation. St Benedict’s presented the charity with a cheque for £7,000, raised by pupils throughout the school. The visit took place during a tour of the St Benedict’s U14 and U15 cricket teams.

Westminster Record | May 2018

From Hackney to Westminster for the Passage

Notre Dame University, won the London Catholic Cup on Tuesday 17th April, after a fiercely fought basketball match against St Mary’s University, Twickenham. This is the fourth contest between the two institutions, which takes place on a termly basis. The event brings sporting students together raising money for, and awareness of, the vital work of the Cardinal Hume Centre.

On Saturday 10th March a group of staff, students and family members set off on seven mile walk from Our Lady’s High School in Stamford Hill to Westminster Cathedral, to raise money for The Passage, a Catholic charity in Victoria working with homeless and vulnerable people. Upon arrival the group was greeted by Fr Martin Plunkett, the Sub-Administrator who also heads welcome ministry at the Cathedral and went for a tour of The Passage which is two minutes’ walk away. There they saw a specially designed ICT suite which helps provide the homeless with employment support through the CV writing service which benefitted over 100 people last year. This is a great addition to the charity’s

work in helping clients find accommodation in adverse weather conditions. Sixth Former Hannah Odebode said, ‘We counted the number of homeless people that we passed during our walk. It was 16, equating to one homeless person every 704 metres. This really emphasised the reason we were doing this sponsored walk.’ School Captain, Jenna Colaco adds, ‘After seeing the facilities provided, and the strong ethos of helping people, it is clear the The Passage is a brilliant charity that does a lot for the community. It was our pleasure to do this for them and are very grateful to all our sponsors for helping us make a difference.’ Andrew Hollingsworth, Business Director at The

Passage, who joined in the walk, added, ‘I am impressed by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the participants. Our Lady’s charity committee have done an excellent job in promoting The Passage to the rest of the school.’ Deputy Head at Our Lady’s, Michael Feely, said, ‘I am so impressed that everyone managed to complete the 7 mile walk without stopping, and to raise in excess of £1,500 to support this cause. Supporting those in need, though living out our Servite values, is important to us here at Our Lady’s. Our weekly charity collections raised more than £7,000 last year and our aim is to raise even more this year. I would like to thank all of the participants as well as the sponsors.’

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Twenty-four students from Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans show their delight at being presented with a cheque for £100 each from the bursary fund of the Catenian Association, by Dennis Cooper, Vice President of Luton Circle prior to their pilgrimage to Lourdes with HCPT. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

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Westminster Record | May 2018

Youth Director’s Spotlight

Andrezj Wdowiak Director of Youth Ministry We are almost at the end of Eastertide but I thought I would share with you my experience of Easter in the Tsurumi Catholic Parish in Yokohama, Japan. I happened to be there visiting my wife’s family and on this occasion not only was it Easter but also the cherry blossom season. It occurred to me that in this part of the world, Easter and spring is associated with the white and pink colours of the cherry blossom rather than with yellow daffodils, chicks and eggs. The message, though, seemed to be the same: of transformation and the new beginnings. The local parish of St Joseph is run by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement who founded the parish in 1948; it is where the current parish priest, Fr Joseph Tomomi Hiramatsu SA was ordained in 1982. To put this into the local context, there are about 335,000 lay Catholics among Japan’s population of 128 million; the Tsurumi parish is about 1,120-strong supporting a Catholic primary school and running community activities. Having visited the parish over a number of years I have been struck by the sense of community, support and responsibility for one another. It is absolutely not possible to go to the parish and remain anonymous, even with limited Japanese. If you are Catholic you talk and communicate this to everyone without exception and

more importantly you live by Catholic values and faith. For the Vigil of Easter, we gathered in the parish courtyard for the Easter Liturgy under the falling petals of cherry blossom. This was a special day for five adults who were to be baptised and confirmed, and receive their first Holy Communion that evening. They were able to participate fully in the Holy Eucharist and looked happy and radiant throughout. Fr Hiramatsu in his homily referred to the passage from the Gospel ‘… go, tell his disciples and Peter that he [Jesus of Nazareth] is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you’ (Mark 16:7). This resonated well with the candidates as each one of them made their journey to their own Galilee where they met the Lord. The Easter message for us was that of going out, telling others about the Resurrection and revisiting our own Galilee where we had met Christ. The message could not be simpler as we all at some point were baptised, forming and developing our relationship with Jesus. Eastertide is a good opportunity for us to refresh our memories about how we encountered the Lord for the first time and look with fresh eyes at our discipleship. This is true for all Christians and specially for Westminster Youth Ministry. We at SPEC and the Centre for Youth Ministry are very privileged to accompany you and the young people of the diocese on a journey to your own Galilee. The Retreat Centre at SPEC can now offer residential retreats to schools and parishes and early bookings are recommended. The Centre for Youth Ministry has now moved out to Waxwell Farm in Pinner. Please check our website for their new contact details and for the information on how to book a retreat.

The Centre for Youth Minstry is now located at SPEC, Waxwell House, 125 Waxwell Lane, Pinner, London HA5 3EP Telephone: 020 3757 2500 For more information on the move, or to enquire about their work, please email Andrezj at andrezjwdowiak@rcdow.org.uk Page 8

Youth Chaplain’s Corner are very much appreciated as we work out how best to continue to serve the young people of the diocese in our new circumstances, and my thanks go to the CYM and

SPEC teams for their positivity and forbearance in this time of transition. May the Holy Spirit bless us with his gifts as we approach the great feast of Pentecost!

Fr Mark Walker Youth Chaplain Last month the Centre for Youth Ministry moved to its new home in Pinner. For those who might not know, Westminster Youth Ministry operates in two strands: the Centre for Youth Ministry and SPEC. SPEC is the diocesan retreat centre, based in the lovely surroundings of Waxwell Farm (previously the home of the Grail community), and provides residential and day retreats for young people. The Centre for Youth Ministry (CYM) provides support for parish youth groups and youth workers, runs events for young people (see the website for details!) and tries to act as a ‘go to place’ for young people to find out what’s happening for youth in the diocese. CYM has, until now, been based in the parish of St Aloysius, Somers Town, next to Euston station. I would like to thank the parish priest, Fr Jeremy Trood, and the people of Somers Town parish for their hospitality to CYM, together with Fr Jeremy’s predecessor, Fr Michael O’Boy, and our former Director of Youth Ministry, Phil Ross, for all the work they did in getting CYM established and ensuring there was an accessible place in the heart of London to act as a co-ordinating hub and a place of welcome for young people across the diocese. We are sad to be leaving. CYM will instead now be based with SPEC on the same site in Pinner. While we lose our location in central London and our easy access to the parish church and hall in Somers Town, it is hoped that the move will reduce operational costs. Your prayers Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Pre-Synodal Meeting 2018: My Experience

Westminster Record | May 2018

Collectively, the media team was a great unit, made up of wonderful people with interesting and inspiring personal stories. Meeting Pope Francis again Five years ago at World Youth Day in Rio, I had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis, just a few months after his election. I wanted to take a selfie with him, but I was told beforehand that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to; the chance had passed by. But not so! This time I bumped into him at the university where the event was taking place. The chance had come and he was happy to oblige.

James Kelliher the Communications and Events Coordinator for Westminster Youth Ministry, writes about a week in Rome, covering the Pre-Synodal Meeting of young adults. ‘At the Cardinal’s request, I went to Rome in March to work in the media team at this event in the lead-up to the Synod of Bishops this October, which will be focused on “Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment”. Three hundred young people from around the world, mostly Catholic, but with a few from

other backgrounds too, came to Rome for the week, connected to around 15,000 young adults on the six Facebook language groups that had been created. Collectively, explored and discussed a series of questions, such as ‘In these times, what relationships, emotional experiences, specific events and places primarily determine the identity of younger generations?’ and “How is the person of Jesus, as recounted in the Scriptures, perceived by the young people of the third millennium?”

Thoughts and opinions were then condensed into a summary document, which went through a couple of revisions, as we suggested parts that were liked and disliked about each draft. The final document was then presented to Pope Francis at the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. That’s a summary of the purpose of the meeting, but so much went on, with many personal stand-out moments. Working on the document Being part of the media was

a fascinating opportunity to see, from the inside, how such documents are put together. A particular highlight for me in this regard was being one of the editors of the final document. I won’t go into the exact details of how the teams put it together the, but I can say that we worked very hard, staying up very late and not getting much sleep. There was a great sense of accomplishment once it was completed and read out in the auditorium. The fellowship of the media team There were six language teams working in the media team for the Pre-Synodal Meeting: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, English and German. In the English team, there was me and Alexander Balzanella, one of the seminarians from the Diocese of Westminster. As a result, I had the opportunity to stay at the place where English seminarians are trained,the Venerable English College (VEC). We were joined by two lovely American girls called Briana and Cherise, from a community called the Apostles of the Interior Life. We worked really well together, instantly clicking, and sharing many laughs. This made the work, which had its hectic moments, all the more enjoyable. Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

Palm Sunday Mass The weather was cold and wet, but took a dramatic positive turn for Palm Sunday. With colleagues from the media team, we were part of the procession of young people carrying palm and olive branches from palm and olive trees from the centre of the Square into the basilica where we had places near the front. During the Mass, I realized more profoundly the rich history and tradition of beauty within the Catholic Church, a true beauty that calls to mind the divine. From the façade of St Peter’s Basilica, to the singing, the outfits of the Swiss Guards and others, and the simple harmony of how the congregation was organised, everything about the experience spoke of the transcendent. The celebration at Castel Gandolfo At the end of the week, after the final document had been approved, we were all invited to be part of a visit to the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo and toured around the rooms and museum sections, before heading to the gardens, where we were blessed to meet the winner of the Italian ‘The Voice’, the nun Sister Cristina. She sang some of her songs whilst we picnicked. Overall, it was a wonderful week, and I’m grateful to Cardinal Vincent for having given me the opportunity to be involved in the Synod process in this way. Page 9

Westminster Record | May 2018

‘Alive for God in Christ Jesus!’ Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

‘The Chrism Mass is my favourite moment in our year,’ His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols told priests of the diocese at the Chrism Mass celebrated at Westminster Cathedral on 27th March 2018. ‘I am always deeply touched by the support and love for the priests that is so evident today,’ he added, referencing the many lay people who were attending the Mass in support of the clergy. The Cardinal began by asking the congregation to think of the flow of water, comparing the river of life as referenced in Ezekial and the Book of Revelation to the flow of grace from the wound in the side of Christ that ‘Through his death on the cross…the transforming action of the Holy Spirit, flows into our troubled world and into our troubled hearts’. He went on to explain how we see this river of grace in the liturgy, ‘we must see with the eyes of faith and listen with the ears of a disciple’ that the

On Friday 30th March, Good Friday, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols marked the Lord’s Passion in central London by joining the Walk of Witness and attending the Wintershall Passion play in Trafalgar Square before celebrating the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion in Westminster Cathedral. At 12 noon, Cardinal Nichols joined Christians of different denominations in the Walk of Witness which began at Methodist Central Hall. The procession, led by a man carrying a cross symbolising Christ’s journey to Calvary, made its way along Victoria Street with tourists clicking pictures in amazement of what they witnessed. The Walk of Witness ended on the steps of Westminster Cathedral, with Cardinal Nichols preaching to the assembled crowd. Immediately afterwards, the Cardinal attended the Passion Play in Trafalgar Square, performed by the Wintershall

Mass for the Lord’s Supper

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This sacrifice, that was made by one who is ‘truly God and truly man’ is what ‘touches us every time Mass is celebrated’, Cardinal Vincent went on. ‘We sense that coming together of our humanity and the great power of the Holy Spirit’ Lastly he asked ‘rejoice in this message: that in both the service and sacrifice of Jesus our brother, the eternal and living God is in our midst, and our hearts are raised in wonder and awe at this miracle of truth. We pray that some part of the

coming together of the divine and human, this remarkable synergy, will happen in our lives too, for the service of those around us and 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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At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist, on Maundy Thursday, 29th March in Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Vincent washed the feet of 12 Chelsea Pensioners, recalling the Lord’s washing of his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. Concelebrating the Mass were the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams and Bishop Emeritus of Menevia, Bishop Mark Jabalé. In his homily, Cardinal Nichols described the nature of Christ’s sacrifice, and how it began with the Passover Meal ‘It was a sacrifice offered to God and meal through which that sacrifice was shared by the people’ and how in the Mass we mark ‘a new sacrifice, now made in the body and blood of Christ and shared in this Eucharistic meal’

immediate colleagues. Thank you for sustaining your clear identity of a priest of Jesus Christ, witnessing to him, through your faithfulness and perseverance. I thank God for you all.’ Concelebrating the Mass were Auxiliary Bishops John Sherrington, Nicholas Hudson, Paul McAleenan, and John Wilson and Bishop Emeritus of Menvia, Mark Jabalé. Many of the faithful had come from every part of the diocese to pray for and with their priests, filling the cathedral to capacity.

Easter Vigil at Newman House

Easter Vigil of the Holy Night

by Fr Stephen Wang, Senior Chaplain Newman House With Easter coming early in the year and falling at the end of term, is always a positive event, as it means a vibrant congregation of about 150 for the Easter Vigil at the University Chaplaincy. This year , seven young adults from the University Chaplaincy were baptised at Newman House: Amanda, Andrew, Azamati, Belinda, Joanne, Lila and Ziren; joined by three other Catholic students: Alex, Julia and Vincent, who together received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Having been part of the RCIA group for the last six months, these students have been involved at Newman House and in their universities Catholic Societies for longer. Coming from five continents, they represented the diversity of life in London, especially in our Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

student communities. They have heard Christ’s call to follow him, each with their individual story, with the University as a place of spiritual exploration helping deepen faith. Bishop John Sherrington pitched his tent at Newman House, celebrating Maundy Thursday, Good Friday as well as the Easter Vigil. After the Thursday procession to the altar of repose, a big group of students went on a pilgrimage discovering some of the other altars of Catholic churches in central London, including Ogle Street, Warwick Street, finishing at St Patrick’s, Soho Square. Braving torrential rain on Good Friday, some students watched the live performance of the Passion in Trafalgar Square. On Holy Saturday the community spent the day Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

At the Easter Vigil celebrated on 31st March in Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Vincent reflected on Christ being a renewing light in every life, adding, ‘This evening we stand alongside those who … will be baptised, others received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. With them we step

preparing the chapel for the Vigil Mass – polishing, decorating and also helping with the installation of our new baptismal pool. For many years now we have baptised our catechumens by nearly full immersion: they kneel fully clothed in the baptismal pool and the bishop pours water over them three

He said, ‘Let us resolve, today, that in our homes there is a place for Jesus and Mary… a crucifix, a statue, a focus and a reminder of the love they have for you every day and of the love you show for them today by your attendance here at this wonderful Liturgy.'

‘Jesus, the crucified one, he added, ‘our 'supreme high priest,’ prays for us, to his Father. He knows our every weakness and failing, though he is without sin. So, we are told, we should never be afraid 'in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need'

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of anointed hands, which will administer these oils in the year ahead. I thank God for the heart of every priest in this diocese, a heart which has been dedicated to this service of grace and which today seeks to be renewed in its purity of intention and largeness of compassion. ‘I thank every one of you today. Thank you for your innate goodness, for your effort when tired and for your patience when over-stretched, not least by me and my

Edward Joseph Adams along with Bishop Mark Jabalé, Emeritus Bishop of Menevia. In his homily, the Cardinal said: ‘he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins… On him lies a punishment that brings us peace and through his wounds we are healed.’

forward, holding high the light of Christ as our standard.’ The story of God’s unending love in, ‘the goodness and beauty of creation, all that God ‘found to be very good’ … begins… just as our story with our first coming into being in our mother’s womb,’ explained the Cardinal.

times, head to toe. The symbolism is so powerful: the grace of baptism touching every part of their being, literally. Their joy, with that of the congregation, was palpable, as they reentered the church, newly- clothed and carrying their baptismal candles. The celebrations continued with Easter nibbles and Prosecco.

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promises of their ordination day. In his homily, Cardinal Vincent drew attention to the combination of the word and action of an ordained priest or bishop, that combined with the Holy Oils, ‘unlock for us the saving power of God, enabling the 'water of life' to flow into our lives, bringing its healing and renewing in us the fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit.’ He continued to give thanks for all the priests of the Diocese, saying: ‘I thank God for every pair

Players, where he led the crowd in prayer. At 3pm, the Cardinal presided over the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion in a packed Westminster Cathedral. Among the concelebrants were chaplains of Westminster Cathedral, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop

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words and actions used during the Mass are the ‘means that God chooses to use to bring about this river of grace’ because in Mass ‘by the power of the Holy Spirit, there is great coming together of the human and the divine that that produces a unique synergy, a radically different source of power and change.’ The Holy Oils which are brought up and blessed during the Chrism Mass are another way in which the river of grace flows, ‘today this oil flows, as it were, from the very side of Christ into every parish, every home, every family and into every place of illness’. The Oil of the Sick was presented by representatives of the medical profession; the Oil of Catechumens by two catechumens preparing for Baptism at Easter; and the Oil of Chrism by a Confirmation candidate and a Deacon preparing for Ordination to the priesthood. The Chrism Mass also offers priests a chance to renew the

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Chrism Mass

As prophet Ezekiel speaks of the evils and wrong-doing of people, relevant even today, there is a moment of renewal for us in the Lord’s promise, ‘I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart. I shall put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh instead…You shall be my people and I will be your God’ (Ezekiel 36), said the Cardinal. He described ‘This story, our beginnings, our journeying, our forgiveness, comes to its fulfilment in Christ… key to our lives and apex of human history’. Cardinal Nichols invited all present to be ‘Alive for God in Christ Jesus’… the way of the Church… that brings us home and fills us with his joy.’ Page 11

Westminster Record | May 2018

‘Alive for God in Christ Jesus!’ Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

Mass for the Lord’s Supper

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Easter Vigil at Newman House

Easter Vigil of the Holy Night

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Chrism Mass

Westminster Record | May 2018

Inside the hospice: Our Lady

Nine Days of Prayer for Evangelisation

The other day I was praying for my eldest niece, and remembered that when she was eight, I went to Lourdes and bought her a statue of Our Lady. My niece loved the gift, and a few weeks later I was surprised to see the statue in her dolls’ house having a cup of something with the other toys. I asked my niece what was happening, and she replied that Our Lady was having a tea party. This image of Our Lady, deep in conversation, looking relaxed with a cup of tea has always remained with me. Our Lady and her conversation echoes around the hospice. Aside from Holy Communion and anointing, patients often ask me for rosary beads. We have an array of them in the chaplaincy, (and are always delighted to receive more), and I ask the patient which colour they would like, and go and fetch some. I have never just handed over the beads. I always sit down and talk with the patient about what the rosary means to them. These are beautiful conversations, where they describe learning to say the Our Father, the Hail Mary and Glory be as a child, or how the rosary helped when life was difficult. Often enough we end up talking about the mysteries, and how Our Lady must have witnessed great joy, divine insight, deep sorrow and abundant celebration. One can almost imagine Our Lady seated at the bedside, cup of tea in hand, visiting the patient and talking about her Son. With the rosary there is an incessant amount of prayers, almost like chatter; this is the conversation between Our Lady and ourselves, where she is choosing episodes in Christ’s life to give encouragement and solace. Rosary beads are often placed in the hands of those who have died. After prayers, I lead a decade of the rosary with those at the bedside. The beads in the hands of the deceased remind me that the loved one who has just died is likely chatting to Our Lady face to face – perhaps with a welcoming cup of tea. Please pray for the patients, staff, volunteers and Sisters of St Joseph’s Hospice.

For 2018 there is a renewed focus on the Solemnity of the Ascension as it returns to being a Thursday celebration. Ascension Thursday is a turning point in spreading the Good News. Jesus, having preached the Gospel message of hope for three years, leading to his Passion, Death and Resurrection, now hands over his mission from the Father to the Apostles saying, ‘Go and make disciples!’ The Apostles ‘the ones who are sent’, have through the generations handed on the same message to all the baptised: ‘go and make disciples!’ For each of us, we call on the Holy Spirit to give us guidance and courage, so that we can continue the mission of the Gospel. Before he ascends to his Father in heaven, Jesus tells his apostles to return to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit; which they did,

by Fr Peter-Michael Scott

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by Deacon Adrian Cullen, Evangelisation Coordinator

constantly praying in anticipation of Pentecost. In the Church it has been a long tradition to copy the example of the Apostles: for the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost, to pray for a coming of the Holy Spirit into people’s lives. To help focus our thoughts, the Mission Team at the Bishops’ Conference has produced a (pocket sized) Pentecost Novena booklet, in conjunction with the ‘Thy Kingdom Come - global wave of prayer’ for evangelisation observed worldwide between 10th and 20th May. An ecumenical event for Christians everywhere it started in 2016, and has had a tremendous impact. In 2017, people from 85 countries were involved, with over 500,000 resources delivered to participants and many more downloaded from the website.

There were more than 2 million views of the videos created for the event, and 1.65 million website page views. In surveys of participants on the effects of the event, 25 percent felt that their local church was closer as a group, 60 percent were motivated to pray more, and 40 percent felt more confident in talking to others about Jesus. There were also many comments on how ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ had been a positive influence on family and community prayer life. If you would like to join the ‘prayer wave’, visit the website where individuals and parishes are invited to ‘pledge to pray’ or record an event.

For the evangeliser, the celebration of the Ascension is an opportunity for a renewed sense of mission. The Pentecost Novena booklet will be a useful aid to remind us that the Holy Spirit is always with us in our mission, and indeed is already ahead of us waiting for us to tell others about the wonders of the Resurrection. The booklet and a range of other resources can be downloaded or purchased through the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ website http://www.thykingdom.co.uk / ; and to accompany the booklet, the Mission Team at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has also produced a series of podcasts which can be downloaded from www.catholicnews.org.uk/pent ecost-novena

Royal Connection Found in Archives by William Johnstone (Assistant Archivist at Westminster Diocesan Archives)

A chain of events that links Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman with Meghan Markle might seem an unlikely scenario but this is exactly what I encountered while cataloguing some nineteenth century correspondence recently at Westminster Diocesan Archives. The connection came in the person of Charles Joseph Pagliano, a prominent Italian who lived in London in the early 1800s. A letter in the Archbishops’ papers (preserved in the diocesan archives) reveals him corresponding with Monsignor Francis Searle, Cardinal Wiseman’s secretary, about a forthcoming fundraising

dinner and asking whether the Cardinal might contribute something towards the event. Pagliano was a committed Catholic and he seems to have been a great character among the Italian expatriate community. He was also involved in a number of Catholic charitable causes. Among these were the Brotherhood of St Vincent de Paul and the Aged Poor Society. I decided to do some further research on him and discovered a remarkable story behind the name. Pagliano had come over to England from the small fishing village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast in order to marry Mary Floris. Mary was the daughter of Juan Famenias Floris, the founder of the Floris fragrance company which still operates from its original premises in Jermyn Street. A portrait of the couple can be seen there in a mahogany case. Once married, they took up ownership of the Sablonière Hotel in Leicester Square. The hotel no longer exists but it seems to have been a dramatic

and imposing building which played a key part in Italian life in London and was often the first port of call for Italian visitors. The couple owned the hotel for more than three decades in the early 1800s. It was in this very hotel that the inaugural meeting of the St Vincent de Paul Society took place in England with Pagliano as its first president. Pagliano never returned to Positano and he remained in London for the rest of his life, holding court at the Sablonière and engaging in charitable work as a Catholic layman. This might well have been the end of the story but Paglioano’s name has been brought to prominence again with the forthcoming wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Floris London have produced an official scent to mark the occasion, inspired by Bergamotto di Positano, the perfume that was created in honour of Charles Joseph Pagliano and the Italian village where he grew up, the very man whose letter I discovered in our archives this month. The citrus-

infused scent has been described as a combination of orange blossom with a hint of vanilla and it is strongly evocative of the beautiful Italian coast. The forthcoming wedding will undoubtedly be a fairly Anglican affair. But the story surrounding this new royal perfume is a reminder of the important role that Catholics have always played in London’s history. There are often interesting nuggets to be found while rooting through historical archives. The fact that the Pagliano letter appeared just a few weeks before the royal event takes place is remarkable in itself.

Archived letter from Charles Pagliano addressed to Canon Searle, the thensecretary to Cardinal Wiseman.

Westminster Record | May 2018

Pope’s Prayer Intention As we move into Mary’s month, and the beginning of the northern-hemisphere summer, our Holy Father points to the mission that we all share as baptised followers of the Risen Christ, the Mission of the Laity. Pope Francis asks us to pray with him this month that the lay faithful fulfil their specific mission by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today. In Mary’s month, we could surely ask her prayers in support of ours, as we pray with the Pope for this intention; she is, after all, the first of the Christian lay faithful to receive a mission from God, and she certainly fulfilled it! For Pope Francis, Mary is the greatest example of the missionary disciple. With the Holy Father’s Intention, entrusted to his personal Prayer Network (formerly known as the Apostleship of Prayer), now come three challenges each month. This is an old tradition of the Apostleship, going back many decades, which we have recently retrieved after it fell into disuse. Each month we’ll present these challenges, always linked to the intention. This month they present us with specific ways in which we could fulfil our mission, those of us who are lay, but it could apply to those of us in Holy Orders or religious life too. Since the outset of his papacy, Francis has frequently emphasised that Christians should think of themselves as ‘missionary disciples’; a key element of his 2013 document, ‘The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium)’. This is a choice that the Church needs to make, now, in the 21st century. He writes, in section 27, ‘I dream of a “missionary option”, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world rather than for her selfpreservation.’ A church concerned only with self-

preservation, which Pope Francis thinks we sometimes have become, simply cannot be missionary, and won’t transmit the joy of the Gospel to the world. To be a ‘missionary disciple’ means two things: one, that a person has formed a disciple’s relationship, a real relationship, with Christ and second, that she or he accepts the need to preach the gospel, as the Pope writes, ‘in virtue of [our] baptism’. He explains that, through baptism, ‘all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). All the baptised, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelisation’ (#120). Earlier in the document, he stated succinctly that ‘The Church is herself a missionary disciple’ (#40). The May intention asks us to ponder specifically the lay mission. Frequently, Pope Francis has expressed his dislike for clericalism. If we approach the practice of our faith in a clerical mindset, then the great risk is that the lay faithful’s specific mission is reduced to merely ‘helping Father’ and that can lead to lay people becoming clericalised themselves. There is a risk of creating a separate class or caste. The Pope is urgently encouraging us to resist whatever might disempower or even paralyze our evangelising mission. He emphasises that lay people must be allowed their proper responsibility. He specifically demands that the Church ‘create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church’ How, then, can an individual Christian come to know what her or his mission is? The answer is found both in the words of the Intention itself and in Pope Francis’ key themes, drawn from his Ignatian, Jesuit heritage: that of discernment. In the Intention we read of the ‘challenges that face the world today’. A close reading of the signs of the times, the state of the world, will show us what our mission must be. And if we practice

discernment, rooted in prayerful reflection on experience and the generosity of our own hearts, we will find and fulfil our mission and respond with creativity. Challenges for the month Discuss in the parish, family or friendship-circle, whether the mission of the laity in the Christian community is meant to be more of an internal service, or if it is through their presence in the world, as baptised Christians, that their mission is fulfilled. How are parish or community schedules, meetings and initiatives planned? Is it necessary for lay people to use too much of their valuable personal and family time to engage in pastoral activities? What kind of balance can be made? Ponder this question. Think about a time of sharing with the more committed laity in your community or parish about their personal experience of taking the Gospel into their daily contexts. Let everyone share their experience and look at what emerges. Prayer Moment Ask the Spirit of God to lead you to a place of interior stillness. Try to find a few moments and an exterior place where you can be peaceful and

prayerful, even if only for a few minutes. Become conscious of God looking at you, now. Rest in God’s gaze for a few moments. Bring to mind a situation known to you that might be an opportunity for ministry for you. Begin to consider, in this prayerful space, different possible courses of action open to you. Notice what attracts and enlivens you about possible strategies. Notice also when a possible outcome makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Ask the Spirit of God for a pure heart and for the gift of discernment. Take careful note of what feelings arise in your heart as you do so. Do not judge or analyse them, but ask the Spirit to show you the deeper meaning they present. Suggested Morning Offering prayer (or prayer to use at any time) Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of a new day. May the prayers of Mary bring us freedom this day, so that we will be able to share the joy of the Gospel with others. I offer this for the Pope’s Intention this month, in the Heart of Christ, in the power of the Spirit. The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network UK is now based at St. Ignatius, Stamford Hill, London N15. Our Daily Prayer Pathway incorporates Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

the traditional morning offering to the Heart of Christ, united with the Holy Father’s intention. We have our new App, Click-to-Pray (www.clicktopray.org), that gives you a new set of short prayers every day. We offer our Living Prayer 2018 booklet, with a tear-off page for each month for your missal or diary, our wall calendar and other prayer-resources. Send enquiries or orders to prayernetwork@jesuit.org.uk or 020 8442 5232.

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Westminster Record | May 2018

Vaughan: The Shy, Gifted Communicator by Fergal Martin, CTS General Secretary I’m staring at the photograph of a rather stiff-looking Victorian clergyman, tall and handsome. He has intelligent, tired eyes, yet there is determination in them, too. He was someone who longed to be a missionary all his life, and yet ended his long and energetic life as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. This is the person who founded the organisation I work for, the CTS, 150 years ago! Herbert Vaughan grew up on the Welsh borders where he dreamt of being a missionary to Wales. From a wealthy, established Catholic family that had survived penal times, he was the eldest of thirteen siblings most of whom became religious or clergy. Tall, elegant, handsome, he was by all accounts a genuinely pious and holy man, spending two hours a day in prayer, and painfully aware of his many faults. He was simply put, a Christian man, who had learnt his faith from his mother. From an early age, he was overcome with the impulse to bring the good news of the gospel to those who were entitled to hear it. Vaughan was never a parish priest or even a curate, but after training for the priesthood in Rome became vice-rector at the seminary at Ware. There, he investigated missionary and priestly training in many different contexts. He cofounded a missionary society of diocesan priests (the Oblates of St Charles), a revolutionary idea at the time. After travelling widely in Europe and America investigating missionary societies and seminaries, aged thirty-four he founded a new missionary order: the Mill Hill Missionaries. He had found his great mission for life. At only 40 he was made Bishop of Salford, where he remained for twenty years, visiting all his parishes, and founding the Children’s Rescue Society, St Bede’s Commercial College for Catholic children and countless similar initiatives. Just a few years earlier, he had founded the Page 14

Catholic Truth Society (to become known simply as ‘the CTS’), and it continues to this day as an active publishing charity. It began as a small pamphleteering outfit, inspired by what Vaughan had seen of the power of the Protestant printing press in America. Vaughan went directly to his audience: in parish churches up and down the country, he recruited ‘CTS boxtenders’, laypeople always at hand in the parish with a small, portable wooden box, opened up to display and sell half-penny booklets to educate and support the faithful and anyone else who dropped by. It proved timely. Vaughan’s CTS produced thousands of inexpensive, accessible and popular tracts that were a source of knowledge, spiritual food, catechesis and novelty. Readership accelerated at unimaginable rates between the 1920s and 1940s: CTS’s benchmark was the best authors writing on the things that mattered. Readers were encouraged to leave their tracts, once read and digested, on the bus, on a park bench, on a train seat. The great movement’s army was then as it remains today: a combination of readers who could buy CTS booklet very cheaply and donors who gave generously to support the CTS mission to evangelise. In 2018 there are 7000 booklets in CTS’s archive. They all whisper the same forceful truth: God loves each one of us, he always has, deeply and without reserve, no matter who we are, nor what we have done. Vaughan went on to buy The Tablet and the Dublin Review and was at the heart of Catholic communications for what they were in those days. For many years this involved writing and editing articles and proofs at his desk long into the night. He believed passionately that the truth itself has an overwhelming attraction, and must be communicated no matter how unpopular it might seem. People may reject it, or they may grapple with it, or accept it; but they certainly have the right to hear it, as it is.

Then came a request from the Pope that he become Archbishop of Westminster. Aged 60, he threw himself into Our Lord’s hands and gave it all his energy, despite recurring and increasing illness. He raised funds to build Westminster Cathedral, surprising everyone by the style and grandeur of the project. He wanted to put Catholicism back on the map, not just for the world to see, but to inspire and encourage his flock after centuries of being forced into the shadows. The first liturgy in the almost finished cathedral was his own requiem. He died at Mill Hill among his Missionary Order confreres on 19 June 1903, the feast of the Sacred Heart, after a long illness, aged seventyone. On CTS’s 150th birthday this year, we are grateful to Herbert Vaughan for his impulse to evangelise, his commitment to the truth, and for his life of love and service. A recent CTS research project among students at London University revealed that amid the mountains of meaningless information bombarding them every day, one key question persists: how can I live a meaningful and happy life, that works; what is the purpose of my existence? It is we who must provide a considered, logical, accessible and truthful answer. Recently a young jobinterview candidate, was asked why he wanted to work for CTS, said: ‘A couple of friends of mine in difficult situations, with real problems, were greatly helped by a CTS booklet … what you do helps people, brings them back to their bearings, gets to the truth of things. I’d like to be a part of that.’ As he spoke, his eyes reminded me of many others I have looked into in my journey here. Happy Birthday CTS. For more information on the 150th anniversary of the Catholic Truth Society visit www.onefifties.org

Onefifty for 150 To mark 150 years of publishing, the Catholic Truth Society have released a series of rediscovered gems from its extensive archives. Exploring real issues faced by real people, from Victorian England through the two Great Wars, from the certainties of 19th century piety to the 1968 sexual revolution, the Onefifties include classics that showcase Christians grappling through the decades with great social and political change, and the perennial questions of death, courtship, vocation and peace.

They include great testimonies of faith, sparkling apologetics, struggles with the big and smaller issues of the day, as well as quaint and inspiring insights into the meaning of life with all its hopes and challenges; above all the story of faith that has shaped the lives of generations. The Onefifties booklets are in classic CTS pocket-size format, and priced at 150p (£1.50) to mark the anniversary. For more information on CTS Onefifties please go to: www.onefifties.org/titles/

Westminster Record | May 2018

Growing SEIDs of Innovation, Enterprise and Dignified Work When Caritas Westminster began it was as a response to growing inequality in our society. Since then we have continued to respond to the needs of the marginalised and vulnerable thorough our hubs and services: Bakhita House, Caritas St Joseph’s, the Deaf Service and most recently, the Volunteer Service. This year we are starting a new service, in response to society’s need for meaningful, fulfilling jobs. Pope Benedict wrote: ‘The Church's social doctrine has always maintained that justice must be applied to every phase of economic activity, because this is always concerned with man and his needs. … This is not merely a matter of a ‘third sector’, but of a broad new composite reality, one which does not exclude profit, but instead considers it a means for achieving human and social ends’ (2009, Caritas in Veritate). Caritas Westminster has embarked on a strategy that embraces this teaching through the establishment of businesses that exist for a social purpose. Supported by the Cardinal’s Appeal and in partnership with St Mary’s University, this strategy is being implemented in new and exciting ways. Such businesses are known as social enterprises, seeking a common or social good and trades for a social purpose that puts people before profit. More broadly social enterprises are businesses that: are led by an economic, social, cultural, or environmental mission consistent with public or community benefit; trade to fulfil their mission; derive a substantial portion of their income from trade, reinvest their profit/surplus in fulfilment of their mission.

This new social enterprise strategy will help people find dignified pathways into work, especially those often locked out of mainstream employment and will provide inspiration and leadership across all the diocesan networks and supply chains to consider how best to support a social approach to business. Two new and innovative social enterprises are currently in start-up phase. In June 2018 a new Social Innovation and Enterprise Hub will open in Wembley, and in addition to this a new Property Services social enterprise has been operating across the diocese since January. Both these new enterprises will combine into a new Caritas entity called SEIDs (Social Enterprise Ideas Development). SEIDs Social Innovation and Enterprise Hub will look at every aspect of building a social enterprise. There will be unique resources, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities for those who have a credible enterprise idea. We will also offer support to those who have developed further: community co-working space, with access to support from Hub staff, business mentors, workshops, networking opportunities and formal and informal training in partnership with St Mary’s University. What is unique about SEIDs Hub is that by intention it will provide progression pathways for disadvantaged people. Those who find themselves at risk of poverty, homelessness and disadvantage will be helped to move into dignified and decent self-employment. Mirroring the work Caritas does on inclusion, SEIDs will seek those who fall out of mainstream employment and training. They will provide bursaries to people who have a credible enterprise idea and

would otherwise be excluded from the Hub due to a lack of financial resources. SEIDs Hub will be open to anyone who has a business idea they would like to test. We welcome people who have heard of social enterprise and are curious but have never thought about it for themselves; people who have a social enterprise idea but are not sure what to do about it; and people who are in the early stage set-up of a social enterprise and want support to bring the idea into reality. We are currently looking for business mentors from across the diocese who are willing to offer volunteer support and coaching for people who become members of the Hub. We need volunteers who can provide support across a range of business activities that support new and start up social enterprises. If you can offer this type of business support and want to become a business mentor or want to know more about the Hub generally, contact Elena Bologna at elenabologna@rcdow.org.uk or visit www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/ social-enterprise SEIDs Property Services provide high-quality painting and decorating and general maintenance services at an affordable price across the Diocese of Westminster and we are looking for jobs! To find out more go to www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/ property-services. To obtain a quote or discuss your job email Pawel Szkolnik at pawelszkolnik@rcdow.org.uk or call 07737 147717. If you want to know more, do not miss the information event on 8th May at 17:30, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QN.

Page 15

Westminster Record | May 2018

New Barnet parish to become 36th in UK to receive Livesimply award

The church of Mary Immaculate and St Peter’s in New Barnet, is to become the 36th parish in the country and the fifth to receive the Livesimply award. The Livesimply award is an opportunity for Catholic communities to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato si’ to ‘work with generosity and

tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us’. It is awarded to communities who can show how they have been living: simply, in solidarity with people in poverty and sustainably with creation. The New Barnet parish, which becomes the first Livesimply parish in the diocese

Share CAFOD’s Westminster journey with Pope Francis

Ann Milner from the parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchin is about to take a giant stride in response to the Pope’s invitation last year to Share the Journey. In cooperation with CAFOD, she is organising walks between 15th May and the end of June along the London Loop; a 150 mile signposted walk around outer London, enabling supporters to show solidarity with refugees and migrants round the world. The first walk will be from Elstree, close to the Parish of St Theresa of the Child Jesus and will finish in the parish of Christ the King in Cockfosters. Subsequent walks round the London Loop will take in parishes in Enfield, Lea Valley, Harrow and Hillingdon deaneries in our diocese as well as some parishes in Brentwood Page 16

and Southwark diocese. There will be limited space available on the walks and those wishing to take part can obtain details from oliasahpeace@yahoo.co.uk In response to the Pope’s call, CAFOD aims to accumulate walks covering the earth’s circumference (24,901 miles) as part of an international campaign for governments to reach effective agreement in the United Nations proclaiming basic rights of migrants and refugees. Further information about the Holy Father’s call and ways to support him through prayer, petition, and organising other walks is available at www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign/ Share-the-Journey or contact Tony at CAFOD Westminster on 0208 449 6970, westminster@cafod.org.uk

explained their work over the past four years, starting with securing Livesimply pledges from more than 80 parishioners in 2014 and keeping in regular contact with them by text messaging and email. They have been active in CAFOD campaigns, collecting goods for refugees in Calais, and a ‘friendship’ project which reaches out to vulnerable and housebound people. The parish halso has a strong commitment to Fairtrade, being a Fairtrade parish since 2014. The church’s commitment to the environment was also evident in the architecture of the building. When the parish hall was refurbished in recent years, LED lighting was installed, along with water efficient toilets, insulation and double glazing. The parish has held Livesimply focus weekends, and initiatives feature regularly in the parish weekly newsletter. The church has also started a bee garden to attract bees and a peace garden with olive trees. Fairtrade olive oil from Palestine is sold in the parish and Pax Christi peace liturgies are held in the peace garden in the warmer months. Lenten reflections were often focused on caring for creation, CAFOD bidding prayers are used regularly, there has been regular study of Laudato si’ and there is an annual Creation Mass plus Livesimply themes brought into children’s liturgies. The assesors were impressed by the support for the local ecumenical winter night shelter and food bank and the parishes commitment to recycling and raising awareness about the need to recycle, reuse and reduce waste. There is a strong link with a local Poor Clares community who have given talks in the parish about living simply and have engaged with First Holy Communion candidates. There was recent outreach to a local shopping centre to persuade it to install water taps and reduce the purchase of bottled water and fizzy drinks. If you would like to know more about the award contact CAFOD Westminster on 0208 449 6970 or see our web page cafod.org.uk/livesimply Peace Garden Live Simply, Father James with Stephen and Sheila

Westminster Record | May 2018

Encouraging Safe Migration In March, Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford Diocese and CAFOD Chair of Trustees was in Bangladesh with CAFOD to visit local partners and projects in the region. Among the projects he visited was Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), a community based migration organisation. Here he shares his reflections on his visit: This morning we had an early start to visit OKUP, a CAFOD partner. It meant a two hour journey through the chaotic early morning traffic to a small town near Dacca called Narsingdi. We passed through miles of industrial and manufacturing areas, which were very squalid but the place of employment for thousands. There was a considerable area given over to brick manufacture and then a very colourful area where textiles were being dyed and dried in the sunshine. On our arrival we were immediately treated to large plates of banana, pomegranate, papaya and grapes.It is always my experience that those who have least will be so generous. Then it was down to work. OKUP is a project concerned with safe migration. I should explain that the Bangladeshi Government encourages its citizens to travel abroad to work as it means that money is sent back to Bangladesh which benefits the economy. In this populous nation about 1.5 million people enter the labour market each year. Normally about 500,000 go abroad, although last year this is thought to have been one million. In a normal year 160,000 are women. There are at present some 10 million documented workers abroad and probably an equal number who are undocumented. This migration brings problems of exploitation, trafficking, sexual abuse and modern slavery. OKUP provides a comprehensive service which begins with a pre-departure education which shows examples of malpractice and prepares people for the sorts of traps into which they might fall. It teaches them about what needs to be in an employment contract, how to negotiate wages and how to avoid exploitation. It

provides a hotline for those who are abroad for times when they feel they are victims of crime or exploitation. It also provides retraining for returning migrant workers. With an average of 11 dead workers being returned each day (some 4,000 a year), OKUP provides assistance and any investigation into reasons for their deaths and accurate reporting on how they died.Â OKUP has five regional offices in Bangladesh and these are in the rural areas where migration is highest both into the cities and abroad. The greatest number of migrants go to the Middle East, mostly Qatar, but there are large numbers of migrant workers elsewhere, notably in Malaysia and Europe. One of the greatest problems lies in the role of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dalalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, or middleman. These are Bangladeshi â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;officialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who are responsible for organising a contract for a worker, and finding a destination and work and are often corrupt and may have contact with traffickers. They may falsify papers for boys and girls who are under the age for migration, who are then allowed to travel. We met with various local officials, including a headmaster, local councillors and journalists who were speaking about the criminal practices that they have experienced. Their comments clearly emphasized the importance of this work and how vulnerable people may become, even when documented. We talked at length about the need for a correct pre-migration procedure, the need to share reports on violations, and the provision of access to legal redress and representation. Then we had a rather heartrending hour with some of the spouses of present migrant workers and some former migrant workers. They recounted all sorts of exploitation, bullying, and abuse and the dishonesty of dalals. Wages had often been reduced or not paid at all. We heard also from a young woman who was tortured and then left on the side of the road. The next group we met were all returned migrant workers, some 24 of them. They are working together to promote

ÂŠ UN Women Anindit Roy Chowdhury

what could eventually be a union. There are 16 unions sanctioned by the government and these people claim that if the government are so keen to promote migration to workers, then they must also promote their protection and well-being. It makes eminent good sense. They had just come from their union meeting. The immediate priorities are to disseminate good premigration policies. Passports are often confiscated when migrant workers arrive at their destination and have to be bought back. The last meeting of the day was back at the head office of OKUP. There are 14 members of staff with us. The statistics concerning the migrant workers are chilling. The most frequent complaints are listed as inadequate food provision, torture, less salary than contracted, no rest day, excessive working hours, no salary at all, forced to work more than one job, sexual abuse, no healthcare provision. OKUP is a fine organisation which is gaining credibility and respect.

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Page 17

Saint of the Month: The English Martyrs

English Martyrs, St George’s chapel, Westminster Cathedral by Fr Nicholas Schofield

Up until recently England and Wales could claim one of the largest groups of martyrs officially recognised by the Church, at least since ancient times. This has been recently challenged by the martyrs of the 20th century – those who suffered in Mexico, Spain, Nazi Germany and the Soviet bloc. In many ways these modern persecutions were even more horrific and intense than those of Elizabethan and Stuart England. But martyrdom is not something we can measure quantitatively. Every single martyrdom is a miracle of grace; by definition, every single martyr is a witness to the Good News. Suffering for the Faith between 1535 and 1680, most of the English Martyrs were priests, but they also included many laymen and women. One thinks of those brave female martyrs, Ss Anne Line, Margaret Clitherow and Margaret Ward; women were heavily involved in the life of the Catholic community but the authorities were reluctant to sentence them to death, which is why there are only three of them recognised as martyrs. One also remembers the likes of Blessed Roger Wrenno, a weaver from Chorley (Lancashire), accused of harbouring a priest at his house in 1616. He was hanged but the rope broke on the first attempt and, on regaining consciousness, was offered his Page 18

life if he recanted. This he refused. 2018 sees the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the English College, Douai, in what is now northern France. This College acted as a school, seminary and college of further education and made an essential contribution to the survival of English Catholicism. A new generation of ‘missionary disciples’ was produced for the dangerous English Mission, 158 of whom were martyred simply for being faithful priests. The first of their number to suffer was St Cuthbert Mayne in 1577. Many of the Douai Martyrs, however, remain relatively unknown. Blessed George Haydock, for example, returned to England but after only a few weeks in London (where he lived discreetly near St Paul’s churchyard) he was betrayed and arrested. Indeed, his first Mass on English soil was celebrated in prison. For 15 months he endured solitary confinement in the Tower of London and was involved in frequent disputations with Protestant ministers. Accused of conspiring against the Queen in Rheims (even though he was not in that French town at the time), the priest was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 12 February 1584, aged 27. Blessed Nicholas Postgate, on the other hand, was aged 80 at the time of his martyrdom. He lived for many years in a

simple thatched cottage near Ugthorpe in Yorkshire and was known as ‘the Good Samaritan of the Moors’. He posed as a gardener and travelled long distances caring for local Catholics. It is said that he planted wild daffodils to commemorate his sacramental ministry and these can still be seen in the Esk Valley. He was finally arrested while celebrating a baptism and martyred on 7 August 1679, one of the last of the English Martyrs Many moving stories were handed down about the martyrs’ final days. Blessed John Sandys (1586) was allowed to celebrate Mass the morning of his execution and delivered a moving exhortation to the congregation (though his execution was bungled by the inexperienced executioner); Blessed Alexander Crowe (1586) freshly shaved a tonsure on his head to show his pride in the priesthood on the day of his death; Blessed Richard Simpson (1588) embraced the ladder and kissed its steps as he was led to the gallows; Blessed Joseph Lambton (1592) encouraged his fellow victims with the words, ‘Let us be merry, for tomorrow I hope we shall have a heavenly breakfast.’ The English and Welsh Martyrs are truly representative. They came from a variety of backgrounds, ages and professions. Every part of the country (and, indeed, diocese) has at least one link with a martyr. As Cardinal Hume once said, ‘they all lived in our land, walked the same fields and lanes, lived under the same skies and, to their contemporaries, appeared to be perfectly ordinary neighbours. They show that sanctity is within the grasp of any of us. What was special about them was the way in which they were dedicated to Christ, steadfast in prayer and generous in the love and service they offered to their families, neighbours and friends. The strength of their commitment to faith was stronger than all opposition, even death itself. They are an inspiration to Christians of every church in the daily following of Jesus Christ.’

Westminster Record | May 2018

Summer Liturgy Programme at Ealing Abbey The following are offered as part of the summer Liturgy Programme at Ealing Abbey, validated by KU Leuven: 2nd-13th July: Liturgical Research Seminar: Rev Dr Daniel McCarthy OSB Liturgy: History & Context: Rev Dr Ephrem Carr OSB & Gregory Carey OSB Theology of the Liturgy: Prof Joris Geldhof 16th-27th July: Pastoral Liturgy: Rev Dr James Leachman OSB Western Liturgical Books: Rev Dr Daniel McCarthy OSB Liturgies of the Early Church: Rev Dr Ephrem Carr OSB 6th-17th August: Research Seminar: Christian Initiation Proficient Latin for Liturgists (and Canonists) To register, contact 020 8862 2156, email

In Memoriam: May 2 Fr John Farrelly (1990) Fr John Coughlan (1997) Fr Francis Finnegan (1999) Fr Edward Bilsborrow (2007) 4 Fr Peter Lowry (1972) Fr Raymond Tomalin (1996) 5 Canon Herbert Welchman (1982) Fr Denys Lucas (1995) 6 Fr John Hathway (1995) Fr Anthony Potter (2003) 7 Fr Alastair Russell (1997) 9 Fr Bernard Lagrue (1995) 10 Fr Patrick Keegan (1992) Mgr Canon Oliver Kelly (1995) Canon Denis Britt-Compton (2002) Fr Charles Mercer (2005) Fr Frederick de L’Orme (2016) 11 Fr Thomas Kean (1981) 13 Mgr Stephen Shaw (1998) 14 Fr Dominic McEwan (1969) Fr Peter Boshell (1993) 15 Fr William O’Brien (2004) 20 Fr Stanislaus Savage (1975) Fr Michael Markey (2014) 22 Fr Ronald Richardson (1999) Fr Charles MacMahon (2003) 23 Fr Bernard Bussy (1992) Fr Hugh McAleese (1994) Fr Matthew Burrows (2010) 24 Fr Denis Ward (1978) Fr Philip Rogers (1995) Fr Michael Garvey (2002) Fr Dennis Nottingham (2002) 25 Mgr Canon John Bagshawe (1971) Mgr Denis McGuinness (1993) Fr John Oldland (1995) 26 Canon Patrick J Murphy (1974) Fr John Murray (1995) 30 Fr Albert Purdie (1976) 31 Canon Reginald Crook (1990) Fr John Luke (2003) Fr Kevin Greene (2004)

il@liturgyinstitute.org All are welcome Fr Nicholas Kavanagh RIP: In the April edition of this paper it was errroneously printed that Fr Nicholas died aged 96. This should have read 69. We apologise for any confusion caused.

Events & Calendar

REGULAR EVENTS

Westminster Record | May 2018

Liturgical Calendar - May

If you have an event, please email: communications@rcdow.org.uk

Prayer Groups SUNDAYS

Taizé at St James, Piccadilly W1J 9LL every third Sunday 5pm. Call 020 7503 5128 for details. Tyburn Benedictines Monastic afternoon Every first Sunday 2-5pm Martyrs’ Crypt, Tyburn Convent, 8 Hyde Park Place W2 2LJ. Westminster Cathedral Young Adults meet socially after the 7pm Mass on Sundays and then at the nearby Windsor Castle pub. For further details please contact: westminsteryoungadults@gmail.com

MONDAYS

Mothers’ Prayers at St Dominic’s Priory, Haverstock Hill NW5 4LB Mondays 2.30-3.30pm in the Lourdes Chapel. All are welcome.

TUESDAYS

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesdays 6-9pm concluding with Benediction at Newman House, 111 Gower Street WC1E 6AR. Details 020 7387 6370.

Prayers for London at the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden Tuesdays 7.30pm. Organised by the Guild of Our Lady of Willesden, Nicoll Road NW10 9AX. Our Lady of Walsingham Prayer Group First Tuesday of the month 2.30pm to 4.15pm in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs in Westminster Cathedral. Details: antonia@walsingham.org.uk

Vocations Prayer Group Second Tuesday of the month 8pm at 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB. Taizé at St James’, Spanish Place W1V 3QY every first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Email: penny28hb@aol.com or just come along.

WEDNESDAYS

Corpus Christi Contemplative Prayer Group for Young Adults Wednesdays from 7pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Contact corpuschristipg@yahoogroups. co.uk Our Lady, Untier of Knots, Prayer Group of Intercession every third Wednesday at St Anselm & St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3JA. Mass at 6pm followed by Prayer Group. Rosary, Adoration, silent prayer and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Email Antonia antonia4161@gmail.com.

THURSDAYS

Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament first Thursday of the month, Mass 6:30pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB followed by Adoration and Benediction. www.sodality.co.uk

Jesus Christ the Fullness of Life (JCFL) provides a space for Christians of different traditions to join together in prayer and friendship. For further details please visit www.jcfl.org.uk. NFG Prayer Group weekly at 8pm for praise & worship followed by a social. Held in St Mark’s Room, Christ the King Church, Cockfosters N14 4HE. Contact Fr Christophe: christophe.brunet@cheminneuf.org. Soul Food A Catholic charismatic prayer group for young adults Thursdays 7-9pm at St Charles Borromeo, Ogle Street W1W 6HS. Details www.soulfoodgroup.org. St John Paul II Prayer Group Every second Thursday of the month 7-8pm, Mass, Adoration and prayer at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB

FRIDAYS

Divine Mercy Prayers and Mass Every first Friday 2.30-4.30pm at Our Lady, Mother of the Church, 2 Windsor Road W5 5PD Westminster Cathedral Charismatic Prayer Group every Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praise and Teaching. First Friday is a healing Mass. For details, call 020 8748 2632. Queen of Peace Prayer Group at Our Lady of Lourdes, Acton W3 8AA. After 7pm Mass, Exposition, a homily, Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Friday prayer meeting 1:30pm to 3pm with Adoration in St Matthew's Hall, Northwood, Middx HA6 1DW except 1st Friday. Summer break- August. Contact Patricia 07918128248

Other regular Masses

1 Tue

Easter feria or St Joseph the Worker

2 Wed

St Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor

3 Thurs

SS PHILIP and JAMES, Apostles

4 Fri

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS

5 Sat

Easter feria

6 Sun

+ 6th SUNDAY OF EASTER

7 Mon

Easter feria, Sixth Week of Easter

8 Tue

Easter feria

9 Wed

Easter feria

10 Thu

+ THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

11 Fri

Easter feria

12 Sat

Easter feria or Ss Nereus and Achille, Martyrs or St Pancras, Martyr.

13 Sun

+7th SUNDAY OF EASTER, World Communications Day

14 Mon

ST MATTHIAS, Apostle

15 Tue

Easter feria, Seventh Week of Easter

16 Wed

Easter feria

17 Thu

Easter feria

18 Fri

Easter feria or St John I, Pope & Martyr.

19 Sat

Easter feria

20 Sun

+ PENTECOST SUNDAY

21 Mon

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF THE CHURCH

Friday abstinence

Contact: yam@mountstreet.info or visit www.pathwaystogood.org

Friday abstinence

Anniversary of the Installation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Eleventh Archbishop of Westminster (2009). 22 Tue

Seventh Week of Year 2 feria or St Rita of Cascia, Relgious

23 Wed

feria

24 Thu

feria

25 Fri

St Bede the Venerable, Priest & Doctor

26 Sat

St Philip Neri, Priest

27 Sun

+ THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

28 Mon

feria, Eighth Week of Year 2

29 Tue

feria

30 Wed

feria

31 Thu

THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Friday abstinence

Mass at Canary Wharf Held Tuesdays at 12.30pm at 2 Churchill Place E14 5RB. Organised by Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Chaplain to Canary Wharf Communities. Details at www.cwcc.org.uk.

St Albans Abbey Fridays at 12 noon. Mass in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY. Members of the Westminster LGBT Catholic Community are specially welcomed on 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month for Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Farm Street at 5.30pm, and invited to the parish hall afterwards for tea/coffee, where there is anopportunity to learn of pastoral help available. EXTRAORDINARY FORM MASSES

Sundays: Low Mass 9.30am, St James Spanish Place W1U 3QY. Low Mass 9am, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 5pm, St Bartholomew, St Albans AL1 2PE. Low Mass 5.30pm, Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, NW10 9AX.

Taizé at Notre Dame de France 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX at 7.15pm. Call 020 7437 9363. Love heals Body, Mind & Spirit One-day retreat on last Saturday of every month (except December) at Church of Our Lady of Assumption & St Gregory, Warwick Street W1B SLZ. Contact Eileen 0208 542 2476. Carmelite Spirituality Group meet first Saturday at St Joseph’s Church, Bunhill Row EC1Y 8LE. 11.30-15.30 for prayer and reflection. Enquiries: Sylvia Lucas 07889436165

Mondays: Low Mass 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP Mass 6.30pm Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Low Mass, 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Fridays:

Low Mass 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 6pm St Etheldreda, Ely Place EC1N 6RY. First Friday only. Low Mass 6pm St John the Baptist Church, King Edward's Road E9 7SF. First Friday only. Low Mass 6.30pm Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. Second Friday only.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for May: The Mission of Laity

Saturdays: Low Mass 12.15pm, St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP.

That the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Young Adults Mass with an Ignatian twist

Every Sunday at 7pm. Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street

SATURDAYS

Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue

Low Mass 4pm, Lady Chapel, Westminster Cathedral SW1P 1QW. Second Saturday only.

Page 19

‘Manning Country’

Westminster Record | May 2018

by Fr Nicholas Schofield

Last time I wrote about Cardinal Manning’s wife, Caroline, and, as a result, was inspired to visit Lavington, the little village in West Sussex where they spent their married life and where he served as Rector for seventeen years. I especially wanted to see the church of St Peter and Caroline’s grave. Lavington is in the heart of the South Downs, north of Chichester and not far from the great houses of Petworth and Goodwood. The biographies of Manning often talk in bucolic terms about this Downland parish but, unless you are a local, it takes a little time to find it. First, there is a problem of nomenclature. Now known as ‘East Lavington’, some still use the village’s traditional name of ‘Woolavington’ and, to add to the confusion, there is also a ‘West Lavington’ on the outskirts of nearby Midhurst. Then, once you arrive in ‘East Lavington’, you realise that the place is dominated by an independent school, Seaford College, and that Manning’s church serves as its chapel. It is not generally open to the public but the kindly receptionist accompanied us as we paid our respects. Much has changed since Manning’s time but some elements remain constant, such as the close connection between the great house and the parish church in its grounds. The college uses the magnificent buildings that Manning would have known as Lavington Park; its occupants originally had the advowson of the parish, meaning they could choose the incumbent. Originally an Elizabethan mansion, the house was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century by the politician John Sargent, whose wife had inherited the property. He died in 1831 and was succeeded by his son, also called John, who was Rector of Lavington and Graffham. This dual role of being squire and parson is often referred to as ‘squarson’, not an unusual occurrence at the time. Page 20

Unfortunately, this John died suddenly in 1833 and the young Manning, who had married one of his daughters, was presented to the living. Lavington Park became the home of Emily Sargent and her husband Samuel Wilberforce, son of the abolitionist and a future Anglican bishop. Another constant is the beautiful countryside of the South Downs. The village stands in the shadow of the summits of Graffham Down and Woolavington Down and the forest of Charlton, all now traversed by the South Downs Way. The region has long been associated with sheep, kept by farmers not only for their own sake but also to fertilize the light Sussex soil and so ensure a good harvest of corn. The little church in Lavington was very much a shepherd’s church. Being a shepherd had its commitments and it was often impossible to leave the flock to attend church, especially during the lambing season. For this reason there was a charming Sussex custom, following the death of a shepherd, of nailing a tuft of wool on the coffin lid to explain to the recording angel why the deceased had so often missed his Sunday duties! John Sargent had been a model shepherd of souls and Manning continued his example, first (briefly) as curate at Upwaltham and then as Rector in his own right of Lavington and Graffham. A member of his flock later recalled that ‘he counted to call on every house in his Parish once a fortnight – most of his visiting was done by walking – clad in cassock.’ Although he was strict and rather sober in his manner, he had a great affection for the local children and ‘looked like an Archangel when he prayed’. He took his pastoral responsibilities seriously, introducing daily morning and evening prayer. ‘It was a picturesque sight’, recalled one inhabitant of Lavington, ‘to watch the zealous and stately rector, vested in surplice, himself

Church of St Peter, Lavington, today used as the chapel of Seaford College in East Lavington, where Caroline Manning is buried. tolling the bell, whilst in the grey of a winter’s morning the straggling villagers hurried to morning prayer before going out to their daily toil in the fields.’ Despite the beauty of the Downs, this was no idyll. Though on one occasion Manning told his friend Gladstone, the future prime minister, that almost all his parishioners were communicant, there were still those who stayed away from church and showed little interest in the faith. Here, also, he first came face-to-face with widespread poverty and the aftermath of the Captain Swing riots. His concern for the underdog would mark the rest of his life. The church of St Peter’s in Lavington is small and simple in its structure. Originally dating from the 13th century, much of what we see today is the work of Manning, who in 1846-47 added a transept, replaced the windows and built a new belltower. Most of the furniture, though, including the pulpit, altar, font and choir-stalls, is more recent. Outside in the graveyard, lined against the west wall, are the graves of Rev John Sargent, Bishop Samuel Wilberforce and his wife Emily, their son Herbert William Wilberforce of the Royal Navy (who died during the Crimean War) and Manning’s wife, Caroline. Some sources suggest that her grave was originally unmarked, partly because ‘he could not place the inscription he wished’, but she does indeed

have a gravestone, now covered in lichen, and one can just make out the words: ‘Caroline, Wife of Henry Edward Manning, Born 1812, Died July 24th 1837.’ A short distance away, beyond the school grounds, is the old Rectory, now called ‘Beechwood House’, where Manning lived for 17 years. It was hard to see it properly from the little muddy road but, peering through the hedge, I could spot a majestic oak tree in the gardens and, gazing at the stately Georgian windows, wondered which room Manning had used as a study and where Caroline had died. Lavington was not only the place where Manning served as a country parson. Here he worked also as Archdeacon of Chichester, making regular visits to the cathedral city and around the diocese, and achieving national prominence through his sermons and charges. It was here, also, that he moved away from his original evangelical outlook towards Rome, developing strong beliefs in the Real Presence, the dignity of the Priesthood and the action of the Holy Spirit within the Church. In later life, Manning would say ‘I became a Catholic off my own bat’. He was in touch with the discussions sparked off by the Oxford Movement, distributing the Tracts for the Times locally and co-writing one of them, Tract 78, on the subject of Catholic Tradition. But his conversion, like Newman’s, was largely the fruit of study, reflection and prayer.

He was keen to defend the Church from state interference and this issue would act as a catalyst for his conversion. It was the acceptance on the part of the Privy Council of the Rev GC Gorham and his unsound doctrines on baptismal regeneration that caused Manning finally to reconsider his position within the Anglican Communion. For several years he suffered great spiritual anguish, distancing himself from the actions of Newman and other converts and defending the Anglican via media on the one hand and privately doubting his own position on the other. By 1851, the year after the restoration of the hierarchy, the situation had become untenable and he decided to become a Catholic. This led to disapproval in many quarters and the painful parting of friends, but despite this it was good to see a portrait of Manning hanging on a back staircase of Seaford College! ‘I loved…the little church under a green hill-side,’ he later wrote as cardinal, ‘where the morning and evening prayers and the music of the English Bible for seventeen years became a part of my soul. Nothing is more beautiful in the natural order, and if there were no eternal world I could have made it my home.’ This article originally appeared in The Catholic Times on 16th March 2018. It is reprinted with kind permission of The Catholic Times. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster