Westminster Record - September 2018 by RCWestminster

Westminster Record

September 2018 | 20p

Ordinations

Annual Report

Lourdes Pilgrimage

Pages 8 & 9

Pages 13 to 16

Pages 18 & 19

Something worth celebrating by Bishop John Wilson Chair of the Diocesan Education Commission

We often hear talk of the ‘distinctiveness’ of Catholic education. One way to explore what this means is to ask what are the qualities and aspirations of any fantastic school. We certainly don’t have a monopoly on striving to ensure every student reaches their potential, nor in creating learning environments where each person is valued and nurtured, or where everyone is enabled to make their unique contribution to society. These are fundamental elements which are shared across the enterprise of education. It is, however, when we ask additionally what are the qualities and aspirations of a fantastic Catholic school that we begin to elicit the specificity of Catholic education. Our holistic approach is rooted in our faith in the person of Jesus Christ and in the teaching of his Church. We believe the search for excellence also has a spiritual dynamic based on the Gospel such that education and formation are integrated within

the journey of personal discipleship. Worship and prayer, the spirit of Christian virtue, human and moral development, are all underpinned by the desire that Christ is known and loved so that our lives might overflow with that sense of service which reflects his truth and beauty. In the last academic year, the families of 91,650 children and young people chose Catholic education, including some who were not Catholics themselves. Our students are from a wide diversity of communities and backgrounds. Through 163 Catholic primary schools, 39 Catholic secondary schools and sixth forms, and 18 Catholic independent schools, we seek to serve all areas of our diocese. We are proud that 97.6% of all diocesan schools are judged to be good or outstanding according to their Section 48 religious inspections, which inspect classroom Religious Education and the Catholic life of the school. And that 96.4% of all diocesan schools are judged to be good or outstanding according to their Ofsted inspections. No diocesan school, either primary or secondary, was rated ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in 2017 or 2018. Where a school requires improvement the Diocesan Education Service works with the local authority to assist staff and governors. A total of £59 million of capital investment in 118 projects was completed in diocesan schools during the past year, and 36 new headteachers and 18 new

Education Sunday falls on 9th September this year and provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Catholic schools and colleges across our diocese. Since becoming Chair of the Diocesan Education Commission I have witnessed first-hand the impressive work that is taking place and seen the breadth of talents and ability of our children and young people. Struck by the dedication and enthusiasm of staff, governors, and clergy, I have heard the appreciation of families both grateful for, and desirous of, places in Catholic education. At primary, secondary, and tertiary level there are so many examples of excellence. Overwhelmingly, our schools have a clear sense and application of their Catholic identity. Existing within a network of good relationships, in and beyond their local communities, they put the needs of pupils and students at the centre of everything they do.

deputy headteachers were appointed. The diocesan programme for academisation also made progress in the last academic year with Academy Orders granted by the Department for Education for the Harrow Family of Schools and the Brent Family of Schools within the All Saints Trust. Other groups of schools are preparing to move forward in the near future. Given such success, our sincere thanks go to our headteachers and senior leaders, to staff and to governors, to students and their families, and to clergy and local parishes. Catholic education does not happen by chance. It requires sustained commitment to ensure that the Church’s mission in education is carried out faithfully, building on the historic legacy which has always prioritised schools. Today, more than ever, we recognise that collaboration

and interdependence between our schools and colleges, working with the services of the diocese, provide the best possible security for each in the context of the whole. This said, we cannot be complacent about the challenges facing Catholic education. The factors that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel more generally are equally present in our schools. Our culture is sometimes indifferent, even hostile, to faith and religious practice and this affects Catholic education too. We remain disadvantaged by the fifty percent cap on new Catholic schools. There are secular voices which seek to remove the right of Catholic schools to exist with a distinctive vision of faith based on Catholic teaching. Maintaining standards and recruiting and retaining staff require constant effort. Continued on page 20

Editorial We drew life from him

Westminster Record | September 2018

Westminster Record – Contact us Editor Mgr Mark Langham

It is perilous to judge the legacy of a great man only a year after his death, but that interval does invite us to look back afresh at the contribution of Cardinal Cormac to the Church in this country and our diocese in particular. His funeral, on 13th September 2017, was one measure of his character. Amid the splendour of Westminster Cathedral, the Funeral Mass had a simple and prayerful heart. These were not sumptuous ritual obsequies, a stately ceremony such as previous cardinals had enjoyed, but a family occasion, a gathering of those who genuinely loved the man, the priest, the bishop. Within the noble setting of the cathedral, there was a human story to tell; the glories of the building offered space to a drama of a soul deeply at one with God, and his fellow believers. That said much about Cardinal Cormac: he inhabited the role of Cardinal with (for the most part) ease and even enjoyed some of the privileges it brought. He looked mightily satisfied as he took possession of his stunning titular church in Rome; he enjoyed telling stories about preaching before the Queen; he was enthusiastic about dinner parties with the famous and powerful. But this was never his inspiration. There can be few people to whom titles and honours meant so little. He loved meeting the ordinary parishioner as much as the eminent Duke, he enjoyed a cup of tea with an elderly priest as much a banquet at the Guildhall, he was as keen to visit the sick in Lourdes as to Page 2

attend great events of state. In him, this was not a contrast; there was no tension between his genuine enjoyment of a splendid formal meal with politicians and a quiet break with primary-school teachers. For of Cardinal Cormac it could be said, as our Lord said of St Bartholomew, that in him there was no guile, no deceit. He was truly a genuine person who did not seek to be other than he was, nor claim to be anything that he was not. To an enviable degree, what you saw with Cardinal Cormac was what you got. He knew his weaknesses (he never became a polished performer on the television or radio) but you could never doubt his sincerity, his compassion, his genuine love for the Church.

What you saw was what you got; and what you got was a man who simply enjoyed other people, who never lost his sense of pleasure at new encounters, and who genuinely sought out the best in others. He enjoyed some of the privileges of his rank not because they flattered his vanity or bolstered his ego, but because he retained an almost boyish delight in splendid events at which he was privileged to be present. But that same sense of wonder propelled him into the midst of parish celebrations, took him into the sitting rooms of delighted parishioners, brought him to the bedside of elderly clergy. At the great liturgies in Westminster Cathedral, he was always concerned that the human

dimension should not be lost, that amid the pomp and solemnity of a great Mass, the ordinary parishioner, the person at the back, the bewildered passer-by, should feel as included as the most ardent churchgoer. In short, Cardinal Cormac loved people, in whatever setting, and in a way similar to his friend Pope Francis, he drew life from them. Just as we drew life from him. This was especially true of his clergy, for whom he retained a genuine affection and concern. His good memory for names endeared him to his priests, who appreciated the time he took to speak with them and ask after their well-being. Cardinal Cormac’s reform of the diocesan structures was an early sign of his concern not to be distant from his clergy: a close relationship between bishop and priest that is still successful in our diocese. So too, the painful episodes surrounding safeguarding drew from him a response which has shaped the parishes and institutions of our diocese, based on a determination to protect the vulnerable, and also to provide a safe and supportive framework in which the clergy and others could operate. But Cardinal Cormac’s love was, most of all, for his people, and he was a priest, and a bishop, first and most importantly to serve them. His grave within the nave of the cathedral continues the link of prayer and intercession that marked his close relationship with the faithful of this diocese. There he lies in simplicity, still awaiting his marble memorial, below the tenth Station of the Cross, Jesus is stripped of his garments. For in the end, all pride or vanity had been stripped from Cardinal Cormac. All he was left with, all that mattered to him, was pure love.

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Cardinal praises JRS AoS responds to needs of refugee work seafarers around the world

Reflecting on his visit afterwards, the Cardinal picked up on the work of accompaniment in particular. He acknowledged that we cannot always solve the problems that are brought to us, but we can accompany those who are struggling. This accompaniment, he said is shown ‘most powerfully in the sharing of a meal’. He went on to say that this accompaniment offered by the JRS in Wapping is a direct contrast to the harshness of the procedures experienced by many of the asylum seekers who visit the centre. Procedures ‘where people are not allowed to work, they’re not allowed to have a residence, they’re not allowed to study’ leaving them as ‘non people’, are a ‘shame on our country’. The Cardinal praised the JRS for the work they are doing with refugees and asylum seekers, saying that they are ‘shining a light on’ some ‘heartrending, terrible stories’ that the guests have shared with him. This comes after call by Bishop Paul McAleenan, the lead Bishop in the UK for Migrants, for ‘society as a whole to reflect on how we can better help refugees’.

On Friday 13th July, reflecting Pope Francis’ ‘Mercy Fridays’ Cardinal Vincent visited a drop in centre run by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Wapping, East London. The centre is open every Thursday for refugees and asylum seekers, who are welcomed to a safe space staffed by volunteers, where they can talk and share their difficulties over a meal. Upon arriving, the Cardinal was taken on a tour of the centre, meeting some of the volunteers before joining the guests for lunch, which is freshly prepared. Over dinner the Cardinal talked to the guests and heard their stories of what it’s like to seek asylum in the UK.

‘Be aware, be conscious’ He expressed thanks for the work of the Santa Marta group, describing them as, ’children of light’, who have a task so, ’enterprising and innovative, aware and knowledgeable’ to protect, ‘other vulnerable people.’ He explained that everyone has a part to play in this fight: ‘Simply be aware, be conscious. Trafficking and modern slavery are a reality. They take place in civilised societies, in respectable streets and offices.’

of heavy equipment and other machinery. ‘It was wonderful to get the sense of how Apostleship of the Sea responds to the needs of seafarers, and I really do want to thank them.’ Cardinal Vincent, who is also President of the Santa Marta Group, which was formed to counter the huge criminal activity of modern-day slavery, said there were cases of seafarers and fishermen being effectively imprisoned on their ships, not paid their wages and held in a modern-day form of press-ganging and slavery. In response, the Santa Marta Group has partnered with AoS to launch a series of workshops, to be delivered in

key ports around the world, to educate and inform AoS chaplains, volunteers, port officials and police about the scourge of slavery at sea and what can be done to protect and support seafarers and fishermen. The first workshop took place in Tilbury earlier this year, followed by Santos, Brazil in May and further workshops will be rolled out at ports globally. The Cardinal urged continued support for AoS and its ministry. He paid tribute to all those who work for AoS and those who kindly give their time and support volunteering with the organisation.

L-R: Rev Roger Stone BEM (AoS Senior Regional Port Chaplain for Wales & West Country), Simon O’Toole (AoS Chair of Trustees), Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Captain Esteban Pacha (AoS Vice Chair of Trustees), Bishop Hlib Lonchyna (Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London), Martin Foley (AoS National Director)

On Tuesday 26th June, Bishop Paul McAleenan addressed an event on human trafficking and modern slavery hosted by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the Santa Marta Group (SMG) at the Hurtado Jesuit Centre. Mick Duthie and Phoebe Prendergast from SMG gave a presentation on human trafficking and modern slavery and the widespread existence of these twin scourges in today’s society. Bishop Paul spoke on the parable of the dishonest steward, drawing a comparison to those involved in human trafficking and modern day slavery, adding, ‘when it comes to making money some people… are totally uninterested on the human aspect’ using them as, ‘only commodities, their only function is to make money.’

Cardinal Vincent paid tribute to the work of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) as he met with members of the clergy, maritime and government officials, and supporters of the charity on board the HQS Wellington, ahead of Sea Sunday which fell on 8th July. The Cardinal, who took the opportunity to recall his visit to Tilbury Docks in June 2015, said: ‘It was a privilege to go to Tilbury and to see, first-hand, some of the work the Apostleship of the Sea do. I went on board and got a feel of the confined quarters in which seafarers lived and all the dangerous edges they negotiate all the time, with huge amounts

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Vatican Cricket XI spread the light of faith in London by Fr Sameer Advani LC, Manager of the St Peter’s XI

Muslim mosque, a Hindu temple, a Sikh gurdwara, and a Jewish synagogue. Our goal on this tour was to use cricket as a platform to underline the vital importance of authentic religious experience for society and to emphasise the bonds among major religions. Visiting Parliament and speaking to different religious leaders was thus an essential aspect of the tour: dialogue between politicians and the rich heritage and accumulated wisdom of religious traditions is key if we are to construct a society that truly respects man and seeks his good, and St Peter’s is happy that it could contribute in a small way to this task. Of notable interest in this regard was the launch of the ‘Peace at the Crease’ initiative and the ‘Commonwealth Cup’ by Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, during two of

the Vatican’s matches. These programmes are geared toward building bridges across communities in the 53 member states of the Commonwealth through religious faith and cricket, and they thus enter perfectly into the team’s goal of bearing witness to how religion helps society grow stronger and more united. Perhaps the most memorable day of the tour for many of the cricketers was Sunday 8th July when we visited the ISIS Young Offender’s Prison. The opportunity to celebrate Mass, share a meal, and play cricket with the staff and prisoners was something we will never forget. It was easy to forget the pain and suffering that otherwise permeated the facility, and we could experience in a very beautiful way how the faith makes us all one family, brothers and sisters united in the Lord. At the end

Priests, deacons, and seminarians from Rome, representing the Vatican (St Peter’s) Cricket Team, were in England on their 4th Light of Faith Tour this summer, from 3rd to 15th July. Founded in 2014 to promote inter-religious, ecumenical, and inter-cultural dialogue, the team aims to foster the spread of the Gospel through the means of cricket. Their recently concluded tour thus included matches with teams from very different backgrounds: a Stonyhurst XI at Stonyhurst College, multi-faith teams at Lord’s and at Walthamstow in East London, a Commonwealth XI at the Indian Gymkhana Ground, the Houses of Parliament XI at Chiswick House, and the Royal Household Cricket Club at Windsor Castle. The matches were accompanied by informal visits to Westminster Cathedral and Archbishop’s House where Bishop Nicholas Hudson received the team, and to a

of the day each prisoner received a rosary blessed by Pope Francis. The tour concluded on Saturday 14th July when the Vatican XI played the Royal Household at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth greeted players of both teams at the end of the match and presented them with a commemorative medal marking the occasion. And how did all the cricket go? We won seven out of eight games, a result that any touring

party would be envious of! The two weeks in England were unforgettable in every sense of the word: some incredibly close and nerve racking matches, beautiful and historical grounds, meeting Her Majesty… these are memories that will last a lifetime. But the greatest treasure was the opportunity of being able to share the beauty of our faith with hundreds of people from all different walks of life and thus contribute, in a very modest way, to spreading the Light of the Faith in England.

L’Arche London celebrates 40 years Speaking up for rights of patients in a vegetative state years, gave the opening welcome alongside L’Arche London Community Leader Lucy Winter. Saturday’s service of thanksgiving was jointly led by Bishop Nicholas Hudson and Revd David Stephenson. The community was founded in 1977 by Thérèse Vanier. Based in West Norwood in South London, more than one hundred people, with and without learning disabilities, share life together. Speaking during the service about his own experience visiting L’Arche London, Bishop Nicholas Hudson, said: ‘The community gave me one of the loveliest gifts you can give a person: the gift of welcome.’

In a statement issued on 31st July, Bishop John Wilson responds to the Supreme Court ruling, to back, end of life decisions. On 30th July 2018 the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled it is no longer necessary to seek legal permission from the Court of Protection to remove artificial feeding and hydration from patients in a persistent vegetative state. This means that clinicians and families can decide among themselves to bring about a patient’s death by discontinuing the provision of food and water by artificial means. A person in a persistent vegetative state exists in an altered state of consciousness following some kind of trauma. The person breathes without assistance and follows patterns of sleeping and waking, although without any detectable external response. They are not dying as such, but remain dependent on medical and nursing care. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales addressed the question of artificial feeding and hydration in cases of patients in a persistent

L’Arche London concluded its 40th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, 14th July with an inclusive service of thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral. More than two hundred people came together for a joyful and vibrant celebration, led by the Movement in Worship dancers and drummers. Friends of L’Arche London, some of whom have been involved since the community began 40 years ago, were there to celebrate four decades of shared life. Richard Keagan-Bull, a community member with a learning disability who has been part of L’Arche London for 12

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vegetative state in their 2004 teaching document Cherishing Life. In considering the ethics of suicide and euthanasia, the Bishops stated: ‘There is a basic level of nursing care that is demanded by human solidarity. We all recognise that leaving a patient cold, unclean, in pain or without human contact for significant periods of time would fall below a decent standard of care. Within the health service, great efforts are made to maintain high standards in this area, despite the pressure of resources and limited staff. In general, providing food and fluids should also be considered basic care.’ (185) The Bishops continued: ‘when patients are in the final phase of dying they should not be troubled by intrusive treatment and efforts to place or replace a feeding tube may well be excessive or burdensome.’ However, they clarified: ‘What is not morally acceptable is to withdraw tube-feeding, or other life sustaining treatment, precisely in order to end a patient’s life. This would cross the line from reasonable withdrawal of inappropriate

treatment into the realm of passive euthanasia.’ (185) No one should underestimate the challenges placed on families and carers when a loved one enters a persistent vegetative state. Sustained pastoral support for them is essential. Artificial nutrition and hydration, however, are not treatment. They do not cure anything. In whatever way they are delivered, food and water for a person in a persistent vegetative state fulfil the same purpose as for any other person. They keep them alive as part of their basic care. They prevent death by malnutrition and dehydration. Patients in persistent vegetative states are some of the most vulnerable in our society. It is not an act of compassion to remove their food and drink in order to cause their death. Equally, it cannot be in a patient’s best interests, whatever their level of consciousness, to have their life intentionally ended. Our care for those in such situations is the test of our common humanity and our solidarity with some of the most fragile of our brothers and sisters.

Westminster Record | September 2018

Celebrating Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati Giorgio back in June 1995, when he noticed that Bl Pier Giorgio died on the same date as he, Bishop John, was born. Bishop John spoke at length about the sign that Pier Giorgio can be to every Christian, discussing his dedication to the poor, his political activity, the work he did with charity and his commitment to help those with a poverty of unbelief. He finished his talk by putting great emphasis on Pier Giorgio’s life and death; a true living out of the Christian mission: ‘There is a quotation that says “Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” As a supreme witness to the Gospel, in love with Jesus, Pier Giorgio did more.

‘By his living and dying he became bread for others, as Christ, his risen Lord, was the Bread of Eternal Life for him.’ Having died in 1925, his cause for canonisation was opened in 1932 after the poor, whom he had helped in Turin, sought recognition for his work. Unfortunately, in 1941 Pope Pius XII was required to suspend the cause due to a range of allegations against him which were later proved false, and the cause could resume. Pope St John Paul II beatified Frassati in May 1990 and dubbed him the ‘Man of the Eight Beatitudes’. The day also included time for Adoration, the recitation of the Rosary and opportunities for Confession.

Bishop John Wilson celebrated Mass to mark the 93rd anniversary of the death of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati at St Patrick Soho on Wednesday 4th July. The Mass was one of the events in a day-long celebration of the life of Bl Pier Giorgio. Bl Pier Giorgio’s niece Wanda Gawronska, who shared her memories of her uncle, and Christine Wohar, Director of Frassati USA, were both in attendance for the celebrations, with Bishop John and Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth delivering talks about the Italian Roman Catholic social activist and member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, whose relics were venerated on the day. In his talk Bishop John gave his personal experience of a bond that he formed with Pier

FHL Gaza: A vision in action In adoration of Christ’s Real Presence ‘Christian witness means being a good neighbour’ This year’s guest speaker at the annual garden party at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, was Dr Harry Hagopian, international lawyer and ecumenical adviser on matters relating to the Holy Land. In his address, he explained: ‘Christian witness does not solely manifest itself by reciting the Bible back to front! Witness in the ethos of the Churches of the Orient is focused more intimately on setting an example, on being a neighbour, and on working with other

faiths. And in that small parcel of biblical land which we call the Holy Land, hope cannot only be a vision. It has to be a vision in action.’ He urged those present to visit the birthplace of Christianity. The annual event, which raised £5,500 for Friends of the Holy Land (FHL), was attended by 130 guests. The funds will go towards supporting the tiny Christian population in Gaza. For more information about the work of FHL, please visit www.friendsoftheholyland. org.uk

A special cake designed for the fundraising annual garden party organised by Friends of the Holy Land

by Fr Kevin Jordan, Parish Priest St Mary Magdalen, Willesden Green

Each week on the A-Team, Hannibal would say, ‘I love it when a plan comes together.’ Until recently, the diocese’s directions to our church would bring you to firmly shut doors across a derelict car park; the entrance to the open church was hidden away. Combining our Proclaim initiatives and Growing in Faith funds we decided to change that and to restore and enhance the muchloved but tired interior of the church. Today, the drab paving stones are broken up by constantly flowering beds and the forbidding wooden doors are fully open all day revealing a bright welcoming church. To keep these doors open all year, new inner doors create a buffer against the cold. And in the centre, from a stained glass window, St Mary Magdalen kneels not at the feet of Christ, but beside the tabernacle and the altar in adoration of Christ’s Real Presence today. On 22nd July this year Bishop John Sherrington came to celebrate our patronal feast and the 80th anniversary of the laying of the church’s foundation stone as well as to bless those glass doors. In his

homily, Bishop John indicated the significance of this day when he said: ‘This anniversary reminds us not only of a sacred building for prayer and worship of God but importantly of the families whose prayers have built this parish, the generosity, time, energy and resources given freely, the priests who have served here, and Catholic faith which has been lived in joys and sorrows, fears and hopes, tears and laughter, life and death.’ The Mass had music old and new, from Haydn’s Nelson Kyrie and Gloria to

Macmillan’s St Anne Sanctus and Agnus Dei and was followed by a hog-roast and other food and drinks, all enjoyed by over 300 parishioners. Saying Mass now, I see people walk past and witness our living stones at prayer. Some stop and stare, some make a sign of reverence, some walk past and then come back to linger a while. And one Muslim lady in the area said, ‘I’ve lived here all my life and I never knew your church was open.’ I love it when a plan comes together.

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Westminster Record | September 2018

JFK School celebrates Golden Jubilee

John F Kennedy Catholic School rounded off their 50th jubilee celebrations on Friday 22nd June with the whole school community joining together with Fr Paul McDermott to celebrate Mass. The Mass was held in the sports hall with the music led by Mr Ridout, and involved the newly commissioned student Extraordinary Ministers of Holy

Communion. During Mass the community gave thanks to all who had contributed to the school over its 50-year history. As the Mass concluded, a birthday cake was brought out and all joined in singing ‘Happy Birthday’. The cake was then ceremonially cut by the Head Boy, Deputy Head Girl and the oldest JFK

student in the congregation, Teaching Assistant Mr Reeve, who joined JFK as a student in 1970. On Saturday 23rd June the Golden Jubilee was celebrated with a school reunion. Former JFK students and members of staff from across the past 50 years were welcomed back, including members of the first intake in 1967.

In thanksgiving: Catholic Children’s Society

On Thursday 5th July students from across the diocese gathered for the Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) annual Good Samaritan and Good Shepherd Masses at Westminster Cathedral. The Good Shepherd Mass for primary school pupils was celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan in the morning followed by Bishop John Wilson celebrating the Good Samaritan Mass for secondary school students in the afternoon. Bishop John gave an inspiring homily on the theme of ‘who is

my neighbour?’, giving special emphasis to how we treat the homeless, leaving three invaluable pieces of advice: ‘don’t judge the homeless, or assume their situation or the least, ignore them. Bishop Paul preached the words from Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I’ll not want’. At the beginning of Mass, the students processed in with colourful banners. During the Offertory, pupils from each school brought forward the funds they had raised for the work of CCS through the year by engaging in fundraising activities.

St Gregory’s green-fingered pupils win top RHS national prize by Gail Hovey

St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Kenton have won the RHS School Gardening Team of the Year Award after their team of 13- to 15-yearolds designed and built an outdoor learning environment. The land used for the winning project had originally been earmarked for a staff car park extension. For many of the school’s pupils the garden serves as their main connection with nature, inspiring lessons across the curriculum and campaigns to raise awareness of environmental issues such as reducing plastic use. The plot also enables organic crops to be grown and the team maintains a large community flower bed at the entrance to the local park. The competition was judged by Frances Tophill, presenter of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, who expressed her delight at seeing a group of teenagers engage with nature in this way: ‘This year’s winners prove the appeal of gardening for teens, whether it’s to boost wellbeing, learn Page 6

valuable life skills or open up career opportunities such as paving the way for tomorrow’s conservationists. The determination, vision and hard work they’ve shown is nothing short of miraculous.’

Alana Cama, RHS Skills Development Manager, noted how in increasingly exam driven teenage years fewer and fewer adolescents are able to spend time in the garden and acknowledged the benefits of

making time to work with nature: ‘Often, the pressure of exams and grades means fewer students over the age of 12 spending time in the garden. It just shows that with a little perseverance, groups like St

Gregory’s can reap the benefits of the outdoors.’ Andrew Prindiville, Head teacher of St Gregory’s, was understandably full of praise for his students: ‘This is a fantastic achievement. We are very proud of our amazing pupils. ‘This award is also recognition of St Gregory’s determination to bring the curriculum to life through innovative teaching and to encourage pupils to strive for the best in everything they do, making a positive impact on the world around them.’ The prize collected by the group from St Gregory’s is a cedar greenhouse for the school, which was donated by greenhouse manufacturer Gabriel Ash, the company which supported the RHS School Gardeners of the Year 2018. The RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition forms part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening which aims to get young people gardening by providing free resources and advice: www.rhs.org.uk/ schoolgardening.

Westminster Record | September 2018

Mission Together: Bishop With grateful hearts at Bishop Challoner Wilson celebrates 175 years of ‘children helping children’ Two hundred pupils from schools across the Diocese of Westminster joined Bishop John Wilson for Mass in the church of Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Kensal New Town, to celebrate the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, on Friday 29th June. This year’s celebration held particular significance as it marked 175 years of children around the world living out Mission Together’s motto: ‘children helping children’. Bishop John told the children that we follow in the footsteps of St Peter and St Paul by doing one thing, namely, to share our faith with others. Before the close of Mass Bishop John blessed the Mission Rosary beads that were given to all the children present. The Bishop asked the children to pray with the

Mission Rosary, interceding for children living in hardship in all five continents of the world. Through Mission Together, children all over the world join in a unique exchange of love and friendship with Jesus and with one another, as they pray for, and share what they have, with children living in poverty overseas. Mission Together thanked Bishop John for a “wonderful Mass”, to the staff who escorted their pupils and especially to the children who participated so beautifully in the Mass processions, prayers and singing and for joining hands with children all over the world in being ‘children helping children’. Mission Together is the children’s branch of Missio, the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission.

On the feast day of Ss Peter and Paul, Friday 29th June a thanksgiving open air Mass was celebrated at Bishop Challoner Catholic Federation of Schools by Bishop Nicholas Hudson and concelebrated by Fr Keith Stoakes, Fr Willie Skehan, Fr Victor Camilleri OFM, Fr John Moffatt SJ, and served by Deacon Daniel Herrero Peña. The ground was filled with students and staff beating the hot summer’s day with a bottle of water beneath every seat and teachers looking after the pupils. The wooden altar set up in the middle of the ground was built by Regan-Thomas Healy, Head Boy, as his A Level

coursework project and exhibited artistic excellence. Bishop Nicholas in his homily spoke of St Peter being a source of inspiration when we’re lost along life’s journey: ‘Peter is a great saint to call upon if ever you feel lost. He felt lost when he had denied the Lord; he felt lost at the end of his life. But he found it in himself to go where the Lord was leading him and to witness his undying love for Christ.’ During the offertory, a Green Heart was offered up to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy last year. The choir encouraged a solemn mood at Communion when they sang a

hymn, written by a former teacher of Bishop Challoner Girls’ School Sr Teresita Heenan, which is now the school’s anthem. Deacon Daniel, who had helped with preparing Year 10 students for Confirmation throughout the year, was presented with a gift from two of the students to thank him. It was a sunny afternoon of prayer and gratitude as students reflected on the academic year that came to a close with Headteacher Richard Fitzgerald commending all the students for being such good pupils, making his first year at the institution a successful one.

Celebrating achievement at Caritas St Joseph’s

On Friday 19th July, Caritas St Joseph’s gathered for their annual achievement day, led by Bishop Paul McAleenan. The celebration was opened by performances from St Joseph’s students, sharing some of the song and dance that they had learnt in their classes. The

audience also heard from the Book Club on what their favourite books had been this year. Bishop Paul then read out the names of the students, who were awarded a medal in recognition of everything they have achieved at St Josephs

this academic year. He paid tribute to all the staff and volunteers at the centre, who provide a welcoming atmosphere for everyone and encourage everyone to learn. The celebration was followed by cake and strawberries and cream in the garden.

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Cardinal ordains seven new priests

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what action to perform. The wise priest also knows what not to say at this point of a person’s pilgrimage of faith, what not to demand. This is the art of being a pastor of souls: knowing how to discern the next step on the pathway to God,’ he said. The Cardinal prayed that many will see the Lord in the ministry of these new priests, adding: ‘For this moment, for the memories of faith, for the hope which this gives us, let us thank the Lord with joyful hearts.’ The newly-ordained priests will minister in the parishes of the diocese. Fr Alan Alvarado is appointed Assistant Priest at St John the Evangelist, Islington and Blessed Sacrament, Copenhagen Street. Fr Mark Dunglinson is appointed Assistant Priest at Holy Trinity, Brook Green. Fr Daniel Herrero is appointed Assistant Priest at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington. Fr Rajiv Michael is appointed to the College of Chaplains at Westminster Cathedral. Fr Jonathan Stogdon is appointed Assistant Priest at St Paul the Apostle, Wood Green. Fr John Tabor is appointed Assistant Priest at Ss Peter and Paul, Northfields. Please keep these men and all our priests in your prayers.

Speaking to Rev Antonio directly, the Cardinal said: ‘It is a faith and confidence that, I pray, you will bring to your priesthood as you grow towards that ultimate fulfilment of heaven to which the martyrs came, and help others towards that fulfilment by your word, your witness, and your faithfulness.’ Fr Antonio will begin his ministry in September as Assistant Priest at the Parishes of St Teresa of the Child Jesus and Ss John Fisher and Thomas More in Borehamwood.

Cardinal Vincent ordaining Rev Antonio Pineda to the priesthood

‘It takes many people to make a good priest’ ‘What matters is not so much what we achieve as what’s in our heart. Which is why the Lord calls us not simply to be shepherds but to be shepherds after his heart’ were the words of encouragement spoken by Bishop Nicholas Hudson in his homily at the ordination of Fr Kensy Joseph SJ and Fr Philip Harrison SJ at St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill on Saturday 30th June. Over 50 priests concelebrated the Mass with colleagues from Jesuit Missions and Jesuit Refugee service, where Fr Kensy and Fr Philip served as formation students. Speaking of the influence of the Jesuits on him, Bishop Nicholas added, ‘Growing up as I did in a Jesuit parish and attending Jesuit schools… I found it a huge enrichment … and felt the call to priesthood deepen in me through witnessing this diversity of ministries among you (Jesuits).’ He reminded the ordinands of the struggles the first year of priesthood would bring, mentioning Cardinal Hume’s

advice for the newly ordained, ‘when you feel it’s a struggle, remember your 999: Matthew 9, 9 … and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd who called you to this point of your ordination day.’ At the end of Mass, Fr Kensy expressed his thanks, ‘There was a tremendous sense of the loving support of friends, family and people… for which we are both very grateful’.

Fr Philip commented, ‘It takes many people to make a good priest: people to teach us, people to challenge us, people to listen to us... We pray that you continue to encourage many more young people in the same way.’ Fr Kensy moves on to Glasgow as chaplain at St Aloysius College. Fr Philip moves to Rome to study at the Biblicum.

On Saturday 30th June, Cardinal Vincent ordained seven men to the priesthood at Westminster Cathedral. Reflecting on the importance of memory in the journey of faith, Cardinal Vincent invoked the memory of St John Southworth, ‘one of the giants on whose should we stand’, who ‘moved around these streets, administering forgiveness to a people in great need and risking his life in celebrating the Mass’. ‘Today, then, we rejoice as six men, full of the memory of their own pathway of faith, come forward to be priests, for in their turn they will offer the Sacrifice of the Mass and minister the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the two great gifts of the priesthood,’ he said. New priests strengthen our hope, as they are ‘an important part of the future life of the Church in our parishes’ and every celebration of the Mass is a promise of our future glory. The ordination is ‘a strengthening of that promise, showing us the true horizon of our lives, the horizon of God, the promise of eternal life’. ‘In serving the Gospel, especially the gift of hope, the art of the priest is that of knowing, in each different circumstance, what to say, what encouragement to give,

On Saturday 28th July, Cardinal Vincent ordained Rev Antonio Pineda to the priesthood at St George’s Church Sudbury in the presence of family, friends, priests from around the diocese, and deacons and seminarians. Among the priests concelebrating were Mgr Philip Whitmore, the Rector of the Venerable English College, where Fr Antonio received his formation. Taking the mosaic in the chapel at the College of St Philip Neri offering his blessing to the priests about to depart for the English Mission in the sixteenth century as the starting point for his homily, the Cardinal preached on the words of the saint’s ‘Salvete flores martyrum’. The Cardinal preached on the words of St Phillip Neri, © mazur/catholicnews.org.uk ‘Salvete flores martyrum’ With Cardinal Vincent are (L-R): Fr touching on the welcome on Rajiv Michael, Fr Daniel Herero, Fr ‘salvete’ the beauty of ‘flores’ Daniel Herrero, Fr Jonathan and the faith and truth of Stogdon, Fr Mark Dunglinson, Fr ‘martyrum’ and how this all John Tabor and Fr Allan Alvarado give lessons on the rpeisthood.

From L to R: Fr Kensy Joseph SJ, Bishop Nicholas Hudson and Fr Philip Harrison SJ

Westminster Record | September 2018

This good work: My first year of priesthood reality is that as I looked into the chalice for the very first time as a priest, and I prayed the Lord’s words during the prayer of consecration, I not only saw the wine that becomes our salvation, but I saw my own reflection, and it was, and still is, upside down. Every time I consume the Body and Blood of Christ, who called me to be a

priest, I know that my life has been made right in priesthood. Thank you all for making my first year of priesthood truly amazing, beyond all expectations, and I look forward to all the time I will be with you in our parishes, giving thanks to God as we journey together to the glory that awaits us all.

have received from the faithful people of God. My parish priest has been an incredible support to me this year, for which I am truly grateful, teaching me and guiding me not only as a brother priest and friend, but with the heart of the Good Shepherd himself. I also thank the people of the parish, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, for teaching me what it is to be a priest and helping to unveil the reality of priesthood. The way in which you face the real circumstances of your own lives, the way in which you embody humility, your prayerfulness and spirituality, your good humour, the way in which you come together as a parish family when crises unfold; all these experiences have taught me so much. All of this (and much more) enunciates the depth of your love for God and each other, but it has also taught me much about how to live out priesthood, a priesthood that isn’t about me but about us and God. I started by saying, ‘this time last year my whole life was turned upside down!’ Well, the

Fr Michael Maguire, Assistant Priest at Our Lady of Grace, Chiswick reflects on the first anniversary of his ordination. This time last year my whole life was turned upside down! Why? Because in June 2017, on the Nativity of John the Baptist, a life-long dream of mine became a reality. The Holy Spirit took control of my life in a new and exciting way and I was ordained a priest. Yes, it is my first anniversary as a priest, and what a year it has been. All that I thought priesthood was

ceased to be notional, and became a reality. Yes, I liked the idea and notion of priesthood, but, having now experienced the reality of it, I absolutely love being a priest, with all the joys and challenges that come with it, and I am immensely thrilled, and truly privileged, to be a priest! This year has been a period of mixed emotions and experiences, of personal growth and adjustment, shaped of course by the graces of ordination, but shaped also by the genuine love and care I

Permanent deacons: Charism of service © Fr John Scott/Westminster Cathedral

On Saturday, 23rd June, Cardinal Vincent ordained Alex Burke, Kingsley Izundu and Colin Macken to the permanent diaconate at Westminster Cathedral. Reflecting on the role of deacons since the earliest days of the Church, the Cardinal said that, through ordination, these men were 'set apart' for the work of God so that 'they can indeed be salt, mixed into the fabric of life, and light, positioned so that they can cast light on many darkened situations'. The charism of service which characterises deacons 'is at the basis of the entire sacrament' of Holy Orders: 'A priest always remains a deacon, a man of service. Today I wear a dalmatic, for the bishop does not cease to be a deacon,' noted the Cardinal. He added: 'The deacon, then is to foster the work of service in the Church, cultivating a spirituality of service, enabling

A Mass for dedication of the church was celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols at Saint Saviour, Abbots Langley and Our Lady, Mother of the Saviour, Chipperfield on Sunday, 15th July. The altar was consecrated by the Cardinal after the relics of Blessed Mary of the Apostles, the Co-Foundress of the Salvatorian Sisters were placed in the purpose created cavity in the altar and the altar sealed.

clothed and by bringing forward the gifts of bread and wine during the offertory. At the end of Mass, the Cardinal invited the newly-ordained deacons and their wives to receive a special blessing. Rev Alex Burke is serving as deacon at St Benedict, Ealing. Rev Kingsley Izundu is serving as deacon at St Scholastica, Clapton. Rev Colin Macken is serving as deacon at St Lawrence, Feltham. Please keep the men, their families and all whom they serve in your prayers.

that service to flow more freely through the entire body of the Chuch.' This service has 'a primary and deliberate focus on the poor'. It is also a call to service at the altar, 'because our service of the poor, our service of one another, finds its source and shape precisely in the Eucharist, celebrated at the altar'. Present at the ordinations were the wives and families, who participated in the ceremony by presenting the dalmatics with which the newly-ordained deacons are

On 14th June, Ben Woodley, a Westminster seminarian at the Venerable English College, was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Bernard Longley at Our Lady of the Snows outside Rome. Please keep Deacon Ben in your prayers as he continues his formation. Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

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Westminster Record | September 2018

‘A priest’s life is a call to model himself on the offering and sacrifice of Christ’ Bishop John Sherrington travelled to County Donegal for the Golden Jubilee of Fr Seamus Murphy on Friday 8th June. Fr Seamus served in six parishes across the Diocese of Westminster, before retiring to the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Creeslough, six years ago. Fr Martin Doohan, Parish Priest of St Michael’s noted how appropriate it was for this anniversary to fall on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, and the Mass was dedicated to praying for vocations, as was reported in the Tirconaill Tribune who published a two-page spread to mark the occasion. In his homily, Bishop John paid tribute to Fr Seamus as he reached this milestone and spoke of the significance of the Sacred Heart, as ‘the abundant mercy of God for his people, flowing from the side of Christ on the Cross, in the gift of Baptism which makes every Christian a child of the Father and the gift of the Eucharist which Fr Seamus

celebrates every day’. Following the theme of vocations, Bishop John reminded the congregation that ‘a priest’s life is a call to model himself on the offering and sacrifice of Christ’. He also paid tribute to the immense work of Fr Seamus in Westminster, and the legacy he left in different parishes such as the Cathedral, Sacred Heart, Ruislip, St Bede’s, Croxley Green, St Helen’s, Watford North and St Hugh’s, Letchworth where, building on the work of Fr Adrian Fortescu, he had installed an icon of the Crucifixion by Stephen Foster, a local artist. Bishop John also read out a letter of congratulations from Cardinal Vincent marking this important milestone in Fr Seamus’ ministry. Bishop Alan McGuckian, Bishop of Raphoe, was also in attendance for the celebrations as well as many other clergy, family and friends from London. Having been born in Dublin, Fr Seamus discovered his

vocation in London while working on building sites. He was ordained in 1968 in turbulent times; on the day of his ordination Bobby Kennedy’s funeral took place in the USA, and the murderer of Martin Luther King Jnr was arrested at Heathrow airport. Fr Seamus’ family were involved in the Mass to celebrate his priesthood with his brother, Ken Murphy, reading while JD Murphy, another brother and his sisterin-law brought forward the gifts at the offertory.

Icon of the Crucifixion by Stephen Foster installed at St Hugh of Lincoln, Letchworth

‘Chosen by God and set apart’ On Friday 13th July Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB, Bishop Emeritus of Menevia, celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood at Belmont Abbey, Hereford, on 13th July 1958 by Archbishop Michael McGrath, with Mass at Westminster Cathedral. Cardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant. In his homily, Bishop Mark reflected: ‘Sixty years a priest is indeed a milestone, and one for which I give grateful thanks to Almighty God,’ for the ‘opportunities…afforded to minister and serve his people.’ He shared the gospel of Matthew 10: 16-23 of Jesus sending his disciples as sheep among wolves and listing the difficulties they will encounter, adding: ‘there can be few priests who have not met indifference… or rejection in their ministry’, but reassuringly the Lord looks after his sheep who are, ’chosen by God and set apart’. Page 10

Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB standing left of Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Sharing a story of coincidences, he reminisced about the double jubilation of his ordination day which happened to be the Golden Jubilee of ordination of Archbishop Michael McGrath. In gratitude, he thanked God ‘for the privilege and opportunity … to give his

message to his beloved people’ and asked for ‘prayers on this very special day’. The joy of being a faithful servant showed in Bishop Mark’s smile as the sacristy resonated with a standing ovation by the Cardinal and all the clergy present right after Mass. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Westminster Record | September 2018

Diocese without frontiers In the second of a series of articles by Westminster priests who live and work outside the diocese, Mgr Paul McPartlan shares his experience of working for ecumenical dialogue. for de Lubac and Zizioulas. The outcome was a thesis and then a book entitled: The Eucharist Makes the Church: Henri de Lubac and John Zizioulas in Dialogue (1993; second ed., 2006), and an abiding fascination with CatholicOrthodox relations. Jumping forward, in 2005, after ten years teaching systematic theology at Heythrop College in the University of London (just along Kensington High Street from Our Lady of Victories where I spent four happy years as an assistant priest after Oxford), I was invited by the Catholic University of America to be a visiting professor there by Mgr Paul McPartlan in the academic year 2005-6. With Cardinal Cormac’s The year 1984 was important permission, I duly headed to for me in two life-changing Washington DC and gave ways: I was ordained as a courses on ecclesiology, priest by Cardinal Hume in ecumenism, Eucharist, Westminister Cathedral in July ordination, and Vatican II in a and earlier that year I met John busy first year in another Zizioulas, generally regarded university and another country. as the greatest living Orthodox Like 1984, 2005 also has a theologian, then still a layman dual importance for me. As and a professor in Glasgow. well as heading to the USA, I He came as a visiting professor was appointed to be a member to give a course at the of the international CatholicPontifical Gregorian Orthodox theological dialogue University in Rome in the that was relaunched that year spring semester and stayed with many new members and with us at the Venerable two new co-chairmen: Cardinal English College. That meant Walter Kasper on the Catholic that lectures could be side and Metropolitan (since augmented by many evening 1986) John Zizioulas on the conversations. I was already Orthodox side! That was a interested in ecumenism, but dream come true, and the years mainly in Catholic-Anglican since then have been regularly terms, and I was becoming punctuated with trips across more aware of the French the Atlantic either back to the Jesuit Henri de Lubac, who UK, which will always be home was a pioneer in the renewal for me, or to various European that bore fruit at Vatican II. It destinations for dialogue was de Lubac who coined the meetings of various kinds, most famous slogan, ‘the Eucharist recently Crete and Cyprus in makes the Church’, and I spring 2018. discovered that that was a The fact that I’m still at decisive principle for Catholic University is not just Zizioulas also. In fact, the an accident, a visiting ‘eucharistic ecclesiology’ built appointment that somehow on that principle framed the lasted many years. Rather, in international Catholicthat first year, the university Orthodox ecumenical dialogue was advertising one of its that was then just starting. endowed chairs, the Carl J Peter The immediate result was chair of systematic theology that in 1985 I went to Oxford and ecumenism, in the School and began my doctoral research of Theology and Religious on the meaning of that principle Studies, and they urged me to Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

apply for it. Again with Cardinal Cormac’s permission, I did so, and was delighted to be appointed! The position was ideal in that it specifically combined two major areas of interest of mine. As a systematic theologian, my main focus is the study of the Church, or ecclesiology, and that naturally opens into work to try and heal divisions in the Church, namely, ecumenism. With regard to the systematic theology aspect, I had just been appointed to the International Theological Commission (ITC) in 2004, and I went on to serve for two five-year terms till 2014. I was particularly happy to chair the sub-commission that produced the ITC documents, Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (2011), a handbook for Catholic theologians, particularly written with the formation of theological students in mind, and Sensus Fidei in the Life of the Church (2014), which grew out of the other document and tackled an important theme in the teaching of Vatican II, regularly highlighted by Pope Francis, though our work on it began before his election in 2013. With regard to the ecumenism aspect, as well as being newly appointed to the international CatholicOrthodox dialogue, I was already serving on the international CatholicMethodist dialogue, to which I was appointed in 2002 (again serving two five-year terms till 2012), and as a theological consultant to the recently established International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission, an episcopal body with the daunting acronym, IARCCUM! Soon afterwards, I was also invited to join the North American OrthodoxCatholic Theological Consultation, a regional dialogue that tracks the international dialogue in some ways, but also tackles important pastoral issues and does exciting theological work of its own.

So an academic position combining systematic theology and ecumenism suited me down to the ground, and being at Catholic University also feels right as a diocesan priest, since the university was actually founded not by a religious order but by the bishops of the USA in 1887 to be the national university of the Catholic Church. The School of Theology was the first school, and I was honoured to serve as acting dean of the school in 2014-15 when our dean was standing in as provost of the university. The photo (below) shows a proud moment from that year, when I gave the school’s highest honour, the Quasten Medal, to Cardinal Kasper. Catholic University still has a very clear sense of its unique identity and mission, in service to the nation and to the Church. As a professor at the university, my main tasks are teaching and research. I teach a range of undergraduates, graduates and doctoral students. We’re blessed in our students; they’re impressive and dedicated. Some are priests or religious, but most are laypeople, and I feel particularly privileged to give a course each year on ordained ministries to students from our university seminary and from various religious orders who are preparing for ordination. Our graduate students are quite international: my own

doctoral students have come from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, as well as the USA. Much of my research is related to ecclesiology and ecumenism, and to theological issues arising in the context of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. For example, the most sensitive issue between Catholics and Orthodox is the papacy. The split between East and West, traditionally dated to 1054, occurred when a very juridical approach to the papacy was gaining ground in the West, with the Church understood as a pyramid with the pope at the top. By contrast, in the early centuries, the bishop of Rome stood at the centre of a communion of local churches, united especially by the one mystery of the Eucharist. That early picture has recently been coming back into view, thanks to the teaching of Vatican II and developments since the council, and a eucharistic approach to the papacy has a lot of ecumenical potential. I recently explored that avenue in my book, A Service of Love: Papal Primacy, the Eucharist, and Church Unity (2016). Pope Francis, who visited our campus in 2015, is carrying forward the renewal desired by the council in dramatic ways. It’s a joy to be at Catholic University at such an exciting time for the Church and certainly for ecumenism.

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Who do you say I am? ‘It’s the Mass that matters’ by Deacon Adrian Cullen, Evangelisation Coordinator

by Fr Mark Vickers

This is the question that Jesus puts to his disciples, as we hear in the Gospel for Home Mission Sunday which this year is on 16th September. Really it is a question about faith. For those who have not been brought up in the Catholic faith, or have not actively grown in their faith, there can be hesitation in the answer, just like we hear from the disciples. It is perhaps a hesitation that we might experience at times when we are confronted by the pressures of our society to conform to what is ‘the norm’. However, as we daily practice our faith through word and action, we need not feel that we are alone in standing up to those pressures. As highlighted in a recent report Contemporary Catholicism in England and Wales by Stephen Bullivant at St Mary’s University Twickenham, around 8.3% of the population of England and Wales identify themselves a Catholic. Yet the same report also notes that of the estimated 6.2 million adults who were brought up as Catholics, only 55.8%, that is 3.8 million, still identify themselves as Catholics. Thus, in proclaiming the Good News, the work of evangelisation, we find that it is those who are closest to us, indeed family members and friends who have previously known Jesus, who are the ones to invite to find about who Jesus really is and the love that he offers: to come to meet Jesus as if for the first time. It is through asking questions and talking about faith that we can lead others to God. A recent survey, entitled Talking Jesus undertaken by an alliance of Christian churches, found that it is often through

With Adoremus imminent, there is a heightened anticipation among delegates preparing for Liverpool and among those who will hold the event in their prayers. Just occasionally, however, one hears the query: ‘A Eucharistic Congress, Adoration? Isn’t that rather old-fashioned?’ So, what is the purpose of the Congress? I suspect my experience is not unique. Ask children (of almost any age) how we make contact with God, how God makes contact with us, and the response is invariably: ‘Prayer.’ Of course, they are not wrong. But seldom, if ever, does anyone reply: ‘The sacraments, the Eucharist.’ The Congress is a wonderful opportunity to reflect anew on God’s dealings with his people, and how we communicate those afresh to a younger generation. And so it is encouraging to see catechesis and work with children prominent among the workshops offered on the Friday. ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.’ We are Christians, we are Catholics,

conversation with Christians that people come to be Christians themselves. Indeed such conversations can help us to explore our own faith, and renew our confidence in sharing it with others. The survey also pointed to the strong influence of the family on people, young as well as older generations, in supporting them in their faith. This same message was proclaimed loudly to the world through the World Meeting of Families in Dublin. Supporting families to explore and grow in their faith is at the heart of the evangelising work of parishes, bringing forward new generations of missionary disciples. To help parishes to explore the question of ‘Who do you say I am?’ and about Talking Jesus, the Home Mission Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has made available a number of resources which are available through their website: www.homemission.or.uk Home Mission Sunday is an opportunity to consider what makes those close to us hesitant about their Catholic faith; and to discover what can make them strong and grow, so that we and they can stand alongside Peter and say with confidence, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God’.

because we know that God entered his creation for pure love of us. In himself, pure spirit, Almighty and All-knowing, he treated us with infinite courtesy and tenderness, coming among us in a stable in Bethlehem. He did so that we might know him, be healed and saved by him, receive his grace. Throughout the Gospels we see those with faith touching, or being touched, by the human body of Jesus, for through it flows the divine power which brings us love and fulfilment. As Jesus told us: ‘I came that you might have life, and have it to the full.’ Two thousand years on, we enjoy the same privilege. In the sacraments, God continues to make use of ordinary, physical things to communicate his divine life to us. ‘I am with you always, even to the end of time.’ Pre-eminently, Jesus makes good his promise in the Eucharist. Here we have his Body and Blood, his Real Presence; here God approaches us, and we approach him; here we receive grace, healing and consolation. Yes, of course, in the reception of

Inside the hospice: The Eucharist as a small detail by Fr Peter Michael Scott

that one sheep was missing. The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins. The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay. The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had. The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the disciples at daybreak.’ It is often in attention to the little things that love is clearly shown and appreciated. In the hospice, patients will occasionally make small and little requests. Sometimes they may want to see a pet, go for a drink, smoke, or go shopping. So, a dog or a cat will be on the ward, or the patient might be in their bed in the garden having a smoke, or enjoying a drink with friends. It is often in these small acts of living, which we often take for granted, that people feel safe and relaxed.

Deacon Adrian Cullen Evangelisation Coordinator adriancullen@rcdow.org.uk https://rcdow.org.uk/faith/

In his Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus asked his disciples to pay attention to details: ‘The little detail that wine was running out at a party. The little detail

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Holy Communion. But Christ is not just for an hour on a Sunday. He remains as long as the Eucharistic species remain. He wants us to approach him with love and adoration. St Augustine reminded the early Church: ‘No one eats that flesh unless first he adores … not only do we not sin by adoring, we do sin by not adoring.’ Let us appreciate anew the coherence and beauty of God’s plan: the Incarnation, the sacraments, the Eucharist, Adoration. It is good to join up the Catholic dots. That is the purpose of the Congress: to experience and benefit from God’s loving presence among us.

Feeling safe and relaxed are powerful qualities, which indicate that the patient is at home in what was once an alien environment, and they can relax and eventually surrender into death. Being small and reducing fear are key elements to the Eucharist. Jesus comes under the guise of a little piece of bread or a sip of wine, seemingly insignificant, to reduce our apprehension at the thought of encountering our powerful but gentle God, so that we can feel safe when he beckons us. If we become familiar with the Eucharist, we will have a touchstone with heaven, a place which we should acknowledge as home. However it may need the small and gentle detail of the Eucharist to help us achieve this. Please pray for the patients, staff, volunteers and sisters of St Joseph’s Hospice.

Westminster Record | September 2018

Diocese of Westminster

Annual Report & Accounts

Our world is full of signs of hope. They surround us every day. They come as daily strivings to establish, maintain, express or consolidate efforts to attain something both desired and difficult to achieve. No matter how fragmented our world, no matter how lacking in overall vision, there are countless fragments of hope. What kinds of fragments do I mean? They are often the experiences of our daily lives to which we respond with warmth of heart, a quiet smile of gratitude and admiration: a neighbour’s kindness, a friend’s compassion, the utter generosity of a friend, the creativeness of a gifted person brought to a good purpose. These stories do not fill our newspapers; but they do fill our hearts and encourage us along the way. These fragments express the strivings of hope and are themselves generative of hope in others. We can see well enough how each of them is a tiny masterpiece designed to strengthen a hope that something difficult will be achieved: the relief of suffering, the faithfulness of love, the ending of poverty, the creation of new jobs or new wealth. More challenging is to see how these tiny fragments are in fact pieces of a mosaic, the ‘tesserae’ which when brought together can make a fine and inspiring work of art. Indeed, through our relationships we assemble a larger picture, of which we are all part, thereby strengthening the generative capacity for hope. In the social sphere, our identity as social beings, whose fulfilment is bound up with that of others, finds expression. More importantly in this place, hope is something carried by the community and not just by the individual. For a common project or goal that is difficult yet possible to attain, one week I may be full of hope and cheer you along; but the next week your commitment and belief stirs me from my apathy and despondency. These are some of the ways in which we can bring together isolated fragments of hope into a wider and more coherent picture. The more we construct and contemplate that picture, the more we are encouraged to seize some of the difficult things we know are for our good and believe that they are achievable. As St Thomas Aquinas reminds us, the ultimate good towards which hope compels us is the mystery of God. Hope directs us towards God, the source and summit of all good: Goodness itself. Our reason for hope, then, is the never-ending mercy of God, who pours out his life that we might see and live again. In the pages of this Annual Report are the stories of people, groups and communities who strive to strengthen the signs of hope in every part of the diocese. Together, they form a mosaic of a Church whose service to the most vulnerable in our society is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, who is the model of service and our ultimate hope. I am most grateful to them all. I extend my gratitude, too, to those who compiled this report and the Annual Accounts.

His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

Mosaics are created by combining small pieces of materials such as stone, glass and ceramics, to form a unified image or pattern. Many examples of this art form can be found in Westminster Cathedral. The classic mosaic material is smalti, small hand-cut pieces of coloured glass with an irregular finish that makes them a great reflector of light. Each individual smalto has a unique size, shape and colour, but by choosing and carefully placing smalti into a composition a skilled artist can transform humble materials, unremarkable in themselves, into a single image of beauty. So it is with God and the Church. Although each person is made in the image and likeness of God, each is unique, not only in their outward appearance but also in their talents and abilities, their

interests and passions, their faults and their imperfections. And how fortunate, for just as a diversity of smalti are required to create a mosaic of sublime beauty, a diversity of individuals are needed to contribute to the Church’s work in the world: worship, stewardship, care and evangelisation. ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.’ (1 Cor 12.4-6) Though profoundly united in Christ, the faithful do not leave their individual identities. If the Church is to be a true reflection of Christ, everyone has an important contribution to make, according to their gifts, talents and abilities. Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

As individuals we each have our own important contributions to make in all areas of our lives, to the glory of God. So when you read the stories and hear the testimonies of the beneficiaries, give some thought to what your gifts are, what role you have to play and what contribution you can make. Reflect on the unique way in which your abilities can shine the light of Christ into the world. All are invited. All are welcomed. All are needed.

Everyone has a role to play and an important contribution to make in all aspects of their lives: family, friends, work and the Church. What is yours?

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Inspiring Achievement and Excellence

Diocese of Westminster

Annual Report & Accounts Feeding the Hungry in Borehamwood The Borehamwood Foodbank, a registered charity, has a simple, all-encompassing objective: to ensure that no-one in the community is forced to go hungry. Based at the parish of St Teresa of the Child Jesus, what began as a small project rooted in core Christian principles has flowered into a community-wide project involving the coordinated efforts of a diverse cross-section of the Borehamwood community. Individuals or families in need of a food parcel are referred by a number of different agencies, such as the local council, community groups, churches, GP surgeries and children’s centres. Each food voucher issued can be exchanged for three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food. Currently the foodbank is open two sessions each week, with an average of 12 to 15 households helped each session, supported by up to 15 volunteers. Not only do the volunteers assemble the food parcels, but they also offer clients a friendly face, a listening ear and a chance to chat over a cup of tea and a

Ending Human Trafficking: Bakhita House Last year in the UK 5,145 people were identified as potential victims of trafficking, a 35% increase on 2016. Pope Francis described human trafficking as an ‘open wound on the body of contemporary society’ and called on all people of good will to join in the fight against the evil. He entrusted the task of leading the Church’s response to this scourge to Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Santa Marta Group, which encourages cooperation between the Church, governments and police forces in over 30 countries to provide a coordinated response to Page 14

eradicating human trafficking and modern slavery. Named after St Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of human trafficking survivors, Bakhita House is the practical expression of the response to human trafficking in the Diocese of Westminster. It exists thanks to a unique working relationship between the diocese, the Metropolitan Police and a number of congregations of women religious. It provides its guests with holistic care and support, including emotional, physical mental, pastoral, spiritual and legal assistance, provided by its professional staff, and a wide range of volunteers and organisations linked to the Catholic Church, and referral partners.

Westminster Record | September 2018

‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Mt 25: 35-40) light meal while their food is collated and bagged up. Donations of non-perishable, in-date food from churches, synagogues, schools, individuals and businesses are often encouraged as part of seasonal religious celebrations, such as during the Harvest Festival and in the run-up to Christmas. Gifts of food, toiletries, money, time, energy and skills are the lifeblood of the foodbank and in constant need of replenishment, as is the support of the volunteers to sort, check, label and pack items into bags ready to be given to

clients, as is the help provided through partnerships with local groups and businesses. Coordinating all these elements to keep the foodbank stocked and staffed is a complex logistical challenge, as is the operation of the charity itself, which requires trustees to oversee the day-to-day management and maintenance of the foodbank. Without this network of dedicated, loyal and hardworking supporters, Borehamwood Foodbank would simply not be able to continue its essential work of helping its often vulnerable clients.

By year end 2017, Bakhita House had welcomed and helped a total of 78 women, four babies born to women in its care and one toddler. During 2017, it helped secure six convictions, based on evidence given by guests, that resulted in prison sentences totaling 47 years being handed to traffickers. Bakhita House is a community, with guests able to interact in communal spaces, to prepare food together, to talk about their hopes, to find accompaniment and develop friendships, and to take part in social and cultural outings. The ultimate aim is to help guests take the next step in their lives, whether that is a return to their country of origin or the start of a new life in the UK. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

During the 2016/17 academic year, Nasir was a Year 13 student at Bishop Challoner Catholic Federation of Schools Sixth Form, preparing for his Alevel examinations and planning his further education. He is currently studying at Princeton University, an Ivy League university in the USA, on a full scholarship. When he started at Bishop Challoner in Year 7, Nasir was able to study a broad range of subjects and showed a particular interest in complex contemporary issues where science and ethics meet. The school’s Catholic ethos exposed Nasir to a wide variety

‘There are teachers who I didn’t even know who were willing to give up what they were doing to support me.’ Volunteers One individual who has strived continually to use her gifts, talents and abilities for the benefit of others is Mrs Teresa Aylott, who received a Papal award (Benemerenti) for her long and faithful service to the Church, the local community and charities. Throughout her 44 year career as a health professional and continuing well into her retirement, Teresa has sought constantly to provide support to anyone marginalized or in need of help: founding Twilight Services to provide nursing care between 7 and 11pm, followed by the district nursing night schedule; fundraising to purchase essential equipment not funded by the NHS; working

of academic, pastoral and social opportunities, such as learning about business through local corporate partnerships. The inclusive nature of the school, its students being of many faiths and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, encouraged Nasir to follow and deepen his own Muslim faith. While studying for his GCSEs, Nasir was inspired by his English teacher to go to the best possible university. This encouragement to aspire to excel, together with a desire to help give back to others in need, led Nasir to choose to spend time helping fellow students at the school to improve their ICT skills, and in parallel with his studies he

with HIV/AIDS patients at a time when the topic was taboo; working with the terminally ill; visiting patients when off duty; attending patients’ funerals; advising and being a trustee of Age Concern; setting up the Nightingale Community Hospice Trust to provide counselling, support and advice to anyone affected by cancer, and all while raising three children, maintaining an active social life, visiting the elderly and contributing to her local parish community. A highly respected member of her local community, ‘Teresa is quietly a mover of mountains,’ in the words of Bishop John Arnold, formerly an Auxiliary of Westminster.

volunteered and engaged in extensive fundraising for the nearby St Francis Children’s Centre in Poplar. Nasir reflects: ‘I am extremely proud to come from Bishop Challoner and Tower Hamlets and I will never forget the people who made my dream possible. The Bishop Challoner ethos is instilled within me and it forms how I approach my life. We are taught to work hard for everything and take nothing for granted: that hard work is what will determine our success in life, a mentality that is especially important in a borough like Tower Hamlets where we must work twice as hard.’ Bishop Challoner is Britain’s first federated school. Although its origins trace back to 1933, the current site and buildings were established following the launch in 2007 of a £46 million restoration and expansion project. To facilitate such a significant investment and to provide the school with a comprehensive range of support, the diocese has a unified infrastructure, which is delivered primarily through its Education Service and Property Services, and complemented by other diocesan departments. The Trustees, the diocesan departments, employees and volunteers coordinate with local parish priests, chaplaincies, feeder schools and the numerous donors to ensure that the school, its teachers, staff and governors can focus on instilling in students both the desire to excel and the belief that they can. Perhaps Teresa says it best herself: ‘People don’t ever need to be lonely, there’s always someone who needs help – giving your time is the greatest gift.’

‘There’s always someone who needs help. Giving your time is the greatest gift.’

‘I think the retreat was very beneficial to the group. They leave with a deeper sense of how todevelop their faith.’ Forming our Youth SPEC was founded in 1993 as a retreat centre for young people and based initially at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney. In early 2014, new premises were acquired at Waxwell Farm, Pinner, which would allow over 120,000 residential retreat hours to be offered to retreatants aged five to 18 years. SPEC is dedicated to providing a space for children and young people to retreat from the rush of daily life in order to reflect on their faith and, hopefully, contribute to meeting the spiritual needs in their lives. It is also a place that provides spiritual formation to those who work there, who join SPEC to share in the life and work of the community. Going on retreat is an ancient Church tradition that often combines a literal journey to a shrine or other holy place with an interior journey of reflection. SPEC offers a modern take on the same experience: retreatants travel to a new place that connects them to this rich tradition of retreat and Catholic sacramental worship. The design of the new residential facilities in Pinner offers retreatants a high quality Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

and comfort of accommodation combined with opportunities to focus on their own formation through lecture style ‘breakout’ group sessions. The extensive site renovation and building programme now completed has achieved such a balance, as well as introducing flexibility for the Rotunda to be used for conference purposes. SPEC is the culmination of the vision of the Trustees to provide our youth with a space that offers opportunities for contemplation and discovery. This vital ministry empowers our children and young people for participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community, broadening and elevating the work of their teachers and catechists. Realising this ambition was only possible through the extraordinary generosity of the countless private donors, volunteers and missionaries, who supported, and who continue to support, SPEC at every stage. The execution and transformation of Waxwell Farm was achieved through the collaborative efforts of numerous diocesan departments, led by Property Services, Fundraising, Finance and Human Resources. Page 15

Westminster Record | September 2018

Inspiring Achievement and Excellence

Diocese of Westminster

Westminster Record | September 2018

‘There’s always someone who needs help. Giving your time is the greatest gift.’

Westminster Record | September 2018

Diocese of Westminster Annual Report & Accounts Parish income and expenditure

Consolidated income and expenditure

Curia income and expenditure

Reserves

For the full Annual Report & Accounts please visit http://bit.ly/DoWAccounts Page 16

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Westminster Record | September 2018

‘Jesus is unable to resist the word of his Mother The 30th annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes this year was held from 22nd to 27th July. The theme for the pilgrimage, ‘Do whatever he tells you’ was taken from John 2:5 when at the wedding feast at Cana, Mary commands the servants to do as Jesus tells them. Each morning opened with morning prayers at the chapel in St Frai with a small group of seminarians, pilgrims and clergy. Cardinal Vincent gave a video message each day for pilgrims who were participating in the pilgrimage virtually from their homes. The first major gathering of the pilgrimage was the Stations of the Cross with groups of people split among the Upper and Lower Stations (the latter being more accessible as they are on the plain). It gave the pilgrims an opportunity to relive the suffering of Christ while meditating on the words of reflection given by the chaplain, leading the Stations. No pilgrimage is complete without the mandatory diocesan photo, which followed lunch. Later that evening, the opening Mass was celebrated at St Pius X Basilica with Bishop John Wilson presiding and 21 other priests including Cardinal Vincent and Bishop Paul McAleenan concelebrating. In his homily, Bishop John’s message to the pilgrims, that ‘this week as we follow Jesus, our shepherd, we become shepherds… of one another’, aided in knitting the pilgrims closer and looking out for each other along the way. The second day of the pilgrimage began with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent in the esplanade, in front of the Rosary Basilica. Following Mass,

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pilgrims had time to explore Lourdes and soak in its atmosphere. In the evening, pilgrims gathered for the penitential service at the Rosary Basilica, presided by Bishop Paul McAleenan. Bishop Paul echoed Christ’s message to the Pharisee: ‘love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Later that evening, Westminster led the Marian torchlight procession, the highlight of the pilgrimage for

many. Pilgrims singing ‘Ave Maria’ with a candle in their hand, raised to the heavens, while some others chose to hold a Rosary instead, processing behind the statue of Our Lady, made for a memorable sight, and a witness to the miracles Our Lady has worked in the lives and families of all those gathered. By the third day, pilgrims were brimming with joy from all they had experienced and looking forward to what’s next in store. The day began with the sacramental grace of the Anointing of the Sick following Bishop Paul McAleenan’s homily on the theme of ‘joy’. Indeed, joy radiated from an emotional congregation.

After lunch, pilgrims made their way to Cité St-Pierre, aka the Cathedral in the Trees. The natural setting of the trees made for a marvelous altar where Mass was offered. Bishop Paul, in his homily spoke the words of prophet Zephaniah, ‘The Lord your God will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.’ On this jubilant note, after Mass, seminarian Francis Thomas shared his journey in the seminary with great humour, inviting all to encourage and support vocations to the priesthood. For those who sought some quiet prayer after three eventful days, an hour of

Adoration was held in the evening, in preparation for Adoremus, the Eucharistic Congress taking place in Liverpool from 7th to 9th September.

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Catholic schools: Always open by JP Morrison, Director, Diocesan Education Service

This year the theme of Education Sunday is ‘Ephphatha: Be Opened’ which is taken from Mark’s Gospel reading on Education Sunday. It refers to the way Jesus healed a man who was both deaf and mute with a simple command: Ephphatha. Jesus is telling us to open our ears to the joys of the Good News and open our mouths to praise God. Catholic schools should be seen as open and welcoming places for all. Openness is central to what it means to be Christian. Our schools have a strong identity and track record of being open and embracing to all. God’s mercy is open to all who seek him and schools can often be the first place where God’s mercy can be encountered. In being open we have to accept that there are those who seek to challenge this openness. Catholic education has again had to defend itself and its mission from those who demonstrate an extremely limited and skewered view of its role in society. In pluralist Britain the rhetoric of questioning our existence, and whether we really matter and why should the state continue to fund faith education, continually lights up Twitter threads and newspaper columns seeking to spark debate. The truth is the critics have always been there over the last 170 years and they will continue to be there in the future. The State asked the Church to open schools and recognises that they do have a role to play. The recent Page 20

publication by Clarke and Woodhead’s report on Religious Education was rightly challenged by the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and lead Bishop for Religious Education who said, ‘the recommendations in the report are unacceptable for two reasons. Firstly, that the State can impose a national RE curriculum, which would dictate what the Church is required to teach in Catholic schools. Secondly, the curriculum they suggest contains no theological content, which is at the core of Catholic RE.’ He is right of course. In reading the responses to this debate I am reminded by the instruction provided by Pope St John Paul II to American educators in 1979 when he said: ‘In order that the Catholic school and the Catholic teachers may truly make their irreplaceable contribution to the Church and the world, the goal of Catholic education itself must be crystal clear. Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.’ It is this clarity of purpose that needs to be voiced always and especially at times of challenge. Education is one of the most important ways in which the Church fulfills her commitment to the dignity of the person and building of a community. It will always be open. Our schools are sacramental. They are ecclesial in that they embody the most effective and successful partnership anywhere to educate children in the faith and prepare them to

be witnesses to the teachings of Christ. Our schools teach wisdom and life vision in the context of faith. They do this knowing that for many of their students the school is the major driver influencing the search for truth and values. There is a strong voice of young people, articulated daily in their shared experiences in a Catholic school, desiring to be listened to and to learn about themselves and the role they can play in the world. Our schools help students look at the complexity of a modern pluralist society and figure out how to live the counter-cultural message of Jesus today. Pope Francis, at last year’s Congregation for Catholic Education, emphasised the need for dialogue and appreciation of cultural and religious diversity. He said, ‘Dialogue, in fact, educates when the person relates with respect, esteem and sincere listening, and is expressed with authenticity without obscuring or softening one’s own identity nourished by evangelical inspiration.’ We need to be open. Our schools are popular with parents and popular with teachers. Our reputation for academic excellence, civic engagement, strong standards of behaviour and proven success over time is well earned, but we cannot use the past as a place of residence but rather a place of reference. So why do our schools matter so much? Why do 91,000 pupils attend a Catholic school in the Diocese of Westminster? Here are 10 reasons, as articulated by Fr Ronald J Nuzi, University of Notre Dame. A different continent but the reasons are as profound here as they are anywhere. 1. An incarnational view of the world, where the student learns that God is presents and active in their lives 2. Immersion in the Paschal Mystery, where the student learns that there is redemptive power in suffering and the power of the cross

3. The value of relationships as a reflection of the Divine, where the student learns to experience God’s grace and presence in their lives through their relationships with family, friends and teachers 4. A nuanced view of Scripture, where the student is given the opportunity to explore the beauty and richness of Sacred Scripture seen through the lens of faith and lived out in daily practice 5. Civic engagement, where the student receives many opportunities to be actively engaged in civic and community activities that have at their core justice and charity 6. Service for the common good, where the student understands that service is an important part of the curriculum and have a responsibility to respond to the needs of others 7. Discipline as faith expectation, where the student learns to promote self-discipline through clarity of moral vision that is based on the teachings of Christ 8. The centrality of arts, ritual, drama, music to the life of faith, where the student is exposed to the richness of Catholic tradition and how these subjects can find expression of divine praise 9. The fullness of the Catholic identity at the heart of the Church, where the student witnesses and lives the greatest work of the Church to go out into society to help shape it to be the best it can be 10. Personal excellence as a spiritual goal, where the student learns that excellence is a response to God’s blessings, and to nurture an altruistic orientation This Education Sunday allows us to be open to the messages of the Gospel. Open to share why our schools still have and will continue to have

such an important role to play in the future. Pope Francis said: ‘Instead of being a Church that welcomes and receives by keeping its doors open, let us try also to be a Church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent. The ones who quit sometimes do it for reasons that, if properly understood and assessed, can lead to a return. But it takes audacity and courage.’ Today we thank all those parents, teachers, governors and students who are being audacious and courageous in shaping and living out Christ’s message of being open to the truth in our schools across the diocese. Continued from page 1 Financial and local authority support have been reduced with a knock-on impact on schools. In certain areas of the diocese schools are oversubscribed; in others there are surplus places. Trying to foresee the impact of changing population patterns and the possible impact of Brexit are additional factors shaping our consideration of educational strategy. What remains certain is our belief that Catholic education continues to be a necessary and essential reality of the Church’s mission in the service of the Gospel, of our communities, and of society. It draws its foundational conviction from the compelling commission given by the Lord Jesus: ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe al the commands I gave you.’ (Mt 28:19-20) The Lord’s instruction to the fledging Church has inspired, and continues to inspire, generation after generation to teach and form the next generations according to the living Word who is Christ, our Saviour and our teacher.

Westminster Record | September 2018

Remembering Cardinal Basil Hume ‘Joy for the world’ Bishop Nicholas Hudson, who is a trustee of the Cardinal Hume Centre, celebrated a special anniversary Mass on Wednesday 27th June at Sacred Heart Church, Horseferry Road, to give thanks for the life and legacy of Cardinal Basil Hume. This year’s Thanksgiving Mass marks 19 years since the passing of Cardinal Hume, who set up the Centre in 1986 in response to the growing number of homeless people and badly housed families in the community. Over the past three decades the Cardinal Hume Centre has extended its

services, reaching out to the growing number of people living in poverty or at risk of losing their home, while remaining true to the Centre’s longstanding ethos: to provide warm, non-judgmental and practical support to those who come looking for help. Speaking after the event, Cathy Corcoran, Chief Executive of the Cardinal Hume Centre said: ‘Our annual Thanksgiving Mass is a time for us all to remember the deep compassion of our founder, Cardinal Basil Hume, and his steadfast determination to help

individuals and families living in desperate situations. It is also an opportunity for us all to reaffirm our commitment to the Centre and recognise that, by working together, we can help those people in need to turn their lives around.’ The Mass was followed by a reception at the nearby St Stephen’s Church on Rochester Row. Attendees had the opportunity to bid farewell to Cathy Corcoran OBE, who stepped down from her role as Chief Executive at the end of June, and to meet her successor George O’Neill, who joined the Centre on 2nd July.

Multi-faith commitment to peace by Clive Phillips

synagogue in Tower Hamlets. We took our seats in the gallery observing the small congregation below as they prayed and read in a limited form of the Shabbat service, and afterwards were heartily welcomed to join in the Kiddush. In the 19th century there was a large German-speaking community in the East End. Based on the original German chaplaincy, the present church of St Boniface was consecrated in 1960. Fr Andreas Blum explained how Wynfrid (Boniface) brought the Christian faith to what is now Germany. After prayer, we were invited into the nearby refectory for a most enjoyable lunch very kindly provided, as in previous years, by Sachkhand Nanak Dham Sikhs who serve humanity selflessly. Much refreshed, we continued to the Royal London Hospital, which has served the East End since the 18th century.

Further along the Mile End Road with its busy market, half of us entered an oasis of calm as we were led in a prayer for peace in the domed chapel of St Benet’s Chaplaincy at Queen Mary University, while the rest of the group paid a visit to Guardian Angels Church nearby. Our next visit was to the Mandir of Hindu Pragati Sangha, just off Mile End Road, a building that was founded as a permanent place of worship for the community. The final stop was at the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat in Harley Grove, opened in 1977, where we learned about the principles and practice of the Sikh faith. Our fond farewells to each other were spoken over enjoyable refreshments. Despite tired feet, it was a memorable day of walking, praying, sharing, understanding and learning together as a strong witness of multi-faith commitment to peace.

Inspired by the theme of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, the Marriage and Family Life Department hosted ‘Joy for the World’, a day for everyone involved in marriage and family ministry held on 23rd June at Vaughan House. The event was introduced by Bishop Nicholas Hudson, who presented the Marriage and Family Life Department with a Mother of Pearl icon of the Holy Family from Jerusalem. The keynote speaker was Mary Killeen, Director of Marriage and Family at the Maryvale Institute, who, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, spoke on the three main points of its teaching: The universal nature of love for all the world is rooted anthropologically in our nature as human beings. The relationship between joy and the truth of love which St Paul identifies in 1 Cor 13, 6

and which features largely in Amoris Laetitia. The relationship between truth and freedom (Jn 8, 32). It is knowing and living the truth of love that frees us to experience the joy of love. Fr Ivano Millico then gave a lively presentation based upon his new book 7 Words on Marriage. He explained how he uses these themes, along with the roles of Joseph and Mary, to engage with young couples and help them to understand the roles of father and mother which they are about to undertake. Looking to the future, the Marriage and Family Life department is hoping to inaugurate a new annual conference in Spring 2019 to provide support for all involved in marriage and family ministry. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit the website, where you can download a helpful resource.

This year the annual multi-faith pilgrimage visited the East End of London, an area that has welcomed thousands of migrants and refugees of different faiths from France, Ireland, Russia, the Caribbean, Bangladesh and other parts of the world. The walk was a wonderful opportunity to share our faiths in a common commitment to peace and friendship. We gathered among the trees in Altab Ali Park and remembered those who, like Altab Ali, have been the victims of racist attacks. We paused here for a moment at the Shaheed Minar to pray for peace and harmony worldwide and particularly in Tower Hamlets, in our neighbourhoods and communities among people of different faiths, cultures and convictions. As we made our way along Whitechapel Road, passing the famed church bell foundry, we were warmly welcomed at the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre, which are supplemented by the Maryam Centre that offers dedicated services for women, and a former synagogue now used by the National Zakat Foundation. We learned more about what Maryam (Mary), the Mother of Jesus, means for Muslims. Our next visit was to the nearby East London Central Synagogue, the last functioning

by Charlotte McNerlin

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Youth Chaplain’s Corner

Youth Director’s Spotlight

Andrezj Wdowiak Director of Youth Ministry This summer has been exceptionally hot and dry. After the initial excitement of very un-British weather everything and everyone started to display symptoms of tiredness and the need for some refreshing experiences. In spring this year, we had sown some grass in the immediate surroundings of the new residential retreat centre. In spite of a rather dry spring, the grass germinated really well and, with a little bit of watering, we managed to achieve the first crop, so to speak, of young green heritage grass. With the hot summer and no rain, our grass stopped growing and we only managed to keep it green by frequently watering it. Considering that the new grass covers a large area we could not water evenly so some parts were greener than others. When the rain eventually arrived it was a joy to see how growth picked up and we actually needed to cut our newly-established lawn.

This very much reminded me about the summer at Westminster Youth Ministry. Both, SPEC (retreat centre) and at CYM (Centre for Youth Ministry) are being refreshed just before the new school year begins. At SPEC one group of volunteers departed only to make room for another group who, as well as discerning their direction in life, will be exploring their faith and sharing it with others in the form of assisting with residential retreats. The volunteers normally spend one year at SPEC and sometimes they decide to stay for one more. This is a great opportunity and resource for young people from our parishes and schools, and we are really looking forward to the time when we will be oversubscribed. The retreat team at SPEC has been strengthened this summer and is now made of four retreat leaders supported by the Retreats and Formation Manager and of course by our Diocesan Youth Chaplain. The team and the volunteers will follow the annual formation programme and are putting finishing touches to the retreat programme for this school year. At CYM, thanks to the Cardinal’s Appeal, we are starting an exciting leadership programme for young people

attending John F Kennedy Catholic School. The is a partnership between Hemel Hempstead Parishes, the school and Westminster Youth Ministry which aims to nurture young Catholic leaders who will inspire other young people in their parishes to share their faith and put their faith into action. Along similar lines we have secured some funds to support young adults who would like to initiate faith sharing groups for young people in their parishes and communities. The programme begins in September and will be led by the CYM Team. It will include an opportunity to go to the World Youth Day in Panama in January 2019; the programme will cover up to 75% of the cost for those attending. We very much count on the generous support of our diocesan parishes and Catholic communities for those who join the programme; prayers, encouragement as well as some material help is most welcome. The end of summer is also the new beginning of what Westminster Youth Ministry normally does: sowing seeds, watering and taking care of growth. We try to be good gardeners and do our best for seeds to germinate, grow and counterbalance any adverse weather conditions of our faith life.

enter a new year of their lives, we hope that what the youth service provides will offer opportunities for those young people to deepen their love for Jesus Christ in the new circumstances they find themselves in. It is auspicious, therefore, that at the beginning of September we have the Fr Mark Walker Youth Chaplain National Eucharistic Congress. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is a beautiful way September is often a month for young people to encounter of new starts, not only for Christ in a way they are often schools at the start of a new no longer familiar with. Yes, academic year, and parishes the quiet can be somewhat as the annual cycle of alien to them given all the catechetical programmes distractions of our time but gears up once more, but also there is an innate power in for Westminster Youth being directly present to Ministry. We welcome a new Christ’s real presence that cuts group of volunteer through. Adoration also forms missionaries at the diocesan retreat centre, SPEC, who live part of the daily life of the members of the SPEC in community to learn more community and is a central about their faith over the part of many of our parish coming year and assist in the events such as ‘the Source’ and provision of retreats for ‘the Summit’. May the young people. We welcome Eucharistic Congress be a new members of staff at further opportunity to draw SPEC and at the Centre for attention to this wonderful Youth Ministry and the treasure of our Church’s contributions they will make tradition in the lives of our to youth provision in the young people. diocese. As young people

Cardinal Vaughan student explores the work of AoS chaplains Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) hosted work experience student, Ciaran Bourke, from Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, London, at its head office in Eccleston Square for two weeks in July. Ciaran helped in various jobs including working on spreadsheets detailing the ships and seafarers, and a stock-take of items sold on the AoS online shop. The eye-opening part of the experience was visiting Ipswich Port (he’s pictured here with Port Chaplain Patricia Ezra). He learnt

about the work of port chaplains, their day-to-day life and how they support seafarers. Ciaran adds: ‘Despite the fact we only saw three ships and spoke to only a few seafarers, I still learnt a lot, that on some days you could visit seven or eight ships, on other days, none, depending on ships in ports.’ Glass Door Homeless Charity will be hosting their sixth annual Sleep Out on 5th October 2018 on the Duke of York Square in aid of the winter night shelters. Churches take turns to host night shelters, which will allow up to 130 individuals a place to sleep every night during the coldest 22 weeks of the coming winter. To take part in this important initiative, please register online: https://glassdoor. org.uk or call the charity at 020 7351 4948.

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Westminster Record | September 2018

Pope’s Prayer Intention for young people of Africa by Fr David Stewart SJ In September, we join the Holy Father in prayer for his Universal Intention, that ‘young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries’. His personal Prayer Network shares this Intention with the people of God, the Church, inviting us all to unite our prayer with what is on the Pope’s heart as he reviews the challenges that face humanity and the mission of the Church. Also, it now offers us three challenges, or invitations to concrete action, based on the intention and reviving an old tradition of the Apostleship of Prayer (the previous name for his Network). Pope Francis, this month, combines at least three of his urgent concerns and commends them to us. The first is that so many young people, in Africa and elsewhere, do not have the dignity of working for a living. This is sadly the case. Owing to the lack of work and sometimes in addition to political violence, many become refugees and victims of people-trafficking. Pope Francis has frequently tried to get us to see that lack of employment for young people is one of the most serious problems facing humanity in many parts of the world including here in Europe; but nowhere is this truer than in African nations. Education, similarly, as a basic human right should never be denied to anyone. Like the chance to work, it sets people free and transforms us. We reflect with the Pope this month on how many Africans are denied these basic rights. The second concern is the continent of Africa and its people, comprising over 40 countries, and full of natural wonder and just as full of wonderful people. But It is sad that so many of us in the Global North view the continent in wholly negative terms. It is the case that most of its countries have been riven by problems, both political and social; many of those problems are traceable to divisive European colonisation and exploitation. It is a continent of massive potential

yet one that knows much suffering. Many African nations are counted among the world’s fastest-growing Catholic Christian regions. So our prayer could include a reflection on how the spread of the Gospel could lead to greater justice, peace and inclusion across this great continent. Third, the dire threat of climate-change is going to affect the poorest more and more, and they will suffer first and worst. We know this; some still try to deny the reality of what our human actions are doing to our common home but those already suffering as a result will tell you a different story. Most of those live in Africa. They should not be made to suffer or forced to flee their own lands because of our over-consumption. CHALLENGES: • Get in touch with African migrant communities and their young people to understand their reality, their dreams, their difficulties and offer your help, or that of your parish or worshipping community, to assist them in growing their educational projects. • Acquaint yourself with development projects that support education and employment in Africa. Great work has been done for many years by the Jesuit Missions offices and by CAFOD in England and Wales, by SCIAF in Scotland and by Trocaire in Eire. Take some time this month to obtain some of their materials and be inspired by the great work they do. • Organise in your own community a time of prayer or formation in which the subject of the situations that lead so many young Africans to migrate in a forced way outside their countries is discussed. Include in that prayer-time space for negative views of migrants to be admitted honestly and to consider instances of hostility towards migrants, whether from governments or from local people, and ponder the reasons for this.

PRAYER MOMENT: Father of All Goodness, who created your sons and daughters in a great diversity of peoples, ethnic groups and cultures, I thank you this month for the rich gift of the youth of Africa. We pray for all these young people, who live in environments of war, insecurity, and in precarious living and health conditions. Enlighten with your Spirit those who have the responsibility to make decisions on education and work in Africa, so that they can ensure a decent future for the young people of this great continent. MORNING OFFERING: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart,

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. It is our great hope, in the Pope’s own worldwide prayer network, that everyone in the church remember this intention during the month, each of us uniting our own daily offering to the Pope’s Intention so that the whole people of God might become united in prayer, and make a difference. By making this Morning Offering, which can be in the traditional form or one of the newer forms such as on our Click-to-Pray website and App, we offer ourselves for Christ’s mission but also offer ourselves for the Pope’s intention, meaning that we dispose ourselves to work for Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster

that particular month’s objective. DAILY PRAYER PATHWAY Moments of prayer in the morning, around noon and in the evening (using the Prayerful Review of the Day of St Ignatius of Loyola) help us to offer ourselves for Christ’s mission in the world, making our hearts more like Christ’s so that we might become, more and more, missionary disciples of Christ’s mission. Our handy Prayer Pathway cards are available, free, from our London office. Email prayernetwork@jesuit.org.uk or call 020 8442 5232. LIVING PRAYER BOOKLET and 2019 Calendar: Orders can now be placed, for delivery in late October, for our 2019 Calendars and Booklets. Initial price £3/pair, when ordered together + £2 P&P; 2018 prices held while stocks last! Page 25

Westminster Record | September 2018

Saint of the Month: St Andrew Kim Taegon

St Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Koreanborn Catholic priest and the patron saint of Korea. He came from a family of martyrs with his great grandfather Kim Chin-hu Pius dying in 1814 while imprisoned for his conversion, and his father Kim Chae-jun Ignatius martyred in 1839 for his decision to practice the faith. Andrew was born in 1821 in Yangban of parents who had both converted to Christianity, in spite of the practice of the faith being prohibited at this time by the ruling Joseon Dynasty. The prohibition was on the grounds of the converts abandoning Confucianism. Roman Catholicism had begun to take root, though slowly, in the 17th Century, introduced by scholars who had visited China and brought back with them Western books translated into Chinese. In 1603, Korean diplomat Yi Gwangjeong returned from Beijing with a number of theological books written by Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci. Yi spent time reading and attempting to understand Ricci’s writings and it was through his efforts that Christianity was first sown in Korea. Christianity in Korea began as an indigenous lay movement. The first Catholic prayer house was founded in 1784 at Pyongyang by Yi Sunghun, a diplomat who had been baptised as Peter in Beijing in the same year, with the movement gathering converts. The first known martyrs are Page 26

Paul Youn and James Kouen, who in 1791 refused to offer sacrifice on the death of their relatives, as was customary in Confucianism. The effects of this persecution and bravery of the Christians who refused to deny their faith in Jesus Christ can still be seen, as acknowledged by Pope St John Paull II when he visited the country for St Andrew’s canonisation in 1984: ‘The Korean Church is unique because it was founded entirely by laypeople. This fledgling Church, so young and yet so strong in faith, withstood wave after wave of fierce persecution. Thus, in less than a century, it could boast 10,000 martyrs. The years 1791, 1801, 1827, 1839, 1846, and 1866 are forever signed with the holy blood of your martyrs and engraved in your hearts. ‘The death of these many martyrs became the leaven of the Church and led to today’s splendid flowering of the Church in Korea. Even today their undying spirit sustains the Christians of the Church of Silence in the north of this tragically divided land.’ Andrew was baptised aged 15 and then went to the Portuguese colony of Macau to study in the seminary; however, he also spent time studying in Lolomboy in the Philippines where he continues to be venerated. In 1845, after nine years in the seminary, he was ordained in Shanghai by French bishop Jean-Joseph-Jean-Baptiste Ferréol and subsequently returned to Korea to evangelise, largely catechising the local communities by night. At this time Joseon rule continued as did the suppression of Christianity, with a number of those who attempted to practice their faith arrested and executed. St Andrew was one of several thousand who suffered at the hands of Joseon for refusing to stop preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. Andrew was first arrested in June 1846 after he had attempted to smuggle in a group of French missionaries into Korea; however, he was not immediately executed by the king because of his bright intellect and his broad learning. Nevertheless, in September 1846 he was sentenced to death and on 16th September, aged 25, he was subjected to prolonged torture and

beheaded on the banks of the Han River in Seoul. His last words reveal much about the spirit of Andrew, a man with his eyes clearly raised to the eternal treasures of heaven: ‘I have held communication with foreigners, it has been for my religion and for my God. It is for him that I die. My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death, because God has eternal chastisements in store for those who have refused to know him.’ St Andrew was much loved by his fellow Christians. Before Bishop Ferréol, the first bishop of Korea who had ordained Andrew, died on 3 February 1853, he declared he wanted to be buried next to Kim, stating, ‘You will never know how sad I was to lose this young native priest. I have loved him as a father loved his son; it is a consolation for me to think of his eternal happiness.’ Andrew was canonized on 6th May 1984 in Seoul by Pope St John Paul II along with 102 other Korean martyrs. After Mass the then-Pope said: ‘The splendid flowering of the Church in Korea today is indeed the fruit of the heroic witness of the martyrs. Even today, their undying spirit sustains the Christians in the Church of silence in the North of this tragically divided land.’

Fr Patrick Miscampbell OSB RIP

In Memoriam: September

Fr Patrick Miscampbell was born on 18th March 1936 in Brisbane, Australia. He was ordained to the priesthood in Assisi on 10th July 1966. He was appointed Dean of Sacred Scripture in the seminary in Venice on sudden death of the post holder. He eventually returned to his monastery when a new Dean was appointed.He was invited to the Diocese by Cardinal George Basil Hume OSB, where he was appointed Assistant Priest at St Monica’s, Palmers Green. After a few years, he was appointed to St Mary Magdalen, Willesden Green. During this time, he suffered a massive heart attack and was invited to be Chaplain to the community and the care home of the Poor Sisters of Nazareth in East Finchley. From there he moved to St Joseph’s House in Brook Green, continuing in supply ministry for the rest of his life. He died on 15th June 2018, aged 82.

Fr Michael Durand RIP Fr Michael Durand was born on 13th April 1925 in WestonSuper-Mare, England. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Hume on 30th June 1990. He served as a full time chaplain until 1997 at the Royal London Hospital before being appointed as Co-ordinator of Catholic HIV/Aids ministry from January to May 2000. He served as an Assistant Priest from 1997 until 2000, then serving as a chaplain at St Anne’s Home for the elderly up until 2002. His last appointment in priestly ministry was as Chaplain at Westminster Cathedral from 2002, where he was a much-loved preacher and confessor, until he retired to St Wilfrid’s Convent, Tite Street in 2014. He died on 19th August 2018. May he rest in peace. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

1 Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor (2017) 2 Fr Gerard Strain (1980) 3 Deacon Timothy Marsh (2013) 4 Fr John O’Neil (1971) 6 Canon Michael Roberts (2004) 7 Canon John F Marriott (1977) 11 Fr William Erby (1974) Mgr Cuthbert Collingwood (1980) Fr James Whitehead (1983) 12 Fr Leslie Wood (1984) 14 Fr William Ruhman (1978) Fr Leonard Collingwood (1985) 15 Fr Brian Connaughton (1979) Fr Robert Gates (2014) 16 Canon Nicholas Kelly (1988) Fr Patrick David O’Driscoll (2016) 17 Fr Frederick Thomas (1986) Fr John Pakenham (1987) 18 Canon John L Wright (1978) 19 Fr Alan Ashton (2014) Fr Patrick Lyons (2015) 20 Fr Des O’Neill (2008) Fr Austin Hart (2013) 21 Fr George Ingram (1992) 23 Fr Godfrey Wilson (1998) 24 Mgr Peter Anglim (2016) 26 Fr James Loughnane (1993) Fr Bernard Lang (2005) Fr Lance Joseph Boward (2011) Mgr Augustine Hoey (2017) 28 Fr Robert Newbery (1981) Fr Gerard Barry (1998) 30 Fr Michael O’Dwyer (1977) Fr Joseph Murray (1989) Fr John B Elliott (2017)

Events & Calendar

REGULAR EVENTS

Liturgical Calendar - September

Westminster Record | September 2018

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. Gregorian Chant Explore the riches of the Gregorian chant tradition every Wednesday 6.30pm to 8pm, Bulbeck room, Ealing Abbey parish centre. New members welcome. For details, email gregorianchantealing@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

SATURDAYS

Taizé at Notre Dame de France 5 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX at 7.15pm. Call 020 7437 9363. 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.

1 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

2 Sun 3 Mon

+22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor

4 Tue

Feria, Twenty-second Week of Year 2 or St Cuthbert, Bishop

5 Wed

Feria

6 Thu

Feria

7 Fri

Feria; Friday abstinence

8 Sat

THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

9 Sun

+23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed

Feria, Twenty-third Week of Year 2 Feria Feria or the Most Holy Name of Mary

13 Thu

St John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor

14 Fri

THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS; Friday abstinence

15 Sat 16 Sun

Our Lady of Sorrows +24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

17 Mon

Feria, Twenty-fourth Week of Year 2, or St Robert Bellarmine, Bishop & Doctor

18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu

Feria Feria or St Januarius, Bishop & Martyr Sts Andrew Kim, Tae-gon, Priest, Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

21 Fri

ST MATTHEW, Apostle & Evangelist; Friday abstinence

22 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

23 Sun

+25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

24 Mon

Our Lady of Walsingham

25 Tue

Feria, Twenty-fifth Week of Year 2

26 Wed

Feria or Sts Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs

27 Thu

St Vincent de Paul, Priest

28 Fri

Feria or St Wenceslaus, Martyr, or St Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs

29 Sat

Ss MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, Archangels

30 Sun

+26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Beginning Experience Healing weekend for men/ women single again following separation, divorce or the death of a partner from 5th to 7th October at Domus Mariae Centre, Chigwell, Essex. For details, contact Freda 01322-838415 or Sandra 01293-783965, email johnabrotherton@hotmail.co.uk.

Pope’s Prayer intention for September: Young People in Africa: That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.

Young Adults Mass with an Ignatian twist

Every Sunday at 7pm. Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street Contact: yam@mountstreet.info or visit www.pathwaystogood.org

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 Alban’s 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.

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

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.

Stella Maris Feast Mass in honour of Stella Maris, Our Lady Star of the Sea will be take place on 2nd October 7pm at Our Lady of Victories Church, London W8 6SA. All are welcome. For details, contact roland@ apostleshipofthesea.org.uk Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

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

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Low Mass, 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP.

October Rosary Campaign The World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) in England and Wales are organising an October Rosary Campaign, inviting parishes and families in England and Wales to pray the Rosary from your homes, parishes etc. For details, contact info@worldfatimaenglandwales.org.uk

Other regular Masses

Saturdays: Low Mass 12.15pm, St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 4pm, Lady Chapel, Westminster Cathedral SW1P 1QW. Second Saturday only.

Page 27

Westminster Record | September 2018

A pilgrimage of discovery in Spain Sr Mary Kenefick SMG led a group Catholic students on on a four-day pilgrimage to Spain in June of this year. Antonia Chow describes the experience. An early start on 11th June saw us arrive at Barcelona shortly after noon, and we travelled to Montserrat after a brief stop for lunch. The prospect of the mountains struck us with such force as to move one of the students to say that this was surely evidence of God’s creation. We walked up the slope leading to the Basilica around which the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat was built, and a sense of tranquillity descended as we passed the courtyard and walked inside. The interior is magnificently decorated with frescos and statues, and the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat is situated above the main altar. Our Lady holds the infant Christ in her left hand and a globe, symbolising her Queenship, in her right hand. Among the side chapels is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament which has an altarpiece of Christ’s Body, depicting the Holy Wounds and the Resurrection. After a period of silent prayer, we joined in the daily Rosary and Vespers and were especially moved by the music sung by the Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe. The following morning the monastic bells roused us from our sleep and we participated in Lauds with the monks. The mist rising from the mountains offered a majestic sight as we spent the morning exploring the surrounding area and interactive exhibition. After lunch, we were treated to a spectacular performance of Salve Regina by the Escolania before embarking on the Via Crucis, which was the traditional path pilgrims travelled to reach Montserrat. Unfortunately, the Santa Cova Funicular leading to the Chapel of the Holy Grotto, where shepherds found the image of Our Lady, was closed. However, we instead took the Page 28

Sant Joan Funicular up to a higher part of the mountains, then hiked to the hermitages of saints and to the peak of Sant Jeroni, the highest summit of Montserrat from which almost all of Catalonia can be seen. After Vespers, which left no less stunning an impression than the first time, we gathered in one of the apartments to make our own dinner and share in delightful conversation and reflections of the day. The early risers amongst us gathered to watch the sunrise at half past five the next morning. The square felt very different in the stillness of dawn compared to the liveliness in the day. Although sad to leave Montserrat, we were eager to continue our pilgrimage onwards to Manresa, the city where St Ignatius of Loyola spent eleven months following his lifechanging injury from the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. We arrived at the International Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and were warmly greeted by a resident priest, Fr Augusti SJ. It was a wonderful coincidence that a priest from America was on retreat at the Centre and it was arranged that he would celebrate a special Mass with us in the Cave of St Ignatius, which had an elegant yet discreet altar and chapel. Many in the group were reduced to tears from this intensely spiritual experience, and the sermon on vocation and discernment particularly resonated with us as university students. Ignatius’ days of solitary confinement and sombre meditation felt very palpable, revealed in the scratches of two crosses which were said to be made by his fingernails. We were then taken on a tour of the antechamber and the ground floor of the Centre, carefully constructed around the chapel. After a delicious lunch, Fr Augusti offered voluntarily to take us on a tour of the upper floors, where we found, to our delight, a chapel on every level. After a short break, he took us to the places in the city where Ignatius experienced important revelations, including the

former Hospital of Santa Lucia where he mainly stayed while at Manresa, eating with the poor and helping to look after the sick. According to witnesses, St Ignatius underwent spiritual rapture and lay motionless for eight days on the floor of his ward in December 1522. Some pilgrims believe that the Spiritual Exercises were revealed to him during this mystical experience. Now converted into the Chapel of the Rapture, it is here that his life story is truly brought out: one of heroism, sorrow, mission, a life which fluctuated wildly from profound consolation to crippling desolation. St Ignatius proclaimed, however, that the rest of his life could not be compared against the eleven months he spent at Manresa. We then visited other chapels and sites before praying at the Basilica of Santa Maria de la Seu. Afterwards, we made our way back to the Spirituality Centre where we prayed the Rosary in the multifaith chapel and shared our reflections on the terrace after dinner in the sunset. We left very early the next morning and crossed the River Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese. westminster

Cardener to the train station via the Old Bridge, the only entrance into the city back in St Ignatius’ time. We were headed back to Barcelona where we were taken on a tour of Sagrada Familia, the magnum opus of Antoni Gaudi which showcased the life of Christ from birth to death, accompanied by prominent depictions of Our Lady and St Joseph. The interior made use of colour, structure, light and geometry to depict the seasons, and the names of all the parishes in Catalonia, Spain, and the rest of world are written on the stained-glass windows, symbolising the universality of the Catholic Church. We were not only amazed by Gaudi’s vision of a landmark which would educate the everyman on the life of Christ, but also his humility in allowing others to complete the work for him, devoting his time to drawing sketches and creating models instead of compromising the scale and detail by endeavouring to finish it in his lifetime. There have been nine generations of architects since Gaudi and the church is expected to be completed by Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

2026. The pilgrimage ended with a visit to the Barcelona Cathedral and the church of Santa Maria del Mar, followed by our final sharing of reflections. Despite the early starts and late nights, the pilgrimage was a most fruitful and rewarding experience. We visited three remarkably different places: the semi-secluded Montserrat, the intimate Manresa and the animated Barcelona, all of which bear faithful witness to the Catholic faith. Fr Augusti said, ‘When in Montserrat you look outwards, but when in Manresa you look inwards.’ Coming from different walks of life but brought together by our Catholic faith, the three places offered three universal perspectives on our personal vocation to holiness: searching for God in nature at Montserrat, searching for God from within at Manresa, and searching for God in the impact we have on the lives of others at Barcelona. Our faith has undoubtedly been strengthened by this experience, guided by the exemplary role model of St Ignatius. Follow us on Instagram at: @rcwestminster