Westminster Record February 2017

Westminster Record

February 2017 | 20p

Diocese joins Credit Union

Following the Lord’s own example

For sterling efforts in community work

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Pages 10 & 11

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Gentle and Firm in Purpose

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There was, some years ago, a gentleman in our diocese who spent much of his time campaigning for the Diocese of Westminster to be recognised officially by the English establishment (technically, the State has never given formal recognition to our Catholic dioceses). Whether or not he might have spent his energies in more fruitful pursuits, it illustrates one of the significant issues facing any Archbishop of Westminster: he must represent the diocese, and effectively the entire Catholic community of England and Wales, in a very particular social and religious setting. When Pope St John Paul referred to the Catholic Church in England and Wales as a ‘special’ case, he was recognising its distinctive historical setting in relation to the established Church and the Establishment itself. Any Archbishop must be able to negotiate these waters, to maximise the voice, concerns and contribution of the Catholic Church. For Cardinal Vincent, his early training in the Bishops’ Conference and the Council of Churches for Great Britain and Ireland has proved invaluable, and his engagement with social issues prophetic, as he skilfully leads our diocese and our Catholic community.

But, as Pope Francis has made clear, bishops are more

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by Mgr Mark Langham

than negotiators; they must also help those ‘accidentally’ put along their path by God. As a shepherd of the Catholic community, Cardinal Vincent has had to address crises and ongoing injustices, and guide his flock in responding to the great issues of our age. His promotion of Catholic social teaching, his urging of a society that supports

the most vulnerable, is an effective outworking of his episcopal motto: Fortis ut mors dilectio: Love is as strong as death.

The bishop, adds Pope Francis, must be able to ‘fascinate and attract; initiate and guide people; and accompany those in need’. It is an almost impossible job description, but we can also recognise how seriously our Cardinal takes these challenges.

As we celebrate with Cardinal Vincent his silver jubilee of episcopal ordination, let us give thanks for his work and example, support him with our efforts and our prayers, and wish him a hearty Ad Multos Annos!

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Editorial Westminster Record – Contact us Editor Mgr Mark Langham Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QJ Managing Editor Marie Saba 020 7798 9031 Inhouse writers Hannah Woolley 020 7798 9178, and Martha Behan 020 7798 9030 Design Julian Game To order copies contact Andrea Black 0161 908 5327 or email andrea.black@thecatholicuniverse.com Print management and distribution by The Universe Media Group Ltd.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Filled with Hope Our Catholic schools train young men and women to face just such a challenge, to live their faith in a genuine yet appealing way in a complex world. The news stories from our schools which we carry this month show our younger generation stepping up to witness to their beliefs (encouraged by strong school communities), and this has to fill us with hope. At a time when it is fashionable to feel insecure and to lament the Living our faith, day by day, is state of the world, we have hard enough, but how does here a marvellous sign of the one do it at the price of one’s gospel light shining among us, life? We keep this month the our young people showing us feast of St Paul Miki and the the way in building the sort of martyrs of Japan, the backstory to the film Silence that is society that rests upon truth, respect, and sincere love. featured in an article this Our young people month. That film shows, challenge all us of to bear among other things, that the witness to our faith. This choices facing us are rarely month’s Westminster Record quite as simple as we’d like also features work being done them to be; it can be hard to in the diocese to combat know the right thing to do. It trafficking, to speak out for is unlikely that we will be refugees, and to support the called to lay down our lives, but we all face the ‘martyrdom’ sick. But the task belongs to all of us: to live our faith with of daily witness: what to say, how to respond, to a question, courage and dedication. a situation, whether to stand up and stand out, or take a more conciliatory approach that has some realistic hope of influencing events.

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

For more news from around the diocese throughout the month

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Farewell to Archbishop Mennini

by Cardinal Vincent Nichols At the request of the Holy Father, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, His Excellency Monsignor Antonio Mennini, is being transferred from his current responsibilities to serve directly in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, assisting in its work in relation to States. In this capacity, Archbishop Mennini Page 2

will serve the Holy Father with particular reference to the State of Italy. In these matters Archbishop Mennini has unique experience and knowledge which is much appreciated by the Holy See. Archbishop Mennini has served as Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain for nearly six years, being appointed on 18 December 2010 and presenting his

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credentials to Her Majesty the Queen on 2 March 2011. He will leave London during the first full week of February.

On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and in the name of the entire Catholic community, I express our warmest thanks to His Excellency for the service he has given to the Church in our countries. He has been most attentive and sensitive to our needs and situation, while always representing the Holy Father with precision and clarity and sharing insights into the needs of the Universal Church.

His presence amongst us bishops has always been that of a brother and we have never failed to appreciate his kindness and hospitality. We now wish him well in his new appointment to which he will bring insight and wisdom. We assure him of our prayers for this mission and for his own health and well-being.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

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Cardinal Celebrates Silver Belarusian Church Jubilee of Episcopal Ordination Consecrated

On Monday 23 January Cardinal Vincent celebrated Mass in Westminster Cathedral to mark the silver jubilee of his episcopal ordination. The Cardinal was joined by bishops of England and Wales and the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Mennini.

In his homily, Cardinal Vincent reflected on the power of the mystery of Christ’s Passion as we remember ‘the widespread suffering and persecution of the disciples of Christ’.

‘Ours is an age of callous disregard to the value of human life’, he continued, ‘an age of ideologies that see their pathway of growth lying in the belittling and destruction of others.’

Contemplating Christ on the Cross, we find ‘a great unfolding

Sunday 17 December 2016 saw the consecration of the church of the Holy Hierarch Cyril, Bishop of Turaŭ and All the Patron Saints of the such unity of purpose has only Belarusian People. The one ultimate source: our unity church was consecrated on in God our creator. And there the 30th anniversary of the is only one ultimate power of Chernobyl nuclear disaster of reconciliation: the person of 1986 and is dedicated to the Jesus Christ, whose Gospel is victims and survivors of that not a constriction of human tragedy. freedom, but truly “liberates Present at the consecration our minds and enlightens our were Archbishop Antonio efforts to live wisely and well, Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio, both as individuals and as Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, Bishop members of society.”’ of the Ukrainian Greek Cardinal Vincent was Catholic eparchy of the Holy ordained to the episcopacy on Family in London, Sergey Nuts, Apostolic Visitor for 24 January 1992, the feast of St Francis de Sales, by Cardinal Greek Catholics in Belarus, and Bishop John Sherrington.

Basil Hume OSB in The church is the only Westminster Cathedral and purpose-built Belarusian took as his episcopal motto: Catholic church outside Fortis Ut Mors Dilectio, ‘love is strong as death’ from the Song Belarus and also the first allwooden church in the city of Solomon. since the Great Fire of London

of the richness of the mystery of our faith, a proclamation of the redemptive power of suffering, a vision that is beyond the sight of so many today even though the dilemmas of human suffering are faced constantly by everyone and often dramatically debated in our society.’

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, the Cardinal reminded us that it is our mission ‘to bring the reconciling power of Christ’s sacrifice to the world in which we live’. He said: ‘Today so many speak about the need to build a more coherent society, one in which we share benefits and burdens, working to overcome recent divisions of opinion, uniting in a new project. Our mission is to speak again and again that

in 1666. The cornerstone of the church, brought from the Holy Trinity Church in Druya, was laid during a ceremony presided by Archbishop Mennini and Bishop Lonchyna on 7 February 2016.

Bishop John Sherrington, said: ‘It was a great joy to concelebrate at the consecration of the new Belarusian Church and its altar. The consecration of the altar, symbol of Christ, included washing, lathering, and pouring of wine and drying before the anointing with Chrism. We remembered the preparation of Christ's body for burial before he rose in glory. This rich Divine Liturgy thanked God for this new Church which gives hope to the Belarusian Catholics in the UK. The celebration and welcome was a very rich reminder of the gifts of the Eastern Catholic Churches.’

The consecration was followed by a talk by Maria Mitskevich, from the relief fund Sakavik, on Chernobyl relief activities of the Belarusian Catholic Mission.

The Belarusian Catholic Mission in London was founded in 1947, with the approval of Cardinal Bernard Griffin, then Archbishop of Westminster. It is part of the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church.

possibility of real, concrete charity and mercy; or, in a word, action. Pope Francis has made it clear that he sees these urgent intentions as a way of ‘breaking us out of the culture of indifference’.

The pre-planned Prayer Intention can be found in the Liturgical Calendar of the Year Book. Both Prayer Intentions for each month will be posted on the Pope’s Worldwide Network of Prayer website at www.apostleshipofprayer.org, where additional prayer resources and reflections around these intentions can also be found.

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Each month, the Holy Father asks us to pray along with him for his Prayer Intentions.

From this year, there is a preplanned Prayer Intention for each month.

A second, Urgent Intention will be announced each month by the Holy Father at the Sunday Angelus, with the hope that all the faithful will join in prayer for his urgent concerns and challenges, and with the desire that these intentions will lead to rapid action in response.

The idea is that through praying for the intentions our hearts are opened up to the

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Pope’s Prayer Intentions

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Tributes Paid to Russian Diplomat Lord Alton Awarded

Hungarian Order of Merit

On 11 January 2017 a memorial service for Count Alexander Benckendorff, the last Ambassador of the Russian Empire to the Court of St James, was held at Westminster Cathedral.

Ambassador Benckendorff died in office on 11 January 100 years ago. In nearly 50 years of diplomatic service Benckendorff made a great contribution to the development of RussianBritish political and military union as well as strengthening relations between the two countries, including during the First World War. He enjoyed unquestioned authority among the diplomats,

both in Britain and Russia.

After his death he was buried in the crypt of Westminster Cathedral, becoming the only layman to be interred there.

Benckendorff regularly attended Mass at the Cathedral from when it first opened in 1903.

The service, followed by a talk by historian Dominic Lieven and laying of wreaths at the diplomat’s grave, was attended by the Russian Charge d'affaires a.i. Alexander Kramarenko. The flowers used in the wreath from Westminster Cathedral were the same as those used at Benckendorff’s funeral.

Cardinal Calls for Refugees to Be Welcomed

Ahead of the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, 15 January, Cardinal Vincent continued his call for refugees from the Middle East to be welcomed and accommodated in this country.

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has been in regular contact with the government about developments in the region, including the resettlement of refugees from the region. Last year the first Syrian family to come to the UK under the community sponsorship scheme Page 4

was welcomed in Salford Diocese, with further families expected to be welcomed into parishes around the country this year. Fears that not all of the most vulnerable refugees are able to access this relocation scheme are also regularly raised with the government.

The Cardinal’s spokesman said: ‘People in this country are generous to those in need and we now have a scheme that enables that generosity to be channelled effectively with the community sponsorship scheme.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has had an extremely productive dialogue on this issue and received firm reassurances from the government that Christians are accessing the UK’s Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme in numbers broadly proportionate to the overall displaced population.

‘It is important that the government continues to push for peace in the region and once

peace is secured, assistance is provided for the necessary rebuilding can take place. In the meantime all refugees should be offered assistance. It is clearly arbitrary to make a distinction between people fleeing from the fighting in Syria and people fleeing the fighting in Iraq, particularly as the UK government has recognised this is effectively the same conflict.

The current approach means that many of the most vulnerable people, including Yezidi women and girls who have escaped from being held in sexual slavery by Daesh and cannot access appropriate support in the region, are excluded from this opportunity for resettlement abroad on the basis of their nationality.

‘We will of course continue to monitor the situation and engage with the government about issues that arise.’

Lord Alton of Liverpool has been awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary by the Hungarian Ambassador, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, on behalf of Mr János Áder, President of Hungary.

The award is in recognition of the supportive role he played during the UK’s festive week dedicated to St Thomas Becket hosted by the Embassy of Hungary in May 2016. It is also in recognition for Lord Alton’s championing those who are persecuted for their religion or belief.

The investiture by Ambassador SzalayBobrovniczky was witnessed by members of both houses of

parliament, Catholic and Anglican Clergyman, dignitaries, friends, and family.

The Ambassador said that Lord Alton was instrumental in the creation of such a successful Becket Week which ‘was not envisaged to glorify the past, but to remind British and Hungarians of the heroism of Thomas Becket and others in defending the freedoms we enjoy in society today. Let us not forget that it is where heroes are not forgotten, that new hopes are born.’

He praised Lord Alton’s dedication and advocacy for the respect of human rights on behalf of the people of Burma, Tibet, Darfur and North Korea.

After thanking the Hungarian President and the Ambassador for the honour bestowed upon him Lord Alton reflected that: ‘76% of the world’s population, live in countries with high or very high levels of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

The message and example of St Thomas Becket is still relevant some 800 years after his death.’

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Bishops Call for Prayer for Holy Land

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Following their annual visit to the Holy Land, the international Bishops’ Coordination group have called for prayer, awareness and action after 50 years of occupation in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza: ‘For fifty years the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza have languished under occupation, violating the human dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis.

This is a scandal to which we must never become accustomed.

‘Our Coordination has called for justice and peace every year since 1998, yet the suffering continues. So this call must get louder. As Bishops we implore Christians in our home countries to recognise our own responsibility for prayer, awareness and action.

‘So many people in the Holy Land have spent their entire

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lives under occupation, with its polarising social segregation, yet still profess hope and strive for reconciliation. Now, more than ever, they deserve our solidarity.

‘We all have a responsibility to oppose the construction of settlements. This de facto annexation of land not only undermines the rights of Palestinians in areas such as Hebron and East Jerusalem but, as the UN recently recognised, also imperils the chance of peace.

‘We all have a responsibility to provide assistance for the people of Gaza, who continue to live amid a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. They have now spent a decade under blockade, compounded by a political impasse caused by illwill on all sides.

‘We all have a responsibility to encourage non-violent

resistance which, as Pope Francis reminds us, has achieved great changes across the world. This is particularly necessary in the face of injustices such as the continued construction of the separation wall on Palestinian land including the Cremisan Valley.

‘We all have a responsibility to promote a two-state solution.

The Holy See has emphasised that “if Israel and Palestine do not agree to exist side-by-side, reconciled and sovereign within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders, peace will remain a distant dream and security an illusion.”

‘We all have a responsibility to help the local Church, its agencies, volunteers and NGOs. In the most testing circumstances they show great resilience and carry out life-changing work. It is our faith in God that gives us hope. It is the witness of Christians in the Holy Land and especially the young people we met that inspires us.

‘The Bible tells us: “You will declare this fiftieth year to be sacred and proclaim the liberation of all the country’s inhabitants” (Leviticus 25.10).

During this fiftieth year of occupation we must pray for the liberty of everyone in the Holy Land and practically support all those working to build a just peace.’

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Diocese Joins Credit Union The Diocese of Westminster has become a member of the Churches Mutual Credit Union (CMCU). CMCU voted at their annual general meeting on 27 January to extend the common bond to include members of the Catholic Church in our diocese and in Scotland.

As he completed the 1,000th application for membership to mark the event, Cardinal Vincent remarked: ‘I’m glad to become a member of CMCU. Their work today is very important as this is a financial institution that directly reflects shared effort in managing financially and making the best of our resources. This credit union echoes clearly important aspects of our Christian understanding of working together for the common good.’

CMCU, whose membership includes the Church of England, Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church,

Methodist Church of Great Britain, the Church in Wales and the United Reform Church, was formally launched in February 2015 with Archbishop Justin Welby as its first member.

Initially, membership will be open to teachers, staff in our schools, school governors, priests, employees of the diocese, both in parishes and central services, parish council members, and volunteers in certain parish ministries, as well as members of their household.

CMCU offers ethical investments for regular rainy day savings accounts and larger lump sum deposits, as well as loans from £250-£15,000 for a variety of purposes at competitive interest rates.

Further information will be circulated to parishes and schools shortly. In the meantime, to find out more, please visit http://cmcu.org.uk/

Cardinal Becomes Patron of St Joseph’s Hospice Cardinal Vincent has agreed to become a Patron of St Joseph’s Hospice. St Joseph’s, one of the oldest hospices in the country, was founded by the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1900. They were invited to Hackney by then Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vaughan, to help care for the poor of East London, who were dying in terrible conditions, mainly from tuberculosis.

St Joseph’s, one of the largest hospices in Britain, now cares for more than 2,500

people with terminal or lifelimiting illness in East London, within the hospice and in the community.

Nigel Harding, Chief Executive, said, ‘We are delighted that Cardinal Vincent has agreed to become a Patron of St Joseph’s Hospice. He is a regular visitor and is extremely popular among our patients, staff, volunteers and visitors.

His all-embracing nature and belief in care for the individual fits perfectly with the mission and core values of the hospice.’

London Evenings of Faith All are welcome to a series of talks on 'Reasons for believing’ which will take place at 7:30pm on alternate Tuesdays from 7 February 2017 (subsequent talks are on Tuesday 21 February, 7 and 21 March). Talks are held in the basement of 24 Golden Square, London W1F 9JR. Full dates and details are available at www.faith.org.uk/events/evenings-of-faith.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Army Officer Scholarship for St Benedict’s Student

Sunday Times Award for St Dominic’s The Sunday Times has named St Dominic’s Sixth Form College in Harrow on the Hill as its Sixth Form College of the Year. Headteacher Andrew Parkin has described it as a privilege to lead the school,

saying: ‘The kids are delightful, they are really inspiring young man and women to lead. They work hard and are really committed to do as well as they can and that’s why it’s a very special place to be.’ He went on

to say: ‘This is a great honour for the College, for Catholic Education and for all those students and staff, past and present who have contributed to our success over the last 37 years.’

Pield Heath House School Chosen for Charity Appeal A Sixth Form student at St Benedict’s School, Ealing, has been awarded an Army Officer Scholarship to Sandhurst.

David Cuss, aged 17, has been a member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force for five years. The selection process for the Army Officer Scholarship lasted a year, beginning with an interview at Horseguards, and progressing to obstacle courses and command tasks to assess mental and physical agility.

David said: ‘The most challenging part of the course was the planning exercise (PLANEX) which involved having to read a long text, draw out the relative Page 6

information and use it to come up with a solution to a figurative situation. The PLANEX had several different solutions; the task was working out what would work, assessing the different options and then picking the solution that best satisfied all the objectives. We then had to present our plans to the DS and answer questions.’

There were 250 applicants competing in the final rounds, and 41 received scholarships this year, a measure of David’s success.

David will attend university before his army career begins, and hopes to read War Studies at King’s College, London.

Pield Heath House School, the school for children and young people with complex learning needs and associated speech, language and communication difficulties, has been chosen as one of four charities to be recipients of this year’s Mayor of Hillingdon’s Charitable Trust. Throughout the year there will be a series of fundraising events in the local community.

At the end of the year the

school will receive a proportion of the monies raised, which they plan to use to create a Centre of Excellence for Horticulture. They will build upon the current horticulture facility by installing a bio-dome greenhouse to enable students to garden all year around. They also hope to set up a sensory garden and create a labyrinth for contemplation.

Horticulture plays a key part in their curriculum as it enables students to improve their general health and wellbeing. It also helps to develop their communication and dexterity skills, increases their confidence and learning about foods, and teaches a skill that might provide prospects of employment.

The school will be working actively with local groups to encourage understanding and

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to give all those involved the satisfaction of knowing that they are making a positive contribution to the community.

Eryl D’Souza, Associate Head for Community and External Partnerships said: ‘We are very honoured to have been selected by the Mayor of Hillingdon and have pledged our support for all the events that are taking place. Being given the opportunity to improve our Horticulture facility is so important as it is a key subject for our students’ learning, development and future prospects.’

Located in Uxbridge, Middlesex, the school offers day, residential and short break provision for students from a variety of boroughs across London.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Our Lady of Muswell Pupil Wins Holocaust Memorial Day in Hertfordshire Haringey Award Archie Baer, a pupil at Our Lady of Muswell, has won the Outstanding Primary STEM Student Award at the Haringey Outstanding for All award ceremony at Alexandra Palace on 5 December. Archie is not only a gifted mathematician and scientist, he also takes time to help younger pupils in these subjects and in a lunch time code club.

A large contingent of teachers, parents and support staff from Our Lady of Muswell School, Muswell Hill, including Headteacher Angela McNicholas were there to support the four school nominees who had made the finals. In addition to Archie, also nominated were Lidia De Araujo for the Community Hero Award, Nicole McCracken for the Primary Class of the Year Award, Class 4M, and Ugonna Ezenekwe for the Overcoming Adversity Award.

Students at St Paul’s Awarded Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Accolade Towards the end of last year, 11 students from St Paul’s Catholic College in Sunbury were presented with their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards, with many more students to come through the scheme shortly.

In a small presentation ceremony, the South East Regional Director for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Christian Scott, visited St Paul’s to formally present the students with their well-deserved awards. All students received a certificate, badge and an official photo of the occasion. At the same time, St Paul’s was also officially presented with a plaque in recognition of becoming a directly licensed centre.

The bronze award is held over a year and incorporates skills, volunteering and physical sections. There is also

an expedition where initial training begins at school which is followed by a day’s walk to Leith Hill and then a practice expedition, which turned out to be quite an eventful experience.

A final weekend expedition was

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held in May last year where the sleet and snowy weather came as a complete surprise! One of the independent assessors for the weekend commented that this group of students was one of the best they had seen.

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On Tuesday 24 January Hertfordshire SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) hosted their annual Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at The John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage.

The guest speaker was Ivor Perl BEM who was just 12 years old when he and his family were transported from a Hungarian ghetto to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland where nine out of 10 people were murdered on arrival. The decision to lie about his age to Dr Josef Mengele at the selection line, pointing him away from the gas chambers, saved his life. With the help of his eldest brother Alec and other chance decisions, only Ivor and his brother would survive the Holocaust. Not knowing the fate of his family Ivor wandered around the camp struggling on starvation rations and hiding between roll calls.

As the camp was liquidated, he and his brother were transported to Allach concentration camp in Germany where as a slave labourer, working in extreme conditions, Ivor contracted typhus. Hidden in the toilets by his brother, he once again escaped certain death. Forced on a death march to Dachau concentration camp, Ivor and Alec were finally liberated by the Allies.

With only each other, the now displaced orphans remained in Dachau for months before emigrating together to

England in November 1945.

Ivor was moved around the country until finally settling in London as an apprentice in the clothing trade. He went on to run a number of successful manufacturing businesses. He married in 1953, had four children and has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire Medal in 2016 for services to Holocaust education. Ivor gave evidence at the recent trial of Oskar Gröning, the former SS guard known as the ‘Bookkeeper of Auschwitz’.

Ivor said: ‘Did it have to take the lessons of the Holocaust for people to wake up and do something about it? I still can’t believe it happened and it’s happening again. It’s not easy to talk about it, it will never leave us. It is a silent presence in our daily lives. But as painful as it is, and still haunted by our memories, we have to find hope and we have to go on and tell our stories. We do it for all those who have lost their lives and for all those who have suffered in the Holocaust and later genocides and continue to suffer today.’

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2017 is ‘How can life go on?’ It confronts the questions of how can life go on after genocide and how people react after experiencing such unimaginable suffering and loss. The aftermath of the Holocaust and of subsequent genocides continues to raise challenging questions. HMD 2017 asks us to think of our own responsibilities to help rebuild lives in the wake of such a crime.

The event was created by students from a total of six secondary schools from the Hertfordshire area and used a variety of drama, film, music, art, dance, readings and poetry.

In addition, students’ art work and a permanent commemorative memorial were also exhibited.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

50 Reasons to be Hopeful

by Karen Anstiss, Bakhita House Service Manager Bakhita House, the shelter for women rescued from human trafficking and slavery, has now been open for 18 months and I have 50 reasons for being grateful, proud and hopeful.

Grateful on behalf of the guests, staff, volunteers and myself because without the support of the Catholic Church, its donors (big and small) and our support network, we would not be able to operate. We would not have helped 50 women who may otherwise have slipped through the cracks of our country’s systems and ended up back in their trafficking situation.

Proud of those 50 guests who have often conquered their own fears, pushed themselves to start on the path to a new life and, with support, become courageous enough to help the

Police in their pursuit of their traffickers. No matter how small or large, each change in them makes me proud as if it were my own child winning an Olympic gold! A guest spoke on radio in December overcoming so many of her own personal issues to try and get a message across that may help others in situations such as her own.

I’m also proud of the staff and volunteers who work so hard to make sure the house runs as a home with love, respect, a sense of community and spirituality, valuing our ethos but always putting the guest at the heart of our work.

Hopeful that we can continue to help victims of trafficking and modern day slavery, and continue to build upon existing relationships with Police, St Marys

University, doctors, solicitors, therapists and many more who all become part of the guests’ support network as they start rebuilding their lives. Hopeful that each guest leaves Bakhita House with certainty of a better life and the knowledge she is actually cared for in this world.

So my 50 reasons for being grateful, proud and hopeful are 50 very individual women from 24 countries, aged between 17 and 66, whom, until they walked through the door of Bakhita House, I did not know. Women who I could never be as dignified, resilient or as courageous as. Who have shown me how important it is to fight injustice and live life to the full, all of which we can achieve together working as a team at Bakhita House.

Bakhita House Wins Social Action Award Caritas Bakhita House, along with two other charites, has won the award for Best Social Action Project from the Christian Funders Forum.

Bakhita House was nominated by the Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable Trust, one of the major supporters of the project.

This acknowledgment reflects appreciation for the wonderful life-changing work taking place at Bakhita House.

Pictured are Andrzej Wdowiak, Deputy Director of Caritas Westminster, Anna Ringler, Bakhita House Manager, and John Coleby, Director of Caritas Westminster.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

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Ring Out the Old

by Sharon Jennings Many of us have been deeply saddened by the news that the world-famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry is to close in May of this year. Its listing in the Guinness Book of Records as Britain’s oldest manufacturing company is unchallenged, but might well understate the case: it records the company as having been established in 1570, whereas recent research traces its origin back a further 150 years to 1420.

The company moved into its present building, originally a coaching inn called the Artichoke, in 1738. Its previous premises had been on the north side of the Whitechapel Road, but the great boom in bellfounding as London was rebuilt and expanded after the Great Fire, made it necessary to lease more spacious accommodation. Remarkably, the building is substantially the same as it was when the foundry moved there, and has stood witness to the many changing faces of the area. Past its elegantly simple doors would have sped Jack the Ripper on his hellish nightly expeditions, and over its chimneys flew planes carrying the bombs of the Luftwaffe, none of them mercifully making a direct hit.

At home The Whitechapel Foundry has made practically every tower bell you might have heard of.

The most famous is the hour bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, better known as Big Ben. A cross-section of this huge bell surrounds the inside of the entrance doors to the Foundry.

When the Palace of Westminster was re-built following the catastrophic fire of 1834, Parliament decided to incorporate a tower and clock, now so familiar that it is hardly imaginable without them, and after some to-ing and fro-ing, asked the Master Bellfounder of Whitechapel, George Mears, to cast the bell. The to-ing and froing, and indeed all subsequent difficulties, were due to the obstinacy of the man in charge of arrangements, the barrister Edmund Beckett Denison (described by an anonymous contemporary as ‘one of those people who are perfectly convinced that they know more than anybody else about everything’ ). Denison produced precise and rather eccentric specifications for the bell: shape, recipe for the bellmetal and, most crucially, weight. This was

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to be a huge 14 tonnes, 3¼ tonnes heavier than the largest bell in Britain, ‘Great Peter’ at York Minster.

This was a vast commission: it took a week to break up an earlier bell which had cracked under testing in Palace Yard, three furnaces to melt down the metal, a day to heat up the mould, 20 minutes to fill it, and 20 days for the metal to solidify and cool.

Big Ben’s journey from Whitechapel to Westminster took on the flavour of a parade: it was mounted on a trolley drawn by 16 brightly decked-out horses, the traffic was stopped, and cheering crowds lined the specially decorated streets.

There was no doubt even greater jubilation when the bells of the Westminster clock tower first rang out on 31 May 1859.

In September of the same year, Big Ben cracked. This was in no way the fault of the Foundry, as was proved by two libel cases against Denison, but down to his own obstinate pride: he had installed a hammer more than twice the weight specified

by George Mears. The bell was taken out of use whilst a lighter hammer was made, and was then given an eighth of a turn so that the new hammer was presented with an undamaged surface. The crack accounts for the very distinctive ‘off key’ tone of Big Ben as we still hear it today, not so much an imperfection as its unique character.

Abroard From its earliest years, the Whitechapel Foundry has shared its expertise with the rest of the world. A set of bells was sent to St Petersburg in 1747, and transatlantic business was soon to follow. Equally emblematic as Big Ben here, the Liberty Bell was commissioned by the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for the state house in Philadelphia in 1752. It was to bear the inscription: ‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof’ (Leviticus 25). This was possibly an ironic warning from colony to Motherland; the ongoing story of the bell certainly points to very uneasy relations. In the first place, although reported to have come ashore in good order, it developed a crack at its very first striking, most likely through inexpert use of the hammer.

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Repairs by inexperienced metalworkers led to further cracks, further repairs and eventually an apparently unblemished bell which, according to one person present, ‘sounded like two coal skuttles being banged together’.

Its subsequent history shows it to have been ‘more honoured in the breach than the observance’, since it seems seldom to have been hung and rung. Rather, it has become attached to a diversity of causes over the years: the Declaration of Independence, the abolition of slavery, an appeal for the end of the Cold War. A tongue-in-cheek settlement of an old grievance surfaced in 1976, the bi-centennial year of America’s independence, when demonstrators from the Procrastinators’ Society of America marched up and down outside the Whitechapel factory with placards asking: ‘What about the warranty?’ The foundry replied in kind; they would, they said, be happy to replace the bell as long as it was returned in the original packaging. In the same year, peace was made at last: America was presented with a replica, cast by the Whitechapel Foundry, and bearing the inscription: ‘For the people of the United States of America from the people of Britain. 4 July 1976.

Let freedom ring’.

Closer to home It is of course with church bells that that the Whitechapel Foundry has been most concerned over its long history.

At Westminster Cathedral we hear our own Whitechapel bell, Big Edward, ringing the Angelus every day, before Solemn Mass on Sundays and Solemnities, and at funerals and some special services.

Most movingly, it tolled at the announcement of the death of Cardinal Basil Hume in 1999.

Big Edward, which weighs 52cwt 10lbs, was cast early in 1910 by bellfounders Mears and Stainbank, and given to the cathedral by Gwendolen, Duchess of Norfolk. The Latin inscription translates: ‘Pray for Gwendolen, Duchess of Norfolk, who has given this bell to the glory of God and in honour of St Edward the Confessor in the year 1910. Whilst the sound of the bell travels through the clouds, may the bands of angels

pray for those assembled in thy church. St Edward, pray for England.’

It was rung for the first time at the Consecration of the cathedral on 29 June 1910.

Thereafter, it seems to have fallen silent, mainly because of the inaccessibility of the bell rope and the height of the bellchamber (at 250 feet above street level, possibly the highest in the country).

© Tony the Misfit

In 1995, Patrick Matthews, the President of the Guild of St Agnes, the Catholic bell-ringing organisation, decided to investigate. Aided by Fr Shaun Lennard, at that time awaiting ordination, he managed to locate access to the bell rope and work out a way of pulling it. On 29 June 1995, at the end of the Mass to celebrate the centenary of the cathedral’s foundation, Big Edward sounded once more, although poor Patrick’s hands were covered with blisters ‘as big as party balloons’.

Soon after an electric apparatus for tolling the bell was installed.

Many of us are indeed deeply saddened by the closure of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, but we should finish on a note of hope. In their statement about the decision to close, Master Bellfounder Alan Hughes and his wife Kathryn write: ‘We have made this decision with a heavy heart, but in response to the changing realities of running a business of this kind…The business has been at its present site over two hundred and fifty years. So it is probably about time it moved once again. We hope this move will provide an opportunity for the business to move forward in a new direction.’

This article originally appeared in Oremus.

Page 9

Westminster Record | February 2017

Called to Serve the Sick

It has been rightly observed that, even though the Year of Mercy has ended, mercy never will: forever it will be an essential component of our Christian attitude and life. The Year of Mercy did however generate an enthusiasm and moved this virtue to the forefront of our mind and pastoral approach. Once again we have become more familiar with the Corporal Works of Mercy, we have seen them listed and displayed in our parishes and in the cathedral.

Among them is one that we are particularly good at: to visit the sick.

Recently news bulletins have carried articles speaking of the strain the NHS is bearing in caring for the sick brought to A&E departments of our hospitals this winter. The sick are with us in all seasons, they have a need to be cared for and to know that the Church cares about them. In caring for the sick we follow the Lord’s own example.

Using the momentum created by the Year of Mercy and to reassure the sick of their importance to the Christian community, our diocese will have the in the first half of this year a short season entitled, ‘Called to Serve the Sick’. In this time we hope to heighten awareness of what we are already doing and what we have to offer, and widen it to all to who are suffering.

This season will begin at the annual Mass for the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday 11 February, when we will assemble as we usually do with the sick of the diocese to celebrate with them and to administer the Sacrament of the Sick. In addition, this year we will acknowledge all those who work in our hospital chaplaincies by conferring a blessing upon them before

Page 10

Mass concludes. The season ends at our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in July.

Between these two points in our diocesan calendar we will have an opportunity to reflect on how we can include to a greater extent all those who are afflicted or affected by a breaking down of physical or mental health, the sick and their families.

We wish to include caring for the bereaved and assist those preparing for death.

Through diocesan and parish events it is hoped that the sick will be integrated, as much as possible, and our care for them seen as a necessary aspect as we live our Catholic faith to the full.

Sickness and the sick can be hidden. There are those who do not wish public exposure and their desire for privacy must be respected; some may be reluctant to have their personal trials known. We speak here of those who would welcome awareness of their condition and support from their parish.

We seek in these months to be more conscious of them and to offer them the wealth the Church has to offer. To be alone in one’s suffering adds to its burden.

An important element of this season is to grow in awareness of the Christian attitude to sickness. To this end, resources in the form of two booklets, published by CTS, are being prepared to educate and assist us The titles of these booklets published by the CTS are A Priest’s Guide to Hospital Ministry and A Catholic Patient’s Guide to Hospital. All contributors to the booklets are hospital chaplains, lay and clergy working in the diocese As we support the one who is sick we keep in mind that Christ is the true physician. A logo has been designed for this season giving a visual image of how we see ourselves, carrying others and bearing them to Christ. The Gospel records that ‘they brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was’ Mark 6:55. In the Sacrament of the Sick we do this most powerfully. It is hoped that in this time we will grow in our appreciation of this Sacrament, its value, its

Westminster Record | February 2017

Mental Health Care with Compassion © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Quite often we are confronted with problems that have long and complicated solutions, and as such are seen as insurmountable. Mental health is a topic that is increasingly being talked about, not just in our homes, but on the news and in the papers. Monday 16 January was this year’s ‘Blue Monday’. Created by a holiday company in 2005, it is based on the idea that the third Monday of January is the day when we are poorest and least motivated, and the weather is bad. But it is also a time to start conversations about mental health. Recently Theresa May made a significant speech about mental health, detailing the money that will be spent on provisions as well as emphasising the need to tackle

the social stigma associated with mental health problems.

The Church is not excluded from this conversation, nor is it unfamiliar with the difficulties and the stigma surrounding mental health. It knows the value of compassion and unwavering love in these situations. This is no passive compassion devoid of meaning and detached from reality, but an active, enthusiastic one that reaches out for that first embrace.

This is reflected in the many ways that the Church offers support to people with mental health problems, from structured support groups to a chat over tea and coffee after Mass. Within the diocese for example, Ealing Abbey offers counselling services on a self-

referral basis, giving a model of care for those of all faiths and none. Although we might not realise it, these things are a lifeline for many people. We can also see this compassion in the acknowledgment of the value that people with mental health issues bring to the Church. When we consider that one in four people struggle with poor mental health, this is a significant proportion of the people with whom we attend Mass. This figure does not exclude clergy

either. As part of this ongoing drive to address the needs of the whole congregation, Caritas Westminster is working with Mind to develop workshops which will be delivered across the diocese on the following: Kingsland Hackney: 29 April Vaughan House: 13 May Welwyn Garden City: 1 July North Harrow: 17 June You are invited to come to your nearest one and find out more about the work of Mind

and how to help those with mental health issues in a parish setting. As we enter this diocesan season of prayer, ‘Called to Care for the Sick’, we focus on those who suffer in silence, those who might have an illness that is not obvious. We are calling those who suffer to find comfort in the Church. If you would like to know more about the workshops please visit our website or email caritaswestminster @rcdow.org.uk

Inside the Hospice: The Good Samaritan Fr Peter-Michael Scott meaning, for whom it is intended and to dispel any misunderstanding. The CTS booklets being produced contain chapters which will help explain that the Sacrament of the Sick is essentially one in which the Church provides the assurance that the one who suffers or is in declining health is not alone and prays that Christ will be with them.

Many of our hospitals rely on lay chaplains as well as clerics to provide for the needs of Catholic inpatients. We wish to acknowledge their contribution and the value of their ministry; in blessing them at the conclusion of the Mass for the Sick we will pray that the Lord will continually bless their work in which they bring Christ and his healing to to those who need him.

Serving the sick is part of the ministry of all priests with hospital duties and responsibilities. For them administering the Sacrament of the Sick is an everyday occurrence. Priests quietly respond knowing as is their duty, inconvenient or not, even during the night. Such response is also required in nursing

homes, care homes and hospices. We are grateful and appreciative for all they do.

Sickness is not confined to physical ailment nor to the elderly. Some are afflicted with issues of mental health: these too we must care for. To do so requires different skills; some are more suited to it than others.

Dotted around our diocese in various locations are mental health units, and no doubt some of those within their walls are Catholics. What support do they receive? What support that they need can we provide for them and their families?

During this season three events will help us in our mission to serve the sick, two in the cathedral the other in parishes. The first is the Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes which has been a feature of our diocesan life for many years. It is on Saturday 11 February at 2pm.

One of the great sorrows borne is by parents who have lost a child. On Saturday 11 March at 2.30pm in the cathedral we will celebrate Mass for Bereaved Parents.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to write the name of the child who has died, and

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these names will be collected and brought to the sanctuary. It is hoped that in this way parents will be comforted and experience the support of the Church.

Some who suffer from a long-term illness or are terminally ill, and others suffering with dementia, are cared for in different ways in their own home, often by children or spouses or close friends. We wish to acknowledge them particularly.

On the weekend of 8/9 July, the Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, in the Gospel of the day Jesus presents himself as the one who supports us with the appeal of ‘Come to me all you who labour and overburdened and I will give you rest’. It is suggested that these non–professional carers who provide assistance to friends and neighbours can be invited to receive a blessing at the parish Masses of the day.

It is hoped that these few months will have a value which will stretch into the future. May this be a fruitful time for the whole diocese as we implement and practice that virtue of Mercy which captured the imagination of the world.

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

I am not really conscious of how I enter a patient’s room in the hospice. I just breeze in and instinctively absorb lots of clues to help me understand who the patient is. Religious statues or rosaries on the bedside cabinet tell me the patient has a faith, pictures of family inform me that they are part of a household, and magazines or books mean they are not too muddled by medication or illness.

I am, however, conscious of my compassion towards them, of trying to be like the Good Samaritan. I see tremendous witness of compassion by hospice staff and carers.

Compassion is a beautiful gift. It means that someone has care and concern and that they have pity for an individual who is suffering.

‘Compassion’ and ‘pity’ have Latin roots. Compassion comes from the Latin compati which means to ‘suffer with’, and pity from piety which means ‘devotion or attentiveness’. Neither word implies that we should treat those who are sick as inferior, weak or inadequate. Rather, we love them as equals, members

of God’s family, and we seek to serve and carry them.

Seeking to serve the sick, to appreciate them as equals and heirs to the Kingdom of God, is the theme of a diocesan formation period which will begin with the cathedral Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11 February, to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Our guide will be the Good Samaritan who acted with compassion, bandaged and anointed, lifted up, and brought the roadside injured from isolation back into the community (an inn in this instance).

The formation period will end in July with the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This year the theme of the pilgrimage is ‘The Almighty has done great things for me’.

By the end of the diocesan formation period aimed at serving the sick, we will have acknowledged how we do great things for others.

I see that every day in the hospice, I work with remarkable Good Samaritans.

Please pray for the patients, staff and volunteers of St Joseph’s Hospice.

Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Page 11

Westminster Record | February 2017

Called to Serve the Sick

It has been rightly observed that, even though the Year of Mercy has ended, mercy never will: forever it will be an essential component of our Christian attitude and life. The Year of Mercy did however generate an enthusiasm and moved this virtue to the forefront of our mind and pastoral approach. Once again we have become more familiar with the Corporal Works of Mercy, we have seen them listed and displayed in our parishes and in the cathedral.

Among them is one that we are particularly good at: to visit the sick.

Recently news bulletins have carried articles speaking of the strain the NHS is bearing in caring for the sick brought to A&E departments of our hospitals this winter. The sick are with us in all seasons, they have a need to be cared for and to know that the Church cares about them. In caring for the sick we follow the Lord’s own example.

Using the momentum created by the Year of Mercy and to reassure the sick of their importance to the Christian community, our diocese will have the in the first half of this year a short season entitled, ‘Called to Serve the Sick’. In this time we hope to heighten awareness of what we are already doing and what we have to offer, and widen it to all to who are suffering.

This season will begin at the annual Mass for the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday 11 February, when we will assemble as we usually do with the sick of the diocese to celebrate with them and to administer the Sacrament of the Sick. In addition, this year we will acknowledge all those who work in our hospital chaplaincies by conferring a blessing upon them before

Page 10

Mass concludes. The season ends at our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in July.

Between these two points in our diocesan calendar we will have an opportunity to reflect on how we can include to a greater extent all those who are afflicted or affected by a breaking down of physical or mental health, the sick and their families.

We wish to include caring for the bereaved and assist those preparing for death.

Through diocesan and parish events it is hoped that the sick will be integrated, as much as possible, and our care for them seen as a necessary aspect as we live our Catholic faith to the full.

Sickness and the sick can be hidden. There are those who do not wish public exposure and their desire for privacy must be respected; some may be reluctant to have their personal trials known. We speak here of those who would welcome awareness of their condition and support from their parish.

We seek in these months to be more conscious of them and to offer them the wealth the Church has to offer. To be alone in one’s suffering adds to its burden.

An important element of this season is to grow in awareness of the Christian attitude to sickness. To this end, resources in the form of two booklets, published by CTS, are being prepared to educate and assist us The titles of these booklets published by the CTS are A Priest’s Guide to Hospital Ministry and A Catholic Patient’s Guide to Hospital. All contributors to the booklets are hospital chaplains, lay and clergy working in the diocese As we support the one who is sick we keep in mind that Christ is the true physician. A logo has been designed for this season giving a visual image of how we see ourselves, carrying others and bearing them to Christ. The Gospel records that ‘they brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was’ Mark 6:55. In the Sacrament of the Sick we do this most powerfully. It is hoped that in this time we will grow in our appreciation of this Sacrament, its value, its

Westminster Record | February 2017

Mental Health Care with Compassion © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Quite often we are confronted with problems that have long and complicated solutions, and as such are seen as insurmountable. Mental health is a topic that is increasingly being talked about, not just in our homes, but on the news and in the papers. Monday 16 January was this year’s ‘Blue Monday’. Created by a holiday company in 2005, it is based on the idea that the third Monday of January is the day when we are poorest and least motivated, and the weather is bad. But it is also a time to start conversations about mental health. Recently Theresa May made a significant speech about mental health, detailing the money that will be spent on provisions as well as emphasising the need to tackle

the social stigma associated with mental health problems.

The Church is not excluded from this conversation, nor is it unfamiliar with the difficulties and the stigma surrounding mental health. It knows the value of compassion and unwavering love in these situations. This is no passive compassion devoid of meaning and detached from reality, but an active, enthusiastic one that reaches out for that first embrace.

This is reflected in the many ways that the Church offers support to people with mental health problems, from structured support groups to a chat over tea and coffee after Mass. Within the diocese for example, Ealing Abbey offers counselling services on a self-

referral basis, giving a model of care for those of all faiths and none. Although we might not realise it, these things are a lifeline for many people. We can also see this compassion in the acknowledgment of the value that people with mental health issues bring to the Church. When we consider that one in four people struggle with poor mental health, this is a significant proportion of the people with whom we attend Mass. This figure does not exclude clergy

either. As part of this ongoing drive to address the needs of the whole congregation, Caritas Westminster is working with Mind to develop workshops which will be delivered across the diocese on the following: Kingsland Hackney: 29 April Vaughan House: 13 May Welwyn Garden City: 1 July North Harrow: 17 June You are invited to come to your nearest one and find out more about the work of Mind

and how to help those with mental health issues in a parish setting. As we enter this diocesan season of prayer, ‘Called to Care for the Sick’, we focus on those who suffer in silence, those who might have an illness that is not obvious. We are calling those who suffer to find comfort in the Church. If you would like to know more about the workshops please visit our website or email caritaswestminster @rcdow.org.uk

Inside the Hospice: The Good Samaritan Fr Peter-Michael Scott meaning, for whom it is intended and to dispel any misunderstanding. The CTS booklets being produced contain chapters which will help explain that the Sacrament of the Sick is essentially one in which the Church provides the assurance that the one who suffers or is in declining health is not alone and prays that Christ will be with them.

Many of our hospitals rely on lay chaplains as well as clerics to provide for the needs of Catholic inpatients. We wish to acknowledge their contribution and the value of their ministry; in blessing them at the conclusion of the Mass for the Sick we will pray that the Lord will continually bless their work in which they bring Christ and his healing to to those who need him.

Serving the sick is part of the ministry of all priests with hospital duties and responsibilities. For them administering the Sacrament of the Sick is an everyday occurrence. Priests quietly respond knowing as is their duty, inconvenient or not, even during the night. Such response is also required in nursing

homes, care homes and hospices. We are grateful and appreciative for all they do.

Sickness is not confined to physical ailment nor to the elderly. Some are afflicted with issues of mental health: these too we must care for. To do so requires different skills; some are more suited to it than others.

Dotted around our diocese in various locations are mental health units, and no doubt some of those within their walls are Catholics. What support do they receive? What support that they need can we provide for them and their families?

During this season three events will help us in our mission to serve the sick, two in the cathedral the other in parishes. The first is the Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes which has been a feature of our diocesan life for many years. It is on Saturday 11 February at 2pm.

One of the great sorrows borne is by parents who have lost a child. On Saturday 11 March at 2.30pm in the cathedral we will celebrate Mass for Bereaved Parents.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to write the name of the child who has died, and

Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

these names will be collected and brought to the sanctuary. It is hoped that in this way parents will be comforted and experience the support of the Church.

Some who suffer from a long-term illness or are terminally ill, and others suffering with dementia, are cared for in different ways in their own home, often by children or spouses or close friends. We wish to acknowledge them particularly.

On the weekend of 8/9 July, the Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, in the Gospel of the day Jesus presents himself as the one who supports us with the appeal of ‘Come to me all you who labour and overburdened and I will give you rest’. It is suggested that these non–professional carers who provide assistance to friends and neighbours can be invited to receive a blessing at the parish Masses of the day.

It is hoped that these few months will have a value which will stretch into the future. May this be a fruitful time for the whole diocese as we implement and practice that virtue of Mercy which captured the imagination of the world.

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

I am not really conscious of how I enter a patient’s room in the hospice. I just breeze in and instinctively absorb lots of clues to help me understand who the patient is. Religious statues or rosaries on the bedside cabinet tell me the patient has a faith, pictures of family inform me that they are part of a household, and magazines or books mean they are not too muddled by medication or illness.

I am, however, conscious of my compassion towards them, of trying to be like the Good Samaritan. I see tremendous witness of compassion by hospice staff and carers.

Compassion is a beautiful gift. It means that someone has care and concern and that they have pity for an individual who is suffering.

‘Compassion’ and ‘pity’ have Latin roots. Compassion comes from the Latin compati which means to ‘suffer with’, and pity from piety which means ‘devotion or attentiveness’. Neither word implies that we should treat those who are sick as inferior, weak or inadequate. Rather, we love them as equals, members

of God’s family, and we seek to serve and carry them.

Seeking to serve the sick, to appreciate them as equals and heirs to the Kingdom of God, is the theme of a diocesan formation period which will begin with the cathedral Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11 February, to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Our guide will be the Good Samaritan who acted with compassion, bandaged and anointed, lifted up, and brought the roadside injured from isolation back into the community (an inn in this instance).

The formation period will end in July with the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This year the theme of the pilgrimage is ‘The Almighty has done great things for me’.

By the end of the diocesan formation period aimed at serving the sick, we will have acknowledged how we do great things for others.

I see that every day in the hospice, I work with remarkable Good Samaritans.

Please pray for the patients, staff and volunteers of St Joseph’s Hospice.

Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Page 11

Westminster Record | February 2017

The Year of Mercy at Westminster Cathedral

by Anne Marie Micallef The Jubilee Year of Mercy which we have recently finished celebrating captured the hearts and minds of so many people. Many of the faithful from all parts of the diocese and beyond made a pilgrimage to Westminster Cathedral during this year to pass through the Door of Mercy and to follow the Way of Mercy, stopping at each of the 10 stations to pray and contemplate the ways of God’s mercy.

From the opening of the Door of Mercy in December 2015, when 2,000 people attended to the closing of the Door of Mercy this past November when 1,500 attended, a steady stream of pilgrims added to the usual number of visitors to the cathedral.

We do not keep records of the footfall; therefore it’s not possible to say exactly how many individuals have followed the Way of Mercy. Based on the number of specially-produced leaflets for the Jubilee Year and the number of children from our schools visiting, in my estimation, at least 60,000 people have followed the Way of Mercy at least once. I know of several people who have followed the Way of Mercy more than once.

To help the faithful make the most of their visit, we provided various leaflets and guides, which were all very well received. Throughout the year, we used 37,000 Way of Mercy leaflets, 25,000 Confession leaflets, 5,000 coloured leaflets, 5,000 Salve Regina cards, 2,500 commemorative booklets and 2,500 children’s guides.

The introduction to the Way of Mercy was printed in thirteen languages, with the translations provided by various friends and

Page 12

associates who volunteered their skills. Originally, 1,000 copies were printed in each language.

They were so gratefully received that we ended up reprinting the Spanish leaflet four times, the Polish three times, the French and Italian twice, and the Chinese version once.

A total of 59 school groups, with between 16 and 350 children, booked in to come on pilgrimage. Most days we had one group at a time; however, on one particular day we had eight groups all following the Way of Mercy during the same hour.

Fifty-seven parish and other groups, with between 5 and 150 people, came on scheduled visits. One group consisted of two ladies in wheelchairs and one with a walker. The youngest pilgrims were babes in prams, while the oldest individual that I know of, was 94.

Among the groups visiting, many were from various ethnic communities, such as Chinese, Philippino, Slovak, Chaldean, Nigerian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Lithuanian Catholics. The Deaf Service led another group through the Way of Mercy.

Four interfaith and ecumenical groups also came on pilgrimage, among them a group of pastors who travelled all the way from Denmark in May to join us. There were many more groups who also came on unannounced visits.

The artists who were involved in creating the Way of Mercy were also kept busy throughout the year, giving fourteen presentations to various groups and two school assemblies.

There were so many memorable things about the Year of Mercy at the cathedral, but, for me, some stand out

particularly as humbling moments. There were the nearlyconstant queues for Confession.

At one point we had over 60 people waiting.

There was the group of tiny tots in Year 1 (aged 6) singing the Salve Regina in Our Lady’s Chapel. On another occasion, there was the group of children from a school, in a very deprived area of London, sitting on the steps of the piazza singing the Year of Mercy anthem. Father Martin Plunkett then asked them to sing it as the sermon for the day which was also very moving.

Just as impressive were the eight school groups, some of which I knew about and some who turned up announced, all following the Way of Mercy at the same time, with all the children behaving piously. The behaviour of all the school children following the Way of Mercy during the year was exemplary.

On another visit, the children from one of the schools who held a big Way of Mercy assembly presented the cathedral with a cheque for £350, which they had raised by doing chores.

The sight of 420 children, 330

from one school and 90 from another, lined up on the piazza patiently waiting to go through the door was impressive, as were the children from the Vietnamese community quietly going to Confession in the main body of the cathedral.

In so many ways and

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memories, the Year of Mercy left its mark on the cathedral. For me, it has been a joy to witness so many coming on pilgrimage during such a truly special year.

Anne Marie Micallef is the Coordinator of the St John Southworth Guild.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Chaplain’s Corner

Fr David Reilly, Diocesan Youth Chaplain In this country, we end the Christmas season on the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism. Like the Epiphany, this feast is a celebration of the manifestation of God’s glory in Christ. Jesus, which means ‘God saves’ was the name given by the angel before his conception. But at his baptism he truly becomes Christ, the anointed one, when the Holy Spirit descends upon him at the start of his public ministry.

In many European countries, Christmas time is extended until the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation, a day commonly known as Candlemas. In Italy, the cribs remain displayed until this feast on 2 February.

Candlemas is a lovely day when we remember that the parents of Jesus took him to the Temple to present him to the Lord. But they also meet the old man Simeon who looks with eyes of faith and gives a disturbing prophecy concerning the future for Jesus and Mary.

The biblical scholar Raymond Brown once wrote a book called, ‘An Adult Christ at Christmas’.

Like Simeon, perhaps he was encouraging his hearers to look beyond the baby and the crib, and to see Jesus’ ministry in the context of his mission as Christ, as God’s suffering servant and sign of contradiction, a ministry that would ultimately end in the cross and the piercing of his mother’s own soul. We love to celebrate Christmas but we cannot stop there.

Perhaps we have already cleared away the cribs and Christmas decorations but the Feast of Candlemas is an invitation for us to move faithfully from Christmas to the mystery of Christ’s mission as Messiah, to begin to prepare ourselves to step into the season of Lent and the days which will take us to the other end of the Christ-Child’s momentous life.

Director’s Spotlight

Young Adult Pilgrimage to Rome

Phil Ross, Youth Ministry Director

As I move into my fifth year with the diocese, I reflect on the blessings I have received during this time and how lucky I am to work alongside so many wonderful people.

Our curia is packed with talented people pulling together to support a truly diverse diocese.

At a very local level I have witnessed an amazing growth in our agency and youth ministry is striding forward at a fair pace and is led by a great team who are driven to build the youth agenda.

Last year was a joy as we ventured to World Youth Day in Poland, got to work on our new residential building at SPEC in Pinner and supported countless parishes.

Westminster Youth Ministry invite young adults to join us on pilgrimage in June to the Eternal City. A summer weekend in Rome: can you think of anything better?

Rome is a wonderful city, steeped in history and worldrenowned for its culture, glorious food and fashion.

Numerous treasures are found here and are all easily reached by walking the cobbled streets: the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are all very close at hand.

It is in Rome that you can genuinely feel history in the making and no visit is complete without time at the Colosseum; its legacy is both dramatic and frightening!

Of course, the very centrepiece of any pilgrimage to Rome is Vatican City, the home of our Holy Father.

The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Pope’s Gardens at Castel Gandolfo are all places to witness, and our

pilgrimage will take in as many of these historic sites as possible.

Led by Fr David Reilly, the pilgrimage is based at a beautiful hotel close to the city centre so everything is at hand.

Masses will be held every day at a different church so our pilgrims will get to see as much of Rome as possible.

There are only 30 places available as we want this to be a very special time: intimate and chilled, so why not think about coming along with us and experiencing Rome at its best.

This year, 2017 will also be very special.

We’ll be accompanying over 1,000 teenagers to Flame ‘17 at Wembley Arena in March and will lead a pilgrimage to Rome for young adults in June. Before we have chance to blink, the new residential building at SPEC will be complete with the opening ceremony penciled in for July.

In the summer we’ll be supporting the Red Caps in Lourdes and I’ll be giving my daughter away as she’s getting married; the reception is at SPEC, of course!

Come September, SPEC will open for residential retreats and what a campus we'll have in place. If you want to have a look at our progress then please drop me an email, it would be a pleasure to give you a tour.

Christmas is a now distant memory as we head into the New Year!

To find out more about the Youth Ministry and experiences of our young people at: dowym.org.uk.

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See photos of youth events at: http://flickr.com/ photos/catholicwestminster

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Become a Vocations Promoter

by Canon Stuart Wilson

Lourdes Stations of the Cross Giovanni Marseglia and Bernard Lavery have collaborated in the production of the most unique form of words and music to the Stations of the Cross for this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes this summer. Come, listen and see it first on 10 March at 8pm at Sacred Heart Church, Bushey, WD23 1BA. This event is free.

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To book a place or for further information contact: Dom Dominic Taylor on 020 8862 2100 or email ddominic@ealingabbey.org.uk

Fatima Pilgrimage at a very special price Departs 26th September 2017 from Stansted 3 nights dinner, bed & breakfast 4* Hotel Excursion to Aljustrel £375 per person sharing, £450 in single room

Lourdes special offer Departs 12th June 2017 from Stansted 4 nights full board 4* Hotel Lourdes Excursion to Bartres £450 per person sharing £515 in single room

Lourdes by coach 2017 full colour brochure now available, please call for your free copy

9 days departing Victoria Coach Station, 26th May & 21st July 3* Hotel America in Lourdes Full board, free wine with meals £550 per person sharing £725 in single room.

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sanctity. The conference had the catchy title ‘Get Up’ and the Holy Father picked this up and reminded his listeners that this phrase was used by the angel who visited St Peter in prison (Acts 12:7). The angel said to Peter: ‘Get up and wrap your mantle around you’. At the outset, Peter didn’t know whether this was a dream, but he did what the angel asked him. He followed the angel and went to the house where the Christian community was gathered praying for him to be released from prison. The amazing thing was that the Christian community couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw him at the door. They thought he was a ghost, an illusion, and they became fearful and wanted to reject what they saw. Thank goodness the Holy Spirit put them straight!

The work of vocations promotion can seem like this today. Certainly it is important that every member of the diocese prays for vocations.

Again, the Holy Father in his address encourages this. He says that ‘the greatest pastoral plan without the leaven of prayer will not succeed’. So my second task is to stir up every member of the diocese to renew their prayer for vocations.

Men aged 18-45 are invited to spend the Sacred Triduum at Ealing Abbey from 24 to 27 March. Monastic experience weekends offer young men a chance to meet the monastic community, to learn more about the life and ministry of a monk and to join them in the celebration of the Divine Office and Mass.

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It seems to me that the Diocesan Vocations Promoter has two tasks. Firstly he has to find new men who are willing to offer themselves to the priesthood. This is no easy task in a world which is dominated by a fear of taking too many risks and in a society which has become challenged by the idea of lifelong commitment. Yet I believe that God is calling men to priesthood, as well as women and men to the Religious Life and that my task (along with the clergy of the diocese) is to help them hear that still small voice in the midst of a noisy world that would want to drown it out.

As I thought about that, it came to me that the title of Vocations Promoter is not a title that I should keep for myself. In order to do this work, I have gathered around me a group of people who have become the Vocations Promotion Team. They help me plan a strategy for the future and I am grateful to them.

Yet does the promotion work stop there? I don’t think so! I was reading recently an address that Pope Francis gave to a group of people gathered in Rome for a conference on vocations and

How will you pray for vocations? Will you attach it to a prayer each day as you say the Our Father or the Hail Mary? What about also making it an interior prayer from the heart? Praying with an earnestness because the need is great. Perhaps you could pray something simple like: ‘Call men to reap the harvest Lord’ or ‘Raise up vocations in my parish, Lord’.

At the moment we are beginning to circulate an eyecatching card which we hope you will use.

It could be your reminder to prayer each day; leave it by your bedside or on the fridge.

But the card could be used in another way. The Pope’s message reminds us that the first Christians were praying, but they couldn’t believe that the Lord had answered their prayer. They couldn’t believe their eyes. So pray with your eyes open, be on the lookout for likely people to answer God’s call. The answer to our prayers might be there, sitting near you, serving at the altar, helping with parish activities or impressing you by their air of spiritfulness. Give them the card and ask them to give us a call, our details are on the back.

Dear fellow vocations promoters, thank you for helping in this work.

Ealing Abbey Monastic Experience Weekend

www.northernstartravel.com

Eight Accepted for Permanent Diaconate On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 18 December 2016, eight men were accepted as candidates for formation for the permanent diaconate during the Ceremony of Candidacy, which took place at St Bartholomew's Church, St Albans.

The ceremony took place during Mass, with Bishop Paul McAleenan presiding and Parish Priest of St Bartholomew's Fr Tim Edgar concelebrating. The eight men are Jonathan Chappell, Ian Coleman, Wayne O’Reilly, Jose Peixoto, Bishop Paul, Fr Tim, Andrew Goodall, Joseph

Estorninho, William Lo and Paul O’Connor (pictured in the photo with Bishop Paul and Fr Tim).Also present on the day

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were the wives of several of the men.

Please keep the men and their families in your prayers.

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Silence: Seeking Forgiveness

by Martha Behan If you haven’t seen Silence but intend to, I recommend reading this later as it contains spoilers.

I went to see Silence knowing only that it was about Jesuit missionaries in Japan. I was unaware of the persecution of Christians in 17th century, so was shocked by the opening scene depicting their suffering so vividly and starkly.

From here we are taken to Portugal, where two young Jesuits are begging to go to Japan to find their mentor, Fr Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who has apparently apostatised to avoid persecution. Jesuits had been missionaries to Japan since St Francis Xavier arrived in the 1540s. Over one million were converted, before the government began to crackdown in 1565. By the time

the persecution stopped, hundreds of thousands of people had been killed, and thousands more had gone into hiding. We commemorate nearly 500 of these martyrs including St Paul Miki and companions.

The film follows the two young Jesuits, Fr Garupe and Fr Rodrigues, as they travel to Japan to find their mentor. The film raises many questions about martyrdom and conversion, and about forgiveness. At the beginning of their journey the two priests search for a guide to take them from China to Japan. This leads them to a drunk sailor, Kichijiro, who speaks English but denies being Christian. As the story unfolds we learn that he had renounced his faith to avoid death. Fr Rodrigues

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reveals he is concerned about Kichijiro, he talks with him and hears his confession. However Kichijiro, over the course of the film, proceeds to apostatize multiple times, each time returning and begging for forgiveness, admitting his weakness. At one point Kichijiro hands the priest to the authorities and then comes to his cell within days to beg again for reconciliation. The priest, with only a brief hesitation, speaks the familiar words.

It was irritating to watch this wild man return again and again, shouting for forgiveness.

Even the patient priest is driven to ask if this man really knows what confession means.

‘I am so weak’, Kichijiro wails, where in the world can a man as weak as me go?’ He is

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forgiven and runs off. The priest returns to his meditation in silence. In my own silence I thought about how much I hoped that Kichijiro would be martyred.

Then I was struck with a thought that has stayed with me. We are Kichijiro; we are this recurring wild character.

Every time I cringed at the silly man who clearly didn’t understand confession, I was being confronted with a vision of myself. I may not give up my faith every 10 minutes but I am no better than Kichijiro when it comes to confession, continuing to sin just as he does. Often confessions are repetitive: we are creatures of habit who continue to sin in the same way again and again.

In repeatedly seeking confession, Kichijiro showed

that strength comes with admitting we are sinners. I never really understood it until I saw the hopeless Kichijiro shout ‘padre, confession’.

Being a sinner means that we can never stop asking for forgiveness. We will always have to admit that we have sinned, accepting that there will be no last time until we die.

Kichijiro is eventually martyred, although we don’t witness it. Ordinarily I would be unsatisfied when the death of an important character is not addressed but I knew that this wasn’t his purpose. Far more important was what he revealed about forgiveness and its depth. We confess, but we also go on to sin. But does this make our confession any less sincere?

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Westminster Record | February 2017

Community Across Bringing New Light Generations

by Deacon Adrian Cullen

The Sixth Formers at Bishop Douglass School have been recognised once again for their sterling efforts in community work. They have been awarded a ‘Get set for Community Action’ plaque for their ‘Outstanding work within the community’.

Last year a Brazilian tea party was organised in collaboration with Age UK Barnet to help celebrate the Rio 2016 Olympics. Local senior citizens were invited to the school to enjoy a samba lesson,

Brazilian cuisine and Brazilian bingo. At Christmas, a team of Sixth Formers went carol singing at Nazareth House, the local care home.

Regular community endeavours include monthly tea dances and weekly computer lessons for local senior citizens. These are hosted and organised by the Sixth Formers who really enjoy running the events, and are always looking for new ways to get involved with their local community.

February is a cold and dark month, but already the mornings are starting to be that little bit brighter as the season starts to change. It’s as if the sun is on a mission to bring back light and warmth to the world which has been in darkness long enough.

We too are on a mission: to bring the light of Jesus Christ into the world. Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel, says that it is the challenge for every Christian to be involved in evangelisation: bringing the Good News to all.

He points to those first disciples of Jesus who proclaimed, ‘we have found the Messiah’.

Likewise, when we have truly experienced the saving love of Jesus, we will want to share that love with others.

However, taking on the challenge of evangelisation may not just happen overnight. For many there is first a journey of faith to be travelled whereby people become missionary disciples. In her book Intentional Discipleship, Sherry Weddell describes how for the individual this journey starts with trust in those who are

already disciples, which can lead to a curiosity about Jesus and openness to the possibility of spiritual change. A threshold is then reached where a person moves to actively seek Jesus Christ. It is through seeking Jesus and exploring his Church that a person comes to a point when they make a choice to commit themselves to Christ, and become an intentional or missionary disciple.

The process to bring about intentional disciples is becoming widely recognised. Some Westminster parishes are already using Sherry Weddell’s ideas in their local Proclaim work, and they will be a key support in the development of evangelisation teams across the diocese, as we continue with Proclaim through 2017.

At the start of February is the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, when we recall how Jesus is brought to the temple to be greeted by Simeon. Simeon, along with the whole Jewish people, has been waiting, in a world darkened by sin, for the Messiah. As Jesus is presented, Simeon recalls a promise made to him by God and thanks God:

Lord, let your servant go in peace, for as you promised, I have now seen the salvation of the world, a light for all peoples.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also known as Candlemas, when candles for use in the Church are blessed as signs of ‘Christ the light’. We ask God to sanctify the candles, and to pour into our hearts the brilliance of perpetual light, so that we will be eager to carry forward the light of Christ so that we and others may be brought to the light that never fails.

As each new day brings its own challenges in proclaiming the Good News, we can turn to Mary, Mother of Jesus, who in presenting Jesus to the world faced many challenges, to ask for her intercession. Pope Francis describes Mary as the Mother of Evangelisation. It is through evangelisation that we bring the new light of Jesus, who says to all, ‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’

Deacon Adrian Cullen Evangelisation Coordinator adriancullen@rcdow.org.uk

Peace Sunday 2017: The Power of Nonviolence

by Barbara Kentish Chosen by Pope Francis, the theme for Peace Sunday this year was ‘Nonviolence: a style of politics for peace’. Many parishes celebrated the theme in various ways and raised funds for the work of Pax Christi.

At Manor House parishioners heard the story of how the women of Liberia were able to stop the civil war 15 years ago through nonviolent strategies.

Every person of good will wants peace, yet so often we can’t see a peaceful solution to a conflict. Among the excellent examples of nonviolent tactics described in Pax Christi’s resource booklet is the story of Liberian women, Christian and Page 16

Muslim, who came together in 2003 to pray for peace from the appalling civil war.

Then-President of Liberia Charles Taylor agreed to talk to the warlords but after seven weeks without a solution, the women blockaded the men in the building, until they reached a decision. Threatening to remove their clothes if security men removed them, the women succeeded in getting the men to come to an agreement. They went on to work with the UN peace-keeping forces, persuading fighters to hand over their weapons and go back to school. Where there’s a will there’s a way!

In 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected

black female President and Africa’s first elected female head of state. With the women’s protest leader, Leymah Gbowee, she shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 with Tawakkul Karman of Yemen, for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.

If anyone hasn’t celebrated Peace Sunday, it’s not too late.

There is never a bad time to reflect on peace and our contribution to a more peaceful world. Resources, prayers, liturgies and stories are available on the Pax Christi website: www.paxchristi.org.uk

Drop-In Centre Anniversary Caritas Westminster has recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of its North London drop-in centre. Located in Arnos Grove, the centre was opened to offer company to anyone who comes through the doors, and to provide help and

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guidance to local residents on a range of issues. It is open from 11am to 1pm every Wednesday.

For more information, please visit the Caritas Westminster website: www.rcdow.org.uk/ caritaswestminster Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster

Westminster Record | February 2017

Dates for your Diary Training days Saturday 11 February: CAFOD Supporters Morning with a special focus on CAFOD’s work in Zambia with a firsthand account from guest speaker. Email westminster@ cafod.org.uk to book.

Saturday 1 April: Understanding CAFOD training.

A fun and engaging day in which to learn everything about CAFOD’s work around the world. Email westminster@cafod.org.uk to book.

Key Parish dates Friday 10 March: Lent Fast Day. Please fast and pray for the world’s poorest communities.

Perhaps you could also organise a frugal lunch or event to mark the occasion in your parish?

Sunday 12 March: Lent Fast Day second collection in parishes for CAFOD Make a Difference this Fairtrade Fortnight: 27 February until 12 March!

Fairtrade Parish activities in Westminster.

Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight Has your parish earned its Fairtrade certificate? If not, perhaps you could help start the process this Fairtrade Fortnight and help farmers and workers in developing countries to earn a fair deal.

Choosing to buy Fairtrade products is a simple choice that has a global impact, helping more than 1.5 million people across 60 countries to earn a fair wage and work in more favourable conditions. There are over 4,500 different Fairtrade products available in the UK, including tea, coffee, chocolate, fruit, wine, even clothing, so choosing a Fairtrade alternative is not difficult.

For your parish to be certified as Fairtrade it must serve Fairtrade tea, coffee, and other products wherever possible. Fairtrade parishes should also host an event during Fairtrade Fortnight, as well as during the year wherever possible. If at least 107 parishes in the diocese gain Fairtrade status, the diocese can then be certified as Fairtrade.

With over 94 parishes already signed up and London as the biggest Fairtrade certified city in the world, let’s make this year the year Westminster goes Fairtrade!

For more information, tips on how to get your parish started in Fairtrade, and a registration form, visit www.cafod.org.uk/fairtrade or call 0208 449 6970.

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Get Your Easter Eggs Here!

The Real Easter Egg 2017 range has been launched and churches are being asked to encourage people to support this unique way of sharing the story of Easter.

This year a 24 page Easter story-activity book illustrated

by Alida Massari is included in the Original, Egg Hunt and Dark eggs. The Special Edition has an Easter traditions booklet inside. The sharing box, with 30 eggs, comes with 30 colour-in posters.

Out of the 80 million Easter eggs sold in this part of the world every year, the Real Easter Egg is the only one which has a copy of the Easter story in the box, is made of Fairtrade chocolate and makes a donation to charity from sales.

The Real Easter Egg was launched in 2010 but the supermarkets turned down the idea. It was left to churches and church schools to place orders to fund the Meaningful Chocolate Company to make the Real Easter Egg. David Marshall, creator of the Real Easter Egg, said: ‘With the support of churches more than one million eggs have been sold with 750,000 of these sent through the post directly to churches and schools. The rest have been sold through independent retailers and supermarkets. The success of the Real Easter Egg has meant that the production of Fairtrade chocolate has moved to the UK. Over £250,000 has been raised

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from sales for charitable causes.

Due to production restrictions, this year we have slightly fewer eggs available so we recommend people order as early as possible.’

The whole range can be ordered online at www.realeasteregg.co.uk (with

free delivery) or from Traidcraft, Eden.co.uk, TLM trading.com, Embrace the Middle East.

Christian bookshops and some cathedrals also have stock. You can also buy the blue Original egg from Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons.

Page 17

Westminster Record | February 2017

St Paul Miki and Companions: 6 February

During the 16th century, the Catholic faith spread throughout Japan and, through the efforts of missionaries such as St Francis Xavier, 200,000 people had been converted. In 1587, Emperor Hideyoshi ordered the banishment of all Catholics, forcing Catholic missionaries to work in secret.

Paul Miki was the son of a Japanese military leader, and was educated at the Jesuit college in Anziquiama. In 1580, he joined the Jesuits and became known for his eloquent preaching.

In 1596, Paul Miki, along with 25 other Catholics, both religious and lay people, were sentenced to die by crucifixion and lancing.

As a sign of disrespect the martyrs had their left ears severed and were paraded through Kyoto. However, the display evoked compassion from

the crowd, leading many witnesses to convert to Christianity.

Even on the cross Paul Miki continued to evangelise to the gathered crowds, saying: ‘The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ, I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I believe that I am telling the truth before I die.

After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.’ Paul had completed 11 years of formation, and was martyred shortly before his ordination.

St Paul Miki and his 25 companions were canonised by Pope Pius IX in 1862, and became known as the Martyrs of Japan.

Hon Canon John Charles Acton STL RIP The Honourable John Charles Acton, always known as Charles or Charlie, was born in January 1943 in Shropshire. He was the son of John, Third Baron Acton, and Daphne, née Strutt. Charles went to Allen Hall, St Edmund’s College, Ware to study for the priesthood from 1962-65 before continuing his studies at the Venerable English College, Rome. Charles was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal William Heard at Palazzola on 14 July 1968.

Fr Charles was appointed Assistant Priest at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington 1969-71.

Fr Charles returned to Rome for further studies in Sacred Theology, 1971-74. He was then appointed to Allen Hall as a member of the teaching staff

until 1999. In 1992, Fr Charles was appointed to the International Theological Commission at the invitation of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. In November 2002 Fr Charles became a member of the Metropolitan Chapter, serving as Canon Theologian. In 2004 he was appointed Dean of Studies at Allen Hall and continued as a full-time member of the seminary staff until the summer of 2016.

He was a man of integrity who had a gentle sense of humour, a man of learning who was, above all, a gentleman and a diocesan priest dedicated to the teaching of theology. Canon Charles died peacefully on 25 December 2016 surrounded by his family.

Canon John McDonald RIP John McDonald was born in London in June 1930. After a brief time in novitiate for the White Fathers, John studied for the priesthood for the diocese and was ordained on 4 June 1955. In 1965, he was appointed to the Crusade of Rescue, becoming Director in 1977 until 1983. He made an extraordinary contribution to the ethos and work of the Crusade, being the first priest to receive the Home Office qualification in Child Care.

In 1983 Fr John was appointed Parish Priest of Acton and then in 1987 he was appointed Parish Priest of Ruislip where he remained until 1992. After recovering from a stroke he was appointed Parish Priest of

Maiden Lane and, in October 1997, Fr John was installed as a Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter. Canon John was appointed Chair of the Sick and Retired Priests Committee in 1999.

In 2005 Canon John retired and was appointed Chaplain to the Knights of Malta and the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, St John’s Wood. His next appointment was to St Anne’s Home in Stoke Newington, as Chaplain, where, after two years, he became resident.

On 19 December 2016 Canon John died peacefully, the day after meeting and conversing with Cardinal Vincent on the pre-Christmas visit to St Anne’s Home.

Beginning Experience There is a healing weekend for men and women who find themselves single again following divorce, separation or the death of a partner from 17 to 19 March 2017 at the Emmaus Centre, West Wickham, Kent.

For details please contact Sandra 01293 783965, Freda 01322 838415 or John 01992 642443, johnabrotherton@hotmail.co.uk.

Lent Faith Matters Talks This series of talks will be held at Vaughan House on 7, 14, 21 and 28 March from 7 to 8.30pm. The theme will be 'Faces of Mercy' with talks given by Fr Geoffrey Wheaton SJ, Sarah Teather, Peter Scott and Mgr Roger Reader. For more information contact livingfaith@rcdow.org.uk.

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In Memoriam: February 1 Fr Harold Gadsden (1972) Mgr Edward Dunderdale (2001) 2 Fr Charles Lowe (1978) Bishop Philip Harvey (2003) Fr James McCormick (2009) 3 Fr Hugh Bishop (1984) 6 Fr Patrick McEvoy (1974) Canon William Ward (1993) Canon Daniel Kay (2003) Fr Kenneth McCabe (2013) 7 Fr Bernard Ferry (1970) Fr George Haines (2000) Fr Michael John Groarke (2008) 9 Canon George Groves (1997) 11 Fr Alan Body (1988) 12 Fr Joseph Francis (1984) Canon Edward Armitage (1987) Mgr Canon Francis Bartlett (1992) 13 Fr Patrick O’Callaghan (1970) Mgr Canon Maurice Kelleher (1994) 15 Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (1865) Fr Richard Wakeling (1988) Fr Leo Straub (2000) Mgr Canon Adrian Arrowsmith (2014) 16 Mgr Bernard Chapman (1999) Fr John Kirwin (2003) Canon Patrick Davies (2010) 19 Fr Ronald Aylward (2010) 20 Fr Joseph Scholles (1983) 21 Fr Michael Hollings (1997) Canon Peter Bourne (2001) Fr Cathal McGonagle (2010) 22 Deacon James Richards (2014) 23 Canon John O’Callaghan (1981) 24 Canon Thomas FitzGerald (1968) Mgr Canon Arthur Rivers (1978) 25 Fr Charles McMenemy (1976) Fr Archibald Bardney (1985) Fr Andrew Clancy (1986) 26 Fr Brian Heaney (2013) 27 Fr Nicholas Lambert (1976) Canon Michael Richards (1997) Canon Charles McGowan (2006) Canon Peter Moore (2006) 28 Fr Joseph Gilligan (1990) Fr John Taylor (2005) 29 Fr Frank Rochla (1992) Fr John McCoy (2012)

For more news from around the diocese throughout the month, please see

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Events & Calendar

Westminster Record | February 2017

REGULAR EVENTS

Liturgical Calendar - February

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. Vocations Prayer Group Second Tuesday of the month 8pm at 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB. Taizé at St James’, Spanish Place, W1U 3UY every first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Email: penny28hb@aol.com or just come along.

WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays on the Wall (WOTW) Every first Wednesday of the month. 6pm at All Hallows on the Wall, 83 London Wall EC2M 5ND. A short service of prayer and reflection at 6pm, coffee at 6.45pm followed by discussion.

Corpus Christi Contemplative Prayer Group for Young Adults Wednesdays from 7pm at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB. For further details please contact corpuschristipg@yahoogroups. co.uk.

Our Lady, Untier of Knots, Prayer Group of Intercession meets every third Wednesday at St Anselm & St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Parish Mass at 6pm followed by Prayer Group until 8.45pm. Rosary, Adoration, Silent prayer and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Email: Antonia antonia4161@gmail.com.

THURSDAYS Jesus Christ the Fullness of Life Every first Thursday of the month.

Young adults from all Christian denominations pray and share a meal. Details www.jcfl.org.uk.

NFG Prayer Group meet weekly at 8pm for praise and worship followed by a social. Monthly a DVD is watched followed by a time of sharing. Held in St Mark’s Room, Christ the King Church N14 4HE. Contact Fr Christophe: christophe.brunet@chemin-neuf.org.

Soul Food A Catholic charismatic prayer group for young adults meets Thursdays 7-9pm at St Charles Borromeo, Ogle Street W1W 6HS. Details at 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 meet every Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praise and Teaching.

First Friday is a healing Mass. For details, please call 020 8748 2632.

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

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club meets every Sunday for walks around London and the Home Counties.

Contact by email: antoinette_adkins2000@yahoo .co.uk, call 020 8769 3643 or check out the website: www.stfrancisramblers. ukwalkers.com

1 Wed

Feria

2 Thu

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

3 Fri

S-s Laurence, Dunstan and Theodore, Archbishops of Canterbury; Friday abstinence

4 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

5 Sun

+ 5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

6 Mon

St Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

7 Tue

Feria, Fifth Week of Year 1

8 Wed

Feria or St Jerome Emiliani or St Josephine Bakhita

9 Thu

Feria

10 Fri

St Scholastica, Virgin; Friday abstinence

11 Sat

Feria or Our Lady of Lourdes or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

12 Sun

+ 6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

13 Mon

Feria, Sixth Week of Year 1

14 Tue

Ss CYRIL, Monk, and METHODIUS, Bishop

15 Wed

Feria

16 Thu

Feria

17 Fri

Feria or Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order; Friday abstinence

18 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

19 Sun

+ 7th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

20 Mon

Feria, Seventh Week of Year 1

21 Tue

Feria or St Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor

22 Wed

THE CHAIR OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE

23 Thu

St Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr

24 Fri

Feria; Friday abstinence

25 Sat

Feria or Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

26 Sun

+ 8th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

27 Mon

Feria, Eighth Week of Year 1

28 Tue

Feria

At Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Acton, the Queen of Peace prayer group meets every Friday evening after 7pm Mass.

The evening consists of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a homily, recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. All welcome.

Praying with Pope Francis – February 2017 Comfort for the afflicted: That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.

John Paul 2 Foundation 4 Sport Mgr Vlad Felzmann, CEO of John Paul 2 Foundation 4 Sport (JP2F4S), can enable your parish to start, and run, its own Parish Sports Club (PSC) for young people. For more information, please email vladimirfelzmann@rcdow.org.uk.

Virtus Lectures at Ealing Abbey The next lecture will take place on Tuesday 21 February at 7.30pm at Ealing Abbey and will be given by Marina Cantacuzino, a journalist and founder of the Forgiveness Project, on the theme: ‘The Power of Narrative to Counter Prejudice and Hate’. The cost is £10 per person (concessions £5) and proceeds will go to the Forgiveness Project.

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Other regular Masses Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QW. Young Adults Mass with an Ignatian twist Every Sunday at 7pm. Church of the Immaculate Conception, 114 Mount Street W1K 3AH. Contact: yam@mountstreet.info or visit www.pathwaystogood.org Mass at Canary Wharf Held on Tuesdays at 12.30pm at 2 Churchill Place E14 5RB. Organised by Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, Chaplain to Canary Wharf Communities. Details www.cwcc.org.uk.

St Albans Abbey Fridays at 12 noon. Mass in the Lady Chapel of St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY. Members of the Westminster LGBT Catholic Community are specially welcomed at the following Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, and invited to our parish hall afterwards for tea/coffee, when there is also an opportunity to learn of pastoral help available: 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, 5.30pm.

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. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Low Mass, 8am The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Fridays: Low Mass 7.45am St Mary Moorfields, 4/5 Eldon Street EC2N 7LS. 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.

Saturdays: Low Mass 12.15pm, St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RP. Low Mass 4.30pm, Side Chapel, Westminster Cathedral SW1P 1QW. Second Saturday only.

Landings UK, the programme for returning Catholics, will be relaunched with a talk on ‘Welcoming the Wounded: Becoming the Church of the Good Samaritan’ by Fr Christopher Jamison OSB on 7 March, at Farm Street Church Hall, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH. To book a place, please contact Scott McCoombe at farmstreetoffice @rcdow.org.uk or call 020 7529 4829. There is a recommended donation of £7.

Page 19

Westminster Record | February 2017

Our Lady of Fatima Visits Her Dowry One hundred years ago, from May to October 1917, Our Lady appeared to three young shepherd children, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos, at Fatima in Portugal.

We are thus now in the centenary year of the Fatima apparitions, and the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) in England and Wales will be commemorating this special event by means of a programme of visitations to cathedrals by the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, together with relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco. This statue of Our Lady was blessed by Pope Paul VI at Fatima in May 1967, and given to this country by the Bishop of Fatima in 1968. It was also blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Britain in 1982.

The WAF programme will start with a visitation of the statue and relics to Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 18 February 2017, from 1:45pm

Page 20

onwards, when Cardinal Vincent will bless the statue and crown it with a new silvergilt centenary crown that is being specially made in Portugal by the same firm that made the richly bejewelled crown that is only worn from 13 May to October. The Cardinal will then preside at Mass and renew the consecration of England and Wales to the Immaculate Heart of Mary that was made by Cardinal Griffin at Walsingham on 16 July 1948.

The cathedral visitation promises to be a truly joyful occasion, when our hearts will be lifted up to celebrate she who is our Holy Queen, the ‘Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope’. This will also be an occasion to pour out our heartfelt prayers for our Church, our bishops and priests, our loved ones, families and friends, through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart and also of Blessed Francisco and Jacinta, the two

youngest seers, whose fidelity and commitment in complying with her requests raised them up to attain heroic virtue. They were declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II in 1989.

After Mass people will be able to venerate the relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco, and this will be followed, at 4pm, by a Fatima Symposium in Westminster Cathedral Hall.

The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue and Relics will be present in the cathedral until 2:30pm on Sunday 19 February.

The symposium will include talks and discussion on the centenary celebrations at Fatima, the famous crown of Our Lady at the Capelinha, the significance of the Fatima message for the family, and the importance of the Five First Saturdays devotion and the Rosary.

We cordially invite as many people as possible to come to the cathedral on Saturday 18 February to show their love and devotion for Our Lady of Fatima, and their desire to honour her in the country which is her dowry. We pray that the gracious reception of her venerable statue will serve to bring down many blessings upon the Church.

The visitations will then continue between May and October to 18 of the cathedrals in England and Wales, and we are delighted to say that Pope Francis has imparted his Apostolic Blessing ‘to all those persons who participate in the organised celebrations in the Cathedrals and churches gathered around the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima’.

In recognition of the significance of Our Lady’s apparitions, Pope Francis is travelling to Fatima on 13 May, for the one hundredth anniversary of the first apparition in 1917. The Pope has granted a special Fatima centenary plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, from 27 November 2016 to 26 November 2017, for those who go on pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fatima, or visit an image of Our Lady of Fatima which is being publicly

Published by The Diocese of Westminster, Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue, London SW1P 1QJ. Printed by Trinity Mirror, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EP. All rights reserved.

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

by Donal Anthony Foley

venerated on the 13th of each month from May to October 2017. Those who cannot travel can fulfil the conditions in front of a small image of Our Lady of Fatima.

We invite you to sign up for our newsletter at: www.worldfatimaenglandwales.org.uk/newslette r.html so you can be kept informed of future WAF events and initiatives. If you can’t attend the Westminster visitation in person, please join

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in spiritually on the day at Mass in your parish church, or at home by praying to an image of Our Lady of Fatima. Please email us via: www.worldfatimaenglandwales.org.uk/contact.ht ml if you would like to obtain one of these, together with the Fatima Prayers, for your personal use at home, or for your friends.

Donal Anthony Foley is secretary of the World Apostolate of Fatima in England and Wales.

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