westminster record march edition

WestminsterRecord March 2014

Pages 14 & 15

Feedback from therecent questionnaire onthe family ahead of twoSynods on the family

Our New Cardinal

Archbishop Vincent Nichols was created Cardinalby Pope Francis at the Ordinary Consistory on 22 February in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Hereceived the ring, scarlet zucchetto and biretta fromthe Holy Father and was assigned the titularchurch of St Alphonsus Liguori located on the ViaMerulana on the Esquiline Hill.

The Consistory and the Mass in Photos: Page 3The Titular Church, Consistory Mass and aView from the Consistory: Back page

©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Editorial Westminster Record | March 2014

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To other bishops PopeFrancis said not to worryabout making mistakes. It ismuch better to becourageous, and risk makingmistakes, than to make nomistakes through fear ofgetting things wrong.

“Mess” is a word that hehas used on other occasions.He wants our parishes to be“messy”, because it is in the“mess of life” that realevangelising can be done andpeople can be met wherethey are. Another image heevoked was of the Churchbeing “like a field hospital,after a battle”. In such placesthe wounded are not askingabout their cholesterol levelsor blood sugars or fussingover details; they first of allneed treatment for life-threatening wounds.

There were some whowere ready to dismiss theearly words and decisions ofPope Francis as superficialgestures. Real change wouldnot follow, they suggested.But there are serious reviewsgoing on within the centralorganisation of the Churchand such reviews, doneproperly, take time.

Perhaps the clearest signof Francis’s intention tochallenge us all has comewith his Apostolic

If someone had said to mein March 2013 ‘This is whatthe Church will look like intwelve months’ time’, Iwould likely have laughed.No event or person couldsurely change the mood ofthe universal Church in sucha short period. No-one couldmake such an impact, evenoutside the Church, in theway that Pope Francis seemsto have done in a year. Withno word of criticism of hispredecessors he has set newpriorities for the Church andmade a lot of us feel ratheruncomfortable! His challengeis addressed to us all.In Rio de Janeiro he spoketo the South Americanbishops, saying that it wasnot enough for them to sit intheir churches with thedoors open, inviting peoplein. He asked them to havethe courage to go out of thechurches and to walk withpeople, even if they might bewalking away from theChurch, taking his cue fromthe two disciples on the roadto Emmaus. They had leftJerusalem believing the Lordto be dead. Yet Jesus Himselfcame and walked by theirside as they journeyed away,explaining the scriptures tothem and showed whyeverything that hadhappened had beenintended and predicted.Then, at the end of the day’sjourney, they recognised himin the breaking of bread.Had Jesus not been there,would they ever haveregained their faith?

Bishop John Arnold Editor

Exhortation “EvangeliiGaudium” The stark reminderof that document is that theChurch is called to a new formof evangelisation and that weare, without exception, calledto be “missionary disciples”.He has much to say about howwe are all able to play our partthrough our decisions andactions. He speaks of theenergy and enthusiasm that weshould have as we witness tothe “joy of the Gospel” in ourfamilies, our work places andour friendships.

Pope Francis wants us tobe very comfortable in thereassurance of the lovingmercy of God. He has said onmany occasions that there isforgiveness for all and that he,with everyone else, is a sinnerin need of forgiveness. Beingcomfortable with that promise,he is not afraid to challenge usto embrace all that we can andmust be doing to end thesuffering, hunger, poverty andinjustice in our world. I, forone, am most grateful for thechallenge he places before us,before me!

Grateful for the Challenge

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Westminster Record | March 2014



News

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVIgreets Cardinal Vincent.

The Holy Father places the ring on Cardinal Vincent’s finger.

Westminster Cathedral Choir met the Pope following the Mass on Sunday. Along with the Sistinechoir at the Consistory they sang motets by Palestrina and alone they sang music by English andSpanish composers.

The new Cardinal greets members of the College of Cardinals

In his homily at theConsistory Pope Francis toldthe new Cardinals that theChurch had a great need fortheir courage to speak theGospel and to witness to thetruth, for their compassion,their prayer particularly forthe poor, and for them tomake peace and reconcilethose embroiled in violence

He reflected on St Mark’sGospel: “‘Jesus was walkingahead of them…’ (10:32). Atthis moment too, Jesus walksahead of us. He is alwaysbefore us. He goes ahead of usand leads the way… This is thesource of our confidence andour joy: to be his disciples, toremain with him, to walkbehind him, to follow him…”

Cardinal Vincent said he was deeply moved by the election andfollowing the Consistory spoke of his resolution to acceptChrist’s invitation to “walk with Him”.

The Mission to be Cardinalsof Compassion - Pope Francis

Photos ©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Westminster Record September 2011News Westminster Record | March 2014



Staff, children and parentswere joined byArchbishop Vincent

Nichols for the officialopening and blessing of HolyFamily Primary School inWest Acton on 12 February.

It is the first Catholicprimary school to be built inthe Diocese for 40 years and,despite still being in itsinfancy, achieved an‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report in January.

The Mass was led byArchbishop Vincent and localclergy from Acton, with musicfrom the local St Raphael’sSchool choir, which celebratedits 50th anniversary in Octoberlast year. The children of HolyFamily, aged between 4 and 6years, all took part in theliturgy through reading,responses and prayers, atestament to their teachers’instruction in the Faith. Using

by Barnaby Johns

More than 200 students fromMaria Fidelis CatholicSecondary School in Camdenwere offered a heart-warmingperformance from vocalistVanessa Quai at MorningAssembly on 13 February.

Vanessa, 25, from Vanuatuin the South Pacific has beenwriting and performing herown songs since the age of 11.She is presently the best sellingrecording artist in the Pacificand a rapidly rising talent inthe international music scene.True Harmony is based on aprayer for peace, love and unityand Vanessa told the studentshow she felt about the song: “Ifeel connected to this song as Ihave a very strong faith in God.I believe that the message ofthis song speaks verypowerfully when we see whatis happening in our worldtoday with conflicts and crises.True harmony and true peacecome from God. When youknow who you are in God thatis the greatest peace you can

have within yourself. This iswho I am and I wish to voicethis through my singingwherever I travel.”

Writers Mike Croft and MattWilson co-operated withproducer James McMillan onTrue Harmony, which wasreleased in January on SteepSmithy Music. Seewww.steepsmithy.com for moredetails about Vanessa.

Holy Family opens its doors

True Harmony of the soulful heart

Chris O’Callaghan reports on the opening of the first Catholicprimary school built in the Diocese in 40 years.

pictures of the Holy Familydrawn by the children,Archbishop Vincent spokeabout how to be in a lovingfamily and encouraged thechildren to form a holy familytoday in their new school andto make it their home.

The school has classroomsradiating from a large centralatrium, each fitted withinteractive whiteboards andcomputers. Teaching began inSeptember 2012 in the ParishHall of Holy Family Churchbefore the new purpose builtbuilding in September 2013.Many who attended theopening were impressed bythe building and commentedon how it is a triumph for theprovision of Catholiceducation in the area.Archbishop Vincent talking to childrenfrom Holy Family Catholic PrimarySchool. Inset: Children reading thebidding prayers at Mass

“Open our eyes, let darkness be light. With peace in our hearts may our spirits unite.” True Harmony

“When you know who you are inGod that is the greatest peaceyou can have within yourself.”

Vanessa Quai and students from Maria Fidelis. She impressed the students with her song True Harmony’s message of peace.




News

News in Brief

Mercy Sisters on the WebAnyone interested in learningmore about Venerable MotherCatherine McAuley, Foundressof the Sisters of Mercy, and the'Mercy Family' can go to anewly launched website:www.mercyassociates.org.uk

The Real Easter Egg RangeThe Original Real Easter EggCompany is launching a newrange that will now include a24 page Easter story bookalongside its traditional Egg. Itwill also release a specialedition Real Easter Egg with anolive wood holding cross madein Bethlehem. The Real EasterEgg company has receivedendorsements for itseducational value andChristian message fromprominent public figuresincluding Archbishop John Sentamu, SirBen Kingsley and Dame JudiDench.

Pinner a winner at 100

St Luke’s parish in Pinnercelebrated its centenary on 1February, marking theanniversary of its foundationwith a Mass of Thanksgivingcelebrated by CardinalVincent Nichols.

In his homily CardinalVincent talked about all thatwas worth celebrating in theparish and all that hadhappened in the church overthe last hundred years: “Thereis much to celebrate; and I

by Chris O’Callaghan

Lourdes in Westminster CathedralFollowing the example of PopeFrancis, the Diocese ofWestminster welcomed thesick at the annual Mass inhonour of Our Lady of Lourdesat Westminster Cathedral onSaturday 8 February.

Those who attended wereable to receive the Sacrament ofthe Sick through anointing withblessed oil. The congregationwas bolstered by the presence ofthe Westminster Redcaps, theyoung people who accompanythe diocesan pilgrimage in thesummer. They carried the manycolourful diocesan banners andan illuminated statue of OurLady of Lourdes.

The then-Cardinal DesignateVincent concelebrated the Masswith Auxiliary Bishops JohnArnold and John Sherrington aswell as many diocesan priests.In his homily the Cardinalasked those present to call tomind Our Lady in the Grotto ofLourdes and to pray to her forthose who were sick andsuffering, not just those presentin the Cathedral that afternoon,but worldwide.

We wantyour NewsYou can send us yourlatest news online,please [email protected]

The then Cardinal-Designate Vincentwith Parish Priest, Canon RobertPlourde

by Chris O’Callaghan

The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes carried in for the Mass. Inset: Fr Richard Nesbitt administering the Sacrament of the Sick during the Mass.

hope that as the yearprogresses there will be manyopportunities to explore thisrich history and thank God forall the graces and blessingsreceived here since Mass wasfirst celebrated by Fr JohnCaulfield on this day in 1914.There have been marriagesand baptisms, firstConfessions, HolyCommunions andConfirmations and, of coursethe sad memories of funerals,together with the strongpromise of the resurrection ofthe dead to new life in theLord.”

The mission was foundedin 1914 when the first Masswas celebrated in a smallroom within a residentialhome in Hatch End, Pinner.The land for a new church wasbought in July 1914 and the

foundation stone blessed byCardinal Francis Bourne inApril 1915. This building isnow the parish centre, afterthe construction of the presentchurch in 1957.

A group from the parishwill also go on a pilgrimage,walking part of the Camino toSantiago de Compostela inMay.

Flame 2Announced

The CatholicYouth MinistryFederation(CYMFed) has

announced the date on whichFlame 2 will be taking place as7 March 2015 at WembleyArena. Anyone interested inorganising a group shouldcontact: [email protected]

© Gr

eg To

wns

end

The central stained glass figure of St Luke was commissioned by the Parish atPinner to commemorate the centenary celebrations. St Joseph and St Franciscame from the former church.

News Westminster Record | March 2014



Cardinal Pole CatholicSecondary School, Hackney,held a Mass in honour of St.Josephine Bakhita on 3February, led by Fr GerardKing, Episcopal Vicar for theeast of the Diocese. The Masswas attended by Year 8students, who have aparticular dedication to StJosephine. At the end of MassFr Gerard blessed the school’sstatue of the Saint beforejoining a celebratory lunchwith the students.

Pleasantly pleasing poetryYear 11 student and buddingpoet Ridhi Thukral from StAugustine’s Priory School inEaling has been awarded thetop prize at the prestigiousT.S Eliot Shadowing PrizeCompetition.

She submitted a 500 wordessay in support of DaljitNagra, a professional poet andteacher nominated for the T.SEliot Poetry Prize. In the essayshe wrote of her appreciation ofNagra’s “artistic scope andmulti-dimensional flair” as wellas his “colloquial approach.”

Ridhi was invited to attendthe prize-giving and poetryreading at the South BankCentre. She said: “Winning thisaward was a great way tobegin 2014. I am passionateabout poetry and literature andDaljit Nagra is someone whoparticularly inspires me.Having the opportunity tomeet him at our school in 2012strengthened my love ofpoetry and opened my eyes toa variety of styles and tones.”

The T.S Eliot ShadowingPrize is hosted by the PoetryBook Society, in associationwith the English and MediaCentre. The awards are aimedat students aged 14-19 yearsold, with a flair for poetry, toencourage them to explorenew, exciting poems and formswhich may go beyond theNational Curriculum.

St Martha’s School celebrates 110th birthday

Students from St Martha’s

Sr Cecile handing over the Candle of Light to Headmaster Matthew Burke

News in BriefSt Thomas More: ‘MostImproved School in Country’

St Thomas More School, WoodGreen, celebrated their Prize-giving ceremony with thenews that they were Ofsted’smost improved school inBritain. Guest Tristram HuntMP, Shadow EducationSecretary, congratulated theschool while Martin Tissot,Executive Headteacher, paidtribute to the bold move toAcademy status last year.

A Superb Result for St Benedict’s School

St Benedict’s School, Ealing,has been awarded theprestigious Investors in PeopleGold Award for going aboveand beyond in the way theydevelop, support and motivatetheir staff. The school joins agroup of fewer than 700organisations in Britain whichhave gained the Gold Award.The report stated: ‘The schoolis going from strength tostrength and, although thereare challenges to be faced inthe future, the commitmentfrom everyone at the school isabsolute’.

Budding poet Ridhi Thukral (right)

St Martha’s School in Hadley Wood celebrated the 110thanniversary of its foundation by the Sisters of St Martha. It wasan opportunity to celebrate the tradition and ethos the Sistershave had at their heart for all the students, teaching and supportstaff. Headmaster Matthew Burke said: “Although the schoolnow has a lay Headmaster and it is only Sister Teresa whoremains a daily reminder of the Sisters as Deputy Head, it isclear to all who come and visit that the Sisters are rememberedand celebrated, it is evident that they will continue to support,encourage and inspire generations to come.”

The anniversary saw the establishment of the new SisterCecile Scholarship, named after the former Head of the schoolfrom 1976 to 1988. This scholarship will be awarded to one girlevery year from September 2014 to cover 100% of school feesfrom Year 7 to Upper 6th.

For more information please contact Noreen Mullens [email protected] or call 020 8449 6889

Mass at Cardinal Pole forSt Josephine Bakhita

News Westminster Record | March 2014

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I always think of Lent as atime of setting out on ajourney. The journey istowards Easter but like anyjourney I can never be surewhat will happen on the way.There may be delays, I mightget lost, I will meet people Ididn’t expect. This is theadventure of any journey.

During Lent we are eachinvited to head out into thedesert with Jesus and learn tolisten to what he is saying tous. There is often silence andstillness in the desert – it isarid and barren. Like Jesuswho is tempted by the Deviland held in the Father’sprotective embrace, this willbe our experience. We mustlearn to listen to the call of theLord and trust in him.

Lent is a time when I try toexpand my heart and enlarge

my capacity to love, so that Iam more aware of the needs ofmy neighbour and God’spresence in my life. OneLenten practice to help me dothis is to fast or give upsomething I enjoy. Fasting canmake me more aware of theemptiness of my heart, myloneliness or my need of God.As soon as I begin, I amtempted to indulge or give upand begin again tomorrow. Tosay no is a real opportunity toallow the Lord to help megrow in freedom.

Being more aware of theneeds of my neighbour,following more closely thetragedy in Syria and readingthe stories of the plight ofrefugees or those suffering inHoms will enlarge my heartand make me more sensitive.It is a way of focusing on the

other person and growing inlove for them as well ashelping me recognise the giftsI have been given.

What do I hope for at theend of the journey of Lent? Iwould like to be able to saythat I have grown inappreciation of God’s gifts tome and so be able to celebrateEaster in greater joy.

In the week preceding hisvisit to Rome for theConsistory, Cardinal VincentNichols spoke to the nationalpress about ‘the real crisis’that was occurring as part ofwelfare system reforms andthe political ‘discourse of fear’in society today. He spoke inparticular of those receivingbenefits, single-incomehouseholds and migrants tothe UK.

Lent Reflection: The road to Easter

by Alex Balzanella

The Cardinal warned thatthe basic safety net whichprevented people from reachingsituations of extreme hunger ordestitution had been ‘tornapart’ whilst increasinglytightened administration hadled to unintended, but verypainful, consequences: “Now ifapplicants don’t get it right thenthey have to wait for 10 days,for two weeks with nothing. Fora country of our affluence, thatquite frankly is a disgrace.”

“Priests of mine tell me that

Cardinal-Designate speaks out for the marginalised oneve of Consistory

every now and then they putsome food in front of a womanand she bursts out crying, shehasn’t eaten in three days. It’sstories like that that are part ofthe reality of this countrytoday.”

Cardinal Vincent also voicedconcerns about the increasingpoverty facing single-incomehouseholds, worsened by thetax system which places an‘inordinate’ tax level on them.This concern has beensupported by the Joseph

Rowntree Foundation whichfound single-incomehouseholds to be the mostlikely to be in poverty.

He also criticised thediscourse on migrants which,he said, sought to portray themas a drain on society: "If you goto the National Health Serviceyou know very well that a lot ofits work and ongoing survivaland service is down toimmigrant communities. I thinkwe really should have apositive appreciation of the

contribution that people whocome to this country make toour well-being and economy.”

The Cardinal’s statementelicited a response from PrimeMinister David Cameron inthe Daily Telegraph, who saidhe respected and supportedthe right for religious leadersto make their voice heardwhilst disagreeing with thethen-Cardinal Designate.

Cardinal Nichols said itwas a privilege to put the voiceof those in need into the publicarena.

He also said he had taskedCaritas Westminster, the socialaction agency of the Diocese,with uncovering areas andgroups in desperate hardshipto help address that need inany possible way. Foodbanksthat Caritas Westminster areinvolved in have already seenserious need withBorehamwood Foodbank, forexample, distributing 12.5tonnes of food since openinglast year and new ones areplanned in Finchley, St Albansand Bow.

Bishop John Sherrington reflects on the adventure of LentCardinal Vincent invites usto join him this year on the4th Annual DiocesanPilgrimage to the Holy Landfrom 17 – 25 November.

We will renew our encounterwith the Lord as we followJesus’ footsteps from Galilee

The then-Cardinal Designate Vincent answers questions about the Consistory and welfare reform at a press conferencebefore the Consistory

“Priests of minetell me that everynow and then theyput some food infront of a womanand she bursts outcrying.”

Holy LandPilgrimage 2014

to Jerusalem and on toBethlehem led by ourscripture guide, Fr JohnFarrell OP, Provincial of theDominicans. We will alsomeet the local Christiancommunities of the HolyLand, praying with them,visiting outreach projects andshowing our support forthem.

Price: £1495 per personsharing a room; £275 singleroom supplement.For further details and abooking form contact GeraldDaly at the DiocesanPilgrimage Office: Tel: 0207798 9173 email:[email protected] orGill Didino at TangneyTours Tel: 01732 886666Bishop John Sherrington led the Holy Land Pilgrimage in 2013. Here the group

is pictured north of Jerusalem in the desert at Wadi el Kelt.




In Evangelii Gaudium, PopeFrancis challenges all of us inour commitment to buildinga new world, overcoming theinequality at the root ofsocial ills. This call is echoedthroughout Catholic SocialTeaching and at the core ofCAFOD’s mission as theofficial overseasdevelopment agency of theCatholic Church.

For Lent Fast Day this yearCAFOD has highlighted thetransformation seen in SierraLeone, a country stillrecovering in the wake of civilwar. Even with nearly three-quarters of people involved insome form of agriculturalwork, access to land to growfood is far from equal.

With the support ofCAFOD and its local partners,

Registration is now open forPedal Against Poverty,CAFOD’s annual sponsoredcycle ride in the Lea ValleyRegional Park, NorthLondon. This annual ridenot only is a fun day out, butone that makes a tremendousdifference in CAFOD’s questto help others overseas towork their way out ofpoverty.

Riders of all ages and skillsare welcome to join us oneither a 10 or 19 mile returnroute on the flat towpathsalongside the River Lea,commencing from twolocations in North Londonand Hertfordshire andcoming together for acommunity picnic at midday.All are welcome, so why notform a team with your familyand friends, or invite a groupfrom your parish or school toride with you on the day? It’dbe great if every parish in thediocese could be represented!Last year more than 200 ridershelped us to raise enoughmoney to develop two newhealth clinics in El Salvador,so we hope you can join us to

make an even biggerdifference this year!

The ride will take place onSunday 18 May starting atapproximately 10am. Registeronline athttps://cafodpedalagainstpoverty.eventbrite.co.uk, orcontact the CAFODWestminster office for aregistration form: 0208 449 6970 [email protected].

If you’re looking for achallenge later this summer,why not register for a TeamCAFOD place in the “LondonMarathon on Wheels,” the

RideLondon100, on Sunday10 August? This closed roadevent follows a 100 mile routethrough London and Surreyand is suitable for bothamateur and competitivecyclists. For moreinformation, visitcafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Sponsored-events/RideLondon100, or [email protected]

Don’t forget as well theLondon Marathon coming upon Sunday 13 April so be sureto cheer for Team CAFOD aswe race again against povertythis year.

Wasteland to farmland: reflecting onCAFOD’s work in Sierra Leone

former diamond mining sitesonce thought useless are nowbeing cultivated as farmlandfor crops such as rice,cashews, and maize. Thesecrops prove more valuablethan diamonds: one CAFODpartner told us that finding adiamond might feed a familyfor a month or two, but beingable to farm these sites isenough to feed families allyear round.

This Lent CAFOD invitesyou to give thanks and reflecton this transformation andothers which help make adifference to people in thedeveloping world. Join us onSaturday 12 April for a Day ofReflection at the Church ofChrist the King, Cockfosters,led by CAFOD’s Theologyteam. The day will include a

Mohammed (left) and his brother farm on converted mining wasteland inSierra Leone (credit: Simon Rawles/CAFOD)

Volunteering is at the heart ofCAFOD’s work and here SrCarmel Ring, from the Sistersof Marie Auxiliatrice, MuswellHill, writes about herexperience co-ordinatingCAFOD’s work across theDiocese as an office volunteer:

I find working for CAFODextremely rewarding. I spendWednesdays in our Westminsteroffice in Cockfosters. To see thelevel of commitment anddedication of the team ofvolunteers is totally inspiring. Itis easy give one’s best in suchan atmosphere so full of love.

At the moment, my mainresponsibility is to get in touchwith Parish Catechists tointroduce them to the socialstudy package for use withConfirmation groups andencourage them to invite some

Sr Carmel Ring holds a poster for the IF campaign.

talk by Fr Augusto Zampini-Davies, a CAFOD partner andtheological advisor, andconclude with the celebrationof Mass.

For more information or tobook a place, visitcafoddayofreflection.eventbrite.co.uk or contactCAFOD Westminster on 0208 449 6970 [email protected].

Thank you also for yourgenerous support ofCAFOD’s Lent Fast Dayappeal this year and for thepositive transformationsyou help to make throughyour prayers, fasting andgenerous support.

Volunteering@CAFODof our volunteers to host aworkshop for them. I have alsotaken part in the IF campaignand the lobbying of MPs on theeve of last June’s G8 summit.

The CAFOD ‘JUST ONEWORLD’ logo is truly fitting. Ithink that when Blessed MarieTherese looks down fromHeaven and sees the volunteersgoing about our humble tasks,she sees us, as MalcolmMuggeridge once said ofMother Teresa, as doing“something beautiful for God”.I am sure she is pleased withour offering.

Why not give up a bit ofyour time this Lentvolunteering? A full DBSclearance is required for thisrole and full training andsupport is provided. For moreinformation and an applicationform, contact CAFODWestminster [email protected] or0208 449 6970.

This isn’t the only way youcan help though! Whetheryou’ve got a few minutes, hoursor days, there is a plethora ofways you can give a bit of yourtime to help others overseas.Find out more online atcafod.org.uk/volunteer.

Social Action

Pedal Against Poverty this Spring

JUDGE




Justice & Peace

ACT

SEE

by Barbara Kentish

In the UK economic recoveryhas started with lowerunemployment in the South-East, but this is not matchedelsewhere in the country.Thousands of young peopleare converging on the South-East for work, and onceestablished, they are not goinghome. We know from globalreports that less developedcountries than ours are evenharder hit, and it wasencouraging recently to hearCardinal Turkson calling forreform of world financialsystems. OXFAM tells us that

• Pray together for a vision of a new social and economicstructure. Both the poor and those who help the poor areblessed. The poor are God’s priority.

• Offer direct help: food banks, night shelters, soup runs etc., butmake sure to talk with the people who use them, to learn oftheir experience.

• Take part in Citizens’ discussions for joint action regardingpayday loans and the rise of betting shops.

• Discuss the financial system and what alternatives there mightbe, such as credit unions.

• Support the Living Wage Campaign

the world’s richest 85 peopleare as wealthy as the pooresthalf of the global population.This state of affairs needschallenging at all levels. Forinstance, people condemned inreality shows like ‘BenefitsStreet’ form a minute fractionof claimants and the greatmajority of our Social Securitybudget goes on pensions.Cardinal Vincent Nichols’s callfor a people-centred ratherthan profit-centred economicsystem, points the right futuredirection.

Reports on poverty are excellent in helping us to think. Oxfam’sreport, Truth and Lies about Poverty: Ending comfortable mythsabout poverty, December 2013, is a good place to start.

Read Occupy Finance athttp://occupyfinancebook.wordpress.com/ to understand the current financial problem.

Posters available from Westminster Justice & Peace alsochallenge some of the myths.

Scripture is very firmly on the side of the poor, and Jesus’parable (Mt 25) of the Last Judgment makes care for the poorand needy the only criterion for salvation.

Poverty and the financial structures

The financial crisis and parishes

Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson, President ofthe Pontifical Justice and Peace Commission,delivered a talk focusing on ways to reformthe international financial and monetarysystems at the London School of Economicson 6 February.

In his talk the Cardinal called for allcountries and individuals to work towards aworld political and economic monitoringinstitution, so as to serve the common good ofall humanity: “The birth of a new society andthe building of new institutions with auniversal vocation and competence are a

prerogative and a duty for everyone, with nodistinction. What is at stake is the commongood of humanity and the future itself.”

Cardinal Turkson also commended CardinalVincent’s recent initiative, Blueprint for a BetterBusiness, which encourages businesses to focuson personal ethics and to rediscover theirpurpose.

The audience ranged from Occupy Londonstudents from the chaplaincies and a range ofacademic personnel. Cardinal Turkson’s talk is on the diocesanwebsite: www.rcdow.org.uk/news

Cardinal Turkson on reformingthe world’s financial institutions

St Thomas More parish,Manor House, linked threespecial Sundays recently,using them as an opportunityto reflect on how to respondto the financial crisis, whichcontinues despite recovery inthe South East. Peace Sunday,Poverty Sunday andHomelessness Sundayfollowed one another from 19 January to 2 February.

We mounted a display ofthe parish’s outreach: from therefugee night shelter run byCatholic Worker, toindividuals aided by SVPthrough to our parish advice

worker, who runs a weeklysupport session.

But what is it like for all ofus? The Justice and Peacegroup wanted to explorefurther how people areexperiencing the financialsqueeze. A sandwich lunchdiscussion on HomelessnessSunday revealed that nearlyeveryone is feeling the pinch.Parents are supportingunemployed adult children.Young couples cannot get amortgage. One parishionerfrom overseas told us he wassupporting his elderlydisabled mother, his sister and

her baby, in a one-bedroomflat on an hourly wage of £6.40an hour, much less than theliving wage.

We hope to make ouropinions heard through theLondon Citizens’ meeting withMayor Jules Pipe of Hackneyin early March, and at thehustings for London Mayor inMay. A delegation from theparish will attend both of theseevents.

We don’t have the answersto the financial crisis, but wego on sharing our experiences,in the faith that ‘The Lordhears the cry of the poor!’

Standing back from busyKensington High Street,Our Lady of Victories

Church is set in a smallcourtyard giving it a quiet,tranquil atmosphere. It wasat the nearby clergy housethat I met Monsignor JimCurry, Parish Priest, FrFreddie Jackson and FrLorenzo Andreini, hisassistants and Sr MaureenMcNamara and DanMcNamara (no relation!),catechetical co-ordinator andyouth worker respectively.This team is supplementedby a committed group ofvolunteers.




Parish Profile

Page 11

Parish Profile Westminster Record | March 2014



“WYD has left me inspired,spiritually enlightened andI loved every second of it.”

Our Lady of Victories, Kensington: A Church of Quiet Nobility

“Always an InternationalParish”

They are keen to underlineeach others’ strengths. Mgr Jimbegins with Sr Maureen,whose experience ascatechetical co-ordinator andteacher at Our Lady ofVictories Primary School totals34 years. She says:

“This has always been aninternational parish. It wasformed by French priests andhas always welcomedcommunities from around theworld: Italian, Spanish,Americans have all come here.There really is a strong sense of

community though, with manyparishioners and volunteershaving been in the parish formuch of their lives.”

“Our Lady of VictoriesPrimary School has alsoalways been very involved inthe life of the Church here.”

For Fr Lorenzo, ordained in2011, Our Lady of Victories isthe first parish he has servedand its youthfulness was whatfirst struck him: “The church isfull of young couples andfamilies, especially the 10.30Mass; it’s a nice noise, full ofthe sound of children.”

Mgr Jim agrees: “One thingvisitors always comment on isthe number of children andyoung adults in thecongregation.”

Youth and Young Adults:A Real Hunger for God

When I ask how youngpeople can get involvedfollowing Confirmation, Dantells me that the youth in theparish are keen, with plenty ofwilling, charismaticvolunteers, a combination

which has led to the success oftwo projects: a post-Confirmation group and Tutorplus.

“The post-Confirmationgroup is a way to encouragefurther formation, basedaround what they want to do.Over the past year they’veshown real interest in gettinginvolved in a soup kitchen andnow help out at the St Vincentde Paul Society at Holborn,and they really love it.”

“Now, whenever I offerthem a pizza night, they say‘No, no, Dan we’d rather gohelp the poor’, which isinspiring to hear.”

“We also saw a need in ourown community, as manystudents do well in schoolbecause they have tutors, butthose who cannot afford themare being left out. We nowhave a new tutoring group,Tutor plus, which providesfree tuition for anyone whowants it and we’ve workedtogether with local parishes aswell as the Assumption Sistersand Heythrop College toprovide an army of tutors to

help out in any subject.”Reflecting on the location I

ask Mgr Jim if this presence ofyoung adults is due to thenearby Heythrop and ImperialColleges: “There are somestudents in the parish, but it’sprimarily young professionalswe see here, many of whomare brought by their friends.Our Young Adults group has along history in the parish; theycome primarily to the 6.30pmMass which has a populargospel-style choir.”

“Whether it’s through theMass or by the work of theparishioners making this aplace for young people, theyhave really grasped at it. Thereis a real hunger to getinvolved.”

The Challenge of Pope Francis

This ‘hunger ’ has been fedby the impact of Pope Francis.Fr Freddie says that manywhom he meets have beeninspired in this way and FrLorenzo notes that talkingabout Pope Francis offers

people who wouldn’tnormally volunteer it a wayto talk about their faith.

Mgr Jim says that manygroups in the parish havebeen inspired by the HolyFather’s message of solidaritywith the poor. “We’re alsolooking at how to becomemore involved in WestLondon Churches HomelessConcern and have beenworking with CaritasWestminster to develop aContact the Elderly group inthe Parish.”

“It’s important todiscover and addressthe needs in ourcommunity”

“We couldn’t have asked fora more generous response.”

After talking to the Parishteam we enter the Church. Thebuilding is in a ‘Festival ofBritain’ style, yet very much inhomage to the original Churchdestroyed in World War Two.The height, tall windows andimpressive altar lend theChurch what Mgr Jim rightlydescribes as a “quiet nobility.”A restoration project, initiatedby former Parish Priest Fr PerrySykes, has included a new floor,redecoration of the chapels andprovision of greateraccessibility. The generosity of

by Alex Balzanella

parishioners will enable thecompletion of the Parish Centreby the end of March.

“All our groups have keptmeeting, even without therebeing anywhere for them;neighbouring parishes havealso been incredibly kind inoffering their facilities to us,we couldn’t have asked for amore generous response.”

The Church has alreadycelebrated an ordination to thepriesthood since therestoration. Fr Shaun Richards,Assistant Priest at St George’sSudbury and former pastoralassistant at the parish, wasordained on 25 January by

The west front of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church

Mgr Jim (Back, Centre) with Fr Freddie and Fr Lorenzo, Sr Mareen and Danwith two of the many volunteers in the Parish

The ordination of Fr Shaun Richards 25 January

Mgr Jim, Fr Lorenzo and Fr Freddie in the site of the soon to be completed Parish Hall

I was drawn to OLV becausewhilst it is busy, transient andfull, it also felt very real andsomewhere that could becomemy new Church home. I usually read about once amonth at the Sunday evening Mass, which is a vibrant and fulloccasion that sets me up for the week ahead.

Last September Mgr Jim asked for volunteers to help with apost-confirmation youth club. I had some free time and so wentalong to the training sessions. The youth club is run inconjunction with St Mary’s, Cadogan Street and aims toencourage young people to develop and grow in their own faithas they become independent adults and hopefully stay involvedin the life of the parish community. The activities of theevenings alternate between learning, discussion and fun andthose that attend really seem to enjoy what we do. They keepcoming back!

I also help with the Confirmation group. We meet mostMondays until the candidates are confirmed in July. It is a greatresponsibility to be part of the journey that these teenagers areundertaking towards developing their own adult faith. They arethe future of our Church and I feel it is vital to help demonstratethat being a Catholic is a joyful and amazing gift, something tobe treasured and not just given up on as they get older simplybecause the majority don’t do it.

My Parish: OLV, Kensington by Sarah Nagle

Archbishop Vincent. Mgr Jimtells me that the then-Cardinalwill be returning on 18 July toordain Stefan Kaminski, ayoung man from the parish.

Two elements of the projectthat Mgr Jim is keen to pointout to me are the glass doorsand roundel outside the frontof the Church. The Churchbeing set back from the road,the roundel acts as a way todraw the eye toward theChurch, whilst the glass doorsencourage people to step inside.

I have a sense that whilstthis may draw people in, thereis much more in the parish thatwill keep them coming back.

Standing back from busyKensington High Street,Our Lady of Victories

Church is set in a smallcourtyard giving it a quiet,tranquil atmosphere. It wasat the nearby clergy housethat I met Monsignor JimCurry, Parish Priest, FrFreddie Jackson and FrLorenzo Andreini, hisassistants and Sr MaureenMcNamara and DanMcNamara (no relation!),catechetical co-ordinator andyouth worker respectively.This team is supplementedby a committed group ofvolunteers.




Parish Profile

Parish Profile Westminster Record | March 2014

Page 10 Follow us on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster


“WYD has left me inspired,spiritually enlightened andI loved every second of it.”

Our Lady of Victories, Kensington: A Church of Quiet Nobility

“Always an InternationalParish”

They are keen to underlineeach others’ strengths. Mgr Jimbegins with Sr Maureen,whose experience ascatechetical co-ordinator andteacher at Our Lady ofVictories Primary School totals34 years. She says:

“This has always been aninternational parish. It wasformed by French priests andhas always welcomedcommunities from around theworld: Italian, Spanish,Americans have all come here.There really is a strong sense of

community though, with manyparishioners and volunteershaving been in the parish formuch of their lives.”

“Our Lady of VictoriesPrimary School has alsoalways been very involved inthe life of the Church here.”

For Fr Lorenzo, ordained in2011, Our Lady of Victories isthe first parish he has servedand its youthfulness was whatfirst struck him: “The church isfull of young couples andfamilies, especially the 10.30Mass; it’s a nice noise, full ofthe sound of children.”

Mgr Jim agrees: “One thingvisitors always comment on isthe number of children andyoung adults in thecongregation.”

Youth and Young Adults:A Real Hunger for God

When I ask how youngpeople can get involvedfollowing Confirmation, Dantells me that the youth in theparish are keen, with plenty ofwilling, charismaticvolunteers, a combination

which has led to the success oftwo projects: a post-Confirmation group and Tutorplus.

“The post-Confirmationgroup is a way to encouragefurther formation, basedaround what they want to do.Over the past year they’veshown real interest in gettinginvolved in a soup kitchen andnow help out at the St Vincentde Paul Society at Holborn,and they really love it.”

“Now, whenever I offerthem a pizza night, they say‘No, no, Dan we’d rather gohelp the poor’, which isinspiring to hear.”

“We also saw a need in ourown community, as manystudents do well in schoolbecause they have tutors, butthose who cannot afford themare being left out. We nowhave a new tutoring group,Tutor plus, which providesfree tuition for anyone whowants it and we’ve workedtogether with local parishes aswell as the Assumption Sistersand Heythrop College toprovide an army of tutors to

help out in any subject.”Reflecting on the location I

ask Mgr Jim if this presence ofyoung adults is due to thenearby Heythrop and ImperialColleges: “There are somestudents in the parish, but it’sprimarily young professionalswe see here, many of whomare brought by their friends.Our Young Adults group has along history in the parish; theycome primarily to the 6.30pmMass which has a populargospel-style choir.”

“Whether it’s through theMass or by the work of theparishioners making this aplace for young people, theyhave really grasped at it. Thereis a real hunger to getinvolved.”

The Challenge of Pope Francis

This ‘hunger ’ has been fedby the impact of Pope Francis.Fr Freddie says that manywhom he meets have beeninspired in this way and FrLorenzo notes that talkingabout Pope Francis offers

people who wouldn’tnormally volunteer it a wayto talk about their faith.

Mgr Jim says that manygroups in the parish havebeen inspired by the HolyFather’s message of solidaritywith the poor. “We’re alsolooking at how to becomemore involved in WestLondon Churches HomelessConcern and have beenworking with CaritasWestminster to develop aContact the Elderly group inthe Parish.”

“It’s important todiscover and addressthe needs in ourcommunity”

“We couldn’t have asked fora more generous response.”

After talking to the Parishteam we enter the Church. Thebuilding is in a ‘Festival ofBritain’ style, yet very much inhomage to the original Churchdestroyed in World War Two.The height, tall windows andimpressive altar lend theChurch what Mgr Jim rightlydescribes as a “quiet nobility.”A restoration project, initiatedby former Parish Priest Fr PerrySykes, has included a new floor,redecoration of the chapels andprovision of greateraccessibility. The generosity of

by Alex Balzanella

parishioners will enable thecompletion of the Parish Centreby the end of March.

“All our groups have keptmeeting, even without therebeing anywhere for them;neighbouring parishes havealso been incredibly kind inoffering their facilities to us,we couldn’t have asked for amore generous response.”

The Church has alreadycelebrated an ordination to thepriesthood since therestoration. Fr Shaun Richards,Assistant Priest at St George’sSudbury and former pastoralassistant at the parish, wasordained on 25 January by

The west front of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church

Mgr Jim (Back, Centre) with Fr Freddie and Fr Lorenzo, Sr Mareen and Danwith two of the many volunteers in the Parish

The ordination of Fr Shaun Richards 25 January

Mgr Jim, Fr Lorenzo and Fr Freddie in the site of the soon to be completed Parish Hall

I was drawn to OLV becausewhilst it is busy, transient andfull, it also felt very real andsomewhere that could becomemy new Church home. I usually read about once amonth at the Sunday evening Mass, which is a vibrant and fulloccasion that sets me up for the week ahead.

Last September Mgr Jim asked for volunteers to help with apost-confirmation youth club. I had some free time and so wentalong to the training sessions. The youth club is run inconjunction with St Mary’s, Cadogan Street and aims toencourage young people to develop and grow in their own faithas they become independent adults and hopefully stay involvedin the life of the parish community. The activities of theevenings alternate between learning, discussion and fun andthose that attend really seem to enjoy what we do. They keepcoming back!

I also help with the Confirmation group. We meet mostMondays until the candidates are confirmed in July. It is a greatresponsibility to be part of the journey that these teenagers areundertaking towards developing their own adult faith. They arethe future of our Church and I feel it is vital to help demonstratethat being a Catholic is a joyful and amazing gift, something tobe treasured and not just given up on as they get older simplybecause the majority don’t do it.

My Parish: OLV, Kensington by Sarah Nagle

Archbishop Vincent. Mgr Jimtells me that the then-Cardinalwill be returning on 18 July toordain Stefan Kaminski, ayoung man from the parish.

Two elements of the projectthat Mgr Jim is keen to pointout to me are the glass doorsand roundel outside the frontof the Church. The Churchbeing set back from the road,the roundel acts as a way todraw the eye toward theChurch, whilst the glass doorsencourage people to step inside.

I have a sense that whilstthis may draw people in, thereis much more in the parish thatwill keep them coming back.

See photos of youth events at:http://tinyurl.com/5vqohvo

Youth Westminster Record | March 2014

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/doywm

Follow Westminster YouthMinistry on Twitter at:twitter.com/dowym

To find out more about the YouthMinistry and experiences of ouryoung people at: wym.rcdow.org.uk.

Our events programme isbeginning to crystallizeand we are looking

forward to Youth Pilgrimagesto Lourdes (Summer) and theHoly Land (November 17 to26). Both will be a wonderfulopportunity for our youngadults to see the breadth of theUniversal Church. We are alsomoving into the planningstages for our youthpilgrimages to Santiago inSpring 2015 and WYD Krakowin Summer 2016.

Young adults of the Westalso kicks off on 22 March inTwickenham and will provideyoung Catholics the chance totake part in Mass followed by

food, socialising and faith-sharing. Further locations willsoon be announced.

Our Parish Youth Ministryactivity is truly bearing fruitand we thank the parishes ofHarpenden, Borehamwood,Bishop's Stortford and Claptonfor giving us the opportunity tohelp them develop their localyouth programmes; we aremaking real progress and areproud of the local efforts. Weare soon to lead Mill Hill'sTogether Day as it focuses onParish Youth Ministry, and itwill be a great opportunity to have a full day dedicated toforming the parish's youthvision.

Of course, the mostimmediate and vital piece ofwork is the support of the SPECTeam who will hold their finalretreat at London Colney thismonth. During March and Aprilthey will move to MaxwellFarm, Pinner, and from May willbe offering day retreats foryoung people from across thediocese.

Finally, we brought togetherthe Youth Workers of the Diocesefor a day of reflection on 24February, led by Fr David Reillyand Fr Christopher Jamison.Everyone had a wonderful dayand it was a great gift to be withthis group of truly inspirationalpeople. Phil Ross

On Saturday 8 February,Westminster Cathedral waspacked out to celebrate the22nd World Day of the Sickand honour Our Lady ofLourdes. Our WestminsterRedcaps attended too and didthemselves and the Dioceseproud. Sporting theirdistinctive red tabards andbig smiles, they assistedpeople to their seats; suppliedcandles and leaflets; movedfurniture; carried banners inthe processions; assisted thepriests with anointing andHoly Communion; andgenerally added that tangiblefeeling of service in love.

Known as the ‘Redcaps’,almost two hundred youngpeople visit the shrine andtown with us each summer;they give so generously andselflessly of their own time andeffort, and form a wonderfulgroup at the core of thepilgrimage, helping pilgrimswho are less able but whonevertheless want to visit theplace where Our Ladyappeared to St Bernadette.

Let’s go RedcapsThe young people form acommunity, a group ofpilgrims, who are happy towork, pray and relax in eachothers’ company. They are alsosupported by a specialprogramme of formation,support and spiritual guidanceto help them make the most ofthe transforming experience ofhelping at Lourdes.

The Diocese of Westminsterorganises a pilgrimage toLourdes every year in July.Young people from across thediocese volunteer to supportthe sick and elderly on theirpilgrimage. This year thepilgrimage will be taking placefrom 20-26 July and will costaround £470.For more information pleaseemail [email protected] Lady of Lourdes – Pray for us!

Director’s Spotlight

Youth Pilgrimageto the Holy Land2014The Diocese of WestminsterYouth Ministry Team isleading a ten-day pilgrimageto the Holy Land from 17 – 26 November.

It is a profound experiencefor all Christians as we returnto the most important placesin the life of Jesus. Thepilgrimage starts at the Sea ofGalilee and then will take inNazareth, Cana and theMount of the Transfiguration.Then the group will movedown to Jerusalem for thesites of our Lord’s Passionand concludes in Bethlehem.The time spent in Bethlehemis particularly important, as ithighlights and brings much-needed support for Christiansin the West Bank.The pilgrimage to the HolyLand is a unique opportunityfor Christians to renew theirfaith by living in the land ofJesus himself, and allowingus to see and hear the age-oldway of life that so marks theHoly Land itself.Price: The cost is capped at£1,100 and accommodationwill be reserved with twinrooms.For further details and abooking form contactDiocesan Youth Ministry: Tel 020 7387 1971 or [email protected]

Redcaps working in Lourdes last summer

Westminster Record | March 2014 Youth

Are you aged between 18 and30, and ready to take anadventure that will transformyour life and the lives ofothers?

Applications are currentlyopen for Step into the Gap,CAFOD’s gap year experiencescheme. Your journey startshere at home, but will take youto one of the poorest countriesin the world to share in thelives of people working theirway out of poverty andinjustice. Step into the Gap isintended to offer a roundedexperience, by working bothoverseas and in the UK. It willbridge the ‘gap’ between theelements of adventure andservice that occur in traditionalyear-out experiences.

Last year “Gappers”travelled to visit CAFOD’spartners in Sierra Leone, andLawrence, one of the studentson the journey, reflected on the

experience: “I am continuallybuilding on the skills CAFODhelped nurture last year. Theinternational experience inSierra Leone will stay with meforever. … Since I returnedfrom West Africa I have becomea lot more grateful about what Ihave, and more inspired in mybeliefs that current worldproblems can be solved.”

The gap year placementruns from September 2014 toJuly 2015 with a four weekoverseas trip during the year.Those on the scheme receiveaccommodation, living andtravel expenses, training, andmentoring throughout thescheme.

For more information andto download an applicationform, visitcafod.org.uk/stepintothegap,or call 0208 449 6970. Hurry though; the applicationdeadline is 31 March!

Step into the Gap with CAFOD

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs in the kingdom ofheaven’ (Matt 5:3). Thesewords were spoken by Jesus inhis teaching during theSermon on the Mount. Theyhave been chosen by PopeFrancis as the theme for hismessage to young Catholics for2014. World Youth Day iscelebrated on an internationallevel every two or three years.But each year in between thePope offers a theme for WorldYouth Day, to be marked in thelocal churches. His message for2014 is the first official text hehas offered to young peoplesince his election and the firstmajor words to youth since hearrived among us in Rio deJaneiro last July. Pope Francis’schoice of themes for thecoming years forms a kind of‘Triptych of the Beatitudes’that will accompany the wholeChurch all the way to WorldYouth Day in Krakow 2016.

‘Jesus challenges us, youngfriends, to take seriously hisapproach to life and to decidewhich path is right for us andleads to true joy. This is thegreat challenge of faith. Jesuswas not afraid to ask hisdisciples if they truly wantedto follow him or if theypreferred to take another path.’With these words, Francispresents the same challengeonce more. This challenge, thejourney of faith, is a pilgrimagewe will take for the next threeyears: a journey into the heartof the Beatitudes. May we takethis journey together,encouraged and supported bythe words of Pope Francis, andrediscover once again theliving words of the Gospel thatbuild the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fr David Reilly,Diocesan YouthChaplain

M A R C H2014

Chaplain’s Journal

See photos of youth events at:http://tinyurl.com/5vqohvo

Follow Westminster Youth Ministry on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/doywm

Follow Westminster YouthMinistry on Twitter at:twitter.com/dowym

To find out more about the YouthMinistry and experiences of ouryoung people at: wym.rcdow.org.uk.

Gapper Clare Smith (centre) visits a CAFOD-funded school in Liberia duringher Step into the Gap placement in 2012.

School is back in townJames Kelliher writes about an important neweducational initiative in the diocese

An important new educational initiative is being launched inKensington and Chelsea. Local parishes, together with theAssumption Sisters, Carmelites, Jesuits and students ofHeythrop College are providing Tutor Plus, a scheme offeringfree tuition for school pupils from 7–18 years old.

Tutor Plus offers support for almost every subject schoolsand colleges offer, with English the most popular especially forthose for whom it is not their first language. The schemedeveloped in the local parishes in Kensington and Chelsea outof the developing youth ministry in the area. Dan McNamara,Youth Worker for Kensington and Chelsea, said: "While talkingto young people and parents I noticed how busy young peopleare. Almost every minute of their day is filled with anextracurricular activity. However, one thing I noticed was thedisproportionate way in which our parishioners benefitted fromgood tuition. After much thought and prayer I approached theAssumption Sisters with the idea of a tuition service for thelocal parishes."

The Tutor Plus programme is already established in thediocese as part of the Social Outreach Programme ‘Called toServe’ at Newman House, the Catholic Chaplaincy for theUniversities, and other Higher Education institutions within thediocese.

If you, your son/daughter, or someone you know wouldbenefit from free tuition or space to do homework, and livewithin travelling distance of High Street, Kensington please see:kandcyouth.com/tutor-plus in order to register. If you have anyqueries please contact: k&[email protected] or call:020 7937 4778.If you would like to set up a branch of Tutor Plus in yourschool or parish please contact Sr. Carolyn [email protected]




Marriage and Family Life

At the conclusion of therecent consultation inthe diocese for the

forthcoming 2014Extraordinary Synod,Cardinal Vincent expressedgenuine concern, but also arealistic hope that the issuesraised by both the questionsand responses are, in hiswords: “A challengingagenda for action.”

The preamble to the now-famous questionnaire statedthat: ‘Never before hasproclaiming the Gospel onthe Family in this contextbeen more urgent andnecessary.’

The Crisis of the FamilyThe list outlining the crises

in the family is familiar, fromrising levels of co-habitationand divorce, through thecultural and legalnormalisation of same-sexunions, to surrogatemotherhood.

“The family is thefundamental cell of society,where we learn to live withothers despite ourdifferences and to belong toone another” (Pope Francis)

In the recent ApostolicExhortation EvangeliiGaudium, Pope Francis spokeof this profound cultural

crisis, which is particularlyserious because ‘the family isthe fundamental cell ofsociety, where we learn to livewith others despite ourdifferences and to belong toone another; it is also the placewhere parents pass on thefaith to their children.’

The power of family tiesThis says something

extremely profound about thepower of family ties and theirin-built capacity according toGod’s plan for our happinessto overcome all sorts ofobstacles, tensions, and beresilient. He goes on to speakof ‘the indispensablecontribution of marriage tosociety.’

Addressing and findinglasting pastoral strategies tothe increasing complexities ofcontemporary familysituations is clearly not goingto be easy. Thus considerationof these challenges will takeplace over both theforthcoming ExtraordinarySynod and the OrdinarySynod in October 2015.

The result will be workingguidelines in the pastoral careof the person and the family. Itis a long process for theChurch as a whole communityto have a more accurate pictureof the situation, so thateventually we can devise amore credible proclamation of

Crisis means Opportunity - Pastoral Care of the Family

the Gospel of the Family.

The Questionnaire Despite the challenging

nature of the questionnaire,16,500 submissions wererecorded nationally and ofthese well over 1,600 werehandled by the WestminsterMarriage and Family Lifeoffice. What we can share nowis an initial response; a sort ofbarometer as to the scale of thechallenges we face inaddressing the depth of feelingexpressed in the responses. Wesuggest that these fall into thefollowing broad categories:

ConscienceClearly there is a great deal

of confusion over what ismeant by conscience. There isan urgent need to help peoplerevisit what it means according

Edmund Adamus discusses initial feedback from the recent questionnaire on the family which came fromRome ahead of two Synods on the family called by Pope Francis.

to the Catechism, especially inthe light of simple rules, suchas ‘One may never do evil sothat good may result from it’(CCC 1789). Matters ofconscience centre upon theissues of responsibleparenthood and the regulationof fertility. Formation of themoral conscience, therefore,demands fresh efforts on many levels.

“Maximum pastoralattention must be given tomarriage preparation.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Preparing for Marriage Marriage as social

institution and Sacrament ofthe Church is universallyaccepted as an irreplaceablegood. There is sincereappreciation for efforts toprovide marriage preparationbut the fact remains there areconsiderable gaps and varietyin what people experience. In2007, Pope Benedict insistedthat ‘maximum pastoralattention’ be given to marriagepreparation (SacramentumCaritatis n29). It must thereforebecome more widely available,excellent in content andadequate in length.

The whole of the parishcommunity, including schools,in partnership with parents,must be actively involved inseeking to inspire the youngfrom an early age to aspire tolifelong matrimonialcommitment in a loving andstable union open to life.

Transmitting the FaithThere is both deep

heartache and joy in families’experience at the perceivedlevels of failure and success atpassing on the faith to the nextgeneration. No-one doubts theenormous scale of thechallenge facing parents andgrandparents in this taskagainst the backdrop ofaggressive secularism and theIT revolution. We need toexplore ways of making thepartnership between home,school and parish better in thisshared task as a top priority;within which the truth of theparent as the primary educatormust have pride of place.Blessed John Paul II said thatloving the family means givingit back reasons for confidencein itself. Confidence-buildingmeasures must begin withparents.

“Be protectors of God’sgifts!” (Pope Francis)

A Culture of Life The authentic dignity of

every person from the momentof conception to natural deathis a radical teaching in ourmodern ‘throwaway culture.’

However, responses show aconsiderable imbalance inpeoples’ views about a lifeethic and the social ethic. Ourcue from Pope Francis is: “Beprotectors of God’s gifts!”,calling us to see the whole ofcreation, including theintegrity of our families, asprecious.

The imagination has to becaptured to deepen theunderstanding of humanecology. To this end, anythingand everything that can bedone to raise awareness of anddeepen the livedunderstanding of the goodnessand truth of the body is bothtimely and vital as a pastoralresponse to many painfulsituations.

©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

©Maz

ur/ca

tholi

cnew

s.org

.uk

For further detailscontact EdmundAdamus at theDiocese of WestminsterOffice for Marriageand Family Life

[email protected] 020 7798 9363




Marriage and Family Life, Vocations

Speaking of the parish inEvangelii Gaudium, PopeFrancis reminds us that muchdepends upon the ‘opennessand missionary creativity ofthe pastor and the community’if it is to be the Church ‘livingin the midst of the homes ofher sons and daughters.’ Thereis deep appreciation of thesupport and Christiancompassion experienced inparish life but, as the Popesays, parishes have to provethemselves ‘capable of self-renewal and constantadaptivity.’ They will do thisby recognising it is ‘certainlynot the only institution whichevangelises.’ The Christianhousehold, just by being aloving and forgiving place, liesat the heart of the mission ofthe Church and spouses are theprimary agents of the mission.

The Church yearns to reach out

Such a depth of awarenesspresumes that the parish, asthe Pope describes it, ‘really isin contact with the homes andthe lives of its people.’ Yet inorder to raise our game in thisway the diocese will need afresh focus of thinking andenergy on family life ministryat the parish level to prevent itbeing ‘a useless structure outof touch with people.’

Sadly, as we know, the vastmajority of baptised Catholicsdo not frequent theSacraments, not so much out ofa wilful rejection of the Lordbut more often because theyincorrectly view themselves asbeyond the reach of theChurch. Holding views fuelledby biased media and exposureto a popular culture purveyingthe ‘banalisation of sex,’ theybelieve that the Church isirrelevant. Among many ofthese are sincere individuals inunions at odds with churchdiscipline. The Church yearnsto reach out to them, like Jesusto the woman at the well: “If

A Pastor’s Visiononly you knew what God isoffering and who it is that issaying to you: Give me a drink,you would have been the oneto ask and he would havegiven you living water.” (John4:10)

How can we find a way ofcommunicating our need as acommunity of faith for them tobecome more actively involvedwith us, just as Christ sharedhis human need of thirst withthe woman at the well, therebyallowing her freely to respond?In short, how do we showthem that it is not just theirlives that are affected by notbeing part of the worshippingcommunity, but that the parishis greatly impoverished bytheir absence?

“A family of families,able to share with eachother not only the joysbut the inevitabledifficulties of initiatingfamily life” (Pope Benedict XVI)

“Favour reciprocalknowledge” said PopeBenedict, “so that the parishcommunity increasinglybecomes a family of families,able to share with each othernot only the joys but theinevitable difficulties ofinitiating family life".

Instigating family-orientedassociations such as the FamilyGroups Movement, the Familyof Nazareth community, theBeginning Experience andCatholic GrandparentsAssociation to name but a few,and, indeed, anything that canbe done in parish life to bringfamilies together socially aswell as spiritually will go along way to addressing thesense of isolation andfrustration expressed by somany.

Parents are the “priestsof the domestic church”(Familiaris Consortio)

When a priest marks your forehead with the Sign of the Cross onAsh Wednesday, he will himself have that same mark smearedon his own skin. It is a sign that the priest is in just as much needof conversion as anyone else during Lent. To be a minister ofChrist’s mercy to others he must first experience in his own lifethe mercy of God. I love these words from the Catechism:“When he celebrates the Sacrament of Penance, the priest isfulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lostsheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of theFather who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on hisreturn... The priest is the sign and the instrument of God’smerciful love for the sinner” (CCC 1465).

A priest cannot be the Good Shepherd unless he has firstbeen the sheep.

But a priest cannot be the Good Shepherd unless he has firstbeen the sheep, he cannot be the Good Samaritan if he has nothad his own wounds healed deeply by Christ, he cannot be thefather welcoming back the prodigal son if he does not knowwhat the loss of that relationship means and if he does not seethat same loss in the eyes and hearts of the people he serves.

As priests we need to hear the words of absolution as muchas we proclaim them. We are indeed “earthenware vessels”,cracked and chipped and yet entrusted with the greatest oftreasure. But when we celebrate the Sacrament, we see God’sgrace at work and we are reminded of who we are called to be.So this Lent, hear that call to conversion spoken personally toyou by God and come to receive Christ’s mercy in the Sacramentof Reconciliation. And pray for your confessors, for us yourpriests, that we too may be healed in Christ so that together wecan live out the joy of the Gospel.

Ministers of Mercy

by Fr Richard Nesbitt

Theology of the BodyDawn Eden, renownedTheology of the Body author,will be speaking on "What the

Saints can teachus aboutForgiveness" atNewman HouseUniversityChaplaincy,WC1E 6AR on 7 March. The talk

and discussion will be precededat 6pm by Stations of the Cross.For more info contact Fr Richard:[email protected]

Permanent Diaconate. Interested in finding out moreabout serving the Church andthe world as a PermanentDeacon? Men between 35 and60 are invited to a Come andSee meeting, 10-12noon on aSaturday morning. Wives arevery welcome. Venues: 15March at the Parish Hall of StEdward the Confessor, GoldersGreen, 26 April at Ealing Abbey& 24 May at Sacred Heart, Ware.Further information availablefrom:[email protected] [email protected]

Events

The poet Thomas Mooresaid: 'the ordinary acts wepractice every day at home areof more importance to the soulthan their simplicity mightsuggest.' The consultationshows that only a minority ofpeople have any appreciationof the profound value of such aspirituality. If the family, asCatholic doctrine acclaims,really is the domestic churchand parents are the ‘priests ofthe domestic church’(Familiaris Consortio), then it isthe parents whom we need tobe more actively and creativelysupporting as the first and bestof teachers in the school oflove, that is the home. Buttalking about this and makingit happen are at times two verydifferent things.

Fortunately there are somereally useful family-friendlyresources available tocomplement existing parishinitiatives enabling householdsto be places where faithformation can be a moreconsciously chosen activity. Asthe diocese discerns a wayforward in response to theSynods, it will need to do so insuch a way as to treat thefamily not so much as an objectof evangelisation but its activeagent.

“The Church is a homeand family for everyone,especially those wholabour and are heavyladen.” (Blessed John Paul II)

We express our gratitude toall those who took the timeand effort to respond to thequestionnaire and for sharingsuch heartfelt convictions. Toeveryone we repeat the wordsof the great ‘Pope of thefamily’, Blessed John Paul II:‘no-one is without a family inthis world: the Church is ahome and family for everyone,especially those who “labourand are heavy laden."’

Technology Review Westminster Record | March 2014



As the Catholics tapinto social and newmedia to explore their

faith, the most recent step hasbeen the creation of Apps.The MassExplained App,available for smartphone andtablet devices, is the latestentry into this field.

The Westminster Record wasapproached recently by itsAmerican designer, DanGonzalez from Miami, whoasked us to cast our criticaleye over it.

Beginning with the ‘Sourceand Summit’ of what the Massis, the App breaks the Massdown into sections andexplaining their importance,significance and role.Chapters include discussionson the Readings, Homily andCreed. Each page hasadditional information in itsborders, such as smallbiographies of saints, factsand figures and references tothe Catechism and biblicalteaching. The contentprovides the history of eachelement of the Mass as well ashow it is used and its purposein our liturgy.

The Mass AppBy Chris O’Callaghan

The content certainly findsthe right balance betweeninformative and interesting –it is not so theologically heavyas to be inaccessible tograssroots Catholics, whilstnot too simplistic in a waythat would be patronising orchildish. To make sure therewere no errors containedwithin the App, the directorof the Office of Worship in theArchdiocese of Miami spentthree months going over thedetails to check its doctrinalaccuracy. It has thereforeclearly been deeplyresearched and is skilfully

written in a way that isaccessible to all. Visually, theApp is beautiful. It reads likea book but each page isillustrated by pictures of theliturgy, pull-out quotes fromthe Bible, paintings of Biblicalscenes and maps of thejourneys of the Apostles, mostof which are interactive. All ofthese add to the quality of theApp. One of the best visualfeatures is full screen 360°pictures of churches such asthe Holy Sepulchre inJerusalem and Santiago deCompostella in Spain.

This App is certainly wellworth looking into buying ifyou are a Catholic who wantsto know more about the Massand why we do the things wedo. It is a visually colourfuland beautiful expression ofthe Mass and an example ofthe next step in thedevelopment of the Church’scommunication in the digital21st century.

MassExplained is availablefrom the App Store priced at£17.49 and is compatible withiOS 6.0 or higher.

This App iscertainly well worthlooking into buying

if you are a Catholic who

wants to know moreabout the Mass and

why we do thethings we do.

Westminster Record September 2011

by John Scott

The Victoria and AlbertMuseum has an ongoing‘Futureplan’ and in 2009 wewere able to see the first ofthe refurbished and reorderedgalleries devoted to theMedieval and Renaissanceperiods. They repay frequentrevisiting.

Two floors of artifacts coverthe period 300-1600, withmajor sculptural and largerobjects (including a Florentinechapel) occupying much ofanother gallery. Two factorsaffect what is displayed here:first, the English Reformationwhich entailed the destructionof so much of our artistic (andCatholic) heritage andsecondly the remarkable laterEnglish zeal for continentalcollecting which has made thewhole V&A such a storehouseof wonders from Europe andbeyond.

What attracts attention?Perhaps the smaller-scaleobjects, such as the ivoryminiatures, reminders of thewidespread desire fordevotional pieces for domesticuse, a desire which laterfuelled the lucrative Midlandsindustry in alabasters. Thelatter are often quite crude,some with traces of theiroriginal bright colouring. Yet itis the quality of workmanshipthat constantly astounds, inpieces like the 12th centuryGloucester candlestick, amasterpiece of twisted gildedcomplexity portraying thebattle between darkness andlight.

Objects remind us of thecentrality both of the apostlesand of the martyrs. St ThomasBecket’s mitre (on loan fromthe diocese) sits near anenameled casket designed for arelic of the saint, whilstHolbein’s St Sebastianreliquary brings together bothveneration and perceivedhealing and prophylacticpower.

Yet size matters, too. Do notmiss the early 16th centurylimewood nativity andcrucifixion scenes fromSant’Agostino in Piacenza. Thecalm of the Nativity contrastswith the frenetic 3D activity ofthe Crucifixion (it is about 4’by 4’, every inch filled withpeople). And if height is yourthing, then the 1470 builders’

Arts, Reviews Westminster Record | March 2014



drawing for the lower part ofthe tower of Ulm Cathedral inGermany (the world’s tallest at528 feet) may satisfy. We areperhaps used to seeing altarsunadorned and in the opennowadays; but go through intothe main sculpture gallery,through the ‘s-HertogenboschCathedral (Netherlands)screen, and take in the greatcarved altarpieces displayedthere.

Rebirth in the V&A

“Holbein’s St Sebastian reliquary bringstogether both veneration and perceivedhealing and prophylactic power.”

The enameled casket designed for a relic of St Thomas Becket French (Limoges)about 1180-90 © V&A London

Gallery Review

Reliquary of St Sebastian German (Augsburg), 1497 (made) © V&A London

The Lent 2014 faith-sharing resource

The whole experience of theMedieval and RenaissanceGalleries can underline for ushow earlier generations wereexposed to and rejoiced in therichness of the Christian story,from the smallest through tothe largest and most elaborateobjects. And above all we mustwonder at the beauty andhumanity of what we have inthe V&A.

The Lent 2014 faith-sharing resource explores our personalrelationship with Christ as it underpins and impels us to reachout to others: to evangelise. Inspired by Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, the bookletincludes six sessions for use by small groups or individualmeditation. To order copies please contact 020 7798 9152 or visitwww.rcdow.org.uk/bookstore

Liturgical Calendar - March1 Sat St David, Bishop, Patron of Wales 2 Sun + 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME3 Mon feria4 Tues feria or St Casimir5 Wed ASH WEDNESDAY6 Thurs Lent feria7 Fri Lent feria (Sts Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs), Friday abstinence8 Sat Lent feria (St John of God, Religious)9 Sun + 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT 10 Mon Lent feria11 Tues Lent feria12 Wed Lent feria13 Thurs Lent feria (St Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor),Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis14 Fri Lent feria, Friday abstinence15 Sat Lent feria16 Sun + 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT17 Mon St Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland 18 Tues Lent feria (St Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop & Doctor)19 Wed ST JOSEPH, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patronof the Diocese20 Thurs Lent feria21 Fri Lent feria, Friday abstinence22 Sat Lent feria23 Sun + 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT24 Mon Lent feria25 Tues THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD 26 Wed Lent feria27 Thurs Lent feria28 Fri Lent feria, Friday abstinence29 Sat Lent feria30 Sun + 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT (Laetare Sunday)31 Mon Lent feria

6 Mgr Frederick Row (1974)Mgr Canon Clement Parsons (1980)

7 Fr Henry Dodd (1992)Fr Harold Riley (2003)

8 Fr Thomas Nobbs (1977)9 Fr Paul Lenihan (1992)13 Fr Patrick English (1971)14 Bishop David Cashman (1971)

Canon Jeremiah Galvin (1973)Fr Reginald Watt (1975)

15 Bishop George Craven (1967)Fr Walter Donovan (1981)

17 Cardinal Arthur Hinsley (1943)Fr Michael Buckley (1993)

In Memoriam: March

Saints & Obituaries Westminster Record | March 2014



St John of God – Patron Saint of the sickSaint John of God was born in 1495. He became a shepherdbefore enlisting in the Spanish army against the French and theTurks. His life was dramatically changed after hearing a sermonpreached by Saint John of Avila in Granada. For a while he wasmentally disturbed and he was admitted to the Royal Hospital forthe insane. As a result of this experience, John took up the call toserve the poor and the sick because of the mistreatment of thepatients in the Royal Hospital he had witnessed and experienced,and was determined to change the practices of the day. He wasoffered a shelter in Granada where he took his first patients. It wasthrough this venture that John came to gather the support of manypeople and particularly the encouragement of the Bishop ofGranada who gave him a distinctive form of clothing, and sowedthe seeds of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, whoseBrothers continue in his way of life and work. Canonised in 1690,he was proclaimed patron of hospitals and the sick in 1886, and in1930 he was further proclaimed patron of nurses and theirassociations by Pope Pius XI.

Novices from the Sisters of Nazareth joined Archbishop Vincent in December to visit the sick and retired priests in East Finchley.

2014 Summerprogramme inLiturgy and Latin atEaling AbbeyShort courses for credit (KULeuven) or interest“Research Seminar”D. McCarthy7-18 July (not 12, 13 July)morning“Liturgy in the West:History” E. Carr7-18 July (not 12, 13 July)afternoon“Liturgy and Ecumenism” B. Nichols7-18 July (not 12, 13 July)morning“Western Liturgical Books”D. McCarthy21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July)morning“Theology of the Liturgy”E. Carr21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July)afternoon“Christian Initiation”J. Leachman21 Jul-1 Aug (not 26, 27 July)morning“Beginners, Intermediate andProficient Latin” D. McCarthyand others 11-22 August (not16, 17 August)“Seminar on Initiation”E. Carr 11-22 August (not 16, 17 August)Contact:http://liturgyinstitute.org/courses-summer-2014/Post: 74 Castlebar Road, W5 2DD:T: 020 8862 2156 E: [email protected]

Monsignor Canon AdrianArrowsmith died peacefullyon Saturday 15 February at St Anne’s Home in StokeNewington, having been apriest for 49 years.

During his ministry CanonAdrian filled numerous rolesincluding Parish Priest of OurLady, St Mary of Walsingham,London Colney; Most SacredHeart, Ruislip and Our Lady ofVictories, Kensington. He wasappointed Canon in February1990.

Mgr Jim Curry, ParishPriest of Our Lady of Victorieswhere Canon Adrian servedfor 13 years, said: “CanonAdrian had a gift forfriendship. Parishioners andclergy past and present willattest to his generoushospitality. With a kindlyauthority he helped guidemany who found themselves

Monsignor Canon Adrian Arrowsmith RIPknocking at his door. Duringhis time as Parish Priest anumber of importantrenovations were undertakenin the Church and Crypt. Mostof all he leaves a legacy of deepaffection amongst those whoselives he touched in his living ofthe Gospel.”

Canon Adrian’s RequiemMass will be celebrated at theChurch of the Most SacredHeart, Ruislip, on Tuesday 4 March at 10.30am.

Fr Lionel Keane (1997)Fr Charles Connor (2005)

20 Canon Desmond Swan (1995)Fr Edward Bushey (1996)

21 Fr James de Felice (1978)22 Fr Edward Higgs (1998)23 Fr Peter Day (2006)24 Fr John Gill (1985)

Fr Pat Heekin (2006)25 Mgr Richard Kenefeck (1982)27 Fr Cormac Rigby (2007)

Fr James Brand (2013)30 Fr William Hutchinson (1984)

SUNDAYSTaizé at St James, PiccadillyEvery third Sunday 5pm. Call 020 7503 5128 for details. Lectio Young Adults GroupLectio Divina with time forreflection and discussionafterwards. Every first and thirdSunday in term time at 6.45pm.Contact [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/lectio.divina.961 Tyburn Benedictines Monastic afternoonEvery first Sunday 2pm-5pmMartyrs’ Crypt, Tyburn Convent, 8Hyde Park Place, W2 2LJ. Westminster Cathedral YoungAdults meet socially after the 7pmMass on Sundays and then at thenearby Windsor Castle pub. Forfurther details please contact:[email protected]

MONDAYSMothers’ Prayers at St Dominic’sPriory, Haverstock Hill NW5 4LBMondays 2.30-3.30pm in theLourdes chapel. All are welcome.

TUESDAYSAdoration of the BlessedSacramentTuesdays 6-9pm concluding withBenediction at Newman House,111 Gower Street WC1E 6AR.Details 020 7387 6370

Prayers for London at the Shrine ofOur Lady of WillesdenTuesdays 7.30pm. Organised by theGuild of Our Lady of Willesden,Nicoll Road NW10 9AXVocations Prayer GroupSecond Tuesday of the month 8pmat 47C Gaisford Street NW5 2EB

WEDNESDAYSWednesdays on the Wall (WOTW)Every first Wednesday 6pm at AllHallows on the Wall 83 London Wall EC2M 5ND. A shortservice of prayer and reflection at6pm, coffee at 6.45pm followed bydiscussion.Corpus Christi ContemplativePrayer group for young adultsWednesdays from 7pm at CorpusChristi, Maiden Lane WC2E 7NB.For further details please [email protected] prayer group foryoung adults meets from 7pmon Wednesdays at Notre Damede France, 5 Leicester PlaceWC2H 7BX. For further detailsplease contact Armel [email protected]

THURSDAYSJesus Christ the Fullness of Life -Every first Thursday of the month.Young adults from all Christiandenominations pray and share ameal. Details www.jcfl.org.uk

REGULAR EVENTSIf you have an event, please email [email protected]

Soul FoodA Catholic charismatic prayer groupfor young adults meets Thursdays7-9pm at St Charles Borromeo, OgleStreet W1W 6HS. Details atwww.soulfoodgroup.org Blessed John Paul II Prayer GroupEvery second Thursday of themonth 7-8pm, Mass, Adoration andPrayer at Corpus Christi, MaidenLane WC2E 7NB.

FRIDAYSAssociation of Divorced and Separated CatholicsEvery third Friday of the month. All divorced and separatedCatholics are welcome. Call Frankor Christine 020 8422 1591Divine Mercy Prayers and Mass Every first Friday 2.30-4.30pm atOur Lady, Mother of the Church, 2Windsor Road W5 5PD. Westminster CathedralCharismatic Prayer GroupEvery Friday 7.30pm Prayer, Praiseand Teaching. First Friday is ahealing Mass. Details: 020 8748 2632

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

Deaf Community Mass First Sunday of the month 4.30pm, Westminster CathedralHall, Ambrosden Avenue SW1P 1QWYoung Adults MassFirst & Third Sunday of themonth, 114 Mount Street W1K3AH. Quiet prayer at 7.15pm,Mass at 7.30pm. Social gatheringafterward. Contact:[email protected] or visitwww.fsplus.infoMass at Canary Wharf Tuesdays 12.30pm at 2 ChurchillPlace E14 5RB. Organised byMgr Vladimir Felzmann,Chaplain to Canary WharfCommunities. Detailswww.cwcc.org.ukSt AlbansFridays at 12 noon. Mass in theLady Chapel of St Alban’sAbbey AL1 1BY

EXTRAORDINARY FORMMASSESSundays Low Mass 9.30am, St James Spanish Place W1U3QY.Low Mass 9am, The Oratory,Brompton Road SW7 2RP.Mondays Low Mass 8am TheOratory, Brompton Road SW72RP Mass 6.30pm CorpusChristi, Maiden Lane, WC2E7NB. Tuesdays, Wednesdays andThursdays Low Mass 8am TheOratory, Brompton Road SW72RP. Fridays Low Mass 7.45am StMary Moorfields, 4/5 EldonStreet EC2N 7LS. Low Mass 8am The Oratory,Brompton Road SW7 2RP.Low Mass 6pm St Etheldreda,Ely Place EC1N 6RY FirstFridays only. Low Mass 6pm St John theBaptist Church, King Edward'sRoad E9 7SF First Fridays only.Low Mass 6.30pm, CorpusChristi, Maiden Lane WC2E7NB Second Fridays only. Saturdays Low Mass 12.15pm,St Wilfrid’s Chapel, The Oratory, Brompton Road SW7 2RPLow Mass 4.30pm, Side Chapel,Westminster Cathedral SW1P1QW Second Saturday only.




Events

Prayer Groups

Other regular Masses

"Day for PersecutedChristians" (DfPC)Persecuted Christians: a dayfor prayer, fasting, anddiscernment during Lent.Saturday 8 March, 10:00am to4:15pm.At Church of Our Lady, Queenof Heaven, 4a Inverness Place,Queensway W2 3JF. For more information on thisfree event (including a mapand directions to the venue)please visitwww.comptium.com/dfpc

We wantyour NewsYou can send us yourlatest news online,please [email protected]

Published by The Diocese of Westminster, Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue, London SW1P 1QJ. Printed by NWN Media Limited, Mold, Flintshire. All rights reserved.

Spotlight Westminster Record | March 2014



Being in St Peter’s Basilica,there had to be somethingof splendour and

solemnity about the Consistory.The presence of the Pope, thePope-Emeritus, one hundredand fifty Cardinals and manymore bishops in the packedchurch has to speak ofgrandeur.

Yet, there was a clear note ofsimplicity and prayer runningthrough the whole occasion.Pope Francis was introducingnineteen new members into his

group of personal advisors, andwe were privileged on-lookers.He welcomed them, speakingdirectly about their role ofservice and mission in theChurch and what he expected ofthem, assisting him in his officeas Bishop of Rome.

The fact that so many of thenew Cardinals come from eitherthe world's biggest cities orpoorest countries underlines thePope's priorities of havingrepresentation from theuniversal Church in the College

A View from the Consistory

by Bishop John Arnold

Titular Church reflects Cardinal’s pastoral care concernsAs is customary when a newCardinal is appointed by thePope, he is designated atitular church in Rome.Cardinals have a loosepatronal relationship withtheir titular churches (theirnames and coats of arms areinscribed inside), but they donot participate in the actualmanagement of the churches.

Cardinal Vincent has beengiven the Church of St Alphonsus Liguori on theVia Merulana in the centre ofRome.

This beautiful church isdedicated to St AlphonsusLiguori (1696-1787) who is oneof the thirty-three Doctors ofthe Church and the founder ofthe Congregation of the MostHoly Redeemer, better knownas the Redemptorists, who staffthe church.

Built between 1855 and1859 by the Scottish architectGeorge Wigley, the church isone of the rare examples ofneo-Gothic architecture in the city.

The Church is best known for housing the famous icon of Our Lady of PerpetualHelp, which was given to the Redemptorists by Pope Pius IX in 1866.

The Cardinal’s titular church - St. Alphonsus Liguori on the Via Merulana in the centre of Rome.

Blessed John XXIII namedit as a cardinal titular churchin 1960 and it has had threeprevious patrons, the mostrecent being CardinalAnthony Bevilacqua,Archbishop of Philadelphia

between 1988 and 2003. Cardinal Vincent recently

spoke of St Alphonsus in aninterview with Vatican Radio,in particular the importance ofthe tradition of pastoral practicein the life of the Church.

The new Cardinal’s Massin St Peter’s Basilica

Cardinal Vincent receiving the zucchetto and biretta from Pope Francis

Pope Francis celebrating the Mass for the Consistory on Sunday

by Antonio Pineda

Cardinal Vincent Nicholsreceived his formation at theVenerable English College(VEC) and 15 current VenerableEnglish College studentsserved at the consistory Masson Sunday. Four of us camefrom the Diocese ofWestminster, so the Mass wasan occasion for pride andthanksgiving for the honourbestowed on our Diocese.

We celebrated twice over: afestive lunch was held after theConsistory on 22 February anda buffet supper the following

day. Several bishops fromEngland and Wales attendedthe lunch while 350 guests,including 200 from Westminster,took part in the celebration on23 February.

In a speech, CardinalNichols spoke of the threethings he said he was bringinghome to England with him: anew appreciation for theuniversality of the Church, thefriendships he had witnessed inRome, and the resolve to acceptChrist’s invitation to “walk with Him”.of Cardinals and of confronting

the scandal of poverty in all its forms.

The emphasis was on aChurch with an urgent missionwhich must walk always insimplicity with the Lord.Privileged on-lookers we mayhave been, but there was nodoubting the reminder that eachand every one of us has a role aswhat Pope Francis callsmissionary disciples.

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©Maz

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westminster record march edition

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