Guest User 9/23/19 Guest User 9/23/19

Passionist Province recognition of 'climate emergency'

A statement from the Passionist Congregation in England and Wales, September 2019:

We Passionists of St Joseph’s Province in England and Wales, recognise that we are in a Climate and Ecological Emergency.

The life of God’s creation on earth is threatened. The climate is changing rapidly due to human actions, and species are threatened with extinction at an ever increasing rate. Both of these undermine the basis for human life and desecrate God’s creation.

God created human beings in the Divine image, to love their Creator and to care for all Creation, both human and the whole natural world. We are called to love our neighbour as ourselves. Laudato Si reminds us that the Earth is our neighbour, our mother and our sister. Our globalised society has harnessed God-given human ingenuity for the universal common good, in ways that contribute to the good of many millions of our sisters and brothers. However, in the process, we are now damaging the very fruitfulness of creation that God intended, and on which we depend. In this kairos moment, this crisis-point at which we have arrived, emergency action is needed to protect God’s earth and God’s poor. We, especially in the richer nations of the world, need to change direction, to repent. If we do not, we know the poorest will once more suffer first and most. Christians must be open to, and speak, the truth that sets us free. So we commit ourselves to integrate human, climate and ecological justice in every aspect of our life, work, worship and prayer.

We pledge to act on this Emergency in our own lives and ministry. We will also work with and support our members, friends and government, at local and national levels, in tackling this Emergency, and we call on others to do the same.

These are our intentions:

1. We will tell the Truth

Governments and broadcasters must tell the truth about the Climate and Ecological Emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and communicate the urgency for far-reaching systemic change. We will communicate with those associated with us and those we minister and work with, and support them to discover the truth about the Emergency and the changes that are needed.

2. We will take Action

Governments must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels. We pledge to work towards reducing our emissions to net zero by 2025. We will challenge policies and actions of local and national governments and their agencies, where they do not help to reduce emissions or consumption levels. We will actively work to inspire, enable, imagine and model ways in which our faith and our congregations can protect and renew our life-sustaining planet.

3. We are committed to Justice

The emergency has arisen from deeply systemic injustices. Faith communities can imagine and unleash shifts in the ways people relate to one another and the world, in our values and behaviours. We will do what is possible to help all those associated with us and those we minister and work with to talk about how the Emergency will affect them and the changes that are needed. We believe that all truth-telling, action and democratic work must be underpinned by a commitment to justice, both within our nation and towards other nations, particularly for those who are poorer.

Guest User 9/16/19 Guest User 9/16/19

In Plain Sight : conference on modern slavery

Members of the Conference of Religious are invited to a conference on modern day slavery called In Plain Sight. It is free thanks to support from CCLA.

Date: Tuesday 15th October 2019, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Venue: CCLA Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET

Organiser: Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and members

Sponsor: CCLA Investment Management Limited

Introduction

Many dioceses and parishes are awake to the de-humanising impact of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery in England and Wales. Leadership from our bishops and action from many religious congregations and Catholic charities has enabled the Catholic Church to play its part in beginning to eradicate in the UK one of the world’s most organised, profitable and criminal activities that causes so much misery and long-term damage to its victims.

The Conference will help equip delegates through shared practical experience and planning to combat Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking at a diocesan and parish level. A session on supply chains will help dioceses, businesses and organisations to operate ethically in their procurement and purchasing practices.

Aims

Share learning and good practice from Anti -Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery organisations and practitioners

Identify key areas for future activity using the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking developed by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

Agree effective action that contributes to the eradication of Modern Day Slavery

Evaluate the conference with a view to developing a national strategy

Conference delegates will gain:

An appreciation of the scale and depth of the problem

Insights into the range of activities and services tackling Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery by the Church and others

Understanding of the need to check supply chains and guidance on making progress on making more ethical decisions on purchasing and investment

A clear vision and guidance to assist dioceses and parishes in developing services

A support network to assist in developing action plans

Who should attend?

Diocesan representatives responsible for: developing services, and purchasing and investment

Religious orders & congregations

Caritas Social Action Network members

Organisations working in this field

Lead organisations delivering the conference: Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), Caritas Diocese of Salford, Caritas Westminster (including Caritas Bakhita House), Jesuit Refugee Service UK, Medaille Trust, Santa Marta Group, Women at the Well.

Programme (draft):

10.00 Registration & coffee

10.30 Opening prayer and welcome

Phil McCarthy and Peter Hugh Smith CEO CCLA

10.45 In plain sight – the problem and scale of Modern Day Slavery in the UK: Kevin Hyland, former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner

11.00 The work of Catholic charities in combatting Modern Day Slavery:

Local initiatives: Caritas Diocese of Salford

11.15 Break

11.30 The work of Catholic charities in combatting Modern Day Slavery

National perspectives and victim support: The Medaille Trust, Caritas Bakhita House, Women at the Well, Jesuit Refugee Service (UK)

12.30 Lunch (provided)

1.30 Combatting slavery & organised crime Sion Hall (formerly Head of the East Lancashire Police Anti - Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery Team)

1.45 Supply chains & ethical investment: Andrew Adams (CCLA Ethical & Responsible Investment Team)

2.00 Workshops: Developing local initiatives on key conference issues

3.00 Plenary: towards a strategy to combat Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Luke de Pulford (ARISE Foundation)

3.45 Conclusions from the day and closing prayer

His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols

4.00 Depart

Note: Dr Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice will prepare a follow-up paper on Modern Day Slavery and Catholic social thought.

Please follow this link to register for the Conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-plain-sight-human-trafficking-and-modern-day-slavery-conference-tickets-70915049823

For further details, please contact Mary Scully: 0161 817 2250 m.scully@caritassalford.org.uk.

Guest User 9/13/19 Guest User 9/13/19

Congratulations pour in for new Cardinal

“Judging from the messages of congratulations that I am receiving from different people, and not only Christians, it seems that people who are engaged in interfaith relations are greatly encouraged. They see this appointment as a sign of hope at a time when work in interfaith relations is often called into question, but when in fact it is more necessary than ever.”

The news that Missionary of Africa, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, has been made a Cardinal has been met with great acclaim in the UK and internationally. The surprise announcement came at Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus address in early September. The new Cardinal is a British expert on Islam and the former president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Cardinal-designate Fitzgerald, who moved with his congregation into an inner city parish in Liverpool last autumn, with a particular priority of outreach to the Muslim community said he’s been overwhelmed by the reaction to the announcement from Rome : “The response has been very positive, from the Superior General and his Council right down to students whom I have known in Jerusalem. They see this as an honour to our Society and a confirmation of this aspect of our charism, reaching out to people of other religions, particularly Muslims.”

The Walsall-born White Father has worked tirelessly over many decades to build relations with people of other faiths and also served as the Vatican’s nuncio to Egypt until 2012. He added : “Judging from the messages of congratulations that I am receiving from different people, and not only Christians, it seems that people who are engaged in interfaith relations are greatly encouraged. They see this appointment as a sign of hope at a time when work in interfaith relations is often called into question, but when in fact it is more necessary than ever.”

The General Secretary of the Conference of Religious, Valerie Nazareth, warmly welcomed the appointment: “The Conference of Religious is absolutely delighted to hear of the announcement of Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald being elevated to the College of Cardinals. It is a great blessing. We know all the congregations of England and Wales will join us in passing on congratulations and best wishes at this news and that they will also hold him in their prayers. We thank him for his dedicated contribution to interfaith dialogue and we also pray that the new mission of the Missionaries of Africa in Liverpool will bear much fruit.”

The Missionaries of Africa see their mission as not only on the continent of Africa but to the entire African world and their new parish, St Vincent de Paul, has a considerable migrant population. They are in the process of reviving activities in the parish, which like other similar inner city areas, has experienced significant demographic change in recent years.

Archbishop Michael sees the congregation’s ability to mobilise in this way as a strength: “The difference between religious men and diocesan priests should not be exaggerated, yet I think it would be true to say that religious congregations, whether of men or of women, are freer to do new things. Whereas pastors are busy looking after their sheep and seeing that they are well fed, religious are freer to move into new fields, seeking other sheep that are to be brought into the fold, or bringing the message of the Gospel to other parts of human society. This is why it is often religious who are more engaged in efforts for justice and peace and in the integrity of creation, working on behalf of migrants and refugees, combating human trafficking, engaging in interfaith relations, and so forth. It is true also that different congregations are enriching the Church through sharing their distinctive spiritualities. This sharing is not confined to other religious, but is offered also to lay people.”

The announcement of Archbishop Michael’s elevation to Cardinal came just before Pope Francis set off on a high profile visit to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius: “As a Missionary of Africa, events in Africa are always followed with interest and with prayer” Archbishop Michael said. “The Churches in Africa are facing huge challenges. these come from a lack of stability in many of the countries, wars, conflicts. The Churches try to respond to the needs of people but their means are limited. In living and celebrating the faith African Christians show great vitality. They are often disappointed with the celebrations in our churches here in the UK. As Missionaries of Africa we would like to encourage them to make their contribution to the life of the Church in this country. This does not concern only the liturgy, but also the experience of small Christian communities in which lay people play an important part.”

Another member of Archbishop Michael’s community in Liverpool, Fr Terry Madden, explained more about the nature of their work there: “As a community, we want to welcome the stranger, asylum seekers and refugees, especially from the African diaspora. We also have a commitment to Justice & Peace issues, including human trafficking.” They’ve also made links with a local foodbank and are offering their active support as well as getting parishioners involved and are reaching out in welcome to a local hostel for asylum seekers.

Archbishop Michael attended a recent awareness raising day about modern slavery organised by a congregation in the northwest, in conjunction with the Conference of Religious:

An unassuming presence at a recent day on modern slavery in Formby

The parish church they’ve adopted in Liverpool was built in the 1850s and was once home to 7000 Catholics, with five Masses on a Sunday. Many local homes have been demolished and the area has experienced significant depopulation. Following their arrival in 2018, Mass was celebrated there this Easter for the first time in many years. The diocese has renovated the presbytery and welcomed them into the area.

They are building up parish life and organising community events like a recent summer barbecue on the local street. The Chinese community has its own Church just nearby and Fr Terry hopes that barriers that have developed over the years will be broken down.

Directly opposite St Vincent’s there are signs of social change, with developers moving in and modern flats emerging. Digital enterprises and new coffee shops indicate a younger generation breathing life back into the area. Fr Terry has an exciting vision for the rather jaded Victorian church building they have been given charge of : “We want to take out the benches at the back and make a social space. We’ll be free to use it as we want.”

A key focus is to welcome the stranger. Fr Terry adds: “We made a choice to come to Liverpool. Archbishop Michael and I are both working on interreligious dialogue – it’s a long term project. We have visited mosques and engaged with academics at Hope University. We are very keen to break down barriers and to help people of different faiths get to know each other. We are making inroads.“

Guest User 9/13/19 Guest User 9/13/19

Two congregations going green for the sake of the planet

In a concerted effort to make a tangible response to the climate crisis, the Franciscan Sisters Minoress as well as the English/Scottish Province of the Religious Sisters of Charity have made a bold commitment to go green by turning away from fossil fuel investments.

The announcement comes during the ‘Season of Creation’ -a global celebration of prayer and action for the environment, and is made just days after Pope Francis said that “now is the time to abandon our dependence on fossil fuels and move, quickly and decisively, towards forms of clean energy and a sustainable and circular economy.”

Faith leaders from across the world have responded to the climate crisis that is experienced by all, and most strongly by poorer nations in the global south.

Sr Patricia Jordan FSM, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters Minoress reflected: “On his deathbed, Saint Francis said, ‘I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are to do…………….’

……We each have our own part to play in protecting our environment, all of creation and the most vulnerable in society. Pope Francis said that St Francis shows us how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society and interior peace. We the Franciscan Sisters Minoress, as followers of Saint Francis of Assisi and in response to the challenges of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si” and the needs of the times, have taken the decision to divest of our investments in fossil fuels. Our charism of minority places us in communion with God and all creatures but especially with the poor and all those in need. As ‘little ones’, accepting our weaknesses and limitations we put our trust in God, who alone can achieve His work through us. We have a duty to be responsible stewards of all God’s gifts, namely “our common home” and to protect all of creation and our most vulnerable brothers and sisters throughout the world.”

Sr Rita Dawson RSC, Provincial of the English/Scottish Province of the Religious Sisters of Charity, outlined her congregation’s discernment, in terms of taking a stand on the environment: “We are proud to be part of the move to a fossil fuel free future. The sisters in our province unanimously agreed that divestment from fossil fuels was the way forward for us and an investment in the future of life on our planet. For many years now our Congregation has adopted care of the earth as a special commitment and our sisters have been encouraged and enabled to grow in their understanding of how to respond to that commitment. As we deepened our understanding of the nature of climate change and the contributing factors we have tried to respond positively by taking steps to limit the damage and we aspire to replacing our carbon footprint with a green one. In doing all this we face the same challenges as everyone else living in a consumerist and privileged society. We are constantly reminded by the media of the threat of climate change. We are concerned that the damage that the use of fossil fuels is doing to the temperature of the earth will endanger the poorest and most vulnerable people worst and greatly compromise future generations. Equally we value God’s Creation as a whole and of which we are a part. Every creature is connected to us, plants, animals, soil, oceans. We are aware of the web of life and that everything we do, buy, every choice we make has an effect of the health of this web. A million species are endangered and many are already lost. We recognize that all species are loved by God and any action causing damage to our brothers and sisters or other creatures through our human activity is completely unacceptable to the Creator. Our decision to divest from fossil fuels is a moral one. It became evident to us that it is quite simply the right thing to do.”

James Buchanan, Bright Now Campaign Manager for the Christian climate change charity Operation Noah, said, “As the scale of the climate crisis and the urgency of action required increases by the day, it is wonderful to see faith institutions at the forefront of the fossil fuel divestment movement, shifting investments out of the problem and into the solution.”

For more information on the divestment process, congregations can contact James Buchanan as follows: james.buchanan@operationnoah.org +44 7801 570 653

Guest User 8/1/19 Guest User 8/1/19

Friar awarded a top honour by Japan is one of a pair

“I must confess that overall it has been a very blessed life. I’ve often said that most people live in the world of black and white. For me, it has been a technicolor existence through all the experiences I’ve had and the involvement with people and nations and sport around the world. So I look back with a sense of fulfilment; I think I’ve left footprints in the sand.”

Fr Jude has taught generations of Zambians (credit: PaulMartin/MediaZones.net)

A Capuchin Franciscan priest has been awarded one of Japan’s highest honours, for his lifelong service to judo and to the people of Zambia where he spent fifty years on mission. Fr Jude McKenna, originally from Northern Ireland, helped to spread the practice of judo across Zambia and throughout Africa.

An extraordinary enough tale in itself. But another extraordinary fact is that Fr Jude has a twin brother who is also a Capuchin Franciscan. Ordained together in 1966, Fr Jude headed to the global south and Fr Brian was sent to the west coast of the United States. As Fr Jude says of his twin: “he was born ten minutes before me, but is now ten hours behind!”

The brothers, natives of Ballymoney, recently featured in an RTE television documentary. Fr Jude’s expertise in judo grew out of an earlier passion for boxing in his youth ; by 1958 he had become Irish middle weight boxing champion. At one stage, he’d been earmarked to take on the later boxing world champion, Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali) in the preliminaries to the 1960 Olympic Games finals in Rome. But he dodged that one by joining the Capuchin order.

Later, after three visits to Japan, he developed an affinity for judo – inevitably leading to him being referred to as “Fr Judo.” He’s a Blackbelt 6th Dan and has taught generations of people in Zambia, including training the police and also putting on sessions for women in self defence. His reputation amongst the Zambian people has been described as ‘legendary.’ He is a former president of the Zambian Judo Federation and vice president of the African Judo Union. He was appointed Assistant Technical Director of the Commonwealth Judo association and in 1980 was a coach at the Moscow Olympics as well as being appointed by the Vatican as Chaplain to the Games.

Father Jude with Japan's Ambassador to Ireland, Mari Miyoshi. Credit: Embassy of Japan in Ireland.

The Japanese government has now honoured him with the ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.’ The award is given to people who make a very significant contribution to the spread of Japanese culture. It was presented at a ceremony in June in Dublin, by Japan's Ambassador to Ireland in recognition of his “outstanding contribution towards strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and Zambia through judo.”

Fr Jude recalled how he and his brother, who in their youth went nearly everywhere together, discovered their vocations simultaneously, but completely separately: “We were at a cricket match between Ireland and the West Indies. I told him there was going to be a ‘divorce!’ I was going to join the Capuchins.” ……“And so am I came the reply.” Unbeknowns to either of them, they had both been receiving spiritual direction from the same Priest who hadn’t said a word. It was a completely new path for Fr Brian, who also had sporting instincts – at that time, he was a jockey: “I’m big and he’s small” quipped Fr Jude.

Reflecting back on more than fifty years as a Capuchin, Fr Jude says it’s been a great blessing to have had a twin following the same path: “We’ve sought each other’s advice amid problems or challenges. We’ve always got on wonderfully. I do have a feeling of divine providence guiding us through life and bringing us in the same direction. That’s what you would call ‘vocation’ – a feeling of being called.”

Fr Brian also feels it’s been a blessing to have a twin brother as a Brother in the Order: “There is an innate connection that defies explanation - a common interest and attraction to the same path. If twins are separated for some reason they would likely finish up in the same type of work; there is a definite attraction to the same. We cannot disregard the possibility of some divine intervention. Our mother died at age 49 : what were her wishes for her twin boys? Hardly that they be priests, being of Scotch descent and her religion Scotch Presbyterian. However my aunt on our father’s side, while in San Giovanni in Italy, said to Padre Pio: “I have two nephews in your Order in Ireland” and he responded : “they will be ordained.”

When Fr Jude left Zambia for good recently, the Irish ambassador laid on a garden party in his honour. The cake was adorned with the Irish and Zambian flags. Now living in Dublin and being treated for failing eyesight, he reflects on his decades of ministry : “As I look back, I must confess that overall it has been a very blessed life. I’ve often said that most people live in the world of black and white. For me, it has been a technicolor existence through all the experiences I’ve had and the involvement with people and nations and sport around the world. So I look back with a sense of fulfilment ; I think I’ve left footprints in the sand.”

Guest User 7/16/19 Guest User 7/16/19

Keeping the spirit of Religious Orders alive in schools

A new national association has been launched – ‘Religious Orders in Education’ – to raise awareness within Catholic educational circles and beyond, of the special contribution made to education in England and Wales by the particular charisms of Religious Order Schools and Colleges. The association, ROE, will bring together congregations which have founded schools in the past and those which are still involved in the governance of educational establishments.

One of the organisers, former Headteacher Sr Brenda Wallace FCJ explained: “Our vision is to see 21st century Catholic education strengthened and enhanced by the distinctive charisms of Religious Orders continuing to animate and enrich the schools and colleges of which they are founders or trustees.”

The association has a broad membership of both Religious Orders that are still involved as trustees as well as Orders that founded schools but no longer have any involvement in education. Sr Brenda added: “These latter congregations have contributed to the rich heritage of Catholic education in the past, which we continue to build upon. This in itself offers great support to those congregations who are still involved.”

Attendees had travelled from around the country to attend the launch. Sr Therese Browne SP, a trustee of St Paul’s girls school in Birmingham said: “The launching of ROE is an important development in our time as it is raising a greater awareness among us as Congregations of the gift of our various charisms to Catholic Education. Conscious of the richness of our tradition in this regard, the Association is giving us a renewed appreciation, confidence and energy to pass on our charism to our school communities who are very eager to embrace it. As a Congregation, our Sisters treasure the significant amount of interaction which we have with our staff and pupils. We have a wonderful Headteacher, Dr Dawn Casserly, who is a past pupil of our school; she is passionate with the staff about nurturing and transmitting our charism with confidence in every aspect of school life and beyond.”

Adding: “It is also important that as an Association we continue to build close links with the CES. This, we hope, will enable our Diocesan Education Services to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the distinctive contribution our Religious Congregations still make to Catholic Education and to move forward in a spirit of mutual trust to ensure that we “do the very best for our children.” (Genevieve Dupuis, Foundress).

Salesian, Fr Mervyn Williams SDB, who gave the opening address commented: “The Association will seek to ensure that the distinct status and contribution made by religious order schools is fully recognised and not lost in the current significant restructuring of Catholic school provision in many dioceses.”

The Chair of the Catholic Education Service, Bishop Marcus Stock, welcomed the new association, saying the heritage passed on by Religious Orders “should be treasured and appreciated as a continuing source of inspiration for strengthening and enhancing the Catholic ethos of the schools and colleges which owe their foundation to those Religious Orders.”

He added: “Dioceses and Religious Orders must together strive to do all within their power to secure the future of Catholic education.”

Sister Brenda Wallace led Gumley House School FCJ in Middlesex for twenty-four years, was a co-founder of the Association of Maintained Girls’ Schools and received the OBE for services to Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of 2013. She emphasises the long term, strategic and forward looking objectives of the new association: “We want to maintain a healthy option in our Catholic school system by ensuring that Religious Order schools continue to play their part; schools that have been built around the charisms that the Holy Spirit has given via the founders of the Religious Orders to the whole Church. We do not want to work in competition. We do not want to be isolated so that we are not able to contribute to the good of the whole.”

Maureen Mee of the Loreto Trust and a member of ROE’s Executive Committee, welcomed the emphasis by the keynote speaker, Sr Pat Murray IBVM (Executive Secretary of the UISG), on collaboration: “Sr Pat Murray has a wealth of experience in both inter-congregational collaboration and in defining and transmitting charisms. I was struck by her reference to building bridges of collaboration that will take us to somewhere new. The comments of members throughout the day showed that there was a great desire for the support and new life that collaboration will bring. It was also clear that some bridges will take patience to cross - all the diocesan directors were invited but only one turned up. We are conscious that the hard work now begins and we are heartened by the members who have volunteered to take part in the two working groups.”

Lay worker, Hilary Thompson, Schools and Network Coordinator for the Society of the Sacred Heart, praised the contribution of Religious Orders to schools: "The extra dimension that the charism, story and priorities of a religious congregation can give to the Catholic life of a school is such a gift. It can touch the members of a school community profoundly. It can be a new way of seeing God and understanding as well as living mission. Therefore it is essential to be able to articulate the charism, story and priorities in a way that makes them come alive and be relevant to the governors, staff and students. Having an association like ROE to support congregations in identifying and passing on their distinctive charisms is most welcome. We can learn so much from each other and share more widely what we have to offer. There is a particular need at the moment for a variety of reasons. One challenge is recruiting governors and senior staff who are open to discovering this extra layer to the Catholic life of a school and prioritising it."

Guest User 7/12/19 Guest User 7/12/19

Religious Sister the first female recipient of the prestigious Benedict Medal

St Mary’s University in London has awarded Sr Berchmans Conway the Benedict Medal in recognition of a lifetime of teaching and promoting interfaith relations in Pakistan.

The medal, which is the University’s highest honour, was presented to Sr Berchmans by the Archbishop of Westminster and Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, during a St Mary’s Summer Graduation Ceremony at Westminster Cathedral.

Sr Berchmans was born in Country Clare, Ireland, in 1930 and joined the Convent of Jesus and Mary in 1951 in Willesden, London. The award is in recognition of almost 70 years of teaching, most of which was spent in Pakistan, where she taught Muslim, Christian, Parsi and Hindu children at the Convents of Jesus and Mary in Lahore, Murree and Karachi.

In 2012, whilst she was Principal in Karachi, Sr Berchmans was awarded the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam, one of the highest civil awards given by the President of Pakistan. The award citation celebrated her “constant adherence to the call of duty over a span of 59 years, which has made Sister Berchmans a living example to emulate.”

During her teaching career, Sr Berchmans taught and inspired thousands of students, amongst whom are the late Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, and renowned MIT Astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala who made significant contributions to research which resulted in the first observation of gravitational waves, being awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics.

Sr Berchmans is the fifth recipient, and the first woman, to be presented with the Benedict Medal, joining previous recipients Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople, Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all-Ireland, Former Archbishop of Canterbury Baron Williams of Oystermouth, and Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former Chief Executive of Ofsted and alumnus of St Mary’s.

Speaking of the award, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said, “Sr Berchmans’ dedication and commitment to the thousands of students she has taught is an inspiration to anyone committed to the vocation of teaching. We are honoured that we will be able to present her with the Benedict Medal during our Graduation Ceremony. Her examples of inclusivity and respect will guide our graduates as they embark on their own teaching journeys and continue to inspire future generations.”

Uachtarán na hÉireann (President of Ireland) Michael D. Higgins sent his congratulations noting, “Through her words and actions, Sr Berchmans has not only inspired her students but also encouraged those she met to make positive and lasting contributions to society. Through her work and her dedication to teaching she has become a powerful illustration of the beauty and potential of teaching, and she has been an outstanding example of the power of inclusivity and inter-personal empowerment. May I congratulate her on her award and thank her for work, and for the legacy she has created.”

The Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, HE Adrian O’Neill said, “I am honoured to represent the Irish Government at the presentation of the Benedict Medal to Sr Berchmans. The Government is acutely conscious of the record of service and achievement overseas of many Irish citizens across our diaspora. Sr Berchmans is an outstanding exemplar of such service; her generous, sustained and distinguished contribution to education and mutual understanding has made a lasting impact, over several generations, in Pakistan. She is a very worthy recipient of the Benedict Medal, of whom her fellow Irish citizens are very proud.”

Former student of Sr Berchmans and MIT Astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala said, “My warmest congratulations to Sr Berchmans on being honoured for her lifelong devotion to one of the most important of human traditions – educating the next generation.”

Baroness Warsi, former Senior British Foreign Minister and a visiting professor at St Mary’s University, added, “Sr Berchmans has given her whole hearted commitment to teaching. She has inspired generations of students, who have gone on to make significant contributions to society across a wide range of sectors.”

“I had the privilege of visiting Sr Berchmans in Karachi and I saw at first-hand how her work and presence has created a lifetime of inter faith understanding. Like her students, colleagues and peers I am delighted that Sr Berchmans is receiving the Benedict Medal from St Mary’s University as part of their summer graduation ceremony at Westminster Cathedral – a fitting occasion for someone who has given their life to education and to helping young people achieve their dreams.”

Guest User 7/12/19 Guest User 7/12/19

Sharing the faith journey of young people: Religious as University Chaplains

“I firmly believe in the effectiveness of students, strong in their faith who by their Christian example lead their vulnerable peers back to their faith.”

As the academic year closes, members of religious congregations who are University Chaplains have sent in reflections on their role:

Sr Anouska Robinson-Biggin FCJ

Goldsmiths University & LSBU Twitter: @anouskafcj

Being a University Chaplain is a role I love, feel passionate about and have grown into. Professional Development at Newman University, Birmingham has helped this no end! As Chaplain I feel I have the chance to meet people who may never make it into our institutional buildings, or having been in them feel it is not for them, but who are as much in need of a listening ear and a faithful presence as those who do. I see one of my roles to be the gentle human face of the God who is a companion on their journey. As a Religious working in a completely non-religious setting I am very much on the ‘edge’ and oftentimes ‘invisible’. Yet for the people (both staff and students) who seek me out or whom I encounter and walk alongside, I know it makes a difference.

One of my regular activities includes working with the Anglican Chaplain preparing, cooking and hosting a lunch each week for students in the Catholic Chaplaincy House. This attracts between 30 and 40 students a week and is just one way we try to build community in this setting.

The Scripture passage that really speaks to me as a University Chaplain is the Road to Emmaus. Like on pilgrimage you walk lightly in this ministry, like pilgrims on the way, not arriving with all the answers etc. but in walking along you become more aware of the questions, and therefore more open to the answers you may discover about the setting and yourself. Ongoing personal reflection is a must in this ministry as each day you consider anew what is the best way to be and do for that moment in time. In walking lightly, I am open to meet fellow travellers whether they be staff or students, walk with them, listen to their stories and at their invitation have the privilege of breaking open the bread of their lives. These eucharistic moments are blessed and go far beyond what any term card can say and speak to about the privilege of University Chaplaincy.

As a religious sister in University Chaplaincy ministry I often ponder the words from my Final Vows Ceremony: ‘Be faithful to the ministry the Church entrusts to you to be carried out in its name’. These words speak to me because I know that in my role in the two universities I serve, I am an FCJ Sister (Faithful Companion of Jesus) and as an employee of the Archdiocese, the face of the Church in that place. I therefore feel like the apostles sent out on mission and even if unsure of how it will unfold, believe in the importance of the journey.

For more information about Chaplaincy training at Newman University visit their website: https://www.newman.ac.uk/course/chaplaincy-pgcert/part-time/

Sister Mary Kenefick SMG

UCL & Brunel Twitter: @kenefick_mary

My introduction to University Chaplaincy Ministry happened many years ago. No one event, rather a whole collection of life gathering skills enabled me to respond to an opening which arose at Newman House in 2006.

I have served the University College London (UCL) Chaplaincy for 13 years, while I spent 7 years at London Metropolitan University and six years at Brunel London University. Both UCL and Brunel London have been in existence for fifty- two years both founded by Mgr Bruce Kent.

I endeavour to enable the students to have fun activities, eg., outreach to others, faith sessions to discover more about themselves and come to know more about the scriptures and the Church; to be firm friends with each other as this bonds them to seek and to deepen their faith - not only knowledge of the faith but to live it joyfully with each other. Awareness of challenges and differences has been the seedbed for deepening their prayer life which has been nurtured through times of Guided Prayer, Retreat days and Pilgrimages and the daily praying The Prayer of the Church.

The latest new initiative for UCL Catholic Society (CathSoc) is to take part in the Bloomsbury Festival 2019 with the theme ‘Small steps, Giant leaps’. Here they will invite Bloomsbury Festival goers into Newman House to savour a display of posters highlighting the main events of Cardinal Newman’s life. There will also be a walk in Venerable Mother Magdalen Taylor’s footsteps around the Bloomsbury area to illustrate ‘Small steps, Giant leaps’.

Each year has its differences and its blessings. While for Brunel CathSoc their latest new initiative was when one of the students played her musical instrument at the Church in order to raise funds for the Medaille Trust, Hayes. So impressed were the parish of Uxbridge, with this initiative, they donated some money to this cause as well.

I believe all our CathSoc students continue to have lasting memories of deep friendships formed in these precious years. They are eager to give something back to make the world a better place and to act as conduits of God’s mercy and love for his creatures and creation.

Fr Matthew Power SJ: Oxford University

The Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy year came to a close with a retreat at the Jesuit Villa House in Barmouth in Wales for eight students and two of the Chaplains. For the students, it was a chance to become better acquainted with the Ignatian Examen and to use it as a way of looking back over the year and to give thanks to God for its blessings. For the Chaplains too, the days away provided time and space to review a year that had been particularly rich, and it is good to evoke some of that here.

There have been major liturgical celebrations eg., a Mass commemorating the Oxford Catholic students who died in World War I; three residential retreats (two at Barmouth and one at Stanbrook Abbey); some well attended talks (Fr Nick Austin SJ on ‘The Good Life’, Michael Wee, from the Anscombe Centre and Becky Short, Assistant Chaplain, on Bioethics, and a series of excellent speakers on Bl. John Henry Newman); and a number of social events, fostering the sense of community within the Chaplaincy, most enjoyably, a variety show in which even the chaplains were willing to send themselves up in a version of ‘Favourite Things,’ to the delight of the audience.

In January the Chaplaincy hosted ten or so organisations including Jesuit Missions, the Jesuit Refugee Service and MAGIS, to make students more aware of summer and longer-term volunteering at an all-day Vacations Project Fair (hopefully to become an annual event). OxUnboxed, an eco-pop-up supermarket, also came on a Sunday in the Easter and Summer terms. There is no doubt more to be done in the area of engagement in pressing social issues, but with a good number of students helping rough sleepers through the Order of Malta Volunteers, there is already much to be grateful for.

Also a cause for encouragement, the fact that once again the Week of Guided Prayer, led this year by Iona Dalglish-Reid, attracted a good number of participants, 38, and that in the course of the year the Ignatian Examen has been offered on a series of Fridays rotating through four different Oxford Colleges.

We are hugely helped by the engagement of students, in the flourishing Newman CathSoc, in the various areas of Chaplaincy life: serving and choir, for example; helped too by the support that we receive from the Jesuits at Campion Hall, the Anglican College Chaplains, and the Newman Trust, who keep the roof over our heads and do so much more. A good year, for which we give thanks to God.

Sr Dr Una Coogan IBVM

Birmingham University Twitter: @coogan_una

Being a religious sister in a multi-faith University Chaplaincy is an interesting place to be. As the only non-ordained or equivalent full time chaplain, the role of the Religious is interesting. I find the relationship with students and staff very personality based rather than sacramental. This often means that I am the one sought out to solve practical issues that occur. It takes time to establish yourself as a chaplain, time to build up those relationships.

One way I found useful is to find something to do in the university that is not based around religion, for me this has been ‘management and leadership coaching’ as part of the University’s coaching academy. It has opened doors for me to get to know members of staff that I would have never met otherwise and allows the work of chaplaincy to be known around the university.

I was asked recently during a talk I was giving to our Catholic Society, ‘what’s the best thing about your work as a religious sister?’ My instance reply was ‘you are’ - as cheesy it sounds- but this job has given me the privilege of accompanying these young adults during their University lives. We sometimes forget how wonderful our young adults are, how their faith is developing and what a strong desire they have both to follow Jesus and to put their faith into action. I became a Religious to follow my path to God, accompanying others to do so is a joy.

Sr Valentina Stilo FMVD
Southampton University

Through the team at the Chaplaincy we try to provide students with a family environment at the Faith and Reflection Centre, offering them the opportunity to meet new friends, to experience community life, to be nourished by God through the Sacraments, companionship, spiritual and sacramental formation, catechesis and experience of prayer. We also try to reach out into the non-Catholic students through social events and through friendship.

Every morning I meet with my sisters in our little chapel to pray. At the beginning of term, an old American song came to my mind :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJfxaWRkNs

“As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way!

O sisters, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down
O sisters, let's go down
Down in the river to pray”

I felt that this song was an invitation to remember who is the centre of my mission at the University: it is the Lord and I want to walk with Him, once more to this field of mission as going “down to the river to pray”.

Sr Valentina, centre (grey top) at World Youth Day

Walking across Highfield Campus, I swim in a river of people: young lives, full of dreams and desires, adults who do their best to provide a good service to the students, thinkers, researchers, the yeast of development and culture. I swim in this river of knowledge and human growth, knowing that in this place I’m going to meet Jesus today ['Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Mt 25:40)]; this is the place He wants to enlighten with the Word He gave me this morning and nourish with the food he offers me at every Eucharist.

At the start of an academic year, my deep desire is simple: to introduce students and staff of the University to His beautiful face… This face that we never know enough, but it’s always new. I hope for the University Catholic Chaplaincy team at the University of Southampton to provide a space in which the students are enabled to express their questions, offer their gifts and integrate their intellectual growth with their spiritual, emotional and, finally, human growth. I hope we can, together with the Catholic students and staff of the University, be a missionary community, being to the University – place of “teaching universal knowledge” (Newman) – the Catholic (which means universa!) colourful people of God, house of prayer for all (Is 56:7), connection with God and humanity: living memory of the beauty of the Truth.

Sr Blanaid McCauley SSL

Brighton University & Sussex University (recently retired)

I will always be thankful that my first experience of Chaplaincy was based in Brighton. Its diverse culture in terms of ethnicity, sexual orientation and internationalism taught me much and above all challenged me to recognise the richness and dignity of all peoples.

This I knew could only be done by having an attitude of unconditional acceptance and respect for everyone, regardless of religion, belief, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and colour, and always operating from an ‘open door’ chaplaincy that welcomed all. The open door policy brought many students in, many searching for their ‘god’, others disillusioned , some traumatised by previous life experiences of bereavement, rejection and mental health issues.

The ‘open door’ also brought in a number of vibrant young Christian / Catholic students who were instrumental in developing and nurturing a strong and active praying Christian community. I never ceased to be amazed by the generosity and good will of the students volunteering with the Soup Run, Night Shelter and Age UK. and their strong sense for social justice in taking part in demonstrations both within the university campus and further afield. Retreats and time away from it all at Worth Abbey, Taize and Student Cross provided tremendous experience for nurturing prayer and faith.

Sr Blanaid, on pilgrimage to Canterbury with students

Last October I returned to the University of Brighton to volunteer with the ‘Momentum Programme’ to support and mentor Black Asian Minority Ethnic students, students who have a disability, students in need of a confidence boost.

Having been a Chaplain for seventeen years, I still hold a strong sense of deep fulfilment for having had the opportunity and privilege to work in partnership with chaplains of other faiths in the accompaniment of both students and staff in their life - faith journeys.

Regardless of the support and influence of ‘good’ chaplains, I firmly believe in the effectiveness of students, strong in their faith who by their Christian example lead their vulnerable peers back to their faith.

Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ

Manchester University

The Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy has the three university institutions on Manchester’s Oxford Road as its main area of work. The University of Manchester, the Royal Northern College of Music, and Manchester Metropolitan University have 80,000+ students between them, with a high proportion of international students.

The Universities themselves are increasingly supportive of Chaplaincy ministry, recognising that the counselling and other support services that they can provide do not necessarily engage with the life issues or existential questions with which many students are dealing.

The Chaplaincy Team includes four Jesuits, two fcJ Sisters, an all-essential and all-welcoming Administrative Assistant and the most recent addition to the team, a two-year-old border collie called Penny (who more than earns her keep, de-stressing exam-ridden students).

A year or so ago, the team came up with the following description of our mission, which appears as a reminder in each edition of our weekly newsletter:

“The Catholic Chaplaincy is an oasis on the pilgrimage of life where we make friends, build community, volunteer to serve others, and find accompaniment & guidance in exploring and deepening our faith, especially through prayer, liturgy and the sacraments. We are a thriving community from all over the world. With study space, free food, & free Wi-Fi, consider us to be your family - your home from home while you study.”

What we set out as our “mission” works itself out in a number of ways, most of which will be familiar to anyone involved in Chaplaincy ministry. The context of a very high proportion of international students gives a particular “feel” to much of what happens here, and it is clear that underlying all of the specific ministries is the foundation of a living community of prayer, service, and celebration.

“What am I grateful for in these last months?” said one of our student members in the course of shared prayer and reflection: “I’m grateful for the welcoming community, where I can be myself without having to conform to rigid sets of rules, and where I’m accepted. That’s why I spend so much time with the chaplaincy.”

As our Salford diocesan prayer says: Stay with us Lord, on our journey!

Guest User 7/4/19 Guest User 7/4/19

“Thank God someone knows I’m alive!”

By Sister Moira Keane

[Sr. Moira has just received the ‘Irish in Britain Volunteer award’ and has sent in this reflection on her work with prisoners]

Twenty years ago I enjoyed a sabbatical year. While at All Hallows College in Dublin doing a Diploma course in Humanities I had a placement at Mountjoy prison. Discovering that I loved my experience there, and trusted to escort some of the women on home visits, I applied for full time Prison Chaplaincy when I returned to my Mercy Congregation in England. Catholic chaplains go to where they are appointed to, and I was posted to Northumberland. After twelve wonderful years I retired from that ministry and was missioned to Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. I live there in a beautiful dormer opposite the sea, and in time, it has became a house of hospitality for friends and relatives of the Sisters in care.

With so much experience of prison, the Irish Council for prisoners (I.C.P.O) overseas invited me to volunteer some time to support them in their very busy London office. I was delighted that with the support of my Mercy Leadership team, I was back in contact with the prison population.

What does the work involve? Occasionally accompanying caseworkers on sometimes difficult prisons visits. Engaging in conversation with groups of inmates while the caseworker is seeing prisoners individually - and when appropriate listening, supporting, advising, encouraging and sharing tea and biscuits!

In the office there is a phone system for prisoners and their family members. Many times offenders are moved to other prisons and lose touch with their families. Prisoners serving a life sentence need a lot of support and can easily get lost in the system. They often say “thank God someone knows I’m alive.”

I sort the mail when it arrives, reading letters and highlighting an ssue if it needs to be dealt with urgently. It is not unusual to read that a client is planning suicide, coping with the death of a family member or has no money to phone home, which causes much stress especially if the prisoner is a parent. Or a client might have a court day and need the support of the caseworker who often attends court or visits the prisoner before he/she attends court or when sentenced. Receiving an unexpected sentence creates other problems. I support the staff in many ways from making cups of tea to occasionally attending a funeral.

I.C.P.O. is an amazing service and a lifeline to our people who for one reason or another find themselves incarcerated, and sometimes wrongly convicted. More volunteers are required as well as funding to ensure this project continues…..

We give the last word to Jesus who said “I was in prison and you visited me.”

Guest User 7/4/19 Guest User 7/4/19

Police expert on human trafficking asks: "who wouldn't trust a nun?"

“Without the help of the Church and the support of the Church we could not help victims in the way we do.”

DS Helene Miller with Religious of Mary Immaculate Sisters

A great turnout - despite the 34 degrees!

Several people had travelled from the north west and the Midlands in order to learn more about trafficking and to feed that back to their congregations / parishes

One of the keynote speakers at a large meeting to address human trafficking attended by around sixty members of congregations has praised the contribution and support given to the police by churches and by religious congregations. The meeting, in London, was organised by the Conference of Religious to help boost involvement in anti-trafficking efforts.

DS Helene Miller of the Metropolitan Police’s Human Trafficking team works closely with the Rahab initiative set up by the Sisters Adoratrices in the Kensington area. The project, which is marking its tenth anniversary, was established to care for women affected by prostitution and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. In these sensitive situations, when victims are maybe distrustful of figures of authority and officials, DS Miller quite simply asked : “who wouldn’t trust a nun?”

DS Miller, who gave a joint presentation with Rahab’s Community Engagement and Partnerships manager, Bex Keer, cited the example of a raid on premises where a number of victims of human slavery had been rescued ; a hall was provided to offer immediate, emergency accommodation. The individuals were housed, fed, clothed and given a safe space in which interpreters could be invited in, to allow interviews with police to be conducted – a vital part of the process that paves the way for prosecutions to be pursued.

Bex Keer described the Rahab project as “a real collaboration between a religious congregation and statutory authorities, working in the two London boroughs with the largest sex industry” – and gave a broad outline of how the cooperation works; the Rahab team try to gain ‘intelligence’ on properties where women might be victims of exploitation. When raids then take place, officers do a risk assessment to make sure the women are safe ; Rahab staff are there in tandem, to provide back up assistance and immediate support to the women, “with the Police asking questions that we wouldn’t ask.”

Making the point that the problem of human slavery is “hidden within sight,” attendees at the meeting were told that within the five minutes they had spent walking to the venue from the tube station, they had passed several flats from which victims of slavery had been rescued.

DS Miller added: “We cannot combat modern slavery alone, and whilst we work alongside many government agencies, it’s the goodwill of the Church and religious organisations whose support we truly value – they do the jobs we can’t always do – reaching out into the community, supporting the most vulnerable in society and being our ‘eyes and ears’. Perhaps the most valuable asset the Church has is being able to provide facilities for police to use as a ‘safe haven’ for victims, away from a police station, where we can assess their needs, conduct interviews and provide information and updates.”

The meeting also heard presentations from Mick Duthie of the Santa Marta Group, a representative from the Medaille Trust and a Croydon based anti-trafficking group, as well as individual Religious who work on the frontline with victims.

For instance, Sister Patricia Mulhall CSB, who accompanies people who have to spend hours at the Home Office, as they seek leave to remain, spoke of the misery experienced by victims of trafficking. Brother Malachy Brannigan OH who runs Olallo House, a central London safe house for victims of human slavery, described how he had become wise to the deviousness of traffickers and no one gets into the property without being questioned by him (including interpreters). Sr Bridgetta Rooney CSJP described how fruitful it had been for her congregation to lease a property to the police so that victims had a sanctuary in which to be interviewed about their ordeal. Sr Bridgetta noted that in the East Midlands, the police would appreciate further properties being made available for this purpose. Sr Mary Agnes Idiong IBVM, who works with the Medaille Trust, spoke about befriending ‘Agatha’ who was trafficked into the UK and whilst now liberated, is completely alone.

Around sixty members of congregations attended the meeting, some travelling hundreds of miles to be there for the day. The aim was to provide further information to Religious about the problem of human slavery and to direct them to organisations where they can offer their time and experience. The initiative follows the large research project last year by the Arise Foundation which revealed the under reported but massive scale of involvement by Religious in anti-trafficking. A booklet was produced to coincide with the meeting with information for Religious about ways to get involved in anti-trafficking. For a copy, email : admin@corew.org

FOOTNOTE: The Conference of Religious has been asked by the Police if congregations in certain areas of England would be able to offer support with anti-trafficking, eg., to provide properties for interviews as outlined above. For details, email: communcations@corew.org

Guest User 6/18/19 Guest User 6/18/19

Religious relish the chance to listen to young people at the WYD @ Home

“To be among many young people and experience and listen (through the listening hub) to their enthusiasm and struggles with the Church was a privilege.”

Religious from several congregations joined forces to be a presence at a large gathering of young people for a weekend festival over Pentecost at Alton Castle in Staffordshire. The youth event was entitled : ‘World Youth Day @ Home.’ In the words of the organisers: “Many of us were keen to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to World Youth Day in Panama this year, but for many of us from the UK, it was too far to join in the celebrations.”

The Religious who were present ran a ‘Listening Hub’ – inspired by the appeal made by Pope Francis following the Synod for youth, faith and vocational discernment:

“Priests, men and women religious, while they do not have a monopoly of accompaniment, have a specific task which arises from their vocation and which they must rediscover, as they were asked to do by the young people present in the Synodal Assembly, in the name of so many others.” #93Post Synodal Document

The aim of the Listening Hub was to provide a space for young people - offering an opportunity to talk through aspects of their life in which they were seeking some guidance or direction.

Those members of congregations who participated described it as a very fruitful experience:

Carmelite Sr Susan Thompson: "It was great to be able to spend some time with our young people and experience some of their enthusiasm. I would like to think that the time we spent together was of mutual benefit in each of our faith journeys.”

Fr John Mcgowan OCD : “I went in great part because I was at World Youth Day in Panama; it was a way of bringing back wonderful memories. So I wore the lanyard I had been given in Panama with all the memorabilia that people exchanged; badges, medals, pins, even a koala bear from some Australians; I must have looked like a hippy. It was a well organised event. I loved listening to David Wells, who has a gift at communicating something deep in a way that is so understandable. I was impressed with John Pridmore, an ex convict: he held those youngsters as he spoke to them of his life and his conversion. Rise Theatre was also impressive: theatre is such a good means of sharing the gospel. It was great to meet my fellow Religious. I knew most of them, and some have become friends. I was pleased to see two of our enclosed Carmelite nuns; one from Notting Hill Carmel and one from Wetherby. The young people were attracted to their witness. Events like this reinforce my belief in the faith of young people. I am now a believer in youth. I pray that the fruits of the 2018 Synod on youth will be seen and soon.”

Sr Patricia Ako Egbe, Handmaids of Mary, Ministers to the Sick: “Incredible! To start, Alton Castle was a very suitable venue; isolated with a natural panorama of the surrounding green forests and valleys inspiring meditation and contemplation. I was fortunate to be at the listening hub. There was sincerity and profoundness in the conversations. I thought there was a need for listening and sharing. The necessity to listen to young people who carry a world within of brokenness, fears, confusion, etc., yet a profound yearning for the transcendent. The need of accompaniment is indispensable in order to advance in their quest for the transcendent, & thus distance themselves from excessive pre-occupation of their brokenness, fears, etc. This created a space and an environment of listening to the Spirit - the beginning of healing.”

Sr Dorothy Paul. Franciscan Sister Minoress: ‘The gathering at Alton Castle was my first experience of a ‘world youth day at home’ event. To be among many young people and experience and listen (through the listening hub) to their enthusiasm and struggles with the Church was a privilege. Also, it was a joy and very uplifting to be among so many priests, religious and even some hierarchy, I found it very uplifting and a great hope for the future and a great sense of Church’.

Guest User 6/10/19 Guest User 6/10/19

Police and Religious speaking at a day aimed at boosting the involvement of congregations in anti-trafficking

………to direct Religious towards frontline work and outline a range of settings in which a contribution could be made

Religious are invited to a further awareness raising day about human trafficking, taking place on Saturday June 29th in London, organised by the Conference of Religious.

It’s designed as a practical follow up to the well attended meetings earlier this year, but this time with a stronger focus on directing Religious towards frontline work and outlining a range of settings in which a contribution could be made.

There will be a wide variety of speakers, with time built into the day for questions and interaction with the experts present.

The major research conducted last year by the Arise Foundation revealed the scale of anti-trafficking work by Religious. It also shed light on the collaboration that takes place between the Police and religious congregations, eg., Sisters accompanying the police on raids at houses where people are victims of human slavery.

At the forthcoming meeting, on June 29th, speakers include a representative from the Police, a Sister who accompanies victims at the Home Office, several Religious who work in safe houses with victims of trafficking, Mick Duthie of the Santa Marta group and Sisters who made a property available to the police as a safe space where victims could be interviewed. All are welcome to the meeting.

DETAILS:

It’s being hosted by the RMI Congregation : 15 Southwell Gardens SW7 4RN

(Nearest tube, Gloucester Road)

(exit the tube station, veering to the left to follow ‘Cromwell Road’ sign; walk to the lights and cross over Cromwell Road (a post office will be on the corner, to the left). Then take the first left just after an Anglican Church into Southwell Gardens)

Saturday June 29th. 1030 – 1500. Cost: £5, lunch included. To register, please send an email to : communications@corew.org

Guest User 6/3/19 Guest User 6/3/19

Open invitation to 'younger religious' to connect via WhatsApp

By Sister Clare O’Handley

What does religious life mean today? What does the future hold for religious life? These are important questions, especially for younger members of religious congregations. Currently, there is a network of ‘younger religious’, living in different areas of the UK, who meet together from time to time. Most recently, a group met during May for an afternoon together in London.

Sr Clare, on the right, at a CoR meeting

What does ‘younger religious’ mean here?: this network comprises those in religious life in temporary or final vows who are predominantly in their 30’s and 40’s. These informal meetings occur 2-3 times per year and serve primarily as a way of socialising together. That being said, conversations often turn to sharing lived experiences of religious life and reflecting upon its future. Topics of discussion have included the dynamics of living in intercultural and/or intergenerational communities (often with wide age-gaps), and how to use digital culture and social media in a fruitful and life-giving manner. Regardless of the topic, our reflections centre on how we live a certain reality within our current context of community, Church and world. This leads to identifying areas where we feel change is needed in order that we continue to be witnesses to what we desire to live. For example, given the areas of ministry that are seen as a priority, many of us see the need to find new ways to collaborate with others, be that other religious, lay people, those of other faith traditions or no faith tradition.

Given the change in size of our congregations over the past decades, we also perceive a need to explore different ways of living community on a daily basis as well as different forms of structure and governance within our congregations.

Coordinating diaries is never an easy task between work, studies, community, family, retreats, and other commitments. We meet whenever even a handful of us can come together. For me, it is beneficial as a ‘young religious’ to be able to share my questions, hopes, fears, struggles and joys with others who are close to my age. It is equally important to hear what others have to share. This is particularly true in respect to the future: religious life must change and evolve if it is to remain relevant in the Church and world. Reflecting with this group provides me with insights that are multiplied by the number of people present, which is a gift.

Above all, it is simply a blessing to be able to share a meal together and to get to know each other. Between meetings, we keep in contact via Whatsapp for important events such as vows, sharing information regarding upcoming events, sending wishes for feast days and to organise future meetings. We are always happy to add a new member to our group, including someone in religious life who is in the UK for a short time of formation or ministry.

If this is useful….:

If you, or someone you know is a ‘younger religious’ (having pronounced either temporary or final vows) and would like to know more about our meetings or join our WhatsApp group, you can contact Clare O’Handley, Sister of Saint Andrew, at clare_ohandley@yahoo.ca

Guest User 6/3/19 Guest User 6/3/19

The climate crisis, inter-faith dialogue & tackling social exclusion - key issues at AGM

“I always come away from these conferences with a sense of greater purpose and with inspiration but I think particularly so at this one. There’s a kind of shift going on amongst us and a whole focus outward and signs of the practical steps that we’re beginning to take.”

“Refreshing the Wineskins” was the theme revisited by Sr Pat Murray IBVM who was the keynote speaker at CoR’s AGM, attended by more than 110 members of the Conference of Religious. Developing the concept of ‘renewal’ and of ‘mission re-ignited,’ Sr Pat returned to last year’s image of a wineskin being transformed, but using it this time as a metaphor for personal change and helping those present to see it as a catalyst, urging them forward into action on key issues of concern for society and humanity. Sr Pat detailed the intensive efforts of the UISG to develop networks and relationships globally as a means of helping the most vulnerable on the planet.

The emphasis on mission follows a concerted effort by the Conference of Religious to develop greater cohesion around collaborative action and intercongregational working. This has manifested itself in the very well attended anti-trafficking meetings in January, in London and Manchester and in follow up meetings for awareness raising and showing ways of assisting with frontline work. For instance, CoR supported a meeting organised in the northwest in April attended by Religious, Priests and lay people and is holding a further awareness raising session in London at the end of June, with input from a variety of experts who work with trafficked victims.

At the AGM, after reflections led by Sr Pat Murray, the conference developed detailed group conversations on how individual Religious and congregations could do more to tackle social issues. Brainstorming around key problems resulted in ideas being pooled, suggestions for networking and collaborating, and the development of action points, with key interested individuals coming forward to help lead others.

As well as further exploration of the very difficult problem of human trafficking and modern slavery, a recurrent issue that arose in multiple conversations was that of the climate crisis and the necessity for religious congregations to take to heart the warnings in Laudato Si’ and to personally pledge to get involved in campaigning / awareness raising. Other key topics that the conversations covered included greater efforts in the area of inter-faith dialogue and renewed attention and action to tackle social exclusion, in order to provide greater assistance to refugees & asylum seekers and the homeless.

Feedback from attendees:

Sr Patricia Byrne: “This was my first time here and it certainly has had an effect on me. I now know much more about CoR and I’m connected to CoR in a way that I haven’t been before. Sr Pat’s presentation was fantastic; it led us along a pathway to a point where we engaged with topics & came to a consensus about what we’d like to work on. Her sense that networking & building relationships is the best way forward in the future gave us a good understanding of how to proceed. I think that we will achieve something as a body in working towards these issues in the future and I hope to be part of that.”

Sr Michelle O’Reilly: “It’s been a wonderful conference. I’ve felt a lot of support from everybody here and we seem to be more outward looking this year, towards mission rather than insular.”

Sr Kate Midgely: “It’s good to connect with people who are concerned about the same issues; for me, it’s the climate crisis; by being in the same place we can network more easily. It’s been useful to experience the energy of others who are concerned about the same issues.”

Fr Kenneth Okoli: “Sr Pat the presenter helped us to critically think of our relevance in contemporary society, as a means of developing our greatest abilities as Religious with a common goal.”

Sr Sheila Barrett: “I love meeting Religious. I always come away from these conferences with a sense of greater purpose and with inspiration but I think particularly so at this one. There’s a kind of shift going on amongst us and a whole focus outward and the practical steps that we’re beginning to take.”

Guest User 5/20/19 Guest User 5/20/19

First Religious Sister appointed as director of the National Office for Vocations

“To embrace one’s vocation, is the road to profound peace. It colours everything in our life.”

Members of the Conference of Religious, meeting on the first day of their Annual General Meeting in Derbyshire, have expressed congratulations to Sr Elaine Penrice FSP, who has been appointed as the new Vocations Director for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Sr Elaine has worked as Religious Life Promoter with the National Office for Vocation for three years and is also Productions Coordinator at Pauline Books & Media, as well as serving on the leadership team of her congregation, the Daughters of St Paul.

Sr Elaine commented on her appointment : “I am delighted that the Bishops’ Conference has invited me to take up this role. It is of course, both exciting and challenging to be the first woman to take up the position and I thank the Bishops Conference for their support and confidence in me. In my time at the National Office for Vocation, I have very much enjoyed being able to support both enquirers and vocations directors, and I look forward to developing the work of the office to meet the needs of the Church in England & Wales. I would also like to thank the Conference of Religious in England & Wales, for their support in these past three years, and I know they will continue to be my close collaborators.”

Bishop Terence Drainey, Chair of the Management Board of the National Office for Vocation, said he was delighted to be able to announce the appointment.

“I have worked with Sr Elaine in her role as Religious Life Promoter and as the acting Director of the National Office for Vocations over the last few years and I am sure she will continue her innovative work into the future.”

Daughters of St Paul at the CoR AGM: l to r: Sr Angela Grant, Sr Elaine Penrice, Sr Bridget Ellis

Sr Elaine was born in Motherwell, Scotland in 1972 and after completing her studies in Art & Design at the University of Dundee she entered the Daughters of St Paul, an international congregation of consecrated religious founded to evangelise with the modern means of communication. Sr Elaine spent much of her formation years in Rome, and then in St Louis, USA, where she completed her theological studies at St Louis University.

Sr Elaine added: “To embrace one’s vocation, is the road to profound peace. It colours everything in our life. Whether we are called to religious life, holy orders, marriage, or single discipleship, the Church needs us all to witness to “the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ” (Col. 1:27).

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“Language was no barrier because regardless of where we originate we all speak the same language of love and we all aim to serve.”

A report from the recent UISG plenary meeting, by Sr Maureen Murphy FMSJ

This was the third conference of the International Union of Superiors General I had attended as a congregational leader and by far the best. I was one of over eight hundred leaders of Women’s Religious Congregations from more than eighty countries who gathered in the basement of a large hotel in Rome. The theme of the conference was “Sowers of Prophetic Hope” and the following subjects were covered in depth with speeches which were streamed live on the UISG website and videos on Youtube:

Sr Maureen’s table group committing to planting seeds of hope

· A Vision for the Future of Religious Life

· Sowers of Prophetic Hope for the Planet from a Biblical Perspective and the Presentation of the UISG Campaign Sowing Hope for the Planet

· Living Interculturally as a sign of prophetic hope

· The Call to Inter Religious Dialogue

After each presentation by highly qualified female speakers there was table conversation between the ten Sisters at each table divided into language groups around the large hall. Translation was provided in thirteen languages. This provided opportunities for lively discussions as many topics are lived out in different ways in our various cultural contexts. A sentence summarising the content of the presentations was produced by each group and fed back to the plenary.

Reports were given on the work of the Executive Committee in the past three years and these included growing contact with various Vatican dicasteries, attendance at Synods and the projects run by UISG - especially Solidarity in South Sudan and Talitha Kum, the anti trafficking initiative, which was celebrating the ten years of its existence with a very graphic exhibition of photographs showing Sisters of all nationalities working very much with the most vulnerable people on earth.

In the short breaks between sessions, old friends found one another and new relationships were formed. Language was no barrier because regardless of where we originate we all speak the same language of love and we all aim to serve.

On 10th May, the last day of the Conference we made our way in taxis and buses to St Peter’s where Cardinal Braz de Avis celebrated Mass for us and we then made our way to Paul vi hall for an audience with Pope Francis. He entered the hall to cheers and choruses of singing especially from the Sisters from South America.

Before sitting at the table provided for him to sit with the President of our Executive Board, Sister Carmen Summut, Pope Francis asked for the big winged armchair provided for him to be exchanged to a simple dining chair - the same as the one provided for Sr Carmen. A sure sign of humility and equality. Discarding the long speech he had written - which he gave to Sr Carmen to circulate to us because he said it was boring and he would rather just speak with us - he welcomed us and thanked us for our loving service all over the world but emphasised that we should serve but not be in servitude particularly to clergy. If we want to cook and clean we should do so for the vulnerable and sick not for priests who can employ people to do such work - while we evangelise by our presence.

Asked about the report commissioned to look at the possibility of women deacons Pope Francis told us that the theologians are still at work but we need to pray that they can come to a consensus. The previous day he had issued a Moto Proprio about child abuse and he mentioned this in the context also of the abuse of Religious. A question asked by a Sister from South Sudan pleading for the early appointment of new bishops to replace those who retire because their leadership is essential in inter religious dialogue and the search for peace received a reply that it was very important but finding the right people who are capable of leadership and fluent in languages was often difficult.

Before leaving the hall Pope Francis was introduced to the Executive Board members and the delegates from around the world representing the Sisters in their various countries. As the delegate for the UK I felt enormously privileged to shake the hand of this humble and simple man who asked each one of us to pray for him.

Meetings of the delegates continued on Monday and Tuesday the following week and we elected the new Executive who in turn chose the new president, Sister Iolanda Kafta, from Poland.

We left feeling that we had experienced something beautiful and life giving and it is up to us now to share the content with our own Sisters and local Conferences of Religious in whatever ways we can in order to become Sowers of Seeds for the Planet and prophetic witnesses of hope.

Sister Maureen Murphy, fmsj

Congregational Leader

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Several congregations welcoming pilgrims on the new 'Augustine Camino'

Sr Walburga : “We had a lovely couple here the other day doing the Camino. They were radiant despite the wet weather. Such a joy to meet.”

Visits to a number of religious congregations are included in the newly developed ‘Augustine Camino’ – a pilgrimage route through Kent – which is a project of St Augustine’s Catholic parish in Ramsgate. The walk, designed with the famous Spanish Camino de Santiago in mind, begins at the Anglican Rochester Cathedral and wends its way to Ramsgate via Canterbury, stopping off at parishes along the way, as a means of being authentic to the spirit of pilgrimage from the medieval era.

Walkers will encounter three congregations along the route: the Carmelites, Benedictines and Vincentians and it is also an ecumenical experience, taking in the Cathedrals at Rochester and Canterbury.

Founder of the walk, St Augustine’s parishioner Andrew Kelly explains: “The original pilgrimage to Canterbury was to the Shrine of St Augustine and the Augustine Camino leads to the new Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate. The re-emergence of pilgrimage infrastructure in England has been a gradual process starting in the early 19th century. Medieval pilgrims would have visited monasteries and shrines along their route which were run by religious orders. It is now possible to re-establish this experience, often in the original buildings and it is this that has informed the route of the Augustine Camino. Hence the visits to Aylesford Priory and the shrine of St Jude (run by the Carmelites) and Minster abbey, which is a Benedictine Convent.”

Prior of Aylesford, Fr Francis Kemsley, has noticed an increase in the number of people passing through on foot and that for some, who are burdened by difficult problems in life, the Camino offers spiritual solace and a release: “We are just a mile away from the Pilgrims’ Way – the ancient route from Winchester and London to Canterbury. Over the last few years it is very noticeable that a lot more people are walking the modern camino; there’s a sense of pilgrimage – a reminder that people are leaving their everyday concerns. And I like to think that a shrine is a place where heaven and earth meet.”

Minster was the site of an important monastery in the medieval era. In 1937 Benedictine nuns, fleeing Nazi persecution, re-founded the community and dedicated it with a Shrine to St Mildred. It continues as a thriving community of Benedictine nuns. The Camino brings them into direct contact with walkers who arrive to get their ‘pilgrim passport’ stamped.

Sr Walburga commented: We had a lovely couple here the other day doing the Camino. They were radiant despite the wet weather. Such a joy to meet.”

Sr Mildred Maria giving passing pilgrims their stamp

Arriving in Canterbury, pilgrims pass Eastbridge hospital, an old pilgrim hospice now run by Anglican Franciscans as an almshouse. The Franciscan Gardens are at the rear of Eastbridge and are a haven of peace; they are the grounds of the first Franciscan settlement in the UK and are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. In the 20th century a Franciscan movement, the Society of Saint Francis, grew within the Anglican Church and the establishment of a Franciscan house in 2003 saw the Franciscan Brothers return once again to the site.

Another newly arrived community are the ‘Vincentian Canons of Kerala’ who follow the Syro Malabar rite of the Catholic Church ; they have installed themselves in Ramsgate and now conduct a very busy ministry of retreat giving.

Camino founder Andrew Kelly explains: “There is a lovely story about how they came to be in Ramsgate. When the previous occupants of the Abbey – a community of Benedictine monks – decided that they could not manage the upkeep of the building any more there was a possibility that it would be put to secular use. The mother of the then Parish Priest, Fr Marcus Holden prayed that a religious use would be found. Some visiting Missionaries of Charity noticed the building was for sale and mentioned it to the Vincentians who happened to be looking for a base for a retreat centre.”

They have thrived within a short period of time; there is a retreat nearly every weekend and events during the week ; on average 150 people attend each session from all over the South and the Midlands.

Local Priest and administrator of the Shrine of St Augustine, Fr Simon Heans commented: “The Vincentian presence, as well as enabling the Abbey to survive as an ecclesiastical building, is of enormous benefit to the parish. Parishioners have been drawn into their retreat sessions and have become volunteers helping to administer them in some cases. In the other direction, retreatants come to the Shrine to learn about St Augustine and to venerate the relic we have. Permanent staff from there often come to Mass and Confession at the Shrine during the week. The priests of the Shrine and ‘the Divine’ as the Divine Retreat Centre is known support each other with cover for Masses and Confessions. Parishioners have been encouraged by the youth and the fervour of the visitors to the Divine who can be guaranteed to turn out in force for any event organised at St Augustine’s especially if it is an outdoor procession. We consider we are very lucky to have such a vibrant worshipping community on our doorstep.”

The ‘Divine’ website sums up the impact that these new missionaries - following in the footsteps of St Augustine - are having: “It is quite remarkable! The arrival of the Vincentians fitted perfectly with the history of Ramsgate, as this was where the first preaching took place, and where the first retreat was made for the English. The charism of St Augustine lives on through the ministry of the Vincentian congregation, their preaching, and charitable works……..During the weekdays, the Retreat Centre arranges outreach programs to parishes around the UK, to revive, strengthen and develop the parish community. Within the short span of 5 years, the Vincentian priests have visited over 100 parishes and have preached in nearly all the dioceses here in Great Britain.”

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Announcing the Gospel in a new place and in a new way - Religious at the UN

“As global men and women impelled by the gospel agenda, with hearts that embrace the whole world and committed to social justice issues that do not stop at any borders, Catholic Sisters, Brothers and Priests have found a new way to serve the poor and disadvantaged.”

By Sister Margaret Scott ACI

Women and Men Religious have a voice at the United Nations. A voice that is loud and clear as they knock on diplomats’ doors, make interventions in committees and raise awareness of critical issues in our troubled world. They also mobilise their members at the grass roots the world over, to bring the voice of the voiceless to the UN and to urge compliance at local level with UN decisions.

Members of religious institutes have long come to see the United Nations as a key area of advocacy on behalf of those whom they serve. Most of them have a long history of commitment to those living in poverty and of direct service to the people living on the underside of society. As global men and women impelled by the gospel agenda, with hearts that embrace the whole world and committed to social justice issues that do not stop at any borders, Catholic Sisters, Brothers and Priests have found a new way to serve the poor and disadvantaged.

They are investing in ministry at the United Nations; a ministry that enables them to live a dynamic renewal of their original charisms and to announce the gospel in a new place and in a new way: being NGOs at the UN. Networking with like minded groups at the United Nations gives them an opportunity to be effective agents of structural change by identifying the systemic causes of deepening poverty and ever increasing inequality, which are embedded in unjust social structures.

Each religious congregation brings its own original gift and specific reading of the Gospel to its work at the UN. For example the Passionists’ commitment to justice is based on their vision of the poor who are “crucified by unjust economic structures.” While the Medical Missionary Sisters see their involvement at the UN as an extension of their healing ministry in a wounded world.

While the larger religious Congregations are NGOs in their own right, some smaller congregations form coalitions with others in order to become NGOs at the UN. One such coalition is UNANIMA International, made up of 22 women’s congregations, many of whom have members in England and Wales. UNANIMA professes to bring a feminine spirit to the United Nations, together with a gospel concern for the weakest and the least, especially women and children who are economically poor, and a commitment to take their cause to the public square.

The United Nations is by no means a perfect organisation. Far from it. It is only as strong, or as weak, as its members – the 93 countries or states that form the General Assembly of the UN, most of whom are seeking to protect their national interests, rather than the common good or the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable. It is an organisation in urgent need of reform. But it does, in theory, promote and protect human rights and has worked tirelessly to promulgate several important protocols: the Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, Human Trafficking. UNANIMA and other Religious NGOs have been part of these important projects.

The contribution that religious men and women make to the UN has been hailed over the years by Secretary Generals of the Organisation. Kofi Annan: “Men and women of faith are crucial to the United Nations. As teachers and guides, you can be agents of change and inspire people to new levels of public service.”

Ban Ki Moon: “We simply could not do without your passion, your ideas and your criticism too.” Together with other NGOs we are generally referred to as “the conscience of the UN”.

The United Nations faces an uncertain future. An ageing institution, urgently in need of reform and better funding, the organisation is still the only global forum in an increasingly isolationist and divided world, where nationalism is on a rampant march, while the poor grow poorer and the planet is being held to ransom by unrestrained economic forces. But what will not change is the UN’s commitment to the protection of human rights for all people.

We consecrated men and women are also moving into the future, gospel people in love with Jesus Christ and his people who will always be called to be involved in our global reality and the United Nations.

In England and Wales our call is to do our best to ensure the compliance of our own institutions, here at home, with United Nations protocols in defence of social justice.

Our government, as a member state of the UN, has signed on to and ratified all the important documents released by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Conventions on Climate Change.

….. Members of UNANIMA International, who are also members of Corew, have heard the call.

Sr Margaret’s doctoral thesis: ‘Gospel Women at the United Nations’ has just been published. It is available on Amazon.

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On Vocations Sunday: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest”

It is good, that if we feel passionately about our own choice, we would want others to help us, to join us, to do even more than we could ourselves.

By Sr Elaine Penrice FSP

Sunday the 12th of May marks the 56th World Day of Prayer for Vocations in the Catholic Church. Most Christian denominations will set aside at least one day in their year to pray for vocations, particularly because of the Lord’s invitation to “pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38, Lk 10:2).

In my work of promoting religious life in the National Office for Vocation, I am privileged to witness the ebb and flow of religious, working out how best to respond to the signs of the times. I also hear from people tentatively negotiating the cacophony of voices calling out for their attention in today’s sensory focused world.

Vocation discernment today is a lot about self-discovery, leading to a kind of spiritual exodus… it is only when a person can stop and recognise their self as an autonomous being, gifted and in relationship with God, that they can respond to that call to go out to the beautiful land that the Lord will show them, just as it was for our father Abraham. As religious, we are called through the shifting sands of the desert, to bear witness to our one true anchor and sure ground: Jesus, the Lord.

So, for the world day of prayer for vocation this year, how would I invite you to pray?

Of course, we need to do as Jesus says, “pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest.” It is good, that if we feel passionately about our own choice, we would want others to help us, to join us, to do even more than we could ourselves. It is indeed right that we should plead with the Lord for these things, and at the end say as Jesus did, “yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42).

I think however, we also need to be living witnesses to prayer – that prayer which is friendship with God. When we set our minds, our undivided hearts and our wills to the work of the Father, in union with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we will cease to count new members, and begin to generously lend our ears to those who cannot hear the voice of the Lord. We must busy ourselves with the Lord’s work and witness to the communion which is the Kingdom of God.

If there is one overwhelming voice that came from the Synod on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment, it is that young people today (and I would suggest not only young people), need help in hearing the voice of the Lord, understanding it, and incarnating it into their lives. In the final document, as well as the exhortation Christus Vivit, there is an invitation to accompany our brothers and sisters as they journey on the Christian path. Let this be your offering, as “a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God” (Rm 12:1), to be a conduit for the voice of the Lord, who lovingly calls everybody into his friendship. Open your homes, your lives and your hearts to help them discern the ways of the Lord in their lives.

In this way, your prayer will not just be a plea for companions on your journey, but it will be a living prayer which will open peoples minds and hearts and wills to God, and that will inevitably produce many people fired up and in love with God to the point of consecrating their very lives to Him… in priesthood and consecrated religious life.

You can download free resources for Vocations Sunday from our website: http://www.ukvocation.org/?page_id=928

The Pope’s message for Vocations Sunday:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/vocations/documents/papa-francesco_20190131_56-messaggio-giornata-mondiale-vocazioni.html

Sr Elaine Penrice FSP is Religious Life Promoter at the National Office for Vocation

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Providing homes - to help families rebuild broken lives

By Sister Jean Quinn, Daughter of Wisdom

[Sr Jean founded Sophia Housing in 1997 as a national organisation in Ireland, which cares and supports people with complex mental health and addiction needs who are also homeless. Sister Jean is also executive director of UNANIMA International, a United Nations-based coalition of Catholic religious congregations focused on concerns of women, children, migrants and the environment].

The contrast could not have been starker: Just before Easter, ‘Sophia Housing’ hosted a morning of reflection on the possible development of Wisdom centres as part of our ongoing programme of providing homes and vital support for those emerging from homelessness. For 20 years Sophia has been offering a person-centred model of care for individuals and families struggling to rebuild broken lives. Central to our strategy is the provision of homes, reflecting our passionate belief that poverty and homelessness can only be solved through the strategic provision of affordable and sustainable housing, not just “accommodation.” Sophia’s slogan is “providing homes, supporting people”, reflecting a philosophy which recognises that the provision of physical space alone is an inadequate response.

The day after we met, Ireland’s Office of the Ombudsman for Children published its disturbing findings in ‘No Place Like Home’ - the first publicly-funded consultation with homeless children in family hubs.

Sophia has long believed that hotels and family hubs are not the solution to the homeless crisis. While hubs may be safer than hotels, they lack the stability of homes. As a society we can, and must, do better.

Currently Sophia Housing supports 617 adults and 169 children, while another 134 people are supported through our outreach programmes. Respect for the dignity of each person is our cornerstone and informs all our actions.

Sophia works with those who come to us at their own pace, providing vital care services and a pathway to independence. Those who turn to us bear the scars of poverty and social exclusion, and come from a variety of backgrounds.

Tranquil space:

The principles of what we call trauma-informed care underpin our approach to medical treatment and to the physical and social environment.

In Dublin’s Cork Street a feature of the complex, in the heart of one of the oldest parts of the capital, is a Wisdom Centre, a bright, tranquil space surrounded by a garden and water.

With its emphasis on space and light, the building provides a safe place to seek wisdom of mind, heart and spirit. The layout is designed to create a sense of belonging, and the centre reinforces that community spirit.

Stakeholders, including representatives of the religious congregations who provide funding for Sophia, recently met to discuss the exciting possibility of including similar Wisdom centres in other projects as we develop our work.

As a Daughter of Wisdom I’m proud of the supportive role played by religious congregations in the work of Sophia. Many congregations have given property to Sophia for use as homes. As the needs for large properties declines these congregations are ensuring that buildings will continue to serve those most in need in different ways.

I am acutely aware of our rich heritage of service and commitment to social justice. Religious sisters continue this tradition in different ways, and new models are emerging throughout the world.

Our voices:

For my own part I am currently executive director of UNANIMA International. It is a coalition of communities of religious women who seek to use our voices and experiences in the fields of health, education and social policy to shape UN policy.

As executive director I represent 22 congregations with 20,000 members in over 80 countries. Our priority has been to put the provision of adequate homes at the centre of UN policy, and my work has been shaped by my experience as a founder of Sophia.

Making the right to a home a human right seemed a modest ambition when I set out on this journey. At times the UN can appear removed from the reality of social exclusion, so I was very pleased at our recent success in convincing the Working Group to End Homelessness to incorporate homelessness into a UN resolution. It will now be the priority theme at the Commission on Social Development in 2020.

At a time when trust and confidence in religious institutions has been shattered, there may have been a tendency to step back. Yet there has never been a more urgent need for care and compassion, locally and globally.

In The Republic of Conscience, Seamus Heaney reminds us:

“Their embassies, he said, were everywhere

but operated independently

and no ambassador would ever be relieved.”

Long may we meet the challenge.