Service to commemorate the women martyrs of El Salvador

On December 2nd 1980, four Catholic missionaries from the United States working in El Salvador were raped and murdered by five members of the El Salvador National Guard. They were Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Cleveland Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and lay missionary Jean Donovan. This was nine months after the assassination of Archbishop Romero and the Salvadoran civil war was underway. 

CoR working with Archbishop Romero Trust, Cafod and Pax Christi invite members to share the zoom invitation :

Live Streamed Service at 7pm on 2nd December 2020.

You can join by clicking on the following links

www.botwell.org.uk And

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCNvHNooijkNJ3CedpME2NSQ

An invitation to congregations to reflect on IICSA - with renowned theologian, Fr Nick King SJ

Join us for a one off talk by the renowned theologian, Fr Nick King SJ:  On Being A Religious today – Responding to the IICSA report:

Nov 26: 4-5.30pm (to receive a zoom link, email admin@corew.org)

A chance to come together as members of religious congregations to reflect on the painful findings of IICSA – a biblical and spiritual reflection.  Also to turn our thoughts into making the Church a safer place for  those entrusted to us:

The Awfulness

Signs of Hope?

A Possible Way Ahead

Have Religious Got It Wrong?

What Do the Scriptures Tell Us?

·         Beatitudes

·         Lucan Summaries

·         Petrine Failures

·         A Concluding Vision 

To register, email admin@corew.org

Five UK religious orders join new wave of fossil fuel divestment

Five Catholic religious orders in the UK were among those announcing their divestment from fossil fuel companies, in the recent  largest-ever divestment announcement by faith organisations. In total, 47 faith institutions from 21 countries contributed to the announcement.  

The UK congregations were:  the Mill Hill Missionaries (British Region), the Sisters of the Holy Cross (English Province), the Society of the Sacred Heart (England and Wales Province), the Sisters of St Andrew in England and the Congregation of Our Lady, Canonesses of St Augustine. The full list of participating institutions is here.

The new announcement brings the total number of UK religious orders that have divested to 12, along with three out of 22 Catholic dioceses in England and Wales. Around the world, more than 400 religious institutions have now committed to divest.

In June this year, the Vatican recommended in its first-ever operational guidelines on ecology that all Catholic organisations divest from fossil fuels. During the same week as the announcement, Pope Francis convened the Economy of Francesco, an online conference involving more than 1000 young adults, which explored innovative ways of shaping a sustainable economy.

The announcement coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The UK government faces increasing pressure to demonstrate global leadership on the climate crisis ahead of the UN climate talks (COP26) taking place in Glasgow in November 2021. Faith organisations participating in the announcement strengthened calls for the UK government to end support for fossil fuels overseas and support countries to leapfrog to renewable and efficient energy.

Fr Dermot F Byrne MHM, Regional Representative of Mill Hill Missionaries (British Region), said: ‘Our members have always worked among the poorest and most disadvantaged in Africa, Asia and South America, and the pursuit of social equality and justice has always been a serious priority for us. Concern for what Pope Francis reminds us is ‘our common home’ has to be part of that pursuit. As our numbers decrease worldwide, there can seem to be little that we can do to make an impact, but divestment from fossil fuels is a practical choice that is open to us all and may have far-reaching results. Consequently, we feel that such divestment is in line with Catholic social teaching and the spirit of the present age, and we are happy that we, as a Region, are able to make this small contribution.’

Sr Catherine Lloyd RSCJ, Provincial of the Society of the Sacred Heart (England and Wales Province), said: ‘The Province has actively engaged in reducing its carbon footprint for a number of years as the impact of the climate crisis became more apparent and urgent. After reflecting on our own values and the charism which underpins them, we have actively engaged with our fund managers to divest our investment portfolio of fossil fuels. Hopefully, we are making a contribution to working towards a future which is more sustainable and carbon neutral.’

The Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in England said: ‘As Sisters of the Holy Cross in England, Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si’, has encouraged us to focus on care of creation. For some time, we have been urging our investors to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels... We have realised that engagement with these companies only has limited success. We have now informed our investors that we have decided to completely disinvest from fossil fuels, and thus work towards a zero carbon future.’

Lord Deben, Chair of the UK Committee on Climate Change, recently urged Catholic leaders to play a more active role on the climate crisis when he addressed hundreds of people in a webinar on Catholic investment for an integral ecology. He said: ‘It is hugely important for the Catholic community to be very visible…it must be very determined, and it must be clear that we all ought to be in this together.’

In September, it was revealed that Shell plans to resume oil and gas exploration in the Arctic for the first time since 2015, despite pressure from faith investors and others that has exposed the inherent weakness of the fossil fuel industry.

James Buchanan, Bright Now Campaign Manager at Operation Noah, said: ‘It is hugely encouraging that so many religious orders have divested from fossil fuel companies as part of this announcement. We encourage more religious orders to divest from fossil fuels as a practical response to the climate emergency, especially in this crucial year for climate action ahead of COP26 [the UN climate talks in Glasgow] in 2021.’

How your religious order can get involved:

Could your religious order make a commitment to divest from fossil fuels and participate in a future joint divestment announcement? Please get in touch with Bokani Tshidzu on bokani.tshidzu@operationnoah.org for further information or to register your interest.

From refugees to worldwide congregations: a celebration of 150 years

The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at Chigwell Convent recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Order in the UK. Bishop Alan Williams presided at a Thanksgiving Mass zoomed to their 29 communities worldwide.

On the altar was a book of remembrance, detailing the many sisters who have served since 1870 – to be included in the prayers during Mass. Sr Mary Mangan, leader of the congregation said, “There are at least 600 names in the book – and we must always remember that we are standing on the shoulders of those who went before us.”

She referred to the story of the nuns’ arrival in England as refugees during the Franco-Prussian War. “Just think for a moment about their situation then: not knowing what was going to happen when they left Germany or France, simply having to trust in the Holy Spirit.”

Sr Lorna Walsh went on to tell that story in more detail: In 1865 Fr Victor Braun, working in Paris, recognised that young German women arriving in Paris looking for work were in danger of being picked up and trafficked for sexual exploitation or slave labour. He gathered a few young women to help him to establish safe houses for them and on the 17 October 1866, the feast of the Blessed Margaret-Mary, he consecrated those helpers to the Heart of Jesus. “This day is seen as the Founding Day of our Congregation which was then known as ‘Servants of the Sacred Heart’.”

Just four years later, in 1870, the Franco-Prussian war broke out. All German nationals were ordered to leave France – this included many of the sisters and Fr. Braun himself, who returned to Metz before joining the army as a chaplain.

A Red Cross worker from Ireland called Josephine Gibson met the remaining sisters while working in the army hospital in Versailles and joined them as a postulant. Despite the danger, Josephine decided to take three German-born sisters to safety in England under the protection of the British Red Cross. But even with Red Cross passports they were looked on as spies by the French soldiers, badly treated and one sister was even imprisoned for a short while.

Josephine made three more journeys eventually bringing ten sisters to safety in England. Fr. Braun came with her on her last journey – going the long way around through Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium in order to avoid war-torn France.

On their arrival in England the sisters had been welcomed into the Diocese of Westminster by Cardinal Manning and different congregations gave them accommodation – the Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of Mercy and the Nazareth Sisters. When Fr Braun arrived, a meeting with Cardinal Manning led to the congregation’s first foundation in England at 2 Eden Villas, Stratford, London.

“Josephine became a novice known as Sister Marie of Jesus, but after this she disappears from our history. We have no record of what happened to her. She was the instrument chosen by God to establish our congregation in England. We owe her a deep debt of gratitude and pray that her life was blessed as she moved on,” said Sr Lorna.

Stratford at that time was overcrowded, she added. People were very poor, and many were sick because they could not afford decent housing or food. The sisters were soon fully occupied nursing the sick in their homes, offering working girls an education and a future and providing spiritual and practical support. Young women from England and Ireland were soon inspired to join this small group. In 1871 alone, nine young women joined as postulants.

The Franco-Prussian war ended in May 1871 and on 29 January,1872 in the Parish of Stratford, East London for the first time since the founding of the congregation in 1866, thirteen sisters made their first profession. The superiors of the four houses in France also came over to make their first professions. On the same day two more postulants joined the congregation.

“This year is the 150th anniversary of the sisters’ arrival in England: the seed that grew into our congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. From a few German refugees, our Charism has spread throughout the UK and Ireland, to the Americas, Africa and The Philippines. Today, refugees get a bad press; as we remember with gratitude our own refugee beginning, let us pray that all refugees will be welcomed in their new countries.”

Given the Covid-19 restrictions, she said, it had been agreed that the congregation would celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first professions in 2022, “but we wanted to mark this anniversary of our arrival in England and give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received”.

Sr Lorna concluded: “Let us echo the voices of our first sisters and join together in the prayer that has been said from the beginning of our foundation – ‘May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved. Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us. Amen’.”

In his homily, Bishop Alan referred to the “wonderful gospel of the visitation” that had been read during Mass. “It marks the beginning of the adventure of Mary, the Mother of God. It is a very personal moment when Mary looks towards God, questions, and then says a grace-filled ‘yes’ to him. As Elizabeth will say when she visits her, ‘blessed is she who believes’.”

While the gospels narrate the work of Jesus, there are precious moments about Mary, he said. “Remarkably, in the really important, critical times, we hear about her. At the wedding in Cana, for example, and at the cross of Jesus, when the apostles have fled, it is Mary and the faithful disciple who remain.”

He added: “Most of Mary’s witness, her work, was hidden, but 2000 years later that wonderful work of mercy is still continuing in this congregation. The book of remembrance contains the names of all the sisters. Many lives have been changed by the witness, faith and goodness of these sisters. We give thanks for that.”

He read a prayer that he felt was very apposite, derived from the Order’s own mission statement:

Faithful to our call to an everlasting faithful God,

We devote ourselves to our share in the mission of Jesus.  

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we deepen our relationship with God and each other.

Attentive to the needs of the world, trusting in God’s goodness and inspired by the fidelity and Faithfulness of Mary, we open ourselves to Spirit-filled newness of life.  

We live in this blessed moment and move forward in hope to serve the living, all powerful, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen, Amen, Amen  

The Bishop concluded: “The Sisters have the heart of Mary as they respond to the gospel and they take it all on trust – yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

After the Mass, Sr Mary Mangan, leader of the congregation, said: “It was a wonderful memorial service of thanksgiving for our early sisters who were refugees. We celebrated their bravery – and that of Josephine, the young woman who brought them here. It was wonderful to be able to link with our 29 other communities worldwide for the Mass.”

She says the congregation today shares the spirit of those early sisters. “They wanted to work with the poor and marginalised, in areas where no one else would be working, and we haven’t moved from that.”

She sees young women joining the order in Africa and Asia for that very reason. “I ask them what attracted them to the Order, and they say that when they were children, they would see sisters going into compounds and would say to one another, there is someone very sick in there.

“They respond to our work with the poor. And that goes back to the very beginning, when Fr Braun gathered a group of women at the railway station in Paris to meet and help women coming in from Alsace-Lorraine, often falsely promised employment by those wishing to traffic them into prostitution.” That focus on trafficked people has not changed either.

Once those early sisters arrived in England, they opened several places in northern England and set about helping the poor, concentrating on areas of need. “Many sisters became nurses and teachers. We were pioneers in bringing in education for children with special needs and we are still involved with that in our different countries.”

She herself made the decision to become a sister in 1962. “I remember very clearly saying that I wanted to help others. Although I enjoyed the social life of my teenage years, still there was an inner stirring and a desire to offer myself to the Lord, but I felt that I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed the support of others to do this wholeheartedly.” Sr. Mary left her home in the west of Ireland and joined the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Chigwell.

Since then she has taught special needs children, worked over many years supporting women trafficked into prostitution, and developed a community service in Ireland for adults with special needs.

“As we have got older as a congregation we tend to support campaigns rather than do work on the ground, but we have someone who sleeps in a sheltered house once a week for women who have been trafficked, while others collect clothing for trafficked people,” she says. “Sisters help in local areas in whatever way they can to relieve poverty, homelessness, and help the families of prisoners at Christmas and Easter. We are supported by the prayers and fundraising of our many Sacred Heart Companions in various parishes where our sisters served.”

In Zambia, Uganda and The Philippines the Order still has professions every year but there are far fewer enquirers here in the UK. Looking back, Sr Mary says she was completely certain of the call to offer her life to God: “There are many more opportunities for people to help others as volunteers nowadays,” she says, “but the call to religious life is still there but perhaps that inner stirring, that still small voice is not always listened to. We thank God for the witness of our Sisters since 1870 and we pray for all who are discerning their way of life be it religious life, priesthood, married or single.”

Statement on the IICSA report

The Conference of Religious of England and Wales (CoR) would like to express profound sadness and sorrow to all those who are victims and survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy and members of religious congregations.

We thank IICSA for bringing to light the acute suffering that has been inflicted over many years and our failures in safeguarding including engagement with victims and survivors. We also thank the victims and survivors for their courage in coming forward.  We are wholeheartedly committed to learning lessons from this Inquiry and making every effort to assist religious congregations to embed a safeguarding culture at all levels of religious life.

As Christians we approach safeguarding with a determination to protect people from harm – especially when they are particularly vulnerable. We acknowledge that in the past the needs of the vulnerable have not been paramount. We undertake to remedy this through a new approach to safeguarding within the Church.

Details: communications@corew.org

Rebuilding Our Common Home in the light of Coronavirus : An Advent Reflection for Religious Communities

CAFOD writes:

You are warmly invited to join us for an online afternoon of reflection in preparation for the Season of Advent: Thursday 19 November 2020 – 1pm - 4:30pm

Fr. Augusto Zampini-Davies (Integral Ecology dicastery and the COVID 19 commission at the Vatican) and Sr. Yvonne Mwalula (Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, Zambia) will speak to us on how Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ focused the world’s attention on the need to defend the poor and their natural environment, why this is more important than ever in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic and how we can make a difference.

You will also hear how CAFOD and the Church’s Caritas networks are coming together in response to this call to action. There will be time allotted for prayer, reflection, group discussion and asking questions of our guest speakers.

Please register in advance here: https://rebuildingourcommonhome.eventbrite.co.uk[KD1] 

A zoom link and instructions on how to join the event will be emailed to you. If you have any questions please contact majorgifts@cafod.org.uk

Living Laudato Si’ : lessons from Boarbank

To celebrate the recent fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ a pamphlet written by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA – ‘Catholics and Our Common Home’ has been reprinted in a revised version, with the new subtitle, ‘Caring for the Planet in a Time of Crisis.’ It’s available from  https://www.ctsbooks.org

Sister Margaret, who’s based at Boarbank Hall in Cumbria, has spent decades talking about the Christian imperative to care for planet earth and the coronavirus pandemic has become a moment for further intense reflection on the environment:

“Here at Boarbank we’ve been thinking about these issues for a long time and during lockdown I had the chance to focus even more, given that what I usually spend my time doing such as retreats stopped happening” said Sr Margaret.

Adapting to the ‘new normal’  has involved a crash course in caring, in case emergency help was required at the care home run by her community;   there has also been the necessity to rethink her regular courses and retreats, to see what can be offered online instead;  and also greater time to be ‘hands on’ outside in the extensive grounds of Boarbank, learning, not least from the Boarbank gardeners, more about conservation, sustainability, tree planting, food crops, cuttings, seed planting, wildflowers and pollinators ….

Prayer life has been impacted too: “So many people have been in touch to ask for prayers over these difficult months of worry and loss. We have been drawn into much more intercessory prayer” reflects Sr Margaret, who sees the ‘pause’ that has been forced upon humanity as a moment to reassess many aspects of life.

Boarbank is a large complex with a Guest House in a 19th century building, a convent and chapel, a more modern nursing home and grounds equating to the size of a small farm, with fields, woodland and a substantial vegetable garden and greenhouses. Sr Margaret says they regard themselves as the guardians of a precious resource: “We’ve been asking ourselves, how do we look after all of this and what more can we do?” 

Sr Margaret

To encourage other congregations who may also have to tackle old fashioned buildings which are blocking their efforts to “go green”  - Sr Margaret insists obstacles can be overcome: “We have more than 190 radiators on one of our two main heating systems, but there are six systems in total. So it’s been a huge challenge but we’re delighted that a project that began a year ago to instal thermostats on each radiator has finally just been completed. So it is possible to make these changes, but it’s taken a year of planning….. We’ve also put in a lot of insulation which will make a huge difference to the heating bills in this very old building where we’re stuck with an ancient system. Future challenges involve changing the lighting system and installing more double glazing.”

Lockdown also provided the opportunity to focus more on the beautiful grounds at Boarbank.  The vegetable garden is already well established but more thought is going into composting and cutting back on waste, eg., when there’s a glut of tomatoes, the excess now goes to a local food club ;  a partnership has also been formed with a local group  to harvest all the plentiful apples to produce and sell juice locally. The windfall apples are included and juice is given back to Boarbank.

Planting has been another focus.  There’s been a tree planting project with a local school and sustained efforts to develop wildflower areas and lavender bushes, leading to a riot of colour, to the delight of the carehome residents.

Newly planted lavender beds

“There are a lot of challenges” concedes Sr Margaret. “Through spending more time in the grounds I’ve realised how much you need to KNOW botanically and biologically. It’s a very interesting journey that we’re just at the beginning of, but we can already see big changes.“

Sr Margaret has also become involved in preparing for a local ‘seedlings’ project – to enable people to grow their own vegetables even on very small patches of land: “People can share seeds, learn from each other and develop self sufficiency. It also reduces food miles and is good for community building.”

Tree planting project with a local school

Reflecting back on decades of commitment to ecology from a Christian perspective, Sr Margaret now observes the very striking convergence of faith and secular principles: “In a sense what we’re seeing is the Church and the world coming closer together around this issue, coming to a deeper appreciation of our common home. One of the really exciting things is that it’s an area where the whole secular teaching is converging on Catholic social teaching principles.”

“There’s also a connectivity in all of this,”  adds Sr Margaret. “As Laudato Si’ emphasises, if you do things better in one area, other spheres will be impacted for the better and as Pope Francis stresses, you can’t separate the cry of the earth from the cry of the poor.”

So to sum up, Sr Margaret hopes  to encourage other congregations to become more environmentally conscious and hopes the learning curve at Boarbank will help other communities consider making care of the environment central to their ministry and outlook.

A reflection on the pandemic by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA:

We have learnt how much we want to protect vulnerable people from sickness and death.
How much do we want to protect our vulnerable planet, on which the lives and health of all of us and every living thing depends?

We have learnt that we are prepared to sacrifice our travel, our comforts to reduce the spread of a pandemic.
What are we prepared to sacrifice to reduce forest fires, floods, drought and the destruction of other species?

We have learnt that we can act with boldness, energy, speed and conviction, that we can change our habits drastically and effectively, that we can work together as a global family, east and west, rich and poor, to respond a short-term and temporary emergency.
Are we prepared to do this to respond to a long-term and permanent one?

We have discovered the resilience of our local communities, the generosity, compassion and courage of millions of ordinary people, the inventiveness and creativity of the same.
How can we harness these to face the biggest collective challenge of all?

We have been given space and time to ponder and pray. We have glimpsed clean air and clean seas. We have listened to birdsong where once there was only traffic. Can we grasp the hope that this offers?

The Christian Church can make a unique contribution to the healing of our planet, in at least three ways. Firstly, if most Christians, let alone most religious people, were to live fully the ecological implications of their faith, their numbers are significant enough to reach a tipping point for positive change; we can be the anticipation of the kingdom of heaven, the ‘leaven in the dough’ (Matthew 13.33). Secondly, the Church can offer an existing structural model of an organisation that connects global with local moral leadership, understood precisely as service, along with a mass of members explicitly committed to trying to live well as communities. The Church also has a history of successfully effecting dramatic changes of behaviour; it is not far-fetched to read the history of the Church as a history of successive reforms. There is much here from which wider society might learn.

Above all, we have our faith. We do not need to invent a new way of living. Our saints have been living ‘ecology’, out of love of God, for the last two millennia. Let us take them as our models as we commit ourselves to acting, yes, with urgency, but also with calm and patient trust, as God is calling us to do.

Life in lockdown: the view from the Monastery

Sisters from the Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning, near Carnforth, in Lancashire, have shared their thoughts on how monastic life has changed during coronavirus. Their congregational website indicates how significantly they’ve been impacted:

“Normally September would start the new Bernardine year in the guesthouse and we would be advertising a whole range of events. This year everything is a lot different and we are still waiting for guidelines to ensure everything is safe for us and guests. We are looking at using the time to update building work etc. So at the moment we will remain closed for large residential groups and events.

The garden is producing a mountain of vegetables and we are busy making jams, marmalades and chutneys. In the absence of guests, we hope to sell these things online soon. “

Sister Elizabeth Mary leads the Community, having recently moved there from Brownshill, in Gloucestershire:

“As the novelty of lockdown began to recede and the reality of the presence of Covid 19 sank in, I shared the desire to DO something to help the nation’s effort, over and above the ‘little things’ we were doing: Community’s increased weekly contributions to our local foodbank, ‘staying safe’ so that we did not add to the burden of the NHS, sowing extra vegetables to reduce our dependence on food supplies, extra time of Community prayer together for the pandemic etc,. I think that this was a natural human reaction, shared by so many who helped produce PPE, delivered essential items to the vulnerable, kept an eye on elderly neighbours……..

All I seemed to have to offer was my prayer and the day to day commitment to my vows and monastic living. Then, a conversation from years ago flashed through my mind. Weeks before entering, I was trying to explain my life decision to a friend whose reply was the all too familiar phrase ‘what a waste’. After all, 30 years ago the shortage of secondary maths teachers drew financial government incentives to attract newly graduating mathematicians – I was ‘useful’!

The friend then reflected:  “I suppose the difference is that you believe in the power of prayer and I don’t” but, after a moment’s pause, she added “but then I would never not say a prayer whenever one of my children has an exam.”   The pandemic brought an opportunity to deepen my prayer, particularly the prayer of intercession and to live the 'starkness' of my vocation.

During the first months of lockdown I was also facing the probability of being asked to move to a new Community. I knew this would feel like an  ‘uprooting’ with an inevitable journey through grief. In solidarity with all those for whom the pandemic has brought the ongoing suffering of uncertainty, loss and bereavement, I have tried to live this generously in faith, trusting in God’s goodness and love.”

Reflections from several other Sisters at Hyning:

“In one sense monastic life is a classic ‘lockdown scenario’.  We’ve chosen a life of prayer, solitude and some degree of separation from the world.  We are a Community of 12 sisters, 3 of whom are sisters in temporary profession, comprising 5 different nationalities.  The oldest sister is 95 and the youngest member is 29.  This broad mix ensures a balance and richness in our community life together.  Work and prayer form the basis of our life.  We celebrate the Divine Office daily; it is sung 5 times a day in our Chapel.  This is our life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round we are ‘in lockdown’ with each other.  Of course, for us the main difference is that we chose this life, whereas during 2020 the various ways of lockdown have been enforced on the world-wide community because of the pandemic. 

Craft work during lockdown

None of us is perfect and we accept each other's weaknesses, knowing that we are stronger together, than alone.  When we are open, we are all involved in the work of the guesthouse in our different ways, from welcoming people at the door, domestic work and in retreat giving.  The main focus of our life is prayer and work at the service of God.  As Bernardine Cistercians we seek God through the work of hospitality and prayer.  When we hear our bell ringing it is a call to rise, to prayer, to eat and meet together as community.  The daily timetable during lockdown hasn’t changed, we still pray and work together. 

What has been the biggest impact?  Our welcome of guests.  As a monastic guesthouse we welcome guests into our home, into our chapel.  Receiving guests isn’t just about making ends meet or ensuring an income, it’s about living out our Rule that reminds us ‘that we see in our Guests the face of Christ’.  (cf. Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 53.)  So apart from limited family visits under ever changing rules, we have not received guests, given talks to groups or welcomed retreatants to the peace and beauty of our home and garden.  This has been very hard for us on many levels, it is as if a fundamental aspect of our life has been ripped out – so  a large part of our daily life has changed  during lockdown. 

Gardening has been a big activity in the absence of guests

We have tried to reach out in various ways during this time.  Several of the sisters have been involved in Zoom retreats and giving online sessions.  We have also used technology to accompany guests and give spiritual advice and support.  Numbers in our Facebook group and page have risen dramatically over the past few months.  Some weeks, thousands have tuned in to our Facebook talks, other weeks several hundred.  It has been a learning experience to be able to reach out to people in different ways.  We’ve set up equipment for future streaming, though for us, it’s not about being a performance but singing the praises of God.  

Over the past few months, we realise how fortunate we have been to have the grounds to walk in and pray, aware of the suffering of those locked down in high rise flats on council estates, individuals with no human contact for months, those in dire financial restraints etc,.  Each day we gather together for an extra time of prayer to pray for those affected by Covid 19, for those who have died, for those who grieve and for all those who have worked so hard to help all those suffering at this time. 

Soon available to purchase

On a practical level we have looked at ways of simplifying our life, decluttered the house where possible and tried to find ways of replacing some of the income lost from the guesthouse.   Like other people we’ve struggled on a financial level but are fortunate to have a garden and have been touched by the generosity of those who’ve helped us.  We’ve been converting the fruits and vegetables in our garden to jams and chutneys to sell on our Facebook page, looking at simple crafts to sell as well. 

It hasn’t been easy separated from our friends and families at this time, unable to help in many practical and spiritual ways.  We share in the suffering of our world, and we try to follow the rules imposed upon us.  Not being able to share our public worship for many months was very difficult and it is still limited by regulations.  We know so many people who have suffered so much that we know we cannot complain.”

Another Sister reflects :

“Lockdown for me was/is a call to intensify intercessory prayer through our monastic routine where we meet as a community for the Divine Office,  meals & some shared work in the garden & preparing gluts of fruit & veg.  We pledged 15 minutes as a community before Vespers for those suffering from Covid 19- which we have done faithfully & gladly.

The weather was beautiful & allowed me to do much needed outdoor painting of multiple exterior doors & fascia boards. Much intercession for Carers & the NHS. Much reflection on what we can learn from this pandemic & to prepare for future guests with upgrading of facilities & services.”

Another Sister reflects:

“Our monastic life is mostly lived within the monastery and grounds, so in some ways the lockdown was not too difficult. We have had time to deepen the essentials of our life and to appreciate even more the beauty that surrounds us. But it has been very hard not to be able to welcome here our guests, volunteers, Oblates, friends and family. So many come here for the peace of the monastery and the garden, and to join us in our Divine Office and Mass. All this has been denied them, and some have been lonely during these last months. We have kept in touch in different ways.

I have certainly increased and deepened intercessory prayer. Each day we take a short time together before Vespers to pray for all affected by the pandemic, and this has been a good thing to do, especially all of us together. In addition, I have been trying not to grumble but to remember all the millions who are living with much greater sufferings than we have known here.”

Tree planting to mark the simple profession of Sr. Mary Gabriel (left) in February 2019.

Long established Pauline bookshop in Kensington to close after more than fifty years

A message from Sr Angela Grant FSP:

Our Congregation throughout the world has been suffering the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our lives, on our apostolate and on our financial resources.  Here in Great Britain, for the past twelve months we have been undergoing a redesigning process with the support of our leadership in Rome and professional advisors who are sensitive to the Pauline mission.  This Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Trustees and leadership team to, inevitably, make some major decisions. Sadly, this has led us to authorise the closure of Pauline Books & Media Centre in Kensington on Saturday 24th  October 2020.

Prior to this pandemic, High Streets in Britain were being hit hard by the decline in footfall, by competition from retail giants and by increased on-line buying, particularly through Amazon. The commitment to our mission is the reason we have stayed there for so long, as our Pauline Centre is a visible sign of our Catholic faith, and our helping to promote Christian values amidst a consumerist society.

Since arriving in Great Britain in 1955, our Sisters have lived in London and, with great commitment, have been a beacon of light on the High Street through interaction with our customers, supplying various books and resources, and providing talks, animation and other organised events. We have enjoyed collaborating with the neighbouring parishes, bishops, priests, religious and many committed lay people in the Westminster Archdiocese, as well as other dioceses and people from around the world, as Kensington was a favourite stop-off point for many people.

We are most grateful for the many blessings bestowed on our community and mission over the past fifty five years. I thank all the people who over these years have supported us but, most importantly, who have believed in and supported the mission of the Pauline Book Centre, not only as a place where they could purchase something but a place where, in the words of our founder, Blessed Alberione, ‘the truth and love of Jesus Christ are found and shared’.  We hold special memories of many our supporters and customers, some of whom have gone before us to God in faith.

It is with great sadness that we withdraw our missionary presence from Kensington although we hope to be able to maintain a small community presence of three or four sisters in the London area. At the moment all is in God’s hands. 

In the meantime, we are redesigning our website www.pauline-uk.org and introducing a new telephone order line on 017535 77629.  We will be grateful for your continued support and we will do our best to serve you.  

Sr Angela Grant on behalf of the sisters in UK

Reflecting on the world we will leave behind for those who follow

By Sister Susan Reicherts PBVM, Nottingham Diocese Vicar for Religious

The question posed by Pope Francis  :  “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (art.160) – is a question that lies before us as we reflect on Laudato Si’.

Earlier this year, during lockdown, it was decided that given the pandemic, this year the Vicars for Religious would not have their usual “face to face” October conference in Leeds. Instead we would meet virtually and take the opportunity to have some input throughout the year from various speakers.

The first of the inputs was from Dr Peter Coughlan on Laudato Si’ – to coincide with the Season of Creation.   It is 5 years since this document was published and thus the 1st September was an excellent day to re-visit it. Since there is a tremendous amount to “unpack” in the document, Peter had to be selective in his presentation.  He set the question – “from your experience or reflection could you share what actions – from the most ‘global’ to the very, very local at home or overseas - you judge necessary or desirable to carry forward Pope Francis’ call for action in Laudato Si’?“

Pope Francis referred to Saint Therese of Lisieux, in inviting us to practise the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break the sequence  of violence, exploitation and selfishness. In the end, a world of exacerbated consumption is at the same time a world which mistreats life in all its forms’ (art.230). Peter suggested three publications to us -

Laudato Si’ Study & Action Guide, produced by the Columban Centre for Advocacy and Outreach in Washington D.C. (www.columbancenter.org)

Dermot A. Lane, Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: the Wisdom of Laudato Si’, Messenger Publications, Dublin, 2020.

The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, Manilla Press, 2020.

Peter gave us the background to the Encyclical On Care for Our Common Home, beginning as far back as 1962 and Pope John XXlll – linking in with Pope Francis’s own journey to the production of such an inspiring and challenging document. When Pope Francis prepared this document, he did so with the deliberate intention that his Encyclical should play its part in a specific historical moment.

Laudato Si’ appeared in June 2015 - timed so as to enhance and encourage two vitally important meetings organised by the United Nations - and the Pope did this in close dialogue and collaboration with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations, his advisers, and the representatives of nation states who were working on these two meetings.

The first meeting was due to take place three months after the publication of Laudato Si’, namely the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, from which there eventually resulted the Sustainable Development Goals for the next 15 years.

The second meeting was due to take place six months after the publication of Laudato Si, namely the United Nations Climate Conference in Paris in December 2015.This meeting resulted in the Paris Climate Agreement of 12 December 2015. And that meeting had its roots in the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

It was these meetings, and above all the December meeting regarding climate change, that the Pope had in mind when he spoke in art.15 of ‘the immensity and urgency of the challenge we face’. Pope Francis wanted to influence the Paris meeting to the good.

For the first time, an Encyclical is addressed to ALL PEOPLE. Pope Francis says: ‘I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home’ – and reminds us of our shared responsibility.  ‘The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change (no.13).

The common good – care for our common home – is an underlying theme that runs through every page of Laudato Si’. This theme of the common good is inseparably connected with the idea of the interconnectedness of everything.

‘When we speak of the “environment”, says Pope Francis in art. 139, what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and society which lives in it. Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it’.  Pope Francis reminds us that Creation has to do with God’s loving plan in which every creature has its own value and significance.

Teilhard de Chardin understood the process of evolution as all things being drawn forward towards the God who communicates his love. In the words of art. 83: ‘The ultimate destiny of the universe is in the fulness of God, which has already been attained by the risen Christ, the measure of the maturity of all things.’  Teilhard de Chardin and Karl Rahner point us towards an evolutionary dynamism that is truly intrinsic to creation, but which occurs through the creative and saving power of the immanent God – the Holy Spirit, who draws all of creation towards the Father through and in the Word made flesh.

Peter ended with this reminder from Pope Francis: ‘Joined to the incarnate Son, present in the Eucharist, the whole cosmos gives thanks to God. Indeed, the Eucharist itself is an act of cosmic love ... The Eucharist joins heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation. The world which came forth from God’s hands returns to him in blessed and undivided adoration: in the bread of the Eucharist, ‘creation is projected towards divinisation, towards the holy wedding feast, towards unification with the Creator himself.’ (art.236)

Francis of Assisi’s canticle is the vision of a mystic. We pray with him -

Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

who is the day and through whom you give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;

and bears a likeness of you, Most High.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.#

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather

through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water,

who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you light the night,

and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.’

Having shared such an inspirational, challenging and beneficial insight,   Peter was asked to give a second talk to any Religious who wished to hear his reflection on Laudato Si.   Thirty-nine Religious joined us on the second occasion. The feedback was very positive – a feeling that those who had heard Peter had been re-vitalised and re-energised to do our little bit and to spread the word with those among whom we live and minister…..

We are deeply grateful to Peter for reminding us of our responsibility and indeed of the influence we as Religious can have on people. This is especially the case given that the next crucial meeting regarding CLIMATE CHANGE will be here in the UK – in Glasgow in 2021.  We ask ourselves, what can we, as Religious do, to join with others, to influence this meeting?

 (Dr Peter Coughlan  was studying theology at the Gregorian University in Rome when the Second Vatican Council opened in 1962. After attending the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the staff college for the Holy See’s diplomatic service, he was appointed to the Secretariat for Non-Christian Religions (now Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue). From 1980 to 1991 Peter was Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. During this period, he was also a consultor of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and a member of the Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (headquartered in Geneva). In recent years Peter taught ecclesiology, ecumenism and ethics at Heythrop College, University of London. He now lectures at the Margaret Beaufort Institute in Cambridge.)

Green Investment / Divestment: what's it all about?

Catholic investment for an integral ecology webinar series: September/October 2020

This autumn, you are invited to join a webinar series to find out how Catholic religious orders, dioceses and other organisations can use their investments to accelerate the clean energy transition and support a green recovery. Speakers include Fr Augusto Zampini, Dr Lorna Gold, Stephen Power SJ, Sr Susan Francois CSJP, Lord Deben, Neil Thorns, Sr Pat Daly OP and Shaun Cooper.

The Conference of Religious is one of the co-sponsors of the webinar series, together with Operation Noah, Catholic Impact Investing Collective, the Global Catholic Climate Movement, CAFOD, Trocaire, Association of Provincial Bursars, National Justice & Peace Network and Justice and Peace Scotland.

Part 1: Fossil fuel divestment: Accelerating the clean energy transition

Tuesday 22 September 2020, 4.00-5.30pm

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/part-1-fossil-fuel-divestment-accelerating-the-clean-energy-transition-tickets-118279058849 

Part 2: Investment for a green recovery: Innovation in impact investing

Wednesday 21 October 2020, 4.00-5.30pm

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/part-2-investment-for-a-green-recovery-innovation-in-impact-investing-registration-118552167725 

Pioneering research project into the role of Religious in the inner cities

Austin Smith House in Birmingham

The Little Sisters of Jesus live on the 13th floor of an east London tower block, opening their home to the community

The Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham and the Passionists (St Joseph’s Province) have launched a  collaborative study into those Religious, who, motivated by a desire to put into practice an ‘option for the poor,’  have moved to the inner cities, the outer estates and tower blocks in the years following Vatican II.

One of the driving forces behind the project, Fr Martin Newell CP, who himself shares a house in inner city Birmingham with asylum seekers, explains that the project will look not just at the tangible realities and impact of moving to these areas but also at the inner life of prayer and spirituality that has led certain Religious to make these radical choices:

“Part of their spirituality was often an association with 'hiddenness'.  We think that it is time to tell this important story of Gospel commitment to the poor, forgotten and marginalised people and places in our midst” says Fr Martin.

The Passionists are currently in discussions with the Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham about funding for the  research; their vision at present includes events and publications that will reach beyond academia into wider Church and society.

“However” adds Fr Martin, “we also want to share this project with other Religious, who were mostly women, especially those who have been part of the story. If you or your Congregation are at all interested in supporting this project, please do get in touch.”

Bede Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham, Karen Kilby,  welcomed the collaboration with congregations: “We consider this a very important research project because the distinctive way of living out the religious life it will explore is so significant. We hope the research will provide the means to remember, learn from, reflect on and pass on to new generations something of the contribution of this group of Religious, and thus also to properly honour their work and their lives.”  

Fr Martin hopes that the research into the urban mission of Religious in the UK post Vatican Two will shine a light on a radical living out of the Gospel that has often been so under the radar that it’s gone unnoticed: "This is a good news story about the Catholic Church that up till now remains largely untold" he says.

Fr Martin can be contacted at : martinnewellcp@yahoo.co.uk

Fr Martin, pictured (centre) left, in Austin Smith House

A cry from the heart from CoR member, Fr Fadi Kmeid

A newly joined member of the Conference of Religious, Fr Fadi Kmeid of the Lebanese Maronite Order, has issued the following urgent appeal on behalf of the suffering people of his homeland:

Dear Fellow Humanitarians,

Fr Fadi Kmeid

On the afternoon of August 4 th, the skyline of our beloved city, Beirut, was tainted. Our people’s bodies were dismantled, limb from limb, after a most devastating explosion. Bodies on the pavements, bodies on hospital floors, bodies decapitated in crushed and blown cars, bodies humiliatingly lying in the middle of the streets, violated by tragedy. Every single body was accompanied by a phone, being rung ruthlessly by loved ones praying it wasn’t their daughter, their son, their sibling, their parent, their relative, repulsively torn apart on the gravel of their homeland.

More than 200 people died and more than 6,000 were injured in the blast, according to the city's governor Marwan Abboud. The explosion was caused by more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the city's port.

Our people are crying. A mother’s scream is distinct one. Our 10,452 km 2 bellowed with shrieks and wails of women whose children have been ripped from their embrace. Children screeched at the sound of smashing glass and fallen roofs. The streets were filled with shards of glass. People’s homes surrendered to ruin. Several hospitals were shattered. Warehouses stocked with medical supplies, demolished. The port, our main mean of importing supplies, food, product, burned to ashes. Grain, a nutrient so basic yet so necessary, has been wiped from a six-month reserve storage. Our economy will crash even further.  

The medical system is in turmoil because of the overriding pressure and lack of medical supply. Civilians are racing to hospitals to donate blood in the midst of a pandemic. A good number of local people are still missing, with hopeless alerts being sent around. If a mask was not being worn for the purpose of the pandemic, they are now being worn for the fright of getting poisoned through the soiled air. Despite all the distress being lived, our people still have the will to press the palms of their hands together and call for God.

Our country is bleeding. We are encountering a disturbance greater than all of us, and we cannot do it alone. The Lebanese Maronite Order has opened the doors to its monasteries and schools to house many nationals who have lost their homes and has medicated and cared for as many as seven hundred in its hospitals. It is our duty to help our people, and we very much hope that it is yours too. The donations will go to the LMO and ‘Solidarity Lebanon’ in order to raise a sufficient amount of donations to aid the vulnerable residents in restoring the homes they have lost to this disaster, as well as providing medical supplies, and food distribution.

They say Beirut represents a Phoenix, its glory shines exceptionally beyond the rest. It is a city that never sleeps. It is a city that is alive with energy, love, and laughter. Its seas never show fear and its streets never submit to the ordinary. And while it is in grief and sorrow, Beirut will rise from the ashes again, just like the resilient Phoenix it always has been.

While we are actively attempting to secure aid to our devastated nation, we need your help to make our efforts go even further.  Your support is crucial to our efforts in reinforcing hope to our nation.

We thank you for taking the time to read our message and for any potential contributions you may present.

Fr Fadi Kmeid

Our Lady of Lebanon - UK

Lebanese Maronite Order

You can help us by donating to the below bank account:

Account Name:                The Lebanese Maronite Order Charitable Trust             

Bank Name        :               Bank of Beirut (UK) ltd

Bank address    :               66 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AE

Sort code            :              60-83-75

Acc Number       :              12 02 38 02 

Purpose:             :            Aid to Beirut

Religious invited to support new project helping vulnerable women in Staffordshire

By the Sisters of Mercy:

In Stoke on Trent a group of concerned individuals are in the process of setting up a registered charity, Whispers of Hope,  which will provide a safe haven for women who are fleeing domestic abuse who also have complications regarding their immigration status. 

Sr Geraldine Sweeney

In November 2019, Sr Geraldine Sweeney moved from her community in Newcastle under Lyme to Avan House, a house in the Stoke on Trent area to become part of the hosting presence to women who have immigration issues and who are also fleeing domestic abuse.  These women have no access to public funds.  The project has established a “safe space” drop-in and the opening of Avan House will give women safe shelter whilst they are supported with their immigration difficulties. As Sisters of Mercy, we feel this work is very much in line with the support of women that our foundress Venerable Catherine McAuley encouraged.

Each person who is referred to Whispers of Hope is assigned a befriender and there are also volunteers offering English lessons. Each week, Avan House will have a house meal which female volunteers are invited to attend.

Although Whispers of Hope has only been established less than a year it has already had referrals of women from various agencies including the Asylum Nursing team and Staffordshire police. When the police visited Avan House they were very impressed and said that such a place was so needed as there is a huge number of incidents of so-called ‘honour-based’ violence in the Stoke on Trent area. Many women who are supported by Whispers of Hope are in the UK on spousal visas with a condition of living with their husband; when a woman leaves her husband, she is not entitled to any benefits and one of the first things to do is to apply to the Home Office to have the conditions of her visa changed.

Whispers of Hope are very grateful to the Institute for the donation which has enabled them to open Avan House.  Sr Geraldine Sweeney is living in Avan House as a member of the hosting community.

If there is any religious congregation of women who has a member who feels that this is a work that she could undertake, please contact Sr Geraldine Sweeney on :

geraldine.sweeney@iolmercy.org.uk

“A life of many blessings:” Ad Multos Annos Fr Paul

As the President of CoR, Fr Paul Smyth CMF celebrates the 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 8, a message from CoR’s Vice-President, Sr Frances Orchard CJ:

July 8 1990

“As everyone knows, Paul is an indefatigable worker for CoR and this is an opportunity to thank him wholeheartedly for what he does for religious life in England and Wales as well as for his own Claretian congregation. May he continue in good health and vigour. I am sure he will be pleased to have our special prayers for today, and for the next 30 years.”

In a Youtube video released to reflect on thirty years of priesthood, Fr Paul looked back over his vocational journey, with contributions from those who have known him over the years. Now serving in Hayes in Middlesex, the parish he grew up in and was ordained in, his parish website notes:

In Guatemala, after ordination

“Born in Hayes, it might appear Fr Paul has not gone very far in life, though that would not be true.  After his ordination he served until 1996 in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.  From 1996 until 2008 he worked at the Claret Centre, Buckden Towers, in Cambridgeshire, before moving to Hayes for a year where he served until he went to Rome to serve as a member of the General Leadership team of the Claretian Missionaries from 2009 until 2015.”

During his time in the General Leadership team Fr Paul travelled all over the world; he recalls one year in particular where he stayed in eighty different locations across four continents!

Working for Solidarity with South Sudan

In addition to now being Parish Priest and President of CoR,  he is also Regional Superior of the Claretian Missionaries in the Province of Fatima in the UK and Ireland and in addition, President of Solidarity with South Sudan, an intercongregational project to help the people of that country.

In the Youtube video to celebrate his thirty year anniversary, members of his congregation and parishioners pay warm tributes to him, one confrere describing him as a “super active man!”  A longstanding parishioner who read at his ordination Mass said the parish was delighted that he is now back in their midst – adding jokingly that “he is very pushy – he always wants you to do things – but we love him for that!”

An accomplished cook, Fr Paul is the maitre d’ at parish events

Reflecting back, Fr Paul gave thanks for the support of his congregation and parishioners and said he’d been blessed by the opportunity to serve so many different people in so many places. He said that in compiling the video he’d been reminded of how his life as a Priest has been exciting and certainly never boring. He expressed thanks to all those who have supported him along the way – “a life of many blessings” he concluded.

To view the Youtube video, copy and paste this link: https://youtu.be/walk0ZO7tOU

Singing the Salve Regina with his congregation

Sunderland Sisters explore new forms of outreach after the acclaim of their Thursday NHS singalongs

Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland say they are “totally taken aback” at the international reaction to their weekly singalong for the NHS outside their convent – and are now actively investigating new forms of outreach to their local community, building on the links developed in recent months.

Outside St Anthony’s Convent

The Sisters witnessed a growing number of local people joining them with  every passing week. Their singing caught the attention of local journalists and was then picked up by global news outlets, featuring, for instance, on the main news website in Australia and also on CNN in the US.

The Sisters are well known in Sunderland for their role in education, but Sister Adrienne says the weekly community event has led them to forge links with  a much wider number of local people: “We’re getting so many calls from past pupils, parents and staff but there are now so many others who we’re able to reach out to, particularly the isolated. A lot of people were driving to the convent, parking up and winding down their windows to take part in the singing; there was a real community feeling. The response has been amazing, it really has snowballed!”

The Sisters are accustomed to being active in parish and voluntary work but during the pandemic have increasingly used the telephone to support people who are alone:

“A lot of people are feeling very isolated, and we have been able to reach out to so many more now. They are seeing us in a different way. They’ve known us as teachers but they haven’t seen a group of us standing in the street, singing and clapping!  It has really struck a chord and a number of people have contacted us, who wouldn’t have done otherwise,” adds Sr Adrienne, herself a former French teacher.

As a community they are now reflecting on the legacy of this experience which “came out of the blue!” “We want to build on these new links – we just think God must be opening new doors to us.”

The Sisters are also active in supporting the local school with the provision of a food bank  for those who are struggling in the current circumstances. “Some people are having a really hard time and parents know they can come and get a food parcel. Because of coronavirus we can’t get involved in the community in the way we normally would, but we feel we are reaching out through this means as well” reflects Sr Adrienne.

So what are the plans for the future?  Well  a recent initiative saw Sixth Formers compile a vocal compilation online, with students and Sisters singing together. “We’re reflecting on next steps and having conversations” says Sr Adrienne.  “So much has changed during lockdown. Even community life and our prayer life has taken on a new dimension. Not having Mass has meant each Sister has taken it in turn to prepare and lead services, which has been really enlightening and very creative;   we feel very blessed. We have bonded more in this time and the opportunity to reflect more on Scripture has led me to see things I’ve never seen before, despite having read the words many times in the past. It’s just a different way of seeing things. We’re finding a new way of living. Things won’t be exactly as they were……”

CoR appoints new safeguarding specialist

The Conference of Religious of England and Wales has expanded its Secretariat with the recruitment of a new Safeguarding Adviser. Dani Wardman brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked as a consultant helping organisations and institutions, including religious congregations, to implement and embed safeguarding policy and strategy. She has also worked in various roles as a volunteer, chief officer and trustee for charities working with abuse survivors. 

CoR’s General Secretary, Valerie Nazareth, commented: “We hope that Dani’s arrival will not only mean that we can help ensure better provision for Religious in terms of safeguarding but will also enable us to look at a wider range of issues - as time will be freed up to focus on other matters.”  The President of CoR, Fr Paul Smyth CMF added: “We had a very strong field of candidates and it was a competitive recruitment process.  We are delighted with this new appointment.”

Dani, who will take up her post straight away, said:  “It is a very exciting time to be joining CoR with so much impending change on the horizon. I hope to dispel all of the fear and anxiety around safeguarding and empower CoR’s members to perform their safeguarding duties to the highest standard. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as such the process and policy needs to be robust but it also needs to be straightforward and accessible to all. The concept of safeguarding [to protect people from harm] is a foundation stone of religious life and therefore the process to uphold this fundamental practice should be just as intuitive.”   

One of eight safeguarding meetings involving over 100 people

The creation of the new Adviser role comes as CoR prepares to respond to the findings of IICSA later this year.  During June an extensive range of meetings were held, via zoom, primarily with congregational leaders around England and Wales,  to update them and provide information about an Independent Review into Safeguarding in the Catholic Church, being led by Ian Elliott.

CoR organised seven meetings for leaders and an additional one for safeguarding leads. Over one hundred people attended. Valerie Nazareth reflected : “It was a good opportunity to meet and we plan to have other similar sessions as matters develop this year.  We gathered a lot of useful feedback which will be provided to the Independent Review.”

Congregations urged to put their buildings at the disposal of the homeless amid the pandemic

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ visiting the kitchens of The Connaught Hotel where meals have been prepared to feed the homeless via St Patrick's, Soho Square.

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, the chair of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, has issued a direct plea to congregations in England & Wales: “have you got buildings that you are no longer using or could spare temporarily,  which could be adapted to house the many homeless who are about to find themselves back on the streets as the lockdown eases?”

The government’s ‘Everyone In’ campaign saw 1,200 homeless people moving from the streets to hotels in Greater London.   Local authorities have now been asked to move on those clients.  Up to 70% of these have no recourse to public funds.  Overall, around 5,400 homeless people who have been housed in emergency pandemic accommodation for three months face the prospect of returning to rough sleeping.

“We are working with local authorities and businesses to ensure shelter, food and pastoral care to those who will have to leave hotels in early July,” said Fr Dominic, adding that some with health and addiction issues have been in better health in accommodation and still need support.

But he’s also issued a warning about a new dimension to the human misery : “people who have lost jobs and homes during the pandemic – and they are pouring onto the streets in growing numbers – who need to be looked after.”

Caritas Westminster is keen that none of the people who’ve had a break from rough sleeping have to return to the streets.  It’s appealing for any accommodation across London and Hertfordshire, that might be used to house those individuals.  There will be a full risk assessment with support from the local authorities and agencies, prior to accepting an offer. 

Central London Catholic Churches have been providing emergency food for up to 200 people daily in Trafalgar Square. “Some funds are being promised to rehouse the homeless currently in hotels and we stand ready to work together for a permanent and holistic solution to this affront to human dignity which sees those who have lost everything with nowhere to turn” said Fr Dominic.

Any congregation that might be in a position to  help is asked to email: merielwoodward@rcdow.org.uk 

Suffolk friar takes on feared TV quiz show Chasers

Published by Keith Morris at May 2, 2020

Fr George Donaghy with Beat the Chasers host Bradley Walsh. Picture copyright ITV/Matt Frost/Shutterstock.

A Suffolk Augustine friar was among the first to take on the feared Chasers in new ITV quiz show Beat the Chasers last week.

Fr George Donaghy (OSA), who is based at Clare Priory in Suffolk, took to the stage in the first-ever edition of the new show, broadcast on April 27, but which was filmed at the famous Elstree Studios in north London, back in January. The show pits contestants against up to five of the infamous quizzers.

Fr George, appearing in his collar and habit, was among 10,000 applicants for the show in which he could potentially win many thousands of pounds.

When Fr George, currently part of the Diocese of East Anglia but originally from Birmingham, joined host Bradley Walsh on stage he joked about being a window cleaner and said he might spend any winnings on a Mississippi river boat cruise.

He then correctly answering multiple choice questions about Marmite and Hiccup the Hamster to win himself £2,000 with which to take on the Chasers before getting wrong a question about St Isidore of Seville – patron saint of the Internet.

He then chose to take on Chasers Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett and Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty. With a 25-second head start, Fr George just failed to beat the quiz experts to win his £2,000.

Afterward, Fr George said: “I did not go on expecting to win big money, I just wanted to see how I fared against the Chasers. I left school with poor qualifications in my first year of training for priesthood and religious life in 1998 I was found to be both dyslexic and dyspraxic. However, I was supported in learning how to deal with this by attending the dyslexia centre in Kensington. I ended up enjoying my studies and got a 2:1 from Lampeter via the Beda in Theology.

“Going on the show was about giving witness that priests and religious like quiz shows too and holding my own with the Chasers  – and I felt I did that. The whole production team were very supportive of me being on the show. I felt Bradley Walsh was very good at putting me at ease laughing with me rather than at me.  I am a massive movie buff and was more frustrated with getting the Margot Robbie question wrong than the Isidore of Seville.

“It’s always important for me to present my life as an Augustinian friar and priest as this is me, I am no different from anyone else – the only difference is the life choice. I believe I have been called to it in the same way others are called to marriage, nursing etc. I felt I was allowed to do this on the show and the response has been exceptionally positive. I felt it was a good witness.”

Fr George has previously served within the archdioceses of Birmingham, Edinburgh and St Andrews and Westminster.

Fr G OSA's recently published book

Fr George has also recently published a book called, How in Heaven…? an autobiographical collection of 29 original poems that tells the story of his life thus far.

“Over the years people have been intrigued by story and asked me to get something in print and I found poetry the best medium for me,” he said.

It is available on Amazon Kindle for £4.85 and paperback from Augustinian press by email clarepriory@clarepriory.net paperbacks are £5.

Click here to watch the programme featuring Fr George.

Listen to Fr George talk about his TV quiz show experience on BBC Radio Suffolk here.

Fr G OSA Writes:

Often when visiting my Dad in Birmingham we would watch quiz shows and I would find myself answering the questions, Dad would say why don't you apply. Slowly that seed grew within me and I wanted to appear on a TV quiz show which became a part of my bucket list.

At the beginning of 2019 my mum passed after a long battle with vascular dementia. Come the end of 2019 I hoped 2020 would be more positive so I decided to tick off a couple of things off on the bucket list. Two in particular was to appear on a tv quiz show (tick) and publish a book. I composed an autobiographical book of 29 poems that tell the story of my life so far. For some time people have been asking me to tell my story and I found poetry to be a format in which I could do that. The plan was to have the book published at the same time as appearing on the show (I had been working on it since I turned 50 in 2016) We just managed to do it (so that's another tick.)

Obviously 2020 has turned out to have challenges for us all but I have found the book and the show gave me a purpose and motivation to help with the challenges we are currently facing. I believe in giving witness both as a priest and an Augustinian Friar. That witness involves me saying such things as yes Friars like quiz shows and like to smile. I believe I was encouraged to do this by my brother Augustinians and by the production team on the show. Bradley Walsh was very good at putting me at ease. All in all both experiences have been extremely positive. 

The book is called, "How in heaven...? It is available as a paper back for £5 from Augustinian press, the email is clarepriory@clarepriory.net or can be downloaded for £4.85 from Amazon Kindle.

Religious Life for Women in East and Central Africa: a sustainable future

Sr. Anita Kimbwene, a young Tanzanian sister who took part.

Over the last 3 years a team from the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge and the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham university carried out research into the sustainability of religious life for women in East and Central Africa. The researchers heard from nearly 650 sisters from 80 congregations across 5 countries in the region. Sisters shared with the researchers their great love for the gift of their vocation. Their joy in this vocation to follow Christ is rooted in a vibrant life of prayer and worship.

Sr. Christine Keneema DM, sister from Uganda who worked with us on the project, speaking at symposium in London last October

The theme of community life emerged as the prominent and almost defining expression of the life, followed by their roles as witnesses and evangelistic, evident in the wide range of apostolic activities undertaken. Sisters also shared many concerns and challenges. They know that if their form of religious life is to continue to flourish, sustainability needs to be understood in ways beyond and underpinning financial and ministerial considerations.

The report found sisters conscious of the need to address the spiritual integrity of their congregations and their fidelity to their patrimony and charisms, often brought from Europe and North America, or developed locally at diocesan level by Bishops. They also share their struggles to make and take up their role in the local church and have their presence and contribution recognised and respected.

Religious Life for Women in East and Central Africa: a sustainable future. Report of a research project on sisters’ understandings of the essence of religious life for women in East and Central Africa 2017 – 2020 by Dr. Catherine Sexton and Dr. Maria Calderón Muñoz, February 2020

Full Report

Summary Report

Photo of the sisters - theologians & canon lawyers, who came together as theological commentators on the project.