Category: Events

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin February 2022

Racial Justice Sunday – 13th February 2022
Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin February 2022Download

The E-Bulletin for this months lists events in the Diary Dates for CAFOD, Caritas Westminster, the Southern Dioceses Environment Network, the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT), the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) and many others. Please take a look!

If you have a peace or justice related event that you would like to advertise in the March E-Bulletin do please get in touch with all the details by 28th February. 

In particular, this month we invite you to visit the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales website to view and download resources for Racial Justice Sunday on 13th February 2022:

13th February: Racial Justice Sunday – Theme: In the Image and Likeness of God. Celebrating different presentations of the Holy Family from different countries and cultures. Materials for this year are published by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales:

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/rjs22/

Prayer – All Catholics are encouraged to mark the day by praying the words of Pope Francis taken from his encyclical letter ‘Fratelli Tutti’, On fraternity and Social Friendship:

Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew
that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity
that God so loves.
Amen.

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin February 2022Download

Scripture Festival at St Alban’s Cathedral 3-5 February

Westminster Justice and Peace will be among the groups taking part in the Scripture Festival at St Alban’s Cathedral from Thursday 3rd – Saturday 5th February 2022.

Colette Joyce (Justice & Peace Co-ordinator), Fr Dominic Robinson SJ (Justice & Peace Chair), Aisling Griffin (Pax Christi Schools and Youth Education Officer) and Elke Springett (Caritas Volunteer Service) will be among those offering Scripture Circles.

Come and find us in the ‘Living the Word’ tent of encounter between 10am – 3.30pm each day.

You can find out more about the whole programme on the diocesan website:

https://rcdow.org.uk/scripturefestival/whats-on/

Holocaust Memorial Day

Photo Credit: CBCEW

Source: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Holocaust Memorial Day is marked on 27 January each year and is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides which followed including Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It helps us to learn more about the past, empathise with others today, and take action for a better future.

Listen to the story of a 97 year old holocaust survivor; Stella Zylbersztajn-Tzur, here: www.cbcew.org.uk/holocaust-survivors-story/. She was placed in Losice Ghetto in eastern Poland at the age of 15 but was able to escape during its ‘liquidation’ on 22 August 1942. The majority including her mother were killed.

Resources

Resources for Churches produced by the Council for Christians and Jews offer further explanation of the theme as well as poetry, psalms, prayers, a Scriptural reflection, further reading and more.

Download the PDF: www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/HMD22-CCJ-Resources.pdf

The Council of Christians and Jews is a nationwide forum for Christian-Jewish engagement.

Prayer

As well as the PDF resource, the Council of Christians and Jews offers the ‘One Day’ Prayer that can be said on or around Holocaust Memorial Day: www.cbcew.org.uk/the-one-day-prayer/

Bishop

Speaking shortly after a visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, back in 2020, Bishop Declan Lang, the Chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department, gave a short message on Holocaust Memorial Day.

Listen here: www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-lang-holocaust-memorial-day/

Images

Our photographer has visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp on many occasions – some in the presence of Popes.

You can view the full photo album on the Catholic Bishops Conference Flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/albums/72157718046179312/

Memorial Vigil with the Iona Community

Holocaust Memorial Day Vigil with the Iona Community at Iona Abbey on Thursday 27 January 19.00-19.30.

In partnership with Interfaith Scotland, there will be reflections & prayers from Iona Abbey, with music from island musicians and contributions from people from different religious traditions.

Register at: https://iona.org.uk/2022/01/25/holocaust-memorial-day-vigil-1900-on-27th-january/

An Appeal for Prayer for Peace in Ukraine – Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, Duke Street, London, 26 January 2022, 4.30pm

His Holiness Pope Francis and His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, have appealed to everyone of good will to participate in prayer for peace in Ukraine on Wednesday 26 January. 

Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Duke Street and Weighhouse Street in London W1K 5BQ will be holding a special prayer service for peace in Ukraine at 4:30 pm on 26 January. 

Everyone is welcome to join us.  It is part of a 12-hour marathon of prayer in Ukrainian Catholic Cathedrals and parishes throughout the world.  The marathon of prayer for peace in Ukraine will be live broadcast beginning at 07:00 – on the Ukrainian Catholic TV YouTube channel (above).

Peace Sunday 2022, 16th January

Pax Christi England and Wales (Catholic movement for Peace)

Each year on Peace Sunday we promote the Pope’s World Day of Peace message (available here); this year it is entitled: ‘Dialogue between generations, education and work: tools for building lasting peace’. Pope Francis highlights how education is fundamental for peace.

Peace Sunday is promoted with the support of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Pax Christi’s work is inspired by our Christian faith; but is open to all who support its values. We strive for a world where people can live peacefully through reconciliation, justice and non-violence.

Pax Christi depends very much on financial contributions we receive from Peace Sunday parish collections.  In the present circumstances we would be extremely grateful for anything you can give towards events and campaigns.

GOD OF LOVE
Show us our place in this world as
channels of your love for all the
creatures of this earth, for not one of
them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and
money, that they may love the common
good, advance the weak, and care for
this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out.
O LORD, seize us with your power and
light, help us to protect all life, to
prepare for a better future, for the
coming of your Kingdom of justice,
peace, love and beauty.
PRAISE BE TO YOU! AMEN.

Pope Francis (adapted from Laudato Si’)

There will be an online reflection at 4pm on zoom, organised by Pax Christi members from Wrexham Diocese. Click here to register. All welcome, once registered you will receive an email with information on how to join.

Pax Christi Website

Next Monthly Prayer Vigil outside the Home Office – 17 January 2022, 12.30pm

The next monthly prayer vigil at the Home Office, Marsham Street, SW1, calling for Safe Passage for refugees and mourning those who have died trying to reach a place of safety, will take place on Monday, 17 January from 12.30-1.30pm.

In a leaflet for passers-by, the organisers, Westminster Justice and Peace and London Catholic Worker, say: 

‘We hold this prayer vigil every month in memory of all the men, women and children who have died in their attempt to reach Europe and the UK, as they fled from war, poverty and persecution. We are here because we believe in the human dignity and freedom of movement of all people and God’s commandment to love and welcome our brothers and sisters. We respect refugees as fellow children of God, not as aliens.

‘According to UNHCR there are currently 60 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 20 million who are refugees in other countries. The majority are hosted in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan and Ethiopia. Developing countries host 86% of the world’s refugee population.

‘Even though the UK is one of the world’s richest countries and its foreign interventions are arms trade help perpetuate the wars from which so many people are trying to escape, our government is refusing to welcome refugees. Instead, increasingly severe border controls are forcing refugees trying to reach Europe or the UK to take dangerous routes via the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas and the English Channel, thus causing their deaths.

‘Meanwhile, in the UK, refugees fleeing violence and persecution are frequently detained in inhuman conditions, and more recently, housed in substandard accommodation such as decommissioned barracks. The process of claiming asylum can be highly arduous and frustrating and little support is provided, leaving people even more vulnerable and alienated. Many refugees and migrants living in the UK have no recourse to public funds, and are completely destitute.

‘We call on the UK government to create safe passage for refugees in recognition of their human dignity and the fact that asylum should be extended to them. We prayer that more and more people across Europe will stand up in solidarity with refugees and migrants. We pray for an end to the arms trade, militarism, and neo-colonialism that cause the conditions of poverty and conflict forcing millions of people to flee their homes.’

For more information or to join the group please contact Barbara Kentish, Migrant and Refugee Lead for Westminster Justice & Peace Commission: barbarakentish@talktalk.net

Westminster Justice and Peace E-Bulletin January 2022

Westminster Justice & Peace E-Bulletin January 2022Download

Dear Friends of Justice & Peace,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As 2022 begins, we wish you hope and encouragement to face all the challenges that the new year brings.

In the introduction to this month’s E-Bulletin Sr Elizabeth O’Donohoe reflects on her 20 years’ service with the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission on the occasion of her retirement. We thank her for all the grace and wisdom she has brought to the role. 

Sr Liz O’Donohoe (far right) receiving the Wilson-Hinkes Peace Prize award in 2018

PEACE SUNDAY 

Looking ahead, the month of January gives us the opportunity to reflect on Peace with Peace Sunday the centre of our focus on Sunday 16th January 2022. The Pope’s World Peace Message this year has as its central theme: “Education, work and dialogue between generations: tools for building lasting peace.” More inspiration can be found in The Tablet article: Catholics urged to mark Peace Sunday (thetablet.co.uk)  

ENVIRONMENT

Westminster Justice & Peace are working closely together with all the other Diocesan Agencies this year to implement the Westminster ‘Road to Carbon Neutrality Strategy’, especially Property Services, Education, Fundraising and Caritas. We also helping to co-ordinate a new network for the Southern Catholic Dioceses. The launch event is on Monday 10th January, 12.45-2.00pm and anyone with an interest in the climate and environment is invited to attend that. 

Booking with Eventbrite

There are many events of interest to be found in the Diary Dates of the E-Bulletin. Download a copy now!

Westminster Justice & Peace E-Bulletin January 2022Download

Launch of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network – Monday 10th January 2022, 12.45pm

Everyone with a heart for the environment is welcome to join us for the first online meeting of a new network of Catholics in the South of England committed to the care of our common home.

Throughout 2021 a group of Catholics from London and the South-East met on Zoom every Monday lunchtime for prayer, sharing, discussion and mutual support on the Care of Creation in preparation for COP26 which took place in Glasgow, 1-12 November.

We are now moving into a new phase with a new name for 2022.

The Southern Dioceses Environment Network plans to meet monthly online on the second Monday of the month and also organise in-person events when possible during the year.

We will also be liaising with the Northern Dioceses Environment Group and other ecumenical, interfaith and civic groups as we all work together to animate action to tackle the climate crisis and address other environmental concerns in the run-up to COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, 7-18 November 2022 and beyond.

Participants to date include CAFOD staff and volunteers, Justice and Peace, Caritas, clergy, religious, parishioners, Laudato Si’ Animators, Journey to 2030, Christian Climate Action (XR), environmental charities, activists and interested individuals, young and old. You are most welcome to join us or attend as a one-off to find out more.

Register in advance with Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/220575847297

Prayer Vigil Outside the Home Office – Monday 13th December 12.30pm

London Catholic Worker and Westminster Justice and Peace invite you to join in our Prayer Vigil outside the Home Office, 2 Marsham St, London SW1P 4DF on Monday 13th December 2021, 12.30pm – 1.30pm 

On Wednesday 24th November, 27 people died when their boat capsized in the English Channel.  These numbers are shocking, but the people who died were not numbers. They were human beings, with a name, a face and a story.  We will read out their names  and the names of others who have died trying to reach the UK and Europe, thanks to the lack of any safe process.  We will pray for them, for their families and all of those who are still attempting this terrible journey. 

We will pray for those who profit from their desperation, and those who create the policies that give them little option but to embrace these dangers.  Since 1993, nearly 50,000 people have died either at sea or in tragic circumstances on their journeys, seeking safety in Europe. 

Bring your prayers, your pain and concern to the vigil, where we join in spirit with thousands who want to see an end to such suffering and tragedy.  

There will be prayers outside the Home Office on the third Monday of every month in 2022, that these deaths may not have been in vain, and serve instead to bring justice for people seeking sanctuary.  

Contacts for more information: Barbara Kentish, Westminster Justice & Peace Lead for Migrants and Refugees barbarakentish@talktalk.net  and Johannes Maertens from London Catholic Worker johanmaertens@hotmail.com