Source: Caritas Westminster

To mark this year’s Education Sunday on 8 September 2024, Sr Silvana Dallanegra, one of the Caritas Westminster Development Team and Lead for Catholic Social Teaching, reflects on the impact of CST and the Caritas Ambassadors programme on schools across the diocese.

I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children (Matthew 11: 25)

Catholic Social Teaching (CST), for too long known as the Church’s ‘best-kept secret’, is now being thoroughly revealed to children, thanks to its growing popularity and new prominence in the Religious Education Directory. A thorough grounding in CST enables children to understand the values and attitudes which must underpin their choices and activities; how to treat other people, especially those who have less than them, and how to treat all of God’s gift of creation.

Caritas Westminster is committed to supporting schools in deepening and developing their Catholic life, particularly through CST. One way is via our Caritas Ambassadors programme, currently being used by over 35 schools across the Diocese of Westminster. This aims to equip pupils with a strong understanding of CST and how they can put it into action in their daily lives: it deepens their understanding of six key themes, helping them to think about social justice issues in their local community before taking them through developing and running their own social action project.

In the five years since we started piloting it, Caritas Ambassadors have led their schools in numerous initiatives, including reaching out to those who are isolated, supporting local homeless projects and food banks, and caring for the environment. They have also led their schools in prayer and campaigning, and in some cases, invited the wider parish community to get involved.

Miss Bessant from St Peter & St Paul Primary in Clerkenwell, recently told us:

This is the second year that we have taken part in Caritas Ambassadors. The children have embraced the different aspects of Catholic Social Teaching and have worked together to identify the needs of their community. As a result, they have built relationships with some of the elderly in the community that attend The Peel Centre. It has been a real honour watching the children grow in love as they embraced their role as a Caritas Ambassador.

Speaking of their collaboration with The Peel Centre, her pupils added:

At our age, we cannot give money or physical gifts, but we can give the gift of our love and time; to let others know that in an age where many things are online, there are still people that care. We are all God’s children, and as Ms Peters, our head teacher always says, Jesus is the tree and we are branches… ready to reach out and share our fruits.

A pupil from St Joseph’s Primary in Chelsea said of their social action initiative:

Looking back, our project was more than just supporting charities; it was a testament to the power of community and participation, and we really showed our ‘love in action.’

A few months ago, we hosted our second Caritas Ambassadors Festival at Westminster Cathedral. In a liturgy led by Bishop Paul McAleenan, Chair of the Caritas Board, almost 400 students came together to present examples of their work and receive certificates for their schools.

Many children spoke of their pride at being able to represent their school, and noted the inspiring effect of hearing and learning from other students.

Mrs Kelliher from The Rosary in Heston said: 

the Festival has been a standout moment for us this half term! The testimonials shared by the other schools were inspiring, and our Ambassadors have already been discussing their next ideas.’

Indeed, a student from St Joseph’s, Harrow, poignantly noted: 

Through his ministry, Jesus taught us how to serve others. Being a part of the festival made me really reflect on what we have already achieved but it also made me think about what else we could do.

We were all in awe as we listened to the Ambassadors sharing not only what they do, but why they do it. It’s so lovely to see children who are not only enthused by social action, but able to understand and demonstrate the underlying principles so well. In the years to come, I hope they will remember this experience, and that they will always be Caritas Ambassadors, called to step forward in love and service wherever they may be.

On this Education Sunday, and as we begin a new academic year, we invite you to pray with us for all the pupils and staff in our schools, as they seek to live their call to follow Jesus, our original Love in Action. Please join us in saying this prayer, written by a Caritas Ambassador from The Rosary Primary School, Heston, and pray especially for all the children who will be taking part in the programme this year:

We pray for all our schools and their Caritas Ambassadors who are leading Faith in Action through their service and care. May our school communities be in unity and solidarity, and may kindness and compassion fill the hearts of those we help. May the Lord’s healing hands touch those who are unfortunate to have to struggle in their lives.

Learn more about Caritas Ambassadors here.

Find out more about our Catholic Social Teaching programmes here.

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked around the country on 27th January 2020. Here is a report from a Year 12 pupil of an event held at his school:

“This year, St Mark’s was proud to host the London Borough of Hounslow’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. The event was attended by several local dignitaries included the Mayor of Hounslow, Tony Louki; Steve Curran, the Council leader; local MPs, faith leaders from across the borough and 150 students from St Mark’s.

As the guests arrived, they were accompanied by the noble sounds of Elgar’s Nimrod, wonderfully played by the string section from St. Mark’s orchestra. Then, people’s attention turned with the processional entrance of the Mayoral party. After all guests had re-taken their seats the Mayor made his opening speech. In his speech they Mayor addressed the importance of the day, while emphasising the power of togetherness and the strength this brings to a society. After the Mayor’s speech, Reverend Richard Frank, Vicar of All Souls Church, Isleworth, took the opportunity to thank all guests present for being there and further emphasised the importance of the day. In commemorating the Holocaust and other genocides, “We count what needs counting”, Rev Frank movingly intoned.

This was followed by a powerful performance, by a group of Year 9 Drama students combining words, music and movement, of the poem Tormented Hearts by Misba Sheikh which was written in response to the atrocities committed in Srebrenica in 1995.

Next up was the guest speaker for the event, Natalie Cummings. Natalie’s talk was absolutely mesmerising as all eyes were glued to her for the entirety of her speech. At the beginning of her speech Natalie presented the audience with some family context. Natalie, stated that her father was of Jewish heritage and violin tutor to the Tsar’s children in Russian in 1917 when they were forced to flee the Bolsheviks and endure a lengthy, daring walk across Western Russia in order to escape. The walk lasted nearly a year and they were phased with hazardous conditions and lack of basic necessities such as food and drink for the entirety of the walk to Minsk. Upon arrival to Minsk, Natalie’s dad and her family were met by other Jews who told them not to enter the village or they would be faced with harsh punishments. After this the family were left with no choice but to look for safety elsewhere.

Eventually they would be given the opportunity to come to England and the family started their new life in Leeds. The family settled down and found comfort in the form of their music, more importantly the violin as Natalie’s grandfather, father and auntie were all successful violinists. Her auntie Rosa was especially successful. In 1935 Rosa was invited to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic. Of course she gratefully accepted the offer, however this would have disastrous consequences for Rosa. In 1938 when the Nazi’s reign of terror was gathering pace, Rosa was arrested and brought to a small concentration camp where she was later transferred to Auschwitz. Upon arrival Rosa’s pride and joy her violin was confiscated by a Nazi officer. Rosa believed that she would never see that violin again. To her disbelief after a few days she was asked to perform in the Auschwitz orchestra who played to those coming into the camp in an attempt to lure them into a false sense of hope. Due to playing in the orchestra Rosa’s violin was given back to her and she managed to survive in Auschwitz all the way up to its liberation.

Unfortunately, Rosa did not live for long after, although she lived long enough to tell Natalie her story and now her story will live on through Natalie and future generations through Natalie’s own talks and her recounting of the family history in her book, The Fiddle. Natalie’s powerful talk, was followed by questions from the assembled students.

After all events had concurred Reverend Frank introduced closing moment of contemplation where all guests participated in a 2 minutes’ silence with candles lit in memorium in front of a very evocative painting of the memorial site in Srebrenica, specially painted for the occasion by the Art department.

The closing speech was made by Council Leader, Steve Curran, who further emphasised the importance not just of commemoration but learning from the events of history to remain vigilant against a current re-emergence of prejudice and ethnic hatred. His words “not only do we need to stand together, but we also need to act together” beautifully summed up the overall message of living together in a peaceful society where nobody is discriminated, thus bringing to close a wonderful ceremony.”

Cormac Divers, Year 12 Pupil, St Mark’s Catholic School, Hounslow