World Day of Migrants and Refugees
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is this coming Sunday 25th September. Take a look at our web page for ideas – there may be items on there which you might like to share with your congregations on social media or via e-mail. It also contains links to the Pope’s message and the message from Bishop Paul McAleenan.
In your bidding prayers on Sunday, please remember all those who have travelled from their homes, whether seeking sanctuary or a better life for their families.
Some of your parishioners may like to travel to Westminster Cathedral on to join us for the International Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, on Sunday at 5.30pm.
Urgent call for hosts for Asylum Seekers
Hosting a homeless asylum seeker can be a rewarding experience for a host and a true life-line for the individual who is housed this way.
There are different hosting schemes available and they are all looking to accept more volunteer hosts. The schemes will support you as a host during the hosting placement. Clients will continue to receive ongoing support from the charity referring them to help them resolve their immigration situation and end their homelessness for good.
In particular St Mungo’s are currently working with seven people still housed in hotels and in need of somewhere to stay. The situation is urgent as the funding for the hotels comes to an end at the end of September and without a hosting solution these individuals are likely to be rendered homeless.
Please mention the idea of hosting to anyone in your community who might be in a position to consider it, and/or include the information in your parish newsletter or website. In the first instance, potential hosts should contact Rosa Lewis, Caritas Project Lead for Refugees: rosalewis@rcdow.org.uk
Firm Foundations in a Cost of Living Crisis
A free, one-day conference, to be held on Saturday 12th November at All Saints Catholic College, St Charles Square, London W10 6EL
Open to representatives from all parishes, schools, SVP conferences and social action projects in the Diocese, who can then share and use what they have learned for the benefit of their community.
To find out more and register – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/firm-foundations-in-a-cost-of-living-crisis-tickets-422656796857
Any queries, please contact silvanadallanegra@rcdow.org.uk
Community meals at schools and parishes with FoodCycle
We would like to share a potential partnership opportunity for parishes and schools with the charity FoodCycle.
FoodCycle is a charity which sources (surplus) food, recruits volunteers, cook, and manages free three-course community meals across the UK. These meals take place once a week and many of them in church and school halls. We are delighted that a dining project exists with FoodCycle at Our Lady of Fatima Church, White City, and would love to support more. There is no cost to parishes or schools for this service, all that is needed is a kitchen and dining space. FoodCycle additionally helps with purchasing any cooking equipment that may be needed, as well as managing the community meal every week. And, don’t worry – they also clear up fully after every event.
This could be an opportunity for your parish to provide a free hot meal to people each week and also to tackle isolation, during what are likely to be some difficult months ahead.
If you are interested, please get in touch with Caritas Project Lead for Food, Niki Psarias nikipsarias@rcdow.org.uk
Celebrating 45 years of Caritas St Joseph’s
You, and any parishioners interested, are cordially invited to join us as we celebrate 45 years of the mission of Caritas St Joseph’s – supporting those with intellectual disabilities both at the lifelong learning centre in Hendon, and in our communities.
Saturday 8th October Mass of Celebration at Westminster Cathedral 2.00PM, followed by refreshments.
Email Gail Williams gailwilliams@rcdow.org.uk
World Homeless Day and Prisoners Sunday
Monday 10th October is World Homeless Day and many Christian organisations and churches like to mark this with prayers and messages on the closest Sunday – 9th October. Look out for posts on this topic from Caritas Westminster on our social media pages nearer to the time.
However, we are aware that Sunday 9th October is also Prisoners Sunday, and our friends at PACT have produced a page of resources which you might like to use if you choose to mark this equally good cause: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisoners-sunday
To follow us on Social media go to:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaritasWestm and
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaritasWestminster )
Please include this event in your parish newsletters this weekend
Introduction to Volunteering
Thursday 29th September 2022, 13:00 – 14:00- Online
Find out how to get started with volunteering in a role you love during this free session run by the Caritas Volunteer Service team.
From exploring what your perfect role could be and how to find it, from your first days to how to deal with issues that may crop up along the way, we will cover the basic need-to-knows to get you started.
We will cover:
- Issues to consider before starting to volunteer
- Steps to becoming a volunteer, including applications and interviews
- What is expected of volunteers
- Where to find your perfect volunteering opportunity
Please register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-volunteering-tickets-401315685017