Archdiocese of Southwark 2022 Spring Assembly by the Justice and Peace Commission on Saturday 25th June 2022 at St Paul Catholic Church, 103 Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent CT16 1RU. Preceded by Mass at 10.00am at St Edmunds Chapel, Priory Road, Dover CT16 1BB. Registration 10.40am. Programme 11am to 4pm. Entitled: Caught in the Act: How do we open a sea of hospitality in a distorted world for people fleeing countries of war, climate and economic disaster, when the Nationality and Borders Act and removal to Rwanda threaten their very being? Plus navigating the challenges to find opportunities in offering safe sanctuary to the people from Ukraine. Keynote speakers from major organisations. Everyone welcome. Entrance is free. Lunch is provided. Donations suggested. Email: jpiccontact@rcaos.org.uk or just turn up on the day. Finishing with a prayer service at the sea front and ice-creams on the beach.
 "The family, which is founded and given life by love, is a community of persons." (Familiaris Consortio 18) Saint Pope John Paul II.
Dear Clergy of Southwark, This summer we are all invited to spiritually gather as a World Family in Christ to celebrate the joy, love, and glory that is the vocation of family life through The World Meeting of Families (WMF), Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th June 2022. At past meetings most families stayed at home with the meeting perceived as being something remote, at most followed on television, and unknown to the majority of families. This time WMF will have a special format with an opportunity provided by providence to create a worldwide event that can involve all families that would like to feel part of the ecclesial community. Under the title 'Rome at Home' we will be developing ways to celebrate the gift of family life. In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis speaks about the importance of parish life. He refers to Saint Pope John Paul II's description of a parish as "the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters" (Christifideles Laici,26). We are encouraged and strengthened through our community, while we are formed by the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis highlights that a parish is called to be the presence of the Church in a community, providing a place where people can hear God's word, grow in discipleship, and extend themselves in love to the poor and needy, bringing families together – a place where we can pray, worship, and celebrate together. (Amorim Laetitia 87,88). In a 2005 address, Pope Benedict XVI described the parish as an extended family that "brings together brothers and sisters who have no desire for power or selfish interests, but who live in the joy of the charity of God, who is love." It is when we come together at Mass, as a community in Christ, that we see the great variety of families who make up our extended parish family. It is a special joy when we see young families taking part in the Mass and engaged in the life of the parish. When the babies are crying, or fidgety children are making a noise; these are all signs that the Church is young and alive; a community of young families, mature families, extended families, young and old together. The world meeting of families will offer a great opportunity to remember those families who have fallen away during the pandemic for whatever reason, reflecting on the recent synodal questions: "Are we aware of those at the edge of our community?" and "Are we welcoming?" What better way to celebrate the joy of family life, than to embrace the opportunity that is this year's World Meeting of Families, inviting everyone back home to Mother Church to celebrate just as the Father does with the return of the Prodigal Son. Ways to get involved: Perhaps use the opportunity provided by national marriage week (May 16-22) to launch your plans for WMF. 1. Offer each family a card upon which they can write the names of their families and post it into a box that sits on the Sanctuary. Offer a Mass over the WMF weekend for all those families. 2. Share the prayer card with all members of your parish and encourage its use. Perhaps pray it together at the end of the Mass on June 18/19 and 25/26 June – the two weekends nearest the WMF. 3. Hold a parish picnic to celebrate the joy of family life that coincides with the closing of the WMF, Sunday 26 June. Pope Francis will be delivering a message during the Angelus on that Sunday.
Why not get your welcomers to encourage the parish, particularly families whose children are preparing for receiving a particular sacrament. Building up and supporting families doesn't have to stop after June 26! Let us know how we, the Marriage and Family Life Team, can support you. Please contact us on email: mflse@rcaos.org.uk; mflsw@rcaos.org.uk; mflkent@rcaos.org.uk Or look on the diocesan website for more information https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1173050 Canon Michael talks about Pope St John Paul II's visit to the UK in 1982, starting at 19 minutes.
This week the second collection will be taken up for World Communications Day.
 Thank you so much for your generosity this Lent Fast Day, and special thanks to those who took part in the Walk Against Hunger. All your efforts really make a difference, and in fact, with your help, we were able to raise over £300,000 to help those struggling with hunger. We also deeply appreciate your contribution to our Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and your continued support for the people affected by the war. We’ve raised over £2.7 million for the Appeal so far. You can read about how the funds are being used by Caritas and other CAFOD Partners on our Ukraine news webpage. Thank you again!
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