Cathedral Life >
The Society
of Friends of Westminster Cathedral
Who are the Friends?
Anyone
can become a Friend of Westminster Cathedral. The Friends number almost
two thousand Catholics and non-Catholics, including local parishioners,
visitors from overseas, sightseers and architectural admirers of our great
Cathedral. There are Friends of Westminster Cathedral from every part
of the World. Everyone
who is interested in the spiritual life, history, architecture or music
of the Cathedral is encouraged to support us by joining the Friends. If
you love this Cathedral and want to help sustain it for the years to come,
please do something! Become a Friend
of Westminster Cathedral today.
History
of the Friends of Westminster Cathedral
Our Society was founded in 1977 to promote the Catholic faith in Westminster
and to help the Cathedral and her mission. The Society raises funds for
the Cathedral where they are needed, to contribute towards its embellishment
(for example our Mosaics work) and to support the Cathedral’s renowned
musical tradition. Since its foundation, the Society has raised money
to decorate the Vaughan Chantry, to purchase new chairs and hymn books
and to install a new sound system to name only a few projects undertaken.
The principal aims of the Society are to financially and socially support
the Cathedral and its community. The Society arranges several fundraising
events every year in order to achieve these purposes.
The Society is well-known for its enjoyable social and musical events
and participation in these is a great way of getting to know people who
love Westminster Cathedral.
There is much work to be done to sustain the Cathedral, and, to ensure
it will be here for future generations. Our Society recognises the national
importance of Westminster Cathedral as a place of prayer and peace, and
its importance to pilgrims and parishioners as a source of hope and forgiveness.
The Friends exist to preserve the Cathedral as a centre of musical excellence,
a historical treasure, and a focal point for the community.
Forthcoming Friends Events
2008
Tuesday 13 May, Abbot Cuthbert Johnson of Quarr Abbey on "The Relevance of Monasticism in a Secular Society", how the Benedictines can guide and comfort us in the 21st century, Cathedral Hall, 6.30pm, £12.50.
Wednesday 21 May, Hatfield House, day trip to Hertfordshire, 10.30am, £27.50 including lunch
Thursday 22 May, King’s College (London) Chapel, Mass at 1.10pm followed by talk by Fr Tim Ditchfield on the chapel’s history, refreshments available in College refectory, £10
Wednesday 4 June, Jane Austen, coach trip to Jane’s home for the last 8 years of her life Chawton House Hampshire, also visit to Winchester Cathedral, 9.15am start, £30.
Tuesday 24 June, Schubert’s Three Piano Sonatas, recital by Oliver Brett Organ Scholar, Cathedral Hall, 7.00pm, £15 including refreshments.
For tickets for all events please contact Christina White in the Friends office on 020 7798 9059 .
Click here
to read more about recent Friends' events
How do I become a Friend?
Join us now by completing the application form.
These can be obtained from the Friends' Director at the Friends Office.
Please call us on +44 20 7798 9059 or send an email to christinawhite@rcdow.org.uk
or click here
for an application form to print and complete.
How does the Society operate?
The Society is managed by the elected Council. The Friends' Director
acts as the operational centre of the Friends
Friends Events include
- Choristers' Recitals
- Talks by eminent Speakers
- Tours of rarely seen parts of the Cathedral
- Quiz Evening
- Club Dinners
- Candlelit Concerts
- Christmas receptions and tea parties
- Visits to historic and religious sites
- Golf Days
- Quiet Days of Recollection
- Receptions after major Cathedral events .
What does Membership cost?
Annual Membership of the Friends costs just £25 per year.
Life Membership costs £250 and Overseas Membership costs £35
per year.
What does Membership include?
- The Friends’ Newsletter published twice a year.
- Advance notice and priority booking for all Friends events including
a "secret" tour of the Cathedral and a reception in the Throne
Room after the annual dedication Mass.
- The opportunity to further develop a Cathedral dedicated to prayer and
to the glory of God.
- A copy of the Friends' Report and Accounts.
MISSION STATEMENT
COLLEGE
OF CHAPLAINS
CATHEDRAL
PARISH
SACRAMENTS
CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY
Thursday 22 May King’s College (London) Chapel Mass at 1.10pm followed by talk by Fr Tim Ditchfield on the chapel’s history, refreshments available in College refectory, £10 |
Society of Friends Key Contacts
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 Christina White Friends' Director |
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 Barry Lock Mosaics Appeal Group |
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American Friends |
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Westminster Cathedral 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW
United Kingdom
Email
us Tel: 020 7798 9055 Fax: 020 7798 9090 Registered
Charity Number 233699
