Home >

Newsletter
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
10/11 May 2008
Pentecost Sunday

The Challenge of the Holy Spirit
    I was standing clutching my candle, lost in reverie and staring all about me, when a voice hissed sharply in my ear “You’re meant to be off!” In horror, I started about me and realised that I was standing on my own, in the middle of the sanctuary at Westminster Cathedral, with the Cardinal Archbishop glaring down at me.

    Admittedly, I was only ten years old, and the Cardinal in question was Cardinal Heenan. I had come up for the day from Whitton parish with our altar servers, for we had been given the privilege (and how they let us know it was a privilege!) of serving at the Cathedral. I compounded my ineptitude a few minutes later when holding the water cruet for the Cardinal the wrong way round, and can still recall his tut of annoyance. Exit young server, ignominiously, never to darken the doors of the Cathedral again.

    Little did they know. Little did I know. That sense of awe, of excitement - that delight at the very smell of the place that bewitched me as a boy has never ceased to thrill me as an adult. This place is unique, it gets into the very marrow of the soul, and it brings to life the very faith that it so nobly represents.

    How can one ever be an Administrator? I had no training, no knowledge of finances or building fabric, I had run no committees, chaired no meetings, published no accounts. On this great feast, I can only thank the Holy Spirit, who is forever bringing out of us treasures we never knew we were hiding. The Spirit challenges us into growth – of course, we like to control and anticipate our challenges, but then they are not really challenges. No; the Spirit leads us into situations we had never expected. Not to trick us or take pleasure in watching us squirm, but because the Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves. That same Spirit did not so much add something to the apostles in the Upper Room, as draw out of them their full potential. The Spirit enabled them to articulate the truth that was in their heart, and to fulfil their lives in the service of the Gospel. Stepping down as Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, I thank the Holy Spirit for the many gifts I have received during these years, for the many parishioners and visitors who have helped me be more who I am, and I trust that same Spirit will continue to challenge and to form me. Please remember me in your prayers.
Fr Mark                      

Click here to read Mgr Mark Langham's weblog and here to read recent Newsletter articles

What is Christian Meditation?
Come and find out about this form of prayer. The fourth in a series of six introductory talks is being held on Monday, 5 May from 5.15 to 6.15pm in the Hinsley Room.  All welcome.

Catholic Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf Awareness Day: 15 May, Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace. An opportunity to find out more about the deaf community, learn some liturgical signs and take part in a guided reflection by Fr Paul Fletcher SJ.
St Louise’s Centre, Nigeria.  The Westminster deaf community have supported this project for a number of years. They have asked for help in sending old hearing aids that people no longer use.   For further information contact Shell Roca, email shellroca@rcdow.org.uk or on 020 8202 3611.

Interfaith Group
Meets on Wednesday, 14 May from 4 to 5 pm in the Hinsley Room to discuss ‘Love of neighbour’.  Please collect papers from Clergy House. The third meeting in this series will be on 11 June. Contact John Woodhouse 020 8871 7468.

Filipino Club
Is holding a ‘Flores de Mayo’ party on Saturday, 24 May from 1 – 8 pm in Cathedral Hall in aid of the Cathedral Appeal.  Tickets on sale at the Information Desk, £10 adult, £5 for children from 5-15 years old. 

Day of Recollection for Eucharistic Ministers
A reminder that this will be held on Saturday, 17 May at the Convent in Carlisle Place, starting at 2.30 p.m.

Muscovy – A Russian Evening
Thursday, 15 May, 7pm Cathedral Hall. An evening of words, live music and flavours of Russia. In aid of Welcome Home, helping homeless people make new lives. A joint project with the Cathedral SVP and The Passage. Tickets £20 inc supper. Concessions available. Further info: www.i-was-a-potato-oligarch.com or tel. 020 7630 9779 or the Passage 020 7592 1856.

Quarant’ore
Due to building works being carried out Quarant’ore (22-24 May) has been cancelled. There will be exposition in the afternoon of Saturday, 24 May after 12.30 Mass until before Vespers. There will be a procession following the 6pm Mass.

Pentecost Service
Churches together in Westminster will be holding a united service for Pentecost on Sunday, 11 May at 6.30 pm at St James’s Church, Piccadilly.  All welcome.

Sunday, 11 May
Following 10.30 and 12.15 Masses there will be no tea/coffee will be available in Hall due to a reception after the confirmations.

Farewell Party for Fr Dwayne
Fr Dwayne Bednar will be concluding his term as a Cathedral Chaplain and returning to the US at the beginning of June. At his request, we will use the occasion of the All-Nations Fiesta as a parish farewell party for him. The event takes place on Sunday, 18 May in Cathedral Hall from 10am to 2pm.

Friends’ Events
May 13: Monasticism in Modern Life
Abbot Cuthbert Johnson of Quarr Abbey explains how the precepts of the Benedictine rule can guide and comfort us in the 21st century. Cathedral Hall, 6.30 p.m. Tickets £12.50
May 22: Visit to the Chapel of King’s College
A visit to include Mass has been arranged to the Chapel of King’s College, London. The College Chaplain will celebrate Mass at 1.10pm and this will be followed by a talk on the chapel’s history.  Tickets £10.  Refreshments available either before or after in ‘Chapters’, the College refectory.  
Tickets for all of the above from the Friends Office, 42 Francis Street, SW1 or telephone 020 7798 9059.

All Nations Fiesta
A world of food, music, raffles and silent auctions are featured at the 4th annual All-Nations Fiesta in support of our missionary Twin Parish in Ecuador. The grand prize is a shopping spree of 10 High Street gift vouchers. Sunday, 18 May, Cathedral Hall, admission free. Raffle tickets £1 each or a book for £5. Bid on over 40 restaurant vouchers. Bric-a-brac may be brought to 42 Francis Street.

Silence in the City
The next two talks in the Silence in the City series are:  
1. Dr Cynthia Bourgealt: Putting on the Mind of Christ; Transforming your Consciousness through Contemplative Prayer. Tuesday 20 May 7pm to 9pm. Suggested donation £10. Booking advised.
2. Jean Vanier: The Silence of Tenderness. Saturday, 7 June 10am to 4pm.  Suggested donation £20.  Booking essential.  No tickets at the door. Both events are in Cathedral Hall.  Ring 020 7231 6278 or 020 7252 2453.

Collections 4 May
Mass £6191         Music £523

Clergy House reception is open
Monday – Friday 8.00am – 7.00pm
Saturday & Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Tel: 020 7798 9055.

Friends’ Bridge Evening
The Friends will hold a Bridge evening on Wednesday, 14 May, 6.45-9.15pm in Clergy House. Please come to Clergy House reception, 42 Francis Street. Although players at all levels are welcome we cannot offer lessons to people who have not played before.  Cost £3 including, coffee, tea and biscuits.

World Youth Day 2008
The 23rd WYD will take place in Sydney, Australia 8–22 July 2008. The cost will be £1,800.  Fr Denis will lead the Cathedral group. Please contact him on 020 7798 9068 if you’d like to know more.

American Friends
American taxpayers can receive a US income tax deduction for their contributions to support the work of the Cathedral by sending their contributions to American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization (EIN# 13-2983174). They will also enjoy special events and receive newsletters about Cathedral activities. Donations may also be made through bequests and charitable trusts. Contact Ms Una Chang, President, American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc, P.O. Box 92 New York, NY 10185-0092 e-mail UChang1@aol.com

A large print version of the newsletter is available at Cathedral Clergy House

If you go into Hospital…
Under current legislation, hospital chaplains cannot be given your details. You - or your relatives - will not be visited by a chaplain unless you specifically ask for the catholic chaplain. A list of chaplains to our local hospitals is posted on the notice board at the back of the Cathedral.

A new Healthcare section on the Diocese of Westminster's website provides information about the work of the Hospital Chaplaincy Service and a full listing of Catholic Hospital Chaplains. Click here for more details.

Free money - a gift to the Cathedral!
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can add an extra 28p to every £1 that you give - at no cost to yourself - with Gift Aid. You have already paid tax on your donation; the Government will refund it to us. All you have to do is to fill in a form (giving your name, address and the date) and sign a declaration saying that you pay more tax than the amount that we will reclaim. Leaflets and Gift Aid envelopes are at the back of the Cathedral.

A new way to help our Twin Parish
To make it easier to contribute to Bl. Mother Teresa Parish in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the Diocese of Westminster has established an account here in London. Please make cheques payable to “WRCDT - Fr. Tom Oates” and give cash or cheques to the information desk, the Sunday collection basket or to Clergy House 42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW. The money goes directly to the Free Lunch Programme with no administrative overhead. Include a gift aid form and your donation will be granted a bonus of 28%!

Lifts to Mass
Every Sunday, volunteer drivers and helpers bring disabled and elderly people to the 10.30 Mass. The minimum commitment is about 2 hours every five weeks or so. If you are over 25 and would like to help us please email john@johnmole.com

Mass Times:
Sunday (18.00 Sat), 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.00, 17.30, 19.00
Mon - Fri: 7.00, 8.00, 10.30, 12.30, 13.05, 17.30.
Sat: 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.30, 18.00

Clergy House reception is open, Mon - Fri 8.00 - 19.00
Weekends 10.00 - 13.00. There is usually a priest on duty.
At other times, in an emergency, please call
020 7798 9055.

Collections
4 May Mass £6,191 Music £523

© Westminster Cathedral 2002   |   Credits  |   Glossary   |   Privacy and Legal

Westminster Cathedral   42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW   United Kingdom
Email us Tel: 020 7798 9055   Fax: 020 7798 9090   Registered Charity Number 233699