Faith in Action
From its foundation, the Cathedral community has always looked outwards, helping those in need. That charism of care and friendship, rooted in faith, continues today.
SVP
The Society of St Vincent de Paul
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is a lay organisation formed of local ‘Conferences’; small groups of 8-10 people working for the relief of those in need.
For many that need is financial or material and, as such, we can provide furniture, clothing, food vouchers and household goods. We also help clients to access the benefits system and deal with housing issues. For others, that need might be relational. A large proportion of our work is visiting the sick, lonely and housebound, typically on a weekly basis. We accompany people at hospital appointments, do grocery shopping, and often just pop in for a chat.
We also make use of our minibus, bringing the elderly and disabled to Sunday Mass at Westminster Cathedral, and provide holidays for those in need.
The Cathedral SVP group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, potential new members are always welcome.
Email: SVPCathedral@rcdow.org.uk
Homeless Support
Central London Catholic Churches (CLCC)
Meeting twice a week in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, the CLCC is a joint venture between the Catholic parishes of Central London to feed and support those who find themselves rough sleeping.
It began life as a stall on Trafalgar Square at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, feeding approximately 200 people a day, at a time when all indoor ventures were forced to close.
There is a great tradition in Westminster Cathedral parish of helping the homeless and, indeed we are blessed with The Passage and the Cardinal Hume Centre, where many of our parishioners volunteer. We are also proud to host a winter night shelter once a week during the coldest months, along with six other religious institutions, providing a hot meal and breakfast the following morning. Contact Clergy House Reception for more information.
Email: Contact@clcc.uk
Facebook | Website
‘I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’
MATTHEW 25:40
The Legion of Mary
With over 10 million members worldwide, the Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organisation of lay people in the Catholic Church.
For the most part, Legion members fall into two categories, active and auxiliary. Active members pray, attend meetings and work in pairs to assist the parish priest with evangelisation, and visiting the sick or housebound. Auxiliary members are usually unable to attend meetings, but devote themselves to the Rosary and to prayer.
Weekly meetings are held in a Præsidium, or local branch, to pray, discuss business and to have some spiritual input from the Spiritual Director. There are two Præsidia in Westminster Cathedral:
Mater Purissima and Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, both meeting in the Hinsley Room on Mondays, from 1.30pm to 3pm.
For more information, email Fr Javier (below). Please note that, due to the sensitive nature of our work, all active members are subject to safeguarding checks.
Email: JavierRuiz@rcdow.org.uk
Interfaith Group
Founded in the early 2010’s, the Interfaith Group was an initiative exploring spirituality, but the remit of topics has grown substantially.
We explore Papal documents, welcome speakers from various traditions and visit a variety of mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras and temples. We have even taken part in interfaith walks and tours.
We meet in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace on the third Wednesday of the month from 2pm to 3.30pm. No need to book, all welcome.
Email: John Woodhouse
Facebook
