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IMPACT<br />
REPORT<br />
Stella Maris, to see how they use the resources received from<br />
our Archdiocese to such great effect, each in their own way<br />
revealing the loving face of the Lord Jesus to those most in<br />
need.<br />
Our support for others is made possible through the<br />
work of the Archdiocesan Fundraising team who assist<br />
parishes not only to remain financially stable, with a range<br />
of resources and ongoing assistance, but who facilitate the<br />
means whereby parishes can also support outward looking<br />
initiatives. One of these is the Archbishop’s Appeal. Launched<br />
in November 2022, it has a three-pronged rationale:<br />
1. to strengthen the formation of young people in their<br />
Catholic faith within our schools and parishes, enhancing<br />
the faith-life of parishioners, supporting the work of parish<br />
catechists and the faith journeys of new Catholics - all of<br />
which will serve to enable us to become an ever more<br />
evangelising and missionary Archdiocese;<br />
2. to care for sick and retired priests in their old age and ill<br />
health, as well as supporting the ongoing formation of our<br />
priests and deacons, and the formation of seminarians and<br />
deacons;<br />
3. to put our faith into action by showing compassionate and<br />
active service in the world around us through love for all<br />
people, the protection of human dignity, and respect for the<br />
inter-connectedness of our world and common home by<br />
supporting social outreach projects in parishes and schools.<br />
Yet another piece of good news, which reveals a faith fruitful<br />
in good works, is the creation of our Commission for Racial<br />
Justice and Cultural Inclusion. Although inaugurated in 2021,<br />
this Commission, something of a flagship, has been listening<br />
to, and learning from the experiences of our parishioners, so<br />
as to ensure our Archdiocese remains a safe space for racial<br />
justice engagement and cultural inclusion awareness, where<br />
there is no place for racism, in both our schools and pupils.<br />
In 2022 July the Archdiocese of <strong>Southwark</strong> welcomed three<br />
new priests, and one more in October. We continue to<br />
receive a number of vocation enquiries and Fr Paul Kyne,<br />
our Vocations Director, has planned a number of initiatives<br />
to assist and encourage those who may feel called to<br />
priesthood. Likewise, our Diaconal Formation Team have<br />
been working collaboratively with fellow deacons, and their<br />
wives, to ensure permanent deacons are fully supported in<br />
their ministries within the Archdiocese.<br />
This year has also seen several changes regarding governance<br />
within the Archdiocese. I am grateful to all those who have<br />
assisted over the past three years. Mgr Matthew Dickens, has<br />
stepped down as Vicar General and Chancellor after more<br />
than ten years of service, In June 2022 Fr Joe O’Connor,<br />
who has been my Vicar for Sick and Retired Clergy, retired,<br />
and Fr Jim Hurley also retired as Episcopal Vicar for<br />
Religious: we were subsequently most saddened<br />
to lose him to ill-health. I am immensely grateful to<br />
them all for their fidelity and loving service to those in<br />
their charge, as well as my own appreciation for their<br />
support. I’m also grateful to those who will be taking<br />
up new roles, most notably Mgr Gerry Ewing as Vicar<br />
General and Moderator of the Curia, Canon Gerard<br />
Bradley and Canon Victor Darlington, who are the new<br />
area Episcopal Vicars for the south west and south<br />
east pastoral areas respectively, and Deacon Michael<br />
Kennedy as Chancellor.<br />
This is just an overview of some of the work taking<br />
place in our parishes, schools, chaplaincies, and<br />
agencies. There are so many opportunities to engage<br />
with and learn about our faith, such the online<br />
Evangelium course for those interested in becoming<br />
Catholic, the hybrid services of the Marriage and<br />
Family Life team, supporting marriage and those<br />
who are bereaved, the increasing number of<br />
pilgrimages and retreats and the excellent work of our<br />
Safeguarding Team in keeping the vulnerable in our<br />
community safe.<br />
I am profoundly grateful to each and every one of you<br />
for the part you play in the life of our Archdiocese. I<br />
encourage you to recall Pope Francis’ invitation to the<br />
whole Church, that we reflect on how we might grow<br />
together in communion and deepen our participation<br />
in the life of the Church as, guided by the Holy Spirit,<br />
we become more effective missionary disciples in the<br />
world. May we be encouraged to continue placing our<br />
hope in the Lord Jesus, and may we continue to listen<br />
and discern God’s will in his service and in service to<br />
each other<br />
With the assurance of my prayers and blessing<br />
Yours sincerely in Christ<br />
Archbishop John Wilson<br />
Metropolitan Archbishop of <strong>Southwark</strong><br />
Receiving the Ashes outside St George's Cathedral<br />
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