BIRMINGHAM - 29 April 2008 - 230 words
Birmingham:
Archbishop commissions city centre mission
Nearly 40 people from across the city have been commissioned to
run an outreach initiative in one of the busiest parts of central
Birmingham.
The Seekers' Centre at St Michael's Church in Moor Street has
been open two years and aims to provide a warm welcome, hospitality
and information about Christian spirituality and the Catholic
faith, to a wide variety of people. It is based close to student
buildings and one of the busiest bus stops in England, and as
such, is a popular 'drop-in' venue for all ages including shoppers
and visitors to the city.
On Tuesday, 22 April, Archbishop Vincent Nichols officiated at
a Mass at the church to commission new Centre volunteers and re-commission
the existing ones who've been running the facility during the
past year. He said: "This mission has at its core a loving
heart. Each of you is able to share the reality of God's love
and forgiveness with those that visit, here drawing from your
own inner goodness and your own experience of need. You all know
what it means at times, to feel lonely and in need, and this enables
you to reach out to others. Through your prayers and actions you
become loving pathways for the Spirit of God. Never lose the loving
heart that you've created here."
The volunteers are present at the church weekday afternoons and
their presence means that anyone who'd like to can pop in. The
hope is that visitors can find what they need, be that a quiet
place to pray, a listening ear or someone to talk to about their
lives and faith.
Sr Mary Joseph is the coordinator and said: "One day a group
of volunteers found a young man crying in front of the church.
They went up to speak with him and he shared that he was in state
of despair because he'd been a child soldier in an African country
and was forced to do some terrible things; he didn't know if God
would forgive him. The volunteers were able to listen, comfort
and pray with him. He left feeling accepted and hope-filled and
has since visited the church repeatedly. It's such a joy and privilege
to be present to people in this way."
Some of the volunteers are of Polish origin and are able to provide
invaluable pastoral support to Poles who have recently entered
the country. However, the main focus of the initiative is to provide
people with a spiritual haven where they can sit and be.
The mission is resourced, and the volunteers are trained, by the
Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE); see www.caseresources.org.uk
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer or would
like to find out more about what's offered at St Michael's please
tel: 0121 643 0940. For general information about the Catholic
faith please call the Catholic Enquiry Office on 020 8458 3316
or see: www.life4seekers.co.uk
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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