Downside Catholic People’s Week

Image: Catherine Sweetman

A BBQ with the monks of Downside Abbey, discussion on Evangelii Gaudium, a Mass prepared by young people around the theme of loving God and neighbour, and a debate on whether or not suffering is meaningful were all part of the programme at the recent Catholic People’s Week at Downside School in Somerset.

More than 80 people attended, around half of them children and youth. The theme was taken from the text “I tell you, get up” (Mark 5:41) and focused on how our beliefs about life, death and resurrection help us to live life to the full. Beliefs and uncertainties were explored in the light of scripture and individual experiences. The week followed the usual CPW formula of a morning of study, reflection and group discussion for adults, with young people following a participatory programme with young ‘helpers’. Afternoons were free and then there were evening sessions, followed by night prayers involving everybody. There was daily Mass and all the liturgies were prepared by participants, liaising with the chaplain, Fr Peter Hunter OP. Creative ideas which engaged the young people included dramatized Gospel stories, picking out important messages on posters, and spontaneous bidding prayers. A talented folk group was led by Chris Sweetman and Chris Dingle.

The chair of the week was Jane Willcox, who summed up the week by describing it as “joyful”, and the organisers were Brid Fitzpatrick and Mike Willcox. Children and teenagers enjoyed a programme with seven helpers, led by Cath Willcox and James Teague. A young adult programme was run for 18-25 year olds by Carmel Wanless, the chaplain at Brownedge St Mary’s Catholic High school in Preston. “It was such a blessing to work with this group of lovely young people” she said.

In a sesson, ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ the adult group explored November 2013 Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, ‘Evangelii Gaudium’. The Pope reminded that the vast majority of the People of God are lay people, and called for a Church reaching out to the poor and vulnerable, and lending its voice to their causes. The group discussed its involvement with Justice and Peace, anti-Trident protests, Citizens UK and called for Catholic People’s Weeks to engage further with L’Arche, with a view to involving more people with disabilities on the weeks and improving disabled access at venues. Fr Peter called for solidarity support for the Dominican nuns in Iraq who are supporting Christian communities fleeing the advance of the Islamic State militants. The international dimension of the week was underlined with a ‘World Songs’ entertainment evening.

At the prompting of one of the teenagers and with the agreement of the group, Coca Cola was banned during the week because of its long-term support of Israel “which is oppressing the Palestinian people”. The teenagers group produced a video ‘I tell you, get up’, which explored what this challenge means to us today. They were shown helping each other in various circumstances and sharing God’s love for the marginalised. It was roundly applauded by the gathering after its first showing.

The debate one evening on the Motion "The house believes that suffering is meaningless" was lively and thought-provoking. Those for the motion argued that if we believed suffering was meaningless we would do more to tackle it, such as challenging the horror of war. Those against the motion argued that the redemptive nature of suffering has been an integral part of Christian discipleship for centuries and is meaningful. C.S. Lewis once noted, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains". Joan Chittister was quoted too: “The suffering and struggles of life help us to recognize new life in our souls”. The motion was defeated.

Rebekah O’Keeffe, Coordinator for Adult Catechesis at the London parish of Our Lady of Pity and St Simon Stock in Putney, ran a popular interactive prayer room over the week, helping people to experience prayer in different ways. Reflection on God’s presence in one’s life was prompted by a sand tray, where sand could be worked and shaped. Various scents were used to draw out memories and reflections. There was a prayer tent, suggesting various postures for praying with the body. Pieces of cloth with a labyrinth imprinted could be traced by fingers to prompt reflection on life’s path and openness to God’s will. Towards the end of the week, all participants decorated a triangle of cloth offering their vision of heaven, and these were made up into a beautiful and colourful stole which Fr Peter wore at the final Mass.

Rebekah O’Keeffe’s remarks immediately after the week reflected the general feedback: “Home after a glimpse of heaven: a wonderful CPW week, enriching, challenging and nourishing. A week full of friends, laughter, song, loving conversations and some tears with Christ at the centre of everything. Thank you to a fantastic team.”

This was the final of six Catholic People’s Weeks held during 2014, although there will be a biennial general meeting and lecture 24-26 October at Boars Hill, the Oxford Carmelite Priory. The speaker will be Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi, and the theme, ‘Commemorating the First World War’.

Around 350 Catholic People’s Weeks have been run since 1945, providing the opportunity for lay Catholics to study theology and deepen their understanding of faith. The weeks are open to anyone and the 2015 programme is currently being finalised.

For more information see: www.catholicpeoplesweeks.org.uk