Cardinal Vincent Nichols visits St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Hendon

Cardinal Vincent sees the new IT room

His Eminence Vincent Nichols, Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster, visited the St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Hendon on 19 March, the Solemnity of St Joseph. As part of Caritas Westminster, St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre enables 200 people with intellectual disabilities, from all faiths or none, to participate in an innovative programme of creative and life skills courses.

Cardinal Vincent spoke with enthusiastic students and tutors as he was shown around the centre. The students enjoyed showing the Cardinal their pottery project and how they were learning to use their newly acquired IT skills. The visit concluded with a reception hosted and prepared by students and staff where he was presented with art and craft gifts made by the students.

Cardinal Nichols said: “I was deeply moved by the opening part of the music and movement performance where Carol, one of the students, simply stated “I am” – reminding us forcibly, that each of us is unique and uniquely loved by God.”

Director of Caritas Westminster, John Coleby, said: “Cardinal Vincent’s visit to see the work of the Centre celebrates and affirms the place and value of disabled people in the life of the Church and in our communities. So often the focus is on what people cannot do. The work of St Joseph’s highlights the gifts of all people and their contribution to the world around them.”

St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre’s Outreach Team also supports the full participation young people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the sacramental and parish life throughout the Diocese of Westminster.

For more information on St Joseph's Pastoral Centre see: www.stjoseph.org.uk/

Source: Archbishops House