Catholic Union Pub Talk: Peace and Changemakers

Source: Catholic Union

Margaret and Barry Mizen MBE gave a special Catholic Union Pub Talk on 2 February, the feast of Candlemas, at which their son Jimmy was remembered and the concept of forgiveness discussed and explored. Jimmy was murdered in 2008 one day after his sixteenth birthday.

Chaired by Catherine Pepinster, journalist, the event was incredibly moving, but rather than feeling sorry for their family, Margaret and Barry encouraged members of the Catholic Union to help change the narrative and work for forgiveness, peace and hope.

Margaret and Barry emphasised that forgiveness was not a uniform concept for everyone, but for them, however painful, it was essential to forgive, to be able to lead their lives. They encouraged people to look at things in a different way and change their mindsets.

The Mizen Foundation has an extensive programme of speaking at primary and secondary schools to make their local communities safer by spreading their message of forgiveness, peace and hope where they challenge children to be peacemakers. The Mizens hold the strongest conviction that children desperately need to know they are loved, valued and most importantly, they do matter.

If you would like to invite Margaret and Barry to your local school, parish, confirmation group, prison or professional network we would encourage you to do so

The Catholic Young Artist Award, (See: https://catholicunion.org.uk/2026/01/young-catholic-artist-award-2026/ ) open to primary school aged children, on the theme of forgiveness will be judged by Margaret Mizen, Founder of the Mizen Foundation.

LINKS

Read more about the Mizen Foundation: www.mizenfoundation.org
Catholic Union: https://catholicunion.org.uk