More Information and how to enter This in-person event in Dewsbury aims to raise funds for the people of Palestine, providing them with much-needed support and hope. Be prepared to be moved by heartwarming stories and inspiring testimonials that shed light on the challenges faced by the Palestinian community as expressed by the four guest speakers. Cost is £15 per person Use the button for more information and booking. More Info & Ticket Booking Providing input on the latest environmental initiatives across the Archdiocese of Liverpool, and Care for Creation leadership training. It is a join event between the Archdiocese and Liverpool Justice & Peace. Speakers on the day include Bishop John Arnold, the current Environmental Lead for the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and Sr. Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall. The venue (as at mid December 23) is still to be confirmed but is expected to be in central Wigan. Use the button to find out more and register to attend: This is a joint event between CAFOD and St.Mary’s University Twickenham. You can go in-person or you can join online. CAFOD describes this event as follows:- At the Assembly of the Synod on Synodality in Rome in October 2023, the participants recognised that “in Christ, women and men are clothed with the same baptismal dignity (Gal 3:28) and receive equally the variety of gifts of the Spirit.” They said it was “urgent to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry.” Join us for a special hybrid event this Lent, hosted by St Mary’s Twickenham and CAFOD to examine how our Church can recognise and value the active contribution of women and enhance the pastoral leadership of women in all areas of the Catholic Church’s life and mission, all over the world. Keynote speakers: Sr Marie-Kolbe Zamora, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity serving in the General Secretariat of the Synod in Rome. Sr Francisca Ngozi Uti, Director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Nigeria and a Sister in the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, Nigeria Use the button to register to attend (either online or to go in-person) This event has been organised by Leeds City of Sanctuary and Leeds Church Institute. They describe it as follows: You are invited to join Leeds artists to sketch the city at night, and get a fresh perspective on its fascinating history. Learn about David Oluwale, the British Nigerian and Leeds resident whose personal story inspired local people to create a lasting legacy to mark his life in the beautiful Hibiscus Rising sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare. ———————————– All art materials will be provided and we really mean it when we say no experience is necessary. Wear suitable clothing for the weather conditions on the day, we encourage you to wear layers and bring along something waterproof if you are planning to sit down whilst sketching. We want everyone who attends this event to have a positive experience, and feel reassured that everyone is welcome and will be treated with respect. A mental health first aider will be available at this event. We will meet at 43 The Calls and walk to the David Oluwale Bridge, then to Aire Park to see the Hibiscus Rising sculpture. For further details and to book a place use the button This year the speaker is Raymond Perrier. Raymond is Director the Hurley Institute in South Africa. The lecture will be held at Leeds Trinity University. The theme for his talk is ‘Prayerful and Prophetic Resilience in the Face of Injustice – Archbishops Oscar Romero and Denis Hurley’. Use the button to register to attend this free event organised by SPARK Social Justice in partnership with the J&P Commission and Leeds Trinity University Since 2015, Raymond has been the founding Director of the Denis Hurley Centre – a community centre in the heart of Durban South Africa which brings together different faith groups to help the poor and marginalised of the city. This landmark building has established its reputation as a place of care, education and community, responding to issues of refugees, drug addiction and homelessness. Doing Change is a celebration of York St John University’s commitment to education for social justice and the platform for the annual Archbishop of York Lecture in Social Justice. Use the button to find out more about this free event. More Info & registration This event has been organised by Bradford Cathedral. A series of responses to the challenges facing the planet due to climate change, including theatre, poetry, panel discussion and film. Tickets cost £7.38 each. Use the button to book This event has been organised by Leeds Church Institute. They write: How can we build truly anti-racist churches and an anti-racist City? How do we put anti-racism into action? Hear leaders from diverse churches in Leeds share experience, best practice and wisdom from dealing with racial discrimination. You will hear stories of division and hope in unity, then join together to talk practically and theologically about moving into action. This city-wide event will serve as a catalyst for anti-racist action and reflection across Leeds churches. All are welcome to this ecumenical evening of panel discussions, conversations and prayer. Please join us for light refreshments after hearing from the Bishops, Pastors and Priests. There will be a time of Q&A after the panel discussion. SAVE THE DATE! It will be focussed around a specific social justice issue. The first event was held at Wheeler Hall in Leeds – so this one will be somewhere else in the Diocese. We will update this entry once we have finalised the issue and the location. Simply email jandp@dioceseofleeds.org.uk and we will send you the details nearer the time. (The J&P Commission itself will also be meeting at the earlier time of 10am – and if you wanted to come along for that then you would also be welcome). This 3 day course if for anyone interested in discovering, refreshing or deepening their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching. Why? Catholic Social Teaching has been described as ‘the Church’s best-kept secret’. It offers a fresh way of understanding moral and social questions, deeply rooted in the Gospel, but accessible to anyone. It has rich resources for renewing a tired and confused political world. Ideal reflection for election year! Who? The course will be taught by Sr Margaret Atkins, former lecturer at Trinity and All Saints, Leeds, and Oscott College seminary. What? The weekend will offer lectures and discussions, shared meals and the option of joining the Community for Mass and Daily Office, along with some social time and space to explore our beautiful local area. How much? The basic Guest House fee is £90 per day with full board (£140 for twin/double), plus the option of a donation to cover the costs of the course. (Reductions offered if needed – please ask.) To book, email margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk Details are still to be announced – but always worth considering as it provides a unique opportunity to meet people from across the country who share your concern for social justice.
Proceeds from the tickets will be donated to the Medical Aid for Palestine MAP. This event is run in conjunction with the National Education Union who work with MAP to provide food, toiletries, and psychological support for the children of Gaza.
Raymond is also involved in different networks working to help transform inner-city Durban; he has been Chair of the Municipal Task Team on Homelessness, helped set up South Africa’s National Homeless Network, and is part of the team drafting a national policy on homelessness for South Africa. He also works as a consultant to the Global Interfaith Network which provides theological resources for religious leaders in the Global South who wish to look at questions of LGBTI inclusion.
For 5 years, Raymond was Director of the Jesuit Institute – South Africa, working to bring a faith perspective to debates on social issues. He also designed and facilitated courses in values-based leadership delivered at several South African and US business schools.
For 6 years, Raymond was a trainee Jesuit priest. This included 2 years living and working in a refugee camp in Uganda with the Jesuit Refugee Service serving 60,000 Sudanese refugees with pastoral support and education. After leaving the Jesuits, Raymond became the Head of Communities for CAFOD working with Catholic parishes and schools across the country.
Raymond’s initial professional experience was in marketing consultancy, working for Interbrand with companies such as American Express, British Airways, IBM and BP. He developed with Business Week an annual league table of the world’s most valuable brands and pioneered a global consulting practice in brand valuation. He was Managing Director of the New York office of Interbrand with a staff of 160.
Of Indian parents, Raymond was born and educated in the UK. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Theology from New College, Oxford; an MA in Philosophy from the University of London; and an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics. He recently completed a PhD with the University of KwaZulu-Natal writing about Paddy Kearney (the founder of the DHC and a renowned Struggle activist). He is also a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Faith and Community and a frequent writer and commentator in newspapers, on radio and television, including a regular column in ‘The Southern Cross’ (SA’s national Catholic newspaper).
The evening will begin with screenings, posters, and presentations by their students, sharing their engagement with social justice across the University.
York St John University houses the ‘Institute for Social Justice’ – worth taking a look.
Events
Feb
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Every year the Columbans in the UK hold a competition for 13-18 year old students. This year students are asked to deliver and original piece of writing or an original image on the theme of ‘Biodiversity Matters’ The first prize in each category is £500. Use the button to find out more about how to enter and what you have to do:
Mar
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Mar 9 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
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Mar 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
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Mar 20 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
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Jun 28 @ 6:00 pm – Jul 1 @ 2:00 pm
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Jul 19 @ 6:00 pm – Jul 21 @ 2:00 pm