An audience of over 40 gathered in St. Pius X Hall to hear a talk on Modern Slavery by Olivia Darby of the Wonder Foundation, in support of the CPG 'Parish Aware' programme.
Olivia explained the concept of Modern Slavery and presented some of the shocking statistics associated with these crimes.  She also introduced the thought-provoking concept of a ‘grey area’ of responsibility, somewhere between the ‘innocence’ of what is sold – products and services – and the ‘obvious baddies’: the organised criminal gangs.
We as consumers are in the grey area, needing to make judgements about the consequences of our spending.  Do we look for the cheapest chocolate bar, or seek one whose contents are sourced ethically?  Olivia suggested that we are all involved in this ‘ethical minefield’.
Olivia concluded her presentation by talking about the work of her charity Wonder Foundation in West Africa, the UK and Europe, and the Philippines.

Links:
Wonder Foundation:  wonderfoundation.org.uk/
CPG Parish Aware:  www.cpg.church/modernslavery.html
Parish Aware interest group:  cpg.churchsuite.com/groups/gfcyltvw

Over a hundred readers, servers, sacristans, musicians, welcomers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion gather for a morning of prayer, formation and fellowship at St. Joseph's School, Rydes Hill.

First Holy Communion Family Day... One of the many prayer and reflection stations attended by 140 families from the parish.

Scott meets with other seminarians on placement to pray together and reflect on their experiences - this time in the parish of Our Lady and St Vincent, Potters Bar.

Fr. Roy speaks about Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick to those preparing to be received into the Catholic Church this Easter.

The Thursday Club arrive at St Joseph’s for Scott’s talk on the twisty-turning journey of vocation to the priesthood, and for tea and some excellent cakes.

A few of the parishioners who attended the Thanksgiving tea hosted by the clergy in recognition of the many ministries in the parish.