Mosaic
Your acts of kindness are like pieces of God’s mosaic of hope in action in our Diocese
Inspiring young people to begin a lifelong journey of faith
Playing in the Rosary Walk at our Youth Ministry Retreat Centre in Pinner – the “beads” are laid out as stepping stones
Your support is needed to give the next generation, here in the Diocese of Westminster, opportunities to discover the power of God’s love: in school, on retreat and by becoming part of groups that harness their energy and ideas.
On retreat: freedom, fun and faith
A group of children is trying to complete a puzzle. They fit the pieces together. Wait, though, there’s one missing. They don’t know yet that their retreat leader, Lidia, has removed it.
Join us in welcoming our new Archbishop
As Archbishop Richard Moth was welcomed to the Diocese, he said, “My first task will be to get to know the priests and people of Westminster and I look forward, now, to serving them.”
With your help, we’ll continue to reach out to vulnerable people in our community who are most in need of God’s love and compassion. Together, we can support family life, nurture the next generation, achieve change through social action, and share the good news about our faith!
It’s an activity inspired by a Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 12:21 ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’
Deputy Headteacher, Yvonne, who has brought her primary age
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students on a three-day retreat is delighted children can explore faith. As one says “if we don’t work together, we’re incomplete, just like the puzzle.”
Your support makes a huge difference
“In recent years, there has been a huge increase in demand for retreats from schools like Yvonne’s,” says Ismaele Conte, Retreat Centre Manager. A record 5,600 young people joined our retreats in 2025. Across the three days, children are busy and active, indoors and out. At the same time, they explore the lives of Saints, the Stations of the Cross, and start a conversation with God about caring for our world.
As Pope Leo says, we should not only think of young people as the future of the Church. We need children and young people to bring life and energy to our parish communities today.
In the last ten years, the Cardinal’s Appeal has positively impacted thousands of children and young people. With your support today, more children can have a spiritual and personal encounter with Christ at a formative time in their life. A retreat can help grow faith, that lasts for life.
Prayer retreats for students
Thanks to your generosity, over 60 Catholic students from London universities and colleges of higher education took part in a week of guided prayer organised by Newman House. We hope to be able to offer an annual week of spiritual direction for all students who want prayer to guide them through this formative life stage.
Lourdes: more than a journey
Your gifts to the Cardinal’s Appeal enabled a team of volunteers to support people, who are sick or who are living with disabilities, to become ‘pilgrims of hope’ on a week-long pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Last summer, a group of 70 people with disabilities and long-term illness joined the Diocese of Westminster’s annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. For many, it’s the highlight of the year and, by supporting the Cardinal’s Appeal, you help make this time of prayer, healing and hope possible.
In recent years, a lack of volunteers threatened the future of the pilgrimage but it’s now secure. That’s because your gifts help fund training and support for the 130 young people who volunteer as Redcaps. Wearing their bright red tabards, they work long shifts to make the pilgrimage
possible, doing everything from pushing wheelchairs to offering companionship.
Among them are students from Newman House, the Catholic Chaplaincy for London universities. For them, the pilgrimage is an act of love and service, but it also serves to deepen their own faith and build friendships.
Every pilgrim brings home the special memory of a rich spiritual encounter. But Redcaps return with the knowledge that they have enabled some of the most vulnerable pilgrims to make a journey that would otherwise be impossible. They have also provided families and carers with a precious period of respite.
With your support, another group of Redcaps will be ready to serve when this year’s diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place in July.
Planting the seed of faith in schools
Catholic teachers play a vital role in nurturing the faith of young people in school. Now an exciting new bursary programme – the first of its kind in UK schools – is helping to train tomorrow’s Catholic leaders.
“I want to say thank you to the people who donate to the Cardinal’s Appeal,” says José, who is training to become a Religious Education teacher. “With my bursary, I’ve been able to buy study books and cover travel costs. I’m seeing my students’ interest in Religious Education deepen and their knowledge increase.”
“ We played a game with Jenga where each piece was something we are thankful for.” Amelia, age 11
Young volunteers known as “Redcaps” helping pilgrims in Lourdes last summer
“I’d hate to think about what life would be like for some families if we were not here – it would be terrible”
At a time when Easter eggs are starting to appear in the shops, it’s humbling to be reminded what a simple, fresh egg can mean. Thanks to your support, people visiting the Copenhagen Street Foodbank can now count on a regular source of high-quality protein, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
11am: a team of warm and welcoming volunteers aged 17-80 is hard at work. Two hours ahead of the Copenhagen Street Foodbank opening, people are already assembling outside.
Caritas Westminster is working with foodbanks throughout the Diocese giving life changing support to people who come through the doors in urgent need of help.
The volunteers have laid out jars, packets and tins in separate sections, just like in a shop. It’s all part of making the experience of using the foodbank a dignified
one. Everyone is treated with respect. There are no ‘hand-outs’. People of all ages, from older clients to multi-generational families, ‘shop’ from whatever selection of food is available. Fresh produce, which can be so costly, is pre-packed in bags, so everyone has an equal share.
Previously, the foodbank could only offer eggs when they were donated. There were never enough. So they turned to the
Cardinal’s Appeal for help and, with your support, we were able to respond. Now, there are fresh eggs every week, packed full of vitamins and minerals that might otherwise be missing from the diets of people who cannot afford to buy fish, meat or fresh food.
Eggs are so versatile. In just minutes – and using a minimal amount of energy – they can become a nutritious meal. So, if you ever wonder about the difference a donation can make, just think of the eggs it could buy and meals which could feed a hungry child or a whole family.
Meet Lottie, Caritas Development Worker
“I’m part of a team of four Caritas Development Workers – each covering a geographical area of the Diocese. My job is to help priests and schools in Central and East London start, expand or maintain their social action projects in a sustainable way.”
Workers like Lottie ensure good ideas move forward; helping the Copenhagen Street foodbank secure funding from the Cardinal’s Appeal. Please support the Lenten Appeal today so we can do even more to make a difference in our communities.
Attracta co-founded the foodbank at Blessed Sacrament Church
Volunteer Tony, helping to pack eggs
“ Having eggs all the time is a huge thing for us,”
Mubanga, volunteer
• 70% of those using the foodbank
Your kindness, compassion and generosity combined are a powerful force for good in our community. Across our parishes amazing work takes place every day to change and save lives
A new day. A new start
With your support, at St Gabriel of Sorrows Church in Archway, vulnerable people are welcomed in to eat breakfast and have a chat. The Cardinal’s Appeal has provided funding to buy food in bulk and feed a greater number of hungry people.
Let’s keep working together
During the last ten years, the Cardinal’s Appeal has raised more than £5.5 million and brought hope to people who might otherwise have been passed by. This Lent, please continue your support with another act of kindness to reach someone in need. Thank you. To find out more about supporting your parish or a programme that means a great deal to you by leaving a gift in your will, please visit