To mark the feast of its patron saint on March 19th, Gail Williams, Head of Caritas St Joseph’s, reflects on the strong faith underpinning all the service’s work.
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.
– 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
At Caritas St Joseph’s, there are many different forms of activity; our work is particularly inspired by the letters of St Paul. We seek to create a safe and loving environment for students at our lifelong learning centre in Hendon and Connect@ hubs in Hounslow, Feltham, North Harrow and Whitton, in which we celebrate all people’s gifts and talents, regardless of faith or ability.
In this same spirit, our Outreach team helps parishes to be more welcoming to those who find themselves marginalised because of their disabilities. We train and mentor parishes to bring these people into the heart of their communities, both by teaching Symbolic Catechesis for inclusive sacramental preparation, and through our volunteer-led Saturday Clubs that support families across parishes in North London, West London and Hertfordshire.
At its heart, our work at Caritas St Joseph’s is about recognising and honouring how the Spirit works ‘in all sorts of different ways in different people,’ especially in those whom society too often overlooks. It is a privilege to help individuals to discover and share the ‘good purpose’ for which God has made them, and along with other services in the Caritas Westminster family, to reveal by our actions that same God who is working in each and every one of us.
May God bless your families and homes on this Solemnity of St Joseph.
Caritas St Joseph’s helps people with intellectual disabilities to share their gifts and participate in their communities and the life of the Church. The lifelong learning centre in Hendon offers a variety of courses to over 200 students, ranging from accredited creative arts programmes to practical skills for living independently. The team also run extensive outreach activities across the Diocese of Westminster.
Why not support Caritas St Joseph’s by donating or volunteering?
