Pastoral Formation: An Introduction
Seminarians at Allen Hall gain a broad range of pastoral experience during their time in formation. Students usually have a different pastoral placement each academic year, and here six students reflect on their current placements.
- St Bernadette's Parish
- The Royal London Hospital
- Westminster Metropolitan Tribunal
- The Cardinal Hume Centre
- Pastoral Care of the Elderly, Islington
- Feltham Remand Centre
To find out more, the following article is taken from the Allen Hall “Way of Life”.
St Bernadette’s Parish
Robert Colquhoun, First Year
This year I have deepened my understanding of pastoral ministry from the variety of experiences that I have been sent to. Over the summer I helped in Ss Michael and Martin, Hounslow for two weeks and for this academic year I am assisting in St Bernadette’s, Hillingdon with Fr James Garvey. I also went on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes this year, a thoroughly enjoyable and exhausting experience!
As a student for the priesthood, observation and assistance are the main objectives in a parish assignment in the first year. It is an opportunity to see how the demands and opportunities of pastoral work are best responded to and also to help expand my understanding of ministry. One can apply the theory and the theology of the seminary to practical examples and experiences.
Many of the parishes in London have great diversity and are thriving communities. It is a privilege to be a seminarian training to serve the Church and build the kingdom of God. Over this year it has been a joy to deepen my vision of priesthood as that of being a servant of God, serving the people of God and a steward of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1).
The Royal London Hospital
Paulo Roberto Bagini, Fourth Year
Pope John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris, 9, points out that, in the face of the suffering endured by man, there arises the question why? However, man does not address this question to the world, but to God. Those in chaplaincy at hospitals are often met by this “why?” through the experience of sickness and its consequences, such as physical pain, the fear and anxiety of the patients and of those who surround them. Working with the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy of the Royal London Hospital makes me realise the importance of the Church’s presence at this difficult moment of human life. Jesus Christ is the only one who can give an answer to this question and the work of the chaplain is to bring Him to the patient.
The visit varies according to the level of commitment to the faith of the patients; sometimes I will simply listen to the person’s fears and frustrations and then pray with them; to others I may bring Holy Communion; at other times there might be room for discussing faith. Always a prayerful environment is essential. For me every time the experience is beautiful and gratifying.
Westminster Metropolitan Tribunal
Rev. Fredrik Hansen, Sixth Year
The Tribunal, located at Vaughan House near Westminster Cathedral, is led by the Judicial Vicar of the diocese, Fr John Conneely, and its main work is marriage cases.
After a petition has been presented by a divorced Catholic, the Tribunal investigates the validity of his or her former marriage according to Church law to ascertain whether that person is free to re-marry in the Church. As such the work of the Tribunal belongs to the crucial pastoral care offered by the Church to those whose marriages have failed.
The sentence or judgement in a marriage case is given by three judges of the Tribunal based on evidence in the form of interviews collected from the parties of the marriage in question and witnesses nominated by the parties.
As part of my final year at Allen Hall, I spend one day a week at the Westminster Tribunal taking evidence. Depending on the kind of witness, these interview last from 90 minutes to well over three hours, and are done on a one-to-one basis based on questionnaires formulated by the Tribunal officials. Due to the private nature of such cases, all work done for the Tribunal is subject to secrecy.
The Cardinal Hume Centre
Andrew Connick, Second Year
For more than 20 years the Cardinal Hume Centre has worked with homeless young people, badly housed families and local communities. Homelessness is on the increase for young people, especially young women, and Westminster and Victoria, where the Centre is based, has the highest levels in London.
Beginning with the Family Centre and then the Surgery, the Cardinal Hume Centre now offers seven services on-site. This allows it to offer an unprecedented level of support to transform the lives of the young people who find their way to its doors. By offering accommodation, practical and emotional support, healthcare and counselling, education, training and employment advice the Centre is able to respond to its clients needs and give them a chance at a real future.
I have been privileged to spend the last few months working as a volunteer in the Hostel one afternoon each week. The Hostel caters for 32 homeless young people, aged between 16 and 21, giving them a home for up to a year and access to a range of support services. Towards the end of their time at the Centre these young people are helped to find more permanent homes and the means to live independently and support themselves.
In recalling Cardinal Hume’s own desires for the Centre when it was first founded, Abbot Christopher Jamison, giving the homily at the 20th Anniversary Celebration Mass, spoke of the Centre as a sanctuary, ‘because a sanctuary is a refuge for those in need of shelter and the Cardinal Hume Centre can offer that wonderfully, irrespective of race, creed or colour.’ The Centre is truly an inspiring place—the staff, the young people and the surroundings all speak very powerfully of hope. God is found there, and I hope and pray that his grace and help will remain with the Centre always.
Pastoral Care of the Elderly, Islington
Graham Stokes, Second Year
In his message at the anointing of the sick in Southwark Cathedral on 28 May 1982, Pope John Paul II urged our society not to neglect its sick and elderly, for “the wisdom of Christ and the power of Christ are to be seen in the weakness of those who share his sufferings.” With the average age of the population predicted to continue increasing, the pastoral care of the sick and elderly is likely to be a growth area of parish ministry.
I have had a taste of this ministry in my second year pastoral placement visiting some homebound parishioners and a care home in the parish of St John the Evangelist, Islington. It has proved a fascinating experience meeting people with very different backgrounds and family situations, each facing different challenges as they grow older. It is a unique experience to hear them talk of the importance that the Church—both people and priests—has had and continues to have in their lives, to bring them the Eucharist and to be offered a glimpse into their day-to-day lives.
As the Holy Father went on to say in Southwark, “we begin by imagining that we are giving to them; we end by realising that they have enriched us.”
Feltham Remand Centre
Ed Houghton, Fifth Year
Being on placement at Feltham Remand Centre is a wonderful opportunity to gain an understanding of the issues and opportunities involved in working in a challenging environment and within a multi-faith and multi-disciplinary team. It is a place where one has the opportunity to develop listening skills through careful engagement with prisoners and where one learns of the need to be non-judgemental and compassionate but also realistic with the boys.
At Feltham one encounters young people in extreme crisis, at risk of self harm, coming down off drugs, and in some cases having committed some very serious offences. Here, young people from all over the world are remanded (and sometimes imprisoned), having often experienced violence, trafficking and possibly the death of loved ones. The staff are highly trained, although not necessarily sympathetic to the Church.
The role of the seminarian in this Sunday placement is first of all to assist the chaplains in the liturgy—helping boys with the Mass sheet, security around the candles, reading, ministering the Eucharist as and when required. There is also one-to-one work, such as catechesis through the Rosary - a high proportion of the boys ask for a pair of rosary beads on arrival.
All in all, this is a fascinating placement and I count myself to be extremely fortunate to be on it. It is both heart-warming and sad to see so many boys at Mass on Sunday.