The Justice and Peace Group

The Justice & Peace Group has been in existence for just over two years. We are a small but dedicated and vibrant bunch of people from many different backgrounds, cultures and ages. We enjoy a challenge.

In response to the Gospel call to love God and our neighbour at home and throughout the world, we have been actively involved in projects both on a local and more widespread basis.  Guest speakers have included Sr Lucy of Cornerstone, Liam Purcell from Church Action on Poverty and Joe Hewson from the Volunteer Missionary Movement to Brazil.  We have also had talks from Fr Ned Wall and Fr Tony Grace on their work with poor and marginalised communities in Peru and Venezuela respectively. This year two members of our group attended the annual National Justice & Peace Conference in Swanwick. 

To date, we have organised and participated in three International Masses in our parish, the most recent concelebrated by Bishop Brian and Fr John, and last year’s first ever International Christmas Carol Service. We held “Coffee & Cakes” after Sunday Masses and co-ordinated the Parish’s Christmas Shoe Box Appeal for Cornerstone.

We have also commemorated the Anniversary of Oscar Romero with a service and organised Cards for Prisoners of Conscience. More recently, we took part in The Changing Face of Britain Programme to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ), having been invited as one of seven parishes in our Diocese to participate.  This involved devising, carrying out and analysing a Parish Questionnaire, the results of which were shared with all parishioners, St Vincent’s Parish Council and presented at the CARJ Diocesan Day in Crewe. We also hope to take part in the National CARJ 25th Anniversary Day at Westminster Cathedral on November the 7th. For the past two summers, Kevin McCarthy from the Parish Walking Group, has led our “walks for all ages” in the Cheshire countryside, which have been hugely popular within the parish.

Our next International Mass will be on Saturday 21 November, the Feast of Christ the King.  Newcomers will be very welcome: if you would like to take part please contact Marie or Anne (phone numbers below).

We meet in Westleigh on the first Sunday of each month (September to July), at 7:30pm for one hour and warmly welcome newcomers. For more information please contact Marie on 0161 903 9126 after 6pm or Anne on 07754 490 623.

Marie Irwin
Co-ordinator
September 2009