On the 5th day of the virtual week, on a day titles ‘wake up’, three speakers gave us moving and vivid examples of how they are responding to calls for justice, peace, and the integrity of the earth within their own lives and the organisations for which they worked.

A speaker told us about many families in Leicester who were struggling to survive – refugees and asylum seekers who are now struggling to navigate the UK benefits system, access food points and ensure they are obtaining the assistance to which they are entitled.

Dr Ally Kateusz is an art historian, specialising in the intersection of women and religion. In her report on Dr Kateusz’s talk, Mary Ring describes how Ally uses her research to depict that Jesus left women followers as equals: powerful leaders who preached, prayed publicly, healed, evangelized and baptised.

On CPW’s first virtual week, Derek Reeve spoke on ‘The Future of the Church’. In this article Bill Phillips summarises Derek’s thoughts and arguments.

The first speaker to present at the Virtual Summer week was Diarmuid O’Murchu, a member of the Sacred Heart Missionary Order and a social psychologist who has spent most of his working life in social ministry. Read the report on his input here.

When CPW’s summer weeks were cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, the undeterred CPW team got together to stage the first ever online CPW, using Zoom. In this article Sam Corcoran gives his review of CPW’s first virtual week!

During this time when churches have been closed, many of us have been finding different ways to attend Mass. In this blog, Patrica Worden reflects on the subject of exile and asks: ‘Are we missing an opportunity to rethink how we celebrate the Eucharist?’

Anne Dixon shares her memories of well-known CPW member Agnes Milne, who died this month. Anne writes that Agnes “was, without doubt, one of CPWs most dedicated ambassadors, well known at Adult and Family events as she attended both. She was a dear, wise and compassionate friend.'“

A year ago, I had the privilege to meet you all during what became one of the most delightful and exciting experiences I had during my stay in England, replete with beautiful and warm memories. I remember being asked how my family celebrates Easter according to the Byzantine Rite. I couldn't provide pictures then, but now I can!

Teresa and Frank Monteiro remember their friend and fellow CPW member Kathleen Hypher, who sadly died in April.

Over the course of the weekend we descended into the underworld (where we found both buried treasure and things that are meant to be hidden away forever) before journeying on to build the heavenly Jerusalem. 

CPW member Dave Yates write about the Kintbury all-age week: “We were invited to discover how we could live our lives more eucharistically. Various stimulating sessions challenged us to be more blessed, broken, poured out, and shared, and how they could be woven into our daily lives.” Read more here.

A first-time summer week participant recounts their family’s experience at Malvern. From a reluctant start, the writer recounts that, “All the children showed an enthusiasm for everything they did and not once did they use the word ‘bored’. As a parent I felt rested, refuelled, and genuinely as if I had been given a new lease of life.” Read more about their experience here.

Mike Winston shares his report of the 2019 Walking Week at Willersley Castle near Matlock. In the words of one of the group he recalls that there was “over everything, an awareness of the presence of God in nature, in the stones on our path, in words spoken out-loud or in the depths of our hearts - a precious closeness with one another, immediate and lasting.” Read the full report here.

Clare Guidi reports on our Easter CPW in Wales. Clare writes: “Our time together was holy not because of what we remembered about Jesus’ last days but because of how we gave of ourselves and allowed Jesus’ presence to work within each one of us. I am left feeling deeply satisfied, grateful, and refreshed from the experience.”