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.

“I wish you all a wonderful week - Hopefully 7 days from now we will wiser, better resourced, with smooth hands from applause and aching sides from shared laughter. Enjoy yourselves. This is the day the Lord has made… let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24).”

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!

75 years ago today a group of lay Catholics did something new. They met, as a residential community and poured the resources of theological education into the receptive ears of lay people. 75 years later a group of lay Catholics did something new. They took what they knew, worked within the restrictions imposed and created something that looked and felt a lot like a CPW but was also radically different.

The prayer wall is a space where we can ask for the community to pray with us about things that touch us, to join us in praise and thanksgiving and to celebrate with us for prayers answered.

Jesus told his disciples to “Let Our Light Shine Before Others”. Do our faces really make such a difference? One day we will see each other face to face again. And we will have learnt to read faces better, to appreciate the gift we are to each other, to feel the warmth as you shine.

Peter and Paul were no strangers to the experience of being under lock and key, but their responses differed. Presenting themes of Release, Readiness and Transformation, the readings offer us an initial focus for our own reflection as we come out of lockdown.

In this period of lockdown the young people of CPW recorded a song for our weekly Wednesday zoom prayer. You can watch it here.

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?’

The word, Abide', often translated as ‘stay’ or ‘live,’ is richer than both. It carries echoes of faithfulness and relationship. It suggests a depth of encounter which requires more than our fleeting and fractured attention.

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 Holy Week and Easter we shared pictures, resources and reading material that helped us reflect and celebrate. We have gathered all the images, reflections and resources here. With love from everyone at CPW

In Anne, we have lost a wonderful talent, a gifted artist and a creative chair, but most of all, we have lost a great friend. Rest in peace Anne, until the choirs of Angels come to greet you.

Slowly at first, and then gathering momentum, beloved, familiar faces began to fill my screen. We talked over each other in a cacophony of voices. It was just like that moment on the first day of a CPW when everyone starts arriving. We were so excited to see each other. How would we ever be able to make this prayerful? 

Although we are not able to meet in person, many members have been in contact to offer prayers, table liturgies and links to further resources which will help us stay connected to one another in shared prayer and celebration during the Coronavirus outbreak. You can access the resources here.

When it became impossible for the icon commissioned for CPW’s 75th year to travel to the homes and parishes of our CPW community, the icon was placed in a place of prayer. Each evening the candle is lighted and prayers are offered for all members of our CPW family. The thoughts which follow were inspired by these prayer times.

Our tradition tells us to seek wisdom. CPW, when gathered, can be part of our discernment process. For those with ‘ears to hear’, there is wisdom in abundance in the words, thoughts, actions and experiences of those who gather and give generously of themselves.