“CPW is the embodiment of joy, it is a community which has refused to give into the challenges of a pandemic. I felt myself being lifted up, reminded that God is with me and in that I should feel an overwhelming joy knowing this. I was reminded of the reason I joined CPW, the joy and enthusiasm I experienced through a CPW family in my parish. I found this joy infectious and wanted my family to experience it also.”

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.

“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.