Bishop John Arnold gave a warm welcome to our new Spec team of volunteer missionaries. A special Mass was celebrated at St Aloysius, Somers Town, on Friday 26 September to welcome the young people and officially commission them for their work in the diocese.
Spec is the retreat centre for young people in the Diocese of Westminster. It is run by a team of staff who are joined by a number of young people who come to work as volunteer missionaries for a residential year.
Since August, the new missionaries have been involved in a programme of formation and induction, preparing for their work with young people from our schools and parishes who will visit Spec for retreats during the coming academic year. Day retreats commenced last week at Spec in its new home at Waxwell House, Pinner.
During the Mass of Commissioning each new missionary received a copy of the Divine Office from the Bishop. The daily celebration of the liturgy, including morning and evening prayer, is central to the community life and work of Spec.
Bishop John told the new missionaries to be bold, authentic and confident in their new work. He said that from now on the missionaries will represent Christ and the Church to the young people they work with.
After the Mass, a special celebration was held at the Centre for Youth Ministry where Fr David Reilly, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, and Fr Jeremy Trood, Parish Priest of Somers Town, also welcomed them to their new roles and hosted a reception for them.
During the coming year, Spec will be running retreats at their base in Waxwell House, Pinner. If you are interested in a year working as volunteer missionary with young people at Spec, why not get in contact to see what is involved? For more information please contact spec@rcdow.org.uk
