About

How Caritas Diocese of Brentwood began

Caritas Diocese of Brentwood was launched on the Second World Day of the Poor, 18^th November 2018, after a year of consultation and dialogue with groups from across the Diocese, beginning on the Feast of St John Bosco, 31st January 2018, with Mass and a conversation at Walsingham House in Abbotswick.

Inspired by the Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church: reaching out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love.

We exist to support and encourage the living out of Catholic Social Teaching within the Diocese. Volunteers give thousands of hours to support those who are ill, poor and marginalised throughout Essex and East London, working with those of all faiths and none. Caritas Diocese of Brentwood celebrates that work, which is often both hidden and heroic. Every year, we intend to bring together those working in parishes, schools, and groups across the Diocese for a day of networking, sharing good practices, and training. During the year, we hope to match those seeking volunteer opportunities with local groups that are desperate for volunteers to help them continue and develop their work; this website is the primary way we do that. Through our social media, we also share news about charitable initiatives and celebrate moments of particular significance that might otherwise be known only within a particular parish or locality. Caritas Diocese of Brentwood is not another layer of “management” or “accountability” for any group – rather, we exist to amplify the good work already happening, giving it wider reach and greater prominence.

The date for our first conversation was significant; St John Bosco is the Patron Saint of the young and Caritas Diocese of Brentwood works closely with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, helping young leaders to have a strong appreciation of Catholic Social Teaching, and highlighting opportunities for young people and young adults to volunteer, so as to put their faith into action in practical ways.

Guiding us is the Gospel imperative, “Whatever you did to the least of my sisters and brothers, you did to me.” Matthew 25:40.

We are also inspired by the rich history of Catholic Social Teaching nurtured within our Diocese by Cardinal Manning more than 100 years ago, during the East London dock strike. His interventions were very significant at the very time when Pope Leo XIII was composing Rerum Novarum, the Papal Encyclical that is the touchstone for all Catholic Social Teaching.

On 1^st November 2018, the Diocese of Brentwood was delighted to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation as a Living Wage Employer. Caritas Diocese of Brentwood continues to encourage all parishioners who are also employers to take this step with us; the Living Wage lifts people from poverty and makes a decisive difference in the lives of many families.

Read the message from the launch day, including quotes from Pope Francis and Bishop Alan.

World Day of the Poor Messages – 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017