England

The Catholic Francophone church and chaplaincy in the city centre of London, entrusted to the pastoral care of Marist communities since 1865. Our Marist mission is to form a community of faithful which is committed to evangelisation in word and action. This involves pastoral care of the Francophone community, support for refugees and asylum-seekers, and reaching out to others in the West End of London, especially those who experience hardship. The Sandwich Service welcomes homeless people and others in need on Saturdays with sandwiches, and perhaps more importantly for an opportunity to chat and relax for a few hours. The Notre Dame Refugee Centre (www.notredamerc.org.uk) welcomes asylum-seekers and refugees in a drop-in centre for general support, a socialising space, providing immigration and housing advice, English classes, and free clothes and toiletries.

Our ministry here is to contribute to the life of the local church in the Spirit of Mary. We do this by visiting the elderly and the housebound, attending interfaith meetings and ecumenical gatherings. We carry out supply work in local parishes, giving days of recollection to local groups and work in centres of welcome for refugees and asylum seekers. As part of the Marist family, we support and encourage the Marist laity in their vocation.

The community is responsible for the pastoral care of an extensive rural parish with four churches in the coastal area of North Norfolk centred on the village of Walsingham. We seek to promote Vatican II's vision of Church and its development in the initiatives of Pope Francis.