Mayor Dimoldenberg with the CLCC team
A celebration took place at the London Jesuit Centre on Tuesday, to mark the fifth anniversary of Central London Catholic Churches (CLCC) and the opening of their community garden. The event was attended by the Mayor of Westminster, Paul Dimoldenberg, volunteers and supporters.
In his introduction, parish priest Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, described how the project started five years ago in response to the dark days of the pandemic. At the start of the first lockdown, when all the shops and cafes, and most homeless projects, were forced to close, CLCC, with a team of just six people, set up a meal service in Trafalgar Square.
One of the first organisers, Jen Copestake, said: “I was received into the Church on the Feast of St Joseph, the day before the church closed, because of the Covid lockdown. We started going out looking for homeless people – offering friendship, hot coffee, showers, advice and support.” Jen remembered one man who was very ill with HIV. Many local business were really in trouble because of the lockdown. CLCC also approached local restaurants, clubs and hotels, who began providing them with top quality food.
The project soon went from strength to strength. Jen said: “We wanted to offer people a good experience. We are unique I don’t think there’s any other place like it. All our lunches are provided by local hotels and clubs. We have a wonderful team of volunteers and serve really good restaurant meals. It not a soup kitchen.”
Linda McHugh, the current volunteer co-ordinator recalled: “During the lockdown, Trafalgar Square was empty. It looked quite surreal. Then slowly, 50-70 people came out from bushes and doorways where they were sleeping. By the end of the week we were serving up to 200 people. We were only allowed to serve up to 18 people at a time because of social distancing. Numbers went up so quickly. “
She said: “There are lots of homeless services in London, but this is about much than just food. It’s about human dignity – making people feel worthwhile. Guests are not ‘service users’. We aim to give the best quality food. This is truly a community endeavour. London Jesuit Centre (LJC) houses us without charge. We are so very grateful to everyone.”
Fr Dominic said: “We hope one day, the homeless problem can be solved and there won’t be any more homeless people.” In the meantime as well as providing people with food, CLCC now offers job creation schemes, writing workshops, pilates, icon painting, pilates, gardening and many other activities.
Picking up this theme, Mark Smith, who runs the Cana Cafe at the LJC next to the church said: “One guest came in and said ‘do you have a kitchen?’ He’d been unemployed for ten years. Soon he started a soup and sandwich service from here. We’re providing an opportunity for people to get back to work.”
“Also on first Friday evenings we offer meals with entertainment – Karaoke, quizzes, music, film screenings. (The Cana Cafe is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 11am – 2.30pm)
After the presentation in the hall, we went outside into Mount Street Gardens where CLCC have had their own compost bin for some time. Today their kitchen was formally opened by Mayor Dimoldenberg.
The garden is going to be looked after by parishioners, local gardeners and some of the homeless guests. Mark Smith said they plan to grow herbs, edible flowers, salads – food that can be used with the meals.
During the launch, there was a delicious spread (prepared by the Cana Cafe) served in the Arrupe Hall, and guests were given cards with pictures of Andrew White’s Our Lady and Timothy Schmalz’s Homeless Jesus. Fr Dominic suggested we keep them – perhaps on our mantelpiece – to remember them in our prayers.
CLCC has come a long way in five years. Starting with six people, there are now 77 volunteers. In 2022, then Prince Charles paid them a visit. In 2023 they received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for their work. Last year CLCC won the Caritas Social Action Team Award. Farm Street parishioner Yasko Kurahachi won Caritas Social Action Award for her work with the homeless.
See more pictures on the ICN Facebook page: HERE
For more information about CLCC visit: https://clcc.uk
Read more about the Cana Cafe: www.farmstreet.org.uk/cana-cafe
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