About us
In 2008/2009, the Social Apostolate expanded its operations to include an additional day of assistance, focusing primarily on food support as a soup kitchen for the homeless. The parish priest at the time, Father Peter Randall, recognized the need to increase aid and recruit more Polish-speaking volunteers. During this period, many Polish migrants began settling in North London, which led to the approval of requests for Polish-language Masses and the arrival of a Polish chaplain to reside in the parish.
Małgorzata Shannon from the aid organization “PEEC Family Centre” secured the first food funding, and with Father Peter’s approval, the weekly “Polish Friday Hot Soups for the Homeless” initiative was launched.
The pioneer and first supervisor of the group was Father Rafał Huzarski SJ, who also became the first Polish-speaking chaplain at our church.
The volunteer team formed from parishioners and “PEEC Family Centre” volunteers. Katarzyna Wójcik – our parishioner – served as the coordinator and liaison between the church and PEEC, while also recruiting volunteers for meal preparation and distribution.
As the number of people needing hot meals grew, our church remained the only place offering traditional Polish soups and sandwiches on Polish bread – consistently and without interruption for many years.
The Apostolate faced various crises, including financial difficulties when PEEC Family Centre ceased funding food supplies. The church decided to fully take over the group’s operations. Seeking to better understand homelessness, Father Peter embarked on a journey through London for several days and nights—with no money, only a small backpack. He later shared how this experience made him realize why a person who is hungry, thirsty, exhausted, and sleep-deprived might resort to actions beneath human dignity. He became convinced that the parish’s homeless support group was essential.
Another challenge was the shortage of volunteers willing to regularly dedicate a day’s work to helping the poor. High turnover and lack of experience further hindered the effort.
Dziś jesteśmy uformowana i dobrze zorganizowana grupa wsparcia dla ludzi bezdomnych i potrzebujących. Dzięki wsparciu proboszcza Ojca Andrew Cameron -Mowat zostały pozyskane fundusze na opłacenie dwóch stanowisk pracy w Apostolacie społecznym oraz zwiększenie możliwości pomocowych dla bezdomnych i ubogich w rejonie północnego Londynu.
Many years ago, we incorporated spiritual support into our assistance program. This now includes:
Monthly Masses for the homeless
Funeral Masses for the deceased without family
We observe the most important events in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Each year, we organize Christmas Eve dinners and Easter celebrations for the homeless and those in need.
In 2022, the Social Apostolate was honored for its lifetime achievements and received the Westminster Diocese’s highest award – ‘Love in Action’ – recognizing us as the best charitable organization for outstanding service in supporting the homeless and people facing life hardships