Birmingham 'Seeker Centre' is one year old
Seeker Centre volunteers
March saw the First Anniversary of the Seeker Centre at St Michael?s Parish, located close to Birmingham?s Bull Ring development. This successful project was started by Fr John Staak of the Oblate Mission to Secularity team. Throughout the year, the Centre has grown in strength and numbers, helped also by Br Noel Garcia.
Around thirty volunteers take turns spending up to three hours each afternoon providing a welcome to anyone who walks through the door at St Michael?s. Some come to pray and take quiet time; others come to seek advice, help, guidance and comfort, regardless of belief or denomination.
All find a listening ear from trained people with many skills. The volunteers have taken part in training days led by Clare Ward from CASE (Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation) and retreat weekends at the Oblate Retreat Centre, Crewe.
The anniversary coincided with Fr John?s mission in Birmingham coming to an end, but what he started is continuing and should go from strength to strength. He leaves behind him a legacy which is inspirational. His sympathetic, gentle and caring approach to people of all ages, denominations and walks of life made him very approachable. He will be greatly missed.
Sr Mary Joseph and A. Starzewska