Members of the Catholic Union’s St Thomas More Circle gathered at St Mary’s, Cadogan Street in Chelsea for their annual Mass and Reception on Thursday 15 June.
The St Thomas More Circle of donors was launched by the Catholic Union in January 2019 to support and grow the work of Union. Since then, the Catholic Union has been able to expand and develop its work, including the appointment of a Deputy Director last year.
Members of the Circle were joined by MPs, priests, and people from the press to celebrate the achievements of the Catholic Union over the past 12 months and look ahead to next year’s plans.
The event was sponsored by the Universe Catholic Weekly with guests welcomed by Msgr Martin Hayes, Vicar General for the Diocese of Westminster and Assistant Priest at St Mary’s.
Catholic Union Acting Chairman, Richard Collyer-Hamlin, thanked people for their support and encouraged more people to become members of the Circle. “We are seeking 100 supporters, each giving £1,000 per year, to help us with the essential costs of the Union’s operation” he said.
As part of the celebrations, Catholic Union President, Sir Edward Leigh MP, was presented with a copy of “God in Number 10” to mark his 40 years in Parliament, having first been elected to the Commons in June 1983.
Catholic Union Acting Chairman, Richard Collyer-Hamlin, commented: “The success of the Union in recent years is thanks to so many people. We are extremely grateful to Sir Edward for his many years of service as our President, making the Catholic viewpoint known in Parliament in good times and bad. But our work would not be possible without the support of our benefactors and supporters. It was a pleasure to thank some of them in person at our reception. I look forward to welcoming more members of the St Thomas More Circle over the months ahead”.