George Weigel on an Extraordinary Evangelization outreach in London

"I'd heard about Father Alexander Sherbrooke long before we met in June 2011; Father Sherbrooke had been a mentor for young friends of mine who had worked at St. Patrick's Church in London as pastoral assistants and catechists. When we finally got to know each other in person, I had that wonderful experience of knowing, almost instantly, that here was someone with whom I would remain in serious (but also rollicking) conversation - someone on whose friendship I could rely as spiritual ballast.

"What Father Sherbrooke has done at St. Patrick's in his 17 years as its pastor is little short of miraculous. Soho Square, where the parish is located, is in London's West End, a thoroughly decadent part of the city that caters to every imaginable human appetite. The church's roof was penetrated by a Luftwaffe bomb during World War II and the parish was in tough shape, pastorally and financially, when Father Sherbrooke arrived.

"Then came the miracles of grace, channeled through constant prayer, hard work, pastoral imagination, and support from the pastor's many friends and followers."

In a recent commentary, George Weigel (columnist and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC) reflected on the outreach of Fr. Sherbrooke and St. Patrick Parish during these times of the coronavirus challenge.

To access Mr. Weigel's complete post, please visit:

The Boston Pilot: Echoes: The Catholic Difference: Extraordinary evangelization in extraordinary times (27 MAY 20)