The kick-start for ‘,Parishes for Peace’, was the Pope`s call to every Catholic Family and Institution in Europe to take in a refugee family. For the last year 5th Gospel pilgrims to the Holy Land had visited the Iraqi Christians staying in Catholic parishes in Jordan and given what help they could in the form of money, clothes and toys for the children –, but were distraught and frustrated that they could not do more. These Christians are the Iraqis who fled from ISIS when Mosul and Nineveh were seized and bombed in August 2014. A decade ago 35,000 Christians lived in the city, last year there were 3,000, the day ISIS took over all were either killed or fled. They were given the choice of converting to Islam and paying a tax or being killed. Rather than lose their faith they left everything. Their bank accounts were frozen and even as they left the city, the few possessions they could carry were taken from them. Who are they and how are they living? They are Catholic and Chaldean Christians from the earliest days of the church. They are devout with a very strong faith and whole families fled wherever possible, so they are all ages although many have also lost fathers and family members, there are teenagers and university students whose studies are on hold. Most are middle-class professionals, teachers, doctors, engineers, veterinary surgeons or businessmen. There are also many skilled craftsmen and mechanics. They are intelligent, resourceful, disciplined and self-motivated people who are an asset to any community. Their lives are now on hold. They are waiting, just waiting. They have been given shelter by the Jordanian Government and refugee status by the United Nations. When they arrived they came to the Christians in Jordan, rather than the refugee camps, and are being cared for by parish priests and the Don Orione Fathers in and around Amman. Portacabins have been set up in many parish car-parks and typically 9-12 whole families are living in a parish, one family to a cabin, using the parish bathroom, kitchen and hall as the communal living area. Others are housed in simple one-room accommodation in the poorest areas of Amman. Even so, at the Caritas Centre one elderly gentleman and his wife invited us to his home for tea, and we were welcomed into the cabins wherever we went, which we noted were beautifully kept and had all the religious pictures we find in our Catholic homes. There are about 6,000 registered Iraqi Christian refugees in Jordan. Caritas is providing for their basic needs in most cases, and has set up a special centre for them in Amman, which provides medical and psychological care and classes in English. Most of the children are in Christian schools by now –, only the senior boys and girls are left out, unable to go to university in Jordan. The refugees are not allowed to work in Jordan –, although the Vatican has negotiated permission for them to be paid for working for the church. So their days are spent making the most of their time as best they can, but basically being forced to hang around, doing nothing. They have no money apart from private donations. Everything is gifted. All the resources of the NGOs are severely stretched and they cannot help all the people who need their help, thus private fundraising and distribution is essential. What are they looking for? They are waiting in hope to be accepted by Australia, Canada, America or the UK and given the chance to start a new life. They need visas. They know they cannot go back to Iraq, their homes, communities and churches have been completely destroyed. They have been waiting now for 15 months and realistically probably will have another two or more years to wait. Meanwhile they need the love and support of fellow Christians, it is the least we can do. Tragically the relationships of trust over hundreds of years they’,d had with their Muslim friends and neighbours were severely damaged and destroyed when they turned on them with the advance of ISIS. Their trust and hope is now entirely with the Church. They need help to keep up their morale and to know that they have not been abandoned. How can Parishes for Peace help? With the Pope`s call closely followed by Cardinal Nichols and Archbishop Peter`s letter to all Catholic parishes and finally a meagre offer by the Government to take refugees from the Syrian conflict - the light of hope was switched on. In September, former pilgrims from Sussex, Devon &, Cornwall, Worcester and Birmingham spontaneously made contact with 5th Gospel to link up to form an organised and effective channel of support for the Iraqi Christians to be spearheaded by Della Shenton, 5th Gospel in Devon and the Parish Priest of Weybridge, Fr Con Foley. Richard King of Tozers Solicitors agreed to advise on forming a dedicated Charity, Bishop Patrick Lynch and David Ryall of the Bishops` Conference and Richard Harrington the new Minister for refugees were informed of the initiative, together with our respective Bishops and our Diocesan Coordinators. In October a study tour of the parishes in Jordan took place for a small team to meet families at first hand, to see the work of Caritas and other NGOs for the Iraqis, and to meet the Papal Nuncio. The team included Fr Gilmour McDermott and Della Shenton from Plymouth Diocese and Fr Con Foley, Fr Chris Spain, Aidan Cantwell and Carmen Narbona from Arundel and Brighton Diocese. From this initial fact-finding visit, Parishes for Peace has produced a presentation to take around to our parishes. What can you do? 1. Fund-raise for the “,shawerma”, fund - this is a fund handled by the parish priests to give the schoolchildren a voucher to buy from the shop a mid- morning healthy brunch at school like all the other children. It is also used for vouchers to provide personal things for the women. 2. This Christmas, send cards and little presents to all the families living in the parishes for whom we have names and details. Currently we have over 50 families –, 200 or more people. 3. Fundraise to organise in Jordan, in 2016, days out, weekends away, treks for the young and pilgrimages, with English friends wherever possible. 4. Form direct, parish-based communication and relationships - family to family - parish to parish –, so that they can become members of the parish and restore the knowledge that they belong to a caring Catholic Christian community. 5. Longer-term be a respected, experienced and knowledgeable voice speaking for them in the UK, helping the Bishops’, Conference and the Minister to keep their case in front of the Government. For more information about Parishes for Peace contact Felicity Stead, Editor CSW Mob: 07906 234 210 email: felicitystead@btinternet.com Issue 220 December 2015 ` Torquay Celebrate Weekend 2015 Page 5 Parish Evangelisation and Youth Rally winners Page 9 Parishes for Peace –, helping Iraqi Christians

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2 - Catholic South West December 2015 ‘,Catholic South West’, is the monthly newspaper which serves the communications needs of the clergy, organisations and people of the Diocese of Plymouth. EDITORIAL Editor: Felicity Stead 07906 234 210 01803 326929 felicitystead@btinternet.com Your letters, articles and photos are most welcome. Ideally please send by email, otherwise by CD or paper copies to the editor, c/o The Presbytery, Priory Road, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4NY ADVERTISING Sales Manager: Ray Lambert rayl@cathcom.org PUBLISHER &, DISTRIBUTOR Published by: CathCom Limited, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, CB9 7BN Tel. 020 7112 6710 Website: www.cathcom.org REGIONAL MANAGEMENT Deanery Contacts Cornwall Deanery Rev Adrian Dyer, 01209 213698 adrian153@Live.com Dorset Deanery Bridport: Pat McEvoy, 01308 424358 pat.mcevoy@bluebottle.com Poole: Brian Condon, 01202 687392 brian.condon@uwclub.net Weymouth: Esmé,e Nicholls 01305 834098 Exeter Deanery Exeter: Frances Canning, 01392 209542 francesandedward@blueyonder.co.uk Plymouth Deanery Monica Evans, 01752 663388 monrobin@Hotmail.co.uk Torbay Deanery Richard Stead, 07952 670292 rfv.stead@btinternet.com Editorial Panel Canon Michael Lock (Chairman), Rev Tony Irwin, Susanne Kowal, Sue Walsh, Adrian Wardle COPY DEADLINE: First day of the month Please note that opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publishers, Editor, The Diocese of Plymouth or the Roman Catholic Church. www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Apostleship of the Sea a “,visible sign of the church’,s concern for seafarers”, The Right Reverend Mark O`Toole, Bishop of Plymouth, has thanked Catholic charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) for being a visible sign of the Church`s concern for seafarers. In his homily during the AoS Stella Maris Mass in Plymouth Cathedral on October 8, Bishop O’,Toole said, “,Your presence in ports throughout the world, your daily visits to ships docked in these ports and the fraternal welcome you give to the crews whilst in port are a visible sign of the Church`s concern for those who are far from home and who cannot receive ordinary pastoral care through a parish.”, The Bishop asked those present at Mass to reflect on three words which were at the heart of the Gospel of the day and the heart of AoS’, work - presence, listen, and discernment. He recalled how earlier in the week he had co- hosted an ecumenical conference on Modern Slavery and with the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, Inspector Shaun Sawyer: “,It was a good, if troubling day at times, when we heard a lot about the modern forms of slavery. You know this from some of your work in ports and the experience of some seafarers who can be kept imprisoned in service of unscrupulous commercial vessels for months on end,”, he told the congregation that consisted mostly of AoS chaplains, ship visiting volunteers, donors and supporters. Bishop Mark said: “,It was lovely to hear the Chief Constable speak to me so warmly and positively of the work of Apostleship of the Sea. He told me how important your presence is in those situations and, on occasion, being the whistle blower to the abuse of people’,s dignity. It struck me, in the light of that Gospel that you are like messengers of good news –, like the Archangel Gabriel –, bringing the presence of the Lord into a dark world.”, He added, “,You are the Church, present in some very difficult situations and bringing the Good news to those whom you meet. You are there to remind them that they are not abandoned, that the Lord is with them. AoS is something of which the Catholic Church can be rightly proud, so thank you.”, North Devon pupils learn about AoS work with seafarers Pupils from Our Lady’,s Catholic primary school in Barnstaple, North Devon had a school assembly with a difference recently - they got the chance to discover about the lives of seafarers and the world of shipping. The students were all ears when told about how seafarers play a vital role in moving essential goods by sea. They also learnt about the work of the Apostleship of the Sea and how the organisation provides spiritual, pastoral and welfare support to seafarers in need. AoS director of development John Green, who spoke at the school’,s assembly on 19th October, said: “,The subject of the sea and the lives of seafarers touches many aspects of the national curriculum and is a fundamental part of this country’,s heritage.”, He added: “,We rely on the sea for many things and up to 95% of the goods we use or consume in the UK arrive by sea. There are some 100,000 ships at sea crewed by more than 1.5 million seafarers.”, AoS, through its network of 16 port chaplains in ports around Great Britain offers seafarers spiritual and practical care. This includes arranging for them to attend Mass, praying with them and providing them with free WiFi connection and phone top up cards so they can contact their families back home. John said: “,The students were very enthusiastic and listened with interest. They weren’,t familiar with local ports in the area, but knew names of these towns such as Plymouth.”, AoS has a range of resources which include lesson plans and assemblies that are both easy to use and engaging for students. They can be downloaded at http://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/r esources-schools Due to the nature of their work, seafarers can spend up to nine months away at sea, separated from their family and loved ones and sometimes working in harsh conditions. In the Plymouth Diocese, AoS’, chaplains and ship visitors provide spiritual, pastoral and welfare support to seafarers who arrive at ports in the South West. This includes organising Mass and prayers on board ships as well as helping seafarers contact their families back home. Please remember in your prayers the AoS Chaplains in our Diocese and those to whom they minister: John Pinhay (Falmouth and Fowey), Ann Donnelly (Plymouth and Teignmouth) and Rev Roger Stone (Weymouth and Portland). More information about the work of AoS can be found at www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk Diocesan News

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December 2015 Catholic South West - 3 Thanks to your donations, CAFOD is working with local Church volunteers to provide emergency aid to refugees as they arrive in Greece. As winter approaches, thousands of people are risking their lives every day to cross to Greece, many with little more than the clothes they are wearing. The vast majority are fleeing war and oppression in their own countries. Aza, 21, recently reached the island of Lesbos with her nine-month-old son. She said: “,We left Syria because of the war. We saw a lot of blood, a lot of destruction. Everything was expensive and we didn’,t have any food. They told us that there would be 35 people in our boat but when we arrived there were more than 200. We were in the sea and the engine stopped. The first thing we did was call the coastguard but they didn’,t come. The engine was full of smoke. My son was vomiting and he couldn’,t breathe. I was praying to God so he could save us. I saw lots of people pray. All of them were crying. And all of them were scared.”, Thanks to your donations, we are working with our partner Caritas Hellas to support refugees like Aza as they arrive on Lesbos and other Greek islands, as well as at the border with Macedonia. The response is led by Church volunteers like Len Meachim, who moved from the Wirral to Lesbos 30 years ago. He said: “,They’,re not coming just to have a better life, but to have a life. The least I can do is help them. They’,re incredibly relieved when they arrive, which I think shows the danger they have been through to get here. What really strikes me though is that these people could be us. When you look at them they are not really that different from any other family.”, CAFOD’,s Laura Purves, who is providing specialist humanitarian support to Caritas Hellas, said: “,People in Greece are showing extraordinary compassion towards the refugees, but, with a struggling economy, it`s a challenge for the Greek government to provide all the help that’,s needed. As temperatures drop across Europe, the next few months will be very difficult. The donations of Catholics in England and Wales mean that local Church volunteers can provide food, nappies for babies, raincoats for winter and sanctuary to those who need it most.”, As well as working in Greece, we are providing food, healthcare and emergency supplies to thousands of refugees in Serbia, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. We are also providing aid to people within Syria whose lives have been torn apart by the war but who cannot afford to leave the country. Please join us in praying for the refugees and please donate to our refugee crisis appeal. If you’,re not already a CAFOD supporter and would like to be involved please contact Simon Giarchi, CAFOD Plymouth Diocese Community Participation Officer Tel: 01364 645440 email: plymouth@cafod.org.uk website: www.cafodplymouth.org.uk From Peru to the Philippines, from Bangladesh to Brazil, our partners overseas tell us that they see increased floods, droughts and extreme weather harming the poorest people they work with. They are urging us to stand with them against climate change. Yet the UK Government spends billions of pounds supporting dirty fossil fuels overseas that contribute to climate change. Inspired by our faith and love for our neighbours, we’,re calling on our government to shift the balance towards renewable energy to lift people out of poverty and protect the Earth, our common home. CAFOD responds to refugee crisis on Lesbos Hosanna House, HCPT’,s own ‘,Home from Home’, with its beautiful chapel, is set in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Bartres just a few kilometers outside Lourdes. This year there were 41 Pilgrims aged 19 to 85 years, largely from South &, East Devon, in Liz Bettesworth’,s Group 539 which earlier this month returned from its 36th consecutive annual Lourdes Pilgrimage. Our medical requirements were looked after by Dr Ivor Nazareth, who travels each year from California to be among long standing friends, with the help of our excellent nurse Ros Johnson and other experienced Helpers. The spiritual needs of the Group were in the loving hands of Fr Michael Caine who was enjoying his first visit to Lourdes. He was assisted by a popular young Seminarian, Matt Roche-Saunders, from South Wales. The week in Lourdes was full of wonderful days, some quiet and reflective, spent on the terrace enjoying the spectacular scenery, others busy attending the many ceremonies. Because the trip coincided with the French National Pilgrimage for ‘,Our Lady of the Rosary’, there were with about 15,000 Pilgrims in town. This meant huge numbers at the outside International Mass, the devotional Marion Torchlight Procession and of course the Blessing of the Sick after the Blessed Sacrament Procession. The highlights, however were as always, the visits to Our Lady at the Grotto. A very spiritual Group Mass was celebrated at the 12th Century Abbey in the picturesque mountain village of St Savin overlooking the beautiful Gave Valley. The village of Gavarnie in the high Pyrenees was the location for the Group’,s ‘,Day Out’,. There was plenty of fun and laughter too with a Fancy Dress Party, the theme being ‘,Nursery Rhymes’, followed by a ‘,Hosanna House has talent’, competition which was won by the Singing duet, Fr Louis Rieunier &, Seminarian Matt. All too soon, the Group was making its way down to the grotto for the last visit to collect holy water, light candles, pray and say goodbye to Our Lady. Our week was over for another year until next year when HCPT will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, 60 years since Our Founder, Bro Michael Strode first took just 4 children to Lourdes. We pray he will be able to join us for this very special celebration. Group 539 HCPT offers pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes for those with special needs or health problems, supported by volunteer helpers. If you know of anyone who would benefit from joining or would like to be a volunteer helper please contact: Liz &, Barney Bettesworth email: barney@bettesworths.co.uk Tel: 01803 606807. The Group will be flying from Exeter next year on HCPT GROUP 539’,s Visit to Lourdes October 2015 Friday 16th September returning on Friday 23rd September. Editor: HCPT Group 579 were also at Hosanna House at the beginning of October and their story will be published in the next (February) edition of CSW.

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4 - Catholic South West December 2015 CSW Readers Special Offer £,20 - off all annual travel insurance purchased during December to start January, February or March Bishop Mark has accepted an invitation to become a Patron of SAT- 7 which broadcasts the Christian message to the people of the Middle East and North Africa by satellite television. On accepting the invitation Bishop Mark said: “,I am very happy to be a Patron of SAT-7 particularly concerning its exceptional work in supporting Christians in the Middle East and North Africa. Their vision of encouraging Christians to bear witness to Jesus Christ through modern communications methods is particularly important in this part of the world and at a time when so many Christians are persecuted for their Faith.”, SAT-7 was founded 20 years ago with the vision “,to make God’,s love visible”, in the Middle East and North Africa. It is an interdenominational organisation overseen by an international Council and Board of Reference that includes senior representatives of all the major Middle East Churches. With 80 per cent of programmes made in the region, it runs five Christian satellite TV channels, broadcasting in Arabic, Farsi (Persian) and Turkish, the principle languages of the region. Rachel Fadipe, SAT-7’,s UK Executive Director, said: “,We are delighted that Bishop Mark O’,Toole has become a Patron of SAT-7 Trust as a representative of Roman Catholic believers in this troubled but spiritually thirsty region.”, Editorial note: Launched in 1996, with an international headquarters in Cyprus, SAT-7 broadcasts Christian satellite television to an audience of over 15 million people in the Middle East and North Africa. SAT-7 broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish languages on 5 channels: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 KIDS, SAT-7 PLUS, SAT-7 PARS, and SAT-7 TÜ,RK. For more information and photos, contact SAT-7 Press and Online Communications Officer Lindsay Shaw Tel: 01249 765865 email: lindsay@sat7uk.org. For general information about SAT-7 go to www.sat7uk.org Bishop Mark O’,Toole becomes a Patron of SAT-7 Christmas in the Holy Land 2015 The South Western section of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem are holding an open evening at Torre Abbey in Torquay on Thursday 10th December. All are welcome. The evening will begin with Mass at 6pm celebrated in the recusant chapel, followed by a reception with an Oriental buffet and a presentation giving an update on life for the Christians in the Holy Land. Knights and Dames will describe how the Order raises funds and contributes in other ways to make life a little easier for them in these very difficult times. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre has its origins dating back to the first crusade and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1099. It was reconstituted in 1847 when the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem was restored, to provide a regular support of prayer and works for the Christian communities in the Holy Land. It is a papal Order and has some 23,000 members (Knights and Dames) throughout the world. Each country (or in larger countries) regions has its own Lieutenancy, led by a Lieutenant appointed by the Cardinal Grand Master of the Order, currently Cardinal Edwin O`Brien. It is governed from Rome by an international council, the Grand Magisterium. The current Lieutenant of England and Wales is His Excellency Dr David Smith. Recent projects undertaken by the English and Welsh Lieutenancy include financial contributions to building a new parish church in the village of Muqeibleh in Israel, a library and a computer room at Til` al Ali in Jordan and a science laboratory for the Catholic school in Gaza as well as organising training courses and work experience in England for teachers of English and visiting seminarians from the Holy Land. Olive wood gifts from Bethlehem will be for sale during the evening. There is plenty of parking available. If you would like to attend further information is available from Peter McEwan peterpittscourt@hotmail.co.uk.` David Byrne Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Diocesan News Torbay Deanery Western Section President, Dr Derek Indoe and his wife Roberta with children from the Holy Family Creche in Bethlehem

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December 2015 Catholic South West - 5 FUNERAL SERVICES To advertise in the next issue of Catholic South West please contact Ray at CathCom on 01440 730399 The fourth Torquay Celebrate Weekend took place on 17th and 18th October, at St Cuthbert Mayne School, with main speakers David Wells, Charles Whitehead and Rev Russ Parker. Six workshops took place on both Saturday and Sunday. RISE Theatre provided drama sketches, and Tom and Emma Bonard led the music group. Children and young people were catered for in their own age-related streams. Bishop Mark celebrated Mass with us on Saturday, Fr Kieran Kirby was our chaplain, and several local priests spent some time with us and made the Sacrament of Reconciliation available. Mary Taylor shares with CSW readers some of the feedback from those who attended from across the Diocese which tells the story of the weekend: Liturgies, Music and the Clergy “,The worship is truly stunning - the Spirit moving within the room is tangible.”, “,Excellent and ‘,tuned-in’, music ministry’, “,Beautiful and powerful praise and worship times”, “,Sensitive musical accompaniment of whatever was going on.”, “,The Masses were amazing!”, “,Mass with Bishop Mark was inspiring.”, “,It was wonderful to see Bishop Mark. “, “,How great that the Bishop stayed for the evening and visited the streams - that meant a lot to my son.”, Workshops and Drama “,Wonderful speakers and workshops”, “,Entertaining, thought provoking, challenging, anecdotal and at times laugh out loud funny”, “,Workshops were varied with something for everyone e.g. practical or reflective, interactive or passive with a wide choice each day.”, “,The practical workshops were good for giving space to reflect creatively.”, “,The meditation in the chapel was most refreshing.”, “,I enjoyed hearing about the Chemin Neuf community.”, “,I was very moved by RISE.”, “,RISE were fabulous - it is great to have such a different way to access/develop my faith journey.”, “,5* RISE - I am very deaf and had absolutely no difficulty hearing anything.”, Community “,I enjoyed meeting and chatting to young people.”, “,I was really glad that I came …, finding it very easy to talk to people I`d never seen before.”, “,This is my fourth year here and each year it gets better.”, “,The youngest person I met there was a few days old and the oldest was over 80.”, “,I loved the whole weekend - it challenges me and gives me some real moments of joy.”, “,My children love this weekend and start counting down to it weeks ahead. I love knowing that they are having such a special time and learning so much about their faith in a safe and happy place.”, “,Our children especially loved being with fellow young Catholics!”, “,My son did not stop talking all the way home …, He loved the big questions they explored and the fact that they could voice how ‘,faith’, was for them in everyday life.”, “,It was amazing to see how Celebrate had a calming effect on the children over the weekend.”, “,Our eldest has made a commitment to World Youth Day.”, “,My son was talking about Celebrate as being ‘,magic’, in a good way, of course. The Word of the Lord had definitely affected him and prompted him into deeper thinking.”, “,I liked the social aspect of the streams and the talks were very deep…,I really enjoyed finding out more about my faith and meeting God again. I am looking forward to my new stream next year!”, Lasting Effects “,I was struck by the Lord`s peace from the moment I arrived and felt quite at home.”, ”,A chance to recharge spiritual batteries.”, “,I really have felt the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”, “,For me the one word that sums up the weekend is joy, and who doesn’,t need more of that? I can’,t wait to go again next year.”, The next Torquay Celebrate Weekend takes place on October 15th/16th 2016, come and join us. Mary Taylor Celebrate Torquay Celebrate Weekend 2015

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6 - Catholic South West December 2015 To advertise in the next issue of Catholic South West please contact Ray at CathCom on 01440 730399 A Call to Action (ACTA) –, Holy Year of Mercy –, a challenge to us all Pope Francis’,s document which announced the current Holy Year, is a fascinating read. Particularly striking for me are the phrases in paragraph 10: ‘,Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’,s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers, nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church’,s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.’, The Pope’,s words highlight how important for the success of evangelisation, and a prerequisite to bring people closer to the Lord, is that the Church/People of God can demonstrate their credibility by loving words and actions. Later in the document Pope Francis examines the relationship between justice and mercy, understanding them as, ‘,two dimensions of a single reality that unfolds progressively until it culminates in the fullness of love.’, He returned to this theme of mercy/love and credibility at the close of the recent Synod when in his homily on the gospel story of the meeting of Jesus with Bartimaeus, he said: ",Even though he has only begun his most important journey he still stops to respond to Bartimaeus’, cry. Jesus is moved by his request and becomes involved in his situation. He is not content to offer him alms, but rather wants to personally encounter him. Jesus shows that he wants to hear our need, he wants to talk with each of us about our lives, our real situations, so that nothing is kept from him.", He then outlined two temptations that face all of us within the Church saying: ",None of the disciples stopped, as Jesus did. If Bartimaeus was blind, they were deaf: his problem was not their problem. This can be a danger for us: in the face of constant problems, it is better to move on, instead of letting ourselves be bothered. In this way, just like the disciples, we are with Jesus but we do not think like him. We are in his group, but our hearts are not open.", He continued: ",We lose wonder, gratitude and enthusiasm, and risk becoming habitually unmoved by grace. We are able to speak about him and work for him, but we live far from his heart, which is reaching out to those who are wounded. This is the temptation: a `spirituality of illusion:` we can walk through the deserts of humanity without seeing what is really there, instead, we see what we want to see. “,The second temptation occurs when, we are able to walk with the People of God, but we already have our schedule for the journey, where everything is listed. We know where to go and how long it will take, everyone must respect our rhythm and every problem is a bother, We run the risk of becoming the `many` of the Gospel who lose patience and rebuke Bartimaeus. Jesus, on the other hand, wants to include, above all, those kept on the fringes who are crying out to him.", Pope Francis concluded by adding: ",They, like Bartimaeus, have faith, because awareness of the need for salvation is the best way of encountering Jesus”,. ACTA exists to help develop an atmosphere of openness and dialogue within the Church and in so doing can contribute greatly to the development of mercy and justice, and demonstrate the church’,s credibility to those it seeks to reach through this Jubilee Year. Peter Farrell ACTA Co-ordinator for the Plymouth Diocesan Area Tel: 01626 369478 email: petane@o2.co.uk Diocesan News Cornwall Deanery Parish of St Cuthbert Mayne, Launceston (with Bude and Callington) Harvest Celebrations On Sunday 4th October, after evening Mass in the beautifully decorated church of Our Lady of Victories, Callington, there was a Harvest Supper in the adjacent hall to which all three communities within the Parish were invited. Also present were the Portreeve of Callington and the Mayor of Bude, who is also Chair of the PPC. Fifty people sat down to a free four-course meal prepared by a team of parishioners led by the indefatigable Val Williams. The wine was supplied free too. During a necessary ‘,digestive break’, there was a pub-style quiz by Ursula, a raffle in aid of CAFOD, Maureen played her accordion and accompanied MC Kevin Grant in his solo of “,O Danny Boy”,. The evening was a triumph of efficient organisation, good humour and conviviality which will be long remembered. (Photos by Marie-Louise Towl) Fr David Annear Launceston

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December 2015 Catholic South West - 7 Church Pews Uncomfortable? Why not try top quality upholstered foam pew cushions? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33 Free Sample Pack of foam &, fabrics sent by first clss mail When phoning please quote MV101 Cornwall Deanery Falmouth parishioners Ben and Jenny Davis contacted CSW with news of a remarkable gesture by Eloise Lobban, Issy Wilde, Anna Munden, Livvy Morrison and Jessie Winchester whist on holiday in Greece earlier this year. Their story and photographs are published with kind permission of the Falmouth Packet. Eloise, Issy, Anna and Livvy had travelled to the holiday island to enjoy a post- college holiday before they went to university or into work, but a journey into Kos Town opened up their eyes to the scale of the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the Mediterranean. The group stayed in their accommodation for the first couple of days but when they ventured into the town they saw all the refugees, and how awful and desperate this problem was. Issy said: ",There`s just so many of them, and they had so little, and we just wanted to find out what we could do to help straight away. It hit us really hard.", Eloise added: ",There were just tents all the way down the side of the road. They were all standing around.", The pair told how the some of the people in the town bought food and donations for the refugees, while others gave donations to charities to distribute so they found a group of charity workers and asked what they could do to help. Issy said: ",We went to one of the supermarkets and bought some basic things like bread and biscuits, soap and towels. We just gave some of those out on the street. It was just awful how desperate the children were, but at the same time how polite they were, they would take everything so graciously, and be so thankful for it.”, After their first day with the charity, Anna set up a fundraising page for friends and family at home to help buy supplies, and within a couple of days they had raised €, 680. Eloise said: ",We went to look at it and it was just so much.", Issy added: ",Everyone from home was just so generous.", Before they left Kos they gave the donated money to Kos Solidarity and met George, a local physics teacher, who volunteers in his lunch breaks. He arranged for them to go to the centre where volunteers work making over 1,000 sandwiches a day to distribute in the evenings. At the centre, they were told that although many locals support the humanitarian effort, others were angry and tried to beat the volunteers, or shouted at them, that they shouldn`t be helping the refugees. Eloise said: ",It was an amazing day for us, it was amazing to see that there are people trying to do something about [the refugee crisis]. There were people from all over the world. People who had come on holiday and were helping out.", Issy added: ",We just didn`t know what to expect. We got there and it was so real, and so sad for all those people.", Kos Solidarity is in the process of setting up an account to enable it to accept overseas donations, and more information on the charity can be found by searching for Kos Solidarity on Facebook. Parish of St Mary, Falmouth Teens skip beach to help refugees Valerie (Val) Williams of the St Pio Information Centre, Callington is organising a Pilgrimage to Rome for a maximum of 20 people. Val’,s plans follow an address from Archbishop Michele Castoro to all devotees of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina: “,The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated Padre Pio as a witness and Apostle of Mercy to all Christianity for the forthcoming Jubilee Year. The remains of St Pio will be present at the Vatican for all to venerate from Monday 8th to Sunday 14th February 2016. The Holy Father has also granted pilgrims a private audience that will take place in the Paul VI auditorium (the Sala Nervi) in the Vatican on Saturday 6th February.”, Val’,s group will fly from Heathrow on Friday 5th February staying at Palazzola for 4 nights half-board returning to the UK on Tuesday 9th February. The cost will be approx. £,400. For more information and to book a place please contact Valerie Williams Tel: 01579 384024 email: willaimsvalerie897@gmail.com or post: (include a stamped addressed envelope) St Pio info Centre, 107 Broadmead, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7DE Pilgrimage to Rome –, February 2016 Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Tavistock Harvest Weekend Following CAFOD Harvest Fast Day, the parish organised a Harvest Supper on Saturday 3rd October at the back of the Church with all profits going to CAFOD. The evening was a huge success with around 50 people attending and £,600 raised by the event. Two special guests were also at the supper, Simon Giarchi, CAFOD Plymouth Diocesan Manager and Michel Mondengele who is the CAFOD representative for Niger. Both Simon and Michel provided a thought provoking presentation about the work of CAFOD in Niger as well as the impact that climate change is having on the country. The evening ended with one of ",Fr. John`s Famous Quiz`s", which was enjoyed by all. CAFOD volunteer James Ronan said: ",It was really great to get Simon and Michel to join us, hearing first-hand about the work CAFOD is doing in our name, this is incredibly inspiring and it is really essential especially at parish events like this, to remember those most in need and that we can all play our part in helping to make a positive difference.", Parishioner Anne Hughes said: ",It was lovely to see so many people gathered together for CAFOD and the atmosphere was lovely. It was great to see such community spirit.", With money collected for Harvest Family Fast Day, just under £,1,000 was sent to CAFOD from the parish over the Harvest weekend. We hope next year following this year`s success. Fr John Greatbatch Parish Priest

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8 - Catholic South West December 2015 In our modern restaurant, you can enjoy tea and homemade cakes or choose from our tasty range of hot meals. ALL THROUGHOUT DECEMBER, Please come and enjoy Christmas dinner through the counter every day. We have a large selection of Homemade cakes, puddings and chutneys. Also enquire about having a 4 course served lunch or evening function served throughout December and even January if you prefer. Grange Restaurant and Tea Rooms, Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0EE. 01364645504 Watch EWTN Live TV at ewtn.co.uk 020 8350 2542 Torbay Deanery Sacred Heart, Kingsbridge Widows and Orphans in Rural Kenya (W.O.R.K) Fr Adrian Toffolo, Chairman of W.O.R.K. writes: A few months ago, Catholic South West featured an article on Mary-Jane Butler who had just been elected as one of four ‘,Catholic Women of the Year 2015’, for years of tireless work on behalf of widows and orphans in the Diocese of Bungoma, Kenya, where priests of our Diocese had worked for many years. Mary-Jane had founded the charity W.O.R.K. for supporting orphans in education, widows’, groups, health clinics and projects to improve schools. On 23rd October, members of her family, Trustees of W.O.R.K. and other friends gathered with her at the Thistle Hotel in London at the annual luncheon of ‘,Catholic Women’, that celebrates the life and work of four ‘,unseen heroines’, who have given so much to less fortunate brothers and sisters. In the citation read out at the event, the nominating letter described her as “,one of the most dedicated people I have ever met.”, If anyone would like to know more about W.O.R.K. and how you could support its efforts for some of the really poor of our world, do please be in touch with me at Kingsbridge Tel: 01548.852670 email: Adrian.Toffolo@prcdtr.org. Dorset Deanery Our Lady of Lourdes &, St Cecilia, Blandford Forum The 40th Anniversary Fr Chacko’,s Priestly Ordination To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination, Blandford`s Parish Priest, Fr Chacko Panathara CM, a member of the Congregation of the Missions (the Vincentians), was treated to a Curry Evening with food cooked in traditional style over stoves in the presbytery garden and transported to a local hall by our Keralan community. A real ‘,taste of India’,. There are some 20 million Catholics in India and many of them live in the State of Kerala in the South West, from where Fr. Chacko hails. In 1993 Fr Chacko was sent by his order to Tanzania to establish a Vincentian mission. There are now 10 Indian and 13 Tanzanian Vincentians working in 5 different diocese in Tanzania and many more studying in the seminaries. Blandford Parish is supporting this fast growing initiative in the service of the people in one of the most remote missionary areas of the world. Some 80 parishioners enjoyed the event which raised over £,450 towards the building of the Mission`s new presbytery. Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Cecilia is a small parish of some 150 Mass goers in the market town of Blandford Forum. It has a truly international congregation with a dozen different nationalities attending the annual Pentecost international Mass and food festival. Fr Chacko is chaplain to the local Keralan communities in Blandford, Poole, Dorchester and other neighbouring parishes and their ever generous contribution to, and involvement in the parish is always appreciated. Ken Bateson Blandford Forum Torbay Deanery South Hams Catenians On Monday the 19th October the South Hams Circle celebrated their second birthday with their ladies. Following a meeting attended by visitors from Plymouth Circle, including Bob Butler, we had a very enjoyable dinner. We then had a draw and a few jokes from Brother Trevor Davies who was standing in for the President. Trevor presented Brother Bob with the new South Hams Circle tie to thank him for all the support he had given them right from the start. After Dinner, Roy Beaumont, who is the Coordinator for the Plymouth Street Pastors, gave us a most interesting and informative speech about the excellent work they carry out. One of the Visiting Brothers from Plymouth, Cesar Alarcon, is also serving as a Street Pastor in Plymouth which he joined following a talk by the previous Coordinator whilst Trevor was President of Plymouth Circle. Cesar is now a team leader. Brother Trevor then presented Roy with a cheque and the proceeds of the draw to go towards the good works of the Street Pastors. Trevor Davies South Hams Catenians The first DVD shows the candlelight procession which starts at the Grotto and proceeds to St Michael`s Gate gathering large numbers of people in the procession. The music is sung beautifully and the final return to the front of the Basilica is wonderful. The second DVD tells the Bernadette story and the Cathedral in the trees. Many people who attended the 2015 pilgrimage appear on this film which ends with the St Joseph`s Chapel. The third DVD covers the mass at the Grotto with the Birmingham group also it covers the River Gave 2011 floods followed by the healing service at the underground Basilica, finishing with group photographs. The fourth DVD covers the coach trip to the Pyrenees including mass at St Savin church and its history of 1000 years. Then a visit to the Napoleon Bridge and Gavarnie in the Spanish Pyrenees.

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December 2015 Catholic South West - 9 Dorset Deanery New Catenian Circle in Blandford The Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Cecilia in the small market town of Blandford Forum now boasts a Catenian Circle to complement its other active Parish Groups. The Circle was formally inaugurated on 15th September by the Grand President of the association, Peter Woodford at a ceremony followed by dinner at the Crown Hotel. A total of 150 people were present including Catenians from around the country with their wives together with Fr Chacko Panathara, Parish Priest, Hon Canon George Carrick Retired) and Deacon Michael Hughes (Shaftesbury). Blandford is a small rural, thriving and active parish serving both the Town and surrounding villages. With its very strong community spirit, it could be said to punch above its weight. The new Catenian Circle provides a forum for the men of the Parish and neighbouring parishes to meet socially and spiritually. Founding Circle President John Morley said: “,We have attracted 13 new Catenians, or brothers as they are known, together with a further 10 from other Circles as joint members. It’,s encouraging that we have attracted a number of younger Catholics in our quest to enhance and modernize the image of Catenians.”, John added that the Catenians provide a worldwide network of like-minded Catholic men and a prime objective is to strengthen family life through friendship and faith. The Parish is blessed with as many as 30 children and around half of this number are sons and daughters of Catenians, so mindful of this we will be looking for ways to involve the whole family in some of our activities. “,We pray together and we play together”, Ken Bateson Blandford Forum Fr Chacko, Hon. Canon George Carrick and Deacon Michael Hughes with the Brothers and Officers of newly inaugurated Blandford and District Circle The ladies of Blandford and District Circle To ensure a prayerful start to the work of evangelisation at Our Lady Star of the Sea a Forty Hours devotion took place after Sunday Mass on 25th October until Wednesday evening 28th October. Parishioners responded generously to Fr Stephen’,s request for volunteers to watch and pray during the periods of exposition each day so that Christ, in the Blessed Sacrament, was never alone. A truly powerful and prayerful beginning for this work which all are encouraged to support. Thirteen young people from our parish attended the annual Youth Rally at Honiton along with around 100 others from around the Diocese. They took part in a variety of individual and team games including skittles, Tug-of-war and It’,s a knock-out. Our young people won the It’,s a knock-out competition and Fr Stephen presented them with their winner’,s cup at the end of Mass the following Sunday. Esmé,e Nicholls Weymouth Our Lady Star of the Sea, Weymouth Parish Evangelisation and Youth Rally winners

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10 - Catholic South West December 2015 Dorset Deanery Holy Trinity, Dorchester Dorset Meditators Day Over sixty of us gathered in Dorchester recently to listen to Graeme Watson, a retired Anglican priest, a meditator within the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), and author of ‘,Strike the Cloud’, and ‘,Song of Songs.’, We reflected on some of the great themes of the 14th century timeless classic ‘,The Cloud of Unknowing’, to help us on our personal spiritual journeys. We were asked to consider whether we were being called to practice contemplative prayer. We then explored the effectiveness of approaching God through a one-word prayer, uttered silently in the heart. Graeme continued by looking at how contemplative and active approaches to God are complementary, as shown by Martha and Mary. Graeme writes in his book ‘,Strike the Cloud: “,This contemplative prayer of silence and stillness came to me as a life- giving gift and grace from God, which has brought about a springtime in my spiritual life, as it has done in the lives of thousands of other people.”, It was a wonderful day and people went home nourished and uplifted by the whole experience. The event was organised by the Dorset Meditators, (affiliated to the WCCM in the UK www.wccm.org. Anita Finnigan WCCM Regional Coordinator for Dorset Holy Trinity, Dorchester Exeter Deanery St Mary’,s, Barnstaple World Apostolate of Fatima (England &, Wales) Annual National Pilgrimage, July 2015 Once again the Diocese of Plymouth was well represented on World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, this year including two priests from our Diocese. As always, the pilgrimage is an opportunity for prayers and devotions as well as a time for relaxation. In addition to our daily rosaries in the chapel of Domus Pacis hotel and at the candlelight procession at the shrine, WAF pilgrims celebrated Masses at the Chapel of the Apparitions, as well as at Coimbra, in the chapel of the convent where Sister Lucia was a Carmelite nun, and at Ourem, where the children had been imprisoned in August 1917. The climax of every pilgrimage is Mass on the 13th –, the day of the apparition, the vigil began with the recitation of the rosary in the Capelinha, at the exact spot where Our Lady appeared, and on Monday 13th was followed by a great procession to the altar in front of the Basilica by representatives carrying their national flags, behind those of the Pope and Portugal. Then came a multitude of banners from parishes and organisations including our own WAF banner, followed by the bishops, priests and deacons, all carrying candles at the vigil mass, and at the end was a litter covered in flowers bearing the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. The whole route was lined by pilgrims singing and, at the vigil mass, carrying candles –, an awe-inspiring manifestation of faith and devotion. As the statue was processed back the pilgrims sang a beautiful hymn to our Lady and waved white handkerchiefs in farewell. There are extensive preparations going on at the Shrine in anticipation of the great crowds expected during May to October 2017 for the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to the little shepherd. It has recently been confirmed that Pope Francis will be included among the pilgrims in May 2017. The next WAF pilgrimage will be July 2016. If you are interested in joining us please contact Mike Daley Tel: 01793 829381. Fr Paul Andrew Parish Priest

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December 2015 Catholic South West - 11 Diary Dates December 2015 If you would like an entry for your Parish or Deanery to be included in the Diary Dates section please email details to the Editor at felicitystead@btinternet.com by the last working day of each preceding month. MARRIAGE CARE SOUTH WEST (MCSW) MCSW preparation course dates for 2016: , Buckfast Abbey Saturday 16th January For further local information please contact Jenny Allen email: jenny.allen96@btopenworld.com , Plymouth Saturdays 12th March, 16th July and 19th November For further local information please contact Clare Danes email: claredanesuk@yahoo.co.uk , Torbay Saturdays 5th March and 15th October For further local information please contact Jenny Allen email: jenny.allen96@btopenworld.com , Bournemouth Saturdays 9th January, 5th March, 9th April, 4th June and 10th September For further local information please contact Jacqueline at marriagecare@hotmail.co.uk All courses are day courses and lunch is included. Cost of the courses for 2016 is £,70. MCSW also offers FOCCUS, a guided questionnaire-based exploration and essential relationship know-how for individual couple with a trained facilitator. For more information contact mcsw.admin@marriagecare.org For all other enquiries about MCSW please contact Sue Burridge, head of MCSW centre Tel: 01395 272799 Mob: 07875 161 595 email: sue@marriagecare.org.uk. November 2015 Sunday 29th November, Truro Anglican Cathedral, 10am: Bishop Mark will be preaching at the 10am Eucharist for the First Sunday of Advent at the Cathedral. December 2015 Closing on Sunday 6th December - SVP Christmas food parcel collection, Blessed Sacrament Church, Exeter: Please place non-perishable food donations in the box at the back of the Church in aid of our Christmas Parcel Service for the homeless. Any cash donations can be given to SVP members Peter Kelly Tel: 01392 860682 Mob: 07598 143 949 or Amie Dunphy Mob: 07795 461528 or handed in at the Presbytery. Thursday 10th December, Torre Abbey, Torquay, from 6pm: An open evening with the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The evening will begin with Mass at 6pm celebrated in the recusant chapel, followed by a reception with an Oriental buffet and a presentation giving an update on life for the Christians in the Holy Land. All are welcome. For more information and for tickets please contact Peter McEwan peterpittscourt@hotmail.co.uk. Saturday 12th December, TOADS Little Theatre, St Mark’,s Road, Torquay, 7.30pm: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe –, a performance in aid of HCPT. More information available shortly from Christopher Woodman, HCPT Westcountry Regional Chairman email: westcountry@hcpt.org.uk January 2016 Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th January, St Patrick’,s Church, Soho, London: A five- day symposium for young adults aged 18-35 on THEOLOGY OF THE BODY. To register an interest or find out more please Tel: 020 743 7201 email: clcl@stpatricksoho.org or visit www.stpatricksoho.org. Sunday 24th January, Salvation Army Hall, Market Street, Torquay, 6pm: Unity Service for World Week of Prayer. REGULAR EVENTS Cornwall Deanery , New life House Groups focusing on prayer, scripture and fellowship (Acts 2): contact Sheona Mob: 07790 413 562 for more information and directions o Wednesdays 10am to 12noon 13a Pentire Rd, Newquay, TR7 1NX. o Wednesdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm (during term-time) 18A Ferris Town, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3JH or , New Life Praise and Worship Evenings: o First Wednesday of each month 6.15pm to 7.15pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by praise and Worship at 7.30pm: Our Lady of the Portal and St Piran Catholic Church, Truro. Contact Sheona Mob: 07790 413 562 for more information or visit www.newlifecatholiccommunity.com , Second Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm, Justice and Peace/Poverty Meeting followed by prayers for persecuted Christians: St Mary’,s Church Hall, Killigrew Road, Falmouth. , First &, Third Fridays 7pm to 9pm, Prayer Group, Mary’,s Eucharistic Renewal: St Paul’,s Social Centre, Tintagel. , Third Saturdays from 1.30pm to 4pm, Women’,s International League for Peace and Freedom, Penzance group: CHYMORGEN, Botallack, St. Just, TR19 7QJ. For more information Tel: 01736/788438 email: brigittemorrigan@talktalk.net , Wednesdays, 11.30am to 4pm, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - with Rosary at 12noon: Church of St Mary Immaculate, Falmouth. , Wednesdays, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Table Tennis: Church Hall, Falmouth - parishioners of all ages welcome. , Thursday evenings at 7.30pm, after evening Mass, Film Evening: The Church Hall, Our Lady of the Portal &, St Piran RC Church, Truro. , Saturdays, after the 10am Mass, Rosary: St Cuthbert Mayne Church, Launceston, all are warmly invited to join a small group of parishioners and pray the Rosary. , Saturdays at 11am, Legion of Mary: St Paul’,s Social Centre, Tintagel. Dorset Deanery , First weekend of every month, after weekend Masses, PRAYER MINISTRY for healing or any other need: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Weymouth. For more information contact Mike Newbery email: miknewb@btinternet.com , Monday evenings at 8pm, Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation Adult Education: Murray Muscat Centre, Glen Fern Road, Bournemouth. Admission free and all are welcome. For details of the topic for each session please contact Spencer Nathan email: spencer.nathan@lineone.net , Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, Inspire 20s to 40s Church Friends Group and Home Group: St Mary’,s Church, Poole after the 7pm Mass. Exeter Deanery , Third Saturday of each month, 4.30pm, Kerala Community Mass: Blessed Sacrament Church, Heavitree, Exeter. , Monday evenings at 7.30pm, Meditation Group: Richard Reynolds Centre, Heavitree Road, Exeter. , Tuesday evenings from 8pm to 9pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Mount St Mary Convent, Wonford Road. Plymouth Deanery , Second Monday of each month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Knights of St Columba: Cathedral Centre. , Third Monday of each month at 7pm, FOCOLARE –, Word of Life Group: Cathedral Centre. , Second Tuesday of each month, Patricians - Legion of Mary discussion group: Cathedral Centre, for more information please contact Raad Binham Tel: 07816 542 349. , Normally First Friday of each month after the 7pm Mass –, St Padre Pio Prayer Group: Cathedral, for more information contact Rev. Deacon Tony Irwin Tel: 01548 853413. , Second Saturday of each month, 11am to 12noon –, SPUC Anti-Abortion Prayers, Derriford: For more information contact Christine Hudson Tel: 01752 224018 , Second Sunday of each month, Sunday Lunch Club, Efford: for individuals, couples or families who would like to come, to book please contact Deacon Simon Fletcher or Suzanne Tel: 01752 667433. , Tuesday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Union of Catholic Mothers: Cathedral Centre. , Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, Discussion Group: Jeremiah Centre, Stott Close, Efford, Plymouth to reflect on the liturgical readings for the coming Sunday. , Thursday mornings at 10.30am (coffee from 10am) Bible Study Group: Cathedral Centre. , Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8.30pm, Legion of Mary: Cathedral Centre. , Friday evenings at 6pm, Holy Hour: The Cathedral , Sunday evenings, after the 6pm Mass –, CREDO: A forum for young adults wanting to deepen their faith and spiritual life in the Catholic Church through prayer, discussion and community. CREDO meets in Cathedral Centre. Torbay Deanery , Third Monday of every month, 7.15pm, South Hams Catenians: Seven Stars Public House, Kingsbridge. Please note new venue. , First Saturday of every month (except January) 7.45am for an 8am start, Christians Together in Torquay: Prayer Breakfast at St Luke`s Parish Church, St Luke`s Road. , First Sunday of every month, Polish Mass: Church of the Assumption, Abbey Road, Torquay at 4pm with confessions from 3.30pm. , Wednesdays from 6pm, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (with Vespers at 6.30pm and Benediction at 6.50pm): Holy Angels, Chelston, Torquay. RETREATS IN THE DIOCESE OF PLYMOUTH Silent and individually guided retreats by members of the Plymouth Diocesan Ignatian Spirituality Team: offering each person the opportunity for space, SILENCE and prayer with a spiritual companion to help you pray and reflect. Contact details for bookings and general information post: The Presbytery, 19 Fosse Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1NG Tel: 01548 852670 email: mjbutler@yahoo.com or adriantoffolo@yahoo.co.uk. Chemin Neuf Community, Sclerder Abbey, Looe, Cornwall: Formed in 1973 and established internationally in 27 countries the Chemin Neuf Community specialises in Marriage &, Family days, youth work, evangelisation. For more information about events at Sclerder Tel: 01503 272238 or visit the website www.chemin-neuf.org.uk/annuaire/united- kingdom/sclerder-abbey. 2016 PILGRIMAGES IN THE DIOCESE OF PLYMOUTH 19th –, 27th May: HCPT GROUP 507 JOINT SERVICES MILITARY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: are now taking enquires from veterans with disabilities to join them for next year’,s pilgrimage. We also welcome enquires for volunteer helpers of which the veterans wouldn`t be able to travel. If you would like to join us as a pilgrim or a helper please contact Richard Tipping for more information Tel: 01752 787697 e-mail: richard.tipping@blueyonder.co.uk. Plymouth Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Saturday 28th May to Friday 3rd June under the leadership of Bishop Mark O’,Toole: Pilgrims will stay at Hotel Chapelle et Parc, very close to the Grotto. Enquiries to Pilgrimage Director Fr Kieran Kirby Tel: 01803 294142. Bookings via Joe Walsh Tours Tel: 0203 468 0617 email: info@joewalshtours.co.uk. Online Bookings www.joewalshtours.co.uk. For information about joining the Youth Pilgrimage please contact Jacqueline Mantello Tel: 01803 328916. Special Assisted Section those needing 24-hour nursing care join with the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes Tel: 0208 848 9833.

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12 - Catholic South West December 2015 Members of the CATHOLIC WOMEN’,S LEAGUE in the Plymouth Diocese send all their supporters and friends best wishes for a HOLY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS PLYMOUTH DIOCESE L EGION OF M ARY Send you our B EST W ISHES FOR A H OLY C HRISTMAS SPUC Branches in Plymouth Diocese send best wishes to readers of CATHOLIC SOUTH WEST for a HAPPY and HOLY CHRISTMAS 2015 HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS Exeter Deanery St Nicholas Catholic Primary Academy Growing Beautiful Jesus St Nicholas Catholic Primary School celebrated their annual Harvest Liturgy this year by bringing in food donations for the Exeter homeless and by planting 500 daffodils in the school grounds in readiness for the spring. Children were invited to bring in a donation for the Catholic Children`s Society and to dress in green and yellow for the planting. When the daffodils bloom in the spring, it will be a reminder that we are all God`s harvest and that the lives of children around the country will be brighter because of our efforts. Ali Brocksom St Nicholas School Plymouth Deanery St Margaret Mary, Plymstock Restoration of stained glass windows A year ago Heritage Glass Ltd was approached by St Margaret Mary’,s in Plymstock to assess their stained glass. Bob Tucker, head of the company continues the story: “,The window was bowing badly from the centre panels and in danger of collapsing. This wasn’,t a traditional leaded stained glass window but a slab glass window approx. 6 metres wide and 4 metres high made by the monks from Buckfast Abbey in the 50’,s. Although we have removed slab glass windows before, remaking panels was a new challenge. We started work in the summer of this year making photographic records for the re-making and re- fixing process. Then, with the help of my wife who regularly works with me on site, the heavy concrete panels from the centre of the window were removed. “,The panels came back to our workshop where our daughter Ellie took the panels apart and cleaned all the glass. We made some wooden moulds to match the panels and Ellie re-laid the slab glass as per the photographs and poured a cement mix around the glass to set it all in to place. After the panels had gone hard, they were removed from the moulds and set aside. They were very big and heavy and only 3 panels could be made at a time so the process took several weeks. Once cleaned, we returned the panels to site and prepared for the re- fitting. A local metalworker had made a steel frame which we fixed in place for the concrete panels to sit in to and take some of the weight and prevent any bowing in future years. “,Just to keep it in the family, our son Charlie was on his summer holidays so we added him to the workforce as he was able to help lift the heavy panels back in to position for fixing. This took several days but the completed window looked amazing and most importantly was once again safe for another 60 years. It was a different project for us which couldn’,t have been done without the help and skills of all involved. We are currently fitting polycarbonate panels on the outside to protect the window from the elements. We would like to thank the Church, Fr Jaromir Wilczak and Mr Bob Smith for giving us the opportunity to work on such an exciting project.”, Bob, Nicky, Ellie and Charlie Tucker Heritage Glass Ltd www.heritagestainedglass-devon.co.uk Christmas Mass Times and Greetings Most Holy Trinity, Newquay 24th Dec Christmas Eve 8.30pm Carols followed by Vigil Mass at 9.00 pm. 25th Dec Christmas Day 10.30 am 26th Dec Boxing Day 9.30 am and Vigil at 6.00 pm 27th Dec - 10.30 am 1st Jan 2016 - Mass is at 12 noon Blessed Sacrament, Exeter Christmas Eve 9.30am as usual and 6pm Vigil Mass 11:30pm Carol Service before Midnight Mass Christmas Day 9am and 10:30am No Evening Mass Boxing Day 9:30am as usual Parish of Our Lady of the Angels, Saltash Christmas Eve Saltash 5pm Torpoint 7pm Sclerder 8pm Liskeard 11pm Christmas Day Saltash 9am Sclerder 9am Liskeard 11am BEST WISHES FOR A HOLY CHRISTMAS AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF

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