The Parent’s Paper from CathCom issue 16 Spring 2016 Message of Mercy Pope Francis Page 8 Activity: Sowing Vegetable Seeds Page 6 Children’s Newspaper Centre What do you hope for? What we hope for is shaped by what we have already and what we need Page 4 Being Hope For Others Unexpected Opportunities to provide hope for others Page 5 How to be hope for others Ideas to help us, as families, provide help for those around us in our local community Page 12 What do you hope for?

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2 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 With Easter in mind, this issue is about hope and looking forwards. It’s an opportunity to think about what we hope for, what other people in the world hope for and how we can provide hope to others around us and our local community. We are also looking for a new editor of Reach – we feel the paper needs some new input and some new enthusiasm. You don’t need to be a professional editor, you just need to know why we produce the paper and what will engage all readers – both Catholics and non- Catholics alike. If you are interested please contact us at info@cathcom.org and we will send you more information. We hope you have a meaningful Lent and Joyful Celebration of Easter! Nick Member of the Editorial Team LEGAL DISCLAIMER ----------------------- The information and/or links in this publication are provided for catholic education and information purposes only. The Editor and Publisher (hereinafter referred to as CathCom) will endeavour to ensure that all the content of CathCom Reach is in keeping with the teachings of the Catholic Church. However CathCom is not responsible for the contents of any of the linked sites. Neither does CathCom necessarily endorse and/or support the views expressed by the information contained within those linked sites. A Dear Reader CathCom Reach is published in September, December, March, and June. By Phone: UK: 020 7112 6710 Ireland: 01 443 3141 Editorial Team Edwina Gillett, Nick Layton, Annie Moloney editor@ CathComReach.com Advertising Alice Jenkins, ads@ CathComReach.com Head of Finance Claire Richardson Subscriptions Ray Lambert rayl@cathcom.org Website Editor Daniel Griffiths Contact us Manager Nick Layton Religious Advisor Fr Damian Cassidy Health Educ. Advisor Helen Layton Franking Machine Manager Tommie Steel Published By CathCom Ltd., N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7BN United Kingdom www.cathcom.org Please send articles for publication by email supplying photos separate to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). mention and/or listing of linked sites does not indicate CathCom’s endorsement of any organisation`s and/or entity`s activities, reports, publications and/or programs. CathCom cannot be held responsible and/or liable for any damages, real, imagined, past, present or future from the information contained on any linked site and/or other sites that it links to hereafter. While we take reasonable steps to check our advertisers and linked sites are bona fide, readers should carry out their own checks before entering into any contract or arrangement. You may not modify, reuse, reproduce, or publish any content within this publication without the written permission of the Editor. ------------------------------------------ Fast from anger; Feast on Peace Fast from doubt; Feast on Faith Fast from judgment; Feast on Understanding Fast from division; Feast on Unity Fast from bitterness; Feast on Forgiveness Fast from self-doubt; Feast on Confidence Fast from not caring; Feast on Mercy Fast from worry; Feast on Hope Adapted from a prayer by William Arthur Ward

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Spring 2016 CathCom Reach 3 In September of this year I will have lived for twenty years in a religious community. It has its joys and challenges in equal measure. In many ways it is a bit like living in a family with all the contradictions and problems that families face. Often I stop and think about community and its textures and seasons. What shapes a community or family? What are its core values? How does it cope with trials or even tragedy? What is its essence? This year we are celebrating a jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis is asking us to explore what mercy means to us and then to make it a concrete reality in our lives. I have been thinking about this for some weeks now, and it seems to me that a family or community without mercy at its core is not really what it claims to be. As I was preparing some resources for the jubilee year I remembered this true story. On the 2nd of October 2006 a man called Charles Robert entered a school in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, USA. He was a deeply troubled and angry man. The school was in a rural area and served the Amish community. The Amish are a Christian group that live very simply and are deeply committed to nonviolence. In the school house that day were 26 children and four adults. Roberts ordered the adults and all the boys to leave the school. 10 girls remained and Roberts proceeded to shoot them. 5 girls died that morning. It was a story that shocked America, but what happened in the hours and days after that horrible morning became the real news story. A reporter saw an elderly man walking in the fields around the schoolhouse and asked if he had been affected by the shootings. He was the grandfather of two of the girls who had been killed. “How do you feel about the man who did this?” the reporter asked. “I have forgiveness in my heart.” Replied the girl’s grandfather. This was broadcast across the nation. The story became more rooted as this was not an isolated act of forgiveness. Roberts was a married man with a young family. After killing the girls he shot himself dead. The whole Amish community reached out to support his wife and family as they came to terms with what had happened that day. Within hours of the shooting a fund had been set up to support the Amish community, the Amish insisted that Robert’s family get a share of all the monies raised. In fact, the Amish community themselves set up a college fund for Robert’s children. I remember being amazed when I heard this story. The Amish in no way condoned that actions of Roberts. They just refused to let anger change what they believed to be true. Love is always stronger. The depth of compassion is beyond words. I am sure there was a conflict in the hearts of many as they came to terms with this tragedy, but what an example of real community. Challenging – very. Inspiring – certainly. This is the kind of true story that summons something great from each of us. What is the essence of your family, your school community, your local area? Is there a greatness of heart that makes people feel both welcome and at home? How can we shape family and community in such a way that there is always room for love, for another place at the table, for someone else to feel accepted. Twenty years of living on community hasn’t been easy. But it has been worth the effort. I still have much to learn about love, mercy and tenderness but it is my prayer in this year of mercy, that I will always seek those things and my life and the lives of those around me will be better for it. Fr Damian What mercy means to us Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

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4 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 What do you hope for? Nursing is a wonderful profession for providing a person with a guaranteed abundance of perspective on a daily basis. When asked what I thought about hope, my mind took me back to my general nursing days... I imagined a solitary person lying in a hospital bed with the doctor beside them. What would the patient be hoping for? To retain the ability to walk? Perhaps more time with their family, or maybe just the strength and courage to accept whatever the doctor was about to tell them. What would the doctor be hoping for then? Would he hope that the surgery had worked? Is he hoping that the patient is able to cope with the news he is about to impart? Is the doctor just hoping he can get through another long tiring shift in order to drive home safely to his own family? According to the Hebrew and Greek interpretation of the words hope, and indeed the biblical usage of the word, hope is an indication of certainty. Hope in scripture means a strong and confident expectation. It is synonymous with salvation and it`s many blessings past, present and future as promised in scripture. Hope is the confident expectation that what God has promised in the Word (in Scripture) is true. It has, or will, occur in accordance with God’s word. In the bible hope is never static - it is dynamic, active, directive and life-sustaining. It is not an escape from reality. It motivates us and it can give us power to live courageously. We return to the hospital bed. The hope that you are the one in 1000 who will walk again following surgery will instil confidence that it can be done and this therefore motivates you to be that one person. The hope of the doctor that the patient copes with the news as he brings to the surface all that he has learnt about compassion empathy communication. This will motivate the doctor to be skilful and gentle in his manner with the patient. Life experience will show us that`s there are times when we all feel utterly hopeless. However Hope is a positive word. A strong and confident expectation. A stepping stone for all of us who want to become more courageous, more mo tivated and more active in shaping our own futures and the futures of those around us. What do you hope for?

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Spring 2016 CathCom Reach 5 A nurse took the tired, anxious teenage boy to the bedside. "Your grandson is here," she said to the old man. Heavily sedated because of the pain, the old man was dimly aware of young visitor by his bed. He reached out his hand. The boy wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man`s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the boy could sit beside the bed. All through the night, he sat there. The nurse suggested that he go home and rest. He refused. Now and then the nurse heard the boy say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his grandson all through the night. Towards the end of the night, the old man died. The boy released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the boy interrupted her. "Who was that man?" he asked. The nurse was startled, "He was your grandfather," she answered. "No, he wasn`t," the boy replied. "I never saw him before in my life." "Then why didn`t you say something when I took you to him?" "I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed someone, and no one was there. When I realised that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his grandson, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed." The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay! Being Hope for others How to be hope for others See the back page for ideas to encourage your children be hope for other people in the community.

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6 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 Spring is a fantastic opportunity for trying out new planting ideas and growing your own fruit and vegetables can be really easy and extremely rewarding. The easiest vegetables to grow in spring are sown directly into the garden, or in large pots, where you’d like them to grow. Some examples include Runner beans, beetroot, corn, peas, lettuce radishes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, and kale Before you get started, you’ll need to think about where you’re going to grow your vegetables. In general, your plants will like a lot of sunlight, shelter from the wind, and water- but have a go anyway even if you can’t find the ideal spot. If you’re planting straight in your garden, prepare the area by removing any weeds, forking over the soil, and levelling it. You can dig in organic matter, such as compost, to improve your soil, and then you need to firm it down by walking on it. If you’re using containers make sure you choose something that’s large enough. As a rough guide your container should be half the height your plant will be when it’s fully matured. Fill your container with multi-purpose compost, water it, and then firm it down with the palm of your hand. How to Sow your Seeds Seeds come in different sizes, small, medium and large. Follow the sowing instructions on the packet so that you know the time of year you can sow, the best depth, the distance between plants, and most importantly when you can be expecting to harvest your crops. * Tip - the general rule for planting is to go down three times as deep as the size of the seed Most direct-sown vegetables will take two weeks to germinate, so be patient and don`t worry if you don`t see anything for a little while. As the plants start to grow keep them watered and provide support if necessary so the plant doesn’t topple over. Show everyone what you’re up to, especially children because they’re often amazed to see where their food comes from. It’s also a great way to get them eating healthily as they’ll be keen to taste vegetables they’ve grown themselves. Harvesting your vegetables and trying out new recipes can be the most rewarding part. Remember to Sowing Vegetable Seeds check the instructions on the seed packet for when you can harvest your crops and then have a look online for some exciting new recipes. Sit back, relax and enjoy - your food will probably taste a lot nicer coming from home! Owen Griffiths Kids Activity Plastic Bottle Friends! Equipment 1 large plastic bottle Googly eyes Scissors Glue Compost from the garden centre 1 plastic label 1 packet of seed (herbs such as basil and parsley would work well) Unscrew the lid of your plastic bottle and save it for later Cut through the bottle, approximately one third from the base, using sharp scissors, or a craft knife Make a few holes in the bottom of the bottle for drainage Write the name of the plant on a label using a permanent marker You’ll have to wait about 2 weeks for the seeds to germinate and then soon you could have fresh herbs ready to pick and add to your cooking Glue on the googly eyes and use the lid of the bottle for a nose Fill it up to the brim with compost from your local garden centre Water the soil so it becomes moist Read the instructions on the back of your seed packet and then sprinkle your seeds onto the soil Sprinkle some soil on top of the seeds

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Little Spring 2016 Colouring Competition Results Page 4 Lent Calendar Page 3 St Patrick Page 2 Dear Young Friends, The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone: people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world. The Jubilee is a year-long celebration, in which every moment becomes a chance for us to grow in holiness. It is a time when we can discover that life together as brothers and sisters is like a great party, perhaps the most beautiful party we can imagine, the endless party that Jesus has taught us to celebrate by his Spirit “Merciful like the Father”. To be merciful means to grow in a love which is courageous, generous and real. It means to grow physically and spiritually. You are preparing to be Christians capable of making courageous choices and decisions, in order to build daily, even through little things, a world of peace. Yours is a time of life which is full of amazing changes. Everything seems possible and impossible all at once. Remain steadfast in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord. He gives us the courage to swim against the tide, to go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the tide. Commit yourselves to great ideals, to the most important things. We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals. Here I cannot forget those of you who are living in situations of war, extreme poverty, daily troubles and loneliness. Don’t ever lose hope! Your friends, young people your age living in less trying conditions than your own, have not forgotten you; they are working for peace and justice for everyone everywhere. Don’t be taken in by the messages of hatred or terror all around us. Instead, make new friends. Give of your time and always show concern for those who ask your help. Be brave and go against the tide; be friends of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your steps and enlighten you. For you and your families, and for all who help you to grow in goodness and in grace, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of us all, be true Door of Mercy. From the Vatican, 6 January 2016, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord FRANCIS POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE FOR THE JUBILEE OF MERCY FOR YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS “Merciful Like the Father” Peace

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2 Patrick was born in Britain, probably in Wales. At age 16 he was carried off as a slave by a raiding party and brought to Ireland. He spent six years herding sheep on Slemish Mountain in Co. Antrim. One night in a dream a voice told him “Your ship is ready.” He left his master and walked southward for over 200 miles where he found a ship ready to sail. After some difficulty he was allowed on board and he returned to his people. He studied for the priesthood in Gaul and in 432 he was made bishop and sent to Ireland. He landed in the north and established his first church at Saul in a barn (sabhall) given to him by Dichu. He travelled throughout Ireland, preaching, baptising and founding churches for nearly thirty years. He used the shamrock to explain the Blessed Trinity, and the plant is worn on St. Patrick’s Day on 17th March to commemorate this event. He died in the year 461 and is buried in Downpatrick. He is known as “The Apostle of Ireland.” – by Dublin Archdiocese Education Secretariat, Archbishop`s House, Dublin ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In the obedience of angels, In the service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In the predictions of prophets, In the preaching of apostles, In the faith of confessors, In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men. I arise today, through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendor of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock. I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near. I summon today All these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul; Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me an abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. esources For more information about, classroom resources, answers and activity sheets go to http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2012 /02/21/saint-patrick/ www.CathComReach.com/teachers ST. PATRICK’S

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4 Colouring Competition results Congratulations to our 5 winners from the competition in the last edition of Reach. Prizes are winging their way to you now! Simone - Aged 6 Emily - Aged 8 Zachary - Aged 5 Emmanuelle - Aged 10 Sophie - Aged 6 What each of us hope for depends on: - what is important to us - what we have - what our friends around us have What are the most important things to us? Sometimes when we hope for something, we forget what we’ve already got, and we only think about what we don’t have. When we think about what we want, we should never forget what is important to us – even if we have it already. What’s important to you? - Family, Friends, Games, Toys, Food, Drink? What we have. - What we have makes a big difference to what we hope for. Some children in our world wake up and there is no breakfast for them to eat. Some children in our world wake up and there is no one to make breakfast for them. Some children wake up and they are too ill to get out of bed to have breakfast. - What do you think those children wish for? Imagine if you had no food, or if you couldn’t get out of bed – what would you wish for? How much would you wish for it? Sometimes we want something because all our friends have it. - It can feel really unfair if all our friends have something and we don’t. - Even if we know that there are children in the world who don’t have the really important things, it can be really difficult if we feel that we are the only one that doesn’t have the latest game, toy or clothes. - What can we do to help us deal with those feelings? o STOP AND DON’T GET ANGRY o LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE o THINK ABOUT THE THINGS WE DO HAVE! o THINK ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAT DON’T HAVE WHAT WE HAVE Are the things we hope for, for us or for people we care about? - We all want to have things that we enjoy – but do we think too much about what we want and not enough about what other people want? What could you wish for that would help those who are closest to you?? Congratulations What do you hope for?

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Spring 2016 CathCom Reach 7 Book Review My Catholic Saints Activity Book by Jennifer Galvin This activity book for children aged 5-9 is a perfect way to learn about the Saints in a very engaging way. Jennifer Galvin covers 28 Saints in total from the very well-known such as the Holy Mother Mary herself through to the less well known such as St Erasmus (Elmo) the patron saint of sailors. Each page covers a different Saint and has a fact listed about them at the top along with an activity of some kind. There are colouring-in activities, spot the difference puzzles, code cracking puzzles for the slightly older children and shape matching for the slightly younger. This would be a great resource for school and home and the author freely allows it to be copied for not-for-profit use. Have a look at page 1 in the children’s section for an extract of the book which is all about St Patrick. Available from www.albanbooks.com Price £6.99 For ROI please contact publishers direct A priest was passing a very well kept garden and stopped to admire the beautiful flowers.... "The Lord and you have done remarkable things to this garden," said the Priest to the owner. "Well, thank you Father", replied the owner, "but you should have seen it when it was only the Lord in charge!"

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8 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 Dear Young Friends, The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone: people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world. This grace-filled moment also concerns you, dear young people. I encourage you to take an active part in this celebration and to realise that each of you is a child of God (cf. 1 Jn 3:1). I would like to invite you, one by one, calling you by name, as Jesus does each day. For you know that your names are written in heaven (Lk 10:20), in the heart of the Father, that Merciful Heart which is the source of all reconciliation and kindness. The Jubilee is a year-long celebration, in which every moment becomes a chance for us to grow in holiness. It is a time when we can discover that life together as brothers and sisters is like a great party, perhaps the most beautiful party we can imagine, the endless party that Jesus has taught us to celebrate by his Spirit. The Jubilee is the party to which Jesus invites us all, without excluding anyone. That is why I also wanted to have some days of prayer and celebration with you. I am looking forward to seeing many of you in April. “Merciful like the Father”. This is the theme of the Jubilee, but it is also the prayer we make for all of you as we welcome you in the name of Jesus. To be merciful means to grow in a love which is courageous, generous and real. It means to grow physically and spiritually. You are preparing to be Christians capable of making courageous choices and decisions, in order to build daily, even through little things, a world of peace. Yours is a time of life which is full of amazing changes. Everything seems possible and impossible all at once. I repeat what I said to some of your friends: “Remain steadfast in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord. This is the secret of our journey! He gives us the courage to swim against the tide. Pay attention, my young friends: to go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the tide. Jesus gives us this courage! … POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE FOR THE JUBILEE OF MERCY FOR YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS With him we can do great things; he will give us the joy of being his disciples, his witnesses. Commit yourselves to great ideals, to the most important things. We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals” (Homily at the Conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, 2013). Here I cannot forget those of you who are living in situations of war, extreme poverty, daily troubles and loneliness. Don’t ever lose hope! The Lord has a great dream which, with your help, he wants to come true! Your friends, young people your age living in less trying conditions than your own, have not forgotten you; they are working for peace and justice for everyone everywhere. Don’t be taken in by the messages of hatred or terror all around us. Instead, make new friends. Give of your time and always show concern for those who ask your help. Be brave and go against the tide; be friends of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace (cf. Is 9:6). “Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion” (Misericordiae Vultus, 8). I realise that not all of you can come to Rome, but the Jubilee is truly for everyone and it is also being celebrated in your local Churches. You are all invited to this moment of joy. Don’t just prepare your rucksacks and your banners, but your hearts and your minds as well. Think carefully about the hope and desires you will hand over to Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and in the Eucharist which we will celebrate together. As you walk through the Holy Door, remember that you are committing yourselves to grow in holiness and to draw nourishment from the Gospel and the Eucharist, the Word and the Bread of life, in order to help build a more just and fraternal world. May the Lord bless your journey towards the Holy Door. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your steps and enlighten you. For you and your families, and for all who help you to grow in goodness and in grace, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of us all, be true Door of Mercy. From the Vatican, 6 January 2016, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord FRANCIS This letter from Pope Francis for young boys and girls everywhere was published by the Vatican in January. It is so good we thought you’d like to read it in full. Extracts of it are also printed in the children’s section.

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Spring 2016 CathCom Reach 9 What are the benefits of this healthy start to my children? • A healthy diet fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development. • It helps to protect us against heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancers and other non- communicable diseases in later life. • It reduces the risk of obesity. • It gives us high energy levels. TOP TIPS… • Offer rice cakes, plain popcorn, fruit and vegetables as a snack • Make meal times fun and keep the children’s plates colourful! • Breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6 months, is the best start and the cheapest! • Do not add salt or sugars into children’s meals. • Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. • Water is the best drink to give at bedtime. Teeth are most at risk at night because there is less saliva in the mouth to protect them. • Try to give no more than 150mls fruit juice a day and only at mealtimes. • Choose whole grain varieties wherever you can or you can eat potatoes with their skin on (Yummy). • Encourage yoghurts, cheese and other dairy products rich in calcium, but be careful to choose the low fat option. • Enjoy meat, fish, eggs and beans! Theses contain important sources of protein, vitamins and minerals. Introduce them in small amounts at a time to help your child get used to them. • Eat fewer sweets, biscuits, cakes and sugary drinks. Save them for special occasions! For more information go to www.CathComReach.com/parents Whether we are a healthy weight or overweight, whether we eat meat or are vegetarian and regardless of ethnic origin, eating healthily is an important part of everyday life. Did you know that healthy eating is essential for children in their early years? There is clear evidence from recent research that the first 1000 days of life (9 months of pregnancy and first 2 years of life) are particularly critical for ensuring healthy growth and development. It is also a way of ensuring that all children meet their full potential in life. Food, Glorious Food! The Eatwell plate applies to most of us. However children under the age of 2 years have different nutritional needs. For adults and children over the age of 5 - by An Roinn Sl ά inte/Department of Health, Ireland & Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte/Health Service Executive

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10 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 Every year, the Church celebrates Communications Sunday with a Message from the Pope. This year, the Pope’s theme: "Communication and Mercy: A fruitful encounter." highlights “the capacity of good communication to open up a space for dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation, thereby allowing fruitful human encounters to flourish" The Pope hopes to remind people, that "good communication is never merely the product of the latest or most developed technology, but is realised within the context of a deep interpersonal relationship and people`s desire to be more welcoming and forgiving.” For parents and teachers, helping the next generation to safely navigate the world of modern social media is an important task. These new means of communication can be used for good and for ill. At a time when our attention is often drawn to the polarised and judgmental nature of Communication and Mercy: A fruitful encounter

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Spring 2016 CathCom Reach 11 much commentary on social networks, the Pope’s theme invokes the power of words and gestures to overcome misunderstandings, to heal memories and to build peace and harmony. In a previous Communications Sunday message, Pope, Benedict XVI wrote: “Believers are increasingly aware that, unless the Good News is made known also in the digital world, it may be absent in the experience of many people ... The digital environment is not a parallel or purely virtual world, but is part of the daily experience of many people, especially the young.” There is no reason why the world of digital media cannot be used to signpost or direct young people to the real world of deeper encounter with their faith and with others. In many Dioceses social media are already being used to reach out, to inform and to engage with people, who are often far from the Church door. These tools are only the first step to evangelisation, but they can open hearts and minds previously closed. It has never been easier to engage with these new aids to living the Catholic life of prayer, charity and solidarity offered by websites, social media streams and Catholic TV, not forgetting the special role and importance of the traditional Catholic paper. Innovative Apps like “Tweeting with God” can be a bridge back into the Church for many, fallen out of practice and a great source of information and answers for inquisitive minds. Our lives, for good or ill, are shaped by the media, both traditional and digital. We must be informed users, not simply passive consumers Communications Sunday will be celebrated on 8 May 2016. Peter Kearney Director Scottish Catholic Media Office Dear Lord, If today I lose my hope, Please remind me That your plans are better than my dreams.

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12 CathCom Reach Spring 2016 Reach Crossword CLUES Across 5 Book of places, place names (9) 8 Small rounded protuberance on the skin (4) 9 Dislike (8) 10/11 Item of cutlery bearing a religious figure on the handle`s tip (7,5) 13/15 Quotation by Alexander Pope about man`s frailties from An Essay on Criticism (1711) (2,3,2,5) 18 Military chum (8) 19 Muddy up; irritate (4) 20 Magnifier: make smaller or shorter (9) Down 1 Succulent plant of American desert regions (6) 2 Based on sound reasoning or evidence (7) 3 Make hard and unfeeling (5) 4 Excites; increase the speed of engine turns (4,2) 6 Once strategically-placed public means of communication (3-6) 7 Obsessive disease (9) 12 Gist (7) 14 More headstrong (6) 16 Not ready to eat (6) 17 Tower built by Noah`s descendants who intended it to reach up to Heaven (5) Here are five ways to encourage your children to embrace community service: Find something appropriate and fun for all the family This is especially important for young children. You don’t want to do anything that will feel, to them, like “work.” Try doing something with another family or for older children something they can do with their friends. Let your child share their talents. Does your child have a talent that they could use to help other children? They could teach younger children a new skill or talent? It could dance, music, the arts — the possibilities are endless. Be a positive role model. Children learn by example. When they see you taking an active role in your community and volunteering your time, they will realise the importance of giving back. Once it becomes a part of your life, it will seem like second nature to them. Let your child be the leader. Ask your child what type of things they would like to do. Provide a list of options and let them pick. They might surprise you by selecting something you don’t expect. Talk about the experience. Give praise once your child has finished volunteering and ask them what they thought of their experience. Discuss what they learned, how they helped out and what could be done in the future to make the experience even better. If showing compassion and giving to others is a part of their upbringing, it’s easier for children to make it a consistent habit in adulthood. It will soon become the norm, and not the exception, for your family. How to be hope for others

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