The Parents’ Paper issue 24 Spring 2018 Putting a Spring in our step! Page 8 READ IT, LOVE IT, LIVE IT 8 page Children`s Section Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Easter holiday activities for all the family! Page 5 Lent! How relevant is Lent for us in today’s modern world?

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2 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 Welcome to the Spring edition of ‘Reach’! In it we celebrate all that Spring has to offer – longer days, warmer weather, Easter and much more. Alongside this, we share our suggestions for some fun-filled school Easter holidays activities and ideas to keep the children occupied over the school break. We hope you find them useful, entertaining and enjoyable. This edition also examines the meaning of the season of Lent and how relevant it is for us today. Owen, our regular gardening guru, gives some wonderful suggestions for Spring container planting to brighten up your home and garden and with Father Mark’s nature page we can all appreciate the changes that are taking place outside at this turn of the season. Thank you to them both for their appreciative outlook on nature. Don’t miss our page on school swimming lessons either! We hope this answers some of the questions you might have on this subject, and of course our regular monster twelve page ‘Little Peace’ section for the children. Wishing you a grace filled Lent and Eastertide, Julia Editor 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 Reach is published in September, December, March, and June. By Phone: UK: 020 7112 6710 Ireland: 01 699 4407 Editorial Team Julia Beacroft Helen Layton editor@reachnews paper.com Advertising Caroline Gonella, carolineg@reach newspaper.com Contact us Head of Finance Claire Richardson Subscriptions Janet Took, janett@reachnews paper.com H ealth Educ. Advisor Helen Layton Website: www.ReachNews paper.com mention and/or listing of linked sites does not indicate CathCom’s endorsement of any organization`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. ------------------------------------------ Please send articles for publication by email supplying photos separate to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Lenten Prayer With our eyes on Jesus, we journey through Lent trying to understand and accept what God has in store for us. Jesus did this, and he is our example. Even as he died, Jesus gave himself over to whatever God wanted of him. Help us Lord to do your will. Amen

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Spring 2018 • CathCom Reach • 3 Lent! (Continued from Page 1) LENT IS TRADITIONALLY a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. Lent is when believers prepare for Easter through prayer, doing penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial and even today is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic Churches. Interestingly, many Christians would classify Lent as a time for a ‘spiritual spring clean’ or to coin another phrase: a time to get your ‘spiritual house in order’. The purpose of Lent is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Testament beginning on Palm Sunday, further climaxing on Jesus` crucifixion on Good Friday. This ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as "giving up" certain luxuries in order to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ`s journey into the desert for 40 days. Some also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God. Yet in our modern, frenetic world, how relevant are these age-old disciplines? It never fails to surprise me that many young people actually try to ‘give something up for Lent’ each year, and I firmly believe that whatever the motivation for this may be, denying ourselves – albeit for a limited period – can be healthy. You may ask why this is the case. Simply put, when we decline our indulgences this can benefit us both physically – less calories, less weight gain, less harmful substances – and spiritually and mentally – benefitting others who have a greater need than ourselves, and spiritual nourishment gained from a purer, simpler way of life. Of course, our Lenten observances vary from person-to person, and rightly so. What could be classed as a trivial sacrifice to one person, can represent a huge act to another. An enormous spiritual discipline for one individual could be classed as merely the norm for someone else. The point is that God sees all we do and understands our motivations and intentions. And everything that we try to do in his name – no matter how great or small – is valued and never wasted, whether it occurs during the holy season of Lent or indeed at any other time of the year. The Cup That Cheers – by Julia Beacroft MUCH AS I love the season of Lent, it can be quite a relief to reach Easter at last. “Why,” you may ask, “when we try to make time for extra prayer and reflection, fasting and almsgiving? Surely it’s the time, when we try to get our own spiritual house in order.” Well, of course this is all true. But I now regard Lent with a little more caution… I used to find the whole idea of ‘giving something up for Lent’ an exciting and encouraging prospect. I had conversations with my daughters about what we thought we might be able to do without. Of course, chocolate is always a popular one: “I’m giving that up, not you” my daughters would argue in true Christian spirit. I thankfully don’t smoke, so that was never a contender and I had already given up alcohol, cakes and chocolate in previous years. I could of course repeat one of these but I rather fancied the idea of a new challenge… ADDICT Other people’s comments on the subject aren’t always exactly helpful either. They have varied from “Why bother to give up anything at all?” to “Give up talking! That’s a better idea!” But such comments didn’t solve my problem. So a couple of years ago, after much brain-racking, I thought, “I’ve got it! I’ll give up coffee for Lent.” I ran the idea past my nearest and dearest, whose expressions varied from sceptical to puzzled. “But you’re a coffee addict,” I was told. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Yet I was determined to do it… Never had six weeks seemed so long to me in all my life! I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to manage without that lifesaving cup – or in my case, mug, throughout the day. And, tea just didn’t cut it either. Apparently I became ever grumpier, bad- tempered and frazzled as Lent progressed. “For heaven’s sake, have a coffee!” I was told, but I stubbornly refused. TEMPTATION I fought my way through Lent that year without those longed-for coffee breaks of my dreams and I didn’t give in to temptation once. However, I snapped, snarled and growled my way towards the celebration of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection. The giving up of coffee was not prayerful or reflective and I was too preoccupied to think about giving the money I had saved to a worthy cause. I felt fed-up and made everyone around me fed-up too. So now, in hindsight, I don’t give up anything for Lent any more – I try to do something extra instead, something that will overspill into the Easter period, if at all possible. And I enjoy my coffee, for all its worth… Copyright © 2018 Julia Beacroft. All rights reserved.

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4 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 ‘Being happy is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life’ "You can have flaws, be anxious, and even angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny`s author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life. Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It`s to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a "no". It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It is to have maturity to be able to say: "I made mistakes". It is to have the courage to say, "I am sorry". It is to have the sensitivity to say, "I need you". It is to have the ability to say, "I love you". May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness. That in spring may it be a lover of joy. In winter, a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculptor serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. Never give up. Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show. " NEVER GIVE UP! – Pope Francis

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Spring 2018 • CathCom Reach • 5 During a school break, most parents dread the moment when their children announce “I’m bored!”! So here’s a few suggestions on how to avoid this - and have some holiday fun! During school holidays there is usually an adjustment period when the children are settling into a new routine and getting used to being around each other more. The trick to fun school holidays is to keep the kids busy with enough down-time so Mums, Dads and Carers aren’t worn out! With this in mind here are some activity ideas for both inside and outside the home: l Bake cupcakes l Invite friends over to play. l Make homemade pizza l Go on a colour hunt in your house. Collect objects of a certain colour and take a picture of your finds to make a collage l Make an outside obstacle course. l Blow bubbles. l Do an outside treasure hunt l Make fairy wings l Face painting. l Make photo paper dolls. l Make a robot out of cardboard boxes. l Make a treasure map out of brown paper. l Make a photo book: take photos of your favourite things and collate them into a book l Paint toe nails. (Boys like this too!) l Make sock puppets by gluing wool on the top of an old sock and using a permanent marker to draw eyes, nose and a mouth. l Go to see a movie l Fly a kite l Visit a park or playground. l Look out for butterflies and birds for a day l Feed ducks at a pond l Go swimming l Play board/card games like Monopoly, Dictionary, Pictionary, Snap, Taboo, Hungry Hippos, Scategories, The Old Maid l Visit someone lonely l Go on a nature hunt. l Ice biscuits School Easter Holidays - Fun activities for you and your children!

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6 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 Books & DVDs for all the family… Pope Francis and the Family During a relatively short pontificate, Pope Francis has inspired both Christians and non- Christians alike with his humility, his pragmatism and his refreshing approach to the realities of modern life. Pope Francis and the Family is an absorbing collection of the Holy Father`s reflections on family, the cornerstone of Catholicism today. Adding Life To Your Years Marian Byrne If life is a journey, shouldn`t we ensure that every moment, experience and relationship enhances, rather than detracts, from it? In this practical and warm- hearted guide, life coach Marian Byrne provides simple yet effective ways to change our daily routines and to combat negative thinking. The advice presented here has worked for countless others - it really is tried and tested. By challenging ourselves to make those first small steps towards change and to embrace a new mindset, we can add life to our years and enhance our life journey immeasurably. Kid Normal Greg James, Chris Smith When Murph Cooper rocks up to his new school several weeks into the beginning of term, he can`t help but feel a bit out of his depth. And it`s not because he`s worried about where to sit, and making friends, and fitting in, or not knowing where the loos are. It`s because his mum has enrolled him at a school for superheroes by mistake. And unlike his fellow students, who can all control the weather, or fly, or conjure tiny horses from thin air, Murph has no special abilities whatsoever. But just because you don`t have superpowers, it doesn`t mean you can`t save the day. Let`s hope Murph realises that, and quick - because not far away is a great big bad guy who is half man and half wasp, and his mind is abuzz with evil plans... It`s time for Kid Normal to become a hero! David Walliams Collection Collection of made-for-TV comedy dramas adapted from David Walliams` children`s books. In `The Boy in the Dress` (2014), despite being the star striker on his school`s football team, 12-year-old Dennis Sims (Billy Kennedy) feels out of place at school and still misses the mother who left him and his brother John (Oliver Barry-Brook) after divorcing their dad (Steve Speirs). When aspiring fashion designer and fellow classmate Lisa (Temi Orelaja) recruits him to model a dress for her, Dennis decides to wear it to school and adopts the guise of a French girl named Denise but is quickly found out and expelled by his strict head teacher. But with the school`s football team on a downward spiral without him, Dennis and Lisa try to come up with a creative scheme to get him back in school and back on the team. In `Mr Stink` (2012), Hugh Bonneville stars as the eponymous tramp who reunites a young girl`s family. After discovering Mr Stink and his dog Duchess in a nearby park, friendless 12-year-old Chloe (Nell Tiger Free) invites him to stay in her family`s garden shed. Initially horrified by the sight and smell of their new `guest`, Chloe`s dysfunctional mum (Sheridan Smith) and dad (Johnny Vegas) finally relent. As news of his arrival does the rounds and his celebrity spreads, Mr Stink finds himself embarking on a journey that takes him to 10 Downing Street, before finally bringing Chloe`s family together again in time for Christmas. In `Gangsta Granny` (2013), Ben (Reece Buttery) dreads staying at his gran (Julia McKenzie)`s house when his mum and dad drop him off, expecting the usual boring games of scrabble and knitting. But on his latest visit, his gran reveals a fascinating secret - that she was once a renowned jewel thief known as the `Black Cat` - and shatters Ben`s image of his boring old relative. Together they set out on a whirlwind adventure to pull off the one robbery that always eluded her, breaking into the Tower of London and stealing the crown jewels

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Spring 2018 • CathCom Reach • 7 In at the deep end! It’s that time of year again – when schools re-instate swimming lessons… Students in primary school are required to learn to swim, which is a difficult part of the curriculum for water-shy children to float through. Be prepared by finding out what the learning targets are and how to help your child feel confident about taking the plunge. Swimming and water safety is now a part of the National Curriculum, with the aim that by the age of 11 (the end of key stage 2) all pupils should be able to: l Pace themselves in floating and swimming challenges related to speed, distance and personal survival l Swim unaided for a sustained period of time over a distance of at least 25 metres l Use recognised arm and leg actions, lying on their front and back l Use a range of recognised strokes and personal survival skills (such as front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, sculling, floating and surface dives) BUT: If your child is afraid of water here are some useful tips that may help: l Encourage your child to get their hair and face wet at bath/shower times. l Visit a swimming pool regularly to add to your child’s swimming experience. l Go swimming together as a family, or with a group of friends to ensure that swimming is a fun, enjoyable and social activity. l Sign your child up for additional swimming lessons from a local facility And to put your mind at rest, here’s a sneak peek at what teachers do when a child is reluctant to participate in a class: l Let the student observe the lesson from the poolside. l Involve the student in the swimming lesson by having them help the teacher. l Speak to the student to discuss and agree the task they need to achieve, however small it is. l Make sure swimming is fun and enjoyable by using a games-led approach to learning to swim. l Praise each small task that is achieved Teaching staff do a great job in helping your children to swim! If you have any questions about your school’s swimming policy, staff training and learning objectives, you can speak to your child’s teacher. You can also visit the ASA website for further swimming information. Swimming is a healthy and enjoyable hobby – so dive in and take the plunge! “I see toes, are they yours?” Get your Faith on your Feet and take a box of Holy Socks for your School. Sale or Return boxes for Schools T: 01671 404 043 M: 07918 184 539 E: info@holysocks.co.uk W: www.holysocks.co.uk See our Jonah and Ark designs

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8 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 I don’t know about you, but it’s March and the winter doldrums have long outstayed their welcome; but I can feel a hint of warmth in the air, which gets me to thinking about all of the reasons to look forward to spring. Here are just a few of those: 1.LONGER DAYS One of the biggest reasons to look forward to spring is the longer days. Those long days of what seems like perpetual darkness can really start to take their toll… And there’s nothing better than days to come filled with brilliant sunshine. 2. WARMER WEATHER Perhaps the next great thing about spring is the warmer weather. It’s lovely to feel that touch of spring in the air with a noticeable increase in the mercury and a warmer wind blowing. Bliss. 3. SHEDDING LAYERS Sweaters, boots, jackets, scarves, hats, gloves... enough! And in the cold weather, Mums and Dads have to bundle up the little ones too…. In the spring, it’s fun to bring out the flip flops and let the children outside to play. 4. LET THERE BE LIFE! It’s so encouraging seeing the first buds pop on the trees and also the sleeping bulbs of daffodils and tulips awaken after a long winter nap. It’s exciting to go to the garden centre and choose which flowers to plant for the year. We can also see all of the birds flying back and all of the baby animals being born. Spring = life, and that’s just another reason to look forward to it. 5. BARBECUES It’s so enjoyable to barbecue in the spring, when the sun is still up, the weather is warmer and all the family can sit outside and dine al fresco. Perfect! 6. OPEN WINDOWS During the winter, it can sometimes feel like our houses are filled with stagnant air. It’s wonderful to open up the windows in the spring and let that fresh air flow in. Everything smells so crisp and just feels so much better. 7. THE ICE CREAM MAN In the springtime, the ice cream man comes back on the scene, and hearing that jolly little jingle and seeing all of the children run to the van is a lovely sight. 8. FRUITS There are so many delicious fruits to look forward to that are in season in the spring! Mangos, cherries, guavas, watermelon, grapes and apricots are just some of the many tasty spring fruits that we can enjoy eating in the springtime. 9. SPORTS Sports are definitely something to look forward to in the spring! What could be better than spending a lazy afternoon watching a cricket game or partaking in a friendly game of golf or tennis with friends and family? 10. EASTER A time for remembering the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s also a time for the school Easter holidays and yummy chocolate Easter eggs! Ah, the spring! There’s no denying the sheer beauty, peacefulness, tranquility and happiness that this season imparts each and every year. But, how about you? Why do you look forward to the spring? Putting a Spring in our step! We’re always interested in your views. Write and tell us what you look forward to each year and in which season. Please send your stories to: editor@reachnewspaper.com - with a subject header of: ‘Seasons’.

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FOR MOST OF US, hospitals are generally places which we’d rather not visit. Yet the fact remains that unless we’re incredibly lucky, that is exactly what will happen at some stage during our lives. Even more importantly, we may very well end up as a patient ourselves at some point. Today’s media coverage spends a considerable amount of time examining the state of our health system, and in particular that of our hospital service, in this country. But usually very little mention is made of the work of the hospital Chaplain and his or her team, who provide an enormous support system for those who generally have the most need of it. The chaplains are available for people of all faiths or indeed, no faith at all and promise to respect the beliefs of those they are listening to, without passing any kind of judgement. The list of duties which comprise their brief are more varied than you might suppose, but essentially cover the areas of care for patients, patients relatives and staff as follows: Patient care: l Bedside visits l Someone to listen l Someone to talk with l Holy Communion at the bedside or in chapel l Prayer with patient or for patient l Anointing with oil for healing l Spiritual support for patients relatives and visitors l Companion towards fulfilment and meaning l Special support and ministry at critical moments and at the end of life l Making contact with a patient’s own religious leaders or carers l Support and advice at times of loss or bereavement Visitor care: l Support for the visitor’s relative or friend when the visitor cannot be there l Support for visitor at an anxious or difficult time l Informal counselling, particularly after a difficult or traumatic time l Special support and ministry at critical moments and at the end of a patient’s life l Holy Communion or prayer for visitors l Support and advice at times of loss or bereavement Staff care: l Specialist advice on spiritual and religious matters l A referral service if patients have specific religious or spiritual needs l Ongoing training and education on spiritual, cultural and religious care l Pastoral care for staff at times of crisis (work related or personal) l Spiritual support at all times ‘At a time of illness people are looking for something’. Chaplains also spend more time than might be supposed caring for – both practically and pastorally – those who have lost a child or are going to. There still appears to be an inhibition in speaking about this, which can make what is an already difficult process, even harder. However, the chaplain’s role enables them to overcome this barrier and provide support for the parents, grandparents and the wider family circle. Furthermore, their practical help for such families appears invaluable. Information, blessing, baptism, comfort, prayer and funeral arrangements also constitute a large part of the service that is on offer. ‘And sometimes we even do religious stuff for non-religious people!’ The help and support for visitors and relatives which is provided cannot be understated. When carol singing on the wards on Christmas Eve the other year, a young couple who were in hospital over Christmas with their baby, were quick to explain to me how much valuable help, comfort and a listening ear they had received at the hands of the Chaplain and his team. And in speaking of the team, the volunteer chaplaincy team members also play a vital role in assisting the Chaplain in his or her work, and who co-ordinates his team to the best advantage. ‘We bring into the room a sense of peace. There is always healing’. The Chaplains and their team also provide a vital and non- judgemental listening ear for staff that are experiencing any kind of problems or difficulties. It’s an opportunity for them to clear their minds of whatever may be bothering them, so allowing them to fully concentrate on their critical work of caring and treating patients. ‘Listening is the most important part of the role’. And for the future… We can be assured of the comfort, help and confidentiality of the Chaplains and their team if we come into contact with the hospital services. Whether we are patient, visitor or employee of the establishment, it is a comfort to know that this team of listeners and helpers are on hand. Thank you! PROFILES… A fascinating insight into the role of: Spring 2018 • CathCom Reach • 9 Hospital Chaplain… ‘A friend to anyone who needs us…’

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10 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 Spring is a fantastic opportunity for trying out new gardening ideas because plants are beginning to grow again after winter, putting on fresh green leaves and beautiful new flowers. In this article, I`m going to demonstrate how you can plant up containers, for indoors, or outside, with a stunning display that will brighten up your home. What Shall I Use for a Container? The good news is you can use pretty much anything; old paint tins, plastic bottles, tyres, and even wellington boots! Just make sure you make drainage holes otherwise your plants will end up saturated in water and they may rot. I`m using a wooden crate as my container. I’ve cleaned it, painted it, and covered the inside with plastic from an empty bag of compost to stop the wood from rotting. Choosing Plants There are no rules about what plants you should and shouldn’t use, but it’s best to avoid plants that are going to get too big too quickly. I recommend using spring bedding plants such as pansies, primroses and bulbs. You can also plant herbs, young shrubs, or fruit and vegetables. Planting It’s up to you whether you use one variety of plants, or several different plants, just think about the overall effect which you want to create. Tip - You can create a balanced design by choosing a plant that will act as the main focal point in the middle and by positioning plants which are either the same variety, or have similarities, on opposite sides. Spring Container Planting By Owen Griffiths Step 1: Fill your container with multipurpose compost but don`t squash it down yet. Step 2: Remove your plants from their pots and experiment with your positioning by placing them on top of the soil Step 3: Tease out the roots and then plant your central or focal plant. Plant the four corners of your container and work your way inwards, planting groups of plants in threes and fives. Fill in any gaps with smaller plants, like violas, but ensure that each plant has enough space to grow. Firm in the compost around your plants by pressing them down and check that the tops of the roots are level with the surface of the soil. Step 4: Place your container in its final position. Raise it up on bricks to help prevent water- logging and water it thoroughly with a fine rose watering can. Step 5: In terms of aftercare, you’ll need to water your container once a day in the morning, or the evening. Remove dead flower heads to keep your plants looking tidy and encourage more flowers to grow. Every two to four years you can change your soil to give your plants a new boost of energy. I hope you have fun getting creative and planting up a beautiful spring container to be proud of. Good luck! Our website has moved to www.Reach Newspaper.com

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Spring 2018 • CathCom Reach • 11 ‘My garden is a great joy and a great responsibility’ AND SO THE TURNING of the year has us heading back now towards longer days and one hopes, more fragrant and colourful ones. February – as usual, has been one of those odd months – it can lull you into a false sense of security. One moment you are sitting in the full sun with a cup of tea – although admittedly in coat, hat and scarf – and the next, without a moment’s warning, come gales of epic proportions which battle with a dampness that can only be soggily endured. And so, all imagining of spring is blown away in one great cloud of anything not nailed down. However, February and March are also the time that bulbs, planted in October, begin to encroach upon winter’s domain, keeping the rumour of summer alive. Perennials which stood tall and proud with branching arches of flower and leaf back in July and August, are now dead wood cut down to the soil’s surface, but here and there the shoots are returning; adding their gentle whispers to the growing intimations that it will be colourful and fragrant again. The huge amount of weeding which I have done this winter will begin to reap benefits and the transfer of hibernating root balls from one section to another is exciting. However, as I have dug up the root systems of one particular perennial called Canada Goldenrod, which is a beautifully elegant tall stemmed creature which is capped, as its name suggests, with lovely yellow flowers, this has involved me needing to be more brutal then I ever thought possible. Dreaded Ground Elder roots which I have spent most of the preceding months removing, cling in sneaky disguise to the Goldenrod like the plant equivalent of the Trojan Horse, hoping by its cunning and intertwining nature, to have me plant it unwittingly back in the newly cleared area, which I am calling the Faramir Lawn. Thus they need to be extricated, sometimes by stealth and gentle persuasion, but sometimes with the force of removing plasters from grazed knees! Into this big expanse of newly cleared ground which I have dug over many times, I have put in rotted compost, wood ash from the wood burner, soil enhancer, and ordinary topsoil. All sorts of different things therefore, contribute to the makeup of the bed. One single ingredient would not enrich: it needs a vast array. This will hopefully give the fresh intake a good start. Angelica, Fennel, Verbena, Crocosmia, Membrysia and assorted grasses, as well as the re-planted and split Goldenrod, are now beginning to dot themselves around the area. I have broken up grasses into 7 or 8 new plants which hopefully will thrive and flourish. Faramir, the rabbit for whom the lawn is named, (although admittedly it is more an extended bed of grasses and tall flowers than a lawn) has taken keen delight in harvesting and trimming many of the aforesaid, but I live in hope that their sheer volume will prevent total extinction. However I do all this work because I know it will pay dividends for my psyche and soul in the months and indeed years to come and I know that the plants themselves will luxuriate in their new freedom. I know that later I may well decide that I put a particular plant in the wrong place. I know I may not wholly benefit from the fruit trees I plant but others will, and I know that however long I stay in this place; the garden is not something I can completely control. I can certainly create a setting for it, and I can have in my mind an ideal, but I cannot make it grow exactly as I want it to and nor should I. Once I plant I have to let it develop in its own way. I can trim and clip and to a certain extent this involves me in moulding my idea and my vision, but in the end, once a life starts; once it sends down its own roots and sends up its own shoots, it has, quite literally, a life of its own. As long as I am around, I can assist it and encourage it. I can remove the Ground Elder and the bad influences and I can give it nourishment of varying feeds to help it on its way, but there will come a time when the plants and grasses I have placed in this area of the garden are so well established that to uproot and move just for my own delight or at my own whim, will do far more harm than good. My garden is a great joy and a great responsibility. The wisdom is always to know when the tweaking and encouraging is more about me than the garden. The wonders of nature By Fr. Mark Skelton

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12 • CathCom Reach • Spring 2018 ACROSS 1 Religious teacher, `elder` in NT Greek (6) 4 Alternative name for Tabitha, a woman known for her good works in Acts (6) 9 Remains of burnt palm crosses which give their name to the first day of Lent (5) 10 Architecture and design movement of the 1930s (3,4) 11 Traditional Indonesian percussive orchestra, with xylophone, chimes and gongs (7) 12 Major river of Pakistan (5) 13 Route in the 1840s used by settlers crossing the Rockies to the West Coast (6,5) 18 Highlanders, for instance, and other Erse-speaking Celts (5) 20 H, H, H, H, H? (7) 22 Ste ------- of Lisieux, 1873-1897 (French spelling) (7) 23 Apocryphal book to Protestants, confirmed as canonical by Catholics at the Council of Trent (5) 24 Philistine king who twice gave David refuge from Saul (6) 25 Saint, 6th century British monk and historian (6) DOWN 1 (Car) crashes, bumps (6) 2 Youngest son of Aaron and Elisheba (7) 3 Fibrous agave plant used for rope, named after a Mexican port (5) 5 Younger exposed rock formation, isolated among older rocks (7) 6 Words to live by (5) 7 Liverpudlian, and a kind of broth associated with one (6) 8 Murder One, they figured? (4,3,4) 14 The Synoptics and John in the NT (7) 15 Son of Phinehas (7) 16 Virgin martyred in Catania (6) 17 Like now (2,2,2) 19 Alternative biblical name for a son of Nineveh and the ancient Mesopotamian city of Uruk (5) 21 Piece of music for the whole orchestra (5) It’s traditional during the season of Lent to ‘give something up’ or make a small sacrifice. We take a light-hearted look at just what you could do… l Don’t eat the last bite of your food l Don’t use your apps l Give up texting and call whomever you need to talk to l Everyday do 20 (or even 100!) push-ups and offer it up for someone who’s sick l Don’t straighten or curl your hair l Cut out all screen-time (phone, TV, computer) after dinner l Give up social media! l Give up DVDs or Box Sets l Limit your carbs l No lie-Ins l No buying books and not reading them! l No hoarding l Stop eating between meals l Stop swearing l Stop complaining! l Give up online ordering l No tweeting l Don’t eat crisps! l Stop using emojis l Stop using tiredness as an excuse! l No wearing sunglasses indoors! l Stop planning holidays you’ll never take l Turn your back on name/designer brands l Quit daydreaming! What can I give up for Lent? Crossword

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