2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk CONTACT US: The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published on the last Sunday of the month previous to publication date. The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published by its owners. The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, a registered charity, (No. 234331), and is wholly independent of and separate from any previous newspaper published by or on behalf of the diocese. EDITOR: Edwina Gillett 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 edwinagillett@hotmail.co.uk www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk ADVERTISING: Charlotte Rosbrooke / CathCom Ltd. 01440 730399 / 07932 248225 charlotter@cathcom.org www.cathcom.org DESIGN &, LAYOUT: Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative 01253 730343 rob@hot-creative.co.uk www.hot-creative.co.uk PUBLISHED BY: CathCom Ltd. N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Blois Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Su昀,olk CB9 7BN 020 7112 6710 www.cathcom.org Articles to: voicenews@hotmail.co.uk Letters to: voiceletters@hotmail.co.uk POSTAL ADDRESS: FAO Edwina Gillett 99 Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ Please send articles for publication on CD or by email, supplying any photos separate to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise please type double spacing or write very clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST DAY of the month prior to publication. Photographs will be returned if you remember to put your name and address on the back of each and enclose suitable stamped and self- addressed packaging. EDITORIAL E veryone at the Catholic Voice is pleased that we are now back to producing a Paper copy of our Diocesan newspaper. But we will need your help in the coming months to maintain a constant stream of interesting articles for the publication. If you have any stories, reports on events, how your Parish is responding to the climate change crisis, or the humanitarian e昀,ort to support Afghanistan refugees we want to hear from you. Your experiences could very well inspire others so please don’,t be shy to blow your own trumpet! Please send your articles to voicenews@hotmail.co.uk with any photographs as separate jpegs. In this edition we would particularly draw your attention to the following piece on this page about the formation of an Academy Trust for Cumbria and on Page 6 the report from Virginia Bell on the 2 year Synodal Process launched by Pope Francis entitled, ‘,Vision of Missionary Communion Orientated to Evangelisation’,. C atholic schools across Cumbria are coming together to form an academy trust to provide an exciting new future for education in the county. Eight secondary and primary schools in Cumbria and North Lancashire will form the new Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust. The plan is for more Catholic schools in the diocese of Lancaster to follow in the near future. The Trust aims to improve and inspire educational aspiration for young people through its ethos of Loving, Living, Learning Together. The eight founding schools who converted on the 1st September are: •, Dean Gibson Catholic Primary, Kendal •, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Barrow •, St Bernard’,s Catholic High School, Barrow •, St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle •, St Cuthbert’,s Catholic Primary School, Windermere •, St Cuthbert’,s Catholic Primary School, Carlisle •, St Joseph’,s Catholic Primary School, Lancaster •, St Joseph’,s Catholic High School, Workington Interim Executive Lead, Jacky Kennedy said “,Our Trust schools will be working together to 昀,nd ways of challenging and support ing each other to improve further. Working together as a group of Catholic schools is an exciting prospect and one we feel will b ring out our strengths.”, “,I am very proud to be part of this project at its beginning an d it 昀,lls us all with great con昀,dence to be able to work closely tog ether as Catholic Schools. We are committed to serving all the childr en, young people and families to the best of our ability and in all things seeking to serve God.”, Canon Luiz Ruscillo Chair of the Trust Board The formation of the Trust followed agreement from the Department of Education in March 2021. Contact for further information: Email: Jacky.Kennedy@sjchs.uk Tel: 01900 873290 Loving, Living, Learning Together

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 3 “, Season of increased prayer and e昀,ort on behalf of our common home. ”, Pope Francis ©, Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk What is Climate Sunday? T he Climate Sunday initiative is calling on all local churches across Great Britain &, Ireland to hold a climate-focused service on any Sunday before COP26 (November 2021). So far over 1,000 churches have joined in. Could your church add its voice this year? Our vision is to leave a lasting legacy of thousands of churches better equipped to address this critical issue as part of their discipleship and mission and to make a signi昀,cant contribution to civil society e昀,orts to secure adequate national and international action at COP26. Worship Hold a climate-focused service to explore the theological and scienti昀,c basis of creation care and action on climate, to pray, and to commit to action. The Climate Sunday initiative is calling on all local churches across Great Britain &, Ireland to hold a climate-focused service on any Sunday before COP26 (Nov. 2021) . Speak up Use your voice to tell politicians that you want a cleaner, greener, fairer future at the heart of plans to rebuild a strong economy. Read and sign The Climate Coalition’,s ‘,The Time Is Now’, declaration both as a church and an individual. For more information visit: www.climatesunday.org Commit Make a commitment as a local church community to taking long term action to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions. Join one of the existing programmes such as LiveSimply, or Eco Church. K&,M Maintenance Heating - Electrical - Drainage Established 25 years Telephone: 01772 704530 Fax 01722 798801 Heating, Electrical and Drainage and Plumbing services across the North West of England Gas •, Emergency Boiler Repairs for all makes •, Boiler Installations &, servicing •, Central Heating System repairs/upgrades/leaks •, New fitted Central Heating Systems •, Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12) Electrical •, New consumer units supplied and fitted •, All emergency breakdowns •, Power tripping •, New lighting •, Additional sockets •, Faulty sockets •, Rewiring •, Outdoor lighting/sockets •, EICR - electrial safey certificates Drainage and Plumbing •, Blocked drains, internal and external •, Leaks •, New taps •, Camera surveys Prices Boiler Service - £,49 + VAT plus £,10 for every additional appliance. Tel No: 01772 704530 Mobile: 07941 554730 Fax No: 01772 798801 Address: K &, M Maintenance Services Ltd, Unit 8A, Electron Mill, Brook Street, Preston PR1 7NH More information: www.kmmaintenance.co.uk Mark F H Rae Funeral Directors Dip FD MBIFD Incorporating Rawcliffe and Rae Independent Family Firm A Caring and Personal Service with over 40 years experience Funerals conducted by Mark and Helen Rae Consultant Funeral Director Paddy Keogh Tel: 01253 789000/01253 735269 Wood Street, St Annes on Sea, Lancashrie FY8 1QS Website: www.markraefunerals.co.uk

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4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk An Introduction For the 昀,rst time, the Synod O

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 5 First Sunday of Advent (Yr B) Stay in Touch Please sign-up at: www.castleriggmanor.co.uk/stay-in-touch atCastleriggManor atYS_Castlerigg atTrainCastlerigg atCastleriggManor Young Adults Youth People Teachers Leaders Catechists Mental Health First Aid Youth Ministry Young Adults Youth People Leaders Training Catechists O n Saturday August 14th, we were delighted to welcome seven volunteers to Castlerigg –, three returning for a second year, and four who were brand new to us. Ellie, Rachel, and Beth were joined by newbies Megan, Rachel M, Joe and Mel. Leaders Jack, Paddie, Trish, and Alex also decided to stick around for another year! And what a year it promises to be. Plenty of schools and other groups are booked in, and it looks like we’,re in for an unprecedented amount of ‘,away trips’, too in the form of school and parish visits. Here are a few highlights to look out for: LIT // Open Con昀,rmation Retreats Our 昀,rst open retreat for con昀,rmation candidates is happening October 1-3rd. Open to anyone in years 7 to 11. If you’,re being con昀,rmed this year, get in touch! If you miss the October one, they’,ll be another one coming up in May 2022. Advent Open Retreat // December 10-12th This year we have three general open retreats –, chances for people to come back to Castlerigg and deepen their faith. They happen in Advent, at Easter, and in the Summer, and they’,re open to anyone in Year 10 or above, up to age 25 –, with di昀,erent age group streams! The 昀,rst one is the Advent retreat December 10-12th. Get in touch for details. Altar Servers’, Retreat // Jan 15-16th A one-night retreat for altar servers this January. A great chance to make some friends and deepen faith. Again, get in touch for more details. Don’,t forget... The Castlerigg Lottery... The prize fund is now up to almost £,200, and the draw takes place early in each month. To sign up and read the full T&,Cs, head to www.castleriggmanor.co.uk/lottery ...and the ‘,stay in touch’, page! If you want to be kept up to date with what’,s happening in the Youth Service head over to our website and 昀,ll in a 30-second form. We won’,t spam you, we promise! To advertise please contact Charlotte on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Independent Catholic Funeral Director Arranging and conducting funerals in the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster since 1986 Lytham Funeral Service Ltd. 42 Clifton Street, Lytham FY8 5EW Tel. (01253) 733909 www.lythamfuneralservice.co.uk David Pope dip FD MBIFD

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6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk A recently formed Impact group at St Bede’,s School Lytham has come in for some praise from the Salvation Army and below is an exchange of correspondence between the Salvation Army and Impact group enabler Terry Mattinson, Youth Worker Dear Terry, I want to take this opportunity to thank you kindly for the wonderful donations from St. Bede’,s Catholic School and Action Youth Group. The donation of meat will be used to feed homeless people hot meals from our centre, we will prepare hot wholesome meals which they can eat immediately and provide a bag of snacks for them to take away. The cash donation will be used to buy non-perishable food products to be used in food parcels for those experiencing food poverty. Our centre is the largest of its kind in Blackpool and we can feed around 70 people daily. This donation is very appreciated from our centre and the people that need to use it, we could not o昀,er this support to our community without people like you. A special Rosary Service to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady’,s Assumption in to heaven was a great success at Our Lady’,s and St Edward’,s Preston with 35 attending. Our Lady’,s statue was decorated with 昀,owers for the celebrations. Thanks again to you all for this amazing kindness. Kind regards Beverley Taylor Bridge Project Manager The Salvation Army Raikes Parade, Blackpool FY1 4EL Hi Beverley, Thank you for your email and kind words which are appreciated, I have sent a copy of your email to our young people in Action Youth Group and to sta昀, at St Bede’,s CHS. This next academic year 2021/2022, we hope through our youth groups to have a project using the word ‘,Kindness’, in all of our social and community actions. So, if there is anything we can do through the youth group/St. Bede’,s we would be happy to develop a link, with the Salvation Army, it would be great and I will chat to the young people, about the project. We work also with the Salvation Army foodbank in Preston through Claire and the guys at the foodbank. God Bless Terry Mattinson Youth Worker, Fylde Action Youth Group St Bede’,s Catholic Hugh School St Bede’,s School Impact Group

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 7 St Joseph - Exemplary Guide in the Life of Prayer and on Vocational Discernment ‘,Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you’, (Gen 41.55) S ince Pope Francis declared that the year 2021 would be dedicated to St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, there has been a surge of interest in how this great saint can help us grow in prayer and virtue. St Teresa of Avila did much to popularise devotion to St Joseph, for whom she had great love. He miraculously cured her of a paralysis that had crippled her for three years as a young Sister in the Monastery of the Incarnation. St Teresa’,s 昀,rst foundation was dedicated to St Joseph and our Lord assured her that this glorious saint would ‘,keep watch at one door and our Lady at the other’, (Life c.32). “,I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious Saint, for I have long experience of the great blessings which he can obtain from God…,I only ask for the love of God anyone who does not believe me to try, and they will see the great good that comes from recommending themselves to this glorious patriarch and being devoted to him.”, (Life c.6) She urges prayerful people to attach themselves to St. Joseph saying: “,…,Anyone who cannot 昀,nd a master to teach them to pray should take this glorious saint for their master, and they will not go astray”, (Life c.6). The Carmelite Sisters of Dolgellau, Wales will be hosting a weekend via Zoom entitled ‘,Following in the footsteps of St Teresa of Jesus under the guidance of St Joseph’,. Talks will be given by the Sisters and three novices of the community, exploring how St Joseph can help us in our prayer life, in growing in the virtues, in work, and in silence. We will draw on material from Pope Francis’, document, ‘,Patris Corde’,, ‘,With a Father’,s Heart’,. As one called to both marriage, and celibacy, to spiritual rather than biological parenthood, he is well able to help one discern vocation, and surmount fears and obstacles: ‘,Do not fear to take Mary as your wife’, (Mt 1.20) . The weekend will begin on the evening of 8 October to 10 October, and is for single women seriously considering a vocation to the contemplative religious life. To register please email the Sisters via: www.carmel-dolgellau.uk/contact We would like to thank these schools for always supporting the paper HEADTEACHERS –, If you would like to support the Catholic Voice and promote your school to Catholic families in the area please contact Charlotte on 07932 248225 or 01440 730399 or email charlotter@cathcom.org to book your advert

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8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk I n my former working life I’,d heard about Appleby Horse Fair. It was something I held with so many mixed emotions. Over lockdown I’,d been asked to overcome many or my preconceived ideas and work alongside and befriend some of our local travellers and refugees. This invitation felt it was directly from God, stating it was time to let go of all from my former working life! So, I trusted in the Lord, stepped forward for this next lesson and test. Bleary eyed, we packed the car and headed out early, knowing that a normal hour’,s drive would be much longer as the day progressed. It was a challenge getting a PA system and instruments into a little mini with four people! But packed in with plenty of excitement and giggly trepidation we headed north, arriving before the crowds and settled in the prayer tent under the watchful eye of the local police and the travellers who minded the tent. Fr Stuart Chapple arrived carrying the tiredness of the last two days of the fair. Six weeks into his new life in the priesthood, and he had already heard too many confessions to count, given ample 昀,rst blessings and undertaken First Communions and Baptisms. Today, was a day like the others. But bigger crowds, larger gatherings for Mass, with an unplanned number of Baptisms and First Communions. Flexibility and the willingness to go with the 昀,ow was the key, for us all…, Our tent manager Margaret headed up the tracks with her loud speaker to announce that Mass was about to start. Meanwhile, Fr Stuart began his preparation for Mass and we joked with him over how it was even possible to estimate communion numbers in a setting like this. The crowds would come, that was certain. From a ginger 60 hosts, we encouraged him to push the boat out to a hundred, saying ‘,place them and they will come’,, and sure enough, as the music started the crowds began to descend. Unperturbed by the rain more and more came till the tent and all surrounding areas down the roads on either side were covered with people! Be thou my Vision 昀,lled the tent, with our usual Forever Amen musicians, and a few of the travellers stepped up to sing! Margaret even got out her accordion leading the centre of our prayer for Immaculate Mary, dedicated for the feast of the Assumption. The congregation settled into hearing these familiar sounds, and even learnt a little Praise &, Worship. Our music PA system became a shared mic so Fr Stuart’,s Mass could be heard amongst the vastly increasing crowd, and a total of 昀,ve children were baptised into their faith, with another separate Come to Appleby?? Outstanding care with an individual approach to bespoke learning St Pius X Prep Independent Catholic Day School for Children Aged 2-11 years Outdoor Education &, Sport, Forest School, Creative &, Performing Arts, Superb Individual Progress, Grammar School Preparation OPEN MORNINGS: Thursday 14th October &, Saturday 20th November 2021 7+ Scholarship Opportunities For more information please visit stpiusx.co.uk or call 01772 719937 St Pius X Preparatory School, Preston, PR2 8RD

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 9 昀,ve making their First Holy communion (having had their 昀,rst confession moments before Mass began) . The hundred consecrated hosts were halved as they needed to multiply further! Fr Stuart placed these 100 hosts in the Ciborium faithfully, and God fed His people over and over till all had been satis昀,ed. Amongst the chaos of the fair, peace descended on over 100 people who stood through all weathers to let their God know, the world stopped and their travelling stopped for Him. This community’,s faith and reverence was so evident. They love and worship their God and honour Mary as the mother of Jesus. None were ashamed to show their faith. Even as people got stuck in tra

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10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk Cottam Hall and the Haydock Family New local history 昀,lms tell the story of a notable Lancashire Catholic family by Gary Cunli昀,e. C ottam is a modern, expanding residential suburb to the north of Preston developed around farms and small holdings going back over many centuries. The present catholic chapel, completed in 1793, is dedicated to “,St Andrew and Blessed George Haydock.”, For me, with my keen interest in local history, the dedication of the local church was always intriguing. The family name of Haydock is also still remembered in local street names. When I began to research, I was immediately hooked and realised that here was a family story worth telling in 昀,lm, my chosen way to publish my research. Two archaeological studies, particularly one by Dorothy O’,Hanlon published 1985, have also added greatly to my story of the family and their moated medieval hall in Cottam. At the end of the thirteenth century land in Cottam came into the possession of Henry de Haydock whose descendants lived here in their manor house until the 18th century. The family featured prominently in the Guild Rolls of Preston. The old hall was still evident on the 昀,rst O.S map of 1848 but was demolished in 1858 and replaced by a new farmhouse which is the current Cottam Hall Farm on the site of the old hall. A licence for a chapel in Cottam Hall was granted by the Archdeacon of Richmond in the 昀,rst half of 14th century. Over many generations sons were ordained as priests and in the centuries after Henry Vlll Cottam provided a place of worship for persecuted Catholics. Lancashire Catholic historian Joseph Gillow wrote about the Haydocks in “,The Haydock Papers: a glimpse into English Catholic life under the shade of persecution and in the dawn of freedom”, published 1888. This has been an invaluable source of information about Haydock history such as the story of Blessed George…, George Haydock was born at Cottam Hall in 1556. He grew up against the background of Elizabeth I’,s increasingly restrictive laws and penalties imposed upon recusant Catholics. George’,s mother was related by marriage to Cardinal William Allen of Rossall who, in 1568, set up the English College at Douay in France. In 1573 George’,s father took his two younger sons Richard and George to Douay. George was ordained a priest in December 1581 but on returning to England in 1582 he was betrayed, arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. In February 1584, he was charged with having conspired against Elizabeth 1. He was hanged at Tyburn on the 12th February, 1584 and was still alive when he was cut open and dismembered. His skull was bought back to the chapel at Cottam Hall. George Haydock was beati昀,ed in 1987 as one of the Douay Martyrs, the 158 priests who were executed by the English state between 1577 and 1680. But George was not the 昀,rst Haydock to su昀,er for his faith. In 1537 William Haydock a monk at the Cistercian Whalley Abbey was executed for his part in The Pilgrimage of Grace. Boarbank Hall Contact: Sr Marian Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH Telephone: 015395 32288 Website: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Canonesses of St Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus “,She who accepts the common life possesses God”, St Augustine A Warm Welcome to Everyone Prayer , Community , Hospitality , Care of the poor and sick SELF STORAGE Secure Units Available Sizes To Suit All Needs Competitive Rates Open 7 Days Curly Tail Storage Park Lane, Forton PR3 0JX Tel: 01524 791837 E: andrew@curlytailstorage .co.uk www.curlytailstorage.co.uk M ass Listings –, October 2021 St. Margaret Mary, Scalegate Road, Carlisle Saturdays at 10.00 am Shrine Church of St Walburge, Preston Mondays to Fridays: 8.30 am Low Mass Saturdays: 8.30 am, Low Mass Sundays: 10.30 am, Sung Mass Shrine of the English Martyrs, Preston Monday-Saturday: 12 noon, Low Mass Sundays: 9.00 am, Low Mass (but please check the website for any variations: https://icksp.org.uk/preston/) Our Lady &, St Michael, Banklands, Workington Second Fridays at 7.00 pm (Please always check with Canon Watson before travelling) St Mary`s, Main Street, Hornby Saturdays at 11.00 am (Please check with Fr Docherty before travelling: 015242 21246) Local Representatives: Bob &, Jane Latin Telephone: 01772 962387 Email: lancaster@lms.org.uk Website: latinmasslancaster.blogspot.com Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 11 His body was removed and hidden at Cottam Hall where it was rediscovered when the house was demolished in the 19th century. ‘,The Haydock Papers’, is a comprehensive history from which I could choose stories such as, the martyrdoms, the repeated alleged anti catholic attacks in Cottam and the eventual sale of the estate on the death in 1717 of the last squire William Haydock, also of George and Thomas Haydock, born in the 1770s at a family home called The Tagg, who went on to publish in 1811-1814 a new commentary for a new edition of the English Catholic Bible. This Haydock Bible became the standard English Catholic Bible of the 19th century on both sides of the Atlantic. The links between Cottam Hall and the present chapel are close. I am grateful to Bill Shannon, local historian and parishioner of St Andrew’,s, for his advice and support during this project and for allowing me to reference his 2014 book “,Your Sorrow Shall Be Turned into Joy: Cottam Chapel in Penal Times”, . A locally born priest, John Baines, had been chaplain at Cottam Hall but in 1703 took a barn nearby and opened it as a public chapel dedicated to St. Andrew. It was allegedly attacked in 1715 and again in 1745 after local catholic support for the Jacobite rebellions. Dr. Shannon looks at the primary evidence for these attacks and in particular at the events surrounding William Haydock, the last squire. In 1715 he had supported the Jacobite rebellion which failed at the Battle of Preston. Regardless of this ‘,crime’, he was also unmarried with no heir and died in 1717. His death was the end of the Haydocks’, ownership and in his Will he left the manor and lands to trustees to be sold and shared out after his death. Under penal catholic law his priest brothers were not allowed to inherit the estate but he left legacies to them which were questioned by the authorities at the proving of his Will. During the making of these 昀,lms Bill also drew my attention to a recent memorial at St. Mary’,s Newhouse Chapel, Barton, at the grave of Thomas Haydock the publisher of the Haydock Bible. Benefactor of the memorial is American Antiquarian Bible Scholar Sydney Ohlhausen who also presented St Mary’,s with a 昀,rst edition Haydock Bible. My thanks to parishioner John Bleasdale for arranging permission for me to see the book and include it in my 昀,lm. My research has resulted in two longer 昀,lms about the Haydocks of Cottam Hall and a shorter 昀,lm about the chapel in Cottam. There are also nine short extracts from these 昀,lms mostly under 5 minutes long. You can view all these 昀,lms and download a copy of Dr Bill Shannon’,s book from the parish website following the link on the front page: www.standrewscottam.org.uk WILLIAM HOUGHTON FUNERAL DIRECTORS An Independent Catholic Family Firm Serving our community for over 100 years Fulwood 01772 788020 Ingol 01772 722415 www.williamhoughtonfunerals.co.uk Our Lady of Fidelity The church needs religious sisters URGENTLY to bring Christ to others by a life of prayer and service lived in the community of Ignation spirituality. Daily Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses of the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette Mature vocations considered. CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF FIDELITY 1 Our Lady`s Close, Upper Norwood, London SE19 3FA Telephone 07760 297001 090699502

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12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk C athi Kelly retired as deputy head teacher of St Peter’,s Primary School Lytham at the end of the last school year. The Catholic Voice caught up with Cathi over the summer holiday to 昀,nd out more about her career and plans for the future. Retirement is a major milestone, how many years have you been involved in teaching? I 昀,rst quali昀,ed 40 years ago and, as a fresh-out-of-college new teacher I took up my post of Maths teacher at St Bedes’,s Catholic High School, Lytham. This was a great 昀,rst job as, that September there were 昀,ve new starters so we got to know each other really well and have stayed in touch. I then got the opportunity to go to Tel Aviv, Israel. Whilst there, I taught in Tabeetha School, a Church of Scotland school in Ja昀,a which included Jewish, Arab and Christian children. Again, another wonderful experience. It was then back to England and after a year of supply work, I got a part time job, teaching maths at St Cecilia’,s Catholic High School, Longridge. I was then o昀,ered a part time job at St Maria Goretti’,s Catholic Primary, Preston. The change from secondary to primary was not an easy one but once I had adapted, I really enjoyed this age group. St Anthony’,s Catholic Primary, Fulwood was my next school and then I started teaching at St Peter’,s Catholic Primary, Lytham, teaching an hour of maths to each class (Year 1 –, Year 6) in a day. This led to teaching Booster groups, a job- sharing role, Year 6 class teacher and then Deputy Head teacher. What aspects of teaching have you particularly enjoyed? My favourite part of teaching is building a relationship with the children. There are not many other jobs that allow you to get to know so many di昀,erent characters. There was always so much fun in the classroom. I also enjoyed the 昀,exibility you have as a teacher, being creative when new ideas and opportunities arise, adapting the learning. What aspects of teaching have you found most challenging? The answer to this is de昀,nitely ‘,OFSTED’, . I understand that we need to make sure that children are receiving high quality education but our government and OFSTED make so many unnecessary demands on teachers, adding to their already heavy workload. Working 55+hours a week can also be challenging, being well organised is essential. Another challenge is 昀,nding a suitably polite reply when people say that teachers 昀,nish each day at 3:30pm and have 13 weeks holiday a year. I have learnt that saying nothing is probably the best reply. Your retirement comes on the back of Cathi Kelly Retires after 40 years in Education RAINBOWS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GB (Charity Number: 1058476) PART TIME DEVELOPMENT WORKER/TRAINER The Trustees of Rainbows Bereavement Support GB seek to appoint a Part-time Development Worker/Trainer for the region RAINBOWS NORTH WEST (Equivalent of five hours a week, term time only) Applicants will be required to have an appropriate background in education, health or social welfare and should possess an understanding of the issues surrounding bereavement and loss. Rainbows Bereavement Support GB is an increasingly successful national charity offering training in bereavement and loss to school staff and bereavement support programmes for children and young people grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives. Further details are attached. If you would like to know more about the post, we warmly encourage you to speak informally and in confidence to Sharon Melia-Craven, Rainbows National Co-Director with specific responsibility for the North before making an application. Sharon may be contacted by sharon.rainbowsgb@btconnect.com or phone on 07764 431536 RAINBOWS NORTH WEST Serving communities in Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, Salford, Worsley, Oldham, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Todmorden, Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Nelson, Colne and surrounding areas RAINBOWS DEVELOPMENT WORKERS / TRAINERS (Equivalent to 5 hrs a week, 40 week contract, term time only) Required for January 2022 FURTHER DETAILS: JOB DESCRIPTION: The essential purpose of this post is twofold: 1. To support the work of Rainbows currently operating in the schools across the regions. 2. To actively encourage additional schools in the region to ensure staff are trained in bereavement and loss issues and make use of Rainbows programmes as a proven and successful means of supporting children and young people through painful transitions in their lives. It will be a requirement of the post that the successful candidate undergoes training to become a Rainbows Registered Director/Trainer. PERSON SPECIFICATION It is essential that applicants are able to show that they have: •, An appropriate understanding of the issues surrounding bereavement and loss •, An empathy towards vulnerable children and adults •, A willingness to undergo training as a Rainbows Registered Director (Dates to be mutually agreed). The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with parents, school staff and a wide range of professionals •, The confidence and ability to train staff in schools and other settings •, Time management skills and an ability to prioritise workload with minimal supervision. •, Computer literate, with an ability to create high quality newsletters, invitations and publicity materials, and to manage bas ic computer databases, using Microsoft Office. •, The ability to be self-motivated, to work alone and as part of a team In addition, applicants should hold a current driving licence and have access to a car. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. While not essential, it will be desirable that applicants have an understanding of Rainbows groups in a school setting. An hourly rate of £,10.50 will be paid monthly over twelve months. Travel expenses will be paid from an agreed base within the region. APPLICATION: Applicants are requested to submit their application form to Sharon Melia Craven, National Co-Director, Rainbows Bereavement Support GB by email to sharon.rainbowsgb@btconnect.com. Closing date: 12 noon on the 1st November 2021 Interviews will be held during the week of 8th November 2021

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 13 a global pandemic how did the school cope with the disruption? Our Headteacher (Angela Heyes) has worked tirelessly at keeping us all safe and supporting those who needed it. Communication and working as a team have been vital and St Peter’,s did this really well. After early discussions, plans were put in place to enable every child to have access to quality home learning and for the Key workers’, children to be able to come into school. We kept in touch with all our children daily (and families) and sta昀, supported each other, sharing online learning ideas etc. Getting the children back into school was brilliant and keeping them in their ‘,bubbles’, helped to re-establish the close family feel here at St Peter’,s. I loved being able to create lessons for home learning as these needed to be quite di昀,erent to classroom ones. The challenge was connecting with each child and keeping them engaged. You could have a lot of fun too. How did you relax when teaching, what are your hobbies etc.? Every evening I walk. This gives me the opportunity to wind down or work through a problem. Many a good lesson has been planned on one of my walks. ‘, Walk with your Wolf’, by Jonathan Hoban is a great read. It talks about walking to 昀,nd space to process feelings, 昀,nd answers to your problems and understand that nature is the most powerful healer of all. Spending time with friends whenever possible is a lovely way to switch o昀, too. I also enjoy reading but only managed to read a couple of pages before falling asleep. Now I will have the time to read so many books. What are you going to miss most about no longer teaching? I will miss the children. The relationship you build with each child is wonderful. I will also miss being part of a brilliant team: always having someone to go to and laughing at those things that can only happen in a primary school. It will take some time for me to stop 昀,nding things that would be useful in class or would ‘,make a good lesson’, . My family always laugh at some of the random things I have picked up in the past. What are you least going to miss about no longer teaching? Have I already mentioned OFSTED? I most de昀,nitely will not miss OFSTED. How do you plan to spend your retirement? At the moment I am not really sure but I do know that I will not have to run quite as quickly and I am enjoying readjusting. This means that I am now seeing all the jobs in the house that need doing so I imagine I am going to be kept busy. The situation at the moment means that making too many future plans is not advisable so I will live for the moment and take each opportunity as it comes. I will miss the children. The relationship you build with each child is wonderful. I will also miss being part of a brilliant team: always having someone to go to and laughing at those things that can only happen in a primary school. For information and bookings visit www.minsteracres.org, Phone: 01434 673248 Email: info@minsteracres.org Minsteracres Retreat Centre, nr. Consett, County Durham, DH8 9RT PRAYING WITH VERDI’,S REQUIEM Euan Tait: The penitential seasons are deeply creative for us: the Holy Spirit enables us to examine and renew our spiritual lives. Great music helps us in our praying, music helps us pray and access our spiritual longings. Verdi’,s moving and loved Requiem is a powerful exploration of our praying heart, our longings and fears. Euan Tait has had major premieres throughout the US and Britain, will help us explore key re- newing themes for advent. This retreat is from 26/11/2021 –, 28/11/2021 6:00 pm –, 2:00 pm Suggested donation: £,175 HOPE FOR THE EARTH: A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET Patrick Woodhouse, Jonathan Hewitt and the Minsteracres team This retreat will explore the Climate Crisis and the Ecological Crisis asking how we may all be involved in a different way of living for the future of the planet. In particular we shall reflect on: The extent of the world-wide crisis and global initiatives of hope and the loss of biodiversity in the natural world in the North-East region particularly. Suggested donation: £,175 This event will run from Friday 5 November starting at 4:30pm to Sunday 7 November finishing after lunch.

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14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk B rother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691) was a humble lay brother in the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Paris, where he served 昀,rst as a cook, and later –, owing to gout –, as a sandal maker. His peacefulness and simple wisdom attracted others to him and his conversations and letters formed the basis for a book The Practice of the Presence of God. We will try to present the kernel of his teaching, using his own words where possible. Prayer What did this prayer look like? We can draw a picture from the snippets he gives in his conversations with Abbé, Joseph de Beaufort and from his letters to a nun: ‘,I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul. …, I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general loving gaze upon God, which I may call an actual presence of God, or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with God, which often causes in me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them and prevent their appearance to others.’, ‘,Sometimes I beheld him in my heart as my Father, as my God: I worshipped Him as often as I could, keeping my mind in His holy Presence, and recalling it as often as I found it wandered from Him ... without troubling or disquieting myself when my mind had wandered involuntarily. …, I drove away from my mind everything that was capable of interrupting my thought of God. …, [At other times,] I consider myself before God, whom I behold as my King’,. ‘,My most usual method is this simple attention, and such a general passionate regard to God, to whom I 昀,nd myself often attached with great sweetness and delight like that of an infant at the mother’,s breast: so that if I dare use the expression, I should choose to call this state the bosom of God, for the inexpressible sweetness which I taste and experience there. ‘,Spend the remainder of your life only in worshipping God. He requires no great matters of us, a little remembrance of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection - Practice of the Presence of God Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to o昀,er Him your su昀,erings, and sometimes to thank Him for the favours he has given you…, Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud, He is nearer to us than we are aware of. …, we may make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility and love.’, Work He spent all the intervals of his time, before and after his work in prayer. Yet he tells us that that the set times of prayer were not di昀,erent from the other times of the day, because his work did not draw him from God. Indeed, he found he was more united to God in his outward employments than in times set aside for prayer, in which he generally experienced spiritual dryness. His practice was to do little things for love to God: ‘,We need only to recognise God is close to us and to turn to Him every moment …, We may beg His help for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for gladly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, o昀,ering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done them for His honour.’, ‘,He found it the shortest way to go straight to Him by a continual exercise of love, and doing all things for His sake’,. ‘,If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that Divine presence, God presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him, which often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business: he answers with exact 昀,delity to these inward drawings, either by an elevation of his heart towards God, or by a meek and fond regard to Him, or by such words as love forms upon these occasions. …, The experience of these things gives him such an assurance that God is always in the depth or bottom of his soul. ‘,The most excellent method he had found of going to God was that of doing our ordinary occupations (received under obedience) for the love of God without any view of pleasing men’, [or himself]. ‘,Think often on God by day, by

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk October 2021 + The Catholic V oice of Lancaster + 15 night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you, leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must God be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him.’, At 昀,rst we have to work at referring everything to God, as he himself did, but later, Br. Lawrence assures us the remembrance of God comes easily. Con昀,dence Brother Lawrence su昀,ered the extreme trial of doubting his salvation. So, we know he speaks from experience when he counsels a correspondent: ‘,We ought without anxiety to expect the pardon of our sins from the Blood of Jesus Christ, only endeavouring to love Him with all our hearts. That God seemed to have granted the greatest favours to the greatest sinners, as more signal monuments of His mercy than those who had grown up in innocence. …, The trust we put in God honours Him much and draws down great graces.’, Distractions At the beginning of his prayer-life he had spent much of his time rejecting wandering thoughts and then falling back into the same distractions: ‘,Our mind is extremely roving, but as the will is mistress of all our faculties she must recall them, and carry them to God as their last end. …, I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer, many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’,s gate: let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord. If it sometimes wanders and withdraws itself from Him, do not disquiet yourself for that, trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to recollect it, the will must bring it back in tranquillity, if you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you. ‘,Useless thoughts spoil all, …, the mischief begins there, but we ought to reject them as soon as we perceived their impertinence to the matter in hand, or our salvation and return to our communion with God’,. He kept himself in the present moment: ‘,He did not re昀,ect upon those things which were over and done. …, Of late he had followed this plan of not anticipating di

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16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + October 2021 www.catholicv oiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk Diocesan Pilgrimage to Ladyewell O n Saturday 24th July the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Ladyewell took place, led by Bishop Paul assisted by Parish Priest Fr Ernest and Assistant Priest Fr Mario of St Mary’,s and Ladyewell. Due to the Covid restrictions still in place attendance was restricted to the Altar Servers from around the Diocese. The Blessed Sacrament Procession took place, beginning at St. Mary’,s and concluded with a homily from the Bishop and Benediction at Ladywell. St. Mary’,s Church was especially decorated for the occasion in honour of Our Lady. The rain kept away and Our Lady and Our Lord were duly honoured, at this special shrine, in our Diocese. Ian Mulholland Church Supplies –, serving Schools, Business and Homes Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses

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