What is the Nationality and Borders Bill? The Nationality and Borders Bill would overhaul the UK’,s asylum system to make it as difficult as possible to get asylum in the UK. If this bill becomes law, thousands of people forced to flee their homes will not be able to find haven in the UK. The Bill would deny many refugees the chance to seek sanctuary here, criminalise many who try, and isolate refugees in harmful out-of-town institutions. Eight things you should know about the Nationality and Borders Bill 1 How worthy of protection someone is will depend on how they were able to travel to the UK. This will deny sanctuary to the vast majority of refugees. The Bill divides refugees into “,Group 1”, and “,Group 2”, depending on how they got to the UK. People who travel via another country, do not have documents or did not claim asylum immediately would be put in “,Group 2”,. This group would find it hard to settle in the UK, living under threat of expulsion rather than getting a chance to rebuild their lives, have less chance to reunite with family, and be left at risk of destitution and poverty. Most refugees have no choice in how they travel. When you’,re fleeing for your life, you just have to go. There are also good reasons people can take a while to claim asylum. Most refugees will be penalised under this system, and be denied the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Claiming asylum is a human right. Continued on page 11 Catholic News 20p 20p WHERE SOLD WHERE SOLD ISSUE 295 ISSUE 295 December December 2021 2021 MORE THAN 22 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER MORE THAN 22 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER Published by Published by Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 01440 730399 Telephone: 01440 730399 Editor John Clawson. Tel: E-mail johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Editor John Clawson. Tel: E-mail johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Sir Michael Palin - asks for help to safeguard future of UK churches. Story page 9 The children of today, must surely help us to rediscover what it is to be a child of God Fr Phillip Ziomek Story on page 3 P L E A S E D O NOT L E A V E T H I S I N T H E C H U R C H once you have picked up the paper please take it with you Farewell to Sr Margaret Mary LCM after 15 years. Story on page 6 Eight things you should know about the Nationality and Borders Bill Dear Readers Happy New Year! This might sound like a premature greeting but the Church’,s liturgical new year begins in Advent, rather than January, so this month of December is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the past year and the months ahead. It’,s also a chance to start afresh and to recommit ourselves to our Christian calling as missionary disciples. Just stop and think for a moment what we as a diocese, along with the rest of the world, have experienced in our parishes and chaplaincies this past liturgical year. There was a time when it felt as if we might never gather together again safely, join our voices in songs of praise, or enjoy some much-needed fellowship in the church hall after Mass over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Last Christmas we had just come out of a lockdown and were on the brink of yet another. Family Christmas plans had to be cancelled at the last minute, and Christmas Masses were not the same without congregations singing carols or mingling together afterwards. But, praise God, we have now entered a new phase thanks to a highly successful vaccination programme and, no doubt, most of us will treasure, more than ever, this Christmas’,s rituals and festivities. A huge part of this is the joy of attending Mass and services over the Christmas period. I know I speak on behalf of not just myself, but all of the diocesan clergy, when I say how much we have missed you and how eager we are to welcome you back to church for Christmas. Because the truth is that without placing Christ at the centre of our Christmas celebrations, through attending Mass and receiving him in the Holy Eucharist, our festive celebrations cannot hold for us the same significance and wonder. I know that some of you might feel unsure about coming back to church again for a number of reasons. It might be a long time since you last received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and so you might feel reluctant to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. But what better way to begin the new liturgical year than to open yourself up to Christ’,s forgiving and compassionate embrace, and to renew and deepen your relationship with him? Continued on page 8 Message from Bishop Patrick

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Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick have agreed to work together to establish a joint group to study the access given, or refused, to Catholic priests to scenes of traumatic violence. In particular, the group will consider whether any changes are required to the guidance issued to officers faced with such situations. It comes after the killing of Sir David Amess MP at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday, 15 October 2021. Cardinal Nichols revealed the move in a short statement made after greeting Commissioner Cressida Dick ahead of the Catholic Police Guild`s annual Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral. The Mass took place on Tuesday, 9 November after a year`s break due to Covid restrictions, and was celebrated by the Bishop of Brentwood, the Right Reverend Alan Williams SM - the Guild`s newly appointed liaison to the Bishops` Conference. In his statement, Cardinal Nichols said: ",I welcome police officers from so many different part of the country to this Mass in which we remember and pray for your deceased colleagues. I offer a particular welcome to Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. ",I wish to thank all of you for the service you give to the people of this country, often in the most difficult of circumstances and with the many challenges facing you. ",In recent times questions have arisen concerning the access given, or refused, to Catholic priests to scenes of traumatic violence, such as the violent death of Sir David Amess. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner and I have agreed to establish a joint group to study this issue and whether any changes are required to the guidance issued to officers faced with such a situation. ",I am grateful to the Commissioner for this agreement and I am confident that it will help to establish a helpful way forward in this matter of considerable sensitivity and importance to the Catholic community.", The Mass was offered to remember and pray for those in the police service who have lost their lives and was attended by representatives from police forces around the country, both serving and retired, as well as several force chaplains and guild members Photo by Oliver Hale on Unsplash Editor: John Clawson Editorial Office: Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 01440 730399 email: johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Website: www.bellcourtltd.co.uk Distribution enquiries: Nick Layton e-mail nick@cathcom.org, Bellcourt Limited, Publication date: Fourth Sunday of the month for the following month. Opinions ex - pressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Diocese. P ublishers and Owners : Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Advertising: tel: 0207 112 6710 Parental permission should be sought before submitting photographs of minors. Views expressed in The Catholic News are not necessarily those of the editor MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF BRINGING THE BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER TOGETHER The The Catholic News Catholic News The monthly paper for the The monthly paper for the Diocese of Nottingham Diocese of Nottingham Wanted - Parish Correspondents The Catholic News is looking for a Parish Correspondent in your parish to send in local news for publication in this newspaper. All items to be emailed to johnclwson@icloud.com before 10th of the month FRANKLY SPEAKING FRANKLY SPEAKING Page 2 The Catholic News. December 2021 The reason why members of SVP volunteer to ‘,meet need wherever it may be found’, can be identified in the spirituality the society fosters and engenders. Frederic Ozanam embraced the values of St Vincent because of the special way he worked with those in need. St Vincent’,s qualities underpin all the society’,s aims encouraging us to show simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness and commitment. These Vincentian values guide us to show our love and respect to those we work with, deepen and strengthen our relationship with God and support each other in all we do. With this foundation we can: •, seek out and find those who need our help •, serve all cheerfully •, respect the dignity of the individual •, be non-judgemental •, seek Justice •, be generous with our time and our possessions How does Vincentian Spirituality affect me? Committing as a volunteer means offering one’,s service. Being called to serve means we must be able to reflect on the example shown to us by St Vincent de Paul and try to put his values into practice in our daily life. Sometimes this is not easy as ‘,we are all human’, but practice does help us get it right, as does training. However we must never lose sight of the power of God at work in our lives and the grace or help He gives us enables us to be successful in what we do. The SVP is a spiritual society. This means our work does not “,spring from ourselves alone”, but from our relationship with God and the teachings and sacrifices of His Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Being a Vincentian we accept the need to work together as members of the Society and the Body of Christ. As members of a Conference, we can grow individually and collectively when we meet in Vincentian fellowship and conduct our meetings in accordance with The Rule and Internal Statutes. Living out these values and working together we are able to turn concern into action. In more practical terms, when asked why they do it, current volunteers have offered the following: ‘,Lonely and need are two words that stood out for me. I wanted to do something to help those alone and in need’,. ‘,I felt moved by the appeal to give something to those who might need my help.’, I’,ve got the time and I wanted to do something worthwhile in my parish’,. ‘,It’,s the right thing to do. I want to make a difference to others’, lives.’, ‘,I was looking for a way to offer my services to others and the SVP presented itself as an ideal opportunity to do this.’, This is just an example of the reasons SVP volunteers in the Nottingham diocese give for why they cheerfully offer their time to put their faith into action. If you are interested in finding out more about the SVP or setting up a conference in your parish please contact Lance Philpott, SVP Membership Development Officer for the diocese of Nottingham at Lancep@svp.org.uk SVP Why we do it Group to study priests` access to scenes of traumatic violence It was perhaps a simple coincidence that the Glasgow conference on the need for climate change coincided with the launch of Synod 2021-2023. In last month’,s Catholic News we read that the word “,Synod”, simply means “,journeying together”,. Writing this article before the end of COP26 there is some doubt if that description of the huge gathering in Scotland can really change our planet. The need for climate change in the next few years has been well documented and the target of 1.5C degrees is almost universally accepted with some but not all speaking up for “,behavioural changes”,. Can we adjust to flying less and eating less meat? With regard to more vulnerable parts of the world many are in need of humanitarian aid now without the additional hardship or even global catastrophe which some scientific experts have predicted. As the world watched events in Glasgow it was very difficult to ignore what was an unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan. For the last 40 years we have witnessed the major nations of the world having a massive involvement in the politics and government of this difficult part of Asia. In August Britain and America ceased to be involved, it is now an unfolding disaster with millions facing starvation. As we approach Christmas we might hear the once popular theme music “,Feed the World, let them know it’,s Christmas time”,. Sadly this latest and unwanted tragedy is well ahead of any climate change. We can only hope and pray that aid will be allowed to get through to those whose need is the greatest. With so much world developments the Synod is an opportunity to discuss and express our views on how the Church should develop in the third millennium. I hope that many will want to participate. I first attended a Catholic School in 1948 and I cannot recall anything like this before. There is much that the Church achieves in the world which is often not reported, we do however hear about our faults. Pope Francis has given us the opportunity to go forward. If we choose to participate we will surely feel better for it and hopefully so will our children. More than ever they need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Frank Goulding Holy Trinity, Newark

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The Catholic News. December 2021 Page 3 The Chapter Corner Fr Philip Ziomek Each month we top-up an average of 321 refugee friends phones with £,10 of essential call and data credit. This equals to £,38,520 a year. And while the phones and regular phone credit top- ups we offer provide very important practical help for refugee friends, its the connectivity this allows, to personal networks, legal, medical and social services, and to opportunities to participate in community that is the real value. Please donate today: 020 7488 7321 uk@jrs.net jrsuk.net/adventappeal21 Jesuit Refugee Service UK 2 Chandler St London E1W 2QT JRS UK is a work of the Jesuits in Britain, a registered charity in England and Wales: 230165 and Scotland: 40490 This Advent you can help refugees feel safe, valued and hopeful Hi, JRS UK has topped up £,10 to your mobile Thank you JRS UK God bless everybody! Celebrating the Sacraments for the Traveller community There were various reasons why at 3.30 on a Monday afternoon, I realised the luncheon hour had already passed, and the sense of hunger pangs were rising, such that I sallied forth to the corner of Thackeray’,s Lane to the Jerk Chicken shop. It’,s a Caribbean “,Take Away”, that supplies not only excellent portions, but good food as well. Conversation flowed, “,Do you mind me asking what you do?”, I nearly responded with “,the clue is around my neck”,, but realised my coat was buttoned up against the cold, so I admitted, “,I’,m the priest from around the corner”,. Now I have found such a remark either opens a conversation immediately, or people retreat into shyness not sure how to respond. This time it was the former. “,I’,ve often been there when I was at Christ the King School, but I’,m not a Christian now!”, I internally bewailed the failures of our education system but acknowledge very often it’,s the only means of escape when the conscience is pricked. Although a year or two older, I recognised my young friend as one who had complained a couple of years previously about the smell of incense. Adoration &, Benediction had finished only half an hour before the school had come for its Carol Service. I reminded her of the same, but quickly found the subject changing to grandma, who always goes to your Church. One thing that helps me understand the teaching of Jesus that, “,unless you become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven”, was found on my return journey via Thackeray’,s Lane. Armed with the precious cargo of a plastic bag and containers of Jerk chicken (with separate sauce –, it’,s hot!) and rice etc…, school had finished for the day and of course the “,Little people”, are immediate and don’,t hold back from their greeting unlike the reticence very often of parents. So, I met a family of three coming home after a hard day’,s tutelage under the guidance of Mrs Toner and her staff of the Good Shepherd. Immediately I was challenged: “,What do you get if you cross a budgie with cough syrup?”, Now such profound science is beyond me! My answer, I don’,t know! Amongst all the giggles the answer came back, “,A chirrup of figs”,. There is no doubt it’,s these encounters which keep us all grounded within the great mystery that is the Church. I began to muse on the difference “,lock down”, had produced. Now the road was so busy it’,s almost impossible to cross, such that our local council have put in a light controlled pedestrian crossing. The traffic is regularly punctuated by day and night with the sound of racing sirens indicating someone in need of our marvellous emergency services and health system which has proved so important these last eighteen months. “,Lock down”, was so different, it was the Sound of Silence, which is so counter-cultural in today’,s world, that dominated for those months, but still punctuated with emergency sirens from the ambulances and paramedics about their work. It was the sound of the Robin somewhere in the hedge that brought me out of my reverie. It’,s often called “,winter’,s greatest soloist”,. This plucky little creature is the only UK bird that sings all year round, and their upbeat “,spring song”, starts about now as they mark out their territory for food and nesting. Listen for the characteristic “,tick”, almost like a clock amidst the chirrups and trills. The pious tradition that the Robin was at the foot of the Cross when the Precious Blood of the Lord flowed down is said to account for its red breast! Ah what beauty our ancestors attributed to the simplest of things to experience and pass on the Faith. Well, the psalmist encourages all of us, “,Sing a new song unto the Lord”,, and there can be no doubt in the spirit of St. Francis, the Holy Father is calling and prompting our response within a busy and somewhat troubled world to be the moral compass that renews and embraces all of Creation within a new vision of expressing Gospel joy. It’,s beginning within our parish communities as Bishop Patrick calls and challenges our response to the Gift of the Holy Spirit for a refreshing and renewed vision that will take us from “,your Church”, to “,our Church”,. A Church that really is the living stones, as St. Peter called us, a Church with Jesus as the keystone that holds it together on the strength of its rock of truth embodied in the ministry of the Bishop of Rome. The opportunity given to us now is for a renaissance. A new and revitalised spiritual birth after the experience of the last eighteen months, which has left so many bewildered, hurt, anxious and yes, lonely, and psychologically damaged, as well the physical experiences that have taken their toll. Now is the time to respond to the call of the Church. A call that is not asking us to be Church but to become Church with the extraordinary potential in the power of the Holy Spirit, cleansed of past mistake and energised by new vision, understanding and strength. Characterised by such a strong confidence that the Lord is with us, we can achieve a new discovery of our place among the people of God to fulfil our Baptismal vocation. Don’,t forget, “,nothing great can be achieved without enthusiasm!”, The youth of today must become the “,granny`s of the future”, who by their fidelity to the Lord, live the tremendous example of being Children of God. The children of today, must surely help us to rediscover what it is to be a child of God, and the creation around us must surely call us to express gratitude by unselfish acts that promote it forward as the gift to future generations. I find it summed up when the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council spoke prophetically under the guidance of Pope Paul VI and advised the Church of tomorrow that, “,The future of humanity lies in the hands of those who give others a reason for hoping and living”,. On Saturday 10th October, the feast day of St John Henry Newman, Bishop Patrick McKinney came to Blessed Sacrament Church in Leicester to celebrate the sacraments for the Traveller community from Leicester and Leicestershire. It was a bright sunny morning where 6 children made their First Holy Communion and 23 young people were confirmed, it was a joyous occasion for them and their families. Preparation for the sacraments had been undertaken during the last few months with Sister Bernadette, Sister Helen, Judith, Angela and Karen visiting them and their families. It has been three years since the last Bishop’,s Mass for the Traveller community in the Diocese and many of the young people had been preparing for these sacraments but restrictions had delayed this occasion. Many thanks to Bishop Patrick, Father Simon, Father John and Deacon Joseph as well as the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and St Peter’,s parishes who supported the day. May the children and young people grow in their faith with their families and may we keep them in our prayers.

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Page 4 The Catholic News. December 2021 Churches Together in England General Secretary appointed Bishop Mike Royal has been called as the next General Secretary of Churches Together in England (CTE). He will take up his post in March 2022 when the current General Secretary, Rev Dr Paul Goodliff, retires. Bishop Mike is the Co-Chief Executive of The Cinnamon Network, a charity helping churches across Britain and Ireland with community engagement and social action projects. He is a founding Trustee and former National Director of award-winning charity Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) which works with children and young people at risk of exclusion from school. He is also a part time Forensic Mental Health Chaplain with Birmingham &, Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. Mike has a BA in Urban Planning from the University of Westminster and an MA in Black Theology from the University of Birmingham. He has been in ordained ministry since 1993 and was consecrated as a Bishop with the Apostolic Pastoral Congress in 2016. Mike has a wealth of ecumenical experience at local, regional and national level. He led the Street Pastors’, team in Birmingham, the second to be launched in the UK, and worked with Telford Christians’, Together to launch their Cinnamon Faith Action Audit, one of 60 such local initiatives, which have been praised by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as showing ‘,the breadth of commitment across the country, the depth of commitment, and above all the strength of experience and good practice.’, He has worked closely with Birmingham Churches Together on their “,Standing in the Gap”, initiative and is currently Co-Chair with the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Churches Together Working Group, coordinating the churches’, work on Anti- Trafficking, Young People &, Apprenticeships, Health &, Well Being, Church Engagement and Social Cohesion and Chaplaincy. Mike represents the Apostolic Pastoral Congress on CTE’,s Racial Justice Working Group. Bishop Mike said “,I am both honoured and humbled to accept the role of General Secretary of Churches Together in England, as the church journeys together to fulfil the mandate of Jesus - ‘,that they all may be one, as we are one’, (John 17.22). I pray, as our country and the church navigate together through challenging and difficult issues, that we will all find a deeper commitment to God and to one another, as we travel together on this vital ecumenical journey”,. Bishop Mike will be the fifth General Secretary of CTE since the organisation was founded in 1990, following Canon Martin Reardon (1990-1997), Rev Bill Snelson (1997-2008), Rev David Cornick (2008- 2018) and Rev Paul Goodliff (2018-2022). The General Secretary of CTE leads the staff team and with the Board of Trustees develops and maintains the organisation`s vision, promoting unity and mission among the churches in England. The Chair of the CTE Trustees, Rowena Loverance, said “,Everyone at Churches Together in England is delighted and excited by Mike Royal’,s appointment as General Secretary. He brings us extensive experience in putting faith into action and we look forward to benefitting –, along with all our Member Churches - from Mike’,s strategic grasp, theological acumen and deep pastoral concern.”, The current General Secretary, Rev Dr Paul Goodliff, says, “,The appointment of Bishop Mike as my successor is a brilliant next step for CTE, which will benefit from his experience of inspiring churches to serve their communities. It strengthens further the commitment of the ecumenical movement in England to the task of making Christ known in word and deed. I look forward so much to the opportunity of working with Mike through this transitional period, and I pray that he will be given much wisdom and grace as he starts in this role.”, Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Charles De Foucauld together with six other Blesseds during a Canonisation Mass in St Peter`s Basilica on 15 May. Bl Charles de Foucauld to be declared a saint Blessed Charles is considered to be one of the pioneers of interreligious dialogue. Born in 1858, he was a French aristocrat and religious. His work and writings led to the founding of the Congregation of the Little Brothers of Jesus. During his adventurous life, he was a Cavalry Officer in the French Army, and then an explorer and geographer before becoming a Catholic priest and hermit who lived among the Tuareg in Algeria`s Sahara Desert. He lived a life of prayer, meditation and adoration, in the incessant desire to be, for each person, a `universal brother`, a living image of the love of Jesus. On the evening of December 1, 1916, he was killed by bandits. The others to be canonized are: Blessed Lazarus (Devasahayam Pillai). Known as Devasahayam, the Blessed Lazarus was a Brahmin of the Nair caste in India. Converted to Catholicism by a Jesuit priest in 1745, Devasahayam Pillai took the name Lazarus when he became a Christian. In his preaching, he particularly insisted on the equality of all peoples, despite caste differences. This aroused the hatred of the higher classes and he was arrested in 1749. After enduring increasing hardships, he received the crown of martyrdom when he was shot on 14 January 1749. Blessed Cé,sar de Bus , was ordained in 1582 in Avignon. He was profoundly affected by the life and writings of Saint Charles Borromeo whom he held up as a model, especially his devotion to the catechesis. In fact, he worked as a catechist in Aix-en-Provence during times of turmoil following the French Wars of Religion. He founded the orders of the Ursulines of Province and the Fathers of Christian Doctrine (Doctrinarians). The Fathers were disbanded during the French Revolution but an Italian branch of the Doctrinarian Fathers continues today with houses in Italy, France and Brazil. Blessed Luigi Maria Palazzolo, a northern Italian parish priest, he dedicated his life to abandoned, orphaned and neglected children. Together with the Venerable Maria Teresa Gabrieli, he founded the Sisters of the Poor, an Order that continues to care for and educate girls in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Congo, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Peru and Switzerland. He died of natural causes in 1886. Blessed Giustino Maria Russolillo, a 20th-century Italian priest, is the founder of the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationists) which encouraged and supported those discerning a call to the priesthood and religious life. They continue their work in many countries across the world. Blessed Maria Francesca di Gesù, entered a community of women religious at the beginning of the 20th century and became the superior and formation director of the group, giving life to the Institute of the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto. Together with some Sisters, she went as a missionary to Uruguay and to Argentina. During her work in Latin America, she was asked to begin a mission in the rain forest. She died in Uruguay in 1904. Blessed Maria Domenica Mantovani is the co-founder and first Superior General of the order of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family who can be found in Italy, Switzerland, Albania as well as in African and Latin American nations. They are dedicated to serving children and youth, families, priests, the elderly and the disabled in parishes. Source: Vatican News St Mary’,s Catholic Academy, Derby Working Hard on Living Out the Synod Pope Francis’, Synod for the whole Church has inspired St Mary’,s Derby pupils to reach out to classmates, staff and all connected with the School or Parish to find out how best to reach out to those who may feel excluded or on the margins. Each class has two Synod Reps who are responsible for talking to everyone in their class and bringing ideas to the Chaplains. They are dreaming big as Pope Francis asked, and doing their bit to ensure that everyone knows they are valued and loved, no matter who they are. During the next year, the Reps and Chaplaincy Team will be implementing the best ideas they receive.”, Frances Hazel

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The Catholic News. December 2021 Page 5 Reflections on Our Common Home During the Season of Creation our Parish of St Peter and St Paul’,s in Lincoln was engaged at each Mass with a reminder of the choices we make to care for our Common Home. As the season passed we had a four-week period of preparation for the COP26 Climate Summit. During those four weeks our Live Simply Group ran a series of three evenings of reflections on what living simply meant to us as individuals and as a Christian Community. For those of us who attended it was yet again a serious reminder of our task to live Simply, Sustainably and in Solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world who live with injustice, especially at this time Climate Justice. It is these least- polluting groups of humanity that are already suffering from the excess of industrial living and all that it means to our climate. The evenings, which were not a course but a liturgy, gave us time to pause, we were challenged to reaffirm our commitment to a simpler lifestyle and a more open attitude to our brothers and sisters in great need. The Wednesday evening before the Summit began we had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour, simply to pray for those involved. We sang great Hymns in praise of, and thanks for, Creation and prayed for God to soften the hearts of all World leaders and give them a great vision of a fair and just future for all, along with the Courage, Wisdom and Integrity to implement the plans for change. We now have to trust God to enable us all to bring about the change needed to repair and preserve our Common Home for those Generations to follow us, that they will experience the sheer Beauty and Provision of God’,s Creation and a great deal less of the trauma currently being lived out by some of the poorest people on Earth. Patricia SSPP McMillian Coffee Morning A group of Good Shepherd parishioners de - cided to hold a McMillian Coffee Morning for cancer support advertising the event on social media and in the local shops. The support from parishioners and people from the neighbouring area was tremendous making the event very worthwhile. It was fantastic to see so many people from the wider community join in, relaxing and en - joying themselves while indulging in some very yummy cakes! The talent and generosity of our bakers was amazing, a variety of delicious cakes for all tastes! A large selection of donated prizes for the Tom-bola made it a huge success with everyone winning a prize. Thanks to the generosity of everyone in - volved a grand total of £,700.13 was raised, every penny going to McMillian Cancer Sup - port charity. The team are now looking forward to next year! Submitted on behalf of The Good Shepherd Church, Arnold Undergraduate Arts &, Theology Postgraduate Theology and Philosophy Educating leaders in society since 1795 Small class sizes with individual lecturer attention Inspirational learning environment with a global reach World renowned campus in Maynooth, Ireland For more information visit maynoothcollege.ie Or contact our Admissions team on +353 (0)1 708 4772 or by email at admissions@spcm.ie

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Page 6 The Catholic News. December 2021 Farewell and gratitude to Sr Margaret Murphy LCM The St Barnabas Cathedral staff bode farewell to Sr Margaret Murphy as she transferred to the Little Company of Mary Sisters in Dublin. She has been in ministry at the Cathedral for the past 15 yrs supporting the parish work there. Most of Sr Margaret’,s religious life has been as a missionary in former Rhodesia now Zimbabwe, working tirelessly in the health care and health education sector. Her care for the suffering sick and dying, Matron at St Anne’,s hospital Harare is remembered with affection and gratitude by the many people she served. The Cathedral staff and parishioners will miss Sr Margaret but she is happy to retire to her own country in Ireland and be near her family. God bless you, Sr Margaret. Submitted on behalf of St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham Opening of new Pro-Life pregnancy support centre in Nottingham On 20th September, Bishop Patrick opened and blessed our new pregnancy support centre. Named for St Colette, who is the patron saint of expectant mothers, the centre is based in the social centre of St Paul’,s church in Lenton Boulevard. At the evening event, a large group of Nottingham pro-lifers were present to hear the bishop talking about the centre and why it is important to us. He described it as a ‘,significant moment’, for the diocese. What is the purpose of the centre? Essentially, it is to support women who are unexpectedly pregnant, and are having difficulties with the idea of continuing their pregnancy. As a result, they may be considering having an abortion. The difficulties could be financial, how could they possibly afford to have a baby, maybe in addition to other children? Or social, friends (even family members) may be telling them that it is just not the right time, and that the easiest thing would be to have an abortion. Or perhaps the difficulties are simply emotional. The prospect of having a child, which was totally unplanned, may be for some women a really challenging prospect, especially in the early stages, and even more so if they are alone. St Colette’,s Pregnancy Support Centre has been created to support such women, in any way that we can. What support is on offer from the new centre? Lots! Let’,s start with practical support. We have been working closely with Life Charity, to develop a ‘,click and collect’, service for the provision of free pregnancy testing kits. In addition, the centre has a large stock of baby equipment (such as nappies, toiletries, pushchairs, baby clothes, and even maternity clothes for mum) which is available for any woman who has need of it. True, the equipment (apart from the nappies!) is secondhand. But it has all been carefully washed, ironed, and checked before being offered for use. We can also offer some financial help, not a huge amount, but enough to make a difference. And in addition we can help women to access a range of other resources which are available through charities, or the local authority, or social services. Another thing which we can offer is emotional and social support. The volunteers who are running the centre are all people who have considerable experience which they bring to bear when they offer support. Some have been mums themselves, some have a medical/nursing background. What we all have in common is a complete conviction that abortion is not the best solution to a difficult situation, for either the baby or the mother. A number of the volunteers have spoken personally to women who have had abortions, and who told them that they bitterly regretted having an abortion. If we can help one woman avoid making the same mistake, our efforts will have been worthwhile. Who can use the services of St Colette’,s Pregnancy Support Centre? The answer to this is simple: anyone. There is no means testing, no test of religion or belief. The only test is that there is a genuine need. We believe in the sacredness and value of all human life, and this is our way of backing that belief up with practical actions. Now that the centre is established we will need to grow our band of volunteer helpers, and we need help in various forms. Help could be financial, through small regular donations to support our work. It could also be practical. If you want to help out at the centre, perhaps for a few hours every fortnight, and you live close enough, let us know. We are also keen to establish a wider group of prayer volunteers, good people who are prepared to pray on request for specific intentions, sometimes at very short notice. Along with the wonderful Poor Clare Colettines in Bulwell, these prayerful people will be our spiritual engine. Finally, if you would like to know more about the centre, and would consider helping in one of the ways outlined above, please contact John on scpscuk@gmail.com. Or, if you know of someone who is in a difficult situation and would benefit from our support, you can contact Carol (centre coordinator) on 07547 795 315. Article submitted by John Edwards

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The state-of-the-art theatre at St. Benedict, Derby was the ideal setting where the ballroom of Blackpool Tower was beautifully recreated, complete with glitter ball, spotlights, and plenty of glitter. This was an exercise in `getting together` as restrictions of the Pandemic reduced. The background to the gala night, was to invite the schools within the Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, to enter a ballroom dancing competition. St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, formed as a partnership of the Catholic Voluntary Academies in the Diocese of Nottingham. They are a family of twenty primary schools and five secondary schools in Derbyshire and the surrounding counties, united by a collective vision to excel. Strictly St. Ralph committee, who had planned this to happen pre- pandemic and the creative technical staff at St. Benedict presented on Saturday October 23rd, 2021, a true showcase of Strictly Come Dancing. This was not a take of the famous tv show but the real thing. Many of the schools and families came in force with banners to cheer on their team. Under the tutorship of choreographer Chris Robinson, Chartered Accountant by day, but four times British Amateur Latin Sequence Champion, took fifteen couples through weeks of rehearsal. No mean feat surely, and no pun intended! Chris took a great lead in bringing the show to fruition, his mother Gail works at one of the schools. Some of the dancers had previous experience or just like to dance, but they all sought precision as called for from the Jive –, Waltz -Cha Cha on display. Before the competition, the audience aligned in the same format as on tv were entertained by a mixed genre of world dances from students at St. Benedict School. With a licenced bar on site and an interval it turned out to be a night of renewed fellowship, laughter, and general fun. Children who waited up to see mom, dad aunty got to hold the trophies and appeared to enjoy the show. Chris was joined on the judges panel will a fellow professional dancer Joanna Lawton, one-time Senior Lecturer in Dance Education at the Royal Academy of London. The panel was complete with the effervescent contributions of Trust CEO Sea ´,n McClafferty who was affirmative to the dancers all involved in producing the event, which was so professionally presented. No stranger to the stage and theatrical productions, Maxine Harrison, as Master of Ceremonies kept the whole evening flowing with witty and often poignant chat with the contestants. Behind the scenes further credit must go to Tom Bathurst and Toby Hodgson whose use of lighting was technically `spot` on. Full credits to all were acknowledged in the colour printed card programme still available from St. Ralph Sherwin Academy. The usual scoring of 0 to 10 was not used, but there was a dance off from the last three couples to the winners. The trophy was raised on high by Jen Lewis and Sharon Stringer who took the Jive to ‘,another level’, of owning the floor and taking the audience with them! What was very noticeable on the night was the wide range of very local and personal charities and national organisations of good will benefited from the ticket and raffle sales and donations. A figure in excess of £,10,000 was raised on the night. Gerry Molumby The Catholic News. December 20211 Page 7 Carmelite Monastery Cader Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 1SH, North Wales, UK. Following in the footsteps of St Teresa of Jesus under the Guidance of St Joseph Google Calendar ICS A zoom weekend on 8-10 October, 2021 for single Catholic women discerning a call to the contemplative religious life, led by Carmelite Sisters from Dolgellau. Book through the website https://www.carmel-dolgellau.uk/contact Strictly St Ralph takes to the floor The hall was full, all tickets sold and everyone looking forward to our first quiz night after two years absence due to COVID. Those of us who had been to previous quiz nights knew that it would be an excellent evening. Those who were first timers soon found that out and I am sure they will be eager to come again. The theme for the night was the Mad Hatters Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland. I don’,t think I was on my own when I say I’,ve never read the book. Of course we all probably know about Alice and the Mad Hatters tea party. I have to say that as expected our own tea party that evening was exceptional. Once again the caterers did us proud and we enjoyed a three course meal, the food as usual was delicious. So, there we were, all in our hats and eagerly waiting for the questions. The quiz masters kept us on our toes with challenging questions. It’,s always a good indicator when no one falls asleep! The queue at the well stocked tombola stall was soon quite long. Good prizes and they all went very quickly. This kept the boys very busy for much of the night. Finally thanks to all who contributed to make this such an excellent evening, the cooks, the ladies in the kitchen serving the food, the quiz masters, the tombola boys and everyone who helped to make it such an enjoyable night. Well, I don’,t know about you but I can’,t wait for next year. I think I said this before but if anyone can tell me where I could go for such a good evening and 3 course meal (with seconds) thrown in for a fiver then please let me know. Submitted on behalf of The Good Shepherd Church, Arnold Mad Hatters Tea Party

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The Catholic News. December 2021 Page 8 News From..... For all your advertising requirements please contact Natasha on 01440 730399 Natasha@cathcom.org £,1.80 provides a child with a meal every weekday for a month Donate Now at www.reachfoundationuk.org THE REACH FOUNDATION UK Please support our Advertisers For all your Gift Box needs visit our website www.adventgift.co.uk Faith, Hope, Love Beautiful packaged thoughtful gifts for all occasions, free UK delivery Support gifts for people having tough times How we`re responding to climate emergencies around the world In November 2020, the Philippines was hit with two record-breaking typhoons that caused widespread destruction. Photo credit: Caritas Philippines (NASSA) For millions of people around the world, Covid-19 is just one more critical emergency on top of many. Sadly, the climate crisis is in - creasing the frequency and severity of all natural disasters –, ty - phoons, cyclones, hurricanes, droughts, floods and forest fires. Even when families survive these deadly disasters, they often have very little to return to: homes are destroyed, possessions are lost, and once fertile land is left desolate. Every second counts Very few of these emergency situations make the headlines. But when lives are at stake, every second counts. We cannot wait around for the news cycle to catch up. That’,s why we don’,t. Working alongside local experts, we’,ve been responding to humani - tarian emergencies for more than 50 years. It’,s an integral part of what we do. We reach the remotest places and put your donations to good use straight away, as soon as disasters hit, to help people sur - vive, rebuild and live with dignity. At the end of 2019, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the UN warned that Zimbabwe faced a major food crisis following an extremely severe period of drought. Around 8 million people were seriously affected. This was an emergency food crisis on an enormous scale. CAFOD supporters gave £,50,000 to the immediate emergency response. Local experts carried out rapid assessments in the worst-affected communities and, thanks to the trusted Church network, we had in - stant access to the most vulnerable families with emergency food and safe, clean water. Every life matters The climate crisis is making life harder for the poorest people around the world every day, not just when disaster strikes. Families are being forced to accept drastic changes to their way of life –, to adapt to a ‘,new normal’,. That’,s why, in places that have suffered natural disasters, your support does more than just provide life-sav - ing aid in the first days and weeks –, it helps families to rebuild and better prepare for future disasters, and to live with dignity. A year after the drought, in November 2020, farmers in Nicaragua lost an entire year’,s worth of crops to Hurricane Eta and many homes were completely destroyed. Destroyed homes after the hurricane The indigenous community, called Wawa Bar, was at the epicentre of Hurricane Eta, on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua. Photo credit: Catholic Relief Services Around the same time, on the other side of the world, two record- breaking typhoons hit the Philippines. Entire towns and villages were submerged. Electricity and water supplies, as well as transport links and crops, were obliterated. As the crisis struck, Reverend Fr Tony Labiao of Caritas Philippines said: “,Children, the elderly and the vulnerable are crying out for help. Some have died already. We cannot do this alone. It is imperative that we leave no one behind. Let us all help each other. Every second counts. Every life matters.”, Thanks to donations from people like you, and the incredible skill and resilience of local experts, we were already on the ground, work - ing through the Church network to get vital aid to the people who needed it most. To donate to the Emergency Response Team visit www.Cafod.org.uk Crippling droughts in Zimbabwe have turned the earth barren –, it is impossible for hardworking farmers like Titus to grow enough crops to survive. Titus told us: “,I lost 15 goats and six cows to hunger. The amount of water my wife collects is not enough to feed our children, let alone our livestock.”, Titus` story Titus is a farmer in Zimbabwe Continued from page 1 Advent is a season where most parishes ensure that Confession is readily available for those who wish to avail of this healing sacrament. Others might be nervous about attending church and mixing again with big groups of people. Please do use this opportunity to talk to your parish priests about what practical things they can do to help make the experience less daunting, so that you and everyone can participate in the celebration of Christ’,s birth. Finally, I wish you a peaceful Advent, a happy Christmas, and a healthy New Year! I pray you will feel encouraged to come back again to church, and that you will invite your family and friends to join you there. +Patrick Bishop Patrick McKinney

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The Catholic News. December 2021 Page 9 Solicitors to the Diocese of Nottingham Offering you a full range of legal services: , Wills &, Power of Attorney , Probate &, Trusts , Company &, Commercial Law , Commercial Property , Commercial/Property Litigation , Residential Conveyancing , Employment Law, and more Telephone: 0115 851 1666 At 15 Victoria Street, Nottingham &, Tudor Square, West Bridgford E-mail: law@massers.co.uk Following the COP26 pledges and targets announced recently, Fr. Patrick Bassey, Assistant priest at St Hugh of Lincoln Church in the City of Lincoln, proposes ‘,seven ecological works of mercy’, that would provide the religious background and incentive for the proper appreciation of the goals of the conference and Bishop Patrick’,s eight –, point diocesan framework policy on the environment. Below is the part one his three-part article. Part two will follow in our next edition. Coming within the time of UK COP presidency and close to the 2021 season of creation, COP26 became a talking point in the pastoral agenda of the regional Episcopal conferences of Scotland, and of England and Wales. Throughout this whole period, even as we reflected on our individual and collective responsibility of caring for creation, we earnestly prayed that the Spirit of God would guide the hearts and minds of world leaders during the meeting to evolve meaningful policies and take the right decisions that would help make our common home healthy for us all. COP26 had four major goals before it: to secure global net zero carbon emission aimed at keeping temperature within the limit of 1.50C by the turn of the century, to take actions that will contribute to a climate resilient future for people everywhere, to mobilize the funds necessary to help countries manage the impact of climate change on their citizens, to work towards greater collaboration between government, businesses and civil society for an accelerated action towards tackling the climate crisis. The different parties have made their pledges and set their targets, what is awaited now is moving beyond the ‘,blah-blah-blah’, stage and beginning to take the right actions matched with good intentions to achieve these targets. However, as noble and timely as these visions may be, they need to be pursued in an integrated manner that brings together the political, economic, cultural, technological, and religious imaginations and creativity of everybody. Since religion has a major influence on the choices and behavioural pattern of more than half of the world’,s population, for there to be any significant change in people’,s attitude towards the environment, an appeal must be made to religion. The church has a major role to play in articulating and popularizing this religious perspective. Pope Francis’, Encyclical, Laudato Si is the clearest in this regard at least from the Christian point of view. Since its publication, many dioceses across the world have been adapting its principles and applying them according to their various local circumstances. Here in Nottingham, Bishop Patrick’,s eight- point environmental policy framework seeks to integrate care for creation into the different aspects of our diocesan pastoral vision of encounter, discipleship, and missionary discipleship. This policy framework also indicates the different ways we can express and achieve our diocesan commitment both to Pope Francis’, Laudato Si, and to the major goals of COP26, in a contextually relevant and practicable manner. This eight-point agenda includes: Formation, decarbonisation, Biodiversity, Resources, Ethics, conformity, resilience, and Advocacy. The bishop’,s initiative is very commendable and should be embraced by all. It is hoped that parishes across the diocese will appropriate these diocesan environmental policies, factor them into their day-to-day administrative, liturgical, catechetical and pastoral programs as well as encourage their members to lead the way in bringing about the necessary change in lifestyle in their immediate communities. To effectively achieve this however, there is need to appreciate the theological and moral basis that would give impetus to our eco- pastoral vision. On this note, I am proposing what I call ‘,seven ecological works of mercy’,. Drawn from Laudato Si and resonating very well with the religious and cultural sensibilities of our many Christians from diverse backgrounds, these works in my opinion can engender in our hearts a necessary commitment to the task of caring for our common home. Couched also in mnemonic style, they can be easily internalized and remembered. But why call them works of Mercy? The imperative of mercy in Christian spirituality draws inspiration from God’,s divine act of mercy, and it is fundamentally oriented towards the restoration of the harmony and covenant relationship between God, man and nature. The operative principles here we must bear in mind are the facts that first, in His divine mercy, God sustains the creatures of the earth and provides for their needs. He keeps the entire ecosystem in being. Second, God’,s mercy is also seen in his action of restoring and uniting all things in Christ. Summarily, ‘,Jesus is the face of God’,s Mercy’, as Pope Francis has pointed out (Misericordiae Vultus). Third, since nature is part and parcel of this covenant community, man who is created in God’,s image and drawn into God’,s embrace of mercy is called to extend mercy and moral consideration to nature. To show Mercy to the ecosystem implies that other creatures in the earth community are our neighbours- our mother, brothers, and sisters. Failure to do this tantamount to sin (injustice, wickedness, and unrighteousness). The Pope however has lamented that over time, ‘,this sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irre sponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor, she “,groans in travail”, (Rom 8:22) (Laudato Si, 2) . Any modern response to the Christian call to encounter, discipleship and missionary discipleship therefore must seek to bring us face to face with this covenant God and all his creatures, great and small. It will also consist in our ability to incarnate His divine mercy in our interaction with our fellow human beings and with nature. This may be the only way of restoring and maintaining the necessary ecological harmony in the world. Ecological Works of Mercy By Fr Patrick Bassey Part one Sir Michael Palin urges public to help safeguard future of UK churches A national debate to help safeguard the future of the UK`s local churches has been launched by the National Churches Trust, the UK`s church buildings support charity. With an increasing number of churches and chapels facing closure, `The Future of the UK`s Churches` debate highlights the community, economic, heritage and spiritual benefits of churches. It also gives the public a chance to have their say on how some of the UK`s most important local buildings can be saved for future generations. `The Future of the UK`s Churches` debate is being backed by Michael Palin, Vice President of the National Churches Trust. He said: The UK has over 39,000 church buildings. The restrictions of COVID-19, resulting in reduced funding and fewer worshippers, has clouded the future for many of them. Yet churches remain a vital and much-loved part of the UK`s history and heritage and we can`t let them fall into neglect and disuse. There is hope. More and more churches are adapting to the modern world and the needs of their communities, providing not just spiritual comforts but a range of valuable services to local people such as foodbanks and youth clubs. We must build on this, and encourage people of all sorts and from all backgrounds to find hope and relevance in their local churches. If you care as much as I do about the future of these much loved buildings, do get involved with the National Churches Trust debate about `The Future of Churches` and help shape their future.",

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“,Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor”, represents Leonardo Boff’,s most systematic effort to date to link the spirit of liberation theology with the urgent challenge of ecology. Focusing on the threatened Amazon of his native Brazil, Boff traces the ties that bind the fate of the rain forests with the fate of the Indians and the poor of the land. In this book, readers will find the keys to a new, liberating faith. Confronting the woeful legacy of a centuries`-old theology, Johnson shows how the beauty of our faith tradition is deepened by being rooted in ecological reality. She lays out the foundations in scripture, the teachings of Jesus, and the early Church for an understanding that emphasizes the love and mercy of God, showing how this approach can help us respond to a planet in peril. This book builds bridges between theology and ecology. It challenges theology to re-imagine who we are, who the Spirit is, who Christ is, where creation is going, and what is the role of liturgy in society all in the glare of the climate crisis. Up to now climate change was left to scientists, politicians, and activists. It is now time for religion to enter the debate. Climate change is not just one more problem to be addressed, it is the challenge facing humanity in the 21st century. This thought- provoking text will be of interest to activists, policymakers, educators, priests, and theologians. Page 10 The Catholic News. December 2021 LGBT+ Mass reflection On Saturday 23rd October, the LGBT+ Pastoral Team of the Diocese of Nottingham headed to Cleethorpes for one of our organised masses. This was a particularly special mass for us as it was celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney, the Bishop of Nottingham who we as a team, work closely with providing pastoral support to LGBT+ Catholics within our diocese. The team set off from Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham with plenty of time on our side to arrive for adoration at 12 and mass at 1. Unfortunately, the traffic was not on our side and most of us arrived with only a few moments to spare before the mass began. Fortunately, we were in very safe hands upon our arrival. The parish had put rainbow bunting around the church car park and greeted us with smiles under rainbow face masks. The parish priest, Father Andrew Cole, had everything in order despite him having to join us via the livestream as he was isolating with COVID. There were about 45 people in attendance, many from the parish and a few from elsewhere and online. The readings were expertly chosen with great care and inspiration. I am the newest member of the LGBT+ Pastoral Team and have only been to one of the LGBT+ masses previously. I had not before experienced such an inclusive and sacred atmosphere so this was a really special moment for me and I couldn’,t help but smile through my facemask as the mass started. Whilst reading Psalm 138, we collectively came together to thank God for the wonder of our being, a poignant phrase for many LGBT people who have found themselves on the peripheries because of their identity. Farther Andrew has prepared an excellent homily, reaffirming that we can all proclaim with firm faith that we are thankful for the wonder of our being because each one of us is made in God’,s image and we are good, true and beautiful in the sight of God. He reminded us that we are all called to live that goodness, truth and beauty in our daily lives. It was a great privilege, and a tough act to follow, to get up after this homily and deliver the bidding prayers. It was particularly moving experience to gather all of these prayers together by saying the prayer of the synod, which will be an important opportunity for LGBT+ Catholics and allies to have their voices heard. After the mass, we were all welcomed to the parish hall for some refreshments. The parish had laid on a marvellous spread with the pie `ce de re ´,sistance being a homemade cake with the parish logo, a multicoloured triquetra, on it. The shapes represent the persons of God, the Father, Son and Spirit in their equality and diversity and the colours representing the equality and diversity of the people of God. Bishop Patrick had the honour of cutting the cake on behalf of us all. Later on, the Pastoral Ministry team along with their partners and friends joined a local parishioner who came to the mass in having a coffee before a dinner of fish and chips on the pier to end the weekend. The mass was a great event and the conversations between those present brought great joy and unity. Father Andrew pointed out in the homily that the opposite of unity is not diversity but actually disunity. We are called to live in holy communion with God, one another and within ourselves. This echoes the sentiment of our first reading, from the first letter of St John which are the words I will leave you with. ‘,As long as we love one another, God will live in us...anyone who lives in love lives in God.’, (1 John 4: 12, 16) George White LGBT+ Pastoral Ministry Team Diocese of Nottingham Our Lady &, St Joseph Catholic Church, Matlock, Derbyshire New defibrillator for the parish community Our Lady &, St Joseph Catholic Church on Bank Road, Matlock have successfully fundraised for a community defibrillator after one of their members Terry McDermott, collapsed with a heart attack. Paramedics and Ambulance crews were there very quickly to save Terry. He was taken by Air Ambulance to Derby Royal Hospital and has made an amazing recovery. To give thanks for all this help, the parish community raised nearly £,3000 towards purchasing a defibrillator and the external wall cabinet for mounting on the outside of the church. The defibrillator is accessible to the whole community of Matlock 24/7 and will help with the network of existing defibrillator machines across Derbyshire. Fr Robbie O’,Callaghan, parish priest of St Joseph’,s said “,We are all so very grateful to the emergency services that saved Terry’,s life, something we take for granted until it is needed. I hope this defibrillator is hardly ever used in the future, but it is there just in case.”, Ray Stone, Finance Committee Member said, “,Our parish lives a missionary model and looks towards the wider community, as well as it’,s parish members.”, Terry McDermott, Ray Stone and Fr Robbie O’,Callaghan Theology And Ecology In Dialogue The Wisdom Of Lau Dermot A. Lane Publisher: Messenger Publications Publication Date: May 2021 - £,18.95 Climate Generation: Awakening To Our Children’,s Future By: Lorna Gold Publisher: Veritas Books Publication Date: June 2018 - £,11.99 Lorna Gold has given all of herself to this small book. She takes us on an anguished, unflinching journey into the heart of the climate crisis, and emerges emboldened —, with a radical, utterly convincing hope that we can spring into action to protect the future of everything, and everyone, we love most.’,Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. the Climate Creation and the Cross: CRY OF THE EARTH (Ecology &, Justice) By: Leonardo Boff Publisher: Orbis Books Publication Date: October 1997 - £,20.00 Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril Elizabeth Johnson Publisher: Orbis Books (USA) Publiction Date: 20 Feb. 2019 - £,13.99 ISBN-10: 1626983097 ISBN-13: 978-1626983090

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The Catholic News. December 2021 Page 11 St Teresa of Lisieux, St Thomas More, St Hugh of Lincoln First Holy Communion Celebration 62 Communicants received their First Holy Communion for the first time from our Parishes above in October during special Masses celebrated by Fr Stanley Ofoegbu, Fr Richard Hardstaff and Deacon Anthony Cordes. The Communicants and their parents/guardians began the preparation for these two great sacraments in April. Firstly, the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) the gift of God’,s love in his forgiveness. Then the Sacrament of The Holy Eucharist –, the gift of God’,s Body and Blood. This year the preparation classes were different as they were attended by both parent and child for Catechesis due to the restrictions in place because of COVID. The parents/guardians provided essential guidance and support to their children by working with their child/children through the I Belong Book. Home learning meant they covered two chapters of the book for two weeks and then the following week they would attend a class in the Parish led by our Catechists. The classes led by our Catechists were informative and very interactive and provided time for parents to ask any questions or concerns they had. We were very pleased with the outcome of these classes and are now considering that our next programme will follow a similar format. This year many of the candidates’, siblings and parents led the way at our Reconciliation Service which eased the apprehension of the candidate who was confessing for the first time. Again, we believe the reason for the increase in numbers was due to the teaching of the importance to receive this important sacrament during the lessons for both parent/guardian and child. The first Holy Communion celebration was very well prepared, and it was accessible to the children. It was a very prayerful and joyful experience expressing a noble simplicity. Many members of the extended family and friends who joined the celebration were not entirely familiar with the liturgy, but the celebration offered an opportunity for welcome, evangelization and an experience of the praying and celebrating Christian Community. The children and parents were actively involved in the Liturgy as the children did all the readings and the bidding prayers and did with great enthusiasm and confidence. We are now hoping that they will feel confident to join our regular readers in church. The parents also played their part by preparing and decorating the Church with beautiful flowers. Fr Richard delivered a homily which provided much food for thought by saying “,Just as we need to eat and drink ordinary food and drink in order to survive and grow, so we need to receive Jesus in Holy Communion regularly to nourish us and strengthen us on our journey of faith.”, Every Sunday should be a celebration of this wonderful gift. Sr Aneska who is a member of the Poor Clare Sisters in Bulwell provided the singing and music for the day and this enhanced the celebration beautifully. Also, Omonstony Photography was present on the day which captured some precious memories for the families to keep as a remembrance of their special day. Let us remember the children in our prayers as we help them to see and know Jesus clearly and to love Him dearly. Continued from page 1 2 It will expand the use of detention- like accommodation centres. The Bill proposes to create large-scale accommodation centres. It would mean accommodating people seeking asylum in out-of-town institutions, rather than in the community where they can get the practical support and help they need. The asylum camp at Napier barracks is being used to trial asylum centres. Earlier this year, the High Court ruled that Napier was unlawful, partly because the accommodation was so bad. JRS UK supports people at Napier. It is prison-like and isolated. Residents’, mental health spirals rapidly while they are there. Most suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and anxiety. One man placed there said “,I did not feel like a person when I was there. I felt I had lost who I was, like my personality had gone.”, 3 It will permit the use of offshore processing for protection claims. The Bill would allow asylum seekers to be removed from the UK and held elsewhere while their asylum claim is processed. Other countries have tried and failed to do this. Australia for example transferred thousands of asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea where people were detained in prison-like conditions, and banned them from receiving any visitors. 4 It will tear families apart. This Bill would further reduce family reunion rights. These restrictions will predominantly impact women and children, who currently account for 90% of those who receive family reunion visas. Refugees are often forced to leave family behind. Refugee family reunion however allows refugees to reunite with certain family members here in the UK. It is a vital lifeline, bringing people to safety, allowing refugees to rebuild their lives, and reuniting them with, in some cases, the only family they have left. 5 It makes asylum determination much harsher –, even though it’,s already harsh . The process by which the government decides if someone needs international protection would be much harsher. For example, the Bill introduces the criterion of “,Good Faith”, by which to judge asylum claimants. It is very hard to qualify as acting in Good Faith. Did you forget the exact date on which something relevant happened several years ago? Did you struggle to talk about trauma the first time you spoke to a government official? Either of these could mean you’,re not acting in Good Faith. 6 It does not commit to resettlement Refugee resettlement is the transfer of refugees from one country to which they have fled to another State. The Refugee Resettlement Scheme is one of the very few schemes provided by the UK Government to help people living in dangerous refugee camps abroad (for example Syrians living in refugee camps in Lebanon) to be able to come and live in the UK and rebuild their life here. The Bill could be an opportunity to expand resettlement. Instead, it contains no commitment to continuing it. 7 It does not create any safe routes to seek asylum. There is no formal mechanism for travelling to the UK to seek asylum –, for example, no such thing as an asylum visa. The Bill does nothing to create one. The government says refugees should use “,safe and legal”, routes rather than informal ones. But this bill doesn’,t create any safe ways for people to seek asylum in the UK, rather, it makes dangerous routes worse, and punishes people for travelling in the only way available to them. 8 It will make people seeking sanctuary more vulnerable to trafficking and modern slavery. Because the Bill unfairly punishes refugees who arrive without documents, victims of trafficking will be scared of going to the police. Traffickers routinely tell their victims that if they go to the police, they will be arrested and detained. The government says it wants to combat trafficking but this Bill plays into traffickers’, hands. Learn more and take action JRS UK and SVP have a number of resources to support you to advocate to stop this Bill from becoming law, alongside prayer resources to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. jrsuk.net/together-with-refugees twitter.com/jrsuk svp.org.uk/migrants-refugees- and-people- seeking-asylum twitter.com/SVPEnglandWales Operation Elf is Pact’,s annual campaign supporting prisoners to give a Christmas gift to their child. With your help, they can make the festive period a littler brighter for families across England and Wales. In the last part of this difficult year, we can begin to look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. For those families where a parent is in prison, Christmas can be a particularly painful time. Through Pact’,s Operation Elf, parishes and individuals can support prisoners to give a gift to their child, sharing a little love and joy and strengthening the family bond. This simple act can nurture the hope that redemption and a fresh start is possible. Please support Operation Elf if you can. Thank you. Bishop Richard Moth Operation Elf 2021

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CRYPTIC Across 6 Jesus cured her two girls and little boy with drugs (4,9) 8 Contextual material from the Bible, chapter and verse (4) 9 Criminal group spotted in pubs (8) 10 Whisky bottle? (6) 12 Philistines` camp is `ere –, ignore the `Ittites! (6) 13 Pulled up in transport to see Christian in Troas (6) 15 When during Pentecost there are vacuous litanies (6) 16 Paul`s vision`s deserted him, going down this road? (8) 17 Breather at Christmastide if not commercial... (4) 19 ...various seasonal hints found in letters from Paul (13) CRYPTIC Down 1 Beware in Rome vineyard outlet place (4) 2 Various psalters, including month and years, used in medieval dramas (7,5) 3 One who teaches Jews to make the ultimate in meat pies, perhaps (6) 4 Decorates mariners top in sea-craft after a reception (6) 5 They cross the frontier when van dries out (8) 7 Going to party at homes round about, Virginia`s made to work hard without reward (6,2,4) 11 Cost went up, it`s reported, for types of ruler in Egypt (8) 14 Samaritan`s place is among prissy charlatans (6) 15 Norman enlightenment? (6) 18 All over English meet with French negativity, which produces zilch (4) QUICK Across 6 KJV name of one of the first people to see Jesus after his resurrection (4,9) 8 Sermon basis (4) 9 Robber released by Pilate (8) 10 Third person of the Trinity (6) 12 Philistines` camp when Saul set up camp at Gilboa (6) 13 Paul`s affiliate in Troas (6) 15 Whereas, when (6) 16 Syrian capital, home to Aramaeans who fought and lost to David (8) 17 Outlet: express (4) 19 Macedonians, the object of two letters from Paul (13) QUICK Down 1 Landform, the effect of weathering and subject of speleology (4) 2 Medieval dramas representing episodes from the life of Christ (7,5) 3 Coney (6) 4 Decks, dresses (6) 5 Vikings, for instance (8) 7 (Make) fruitless efforts (6,2,4) 11 Kings of Egypt at the time of the Israelites` confinement (8) 14 Samaritan town where Jesus spoke to a woman who came to draw water (6) 15 From Job to Ecclesiasticus/Ben Sira: the `- -- -- - Books` (6) 18 Zero (4) 2-in-1 Crossword by Axe You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same. SOLUTION Page 12 The Catholic News. December 2021 Across: 6 Mary Magdalene, 8 Text, 9 Barabbas, 10 Spirit, 12 Shunem, 13 Carpus, 15 Whilst, 1 6 Damascus, 17 Vent, 19 Thessalonians. Down: 1 Cave, 2 Mystery plays, 3 Rabbit, 4 Adorns, 5 Invaders, 7 Labour in vain, 11 Pharaohs, 14 Sychar, 15 Wisdom, 18 None. A Journey Together with St Hugh St Hugh of Lincoln, a Patron of our Diocese, is often portrayed with a swan. As Bishop of Lincoln (1186 - 1200) he is known for a life of prayer, his missionary care of the poor and marginalised, the protection of the Jewish community, his special affinity with nature and for building up the Church both administratively and literally. During his time in the Diocese he would travel to and stay at the bishop’,s palace near Stow, where the swan lived. Coming across swans for making Christmas cards led to curiosity about the swan of Stow and the discovery of what we can learn from him through the welcome, friendship and protection he offered to St Hugh during their times together, whilst a suggestion by a fellow parishioner, Stuart, to get our walking boots back on, resulted in a decision to walk from Stow to Lincoln Cathedral where the shrine of St Hugh is located, to take place on the Feast day, 17th November. The Synod was announced at Mass and reflecting on St Hugh, the swan and the Synod, it struck me that both the life of St Hugh and the swan could be be helpful in thinking about the questions the Synod seeks to address. Following the first Synodal meeting at St Hugh’,s Church it seemed a good idea to offer up the pilgrimage walk for the Synod, and so we invited others from all three city parishes to join us, with the hope that through spending time together we would have an additional opportunity to think about and discuss the questions Bishop Patrick has asked us to consider as part of the Diocesan phase, with the inspiration of the Saint and his swan to help us. Seven of us, ranging from 21 years of age to 75 years and covering all three parishes, joined in. The day started with a bus journey to Stow, where the walk began in a promising fashion with the sun shining, the Red Arrows looping the loop, crisp leaves underfoot, conversation and laughter. However after a death defying section along a busy road, the questions began ‘,how much further have we to go?’, and ‘,where’,s this pub that was promised?’, ... worse still, a review of the guide book quoted the length of our walk as 16 miles, not the 10 miles Google had led me to expect and advertise - we were only a quarter of the way and the route was becoming notable for not having a single shop, cafe or pub (until the end)! Through simply holding the guide book I received the unwanted position of leader and became the target of all the (tongue in cheek) grumbles! The saving grace came in the churches we visited en route, all but one was open, with one even having a table for us to eat our lunch around and the last one, which was closed, having two lovely benches outside for our final rest stop. With jokes about whether we would make it to the Cathedral before dark, we eventually arrived five minutes before closing time. The timing proved perfect, with darkness descending, we had the Cathedral to ourselves and spent time in prayer at both the Shrine of St Hugh and the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before hot drinks in the cafe. In the end, people with apps on their phone suggested the walk was between 12 to 13 miles in length, the stocks at Stow were not called for after all! Five of the seven of us made it to Mass at SSPP, including Deacon David Knight who, appearing fresh as a daisy, assisted Canon Geoffrey Hunton, who gave us a homily about St Hugh and the example he set of loving God and neighbour. The Mass of remembrance for the dead of the parish was an apt way to end the day - having spent the day with people of our own era with the intention of reflecting on what we want the Church to be for future generations, we were given the opportunity to thank those who have preceded us, passing on the Faith during their time on earth and to give thanks to God for His gift of the communion of saints, the Church. What did the walk teach in relation to the Synod? A surprise to me, it was St Hugh as a leader and his building up of the Church that provided my inspiration, reminded of Moses and an eleven day journey that became a forty year journey, I thought how our priests have an often unenviable challenge of leading people with a diverse range of needs whilst trying to find a path through a landscape with many limitations. Let us pray for them and offer our patience, humour, encouragement and support. Like Moses and the Israelites, who had the their own guide book- the ten commandments, we too are to hold onto the New Commandment Jesus gave us: love one another as I have loved you, your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (John 13:34-35). Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and guide our actions. It also reinforced the vital importance of the simple presence and availability of churches, both for the local community (one was home to the village post office, another was holding a funeral) as well as for the visitor. Let us give thanks to God for our parishes and contribute to them in any way we can, safeguarding them for the future. Thus, the Synod though planned to take two years, is in reality a process without end, our parishes can only be missionary if they themselves exist and are served by wise leadership and ultimately it is the presence of Jesus that we need and will enable us to love God and each other. Everyone said they enjoyed the day even if it was not what they were expecting! We may not have explicitly talked much about the Synod but it struck me that we instead lived it - journeying together, listening to each other, opening ourselves to God, identifying each other’,s needs and where possible doing what we could to meet them. Thank you Lord Holy Spirit for always leading us beyond our limited imaginations. Thank you too, to Stuart without whom the walk would not have happened, to Fr Eddy Jarosz for his encouragement and assistance and to the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral for facilitating our time at the shrine, as well as to all who contributed to the day in anyway. We trust, that through the Holy Spirit, it will bear fruit for our city as well as the Church. Interestingly, the 17th November is also the Feast day for St Hilda of Whitby, a Celtic Saint, who hosted a famous Synod in her abbey, in the year 664. Let us ask St Hugh of Lincoln and St Hilda of Whitby to intercede for the Church as it continues on this Synodal journey. To God be the glory. Jo, Lincoln

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