Catholic News 20p 20p WHERE SOLD WHERE SOLD ISSUE 300 ISSUE 300 May 2022 May 2022 MORE THAN 23 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER MORE THAN 23 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 Ancient Polish Catholic tradition of Ś,wię,conka observed at Christ the King Alfreton On Holy Saturday morning as the full spring sun was shining through Christ the King church in Alfreton, Father Paul Nellikulam led the prayers to celebrate the ancient Polish tradition of Ś,wię,conka. Baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods were brought to the church to be blessed. The basket is traditionally lined with a white liner or lace napkin and decorated with sprigs of boxwood (bukszpan), the typical Easter evergreen. In the basket there is usually some bread, eggs, ham, lamb shaped cake, sausage, salt, horseradish and nowadays some chocolate . Gerry Molumby A warm welcome to all the new members of our Catholic community. Bishop Patrick welcomes into the parish of St Barnabas Cathedral those who joined us in a joyous celebration of the Vigil Mass of Easter. Subscribe@catholicpost.co.uk 01440 730399 www.catholicpost.co.uk Monthly National Catholic Newspaper National and International News from a Catholic Perspective with thoughtful articles to deepen Faith The UK’,s ﬁ, rst Carbon Neutral National Catholic Paper V o c a t i o n s S u n d a y 2 0 2 2 - 8 t h M a y H e a v e n l y F a t h e r , w e a s k y o u t o s e n d l a b o u r e r s i n t o y o u r h a r v e s t . I n s p i r e , i n t h e h e a r t s o f y o u r p e o p l e , v o c a t i o n s t o t h e p r i e s t h o o d , d i a c o n a t e a n d r e l i g i o u s l i f e . B l e s s o u r f a m i l i e s w i t h a s p i r i t o f g e n e r o s i t y , s o t h a t t h o s e w h o m y o u c a l l , h a v e t h e c o u r a g e t o g i v e t h e m s e l v e s , t o y o u r C h u r c h i n f a i t h .

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MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF BRINGING THE BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER TOGETHER 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. May 2022 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 SVP –, What We Do This series looks at key people who helped shape the SVP For most years during my life the month of May has often brought some joy to our lives. In 1945 the country was finally allowed to celebrate the end of war in Europe, in 1953 there was great excitement as we prepared for the Coronation on June 2nd and for some older readers the May procession to celebrate the devotion to Our Lady was rather special. The May procession had a vital ingredient - spring flowers in their glory. The rather mild weather in March this year brought us some beautiful daffodils. Sadly in much of Ukraine the spring flowers were rather lost to bombs, bullets and human tragedy as war returned to Europe. It is difficult to add any more words to what has already been said about what Russia has claimed to be a “,special operation”,. One television news bulletin devoted some 35 minutes to the confrontation and this was immediately followed by a United Nations plea not to forget Afghanistan, Yemen and Ethiopia amongst other areas of the world who were facing famine as we watched those daffodils grow. In our country those news bulletins from Ukraine became accompanied by the March statement from the Government on our national finances. Just a many were finding the conflict in Europe as a new experience, the stark reality of the cost of living this May was also a disturbing reality and for some households a genuine fear of how they will cope. I recently had a short unexpected meeting with a high flying business man who has always retained his Catholic Faith. I have no doubt that he could easily be a member of Parliament with his record of competence in commerce and influenced connections. We discussed the matters I have raised in this article and I expected a thorough analysis as his response. Instead his reaction was to speak of the power of prayer. Prayer can of course be accompanied by actions. Those who have shown their genuine concern for Ukrainian refugees have not wasted time in offering their homes for those who are destitute. In some cases they have paid out hotel bills in neighbouring countries because of visa delays in our country. This action cannot be accomplished by most of us but is a good example of what can be achieved. During May preparations for the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday will no doubt unfold as we celebrate 70 years of the Queen’,s reign. The feast of Pentecost is also celebrated that weekend, let’,s hope and pray this will assist us all especially those in greatest need. The Founder of the SVP: Blessed Frederic Ozanam Frederic Ozanam was born in Milan on 23rd April 1813 of French parents. The family later returned to France and settled in Lyon, where Frederic was brought up. He came from a committed Catholic family, his father was a doctor, but in an age where medical provision had to be paid for, he gave his services to the poor for free, who constituted at least a third of his patients. His mother formed a group of women to tend at the bedside of the sick and poor. In this way, Frederic was schooled by their marvellous example in the importance of helping those less fortunate than himself. This certainly was a harbinger of things to come. At the age of 18, Frederic went up to the Sorbonne University in Paris to read Law. He was an outstanding student but found the intellectual atmosphere very hostile to Catholics and the Church. Only 40 years previously, the infamous French Revolution had taken place. The Church had always been viewed as part of the royal establishment. Whatever the Church did or said was rubbished, not only by his fellow students but also by many of his lecturers or professors. No one seemed to be challenging this totally secularist view so Frederic decided to form a discussion group with a few friends of like mind. They called themselves the “,Conference of History”,. Their method was to write a response to all the anti-Catholic lectures given and hand it to the lecturer. The “,Conference”,, however, was mainly a talking shop. Frederic and his friends were spurred to action, when a student attending a discussion challenged Frederic himself, by asking “,What are you doing for poor people today?”, For Frederic this was a turning point. He and his band of friends resolved to help the poor in imitation of Our Lord. They were fortunate to have two wonderful guides as they developed into the “,Conference of Charity”,. Included in the group of students was an older man, a journalist called Emmanuel Bailly. He was the one to encourage their enthusiasm, keeping their spirits up when the going got tough. Emmanuel introduced them to a Vincentian Daughter of Charity, who was experienced in working with the poor of Paris. Sister Rosalie Rendu became their mentor and she gave them two pieces of advice: “,Be Kind and love”,, she said, ”,for love is your first gift to the poor. They will appreciate your kindness and your love more than all else you can bring them”,. The second tip she gave them was: “,When you meet the poor, you meet Christ.”, These principles underpin what was to become, within the first year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. By the end of the first year the new Society had 100 members and so it was found necessary to divide this large group into smaller units in order to remain effective. It continued to grow, by 1841 it had 2000 members, reached Rome in 1842 and England and Wales in 1844. When Frederic was 28, he fell in love with Amelie Soulacroix, whom he married on 23rd June 1841. They were blessed with a daughter, Marie, four years later. The year before she was born, he was the youngest man ever to become a professor at the Sorbonne. Frederic’,s life now became a balancing act between university, family life and involvement with the poor through the Conference of the SVP. He used his influence in the academic world to speak out against injustice. He started talking about basic wage, the length of the working day, pensions, and legal protection of children. For the last seven years of his life Frederic was dogged by a constant recurrence of pleurisy and had to spend a lot of time in bed. Even in times of convalescence, he worked to found SVP conferences wherever he could. On his death bed, when the priest told him not to fear death but trust in the Lord, he replied “,Why should I fear Him, when I love Him so.”, He died on the 8th of September 1853, aged 40. Frederic Ozanam was a loving husband and father, an intellectual prepared to defend the Church he loved, yet happiest among the poor and the ignorant. The greatest lesson he has for us today is that we also are called to and can reach holiness of life. Frederic was beatified on 22nd August 1997 and to support his canonization there is a Cause List for petitions on behalf of the sick. If you would like to know more about the SVP please contact Lance Philpott at lancep@svp.org.uk Frank Goulding Holy Trinity Parish, Newark March this year brought us some beautiful daffodils Frederic at university

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The Catholic News. May 2022 Page 3 The Chapter Corner My daughter Kelly Parkin told me she was or - ganising a large van to travel to Poland. One of her employees a polish lady Magda has a sister who works for the council in Poland, they were getting a hall ready to house one hundred people and needed specific items. So a list was prepared. Kelly is married and has four daughters under eleven years old, she works from home full time she is a MD for Nexsan Technology. She asked her bosses who are based in the US to help pay for the transport they gave her a thousand dollars and she planned paying the remaining £,750 herself. I was thinking how can I help and decided we needed to advertise. I did some posters and distributed them to local churches and our three Catholic parish community’,s, Ripley Belper and Duffield. Our priest Fr Michael Kirkham was happy to help by asking for do - nations in the parish newsletter, friends where emailed and posts where adeed to Facebook. The biggest response was from Pastor Marion Brooks from All Saints Church of England in Ripley. Marion had two open days in the church for donations and set up a factory pro - duction line with her parishioners sorting into boxes all the various items, toothpaste, tooth - brushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorants etc. I collected over the next two weeks enough donations to fill my spare room. With help from my sister brother-in-law and a friend from church we used three cars to transport to Kelly’,s offices in Derby. Pastor Marion had already had a van delivered to Derby with her donations which was donated with a driver from a local furniture firm. Kelly’,s friends and employees donations we’,re already there and sorted and labelled . My sister and I spent the day sorting and labelling the remaining boxes, ready for for the delivery. A friend at my parish gave me a very generous cash donation so I suggested to family to give cash instead of goods so with a few more friends cash donations we were able to help cover the £,1500 needed to pay for the trans - port. Angela Parkin On the ninth anniversary of his inauguration recently, Pope Francis issued a document entitled “,Praedicate Evangelium.”, (Preach the Gospel). It might not be apparent from the title, but this is a document about the reform of the Roman Curia, i.e. the central departments of the Church’,s administration. It was issued as an “,Apostolic Constitution”, which is the highest grade, and most authoritative type of Papal instruction. Despite this, it is hardly likely that this document will become a hot topic for discussion in the pub - or even in the parish, but for those of us who work in the Diocesan Curia, the central administrative departments of the Diocese of Nottingham, it is of interest. Although directed at the Roman Curia, we need to know whether there are aspects of Pope Francis’,s reforms which may be of value to us in going about our work of supporting parishes, schools etc. in their mission. Two things are apparent from reading Praedicate Evangelium. The title itself, is a strong reminder that all work undertaken on behalf of the Church is, ultimately, concerned with the spread of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasised that “,missionary conversion”, is the core principle and purpose of the Church’,s activity. He is determined that the Church should be less inwardly focussed and more outward facing. This has been a recurring theme of his addresses to the Roman Curia, which he has expressed with characteristic forthrightness. This emphasis is shown most clearly in the creation of a new Dicastery (Department) for Evangelisation, of which the Pope himself will be the head. Some people have described him as “,...the chief missionary of a missionary church.”, Mission is very much at the heart of these reforms. The second feature of Praedicate Evangelium is that it expresses the Pope’,s commitment to the principle of “,synodality”, i.e. the involvement of all the baptised in the life and work of the Church. The aspect of the document that has received most media attention is that it removes the restriction on senior appointments in the Roman Curia, which have always been filled by Cardinals and Archbishops, so that lay people may now be appointed these positions. It is now possible for a woman to become the head of a Vatican department! Unlike previous arrangements, all Vatican departments will now be set up on a similar footing. No one department will be able to tell others what to do. All departments will be expected to meet and talk regularly, taking decisions in a more collaborative or “,synodal”, fashion. The reform of the Roman Curia is just the latest part in a thoroughgoing reform of the Church being instigated by Pope Francis. Some commentators see it as an attempt to put into practice those aspects of Vatican II which, somehow, became sidelined after the Council, i.e. greater involvement of the laity in the work of evangelisation and mission, more emphasis on the work of charity in the way that the Church engages with the world (there is a new department for that too.) The proposals come into effect at Pentecost, although many have been in place for some time. With regard to the Nottingham Diocesan Curia, I find the document gently affirming. The principles enshrined in it are firmly embedded in our ethos –, which we have been sharing with priests and people in Deaneries on our recent roadshows. A number of people have said to me, during these events, “,I just hope he is given enough time to finish the job!”, Canon Paul Chipchase, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart, Loughborough and Episcopal Vicar Canon Paul Chipchase Help for Ukraine

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There are 19 known cases of individuals abducted, murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles - in likelihood there are more. In his Palm Sunday homily at St Patrick`s Cathedral Armagh, once again, Archbishop Eamon Martin appealed for anyone with information on the cases of Lisa Dorrian, Joe Lynskey (who still hasn`t been found after 50 years), Seamus Maguire, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac to come forward ",so that the agonising wait of you, their families and support persons, can be shortened, and those who remain hidden can at last have a Christian burial.", Page 4 The Catholic News. May 2022 Archbishop renews appeal for information on the Disappeared The Universal Church Ireland: St Patrick`s Cathedral Armagh Holy Land: Bishops warn German Synodal process has `potential for schism` Worldwide: In an open letter, more than 70 bishops from North America, Africa, Italy and Australia have expressed their ",growing concern", about the controversial German Synodal Path process and content, warning that it is causing confusion and the ",potential for schism.", Nearly 50 are from the US, and signatories include US Cardinal Raymond L Burke, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, South African Cardinal Wilfred Napier, and Australian Cardinal George Pell. The ",fraternal open letter of 11 April to our brother bishops in Germany", said, ",the Synodal Path`s actions undermine the credibility of Church authority, including that of Pope Francis.", The German bishops, responding to ongoing revelations of clerical sexual abuse and how bishops mismanaged such cases, see the Synodal Path process as addressing the exercise of power and authority in the church, sexual morality, the priesthood, and the role of women. Limburg Bishop Georg Bä,tzing, president of the German bishops` conference, has admitted that there have been highly divergent opinions on issues such as blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples or the ordination of women as deacons or priests. The German Synodal Path documents are criticised. ",They look at the Church and her mission through the lens of the world rather than through the lens of the truths Cologne Cathedral Photo by Kevin Tadema on Unsplash revealed in Scripture and the Church`s authoritative Tradition,", says the letter, and ",Germany`s Synodal Path risks leading to precisely such a dead end.", Ellen Teague World Council of Churches condemns Easter restrictions on access to churches Following an 11 April statement of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressing grave concerns over announced police restrictions on Holy Fire Saturday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) strongly condemned such measures restricting access to places of worship as violations of religious freedom in the Holy Land. ",Jerusalem is sacred,", declared WCC acting general secretary Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca. ",It is sacred for all three monotheistic religions, and access to Jerusalem is an inalienable right for all people of these faiths. Christians have been living on this land and witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ for more than 2000 years. The resurrection is at the heart of our Christian faith and at the heart of all Christian communities in the world. We cannot accept measures that challenge the fundamental rights of our churches to celebrate this centre point of our faith.", For many years, participating in prayers and even having access to churches in the Old City, especially during Easter holidays, has become increasingly difficult. The additional restrictions announced by the authorities for Holy Fire Saturday add to the violations and pressures on the churches in the Holy Land, including attacks on clergy, threats against churches and church properties, and limitations on access to worship. According to the latest announced restrictions, only 1,000 people will be allowed to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and only 500 people will be permitted access to the Patriarchate yards overlooking the roof of the Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City. Restrictions were also already imposed on Palm Sunday, with only four scout groups participating in the Jerusalem procession while the West Bank scouts that belong to Christian groups were denied permits. In contrast, during the Christmas parade in Bethlehem approximately 25-30 Christian scout groups participate. ",WCC joins the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in rejecting and condemning these restrictions as unjustified and unjust,", said Sauca. ",In this Easter season when all Christians yearn to join in celebrating our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call on WCC member churches, world leaders and all people of good will to condemn the measures that restrict freedom of religion, and to support the right of churches in the Holy Land to live and worship with dignity,", Sauca stressed. ",We also call on the government of Israel to ensure just access to Jerusalem for all while honouring and preserving the Status Quo of this holy city.", ",Any violation of the Status Quo threatens the peace and security of all people of the region. It is our responsibility as members of the international community to protect the legal framework and the applicable international laws.", Sauca concluded with the prayer: ",May the divine hope brought to us by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ remove the barriers of separation between people. May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ move the world towards reconciliation and unity.", Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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During the Year of Mercy my husband and I went to Walsingham a couple of times. In the garden area there were stations of Mercy, which I was very moved by. I remember thinking I must let this year of Mercy affect me and change my life, however simply, in some way. I often pondered on what I should be doing (there are of course endless calls on one’,s life to be merciful in some way large or small.) We had been enthusiastic supporters of Mary’,s Meals for some years and about a year later a friend of mine asked if I had heard of the their Backpack project, I hadn’,t but soon found out and in the Spring of 2018 I decided to ask if people would like to fill a Backpack or contribute to filling one. We collected 25 Backpacks, I was so delighted, people had been very generous and we were pleased to see them all packed up and collected. Destination Africa. In that same year the Parish did the “,Our Common Home”, course recommended by the Bishops. As a result of this course we decided as a Parish to apply for the “,LiveSimply Award”,. That is to Live Simply, Sustainably and in Solidarity with our brothers and sisters. As a Parish we have had a very long-running clean water project for Father Vincent in Uganda. We decided we would use that project as evidence of our long-term commitment and also to support the Backpack Project. The project has been so wonderful, I thought perhaps we might gather 50 or 100 bags but the Parish has been so very generous. We managed 350 bags in 3 years. As it happened, due to the Pandemic our Water Project was put on hold as we were not able to meet for coffee on Wednesdays. But throughout the Pandemic the Backpacks managed to take on a life of their own. Some folks gave us a couple of Backpacks every Spring and Autumn, others just gave us an empty Backpack but so many, many people became regular suppliers of individual items. There were coloured pencil ladies, shorts and T- shirts and dresses ladies, pencil case ladies, rubber and sharpener ladies, dessert spoon ladies and, God Bless them, 5 or 6 folk that kept us supplied with towels. Some of these wonderful people were housebound and would just ring up and say “,I’,ve got a bag of things for you”,. Each January I would put a note in the newssheet for good second- hand Backpacks, following the new arrivals of Christmas, and so they just kept coming. Two things happened that were extraordinary, a lady fromthe CWL went to Skegness for the day and discovered one of the shop owners was selling beautiful new children’,s Backpacks for £,1.50 –, an absolute bargain! After a chat with the shop owner, promising to come back and buy the entire stock, she went back the next day with another member of the CWL and they came home with 30 Bags! Heaven only knows what they would have cost at the full price. God Bless her. On another occasion someone tapped me on the back in the coffee queue after Mass one Sunday. They asked if there was anything I needed and I actually needed 30 tubes of toothpaste, I said a couple of tubes of toothpaste would be great and she gave me a bag. In the bag were 30 tubes of toothpaste! All kinds of wonderful things like that happened and I never ceased to thank Our Lady for them. Actually I got to the point where I just used to say to Our Lady: ‘,you know I really need ...’, and low and behold they would turn up usually within a couple of weeks. Our time of preparation for the LiveSimply award has finished and we are awaiting an assessment in the very near future, I had wondered what would happen about the Backpacks as I could not imagine not collecting them any more, but Mary’,s Meals, after much discernment and prayer, have decided at this point in time to go back to their first principles of feeding children a nutritious meal each day in a place of education. So our very last consignment is off during Holy Week, and yes, we have had a few amazing things happen, four bags turned up at the last minute which I did not expect and needed filling, low and behold everything turned up within a week and we are able to send off 40 Backpacks which are destined for Malawi. It has been such a joy managing these Backpacks, everyone in the parish has been so very generous. Angus McFarlane has always said that Mary’,s Meals is made up of thousands of people doing small things with great love. That is our experience. A huge thank you to all our Parishioners. Now in this year of great local need, and a war in Ukraine, there will be no shortage of need. And, as we see the great outpouring of love and generosity for the people of Ukraine, we can only thank God for the goodness and kindness of the folk in our Parishes. Thanks be to God. Patricia SSPP Lincoln. Brian Davis The Catholic News. May 2022 Page 5 Parish Generosity A warm prayerful welcome to Fr Jamesmon (on right) and his UK coordinator Fr Kuriakose. Fr Jameson begins his ministry in the diocese as Assistant Priest in St Barnabas Cathedral serving also the Syro-Malankara communities in and around Nottingham. Bishop Patrick joined Fr David and the community of the Catholic Ukrainian Church in Derby for Divine Worship. He prayed with them for Ukraine and pledged, on behalf of the diocese, to support them in whatever practical ways they can as they plan to prepare to welcome refugees. Diocese will support Ukraine in whatever practical ways they can

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Page 6 The Catholic News. May 2022 Pope Francis, `Values of sport can help prevent war` Pope Francis tells members of a Roman rowing club that the spirit of true sport can cultivate human friendship and act as an important antidote to prevent war. By Lisa Zengarini During an audience with members of a Roman rowing club on Saturday, Pope Francis referred again to the ongoing war in Ukraine with all its horrors, which he said cannot be forgotten and remind us the cruelty of which humanity is capable. Promoting human friendship Speaking to the members the “,Reale Circolo Canottieri Tevere Remo”, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its foundation, he remarked that the spirit of true sport is an important antidote to help prevent war. “,Cultivating human friendship prepares us not to fall into this tragedy and to think of the victims.”, Pope Francis noted that “,the values of healthy competition, friendship and solidarity”, are best expressed in amateur sport, noting that professional sport is more likely to be conditioned by “,the logic of profit and of exasperated competition”, which can even lead to violence. He therefore encouraged the members of the rowing club “,to persevere so that through sport activity children, young people and adults can cultivate the essential values of love for truth and justice, respect for creation, a taste for beauty and goodness, the search for freedom and of peace.“, “,If lived out correctly, sporting activity helps to establish good friendships and the building of a more serene and fraternal world, in which one supports and helps each other.”, “,Practicing sport with loyalty and a healthy competitive spirit”, will “,help you face up to the demanding race of life with courage and honesty, with joy and serene faith in the future, stopping to patiently wait for those who are slower and have more difficulty walking,", Pope Francis concluded. Healthy competition vs. logic of profit When the Malaviya Seven ship was detained in Scotland, the crew were abandoned without wages and unable to return home for nearly 18 months. Here, Captain Ashish tells his story ”, I remember the first visit by the Stella Maris port chaplain Rev Doug Douglas in the initial days. I was a little wary of all the whole situation namely the detention and the stranding which were all new to us . There were many many visits by Doug . He was always smiling , cheerful and ever ready to help us out. He was always full of joy no matter the situation. Over the months, he was a regular visitor to the extent of three to four visits a week. It was not only Doug who was helping us out, he would also get his friends to accompany him . There was no dearth of people to talk to. Each visitor wanted to help us in their own way. There were weekly visits to parts of Scotland in Doug’,s minivan and ship visitor John Murray also took us on a Tuesday named ‘,John Day’,. There was a sense of excitement amongst the crew for the visits and the prevailing sense of despondency used to be forgotten. From material support to moral support, Stella Maris represented by their port chaplain was always there. I remember a situation when the diesel was running short and we had to curtail the generator running hours. Doug was always thinking one step ahead and he had already organised local support . Places where we could get burners to cook food and heaters to keep us warm were already planned by him. When the ship’,s crew started running out of phone top-ups, he was ready with portable Wi-Fi which was kept on board and made accessible to all crew. The Ship’,s requirement with regards to a generator was also discussed and a generator was promptly placed on board to reduce fuel consuption. There were incidents when a local trip to the hospital was required, enter Doug and his minivan and the matter would be sorted out. Several visits were also required for emergency dental treatment. Whenever the crew was demoralised, there would be a new thing organised for us. We had regular outings –, a horse riding event (courtesy of Stella Maris ship visitor Pam Millar), an archery event (Stella Maris ship visitor Pam and her husband Keith), badminton evenings at the local club (Stella Maris ship visitor Pam and her husband Keith), and several other outings to museums, art gallery, visits to churches and also to the charity ceilidhs. The port chaplain also brought in the local Indian community to help us out. Having local Indians on board regularly and talking to them also helped us a lot. The crew was graciously invited to their homes. At times, the crew were invited to movies playing at the local theatre. One of the highlights was a visit to the local football club where we were given a guided tour of the stadium, boardroom and dressing room. All this added to the morale boosting on the ship and the existing tension used to be temporarily forgotten. Stella Maris Port chaplain Doug was also a stabilising factor. He was one person everybody used to listen to. He was also instrumental in pacifying the agitating parties on the rare occasions when there was a dispute. One of my most memorable visits of the port chaplain was him visiting us on one of our most important festivals (Diwali) he was wearing a bright red pullover, one that would be at home on Christmas day. We of course , made fun of him but he took it all in good spirits. When the battle became longer and no end was in sight, it was to Doug that we used to turn too for legal advice. He used to advise us, keep us updated and tell us to keep our chins up. Through the port chaplain , we were visited by the local MP of Aberdeen. Bishop Hugh came and blessed the vessel and crew and had lunch with us and also Bishop Robson the Stella Maris Bishop Promoter also paid us a visit. The senior management of Stella Maris Mr. Martin Foley and Euan Mc Arthur , also paid us visits. Local media were also informed so as to spread awareness about our plight . Although we were stranded and away from home for a long time, there was always a surety that we were not alone. There was an implied assurance that as long the Stella Maris was present, justice would be served. I would like to end it by saying that had it not been for the Stella Maris team, the crew condition would have been far different in the end. The photos of the crew leaving the vessel finally after the struggle would have shown a totally different picture. The bond between the Stella Maris Port chaplain and the crew of Malaviya Seven has been so strong that crew made it a point to get together to meet the Port chaplain Doug on his visit to India. As a seafarer, if I were to be in any kind of difficulty in the future , my first action would be to look up the local Stella Maris address. I know ,for sure , that they have the seafarers best interests at heart. Malaviya Seven Open Gardens in Melton Mowbray Friends of St John`s Church, Melton Mowbray will be trying out a new fundraising idea to help raise the money needed for the redecoration and re- ordering of the historic church. On Sunday, June 12 there will be eight gardens open to the public to visit, browse or just relax with a cup of tea. Friends of St. John`s chairman, Frances Levett, said, ",Melton is a very pleasant town and we are hoping many people will want to visit, take a walk around and pop into the gardens on their route. It should be a nice Sunday afternoon out, especially if the weather is kind to us, so people may like to put the date in their diary now.", The open gardens will include St. John`s Church itself, which has won an award from the Melton in Bloom ",It`s Your Neighbourhood", project, the Convent, and six private gardens. Some will provide refreshments and there should be plants and garden-related items to buy. Admission is just £,5 to include all the gardens, with accompanied children under 16 free. For further information, tickets and addresses contact Frances at franceslevett@gmail.com or 07790 631635.

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The Catholic News. May 2022 Page 7 Mary of Clopas is involved in the sorrow and suffering at the crucifixion. She is named as one of the women and we are invited to understand more of why she was there. The answer seems to lie in the name ‘,Clopas’,. Clopas is the name of Mary’,s husband and is the name of one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus on Easter Sunday afternoon –, the wonderful story of resurrection excitement, incredulity, the breaking of bread and the recognising of the Lord, the racing back to Jerusalem to share the good news. Clopas is one of the two disciples –, who is the other? Clopas and his companion recognise Jesus in the Eucharistic moment: “,he took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them”, (Luke 24:30). It is the Last Supper again, and they recognise him! But the Last Supper had been the only occasion at which Jesus had “,taken, blessed, and broken bread”,: so they must have been there –, to be able to recognise that moment at the inn near Emmaus. We see the Paschal Meal in a new light: not simply the twelve apostles with the Lord but others of the disciples, too, sharing the great meal of the Jewish year. Families and friends together. We glimpse a wonderfully larger group than the twelve that the Gospel indicates and we see the mother of Jesus, as Pope John Paul II did, in a beautiful Maundy Thursday meditation. He spoke of the wonder of the moment at the Last Supper when Mary received from Jesus his sacramental body and blood –, she, who had given him his human body and blood. The human and the sacramental presence of Christ are manifest, and we share Mary’,s intimate involvement in both. “,This is my body, received from you, given for you,”, we dare to imagine Jesus’, thought. What wonderful love in a such a sacramental moment. Around the hushed gathering the disciples glimpse a mystery they do not yet understand, then each disciple receives a share in the Eucharistic mystery, Clopas and his companion amongst them –, and on Easter Sunday they receive the same sacramental gift in the inn on the road to Emmaus. Mary was the wife of Clopas and they would have been in Jerusalem for the Passover. They did not come for the death of Jesus. At this most sacred of family meals Mary and Clopas would have been together. Then she is at the Crucifixion. Where was her husband? Had he fled with the other disciples? Mary of Clopas, at the Last Supper, the Crucifixion –, was she even the other disciple on the road to Emmaus? Look again at the story of the Crucifixion in Matthew and Mark, they say (as does John) that Mary was there –, but they call her the “,mother of James and Joset”,. This gives yet another thread to follow. Four times the New Testament gives a list of the apostles (but notice the lists differ) –, Acts 1:13, Luke 6:14, Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:16 –, and each time the name “,James, son of Alphaeus,”, occurs. Alphaeus is Clopas (Cleopas) –, so James is also Mary’,s son! The question widens. James was important in the Jerusalem Christian community, he presided at the First Council of the Church in 49 AD, a letter under his name is in the New Testament, and he is several times referred to as the cousin of the Lord. Thus, his mother and his father are aunt and uncle to the Jesus! Mary, wife of Clopas and mother of James, stood near the cross because she belonged to Jesus as family and as disciple. Alongside her were Salome, mother of James and John –, two other of the apostles –, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The three women were related and Mary Magdalen belongs with them in an extraordinary picture of sadness and courage. Was Mary Magdalen at the Last Supper? Mary of Clopas “,There were some women watching . . .”, Fr John Daley IC Bishop Patrick at the installation of some new officers of the Knights of St Columba during Mass at St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham. With appreciation of their Christian witness and practical work in our parishes and diocese. LGBT+ Pastoral Ministry ‘, I t I t h ank a n k y y ou o u fo f o r the r t h e wo w o nd n d er o e r o f my m y bei b e i ng’, n g ’, Psalm 138 Saturday 21st May 1pm Our Lady &, St Joseph Church Bank Road, Matlock Derbyshire, DE4 3NG ALL ARE WELCOME! To get in touch with the Diocesan LGBT+ Pastoral Ministry team, please email: lgbt.pastoral@dioceseofno琀,ngham.uk You are warmly invited to celebrate Mass &, refreshments a昀,erwards with the Diocese of No

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For all your advertising requirements please contact Natasha on 01440 730399 Natasha@cathcom.org Page 8 The Catholic News. May 2022 Friends of St John’,s Find Hidden Treasure! Little Lambs, the baby and toddler group based at the Church of The Good Shepherd in Woodthorpe, Nottingham, has collected more than 50 Easter eggs for its local Foodbank. The group received Easter egg donations from parents who regularly attend the group, and children from The Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Academy also donated chocolate treats. Year 4 children from the school spread Easter joy on Monday by paying a special visit to Little Lambs and singing and giving out Easter cards to families who attend the group. Rebecca Burke, Group Leader for Little Lambs, said: ",We regularly support good causes and our families were delighted to help. It`s lovely to know that children who may not have been fortunate enough to receive an Easter treat will do so now.”, The Good Shepherd Church is one of the biggest regular foodbank supporters from the Arnold area. Little Lambs runs on Mondays during term time, from 10 am - 12 pm and is suitable for babies from birth up to pre-school age. Entry is £,4 per family, which includes refreshments. For more information about Little Lambs, contact Rebecca Burke, Group Leader at little.lambs@virginmedia.com or visit the group`s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page: www.facebook.com/littlelambswoodthorpe www.instagram.com/littlelambswoodthorpe twitter.com/littlelambsng Little Lambs helps spread Easter joy to the Arnold Foodbank St John’,s Church in Melton Mowbray is undergoing major restoration and repair work which has led parishioners and other friends of the historic church to put on their thinking caps to devise new and innovative ways to come up with the funds. The charity ‘,Friends of St John’,s’, has been trying various activities as part of its online JustGiving programme, and recently they were all astonished at the result of what could be called a ‘,Treasure Hunt with a difference.’, The group put an appeal in the parish newsletter for people to search at home in drawers, nooks and crannies, for items of gold jewellery and watches, even if broken. Gradually some were handed in, and after a few months the group headed off to a dealer to see what price they might fetch. Imagine the amazement when they were asked to collect a cheque for £,936! Friends of St John’,s chairman, Frances Levett, said, “,We were quite gone out. It wasn’,t a very big bag of things and I would have been pleased to hear we were getting £,40 or £,50. Then the lady who had taken them to the dealer rang and asked me if I was sitting down. When she told me how much she had got for them I thought I had misheard her at first!”, Parish priest Monsignor Tom McGovern was delighted, and asked if the group could continue their gold mining in the hope of finding a few more nuggets! Frances said, “,It just shows what people can come up with if they clear out what to them may be rubbish –, broken bits of jewellery and watches. The dealer has been in touch with us asking if we can supply him with more items. And it is a ‘,painless’, way to donate to the cause. People don’,t have to dig deep in their pockets, only tidy out their drawers and cupboards.”, Anyone who finds a few “,nuggets”, of hidden treasure when they are de-cluttering is welcome to contact Frances on 07790 631635. St John’,s Church, Melton Mowbray Please support our ADvertisers 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

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VOCATION WEEKEND 21st –, 22nd May Is the LORD calling you to the Religious Life? Come, for a time of discernment and prayer. Weekly BIBLE STUDY Beginning TUESDAY 24th MAY every Tuesday 7.30pm –, 9pm Join our Zoom group from the comfort of your home FIRST LECTURE on Rosmini’,s “,The FIVE WOUNDS OF HOLY CHURCH”, TUESDAY 31st MAY 7.00pm –, 8.30pm What are the wounds afflicting the Church today? Rosmini’,s prophetic book reveals the reasons behind the wounds of the Church today. Rosmini Centre, 433 Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, LE7 4SJ Tel. 01509 81 3078, www.rosminicentre.co.uk The Catholic News. May 2022 Page 9 For all your advertising requirements please contact Natasha on 01440 730399 Natasha@cathcom.org The Rosmini Centre House of Prayer Few, perhaps, know that the Rosmini Centre was initially a private aerodrome which belonged to the Everards Family. Subsequently, at the start of WWII, it was taken over and became the 10th busiest military airport in the UK. It was after the war that the Institute of Charity purchased the airbase primarily due to its proximity to Ratcliffe College and transformed it into a peaceful farm. Inspired by the beautiful location, in recent years the vision of the Rosmini Centre House of Prayer developed naturally and soon became the reality we see today. Some 15 years ago, over 40,000 trees were planted, which have since matured and offer guests a most tranquil and healthy environment, close to nature boasting an abundance of wildlife. The Rosmini Centre offers peace and serenity and is truly an ideal place for prayer. The Chapel, dedicated to Blessed Antonio Rosmini, at the heart of the complex, is available for the celebration of Mass, the sacrament of penance, and for adoration before the Blessed Sacrament as well as for private prayer. Our Hutton Hall is available to groups for lectures and for sharing. It has a kitchen and will soon have video conferencing facilities. Tea/coffee and biscuits are provided by the Centre, but guests are welcome to bring their own food. The Watson Library is ideal for meetings and lectures, and it has all the usual facilities. The Hangar, where once Spitfires, Hurricanes and other war planes were repaired and scrambled back into battle, now offers a peaceful, more spacious area for larger groups. It also has a library, and it stores the books written by Blessed Antonio Rosmini which are distributed world-wide by Rosmini Publications. The Rosmini Centre is the ideal place for parish retreats, for small parish groups or for groups who wish to meet in pleasant surroundings. Popular with our guests are the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary Walk, in the open air among the trees. Moreover, the Gentili House at the Rosmini Centre has 8 single rooms for guests, each having ensuite facilities, and a communal kitchen and lounge. We welcome small groups or individuals who may wish to stay for a night or for a week, for retreats, meditation, or prayer. Groups or individuals are free to bring their own food and should they wish can arrange for spiritual direction, confession, or Holy Mass from the Rosminian priests here at the Centre. Come and visit us. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Fr Antonio Belsito IC Breaking Ramadan Fast at Emirates Stadium Barbara Kentish, Westminster Justice and Peace and St Thomas More parish Manor House What do you want from a religious gathering? Warm fellowship, a sense of spiritual communion, a deep faith? They were all present at the Finsbury Park Mosque`s Iftar on Monday evening, not at the Mosque, however, but at the prestigious Emirates Stadium. An Iftar is a meal to break the day`s fasting during Ramadan, when a Muslim must fast from sunrise to sunset. Invited were local community, political and religious leaders, all glad to attend, since it was the first to be held since the pandemic started, and also because for many (including myself) it was a great opportunity to see inside the massive Arsenal Stadium! The Finsbury Park Mosque makes a hugely valuable contribution to our local area, with youth and community events, and linking up with the community outreach arm of nearby Arsenal FC. While working at Westminster Justice and Peace, I had collaborated with FPM to run community games in the Park, during the 2012 Games. Later, we held a joint session on climate change, when the encyclical Laudato Si! was launched, and remained in touch. Every year, moreover, the FPM would hold an open day for the area to visit the Mosque, and some parishioners at my church, St Thomas More, would visit. In the gap of a few years, it seemed that a more relaxed, open atmosphere had developed. Perhaps we were all so happy to meet and be out of lockdown. I sensed also, however, an openness towards women previously absent. A visit to the Mosque a few years ago had involved seeing a lower floor designated as the women`s area, where our male guide had explained to us the activities of the women. One of the key speakers at the Emirate venue, however, was Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, and at only 31, the first woman to hold this post, with a Master`s graduate in Human Rights Law, a Training and Development Consultant. I was encouraged to find that she had a mission to educate and train young people for leadership positions such as hers. She flagged up that around 50% of Muslims in the UK are under 18, and repeated the declaration she had made on her appointment: ",My vision is to continue to build a truly inclusive, diverse and representative body, one which is driven by the needs of British Muslims for the common good. Being elected as the first female Secretary General is quite an honour and I hope it will inspire more women and young people to come forward to take on leadership roles. They are the future of this organisation and our society.", Other speakers supported the Mosque`s efforts in the community, and included the Borough Commander of Islington and Camden police, Andy Carter, the Mayor of Islington Cllr Troy Gallagher, the Council leader, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz and the Bishop of Stepney, Reverend Joanne Grenfell. Many accepted the general invitation to go out to the stadium for selfies and group pictures. This was a wonderful comeback for the Mosque who will also offered a street Iftar, open to all, on Tuesday 19th April, as a memorial to Makram Ali, killed at the Mosque on 19th June 2017. Sadiq Yusuf, a wonderful singer/chanter, sent me the opening prayer, `O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you, for those before you - so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah! …, . And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.` The Imam called this mindfulness of Allah, `God-consciousness`. I felt that Catholics could certainly identify with this aim of fasting, so it was fitting to find this strong link between Lent and Ramadan during Holy Week. Bishop Joanne Grenfell

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The Fourth Sunday of Easter (8th May this year) is known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday, and is marked as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of this day is to fulfil Jesus` instruction to “,Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest”, (Matthew 9:38). While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates her attention on raising up shepherds for God`s people - vocations to Holy Orders (the priesthood and diaconate) and to the religious life - while encouraging all who are discerning their vocation to pray more earnestly that they may hear and respond to God`s call. About the Priesthood A diocesan priest most often lives out their vocation through service of a parish community. They do this by: Celebrating Mass and administering other Sacraments. Leading the community in prayer. Visiting those in need. Providing for the spiritual and temporal needs of the people. Priests are often called upon to provide chaplaincy services, most frequently in school, but sometimes also to universities, prisons, and occasionally to groups or organisations. In each of these roles, a priest will be called upon to act with thoughtfulness and patience, and to show wisdom drawn from their experience, study, and prayer. That may sound like a rather daunting set of expectations, but a priest has faith that in seeking to do this he does not act alone, but rather as God’,s instrument in the world. Fr Peter’,s story ‘,I can’,t express the richness and depth priesthood has brought to my life …, bringing Page 10 The Catholic News. May 2022 Vocations Sunday 8th May Pray for vocations God’,s grace into the heart of people’,s lives at precious moments.’, I grew up in Shepshed, where I attended school and College before heading off to university to study law. At the time I had every intention of becoming a Solicitor, but after all that study and beginning work I came to realise it wasn’,t to be: I couldn’,t see my life stretched out before me in this career. As it happens, alongside this, in God’,s providence, something more was actually pulling at my heart and mind: as a practicing Catholic who was the organist for his local parish and involved in a myriad of other ways, volunteering and helping in the parish and wider community, I discovered an attraction to the priesthood. This was something that grew gradually, influenced I believe and rooted in three things: The faith of my parents –, they really are the credit for the strength, the knowledge of, and vitality of my faith today. My home parish of St Winefride’,s, Shepshed –, amongst the people, the community, there was always a concern for what I was doing, people were always interested and asking how I was getting on, and yes some of them even dared, God forbid, to ask whether I had thought about the priesthood. Finally I was fortunate to get to know our priest, Canon Balfe, whom I came to admire and respect enormously. Such was the attraction to priesthood growing in me that I used to imagine what it would be like to be at the altar, to preach, to celebrate the sacraments like him. After offering myself to the Diocese, I was accepted and for 6 years lived, prayed, studied, and continued to discern my vocation at the Venerable English College in the heart of Rome. After ordination in 2003 I have been privileged to serve in a variety of parish communities and to assist the wider work of the Church through my studies in Canon Law. I mentioned three things that influenced and provided a root for my attraction to the priesthood, but I only came to discern and realise God’,s grace working in my life through these ways, calling me to a vocation, through my own prayer. And I mean silent prayer –, it is here that we become one with the Lord and can hear his gentle voice and place those things going on in our life in the heart of his presence. I firmly believe today that the Lord still calls. It may be the Lord is calling you through the experiences of your own life: take the risk to listen and then follow Him. I can’,t express the richness and depth priesthood has brought to my life, standing on privileged ground and bringing God’,s grace into the heart of people’,s lives at precious moments: all I would ask is that you reflect on its dignity and be open enough to listen in prayer to discover if God desires you too in the priesthood. Charity announces second large wave of aid for Ukraine John Newton A leading Catholic charity has revealed a second big injection of help for Ukrainians hit by the war –, totalling more than £,1 million. As part of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’,s latest aid package, more than £,570,000 will be going to support Church projects helping those who fled their homes –, with a further £,169,000 in the pipeline. Additionally, more than £,484,000 in Mass stipends will provide vital support for priests ministering to IDPs (internally displaced persons). ACN’,s Ukraine projects coordinator Magda Kaczmarek –, who is in the country –, said this second phase will shore up the Church’,s crucial emergency efforts. Not only will the fresh injection of help support monasteries and parishes sheltering IDPs but it will provide vehicles and electricity generators. Food being distributed in Shevchenkove village in the Exarchate of Odesa. (©, ACN) Ms Kaczmarek said: “,Many donations are reaching the bordering countries, but there is now a need for vehicles to transport the goods to those who need them in the country, often in locations that have been heavily damaged, or are still under threat.”, In Kamianets-Podilski Diocese food, medicine and clothes are being ferried throughout the area, including to Vinnytsia, 150 miles south of Kyiv, where Sisters have been distributing food to women and children sheltering at the main railway station. In this latest round of help, new vehicles will enable the Church’,s work to expand, including Caritas in Kyiv and the Diocese of Odessa- Simferpol. Among those receiving generators is the seminary in Sambir-Drohobych Diocese, which is sheltering IDPs. With parts of the country increasingly cut off from the electricity supply, generators have become essential. And support going to dioceses and monasteries to help feed and house internal refugees, includes the Archeparchy of Ivano- Frankivsk, which is caring for hundreds of the region’,s 40,000 IDPs. Around 100 people are being cared for in the classrooms in St Basil’,s High School alone. These have been turned into dormitories for those who were forced to flee their homes because of the war. Ms Kaczmarek said that the charity’,s support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion builds on its long-term support for the Church in the country –, which dates back to the Communist period. She said: “,ACN was one of the first organisations to pledge emergency support for Ukraine, a country where we have been funding projects for decades. “,It is important that the Ukrainians realise that even as this war drags on, with no end in sight, their fellow believers around the world will not forget them, and ACN will continue to look for ways to help effectively, on the ground, through the local Church.”,

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which will keep you together forever. Lent is a special time for asking that question and hearing the answer. You don’,t need a rucksack or walking boots. You don’,t need to travel –, except inside your heart. The daily reflections of A Lenten Camino follow the Camino Inglé,s route to Santiago de Compostela in a Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter and the new life of the resurrection. “,Buen camino!”, inside your heart. The daily reflections of A Lenten Camino follow the Camino Inglé,s route to Santiago de Compostela in a Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter and the new life of the resurrection. “,Buen camino!”, The Catholic News. May 2022 Page 11 Please support our A d vertisers Book Reviews Book Reviews By Fr Jeremy Corley Scripture Focus A GOOD FRIEND Is Lent your pilgrimage towards Easter? Every day, you and Jesus ask each other, “,Who do you say I am?”, and journey together towards an answer A Lenten Camino Sr Janet Fearns FMDM ISBN NO: 9780852316085 £,5.95 - www.rpbooks.co.uk Set the World on Fire A 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church by Vinita Hampton Wright £,12.90 - eden.co.uk Only four women in the two thousand- year history of the Church - The ´,re `se of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Hildegard of Bingen- -have the distinction of being named Doctors of the Church because of their impact on the faith. In Set the World on Fire, bestselling author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Vinita Hampton Wright offers a four-week personal retreat that immerses you in the dramatic lives, historical eras, and ground-breaking ideas of these formidable saints and invites you to develop the grit, humility, pragmatism, hope, joy, and vision these women possessed. What qualities do we look for in a good friend? We want a friend who likes us and is sympathetic to us. We appreciate a friend who is happy to spend time with us. We value a friend who understands us, not just our good points but even our bad points. Above all, we want a friend whom we can turn to, when we are in need. We want someone who will help us without blaming us. People of faith have discovered that the Holy Spirit is this kind of friend—,reliable, understanding, positive, and helpful. St John’,s Gospel has a special name for the Spirit—,the Paraclete. This name can be understood as Comforter, Consoler, Advocate, and Helper. When we are facing difficulties, the Holy Spirit comes to offer us comfort and consolation. The Greek Old Testament used the term “,paraclete”, for the three friends of Job, who came to comfort him when they heard of all his sufferings and difficulties. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who defends us when we are accused. Jesus speaks of how the Spirit will inspire believers who face opposition. Like a friend, the Holy Spirit will give us courage to persevere. In Greek, the term Paraclete means literally someone called to be alongside you and even to defend you. So the Paraclete is God’,s answer to the devil. Where the devil accuses us of our sins, the Paraclete is our defence lawyer, saying that Jesus has paid the penalty for us. When speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus promises to send them the Paraclete. They are upset that he will be leaving them, but he promises to remain present with them, no longer physically, but rather through the Holy Spirit. This promise was fulfilled for them when the Holy Spirit came to them at Pentecost, and it is also fulfilled for us when we receive the Spirit at confirmation. But unfortunately, we are often unaware of the Spirit’,s presence and his desire to be our helper. At the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him, they will keep his teaching. He then promises: “,I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you”, (John 14:16-17). Jesus also promises that the Holy Spirit will offer guidance to his disciples, by teaching them everything they need to know, and by reminding them of all that he said to them. Moreover, the Paraclete will give them the courage to be witnesses to him in their lives. Finally, he says that the Paraclete will show the truth of his ministry: “,If I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned”, (John 16:7- 8). Even though Pilate will judge and condemn Jesus, God the Father will give his higher judgment and raise him up again. Only in this way will Jesus save us. As we go through the Easter season, we are invited to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. One of the most beautiful hymns begins: “,Holy Spirit, Lord of Light, from the clear celestial height, thy pure beaming radiance give.”, The hymn speaks of the Holy Spirit as the best of all consolers and the soul’,s delightful guest, because he bestows refreshing peace. The hymn also speaks of the Holy Spirit as comfort in toil, pleasant coolness in the heat, and solace amid woe. The hymn prays that the Spirit’,s divine light will visit our hearts and fill our inmost being. We know that without the Spirit’,s grace, nothing pure in us will remain and all our good turns bad. Often we can be stuck in the rut of our own sinful habits and entrenched attitudes. The hymn prays: “,Heal our wounds, our strength renew, on our dryness pour thy dew, wash the stains of guilt away.”, We ask the Spirit to bend the stubborn will, melt the frozen heart, and guide our steps that often are tempted to go astray. Finally, looking ahead to the future life, we ask the Spirit to give us comfort when we die and then give us eternal joys. The Spirit will bring us to Jesus and his Father in everlasting happiness. During the Easter season, let us pray that the Holy Spirit may come upon us, our Church, our society, and our world Each week of your retreat begins with weekend reading and prayer to introduce the saint and the primary topic of the chapter, followed by five days of morning and evening prayer. Much of the text comes from the saint`s own writings. Scripture, reflection questions, and suggestions for action are designed to help you engage personally with the saint and her wisdom for living your faith. Each week offers a unique and in-depth experience of the saint and her unique gifts to the Church: •, Week one: St. The ´,re `se of Lisieux- -the young Carmelite nun whose autobiography sent ripples across Christendom- -will teach you to love God through her Little Way. •, Week two: St. Teresa of Avila- -a Carmelite who spent years reforming her order and gave to the world a spiritual masterpiece called The Interior Castle- -will instruct you in trusting your personal experience of God. •, Week three: St. Catherine of Siena- -a Third- Order Dominican who poured out her life for people in need but also gave astute, sharp direction to Church leaders- -will guide you to live every moment with courage through the love of truth. •, Week four: St. Hildegard of Bingen-a Benedictine abbess whose spiritual visions led to books, poetry, music, art, and early scientific discovery- -will show you how to engage life with passion and creativity. Each woman`s experience of God, understanding of spirituality, and timeless wisdom gained her the title Doctor of the Church, which indicates that through her life, research, study, and writing, she has deepened and advanced the faith.

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Page 12 The Catholic News. May 2022 This article is an extract from Dr Paul Dixon`s forthcoming book, The Road Pilgrim. Over the coming months we shall be publishi ng extracts. For more details, email: info@theroadpilgrim.com Driving attitude: There is truth in the saying that the most dangerous part of a car is the nut behind the wheel. Attitude and attention are key factors affecting road safety. They are also important elements on the highway of life. Love is more an attitude than a feeling. It is about how we chose to relate to others, to ourselves, to God. The more we accept God’,s unconditional love for everyone, the more we grow in love for others and ourselves. We have our likes and dislikes, we get on better with some than others. Nevertheless, our calling is to love everyone. Saint Therese of Lisieux disliked one of her fellow nuns, so she looked for ways to be kind to her. One day, that nun said. ‘,Sister Therese, tell me, why do you like me so much?’, Let us follow the example of St Therese. Some say, by the time we get to heaven, we will have learnt to like those we only managed to love, and the person you like least in life is the one you will be next to in heaven. If that sounds more like hell than heaven, it is because we are still imperfect drivers, imperfect in love. Take heart—,even St Therese had her ‘,driving’, faults. On the highway of life, we need to be selective with our focus, remembering that attitude affects attention. The more loving we are the more we see the good in others, the more judgemental we are the more we focus on their faults. According to St Augustine of Hippo, evil does not exist as a substance, rather, it is the absence of good. Evil is sometimes compared to a hole in fabric: the hole in itself (evil) does not exist, what exists is a lack of fabric (goodness). When we focus on the faults of others, we do so from the hole in our own goodness. Perfect drivers don’,t exist. On the highway of life, we all have L-plates in love. Nevertheless, the nut behind the wheel who tries to focus on the good in others, and seeks both to like and love unconditionally, is a saint in the making. Attitude and attention are key. Women drivers: Do you think women make better drivers than men? Statistically, women have fewer accidents than men, so on that basis, women are safer drivers. Ouch, that hurt! In addition, men have more accidents at speed, though whether women are worse at parking is a matter of debate! Being male or female affects driving behaviour, it also affects how we function in life. There is some truth in the words of John Gray’,s book title, ‘,Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus’,. Over recent decades, important work has been done to ensure greater equality between the sexes. Concerns over equality should not, however, prevent us from acknowledging and celebrating the differences between Martians and Venusian. Equality does not always have to mean sameness. Given the fabric of our dual-sexed humanity, it is hardly surprising when this natural difference affects the nature of Earthling societies. Reactions and reflections: The Highway Code says the reactions of older drivers may be slower than others, so make allowance for this. With age comes wisdom, at least that’,s the general idea, so hopefully a slower reaction time is compensated for by greater wisdom on the road. In life, a slower reaction time is often desirable. Avoiding kneejerk reactions and offering measured responses are signs of experience. On the highway of life, older drivers often make allowances for those reacting too quickly. What are your reactions like? Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. Without reflecting, whether on our driving or living, we are prone, as the quip goes, to have one year’,s experience many times over. Advanced drivers see themselves as learners. Self-aware of their faults, they strive to be better. Somebody once said, ‘,A saint is a sinner that keeps on trying’,. Do you see yourself as a learner driver on the highway of life? The Road Pilgrim Part Three - Drivers CRYPTIC Across 1 Quiet prince`s familiarly now classed as small beer (6) 4 Thirty head from Tasmania, New Testament oddly omitted (6) 9 One`s representative in Rome, obviously, looking back at it all (7) 10 Eastern cross exchanged with Norman abbey, seeing a pirate ship (5) 11 Religion one finds in Scottish industrial area (5) 12 Songs from part of the OT (7) 13 Paul`s letters here upset rich nations (11) 18 Reclusive writer goes missing from the war (7) 20 After a Mozart piece, I am hugged by an officer artist (5) 22 Animal we put clothes on? (5) 23 Everyone in Romania shortly will embrace, for instance lively music (7) 24 Odd, little Neville`s gone back after a female in Paris (6) 25 Taking time out from the law to look at sculpture (6) CRYPTIC Down 1 Look at article and fume (6) 2 Colorado resort: like to write a footnote? (5) 3 Marathon he lost, radii going awry when lapping American (6,1) 5 Without hesitation, `pinnacle` is the aphorism (5) 6 Pre-Islamic Arabian, not so able seaman Mel somehow avoided (7) 7 Nick`s US company`s English to begin with (6) 8 Nicaean heretic left Caribbean place from which father jumped ship, getting close to strict sectarian type (11) 14 Note newspaper`s last leader`s cut (7) 15 Stain, through drink, blotter`s contained (7) 16 He`s worshipped in India after sixes hit, the first two from nurdles... (6) 17 ...but at a glance, there`s a complaint? (6) 19 Subject in a kind of story, for instance (5) 21 Gained entry, exchanging words, into a Fort Knox bar? (5) QUICK Across 1 Tristram - -- -- -, experimental 18th century novel by Laurence Sterne (6) 4 Trumpet-blowing priest ahead of the Ark`s move into Jerusalem (6) 9 Titular head of Roman power during New Testament times (7) 10 Barbary pirate three-masted ship (5) 11 Member of a religious group with more than a billion adherents (5 12 Book of the Pentateuch (7) 13 Recipients of two letters from Paul (11) 18 Aloof, cut off (7) 20 Gustav - -- -- (1862-1918), Austrian symbolist artist known for The Kiss (5) 22 Gymnastics apparatus (5) 23 Music movement played briskly (7) 24 Jagged, erratic (6) 25 Example of three-dimensional visual art (6) QUICK Down 1 Smoulder, blow a fuse (6) 2 Colorado ski resort (5) 3 Persian ruler, supporter of the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem (6,1) 5 Saying, motto (5) 6 Of South Arabian people and language in pre-Islamic days (7) 7 Cut deeply, engrave (6) 8 Member of an RC order founded in 1198 now devoted to pastoral work, aka Mathurin (11) 14 Surveille, comply (7) 15 Fountain pen drawback (7) 16 Second Hindu god of the triad (6) 17 Seizure, stylish attacking shot in cricket, tennis, etc (6) 19 King, lord (5) 21 Metal bar or block (5) 2-in-1 Crossword by Axe You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same. SOLUTION Across: 1 Shandy, 4 Amasai, 9 Emperor, 10 Xebec, 11 Hindu, 12 Numbers, 13 Corinthians, 18 Insular, 20 Klimt, 22 Horse, 23 Allegro, 24 Uneven, 25 Statue. Down: 1 Seethe, 2 Aspen, 3 Darius I, 5 Maxim, 6 Sabaean, 7 Incise, 8 Trinitarian, 1 4 Observe, 15 Inkblot, 16 Vishnu, 17 Stroke, 19 Liege, 21 Ingot.

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