Catholic Post History
.
May 2022 edition of the Catholic Post
Page 1
MAY 2022 Edition 5 page 6 page 2 page 12 Confession: A car wash of the soul Fr Neil McNicholas Vocation Sunday 8th May Police guidance on sacramental access to crime scenes revised T h e I n d e s t r u c t i b l e W a l l A m o s a i c o f t h e O r a n t a i n S t . S o p h i a C a t h e d r a l , b u i l t i n K y i v i n t h e 1 1 t h c e n t u r y Stations of the Cross in HM Prison Send ‘,It took years to try and understand that Christ died on the cross to forgive my sins... I was sitting in a room with seven other men and I began to cry. I said, `How can I possibly live with myself, with what I have done? Then began the journey of building myself up.` These words were spoken by a former prisoner who is now a Pact ambassador. They were also read aloud by Bishop Richard Moth last Friday in the chapel at HMP Send, a women`s prison in Surrey. Bishop Moth is the Liaison Bishop for Prisons. He was making the Stations of the Cross with the women using the new text ICN produced by Pact, the Catholic prisons charity. The reflective part of the text expresses the thoughts and feelings of prisoners, people with convictions and their families. After the service, Bishop Moth and a small group of Pact visitors, chatted with the women over socially-distanced tea and cake. Some knew Bishop Richard already because he had baptised or confirmed them on previous visits. Some approached Canon Paul Douthwaite, the National Catholic Chaplain for Prisons, asking for special prayers. We talked about the sunny weather, the beautiful prison gardens, knitting, Women at HMP Send being escorted from the garden. Image: Andy Aitchison A community can be rebuilt by men and women who identify with the vulnerability of others children, church, and making a fresh start. The women explained that during Lent, they have been meeting in the prison chapel with their Catholic chaplain, for weekly Stations of the Cross - just as many parishioners have been doing `on the outside.` Pact`s strong roots are in the Catholic church. We consciously weave the principles of Cath - olic Social teaching into the way we work. We invite parishes to use this Stations of the Cross liturgy in solidarity with those who are in prison and their families. Continued on page 4 Canon Paul Chipchase Updating the Curia On the ninth anniversary of his inauguration recently, Pope Francis issued a document entitled “,Praedicate Evangelium.”, (Preach the Gospel). This 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. 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 to 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. Pope’,s Constitution for the Reform of the Roman Curia ‘,Praedicate Evangelium’, released
Read in full
Page 2
CONTACT US: The Catholic Post is published by its owners Bellcourt Ltd and is wholly independent of and separate from any previous newspaper. The Catholic Post is published on the last Sunday of the month previous to publication date. EDITOR: John Clawson email: johnclwson@icloud.com ADVERTISING: Natasha / Bellcourt Ltd. 01440 730399 / 07903 377019 ads@bellcourt.org DESIGN &, LAYOUT: David Lodge, david@bellcourtltd.co.uk PUBLISHED BY: Bellcourt Ltd. N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Blois Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7BN 01440 730399 ARTICLES TO: The Catholic Post email: johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Please send articles for publication by email, supplying any photos separate to the text We welcome contributions Here are answers to some basic questions about writing for The Catholic Post How long should articles be? Usually it seems to work out best if contributors simply say what they have to say and let us worry about finding a spot for it in the paper. What is the submission procedure? Please send as a Word file attached to an e-mail. To submit articles for publication, contact John Clawson by email at johnclwson@icloud.com Charts, graphs, and photos should be submitted as separate PDFs. Electronic photos should not be embedded or pasted into a Word document as this reduces their quality. Photographs and Illustrations Photographs and Illustrations should be supplied electronically as high resolution JPEG (*.JPG) files). Photographs and illustrations should be sent in colour with a resolution of 300 dpi and a minimum size of 100 mm x 100 mm when printed (approx. 1200 pixels wide on- screen). Computer print-outs are not acceptable. Screen captures are not ideal as they are usually not very high Parental permission should be sought before submitting photographs of minors. Source information - DW = Diocesan Website. ICN = Independent Catholic News Views expressed in The Catholic Post are not necessarily those of the editor Last date for copy is the LAST DAY of the month prior to publication. Page 2. The Catholic Post. May 2022. From the presbytery.............. by Fr Neil McNicholas Confession: A Car Wash for the Soul If you’,re like me, you’,ll find it easier to use the local car wash than to spend an afternoon with a bucket and sponge and a tin of wax polish and a duster. Yes it costs a little more but it’,s more convenient, the job more thoroughly done, and the end product well worth it. When it comes to our sins, yes we could stay at home and say an Act of Contrition, but sometimes that isn’,t quite good enough. We need a more thorough spiritual cleansing which means making a little extra effort and getting ourselves to church and to the sacrament of confession. When we drive into a car wash all we need to do is to sit back and enjoy “,the ride”,. The car is usually first sprayed with a pre-soaking agent to help loosen any dirt. Rotary brushes then “,scrub”, the car’,s bodywork before a soap solution is sprayed on and the scrubbing repeated. This is followed by a good rinse and the application of a liquid polish before power blowers dry the car. You are then free to drive out, the car clean and shiny. Confession should be celebrated in a space that is as welcoming and comfortable as possible so we can enjoy “,the ride”,. Hopefully there will be the option of sitting opposite the priest rather than “,hiding”, (sometimes in the semi-darkness) on the other side of a grille. We begin by confessing those sins we are aware of since the last time we were at the sacrament, the priest then giving whatever spiritual guidance or advice he might think necessary and a “,penance”, (a spiritual act of satisfaction). The final stage of the sacrament is the words of absolution. Back in church, cleansed of our sins, we should spend some time in prayer - in thanksgiving and saying the “,penance”, we were given –, allowing ourselves to experience the reconciliation and healing that has taken place. Sometimes, even when a car has been through the entire process of a car wash, it still won’,t be completely clean. In the summer months, for example, the front surfaces will have been so encrusted with flies that some remnants of them will remain. It may be necessary to take a sponge to them later if we want every last trace to be gone. This doesn’,t happen with the sacrament of reconciliation. Whatever sins we bring to the sacrament, and also those we may have genuinely accidentally forgotten, are forgiven completely and absolutely, there are no remnants, nothing remains for us to worry about or bring back to the sacrament again the next time “,just to make sure”,. From God’,s point of view everything is forgiven and forgotten provided, of course, that we are truly sorry. The trouble is that we don’,t always forgive ourselves –, or forget –, as completely as God does, and that’,s where scruples can come in instead of embracing and celebrating the forgiveness and the spiritual healing that has taken place in the sacrament. If we are involved in a minor accident driving our car, it’,s unfortunate and it perhaps shakes us up a little, but we then place the car in the hands of a competent mechanic who works on it until it’,s as good as new again. There’,s no point in continually looking at where the damage used to be –, there’,s nothing to see –, it’,s all fixed. Just enjoy the car once again and forget about what happened other than in the sense of learning our lesson and trying to avoid it happening again. So too with the forgiveness of our sins. We place ourselves in God`s hands, trusting in his mercy and love, and if we are truly sorry for our sins then they are forgiven and forgotten, everything is as good as new once again, and with the help of God`s grace we try to avoid committing those sins again. It might be that we are not particularly bothered whether our car is clean or not. Perhaps we are simply too lazy to get out the bucket and sponge, nor are we willing to spend what it costs to put it through a car wash. Little by little the dirt builds up, especially in the winter months, and we may not even realise just how filthy it has become. Worse still the dirt may be masking problems that are beginning to develop with the bodywork in terms of rust, and by the time we finally motivate ourselves to tackle the dirt, only then do we discover just how extensive the rust problem is. If only we had taken care of things earlier - if only. Simply keeping a car looking good on the surface isn’,t enough, we also have to keep it mechanically sound through regular services and, of course, it may have to have an annual MOT inspection and certificate of roadworthiness. Avoiding service visits could be dangerous but why would we take that risk? Avoiding an MOT, on the other hand, is against the law. The Law of the Church requires us to confess grave (mortal) sins at least once a year –, taking into account that they can only be forgiven through the sacrament of confession. However we shouldn’,t want to remain in a state of serious sin any longer than necessary. While certain seasons of the Church’,s year, such as Lent and Advent, are particularly suitable for a once-a-year celebration, we really should be celebrating the sacrament more regularly than that simply because it is a sacrament with its own particular graces. Even though lesser (venial) sins can be forgiven through an Act of Contrition or in the Penitential Rite of the Mass, the Catechism says: Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. Regular confession is our service visit and, when necessary, a spiritual MOT. It provides the opportunity, whether through a regular examination of conscience or through whatever spiritual advice or direction the priest may offer, for us to see how our spiritual life, and our relationship with God, is going before any sort of “,rust”, sets in or a more serious problem develops and gets out of hand. Confession should be celebrated in a space that is as welcoming and comfortable as possible so we can enjoy “,the ride”,. Hide Your face [Lord] from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10
Read in full
Page 3
The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 3. Celebration Concert at St Benedict’,s, Ealing St Benedict’,s students, alumni, staff and professional soloists gave a wonderful concert to mark the School’,s 120th Anniversary on Saturday 26th March in Ealing Abbey. In the opening words of St Benedict`s Director of Music, Chris Eastwood, the evening was “,a wonderful celebration of music, faith, hope and joy”,, as musicians from the age of 11 upwards came together to perform three major works. The concert opened with Haydn’,s Symphony No. 104, and the St Benedict’,s orchestra beautifully conveyed the mixture of drama, lyricism, dramatic fury and exuberance of the composer’,s final symphony. Next came a new commission by alumnus and composer Samuel D. Loveless, who is in his final year of a Masters in Composition at the Royal College of Music. “,‘,Soul’, is a work that looks at the essence of what it means to be part of the St Benedict’,s community”,, said Samuel - “,a celebration of people, friendship and family, and what we can achieve together.", Samuel’,s musical career began as a chorister at Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’,s current Director of Music, Chris Eastwood, taught him A Level Music. ‘,Soul’, is written for choir, chamber orchestra and organ, and musical influences in the piece include plainsong, choral music spanning 600 years and the harmonies and rhythms of African music. Finally, the St Benedict’,s Consort Choir and Orchestra returned to the music of Haydn, with a wonderful, uplifting performance of his Nelson Mass. They were joined by four professional soloists, soprano Iú,nó, Connolly, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Stockland, tenor Tom Cragg and baritone Theo Parry. The Headmaster of St Benedict’,s, Andrew Johnson, said: “,This was the most wonderful concert for the School’,s 120th anniversary, with amazing performances by our talented musicians, superbly led by Chris Eastwood. It was made even more special by the premiere of ‘,Soul’,, an intriguing, beautiful piece which was perfect for the occasion.”, Pictures: St Benedict`s School St Benedict`s Consort Choir and Orchestra perform at the 120th Anniversary Concert Composer Samuel D. Loveless (second from left), with St Benedict`s musicians Soprano Iú,nó, Connolly sings Haydn`s Nelson Mass The St Benedict`s Orchestra perform Haydn`s Symphony No. 104 A celebration of people, friendship and family, and what we can achieve together www.stbenedicts.org.uk Rachel Rouse, the Headteacher at St Joseph’,s Primary School Harrogate writes: On Monday 21 March we held a ‘,United for Ukraine’, day as we want to support the people of Ukraine in any way that we can. Many of our families in school have friends and relatives who live near the Ukrainian border and are experiencing first-hand the atrocity that is happening. We felt it was important that we support and show solidarity to our neighbours through coming together in unity. We held a non-uniform day for a monetary donation to UNICEF’,s appeal to protect the children in Ukraine. Staff and pupils were invited to wear blue and yellow. All fundraising will go to UNICEF’,s Appeal to protect the children in Ukraine. We raised a fantastic £,553 in total! We began the day with Y3 and Y5 prayer buddies leading a whole school liturgy. Parents and parishioners joined us, and we then held a peace walk in the local area from St Joseph’,s church along Skipton Road to Bilton Lane, stopping for prayers and singing for peace and then returned to school, gathering for final prayers outside our school and church. The children completed other activities during the day and are making a hall display to help keep the people of Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers and as a symbol of unity. Harrogate St Joseph’,s pupils are united for Ukraine St Joseph’,s Harrogate hold a ‘,United for Ukraine’, day and community Peace walk! dioceseo fl, eeds.org.uk
Read in full
Page 4
Sung Votive Mass in thanksgiving for the Welsh culture and language celebrated in London A special sung votive Mass to celebrate the Welsh culture and language and its contribution to the universal Catholic Church took place in central London at St James’,s, Spanish Place on Wednesday, 30 March 2022. The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Ukrainian Eparchial Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski and cbcew.org.uk Offeren Gymraeg, Offeren Mewn Diolchgarwch Dewi Sant the Right Reverend Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, were all in attendance. Ecumenical guests included Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Other dignitaries included the Spanish Ambassador, the Argentinian Ambassador and the Secretary of State for Wales. The Principal Celebrant was Fr Gildas Parry, O’,Praem. Music was provided by four Welsh Choirs and the Band of the Welsh Guards. Singer and broadcaster Cerys Matthews MBE, BBC News Music was provided by four Welsh Choirs and the Band of the Welsh Guards Celebration of Welsh language Page 4. The Catholic Post. May 2022. Parishioner`s Resurrection painting adorns the Easter Sunday Altar Martin Wright, parishioner, musician and illustrator has painted a number of murals for the parish of Christ the King, Alfreton. In the Diocese of Nottingham. His large Nativity mural can bee seen from the roof of the church as we entered Christmas week. During Lent his Passion mural was displayed in front of the altar and after the Easter Saturday Vigil it was replaced by `Resurrection`. It also featured in the Holy Week Schedule card distributed and posted to parishioners During Lent his Passion mural was displayed in front of the altar and after the Easter Saturday Vigil it was replaced by `Resurrection`. Gerry Molumby in the parish, days running up to Palm Sunday. anchor Huw Edwards and Welsh broadcaster Guto Harri were all invited to the Thanksgiving Mass. Through Fairtrade Fortnights, children have learned about the impact of climate change upon farmers globally liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Archbishop Malcolm McMahon visited Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Dingle, Liverpool to present them with the Cafod ‘,Live Simply’, Award. It is a prestigious award, with Holy Family being only the second school in Liverpool to receive it. It recognises the work that Holy Family have been doing, both in school and in the wider community. It follows the Catholic values which Pope Francis addresses in his encyclical letter, Laudato Si’,. The key messages are to Live Simply, Live Sustainably and Live in Solidarity with the poor. The Cafod Live Simply Award has helped Holy Family build their community by bringing together different groups under a common vision. The school has taken part in a range of activities over a two-year period to encourage its pupils, staff, parents and carers to follow these messages. The school has worked to raise awareness of Fairtrade, achieving a Fair Active award in June 2020, through a visit to the local Co-Op shop and holding a Fairtrade coffee morning for parents/carers. Through School receives prestigious award Fairtrade Fortnights, children have learned about the impact of climate change upon farmers globally. The school has run events such as textile recycling collections, donating to Cafod through a sponsored School Unplugged Day, a refugee awareness campaign and even has its own allotment which the staff and pupils carefully tend. The Cafod ‘,Live Simply’, award ended as it began, by gathering as a school community to reflect upon Pope Francis’, message. The award was presented to Head teacher, Mrs Rachel Davidson, a group of pupils and the award leader, Miss Sarah McClelland at two special assemblies at Holy Family. Archbishop Malcolm talked about how proud he was of the children and staff for working so hard to care for our world. He explained how so much had changed in his lifetime and how our children are key to resolving the environmental issues created by his generation. Continued from page 1 There are an estimated 90,000 children in England &, Wales who are sitting in a school classroom today while their mum or dad is in prison. Some of those mums and dads have prayed the same Stations of the Cross text in the chapel of their prison. Some have yet to turn back to their faith, or to discover it for the first time, and some may never do so. All are made in the image of God and their human dignity is entrusted to the whole Christian community. As Pope Francis says in Fratelli Tutti, `... a community can be rebuilt by men and women who identify with the vulnerability of others, who reject the creation of a society of exclusion, and act instead as neighbours, lifting up and rehabilitating the fallen for the sake of the common good.` As we say at Pact, everyone can be redeemed whatever they may have done. If the Stations of the Cross text speaks to you particularly, you might consider becoming one of our Pact Parish representatives helping us to keep those affected by the criminal justice system in the hearts and minds of people in your parish. Theresa Alessandro
Read in full
Page 5
working on a 2nd edition, because a great deal of new material regarding her family, the Chevignards, has just been made available, so that’,s what I’,m doing at present.’, And then? ‘,Who knows? I’,ve always worked on one book at a time, with something else in the pipeline to do next, so I don’,t get that empty feeling when a book has been completed. It might not be another book, but an article, maybe. I hope, though, that I’,ll still be writing while I can.’, The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 5. John Paul II Awards: ‘,Finding that thing that sets your soul on fi, re’, Working through lockdown 71 young people from Hexham and Newcastle diocesan schools and parishes gathered with their family, friends, teachers and award leaders at the Hilton Hotel Gateshead recently to receive and to celebrate their Pope John Paul II Awards. During the difficult period of Covid restrictions in both school and parish, they had dug deep and found the creativity and commitment to witness to their faith and serve others, writes Mary Hughes. In her keynote address, Mary Madziva, Retreat Development and Outreach Coordinator for YMT and Chair of the Catholic Student Network, affirmed the awardees for their inspiring involvement and suggested they were ‘,half a step closer to finding that thing that sets your soul on fire’,. Mary encouraged the young people to recognise that God had not called them to be Greta Thunberg, Martin Luther King or Mother Teresa. He had called them to be themselves ‘,perfectly positioned in this place and time for a reason’,. She challenged them to become all that God has created them to be ‘,in the midst of today’,s world which so desperately needs protagonists and changemakers’,. Or as Pope Francis said in ‘,Christus Vivit’,, ‘,Dear young people, please, do not be bystanders in life! Get involved’,. Mary Madziva presented the young people with their well-deserved medals and Fr Dermott Donnelly, Director of Youth Services, presented the certificates. YMT invites all young people aged 16-18 to participate in the Pope John Paul II Award. For further information contact Tony Joy, Coordinator of the Award on tony.joy@ymt.org diocesehn.org.uk As Pope Francis said in ‘,Christus Vivit’,, ‘,Dear young people, please, do not be bystanders in life! Get involved’, ‘,I enjoyed a few weeks of welcome rest when Covid-19 first hit’,, she said, ‘,enjoying the gorgeous view of the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside from our house and listening to Mozart. I had thought that my book ‘,When Silence Speaks’,, a biography of the French mystic, Elisabeth Leseur, which was published in 2019 would be my last, but then I felt the urge to start writing again. I began working on a biography of Guite, Marguerite Chevignard, the sister of St Elizabeth of the Trinity, which was published last November, entitled ‘,The Simplicity of Love’,. ‘,Elizabeth of the Trinity has been my favourite spiritual writer for many years. A CTS booklet on her was my first published work and resulted in my writing a whole series of booklets for the CTS. I then wrote my first full- length book on her, entitled ‘,He is my Heaven’,, which really sparked off my writing career. As a convert, with so many negative stories about the Church in the secular media, I wanted to show my happiness in the richness, beauty and fulfilment I’,ve found in my faith. And what better way to show it than in the lives of those who lived it to the full, the saints!’, There’,s one title that’,s different from all the other books on various saints: ‘,A Catholic Response to the Jehovah’,s Witnesses’,. How did you come to write that? ‘,My husband and I have had many discussions with and visits from Jehovah’,s Witnesses over the years. I found it helped deepen my faith to have it challenged, after a visit from the Witnesses I would think about why I didn’,t agree with them from my Catholic perspective. I was also very saddened that many of the Witnesses said they were former Catholics. Then, Catholics friends said they wouldn’,t speak to the Witnesses because they wouldn’,t know how to answer them. ‘,So I wrote this book to discuss various JW beliefs and to give responses for Catholics to use. In the process, too, I hope that it would give them confidence in their faith and to see how much richer, more beautiful and satisfying it is –, and true!’, During the lockdowns Jennifer, a parishioner at St Bride’,s Church in Saundersfoot, managed to republish three of her books and write three more. Having celebrated her eightieth birthday last October, is she ready to lay down her pen? ‘,Not at all. I’,ve just finished writing my third book about St Teresa of Los Andes, the first native Chilean saint and the first Carmelite saint of the Americas. Then I’,m having to turn back to my biography on Guite. The first print run of that has already sold out. I’,m now The lockdown was very difficult for countless people, but for some it was an opportunity for new challenges. This proved true for Catholic writer, Jennifer Moorcroft. Knights gift to Our Lady’,s Pupils and staff from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary school in Widnes were the beneficiaries of a substantial donation from the Knights of St Columba to help them develop further facilities at the school. Deputy Head, Mrs Helena Donnelly said, ‘,A huge thank you to the Knights of St Columba for their very generous donation of £,1000 to help us here at Our Lady`s develop our school grounds to facilitate more learning outside of the classroom. We intend to rewild some of the grounds as well as grow our own produce and design a sensory garden. The money will help us to do this and we are very grateful.’, liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Priest serving in London parish appointed bishop in Kenya Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor John Mbinda C.S.Sp. as Bishop of the Diocese of Lodwar in Kenya. Monsignor Mbinda, former Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in Kenya and South Sudan, has been serving as an assistant priest at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward in Chiswick, west London. Prior to this, he served at St Chad’,s Church in South Norwood –, a Spiritan parish in the Archdiocese of Southwark. CBCEW
Read in full
Page 6
Page 6. The Catholic Post. May 2022. Vocations Sunday 8th May 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. Pray for vocations Fr Lim’,s story The priests I encountered, at school and beyond, were very happy …, I started thinking that maybe I could be happy as a priest as well.’, When I was 11, I left my home in Leicester to return to Cameroon, where I was born, to begin secondary school. It was a boarding school for those who wanted to become priests. But I did not want to be a priest, it had never crossed my mind. I, like many others, was sent to that school because its students produced very good results after the Year 11 exams. But God has creative ways of drawing people to him. Our daily timetable had a lot of prayer in it - which I resented at first - but over the years I grew to look forward to the time I would spend in church. God also used my love for reading to teach me about the saints, and how they were extremely happy trying to follow God’,s plan for their lives. I noticed that the priests I encountered, at school and beyond, were very happy. It also helped that around that time, many local priests were celebrating significant anniversaries, and I still vividly remember the beautiful homilies from those Masses on the priesthood. Eventually, when I was 14, I started thinking that maybe I could be happy as a priest as well, and maybe I could do the same things I had read about. But that was not the end of my vocation journey. Since then, God has led me to many other places I didn’,t expect to go to. I returned to England sooner than I expected, then applied for seminary and was surprised to hear that the first year of my training was going to be in Spain. Over the next six years I would get great joy from working in schools, prisons, and even on ships. And I was ordained in December 2020, in-between two lockdowns. My advice to anyone discerning the priesthood is to remember that God is in control. He needs our cooperation, yes, but he’,s the one who calls us in the first place. He has a plan. He knows where he’,s leading us, and if we are open to where he wants to take us, then we’,ll find ourselves on a wonderful adventure. Online event celebrating Our Lady of Hartley The parish of St Francis de Sales at Hartley in Kent, with its unusual and beautiful thatched church, is hosting an online pilgrim event at 3.30pm on Saturday 1 May to mark 100 years since Benedict XV recognised the new title of `Our Lady of Hartley` and encouraged prayer to Mary under that name. The parish owes its existence to Miss Beatrice Davis-Cooke, member of an aristocratic family directly descended from the Plantagenet King Edward III, father of the Black Prince. Legend has it that she visited Bishop Amigo in 1912 saying that she was resolved to do something to spread the Faith in the rural areas. Spotting a vacant area on a map showing the locations of parishes, she announced, ",I shall try there,", and left the bishop rather uncertain about what had just happened. Estates around the village had been divided into small plots for sale to city dwellers wanting to try a rural lifestyle. Beatrice bought one holding that contained a farmhouse and outbuildings including a thatched barn, some 400 years old at that time, and adapted it to serve as an oratory within the Northfleet parish. For many years from its opening in 1913 priests such as Mgr Ronald Knox came from London to celebrate Mass, and it was later served by the Carmelites for many decades. A shrine to Our Lady was created to house a statue that was a contemporary copy of an ancient and miraculous Flemish carving. Reports of favours soon also emerged from visitors to Hartley. Miss Davies-Cooke`s many society friends included the Italian-born second wife of Lord Cadogan, recently retired Viceroy of Ireland, who mingled in diplomatic circles when visiting Rome. Lady Cadogan`s accounts of developments at Hartley attracted the Pope`s attention and he continued to ask for news. He was horrified by the scourge of the First World War and warmly appreciated the fact that Hartley had become a haven for dozens of refugees from Europe, who worshipped at the Oratory alongside German prisoners. His grant of the new Marian title was a testament to his satisfaction with the mission and to further enhance its development he attached a plenary indulgence to gained by those who visit the shrine and pray for peace among the Princes of Europe. This gives it the status of a Major Marian Shrine, alongside others that are far better known. Thanks to Covid, there will be very few in the congregation, but the May 1 celebration will be livestreamed to the parish which can be found by typing `St Francis DeSales Catholic Church, Hartley` into YouTube. It will include prayers and hymns, along with a talk by the Shrine Pilgrimage Secretary, Phil Kerton, about its history and another by Dr Anne Inman entitled: ",Praying the Hail Mary: how to honour Mary, without diminishing her humanity",. It concludes with half an hour`s Eucharistic Adoration, followed by the 5.30pm Sunday Vigil Mass. Phil Kerton A shrine to Our Lady was created to house a statue that was a contemporary copy of an ancient and miraculous Flemish carvin ICN
Read in full
Page 7
The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 7. Promoting the Holy Rosary in the U.K. &, throughout the world to bring hope, comfort and peace to the marginalised, the oppressed and the imprisoned, enabling wounded hearts to find healing and shattered lives to find breath and space to renew. Supporting priests and chaplains in their ministry, outreach and welfare. Response from parish priests: “,The rosary cards that you sent me have had a tremendous effect on the devotion and prayer life of the parish.”, www.crownofthorns.org.uk email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk Phone: 01342 870472 Registered charity no: 1042751 Crown of Thorns Mission of Hope Shock and Condemnation As war between Russia and Ukraine entered its 39th day with no signs of de-escalation, on Sunday, Churches and Christians in Britain and Ireland gathered again in ecumenical prayer for peace and for all those affected by the conflict. The main demonstration was held in London in front of the Ukrainian Embassy. The event was attended, amongst others, by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family, who had also participated in another prayer gathering led in Trafalgar Square, on March 5, by Archbishop Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Kingdom. News of atrocites in Bucha It took place as news began to seep out about mass executions of civilians allegedly committed by Russian troops in the Kyiv suburb town of Bucha. Images reported by various media outlets, after Bucha was retaken by Ukrainians forces, showed a mass grave with hundreds of corpses and a number of dead civilians lying in the streets –, some with their hands tied –, who appeared to have been shot dead at close range. Shock and condemnation The news has sparked shock and worldwide condemnation, and is likely to lead to more sanctions against Russia, who denies the Ukrainian allegations. The World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed abhorrence at these reported atrocities, and called for full investigation. “,War is a context inherently conducive to such brutality, which underlines the need for systems of legal accountability to prosecute perpetrators, in order to curb the worst in humanity,”, said Sauca. Archbishop Shevchuk Commenting on the news, the Major Archbishop Svjatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev remarked that Europe only saw such scenes in the liberation from the Nazi. “,Today Ukraine is seeing this, and it is very important that the whole world sees and hears it”,, he said. cbcew Russia is presently under the scrutiny of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following an application filed by Ukraine on February 26. On March 16, 2022, the ICJ ordered Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in the country. Literally a few tens of kilometers from the centre of Kyiv, in the liberated towns, we see horrific war crimes. Mass graves with hundreds of lifeless bodies. Executed people lying in the streets, sometimes with tied hands. Naked bodies of women which they did not have time to burn. “,The very fact of being able to see the Russian army trying to take looted property out of Ukraine by the truckloads is heart-breaking”,, he added. In his daily video message from Kyiv, the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine also, once again, expressed his gratitude to all those who are praying with Ukrainians in different parts of the globe. He especially thanked the Association of Marian Shrines of Europe who, last week, sent a strongly worded letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin condemning the war and asking him to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine. Pope Francis ‘,willing to do whatever needs to be done’, All along his Apostolic Journey to Malta from 2-3 April, Pope Francis too reiterated his heartfelt call for an immediate end of the war which he once again termed as “,sacrilegious”,. At the press conference during his flight back to Rome he was asked about the feasibility of him visiting Kyiv, also in light of the latest developments. Pope Francis replied that he was “,willing to do whatever needs to be done”,, stating that war is always “,inhuman”, and an expression of what he called “,the spirit of Cain”,. For all who are disturbed by world events Are you at home with ten minutes to spare? Stuck in traffic? Do you wish to do something dramatic towards achieving peace in the world, protecting those hurt and displaced by wars that are not of their making? Pray the Rosary. The words of Sr. Lucia of Fatima echo the excellence of this devotion, “,There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”, Our Lady said: “,I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the rosary every day.”, She was gentle and encouraging: “,Don`t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.", When Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego at Guadalupe, she consoled his fears also, “,Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear sickness or anguish. Am I not here who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”, By praying even just one decade of the rosary each day, maybe using scriptural texts, we can make a difference to world events. Turn off the news, and join us in praying for peace. Mother of God, Mary most Holy, our refuge in every need, turn your eyes to us in our distress. Dangers surround us, in your love deliver us, O Virgin enthroned in Glory! (Prayer based on third or fourth century AD ‘,Rylands papyrus’, the earliest known reference to Mary entitled ‘,Mother of God’,.) www.crownofthorns.org.uk
Read in full
Page 8
For all your advertising requirements please contact Natasha on 01440 730399 Natasha@cathcom.org Page 8. The Catholic Post. May 2022. YOUR PEST, OUR PROBLEM. Free to a good home. Post free! Pro-life novellas (in English, 60 pages or less): entertaining, intelligent, literary, romantic &, poetic –, with an urgent social message. Building the culture of life. “,I know one thing you can do,”, said Percival brightly into the darkness. “,You can let me marry you, and I can be a Dad for your child.”, - from MUSIC FOR MEENAKSHI. Stories where you are invited to dialogue with the author. To enjoy, and then pass on to a friend –, or to your M.P. or other political representative. For a sample copy contact Joseph.Biddulph@gmail.com or J. Biddulph, 32 Stryd Ebeneser, Pontypridd CF37 5PB. Letters to the Editor All correspondence to Letters to the Editor to be sent by e-mail to johnclwson@icloud.com and must give a contact name and place of residence. Anonymous correspondence will not be considered for publication. Dear Editor I used to enjoy The Universe and missed it when it stopped. I tried the Herald but it is too high brow for me. I like a newsy newspaper and the Catholic Post is great. Good luck in your endeavour and please accept my subscription Brendan Moore, London Dear Editor, I read with interest the comment (letters to the editor April 2022) by Joseph Biddulph that the Catholic Post should avoid middle class preoccupations such as the environment. While I agree with his point that it is part of our duty as Catholics to speak truth to power about inequality, he may have missed an important point that makes it vital we be concerned with environmental matters. Where there is economic and social injustice there, sadly, is all too often to be found environmental injustice too. This can be seen in rich Western countries exporting hazardous waste to those in the developing world and closer to home in green spaces that are valued by disadvantaged communities where people do not have access to back gardens being gobbled up by developers. Therefore, we cannot fully stand in the corner of the disadvantaged and dispossessed if we do not seek to protect the environment. If the climate crisis gets worse, as the UN predict it will, then doing so will not be a class issue, it will be one of survival. Adam Colclough, Stoke on Trent Dear Editor I have really enjoyed reading The Catholic Post but would prefer it in a digital format so I can read it on my phone or laptop. Please can you advise if this is available? How would my Par - ish sign up for this format in addition to the hard copies. Thanks for providing a National monthly paper, it is great to have a national publication available at this time. Natalie E, London Dear Editor A GP in Wexford, Ireland has said it is an “,absolute scandal”, that GPs are paid almost double for administering an abortion compared to management of pregnancy. She says that GPs are only paid €,250 for managing pregnancies compared to €,450 for the administration of abortion. I cannot confirm or otherwise but it seems that in ROE Pregnancy termination is far more highly paid than antenatal care.If so it is an absolute scandal and so desperately sad that doctors are being given a financial incentive to end life as opposed to maintaining it. Pam Wilson Birmingham Dear editor Fr Neil McNicholas, in his article in the April edition, mentions that he was unable to trace the origin of “,age of reason”,. I seem to remember that it was St Pius X. He was often talked about in my family as we have a Perpetual Blessing from him. My great grandfather had written to St Pius X pleading for him to ask Our Lord to spare the life of their remaining son. Richard had tuberculosis, he lived a year to the day Our Holy Father’,s reply arrived. Richard was nineteen and had been interviewed to be a Trappist Monk. Marcella, Stratford upon Avon Dear Editor Do not worry about the Synod. 24 years ago, and smugly assuming that their views were the consensus, members of the WASP elite on at least three continents invoked their nth generation club rights to demand that their church change to suit their specifications. They are still screeching abuse at the insolent colonials who were having none of it. Such Baby Boomers were then in their pomp rather than in their early dotage, and Western Europe, North America and the Antipodes had yet to feel the full effects of mass immigration from outside each other. When their sociologically indistinguishable Catholic contemporaries from the same regions and from the whitest parts of Latin America, including Argentina, have the same experience, then they will have it from a far weaker position at home no less than abroad. They are already reduced to a sort of self- parody, substituting the Christologically less comprehensive Apostles’, Creed for the Nicene Creed at Mass, clinging to the Jerusalem Bible even after having been forced to accept an accurate translation of the Liturgy, insisting on keeping Corpus Christi on the following Sunday when even Anglicans keep it on the right day, and so on. Meanwhile, the Western world is crying out for fidelity to the Magisterium, and is increasingly discovering it, only to be confronted instead with a “,cultural Catholicism”, that has little culture and no Catholicism. But should the Synod ever meet, and the Pope is already 85, then it would roar that fidelity from most of the world, as if the very questions from the old, rich, white people were silly and bewildering. On that basis, it would then get on with discussing the things that really mattered, whether the living links to the last days of Empire and of Jim Crow liked it or not. David Lindsay, County Durham Dear Editor I am writing on behalf my parish priest the front cover in the top left corner of your newspaper states ",FREE", in large and highlighted font But underneath ",please donate £,1 to support your parish",. This has caused some confusion here Might the publishers consider deleting the word ",FREE",? I want our parish to continue with Catholic Post But to make it effective Like many churches we have to be careful of our expenses. Thank you for the efforts to start The Catholic Post, we wish to support your efforts and pray for its success` Roger, Essex Dear Editor My daughter told me she was organising 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. My daughter is married and has four daughters under eleven years old, she works from home full time. She asked her bosses who are based in the US to help pay for the transport they gave her a thousand dollars so she planned paying the remainder £,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 donations in the parish newsletter. I also emailed friends and put it on 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 production line with her parishioners sorting into boxes all the various items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, 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 My daughters 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. Friends and employees donations were 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, Ripley
Read in full
Page 9
The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 9. Eric Doyle OFM: Hidden Architect of the Retrieval of the Franciscan Charism Few books arrest and liberate in equal measure. Just as St. Francis expressed his theology of creation in song, this scholarly yet lyrical study of Eric Doyle OFM attests to the prophetic-poetic power of both his life and thought. Essential reading for anyone interested in Franciscan thinking, Vatican II and the Ecological turn, Brenda Abbott fathoms the depth of Doyle’,s genius and scopes the cosmic reach of his extraordinary intellect. Professor Anthony Towey, St Mary’,s University, London . This new publishing company is providing books on Franciscan theology and spirituality, continuing the tradition of the charism in the UK. Promotion Code: Francis10 Please visit : www.franciscanpublishing.com Creativity Collaboratives St Bernard’,s RC Primary School and Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) have been chosen as the lead organisations in the North West as part of a new initiative which supports creativity in schools. Following a report by Durham University, teaching for creativity in schools should be prioritised in order to equip young people with the skills they need in later life. Last year, Arts Council England announced funding of £,2,780,000 to build a network of schools that will test a range of innovative approaches to teaching for creativity. The networks will trial varied methods of teaching that help children and young people to develop their creative capabilities and evaluate their effectiveness. The pilot will run until July 2024, testing out teaching approaches and curriculum development which can then be applied more widely throughout the education system. St Bernard’,s, which is situated on Sherbourne Road, Ellesmere Port, has been selected as one of eight schools nationally to lead the programme. All four schools from HFCMAT will be taking part in the project along with eight others from across the region. The network of schools will be known as ‘,Creativity Collaboratives’,, with St Bernard’,s naming its project group ‘,C-Change’,. The C-Change project was recently launched to schools and partners on Zoom, detailing the purpose and importance of the Creativity Collaboratives. Emily Reid, assistant headteacher at St Bernard’,s, together with Andy Moor, CEO of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT), talked passionately about how the project will work. Professor Bill Lucas from the University of Winchester and Professor Louise Stoll from University College London also made guest appearances and spoke about why creativity matters in education. Emily Reid will be the project lead for C- Change. She said: “,St Bernard’,s and HFCMAT are extremely proud to lead on this national programme. Creativity has been at the heart of our work for many years. It is integral to our curriculum, which serves our communities and enables our children to become lifelong learners. As a collaborative we will be able to further develop pedagogy and practice around teaching for creativity, so that our children can thrive in the future.”, C-Change will work alongside existing school structures, teachers and educators around the region to co-develop creative strategy and pedagogy, test out approaches to teaching and learning, and evaluate their impact on pupils, schools and communities. The first stage of the project will take place in the summer and schools will conduct research around the conditions needed to foster a culture of curiosity and creativity. In September, there will be a C-Change conference where the research findings are explored. Any primary schools which are interested in being part of the programme should contact creativity@stbernards.cheshire.sch.uk. More updates can be found on Twitter: atCChangeNW dioceseofshrewsbury.org As a collaborative we will be able to further develop pedagogy and practice around teaching for creativity, so that our children can thrive in the future FRANK GOULDING Sadly in much of Ukraine the spring flowers were rather lost to bombs, bullets and human tragedy as war returned to Europe March this year brought us some beautiful da ff, odils 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. New Publishing Venture Continues the Franciscan Tradition The closure of the Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury in 2017 marked the end of the availability of dedicated Franciscan resources in the British Isles. Founded in 1973, it had provided for the post-Vatican II style of training, and awarded degrees in collaboration with the University of Kent. Its library of 40,000 books, the biggest Franciscan library in Europe, collected over the course of two centuries, was broken up. The core 4,000 volumes, which constitute a unique ‘,Franciscan Collection’,, is now housed at St Mary’,s University, London. The loss of a resource for books on Franciscan history, spirituality and theology left a great void, one which the new Franciscan Publishing Company is hoping to fill gradually. St Francis lived in a vast universal friary, where every part of creation was his brother or sister who spoke to him of God’,s infinite goodness. It is clear why Pope John Paul II declared him patron saint of the environment, and why Pope Francis referred to St Francis’, Canticle of Brother Sun in his encyclical Laudato si. Writing about the issue of environmental justice fifty years ago, Eric Doyle OFM, eminent Franciscan theologian who taught in Canterbury, highlighted the perennial relevance of St Francis for us today. He wrote: Any effort to prevent further environmental carnage on the sole grounds that we humans are in danger of extinction, without asking ourselves at the same time why it is that nature in itself should be respected and revered, is only a new brand of the very selfishness which has brought us to our present unhappy condition. (‘,Ecology and the Canticle of Brother Sun’, in New Blackfriars 55.9, Sept. 1974, p.393). It is fitting that Franciscan resources be made available on these shores once again, for it is England that has produced so many of the great Franciscan scholars over the course of the last eight hundred years since the arrival of the first Friars in September 1224. Further information is available at: www.franciscanpublishing.com.
Read in full
Page 10
Page 10. The Catholic Post. May 2022. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Holy See Secretary of State, celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome to commemorate 40 years of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom. Concelebrating were Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, President and Vice President of the Bishops’, Conference of England and Wales respectively. His Excellency Chris Trott, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, addressed the congregation spelling out the importance of the collaboration between the Holy See and the UK. Ambasssador Trott’,s Address Thank you for joining us this morning to mark the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of full ambassadorial level diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. I am very grateful to His Eminence Cardinal Parolin for officiating this morning, and to all our concelebrants, including Cardinal Nichols and Cardinal Brady and those who are visiting from the UK and Ireland. I also want to thank Cardinal Harvey and the Monks of the Abbey of St Paul’,s, the rector and vice rector of the Pontifical Beda College for their support for today’,s event. And our guests for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here. Of course the history of the diplomatic relationship between the Holy See and the different parts of the United Kingdom dates back much further than the last century. As the presence today of the rectors of the different colleges attests. In fact, the first (English) Ambassador to the Holy See was John Sherwood, later Bishop of Durham, who was appointed in 1479 by King Edward IV to Pope Sixtus IV. He served three Kings, in a relationship with three different Popes, before dying here in Rome in 1494 and he was followed by at least three or four other Ambassadors until relations were broken on the death of Queen Mary in 1558. Going even further back there are records of at least two pre-Norman Kings of England who came to Rome for blessings from the then Pope –, Alfred the Great, as a ten year old in 854 from Leo IV, and Cnut in 1027 from John XIX. From the Scottish court, one of the most famous missions to Rome was to Boniface VII in 1301, possibly lead by William Wallace although no one seems sure whether he got all the way here personally. It is entirely appropriate that we are today celebrating our relationship here, at the Basilica of St Paul’,s Outside the Walls –, one of the four great Papal Basilicas and with deep historical associations with the United Kingdom that go back centuries. The English King Henry VIII was an honorary canon here, and St Paul’,s is known as the Papal Basilica that above all others celebrates ecumenism and the relationships across the Christian faith. After the Reformation, relations began to thaw in the 19th century, as Europe sought to rebuild following the Napoleonic wars. It wasn’,t until 1914 that the United Kingdom restored its legation to the Holy See, at that time headed by a Minister. And then in 1982, an agreement was reached to upgrade the UK legation to a full embassy and on 1 April the British Ambassador Sir Mark Heath presented his credentials to St. John Paul II. At the same time, the Holy See’,s Apostolic Delegate to Britain, Archbishop Bruno Heim, was made the first Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Court of Saint James’,s. May I quote St John Paul II’,s words to Sir Mark Heath, to explain the significance of this historic moment:“,It serves as a sign of the understanding and good will which characterise our diplomatic ties, and it affords a basis for expecting still closer collaboration in the future.”, 1982 marked also St John Paul II’,s pastoral visit to Britain, the first time that a Pope had visited Britain. Twelve years ago Pope Benedict XVI paid an historic State visit to the United Kingdom, in September 2010. Her Majesty the Queen has met five different popes. Her first visit was over seventy years ago when she met Pius XII in 1951 when still Princess Elizabeth. And then of course she met John XXIII, followed by two state visits to John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI was received by Her Majesty on his State Visit in 2010 and Her Majesty then visited Pope Francis when she was last in Rome. Our collaboration today is ever more important in this interconnected world where it is critical to work together to promote peace, defend human rights, tackle global problems like climate change, modern slavery and all forms of trafficking, and to realise our shared ambition of the sustainable development goals. I mention achieving our joint ambitions, and a recent example of our work together was the Appeal Faith and Science: Towards COP26 signed by Pope Francis with other Faith Leaders from around the world and then UK and Holy See celebrate 40th anniversary of full diplomatic relations presented by the Pope to the COP President. This was the culmination of more than a year’,s careful work between our Embassy, the Holy See and the Italian Embassy. The outcome was hugely impactful, influencing the leaders at COP26 but also the creating a great commitment to protecting the environment on the part of the faith leaders themselves. As we start our fifth decade of diplomatic relations, I am very pleased that we are physically demonstrating the importance we place on our relationship by moving our Embassy, and the Ambassador’,s Residence, much closer to the Vatican. Just a cricket ball’,s throw from Saint Peter’,s Square. This relocation will enable even better co-operation cbcew.org.uk and collaboration on our shared values and interests. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting war and human suffering unseen in Europe since the Second World War, shows us that our joint endeavours are ever more important today. We welcome the opportunity to continue to work together on the resolution of the conflict, the humanitarian impact of the crisis in Ukraine, and then hopefully, before long, on the rebuilding of that beautiful country. I thank you all for your attendance here today and look forward to seeing what else we can achieve together. Her Majesty the Queen has met five different popes. Her first visit was over seventy years ago when she met Pius XII in 1951 when still Princess Elizabeth. HE Chris Trott, British Ambassador to the Holy See St Isidore, Patron Saint of the Internet Diocese of Portsmouth Last month on 4th April, it was the optional Memorial –, in Lent a ‘,commemoration’, –, of St. Isidore of Seville (560 - 636). Isidore was born in Seville in 560 and was educated by his elder brother, who was a demanding and strict teacher. Eventually however he came to love learning and spent his life trying to learn more about God and His creation. His brother became the Bishop of Seville but after his death Isidore succeeded him and led the flock for 37 years. His knowledge of many subjects was truly encyclopaedic and people were astonished by his detailed explanations of subjects ranging from Church doctrine to medicine and music. As the Bishop of Seville he reconciled many Arian heretics to the Catholic faith, founded schools and developed a rule of life for monks. At the end of his life, he gave away his possessions to the poor and spent many hours in church begging God for forgiveness and the people for his past sins. He was named a Doctor at the Church in 1722 and for his encyclopaedic knowledge was named the Patron of the Internet by Pope St. John Paul II. Spent his life trying to learn more about God and His creation
Read in full
Page 11
This book is a study of a significant nexus in contemporary Catholic thought that has not had the attention that it deserves and is particularly relevant to the Modern Church, especially in relation to Vatican II. It is a portrayal of Ratzinger’,s discerning grasp of Vatican II Mariology and ecclesiology as a peritus of note during the Council’,s sessions. Fr Onuoha lucidly sets out Ratzinger’,s understanding of Marian theology as key to the Church’,s self-understanding, which was the primary burden of Vatican II and still of the contemporary Church. Cardinal Vincent Nichols: ",This book is an invitation to reflect deeply on the role of Mary in the mystery of our salvation.", Lucius Iwejuru, Bishop of Umuahia and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese (Nigeria): ",Rev Fr Martin Onuoha offers in this thoughtful and thought-provoking work a serious and comprehensive exposition of the theology of Joseph Ratzinger. Well researched, captivating in content and beautifully written, this book represents an important and rich contribution to Mariology and Ecclesiology.", Dr Robert Fastiggi (Sacred Heart Major Seminary, USA): ",Fr Onuoha helps us understand how central Mary is to the theological vision of Joseph Ratzinger. This is a vision that is Christocentric, liturgical, and contemplative with Mary as the supreme model for all the faithful - men as well as women.", An original study of the Marian discourses of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI). It evinces Benedict’,s ability to open new horizons in inherited teaching and new ways of understand it within the parameters of orthodox theology. This is particularly true in his theological understanding of Mary and the relationship of her to the Church. Fr Onuoha gives a succinct introduction to this Mariology, guiding us through biblical theology, Patristics, history of dogma, Christian anthropology, and some contemporary developments in Marian studies. Cardinal Vincent Nichols: “,This book is thorough, thoughtful, well researched and speaks to both heart and mind, for Mary is held in love by every disciple. Its reflection of the ‘,yes’, of Mary is a key to understanding how she leads us, constantly, in our life of faith. Congratulations to Fr Martin Onuoha.”, Lucius Iwejuru, Bishop of Umuahia and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese (Nigeria): ",A welcome introduction to the Mariology of Joseph Ratzinger, this work is profound in content, elegant in style and exciting in its originality. The logic of its 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 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 Post. May 2022. Page 11. Book Reviews Book Reviews A Lenten Camino Sr Janet Fearns FMDM ISBN NO: 9780852316085 £,5.95 - www.rpbooks.co.uk Double Celebration for Maryvale Academic Rev Dr Martin Onuoha 20th Anniversary of Ordination Publication of 2 Books Warmest congratulations from all at the institute to Maryvale Academic, Rev Dr Martin Onuoha, on the publication of both of his new publications and the 20th anniversary of his ordination. Marking the 20th year of his becoming a priest, Fr Martin has written two remarkable studies on the Mariology of Joseph Ratzinger (Benendict XVI), both published by Peter Lang UK on 31st December 2021. Mary, Daughter of Zion An Introduction to the Mariology of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) ISBN-13 978-1800793859 £,18.71 - amazon.co.uk arguments is compelling and convincing. Its language is lucid and intelligible.", Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury: ",All of us who have benefitted from the theological work of Joseph Ratzinger and the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI will welcome Fr Martin Onuoha`s exploration of his Mariology in all its depth and beauty. We are indebted to Fr Onuoha for bringing together and into focus the reflections of a theologian who became a pope and whose teaching will surely be an enduring legacy for the Church.", Professor Antonio Ducay (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy): ",I have known Dr Onuoha since 2006. I have supervised both his Master`s and Doctoral theses. I am not surprised that he is doing significant work in the academic field. Dr Onuoha not only masters profoundly Joseph Ratzinger`s though, but also draws from it broad conclusions to illuminate different areas of theology, history and law. His book is certainly worthwhile.", Actio Divina The Marian Mystery of the Church in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) ISBN-13 978-1800793972 £,34.98 - amazon.co.uk Professor Tracey Rowland (University of Notre Dame, Australia): ",Fr Onuoha`s presentation of the Marian mystery in the theology of Joseph Ratzinger and its significance for the resolution of the ecclesial crisis of our era is likely to become a classic work in the fields of Mariology, ecclesiology and Ratzinger studies.", Rev Dr Onuoha has been a lecturer, tutor and examiner to the Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Divinity students at Maryale since 2013. In 2014, with the approval of Faculte Notre-Dame, Paris, who oversee Maryvale’,s Pontifical status, he was appointed to the dogmatic theology faculty of the institute as one of the HIRS (Higher Institute of Religious Sciences) Council Permanent Faculty. He lectures mainly in Mariology, Ecclesiology, Creation Fall and Redemption, while assisting in other areas of theology. Fr Martin also combines his academic responsibilities with looking after the parishes of Our Lady and the Apostles, St Ambrose and St Vincent in Stockport. The Pastoral Outreach Series Life does not always go to plan and our faith in God does not protect us from hardships and sorrows. The Pastoral Outreach Series tackles many of these trials that we might face. Each book is a practical and thoughtful companion for those experiencing challenges and great for those trying to support them, whether priests, pastoral workers, teachers, friends or family. 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. 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. The Pastoral Outreach Series are available from www.rpbooks.co.uk
Read in full
Page 12
Page 12. The Catholic Post. May 2022. Willie Slavin MBE Parish Matters Catholic charity unveils new national director The UK office of a charity helping persecuted and other suffering Christians has announced the appointment of its new chief executive. Dr Caroline Hull has taken over from Neville Kyrke-Smith as national director of the British section of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Dr Hull, who is currently ACN (UK)’,s Head of Community Outreach, assumed the post this Easter, as Mr Kyrke-Smith is retiring after more than three decades in the role –, during which time the amount of aid the charity provided for the suffering Church increased tenfold. Announcing the appointment, the chair of ACN (UK)’,s board of Trustees, Graham Hutton, said that during an intense recruitment process Dr Hull had emerged as the strongest candidate, beating more than 30 external applicants for the post. He said: “,Caroline has a zeal and dedication for our work which, together with her deep knowledge of the charity, makes her ideally fitted to continue Neville’,s good work.”, Dr Hull, who holds a doctorate in the history of medieval art, joined ACN in 2014 as manager of the charity’,s expanding North West operations, having previously worked as the Assistant to the Dean at Lancaster Cathedral. Under her leadership, the North West team supported ACN’,s 30,000 existing benefactors in the region and oversaw parish appeals and workshops with local Catholic organisations and schools. Following the exodus of families from their homes on Iraq’,s Nineveh Plains in 2015, caused by extremist group Daesh (ISIS), Dr Hull met internal refugees being cared for by ACN’,s project partners. Her team organised a number of fund-raising events for displaced Christian families, including a 175-mile sponsored walk and an all- night vigil in support of Iraqi Christians at Holy Name Church, Manchester. In late 2019, she took on the new senior role of Head of Community Outreach, during which time she oversaw a number of pioneering projects. This included an online version of God Speaks to His Children, ACN’,s collection of Bible stories for younger readers, for which she enlisted bishops, clergy, teachers and TV personalities as readers. As well as congratulating Dr Hull on her new role, Mr Hutton also paid tribute to the outgoing national director. He said: “,Under Neville’,s guidance ACN has been transformed from a small, little-known charity to one which is now the prominent voice on behalf of suffering Christians everywhere, and one which gives vitally needed aid to thousands of projects around the world every year. “,On behalf of the board I would like to thank Neville for all that he has achieved and to wish Caroline well as she continues his great work, which we have every confidence she will do with great skill and commitment.”, With picture of Dr Caroline Hull speaking at Holy Name Church, Manchester (©, Simon Caldwell) acnuk.org Strongest candidate, beats more than 30 external applicants for the post Police guidance on sacramental access to crime scenes revised Revised national guidelines for the College of Policing will allow for sacramental access at crime scenes where operationally possible, following the conclusion of a working group set up in the aftermath of the murder of MP Sir David Amess. His murder in October 2021 raised a number of questions concerning the appropriate response to granting access to priests or other ministers of religion to crime scenes for homicide or traumatic violence where the victim remains in situ. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and Cardinal Vincent Nichols agreed to establish a joint group to consider this and whether any changes were required to police guidance. The group, led by Archbishop John Wilson for the Catholic Church and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Police, considered a wide range of perspectives. Fr Liam Bradley, a priest of the Diocese of Menevia and also Lead chaplain to Dyfed-Powys Police was also part of the working group. Guidance The group has developed new straightforward guidance, which has been published by the College of Policing as part of the Managing Investigations Authorised Professional Practice (APP). The new section, entitled ‘,Requests for third party access to a scene to attend a victim’, can be found at app.college.police.uk This Authorised Professional Practice update provides advice on balancing medical and investigative priorities and requirements, with empathy for the victim, their family and any religious needs. Archbishop John Wilson said: “,It has been a pleasure to work collaboratively with representatives of the Metropolitan Police Service, different regional Police Services, and the College of Policing, to enable a common position to be reached and implemented. “,As needed, this facilitates access at a crime scene, to someone who has received life- threating injuries in order that their religious needs might be met or their loved ones might give comfort. “,At a critical time, such spiritual and, or, family support can make all the difference for those for whom it is important. For Catholics, this means access by a priest who will be able to offer absolution, anointing and prayers of accompaniment –, often referred to as the Last Rites. We are very grateful for this.”, cbcew.org.uk It has been a pleasure to work collaboratively with representatives of the Metropolitan Police Service My previous contribution to these pages wondered what the whole Synod project was about as seen from the point of view of those of us who feel ourselves to be on the periphery. Something of great importance to the future of the Church is underway but how many of the faithful are involved? How many of the faithful know about it and, of those, how many wish to be involved? As a lay person with many decades of involvement in whatever parish I was a member, being a Catholic meant being involved, being active, being engaged. At various stages, membership of sodalities, organisations committed to helping others, prayer groups, joining retreats, all provided a formation that developed and sustained my faith as an adult. Looking back, I recall a more vibrant Church that seems to have now lost much of its vigour and self confidence. Mass attendance and the decline in vocations to the religious life, especially the priestly ministry, are the most visible signs of what appears to be a downward spiral of decline. Yet, as a retired headteacher with an undiminished commitment to Catholic education, I see evidence of the popularity and success of our Catholic schools. I see opportunities for lay teachers to advance their faith formation, I see students being inspired by the Social Doctrine of the Church and its commitment to justice at home and abroad and I see Catholic lay people taking on the demanding commitment of being school governors. I see many lay chaplains, people exemplifying faith in action and imbued with a burning faith, providing pastoral and spiritual care and guidance while accompanying young people on their faith journeys. I witness many examples of our young people learning how to apply the rejuvenated See, Judge, Act methodology (echoes of the Young Christian Worker movement and now favoured by Pope Francis) when confronting life’,s problems. The kind of Catholic school community I have just described has a clear sense of purpose that goes beyond the utilitarian ‘,exam factory’, model of schooling that many of our politicians crave. Its sense of purpose comes from the Church’,s proclaimed understanding of its own mission, as described in a recent Vatican document: “,The Church’,s educational proposal is not only addressed to her children, but also to “,all peoples [to promote] the complete perfection of the human person, the good of earthly society and the building of a world that is more human.”, The evidence I submit of the quality of our most committed schools bears witness to the development of the person, for the good of society and the building of a world that is more human. Interestingly, the exhortation from the Vatican text, is also aimed at “,all peoples”, and applies to the whole Church community, not just to schools. We clearly know how to do it in schools so why not in parishes? What is stopping us? Is there any reason why each parish community, mirroring the lay leadership in schools and not dependent upon our over stretched clergy, could not replicate this vision of continuing faith formation, inspire people of all ages to re- discover a fire in the belly faith by saving our churches from becoming mere sacramental distribution points and become beacons of Christian witness by feeding the hungry and giving refuge to the displaced. A Church that faces outwards with missionary eyes to find the Christ in the homeless, the poor, the prisoner. If in doubt, revisit Matthew 25:34-36.
Read in full
Page 13
The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 13. Our Global Community World Council of Churches expresses solidarity with Jerusalem church leaders as settlers occupy Petra Hotel Following the occupation of the historic Petra Hotel in East Jerusalem by members of a settler group, Patriarch Theophilos III and the heads of churches in Jerusalem are urging the Jerusalem police to act fairly and in accordance with their responsibilities. The premises concerned are owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and in a statement updated on 27 March, Patriarch Theophilos said that the ",act of trespassing", was done illegally. “,The actors did not have an eviction notice and therefore took law into their own hands and subsequently committed a criminal offense,", wrote Patriarch Theophilos. ",There are some reports that police have intentionally defended the radical group or turned a blind eye to the illegal activities of Ateret Cohanim at the Little Petra Hotel.", The Petra Hotel has been the subject of an 18- year legal battle between the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Ateret Cohanim, a settler group that pushes for increased Jewish presence in East Jerusalem neighbourhoods. The group`s act of moving into the hotel is extremely dangerous with regard to community relations, the Patriarch stressed. “,Acting in this illegally aggressive manner against a known Christian property and an Arab business-particularly ahead of Easter and Ramadan-could likely ignite local hostilities similar to what was witnessed last year in Sheikh Jarrah,", he wrote. ",In response to this illegal activity, local residents, business owners, The actors did not have an eviction notice and therefore took law into their own hands and subsequently committed a criminal offense Photo: Yusef Daher/WCC World Council of Churches Pope Francis apologises to Canada`s Indigenous Peoples and priests are demanding definitive action.", World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca expressed the international ecumenical movement`s firm solidarity with Patriarch Theophilos and the other local church leaders in preserving the Christian presence in Jerusalem. ",This action by Ateret Cohanim is yet another example of the threat by radical elements to the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Holy Land of which local church leaders have warned",, Sauca observed. Sauca recalled the assurance given by President Herzog of Israel to church leaders at Christmas 2021 that ",we will stand strong against any forms of racism, discrimination, or extremism, and we will reject any assault or threat on religious communities, leaders, or houses of worship.", ",As we approach Easter, Ramadan and Pessach-a confluence of sacred celebrations in 2022-may a spirit of justice and dignity pervade the Holy City and those who live, work, and pray there,", said Sauca. ",We call on local authorities to stand up for the protection of people who deserve to live in peace.", The WCC, he said ",calls for an end to impunity in Israel for such violations, for the police authorities to remove the illegal occupants from the Little Petra Hotel, and for them to be held accountable for the criminal offences they have committed.", He affirmed the ",WCC`s solidarity with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and with all the churches of the Holy Land in their resistance against such threats, attacks and illegal actions.", A member of the Assembly of First Nations delegation presents Pope Francis with snowshoes made from ashwood by elders from the Cree community in Quebec Pope Francis expressed his profound sorrow and shame and asked for pardon for the suffering inflicted by some members of the Catholic Church in his address to Canadian Indigenous delegations on Friday. He also spoke of his intention to visit Canada. Over the last few days, Pope Francis has been meeting with delegations from Canada`s First Nations, Inuit, and Mé,tis peoples, hearing their stories about life in the residential school system - a scheme for the forceable integration of indigenous children into Canadian culture by separating them from their families and communities and placing them in boarding schools. On Friday, Pope Francis met with all three delegations and said: ",For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for God`s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry. And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon.", He told those present that he had listened to their stories. By doing this, the Pope said, he was able to enter into and be deeply grieved by the stories of the suffering, hardship, discrimination and various forms of abuse that some of them experienced, particularly in the residential schools. ",It is chilling to think of determined efforts to instil a sense of inferiority, to rob people of their cultural identity, to sever their roots, and to consider all the personal and social effects that this continues to entail: unresolved traumas that have become intergenerational traumas,", he said. Pope Francis emphasised that what he had heard had made him feel both indignation and shame. The Pope ended with a blessing in English: ",God bless you all - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Pray for me, don`t forget! I`ll pray for you. Thank you very much for your visit.", ICN Pope Francis emphasised that what he had heard had made him feel both indignation and shame A special session at the 9th World Water Forum, organized by Caritas Senegal, Catholic Relief Services, and the Vatican’,s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, highlights the role of religion in assuring the right to safe drinking water for all. By Benedict Mayaki SJ –, Dakar, Senegal Catholic and Islamic leaders highlighted the efforts religions are making to combat global water challenges at a special session entitled “,Religions and the Right to Water for All”,, organized by various elements of the Caritas organisation. The Holy See’,s delegation to the 9th World Water Forum, took place on 21 –, 26 March in Dakar, Senegal, was led by Cardinal Michael Czerny, the interim Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Throughout the week, participants from various sectors—,including political and economic decision makers, as well as international agencies, academia, and the private sector met to collaborate on efforts to respond to global water challenges, in this largest international water-related event, the first to be held in sub-Saharan Africa. Water in religion and culture The first panel, dedicated to presenting the views of Islam, Senegalese culture, and the Church involved in e ff, orts to combat global water challenges vaticannews.va Water is a source of life but is also predominantly present in religious and traditional practice Bible on water was introduced by Bishop Jean- Pierre Basse ̀, ne of Kolda and President of Caritas Senegal. Presenting the Islamic perspective was Imam Ahmadou Makhtar Kante ́, , of Point-E Mosque, who explained that the right to everyone to water is born of good sense, which is not only limited to the Islamic religion but is for everyone. Mr. M. Noumo Mane, a PhD student of Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor, who spoke on Water in the spiritual traditions of Senegal, said that water is a source of life but is also predominantly present in religious and traditional practice. He highlighted the different uses of water: for the treatment of some illnesses, for the pouring of libation in traditional prayers to ancestors and for purification before ceremonial prayers. Essential element for life Professor Pedro Arrojo Agudo, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, highlighted the importance of basing the right to water on an ethical criterion of priorities, separating between water as an essential element for life, general community interest on water, and the use of water for economic development and growth. The special session was concluded with a word of acknowledgment by Anta Gueye-James, CRS Country Representative in Senegal.
Read in full
Page 14
Page 14. The Catholic Post. May 2022. 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 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 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 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) Volunteer opportunities with Friends of the Holy Land Br. Shimbo Pastory, C.S.Sp. - a member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans) originally from the Province of Tanzania, E.A. currently undertaking pastoral and mission work experience in the UK under the Spiritan British Province kindly submitted the poem above. Lentern Poem Shimbo Pastory This is the hour, Man’,s animosity at its peak Is cast on him who loved him most Evil it’,s will sturdy, blind, high Darkness savoured for light Death haggled for life A hate in turn for love That we be saved from same. For a token the traitor’,d give a peck God’,s worth petty, shameful coins Isolated thence thrice Till the cock cries He’,s alone, this man of peace Reduced, turned scene for sinners He’,s disgraced, though crowned Scourged, pierced, mocked By all, aliens, veterans and lads Priests, troops, dukes and crooks But, at this hallowed hour It is all finished The Carpenter is weak of art Nails on him fastened Torture in its zenith His anguish in its peak So also his mercy —, Lets off the wrongdoing This is the hour The glorious sundown The Good God gasps his last. The hour Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) are seeking a group of Pilgrimage Liaison Volunteers across the UK who can help them increase pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 80% of Christian families in Bethlehem and many others across the Holy Land are directly or indirectly dependent on pilgrims and tourists for their livelihoods. Those in the West Bank have been without income and any Government assistance since March 2020. FHL have a variety of roles to offer you, dependent on your interests, experience, skills, aptitude and available time. These include but are not limited to some research, telephone calls, face to face meetings and presentations. I f you would like to know more, please contact either Brendan, Jim or Peter at Friends of the Holy Land. Brendan Metcalfe, FHL Executive Director Tel: 07538 792400 or email: brendan.metcalfe@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk Jim Quinn, FHL Chair of Trustees Tel: 01299 851021 or email: jim.quinn@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk Peter Rand, FHL Vice Chair Tel: 01926 852163 or email: peter.rand@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk icn
Read in full
Page 15
The Catholic Post. May 2022. Page 15. Students and staff at St Mary’,s College are celebrating after the school’,s rugby First XV landed red rose county honours following a hard-fought Crosby derby final. St Mary’,s won this season’,s Lancashire Plate competition after beating old rivals and near neighbours Merchant Taylors 26-10 in an exciting clash at Southport Rugby Club. The game should in fact have been played at Waterloo’,s ground, but a waterlogged pitch forced its last-minute relocation up the Sefton coast where it attracted a bumper crowd of more than 500 people. These spectators were treated to a thrilling encounter, and although St Mary’,s ultimately deserved their victory, there were periods of the game when it could have gone either way. These included the first ten minutes which were dominated by Merchants who took a well-deserved early 3-0 lead from an outstanding penalty kick. However, St Mary’,s gradually got themselves back into the game with a converted try from Harry Blyth after 20 minutes, followed by another touchdown from skipper Robbie Edginton on the stroke of half-time, to lead 12- 3 at the break. In the second half, St Mary’,s had the benefit of the wind and the slope but initially failed to use it to their advantage, with Merchants dominant in the lineout and unlucky not to score. But St Mary’,s fought back again, taking control of the scrums, which resulted in another converted try, this time from Noah Stephens, to extend the lead to 19-3. Merchants still weren’,t finished, reducing the deficit to nine points with a fantastic set play from a midfield scrum, before a second try from Blyth put the outcome beyond doubt. St Mary’,s Head of Rugby, John Armstrong, commented: “,This was a great game of rugby, and it is a testament to both sets of players that despite giving it their all there wasn’,t one penalty for foul play throughout the 80 minutes. “,At the end, the teams clapped each other off the pitch, and then all went out together in the evening, demonstrating the great values of friendship and respect that make rugby union so special. “,I’,d like to pay tribute to all the members of our First XV squad who have worked so hard for their success over the years, inspired the next generation of college rugby players with their efforts and been wonderful ambassadors for the school. “,Thanks also to rugby coaches Tom Manley and Dave Blyth who have worked incredibly hard to prepare the team,”, added Mr Armstrong. Rugby has been going through a purple patch at St Mary’,s in recent years. The school also won the Lancashire Plate in 2019 before reaching the last eight of the National Cup and finishing as runners-up in the Lancashire Cup in 2020. There were no competitions last year because of Covid-19. Sport St Mary’,s First XV are Lancashire Plate Champions! stmarys.ac St Mary’,s, Crosby won this season’,s Lancashire Plate competition after beating old rivals and near neighbours Merchant Taylors 26-10 in an exciting clash at Southport Rugby Club. ISA National netball tournament 2022 It was a very early start for the U11 girls from Ursuline Preparatory School in Warley that travelled to Rugby School to compete in the ISA National Netball Finals. They got off to an excellent start, passing accurately, playing solidly in defence and were on top shooting form to win the opening match v Malvern St James 13-1. They then faced tougher opposition in the second match defending the lead from the first half to beat The Mead School 5-2. Building on their success with a strong performance v Boundary Oak School winning 7-2. The girls were linking together very well from defence to attack, however they faced tough opposition for their next match v The Grange School, also sustaining a couple of injuries due to their total commitment. Unfortunately, the girls lost the fourth pool match 3-7. However, they dug deep in the final pool match, with all contributing to a well-deserved win (8-4) over Mylnhurst Catholic Preparatory School. By coming second in the group, the girls progressed into the Cup stages of the competition and after being in the lead at half time narrowly lost to Lady Barn House School from Manchester, finishing 6th overall in the first National competition in 2 years. www.ursulineprepwarley.co.uk U11 girls got off to an excellent start, passing accurately, playing solidly in defence and were on top shooting form to win the opening match Mrs Cummins (PE Teacher) and Mrs Wilson (Headmistress) were extremely proud of all the girls who contributed and represented the school impeccably all day on and off the courts.
Read in full
Page 16
Page 16. The Catholic Post. May 2022. 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. Taekwondo star Sophia claims third place prize Sport www.sacredheart.sefton.sch.uk Congratulations to Sophia Otty (7S) who has claimed third prize at a recent Taekwondo tournament. Sophia (pictured, far right) was competing at the English Taekwondo championships in Worcester and was delighted to come third against tough opposition in the girls’, middleweight (red) category, and only lost out to the eventual winner. Sophia trains at the Sefton Academy of Taekwondo in Crosby Village, which is run by Master, Warren Vice . Let Girls Play www.st-paulshigh.net Students at Saint Paul’,s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester took part in the biggest celebration of girls football. The tournament at Saint Paul’,s was part of the huge England Football and Barclays event whose aim was to put on the biggest EVER football session for girls in school! Saint Paul’,s took part in a range of activities to support #LetGirlsPlay including hosting a tournament for the Key Stage 3 girls’, squad against St Antony’,s Roman Catholic School (Urmston), St James` Catholic High School (Cheadle) and Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College (Altrincham). The aim of the tournament was to have as many young girls playing football in one session as possible. Each team played four games across the tournament. Ms Sophie Carter, PE teacher at Saint Paul`s, said: ",It was a fantastic evening and everyone was in high spirits and very keen to take part. Alex Brooks, an ex-Saint Paul`s pupil who now plays Goalkeeper for Blackburn Rovers, came along to add her support and was a great inspiration to the girls. I was so proud of the Saint Paul`s team, they all showed great teamwork, determination and positivity.", The winners of the Tournament were Blessed Thomas Holford with a fantastic result of 10 points. Mr Mike Whiteside, Deputy Headteacher, said: “,It’,s time to take a stand, to make a difference for girls to play football –, one simple message #LetGirlsPlay!”, By 2024, The FA’,s and Barclays ambition is for girls to have the same football opportunities as boys in schools and clubs. #LetGirlsPlay is a campaign to drive influence and change perceptions, showing that football can and should be played by girls. It is bringing together a growing community of people of all genders, ages and backgrounds who want to champion equal access for girls, helping create independent, resilient young girls who will be a force for good in all local communities.
Read in full
Find your local Catholic Historical Church newspaper. Scroll to find yours.
Church Papers Archive