Congratulations to H.M. Queen Elizabeth 11 on her Platinum Jubilee The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness Summer 2022 The Diocesan Syntheses, the ‘,local’, part of the Synodal process, were submitted to the Bishops’, Conference of England and Wales on the Friday before Holy Week as part of the two-year process requested by Pope Francis for the Catholic Church. Now, having received each document from the dioceses, along with submissions from national Catholic organisations and other bodies, a National Synthesis Team has started work discerning and drafting the national synthesis for England and Wales that will be sent to the Synod Office in Rome by 15 August 2022. Timeline The National Synthesis Team met from 27-28 April to begin its work so that an ‘,initial findings’, report can be given to the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’, Conference that meets in Cardiff from 2 –, 6 May. The work will continue between now and 1 June when a national synod gathering of bishops and lay people who helped produce the submissions received by the Conference will take place in St George’,s Cathedral, Southwark. A first draft of the national synthesis will be considered on this day. Taking into account the reflections, thoughts and conversations in Southwark, the National Synthesis Team will continue its work and present a second draft of the national synthesis in May 2022 to an additional Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’, Conference for their consideration. Following this meeting, to be held on 28 June in Westminster, a final draft will be presented to the Bishops for their assent for submission to Rome by the 15 August deadline. www.theucm.co.uk Photos, copy and distribution queries for The UCM News should be sent by email to ucmnews@yahoo.com. For further details about the Union of Catholic Mothers please contact the National Secretary at ucmnatsec@yahoo.co.uk National Synthesis Team begins its work for Synod submission to Rome National Synthesis Team. On Saturday 2nd April 2022 a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. Many members of the Union of Catholic Mothers attended in honour of Mrs. Margaret McDonald who was retiring after her term of Office as National President for which she served beyond the three years. The main celebrant was Bishop Thomas Neylon assisted by Bishop Alan Williams (UCM National Chaplain), Father John Butchard from the Diocese of Liverpool, and Fr. David Potter from St. Albans, Stocksbridge also Father Jones of Loughborough for the Nottingham Diocese. In the homily given by Bishop Neylon, we learnt that he is related to one of our more recently deceased UCM members Kath (Kathleen) Foley of St. Vincent’,s Parish, Sheffield. He spoke of Kath, just as we knew her with a great zeal for the UCM and we experienced her love for us all as individual. At the conclusion of the afternoon, Mrs. McDonald thanked the Dean Fr. O’,Brien and all the mothers for attending Holy Mass. With many thanks and good wishes to Margaret for her leadership and witness to the love of the Lord. Dorothy Anderson (Media Officer for the Hallam Diocese.) Triennial Mass Liverpool It was a joy to be able to hold The UCM National Council for the first time in three years at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire and meet up with friends old and new. We were hosted by the Archdiocese of Birmingham who looked after everyone admirably and the Liturgy for the three days was prepared by Clifton Diocese. We noted from the Trustee reports that there were no financial accounts for 2021 as four dioceses had not submitted their returns to the National Treasurer, so the Annual Report only covered the years 2019 and 2020. The subscription for next year (due in January) is £,16. National Council 2022 Left to Right –, Vivienne O’,Byrne, National Welfare Officer, Margaret McDonald, National Deputy President, Canon Lawrie Hulme, Spiritual Advisor to Leeds, Monica Ovel, National Vice President, Margaret Kerbey, National Treasurer, Marianne French, National Vice President, Cath Lydon, National Secretary, Jean Lopez Lopez, National Media Officer, Joan Hodge, National President. Continued on Page 2

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Page 2 Summer 2022 UCM News National Council 2022 Elections were held for two new National Vice Presidents and Marianne French from Northampton Diocese and Monica Ovel from Clifton Diocese were duly elected. Congratulations to you both. The deferred 75th UCM pilgrimage to Walsingham will take place on 4th and 5th July and to celebrate this occasion commemorative bookmarks will be given to each pilgrim attending. Those not able to attend can purchase one of these bookmarks for £,1 each, please contact your diocesan officers if you would like a bookmark. Those taking part in Walsingham should bring their own water if required. The Mass will be live-streamed on the Tuesday. New National Welfare Officer Vivienne O’,Byrne and National Media Officer Jean Lopez Lopez gave their first reports after being appointed at the December meeting. At the October meeting last year, National Vice President Cath Rutherford distributed Study Days information packs to every diocese. Each diocese informed Cath how and if this was being disseminated within their diocese. Cath also reported on the National Council of Women, National Justice and Peace, CAFOD and Caritas. In the absence of National Vice President Maureen Woodward, Cath also reported on Maureen’,s responsibilities, i.e., Study Days, the Catholic Union, Daily Mass Scheme, Craigmyle Lecture, Friends Circle and Churches Together. National Deputy President, Val Ward, reported on WUCWO, CBCEW, Pro-Life, Catholic Women Praying together and National Council for lay Associations. WUCWO will be holding its 3rd meeting with Women from the Middle East from 7th -10th October 2022 in Athens, Greece. UCM will be represented by the National President or her representative. This meeting is open to all depending on accommodation and the cost is 800 Euros excluding air fares. Details from Past National President Val Ward. Places are still available on Margaret McDonald’,s pilgrimage to Banneux in Belgium from 26th September to 1st October 2022. Details from National Treasurer Margaret Kerbey. All reports will be available for distribution to the membership. A social evening took place after dinner on Thursday with sketches, a quiz and sing along. The AGM on Friday morning saw the introduction of the new committee and thanks to the outgoing officers. New National President, Mrs Joan Hodge was commissioned at the closing Mass by Cannon Lawrie Hulme. We all wish Joan and the new committee a happy and fruitful term of office. Val Ward, Past National President Submitting copy for next issue The deadline for articles and photos for the next edition of the UCM News is 15th October 2022 Please send copy to ucmnews@yahoo.com Thank you (GDPR) General Data Protection Regulation Anyone sending photos to be published in The Catholic Mother newspaper, it is your responsibility to make sure you get permission from all in the photos. Congratulations DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Tina and Peter HUCKLE. Tina is a Past National Treasurer, Past Diocesan President and Past Diocesan Treasurer, Archdiocese of Birmingham BIRTHDAY Sybil KNOX, Hounslow Foundation, Archdiocese of Westminster celebrating her 99th birthday 90 YEAR BIRTHDAY Pat STIRZAKER, St Charles Foundation, Swinton, Salford Diocese Pat GIBSON, St Charles Foundation, Swinton, Salford Diocese 80 YEAR BIRTHDAY Mary BARNET, St Vincent’,s Foundation, Sheffield, Hallam Diocese Barbara HOBSON, St Charles Foundation, Swinton, Salford Diocese Margaret SHAW, St Charles Foundation, Swinton, Salford Diocese 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRIESTHOOD Fr John Coe, Spiritual Advisor to the diocese of Salford UCM celebrates at Salford Cathedral with UCM members. RECEIVED INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Petra Mickleithwaite On Sunday May 24th Petra Micklethwaite was received into the Catholic Church at St Mary’,s Church, Filey by Fr. Martin Gosling O. Praem. Petra having moved to Filey last year has been joining the mothers of the Filey Foundation for their meetings. We are looking forward to meeting her when she joins us for National Pilgrimage in Walsingham in July. 50th ANNIVERSARY MEMBERSHIP Joan Boland was a member of Holy Family UCM Southport from 1967 up until 1974 when she moved to Maidenhead. She joined St Joseph`s UCM where she has been Vice President and President six times. Joan is a very active member of the UCM and also very involved in the community at St Joseph`s. She was presented with her 50 years UCM Certificate of Membership by the President, Isobel Flynn, at our Christmas Lunch in November 2021. Continued from Page 1 Sybil Knox L to R. Petra, Fr. Martin Gosling O.Pream and Petra’,s Husband Richard Micklethwaite. Editorial Hello all, well six months into the role and I find myself travelling more than I have in ages, Swanwick to Crewe to Arundel and back here to Swanwick. Navigating the London Underground alone for the first time had me having to keep the panic under control, I have nevertheless enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things. My trip to Arundel also provided me with the opportunity to start a series of articles about our Diocesan Cathedrals, which I hope you will help me to deliver providing your own articles and photos of your Cathedrals. If these six months have shown me anything it is that if I can do it anyone can, please consider putting yourself forward for office at Foundation, Diocese or National, it is your UCM it needs you. N.B.The old email address for submissions to the paper has been discontinued. The new email address is ucmnews@yahoo.com Jean Lopez Lopez National Media Officer Tina and Peter Huckle

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 3 FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT Dear Friends in UCM A big thank you for giving me your support and prayers as I start my term of office as your National President. It was with great joy that we were able to meet together at National Council and to show our FAITH with the blessing of Holy Mas with Fr Lawrie and Fr Bill. Our continuing FRIENDSHIP was shown during the reports and the Social Evening was great FUN. Many congratulations and thanks to you all. I look forward to meeting you all to celebrate “,75years of Pilgrimage”, to Our Lady at Walsingham led by Salford Diocese and please wear your yellow roses. This year those unable to come can be with us for the mass at Noon which is being streamed. My thanks to the Walsingham Committee for all their hard work. I look forward to visiting each Diocese at some time during my Presidency and meeting as many members as possible. With my love and prayers, Joan Hodge National President Fait h f o r th e fu tu re It could be the most signiﬁ,cant gift of your life. During Catholic Legacy Week, could you consider a gift in your Will to Catholic causes –, to pass on your faith? yourcatholiclegacy.org.uk/week Catholic Legacy Week 5-11 JUNE Photograph: Thom Flint/ CAFOD Arundel Cathedral The Cathedral of St Philip Howard in Arundel came into being through the efforts of one man, Henry XV Duke of Norfolk, although when he built the church, it was neither a Cathedral, nor named for his ancestor Philip Howard. Duke Henry, ‘,Our Little Duke’, as he was affectionately known, was born in 1847, and inherited his title at the age of thirteen on the early death of his father. The first years of his life therefore coincided with a great renewal of confidence in the English Catholic community. The Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 had removed most of the encumbrances to the practice of the faith, and churches were being built all over the country. Henry knew that his father, whose life had been dedicated to good works, had intended to build a church in the town, where Catholics had previously worshipped either in the private chapel in Arundel Castle, or some miles away in the village of Slindon. Henry therefore decided that his first public act, on reaching the age of twenty-one, would be to take up the project that his father had not had the opportunity to begin. John Henry Newman Henry had been educated by the Oratorian fathers at school in Birmingham, where he had been taught by John Henry Newman. Newman became a mentor to Henry, instilling in him the idea that each person has a particular calling, and that with great status and wealth comes great responsibility. They remained close for the rest of Newman’,s life, and it is reasonably assumed that it was through Henry’,s efforts that Newman, no favourite in Rome, received his Cardinal’,s hat. It was in honour of the Oratorians that Henry chose their founder Saint Philip Neri as the patron saint of the Arundel church. Duke Henry was disappointed that the Oratorians chose not to establish a base in Arundel, but he would have been gratified to know that his mentor would in time be recognised as a saint. The design Duke Henry selected a site on the high ground to the north of the town, for what he clearly intended to be a flagship building. The fact that the field in question belonged to the local Anglican vicar meant the purchase was made without disclosing its purpose, and there must have been a degree of surprise when an enormous rival establishment appeared across the road from the parish church. The architect chosen was Joseph Aloysius Hansom, a catholic with lifelong experience of church-building, who would perhaps feel a little aggrieved that his name has become forever associated with a popular hackney cab that he designed. He and the young Duke decided on an elegant French Gothic style, built of brick faced with honey-coloured Bath stone. The stone was brought along the coast on barges and up the river Arun to a town quay, Arundel at that time being a fully functioning port. At this point gangs of men with levers manhandled the blocks on to wagons, just as their medieval counterparts would have done, and teams of heavyweight carthorses dragged their loads up the steep hill to the building site. As the building progressed carved stone was brought down from the Farmer &, Brindley works in London, and panels of stained glass from the Hardman &, Powell studios in Birmingham. In the relatively short space of three years the work was completed, and the church opened in July 1873 The spire that never was In Hansom’,s original designs a massive spire was proposed for the north-west corner. It was calculated, however, that the extra weight would be too much, and the building would slide down the hill. As it is the foundations, on relatively soft chalk, need to be deep, going as far underground as the height of the pillars above. By chance exactly the same change of design was taking place at the same time, during the building of Lancing College chapel, on a very similar downland site a few miles to the east. Here again the idea of a spire was abandoned, and in both cases, it is generally agreed that the quality of the buildings has not suffered. Later changes Since its consecration in 1873 the building served first as a very large parish church for the very small population of Arundel, and then with the formation of the Diocese of Arundel &, Brighton in 1965, as its Cathedral. A further change took place following the canonisation of St Philip Howard, Duke Henry’,s ancestor, in 1970, when the dedication of the Cathedral was changed from St Philip Neri to St Philip Howard. By coincidence both died in the same year, 1595, and I feel the Cathedral is fortunate in have two patrons, whose very different lives give testimony to the same unwavering faith. Over the year various changes have been made to the interior layout, but one that would be noticed only by the most sharp-eyed architectural historian is the row of lancet stained-glass windows behind the sanctuary. The walls were originally without windows, and then in the 1 940s one of the Norfolk family houses, Derwent Hall in Derbyshire, was part of an area deliberately flooded to create the Ladybower reservoir. The windows from the chapel were rescued and installed at Arundel, and having been commissioned by Duke Henry in the first place, from the same studio as most of the Arundel windows, they fitted seamlessly into their new location. The Carpet of Flowers Soon after the opening of his church Duke Henry introduced an event that would become a defining feature of the town. Visiting a village outside Rome the Duke had been impressed with the streets carpeted with greenery in honour of a saint’,s day. On his return to Arundel, he arranged for his estate workers to lay a carpet of foliage and flowers the full length of church’,s main aisle, in honour of the feast of Corpus Christi. The Blessed Sacrament is then carried by the bishop over the carpet and out of the church, and becomes the focus of a procession down the street, through the gates and into the Castle for a service of benediction. The task of laying the carpet was carried out by the Castle staff, with a brief break during the First World War, when almost all of them were at the Front. Over the succeeding years, with fewer estate workers available, the Carpet of Flowers has been taken over by parishioners, and remains a considerable tourist attraction. In the lockdown of 2020, the event had to be abandoned, and in 2021 a small carpet was laid, with minimal attendance. Plans are currently under way for a return to the full-scale version, to be laid on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 of June, viewable on the Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16, culminating in the Corpus Christi mass and procession. Arundel Cathedral today The Cathedral today serves its original purpose in providing a parish church for the Catholic residents of Arundel and the surrounding villages. At the same time as Diocesan Cathedral it holds the great services of the liturgical year, when every seat is taken and the magnificent organ fills the space with sound. For the Bishop the location of his seat, in the bottom left-hand corner of a widespread diocese, with no major centre of population to provide support, must present challenges. To provide help, particularly in terms of financial support for the ongoing maintenance that the building requires, a charitable trust, The Friends of Arundel Cathedral was set up in 1985. This has proved effective not only in fundraising but also encouraging the widest possible appreciation and use of this exceptional place of worship. All members of the Diocese and beyond are invited to join in its efforts. Details are available from The Friends’, Office, Cathedral House, Parson’,s Hill, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AY, telephone 01903 884567, website arundelcathedralfriends.uk

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Page 4 Summer 2022 UCM News CAFOD Walk Against Hunger This year’,s CAFOD fundraising campaign aimed at supporting the children of Sierra Leone. Where approximately 25% of the nation’,s children suffer from extreme malnutrition with many dying in early infancy, mainly in rural areas. Religious sisters run the clinics, to help mothers of young children in rural communities to access life-saving food, made from sesame seeds, for their children. CAFOD gives support to these clinics, by funding equipment and other facilities. The New Challenge called the Walk against Hunger, it lasted for 40 days, starting from Ash Wednesday 2nd March. The challenge being to walk 5 Km a day for 40 days to complete 200 Km by the end of Lent. A member of St. Aelred’,s UCM and Diocesan Secretary Rose Cartledge signed up to take on the challenge, starting her training in February in preparation for her walk and completed the challenge raising over £,1500, Rose found it an interesting experience, having met many different people and walking in very different weather conditions. Rose reported each day on the Parish What’,s App the distance she had walked. Rose expressed on the one hand it reflects the distance that women especially young mothers have to walk in various parts of the world to get to clinics to save their children. On the other hand, it was a Lenten sacrifice, to dedicate time to reflect on the needs of others especially those living in extreme poverty. It was wonderful to learn more about the work of CAFOD in helping communities that are at great risk in various parts of the world: for example, the Amazon region, Lebanon, Africa and Ukraine to name but a few. Their work inspired Rose to accept the challenge. The parish who had a great interest in the challenge and supported her by offering to walk with her on occasions or by going onto a Just Giving home page and searching for Rose Cartledge. Rose thanked parishioners for their generosity and support and especially to her husband who accompanied her on many of her walks. “,Together at 60”, Zoom meeting I attended the Zoom meeting “,Together at 60”, in February on behalf of the National President as a guest with the Presidents of NBCW and CWL. We received a very warm welcome as the 3 groups who founded “,Family Fast Day”, which led to the foundation of CAFOD. It was a meeting to thank all the volunteers who work to raise funds for CAFOD projects. We were shown photos and videos of various activities of parish volunteers who raised £,52 million last year, helping to inform, educate, mobilise and pray to give hope and inspire locally as well as overseas. Bishop John Arnold of Salford is Chair of CAFOD Trustees, he said there was a great deal to celebrate with so much achieved especially with “,Good food and clean water”, with awareness of injustice to eradicate poverty and adapt in practical ways guided by the Holy Spirit. The Original “,Family Fast Day”, hoped to raise £,500 but got £, 6000 with members writing to Parish Priests asking for tiny donations, using prayers and giving out Fast Day envelopes. In breakout groups of each diocese (with over 370 people on Zoom), we heard of the joys, dreams and challenges of CAFOD volunteers. The joy of using recycling to make money, it was both humbling and inspiring. We were shown a film “,Make BIG things happen”, the work of Sisters in Sierra Leone working with mothers and babies and as midwives, who would like to expand their cottage to make a clinic and hospital. We then had a live link with Kayode (CAFOD Country manager in Sierra Leone) who told us about his work to help the sisters to give hope and dreams for the future. We finished with a Q&,A session that Fast Day is March 11, encouraging us to put up posters and give out envelopes. May be a sponsored Parish Walk, soup lunches, quiz evening. We were all thanked for attending, and came away humbled and inspired for CAFOD’,s future. Mrs Joan Hodge President Elect ‘,A Grand Day Out ‘, In mid- March this year, 8 members of St. Edward’,s Kettering UCM took the advantage of a local coach firm’,s day trip to York. We visited the Bar Convent, just 5 minutes’, walk from the railway station, it’,s England’,s oldest living convent, established in 1686, and still run by the sisters of the Congregation of Jesus to this day. It was an opportunity to learn of its remarkable history. Defying recusant laws until the Catholic Relief Act of 1791, and a Papal edict for the sisters to become an enclosed order, latterly revoked, even now the sisters concentrate their vocations in education and outreach work in the city. Within this fascinating convent is a stunning 18th century ‘,Hidden Chapel’, with its hidden dome, so constructed that the outside city might never know of its existence, also contains a priest hole in the event that the celebration of mass was to be discovered, and a relic of St. Margaret Clitherow. This peaceful, historical place, is a ‘,no brainer’, for Catholics visiting York, we cannot sufficiently recommend this to you. Additionally, the café, offers very good breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and Yorkshire Tea - no mugs here - rather proper tea pots, milk jugs, and cups and saucers. Some members also took advantage of visiting other parts of the city, including the renowned Betty’,s Tea Rooms. The sun shone all the time, and despite a ‘,nippy’, wind, for which York is also famous, it was a most convivial trip, which was, all in all, ‘,A Grand Day Out’,. Margaret Anderson (President, St. Edward’,s Kettering UCM Foundation) Long disused Catholic church in Devon to receive £,196,832 grant for repair Historic England has awarded a grant of £,196,832 to help repair a Catholic Church in Barnstaple, Devon, that closed for worship in 1984 and was threatened with demolition. The former Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Old St Mary’,s, is a Grade II listed building. The Diocese of Plymouth is also supporting the cost of the first phase of repairs. “,For too long the former church has stood neglected and forlorn: it is an exciting prospect that at last the building can be restored and brought back into use.”, Sir Neil Butterfield, Trustee, Diocese of Plymouth Work has recently commenced to: , stabilise the chancel arch and buttresses by inserting steel pins and ties , restore and repoint the exterior stonework , mend the roof structure and re-slate some areas , repair the windows The work is due to be completed summer 2022. The building will then dry out while plans for its re-use are fully developed, working with the local community. Repair not demolish The church opened in 1855 to serve the growing community in the Trinity area of Barnstaple. Following its closure as a place of worship in 1984, there were proposals for it to be demolished. Now there is a concerted effort to repair the building and bring it back into use. Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, said: “,I know the Trinity Street community in Barnstaple have worked hard over many years to persuade the Diocese of Plymouth to repair and restore this church so that it can be used by the community. “,It is wonderful news that the Diocese has started this project and that Historic England has stepped in to help fund the much-needed structural work. I look forward to seeing the plans on how we can bring this amazing building back to life.”, Rebecca Barrett, Regional Director at Historic England, said: “,It’,s great to see the repairs to this remarkable building underway. We hope our support, and that of the Diocese, will secure it for generations to come.”, Sir Neil Butterfield, a Diocesan Trustee and Chairman of the Project Board, said: “,The Diocese of Plymouth is very grateful to Historic England for its generous contribution towards the cost of restoring and renovating this important Catholic landmark in Barnstaple. “,For too long the former church has stood neglected and forlorn: it is an exciting prospect that at last the building can be restored and brought back into use.”, History The church was one of the earliest post-Reformation Catholic churches to be built in Devon. It was designed to serve the community of the Trinity area of Barnstaple which was growing rapidly in the early 19th century. The site was purchased in 1842 and the church opened for worship in 1855. It is one of the earliest and arguably the most accomplished piece of Romanesque Revival design in the county. When the church opened in 1855, the North Devon Journal reported that it had been designed by A W N Pugin (1812-1 852), the celebrated pioneer of English Gothic Revival architecture and designer of the interior of the Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben. However, it is more likely that the architect was Gideon Boyce of Tiverton and the building was completed by R D Gould of Barnstaple. The Church of the Immaculate Conception functioned as the Roman Catholic place of worship for the people of Barnstaple and its surrounding area up to 1984, when a larger church, known as St Mary’,s, was built alongside. St Mary’,s remains an active church with Mass taking place during the week and on Sunday as well as regular Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals. The Catholic Parish of the Immaculate Conception covers a large geographical area including the towns of Barnstaple and South Molton, many local villages, and parts of Exmoor. There are two churches in the parish –, the Parish Church of St Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, in Barnstaple and the Church of St Joseph in South Molton. The Parish Priest is Canon Peter Morgan. Enrich the List Do you know this building? Historic England invites you to share your knowledge and images of listed places, so it can record important facts, and even unlock the secrets of some. Contributors can add film clips if they have a YouTube account. Historic England would love for people to add in photos, information, memories, and film clips (YouTube account needed) which will be published on the list entry information for all to see. Find out how you can Enrich the List. Source Catholic Bishops Conference Friday, February 18th, 2022 Rose Cartledge

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 5 Relying on the mysterious gift of the Holy Spirit The Christian life, suffused with God’,s Spirit, is one of constant communication, with the inner movements of the heart constantly reaching out to God and the Spirit continually prompting us how to act. Jesus makes a startling statement at the Last Supper: “,It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you”, (Jn 16:7). What could be better than Jesus’,s presence alongside us? Only his presence within us, made possible by his gift of the Holy Spirit! The Spirit is the breath and life of God, poured into us as the gift of God’,s own love. Although it can be easy to overlook the role of the Spirit, we see that Jesus’,s mission culminated in sending the Spirit upon his Church. In Confirmation, he gives each of us the most precious gift he has: his own Spirit to make us fully alive with his divine life, enabling us to live a supernatural life in the world. The Spirit teaches us how to pray and how to live, gives us gifts, and inspires us with courage to live out our mission. This reliance begins with prayer. Paul explains that “,the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words”, (Rom 8:26). Prayer should not consist just in talking at God because it is an intimate union that happens within the heart. Prayer is certainly not a technique or something within our control. It is a movement from deep within us, led by the Spirit, that draws us into a loving communion with God. Taking regular time for prayer enables the Spirit to keep our heart open to his movements in us and to strengthen God’,s presence within us. The Christian life, suffused with the God’,s Spirit, is one of constant communication, with the inner movements of the heart constantly reaching out to God and the Spirit continually prompting us how to act. Relying on the Spirit enables us to listen to these inner promptings, urging us to do something, giving us things to say, and holding us back from doing or saying something that would be harmful. Jesus promised that when we are in need, we should not be anxious because “,the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say”, (Lk 12:12). With the Spirit, we are not simply on our own. The Spirit guides us not just for our own sake but for the building up of the Church. He gives gifts to all Christians that we call charisms: “,To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”, (1 Cor 12:7). Paul gives examples, such as knowledge, wisdom, faith, healing, performing miracles, prophecy and the discernment of spirits. As a teacher, I know, for instance, when I am teaching beyond my abilities with the help of the Spirit and being prompted with new ideas and a deeper enthusiasm. We may have never realized what gifts the Spirit is giving us, but, when we pay attention, we can recognize how certain things seem to come easier than would ordinarily and are more powerful in their effect. The Spirit asks us to be bold in doing good for others. When we look at the Acts of the Apostles, we see how the disciples went from cowering in fear to willingly facing persecution after Pentecost. They were simply different with the gift of the Spirit. Their prayer led them to action: “,And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness”, (Acts 4:31). Sometimes we think, “,I could never do that,”, and we are probably right. But, with God’,s Spirit, we can do much more than we have ever imagined. Although we can take it for granted, Jesus knew he was giving us what we most needed by leaving us his Spirit as his ultimate gift. Now, what will do with it? The Spirit’,s presence can grow within us through prayer, a presence that will inspire us and guide us, leading us to serve others through the gifts that he gives, and giving us courage to do what is beyond our power. Relying on the Spirit in these ways will change everything —, both within us and around us. Dr. R. Jared Staudt The Dispatch 4Print Catholic World Report Thaï, Ch. Hamelin / ChokdiDesign/ Unsplash.com Pope tells priests: Don`t remain barricaded in the sacristy Pope Frances has urged priests not to remain ",barricaded in the sacristy", and not to ",cultivate small closed groups.", In a speech to priests of the Pontifical Lombard Seminary of Saints Ambrose and Charles in Urbe on Monday, the 100th anniversary of the election of Pope Pius XI, Pope Francis said there was a world ",waiting for the Gospel,", and went on to say that what was needed was ",the testimony of life.", ",Be priests burning with the desire to bring the Gospel to the streets of the world, in neighbourhoods and homes, especially in the poorest and most forgotten places,", he said. He noted that Pope Pius XI had attended this seminary, located just a stone`s throw from the Roman Basilica of St Mary Major, and was one of its first students. As soon as he was elected, Pope Francis, said Pius XI wanted his first blessing to be addressed Urbi et Orbi, to the city of Rome and to the whole world. ",With this gesture, he reminds us that we need to open up, to expand the horizon of ministry to the dimensions of the world, to reach out to every child, whom God wishes to embrace with his love,", said the Pope. In off-the-cuff remarks, Pope Francis commented: ",Do not forget that God never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.", Drawing further inspiration from Pius XI, Pope Francis recalled his predecessor`s first papal homily, in which he invited people to ask themselves a question: ",What can I offer the Lord?", ",What can I offer?", is a question that asks you to open your heart to availability and service, the Pope said. The central point of this, he underlined, is ",to be Church in order to live and spread the Gospel,", and to have ",an open, willing, missionary heart.", Finally, Pope Francis recalled a phrase from Pius` encyclical Quadragesimo anno: ",It is obvious that not only is wealth concentrated in our times but an immense power and despotic economic dictatorship is consolidated in the hands of a few[...]", ",How true and how tragic this is now,", said the Pope, ",when the gap between the few rich and the many poor is ever wider.", Pope Francis highlighted that in ",this context of inequalities,", which have increased during the pandemic, the priests needed to be ",weavers of communion, eradicators of inequality,", as well as being competent and courageous ",in raising prophetic words in the name of the voiceless.", In conclusion, the Pope told the seminarians present, ",Great tasks await you.", He also invited them to help build a Church ",that is more faithful to the spirit of the Gospel, more free, more fraternal and joyful in bearing witness to Jesus.", Source: Vatican News Enrolment and Renewal Mass which we held on Saturday 26 March at St Peter`s Church in Scarborough. We welcomed four new Members, Catherine Bainbridge, Glynis Cooper, Hana Harris and Soh Jones and enjoyed refreshments in our Parish Centre after the Mass. New Members St Peter’,s Scarborough A request for help Pat McCamley travelled on a Jumbulance in April to help out on a trip to Lourdes, following a two-year absence due to Covid. Pat, a group leader and nurse from the Isle of Wight, made the trip as a volunteer. Jumbulances are custom-built coach ambulances especially built to provide long-distance transport for people whose medical or physical condition makes normal methods of travel either impossible or impractical. They are used to provide transport from the UK to Christian pilgrimage centre to Lourdes in south- west France for the seriously ill and disabled. Priority is given to people with a terminal illness and those confined to bed or a wheelchair. Pat said it was fantastic to be back in Lourdes with Across and that she always finds it humbling and so worthwhile to make a difference in the lives of others not as fortunate as she is. These trips to Lourdes would not be possible without nurses, and Across would certainly welcome the help of any other nurse who wishes to be a travel volunteer. The Jumbulance consists of 24 people, 10 of whom are sick or disabled. The other 14 are volunteer carers, nurses and/or a doctor and a chaplain, who all give their spare time freely and pay their own expenses. For details of how to volunteer, call Lisa O`Connor at Across on 020 3542 1800, email contactus@across.org.uk or visit across.org.uk.

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Page 6 Summer 2022 UCM News Confession is about much more than sin Source: Jesuit Institute South Africa Recently, a child came to confession. The child, sent by the parent, was visibly anxious and nervous when entering the confessional space. When asked why they looked worried, they responded, saying that their parent had told them they were bad and that God wasn`t happy. They were told they needed to tell God they were wrong and ask forgiveness because God was angry. This is not the best context for the sacrament and, in many ways, seems to defeat the meaning of the sacrament: an encounter with a loving God. It might be helpful to pause before we make (or administer) the sacrament and reflect on its meaning and value so that we do not lose its richness. The sacrament, which we now call `reconciliation`, has undergone the most changes of all the sacraments over time. The different names for the sacraments in the church`s history reflect something of the way our understanding has developed and evolved. It was originally called the sacrament of penance and was associated with severe public penances imposed on people for public sins. Then, it was called confession - after individual confession was introduced for private sins. It has also been called the sacrament of conversion and forgiveness. It is now called the sacrament of reconciliation. Together with the sacrament of anointing, it is now classified as one of two sacraments of healing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how this sacrament heals our relationship with the Christian community - wounded by our sins - and heals our relationship with God. Though stated as one of the effects of the sacrament, healing is not mentioned in the ritual formula. It seems to focus exclusively on the forgiveness of sin. Often, when we speak about this sacrament, we too tend to focus on forgiveness and sin. It is helpful to distinguish between the sinful actions we commit and the disorder that gives rise to the actions that require healing. Eric Jensen SJ suggests that sin cannot only be seen as a thought, word or deed that is morally disordered. It can also arise from a disorder - like toxic shame - that occurs out of a wounding experience. Many of our wounding experiences come from childhood and can be characterised perhaps by the phrase ",the message I heard about myself vs the message I should have heard",. We need forgiveness for sin, but we also need healing for wounds. Sin can so often be cyclical (I do the same thing over and over and wonder why) because we have never dealt with the deeper genesis: the place where the wound is. This means that, when preparing for the sacrament, we ask ourselves, with God`s help, to look at what lies beneath the sin. It means that confessors need to listen attentively to people who seek the sacrament. The experience of being heard, encouraged, affirmed and understood can also bring a good deal of healing. Jesus knows the need for forgiveness and healing. He says, ",You have been healed, go and sin no more", (John 5:14). So perhaps, this Lent, we are invited to intentionally shift the focus from forgiveness for sin alone to forgiveness and healing Russell Pollitt SJ As conflicts rage in various parts of the world and the winds of war threaten Europe, people should remember their power to choose leaders who promote peace and fraternity, rather than the path of self-destruction. We used to call them “,just wars”,. Even now some people define them with this term. They claim it is enough to check off a brief list of principles and the conflict is justified. Pretexts can hide self-interest and a thirst for power—,allegedly—,and any remaining doubts can be dispelled by denying the evidence. The “,righteous goal”, blots out the resulting collateral damage, destruction, and deaths of innocent victims. Throughout history, a certain form of theology has even given warlords justification to trigger conflicts of all kinds, as long as the war was initiated by the legitimate authority, perhaps even as a matter of honour. Of course, Hitler had to be stopped. Of course, terrorists should be stopped. The weak must be defended from oppression and the violence of the powerful. This is a duty. There is no true peace without justice and freedom. So, the reasoning goes. Weapons of meekness Yet, today as never before, we need prophets of peace, men and women who offer new gestures, unthinkable in the midst of violence, people who are a light for humanity, fighting with the weapons of meekness. St. Francis of Assisi offers an example: he travelled as a helpless pilgrim during the Crusades to the Sultan, grasping the Gospel in his hands. Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi, too, stared down power with weakness. As did Dorothy Day and Teresa of Calcutta, who fought exclusion not with hatred but with justice and love. Today we need leaders who do new things, not offer the usual trite words which hasten the same old wars. We need people to gain a renewed conscience, so that they never allow themselves to be deceived by rhetoric that hits at the heart of their emotions. The world needs not more words, but deeds of peace. Leaders for peace In this moment, the responsibility of each one of us is greater than in the past, because the destructive power of weapons can quickly lead humanity down the path of suicide. It is the people who make their leaders. Let the people choose a form of politics that is prophetic, a leader who can transform swords into ploughshares and spears into sickles. We need fraternity as never before. We need to discover that we are all brothers and sisters. Let us no longer call wars “,just”,, as Pope Francis has said. Let us build peace. Let us choose leaders of peace. Otherwise, we risk self- destruction. By Sergio Centofanti Candlelight Flickers in the Darkness as a Sign of Peace - People can choose leaders for peace or self-destruction Dark day for human rights and humanity, says SVP The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has described the passing of the government`s Nationality and Borders Bill into law with no amendments as a ",dark day for human rights and humanity.", The SVP has been campaigning against a number of measures in the Nationality and Borders Bill and continues to urge the government to embed principles of welcome, protection and integration into its asylum policy. This Bill does nothing for any of these values. The SVP states that no one should have to risk their life in search of sanctuary, however many people don`t have an option as the Nationality and Borders Bill does not offer safe routes for some of the most vulnerable people who need protection. The government`s plan to expand the number of immigration centres in the UK is also a cause for concern, as are plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, which the SVP recently described as ",inhuman", and ",a punitive move for people that have already gone through so much already.", The SVP is calling for a compassionate and fair asylum system and maintains that refugees and asylum seekers deserve to be treated with compassion and dignity like our brothers, sisters and neighbours. The passing of the Nationality and Borders Bill into law denies people, who have often made a perilous journey to safety, equitable treatment on our shores. SVP National President Helen O`Shea says: ",Today is a dark day for human rights and humanity, however we are proud to have worked for the past year with a coalition of groups to influence MPs and peers on this Bill. Hundreds of our members turned their concern into action by writing to their MP, arranging meetings, and raising awareness over the problems and discrimination faced by the people they support every day. Our members have demonstrated, in the most compassionate way, how asylum seekers and refugees should be welcomed to our country.", She continues: ",This is not the end. We will continue to fight for justice and the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. They deserve to feel safe, valued and heard, not maligned, detained or shipped away to a country at the other side of the world.", Source: St Vincent de Paul Society

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 7 Bishop John Sherrington was the main celebrant at a beautiful Mass for Catholic Women Praying Together at Farm Street Jesuit Church in Mayfair yesterday (Thursday 28 April 2022). Organised by the Union of Catholic Mothers, Catholic Women`s League, Ladies Ordinariate, and Life Ascending, the service was dedicated to young people. Bishop Sherrington reflected on today`s Body of Christ, exemplified through the suffering people of the Ukraine and other parts of the world. In his Homily he spoke of how the wounds of Christ are now manifest in the suffering of people where ever there is conflict. He recalled the many families divided by war, and how children and their mothers are often left alone when the men of their family are called up to fight. This means that vulnerable women and children, the wounds of Christ, are forced into displacement, to be refugees, and sometimes trafficked into slavery and subjected to sexual violence. He reminded us of Our Lady of Sorrows, praying and interceding at the foot of Christ`s Cross. He also spoke of the Easter Mysteries, and the new life of Baptism where God so loved the world he gave His only son, to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. He summoned us to be born again into the life of Christ, to seek the Kingdom of God. This new birth, this is birth is by water and the Spirit which flowed from the side of Christ. Bishop John then related the life of St Catherine of Sienna, who brought many everyday people, the Pope, and political leaders together, inspiring them to live in peace and reconciliation by placing son and mother- the Crucified Christ and `gentle Mary` first, before all their other concerns. The Mass was followed by a gathering for tea and conversation in the church hall. Marie Potter, from the Catholic Women`s League, spoke of how her organisation supports and prays for ",women working in the church. We pray for women`s role in the church and how we support the church and the clergy.", She said: ",There is great power and strength in women praying together - things start with prayer, and with women they get done.", Anne Emblem, representing the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM), said that while she is not Visit our website at www.theucm.co.uk a mother herself, through prayer she is able to care for the welfare and spiritual needs of children, young people and their families. ",You can be a member of UCM without being a mother. It is a group of ladies who get together, share, and support each other", she said. Life Ascending was represented by Paula Conrad, who brought the movement to the United Kingdom. She described the international movement for older people, saying: ",Our movement says, not `what can the Church do for older people?` But `what can older people for the church?`", ",I have 16 grand-children and two great- grandchildren and I see how the majority of young people have ceased to come to church. I want them to know how the Lord should be at the centre of our lives, to guide us through all the ups and downs, and I want young people to know how precious they are to the Lord.", Joanna Bogle represented the Ladies Ordinariate and was a lead organiser in the Mass. She described how ",God made all things, He made us for Him, to long for Him and all the substitutes today, they don`t satisfy. We are made to pray. Joanna believes we are called to pray together: ",That is what we are called to do. We have an eternal destiny and we are meant to pray together. We are meant to be together and pray and that is what we are doing as Catholic women.", She said: ",Women have special responsibilities…, Catholic women and Catholic men have an identity together and separately - as women our responsibilities are as mothers, as co- creators with God, nourishing the next generation.", Anita Boniface Mass with Catholic Women Praying Together Bishop John Sherrington with some of the main Catholic Women Praying Together organisers Pakistan: Young man who died protecting others, on road to sainthood Emmanuel, said at the time that his son had always aspired to be a great man. ",His mother once asked him to stop standing at the church`s gate. He replied that he wanted to make people safer and did not care for his own life.", On hearing about the latest news about his son, Bashir Emmanuel said: ",Akash symbolises the strength of the Christian faith in our country. I pray for the clearance of all steps to sainthood.", Archbishop Emeritus Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore congratulated the community. ",When there is so much sad news, this news is very joyful. Akash remains a great model of a modern martyr. May he inspire and encourage all young people. Source: Vatican News/UCAN The Catholic Church of Pakistan has its first official candidate to sainthood and martyrdom - a young victim of a suicide bombing who prevented an even larger massacre. Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore announced that the Vatican has accepted the cause of Akash Bashir`s martyrdom, on the feast of St John Bosco, UCA News reported. Akash Bashir now has the title `Servant of God` as a candidate at the beginning of the sainthood process at the diocesan level. Vicar General of the archdiocese of Lahore, Father Francis Gulzar, said: ",A great day for the Catholic Church in Pakistan. He offered his life as a sacrifice to save the lives of the Christian community at St. John`s Catholic Church, Youhanabad, Lahore. He is the first Pakistani Christian who has been raised to the rank of the Holy People of God.", Born on 22 June 1994 in Risalpur, Nowshera, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Akash died a martyr at the age of 20. On 15 March 2015, two suicide bombers blew themselves up near St John`s Catholic Church and the nearby Christ Church of the Church of Pakistan in Lahore`s predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Youhanabad, as the faithful were gathered inside for Sunday worship during Lent. The attacks, claimed by the terrorist group called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA), killed 17 people and injured more than 70. Akash, a former student of the Don Bosco Technical Institute, who served as a volunteer security guard, prevented a suicide bomber from entering the church. ",I will die but I will not let you go in,", were his words as he confronted the terrorist strapped with explosives. The attacker detonated the bomb, instantly killing himself, Bashir and two others outside the church packed with over 1,000 faithful, thus preventing a large-scale carnage. Pope Francis was quick to denounce the terror attacks. Speaking during the Angelus with pilgrims later that day he said: ",Dear brothers and sisters, with sorrow, with much sorrow, I learned of today`s terrorist attacks on two churches in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, which caused many deaths and injuries..... Christians are being persecuted. Our brothers and sisters are spilling their blood solely because they are Christians. While I assure the victims and their families of my prayers, I ask the Lord, I implore the Lord, source of all goodness, the gift of peace and accord for that country, may there be an end to this persecution of Christians, which the world tries to hide, and may there be peace.", Some 40 Christians were later jailed following the lynching of two Muslims who were suspected of being involved in the attacks. The funeral of Akash Bashir and others was held on 17 March 2015. Akash`s father, Bashir It was very good to welcome pilgrims on the Holy Cross Pilgrimage to Walsingham back again to St. Edward’,s following a two-year break due to the pandemic, meaning the number of students was a little down on 2019, but their outstanding faith more than made up for that. The ‘,Kettering leg’, is the start of the pilgrimage which takes a week to complete, ending at Walsingham for Good Friday. We offered them a lunch with a choice of hot dishes, salads, fruit, and homemade cakes, with plenty over to take with them for their supper that evening where there was accommodation but no catering provided. They went on their way after their chaplain, Fr. Paul Wilkinson, said Mass. As one of our members commented ‘, We don’,t have to worry about the Church’,s future with its hand in young people like these’,. Kettering Foundation Holy Cross Pilgrimage

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Page 8 Summer 2022 UCM News ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON Arundel and Brighton AGM The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Union of Catholic Mothers held its AGM on Saturday 23rd April, 2022 –, the first face to face meeting since 2019. It was good to see so many familiar faces after such a long break. After introductions and Opening Prayers, we welcomed our speaker –,Mr. Oliver Hawkins, from the Friends of Arundel Cathedral who gave us a very interesting talk on the history and use of the Cathedral. Holy Mass was celebrated at noon in the Cathedral by Canon Tom Treherne, our Spiritual Adviser. He gave a very uplifting and inspiring homily. Thanks to Deacon Ed, who accompanied him and to Patricia D’,Avray, who played the organ for us. After a delicious shared lunch and raffle, we listened to our retiring Diocesan Treasurer, Rosemary Tierney. She has been on the Diocesan Committee for 18 years, wearing a variety of ‘,hats.’, She was thanked for being such a safe pair of hands for our accounts and received our thanks with a voucher for her garden and a bouquet of flowers. Rosemary will be a hard act to follow but Trish Wilding put her name forward and was voted in unanimously. The other Officers presented their reports and were voted in again for another year. Madam President, Anne Ager, thanked the Diocesan Officers for their hard work for the last number of years and encouraged the ladies present to consider coming forward next year, when the present Officers step down. She also thanked the two Foundations Hollington and Merstham for the refreshments. Mrs. Ager thanked all our visitors for joining us especially the new National Media Officer, Jean Lopez Lopez who had travelled from Leicestershire and also our UCM friends from Southwark Diocese as well as the ladies from the Mothers’, Union of Guildford and Chichester. Kath Tomlin, CWL Southwark, gave a vote of thanks to our members for a lovely day. Judy Harkins Diocesan Secretary HALLAM National Study Day On Saturday 12th March 2022, members of the Union of Catholic Mothers in the Hallam Diocese took part in the National Study Day led by Mrs. Angela Higginson at the Pastoral Centre, Sheffield. Also participating in the discussion was Deacon Peter Marshall who celebrated Benediction. The retiring Diocesan President Mrs. Angela Mellors and Mrs. Marie West, Diocesan Treasurer were thanked for their invaluable work during their time in office and were presented with flowers. The new Diocesan Treasurer Mrs. Hilary Myers was voted in. Mrs. Sheila Godley continues as Diocesan Secretary and Mrs. Dorothy Anderson is the new Diocesan President. L to R. Sheila Godley, Deacon Peter, Angie Higginson, Marie Harvey, Dorothy Anderson, Hilary Myers Burnby Hall St. Mary’,s Foundation from Filey enjoyed a trip out on a lovely sunny but chilly day to visit Burnby Hall and Gardens at Pocklington for the Annual Tulip Festival, held each year from the 23rd of April to May 7th. There was a spectacular display of tulips featuring 15,000 tulips with 130 different varieties. Walk of Witness A Walk of Witness was arranged by the Touch group in York on Good Friday. Parishioners from other church’,s joined us at St. Aelred’,s commencing with The Stations of the Cross lead by Hilda Carney (UCM) then on leaving church we walked along to the Main Road where people were going into York, stopping at various points along the way, for people to read prayers previously prepared. Bookmarks having been made by one of the other churches, were given out to people as we were passing. At the end of the Walk everyone was invited to St. Hilda’,s for Coffee and Hot Cross Buns. Study Day, 14th May 2022 On a gloriously sunny Saturday in May there was a grand gathering of ladies from the Middlesbrough and York Diocese- members of the UCM , four members from the Leeds Diocese, along with a few ladies from York of the same mind. We began with Mass of the day concelebrated by our Spiritual Adviser Father Bill Serplus and Canon Michael Ryan, who generously agreed to explain the history and structure of St. Matthew’,s Gospel with the aid of the materials we had received from the national committee, a lifetime in the church and in his earlier times of scattering seeds of oat and barley on the family farm, but not so profligately as the sower in the parable. Before feasting on lunch we spent some time practicing Lectio Divina using the Beatitudes. For some this was a novel way to pray and was embraced by all groups as they pondered the meaning of the Poor in Spirit but found solace in Blessed are they that Mourn- remembering at this point our chief organiser Rose Cartledge who was on her way to Trinidad to organise her sister’,s funeral. Nevertheless, her plans were so well laid that all proceeded to plan and even the hymns were sung well under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We certainly missed Rose as she is also the organist at St. Aelred’,s. After lunch we attempted imaginative prayer before thanksgiving with tea and cakes. Rosary Rally Rosary Rally took place at St. Peter’,s Church, Scarborough on May 14th. May. Originally the idea of UCM members of the Filey Foundation, it was taken up by Canon Eddie Gubbins. He organised a procession by the school children from Our Lady’,s Grotto into the church where crowning of the statue of Mary took place. This was followed by a welcome from Margaret Wells, the President of the Scarborough foundation. After the Bible reading of the Annunciation, we processed around the church reciting the 5 Joyful Mysteries led by the UCM. We sang some of the more traditional hymns to Our Lady. There followed Benediction and finally refreshments in the Parish Hall. We are hoping that this will become an annual event as it was such a beautiful occasion. Rosemary Gunn Rosary Rally Since 2008 Northampton Diocese have hosted a Rosary Rally each year until the Pandemic hit us. It all started from the inspiration of a lovely woman by the name of Aileen. In March 2008 at the UCM study conference held at the Hayes conference centre in Swanwick the topic for the Study that year was ‘,Modern day slavery’,. After hearing about the awful trade in human trafficking and the brutality that is happening into today’,s world, it just blew our minds on what humanity was doing to each other. This wonderful lady from Leeds Diocese Aileen Queenan (Sadly passed away last year) stood up and talked about the power of the Rosary. She inspired everyone with her testimony of the Rosary and how it was the topic in the previous year’,s UCM study. This motivated us so much so we started to plan our first Rosary Rally. I contacted the Cathedral in Northampton. Canon John Udris helped us prepare and on 5th October 2008 our 1st Rosary Rally was born. I have to tell you the power of prayer because after the first Rosary Rally our prayer was answered in a week as Northamptonshire police caught Gang-masters in Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire. Then the Metropolitan police set up a special unit for modern day slavery. The following years we held the Rosary Rally at Northampton Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Great Billing with help from the late Father Damien and in 2019 the last Rosary Rally was held in Saint Francis of Assisi, Shefford Herts. Families have been healed at the Shrine and answered prayers has continued, two plaques have been placed at the Shrine in honour of the answered prayers. Our Rosary and day of prayer starts with Holy Mass with a short introduction about the day or a small talk about the study subject. The Rosary normally starts about 11 o’,clock when we have a reflection time of quiet with music, a candle is lit and roses placed in a vase and all 15 decades are said led by 2 UCM ladies from each of our foundations. It’,s always a very gentle and thought-provoking day. A day to reflect on Jesus’, life, death and Resurrection. We always end the day with Benediction. NORTHAMPTON Enneagram St. Aelred’,s have had two most interesting meetings recently. Fr. Bill Serplus gave a Talk on the ideas of Richard Rohr, a Franciscan who wrote a Christian perspective on the Enneagram as a way of deciding personality types. There are 9 types which fall into 3 Main categories, they are those are which are ruled by the head, the heart, and the gut. Fr Bill had prepared detailed slides for us to read and for us to try and establish which category we could see ourselves fitting into. The personality that we have is partly determined by our inherited characteristics and partly by our early life experiences. It was difficult as one could see different attributes one might think you had in your personality as each slide was shown. Richard Rohr uses these as a way of self-awareness and to use them as a way of self-examination which may lead us to a deeper contemplation of why we act in certain ways. Meeting with Oratorian. Brother David Chadwick Cong Orat, travelled up to York from Birmingham where he is continuing his studies, to tell us about his vocation story. We first met Bro David when Fr. Bill Serplus celebrated Mass with us in the Shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow in the Shambles. Brother David explained about all aspects of oratory life and how first he had been influenced to that vocation by reading a book about St. Philip Neri. There were so many questions which were asked following Bro David expressing his reasons for joining an oratory and living in a community so we unfortunately ran out of time. The Oratorians came to St. Wilfrid’,s Church in 2013 when the Parish priest retired and established as the York Oratory in 2020. MIDDLESBROUGH

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 9 SOUTHWARK LIVERPOOL Merseyside is Getting Busier As the year is passing the UCM all over Merseyside is getting busier. Study Day St Margaret Mary`s have attended a studies evening at Blessed Sacrament where Deacon Keith Ballard from St George`s gave a talk on the gospel of Mathew which was very interesting. We are hoping to see him again to hear Luke`s gospel. Day out St Margaret Mary`s also had their annual day out on Sunday 8th May to Trenton Gardens followed by a trip to St Mary`s College Oscott to meet seminarians particularly Peter Ross from St Margaret Mary`s. We were welcomed with tea and cake before being escorted around the Oscott grounds. This was a very lovely day ending with Benediction. Blood Bikes St Margaret Mary`s had an interesting evening hearing about the blood bikers. These people take blood or organs to all over the North West when it is needed and are able to get through traffic quicker being on a bike so it is ideal for emergency situations. Easter Eggs The UCM received a lovely Easter card from Barbara Heatherington with the following message. Dear Maureen and all members of Liverpool UCM, just to say Thank you for your donations of Easter eggs. 255 eggs have been shares with Nugent, Salvation Army, Big help project and the Centre 56 all of whom are very appreciative of the generosity and kindness of our lovely mums especially now in this climate of economic recession and growing prices of all kinds of things. Our Liverpool mums are simply the best! Congratulations to the ladies of St Joseph’,s celebrating their 30th year. Unfortunately we have had a recent closure of one of our parishes - St Teresa`s. M Pimblett WESTMINSTER Memorial Mass A Memorial Mass was held for Rosaline Egan member of St. John`s Wood Foundation. Her sister Betty also celebrated her 99th birthday. Picture shows Fr. Kevin Jordan, Betty and Sr. Brigid at the tea party held after the Mass. Independent Members 2 members received their 50 year certificate of membership from our National President at our AGM. 8 other members received certificates for 25, 30 and 40 years at our Annual Mass in March from Bishop Paul McAleenan. From left to right: Eilish Watts, Fr. Michael Johnston, Margaret Macdonald and Peggy Woods. BIRMINGHAM Backpacks for Mary`s Meals Members of St. John the Baptist Foundation in Tamworth are pictured with their final donation of backpacks for Mary`s Meals. The group has supported Mary`s Meals for a number of years and members are sorry the backpack project has come to an end. The last fundraising event was the group`s annual sponsored walk in 2019 which raised £,760 for Mary`s Meals. L to R. Sue Daly, Pauline Devlin, Jane Barr, Kate Connell and Rosemary Kinsella. To myself I am ME, To everyone else I am THEY…, Just think about that! I am part of the THEY who should do something about it, There is work to be done I cannot do it alone I need a UN ION! But together in Unity and Prayer and Love, WE can be Catalysts, Innovators, Workers, Supporters Even Prophets and Visionaries. DO NOT BE AFRAID, In the Love of God I and Me and You and They and Her and Him are one. Let Us go forward together. Jan Woodford, Past National President Annual Mass Celebration after our Annual Mass in March at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Marylebone. Bishop Paul McAleenan was the main celebrant. Isle of Sheppey Foundation CAFOD Lent Sponsored Walk for Hunger Isle of Sheppey Foundation CAFOD Lent Sponsored Walk for Hunger Ladies from the Sheppey Foundation took part in the CAFOD Sponsored Walk for Hunger during Lent organised by our member Sue Jarvis here are some of the members enjoying a walk together along the beach at Minster Leas. Walk of Witness Good Friday Walk of Witness from St Henry &, St Elizabeth Church Sheerness to The Glen, Minster for our Churches Together Service on The Bunny Bank. Joanne Pavitt, Sheppey Foundation President 12 Members and friends of our Foundation were delighted to spend the day yesterday visiting the wonderful Wallace Collection in Manchester Square, London, followed by an enjoyable lunch at an Italian restaurant. The Wallace Collection is a historic family home full of magnificent works of art, the most famous of which is the portrait of ",The Laughing Cavalier", by Frans Hals. It`s hard to believe it is only 10 minutes’, walk from Selfridges on Oxford Street. Maggie Carr, Social Secretary, Sutton UCM New Malden Celebrates 40 years The members of New Malden Foundation held a special evening to celebrate their 40th Anniversary they invited Mary Piper, Diocesan Secretary and Sharon Bishop our Diocesan President who presented the foundation with their 40-year certificate and many members with long service certificates` Alice Guiselin, Joyce Vaz, Josie Bratt, Myrtle Murphy Sutton UCM Outing

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Page 10 Summer 2022 UCM News SALFORD Climate Walk Salford Diocese UCM spent a sunny Sunday afternoon by supporting the ‘,Walk for the Climate’, walk to raise awareness of climate change and raise funds to support Women in El Salvador. The walk took place on Sunday 10th October, 2021 –, starting with a service at Salford Cathedral with Bishop John at 12.15, winding its way through a few parishes, before ending up at Wardley Hall at around 3.00 pm. It was about seven miles in total and took between 2 ½, to 3 ½, hrs to complete. Walkers passed through the parishes of St James, SS Peter and Paul and St Charles Borromeo before finishing at Wardley Hall Ladies who were unable to walk gathered in the Walled Garden which is the first phase of the ‘,Laudato Si Centre’, project. St Mary and St Philip Neri Social Evening On Wednesday 27th April, St. Mary and St. Phillip Neri foundation Salford Diocese held their annual social when over 70 ladies enjoyed a pastie and peas supper. They danced the night away with the music supplied by Darron Shaw a local Radciffe lad who entertains at many venues around the county. As it was the first time after lockdown for two years it was a welcome evening for everyone to let their hair down. The group is all St. Mary’,s members with Father Brady in the foreground, on the floor. Post- Christmas meal in January The UCM of St. Mary`s, Radcliffe enjoying their post-Christmas meal in January. We started having one in January as we are usually all too busy before Christmas, and it`s good to have a meal to look forward to. As this was our first evening out after the restrictions, this one was extra special! Caritas Work After the Salford Diocesan Mass in April, 2022 K athryn Ansley from Caritas gave the ladies a talk on the range of good work carried out by Caritas. A collection raised £,185 and the photograph shows Kathleen Playfair-Henderson, Salford Diocesan UCM President, presenting a cheque to Kathryn. Ladies in the photograph are Jenny Ferguson, Margaret Haydock and Pat McGrath, Iris Riley, Julie Southworth and ladies from St Mary and St Philip Foundation, Radcliffe. Also 50 years of membership –, Maureen Woodward Past National Vice President Pope Francis: Rediscover the value of family life Over the last three days, the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has been taking place in the Vatican under the theme, “,The family as relational good: The challenge of love.", Greeting participants on Friday, Pope Francis went to the heart of this theme, focusing his attention on marriage and the challenges facing families today. Challenges to family life He noted that “,social changes are altering the living conditions of marriage and families all over the world,”, and that “,prolonged and multiple crises”, are putting a strain on family life. His antidote to this was to “,rediscover the value of the family as the source and origin of the social order, as the vital cell of a fraternal society capable of caring for the common home.”, Pope Francis underlined that despite many changes marriage and the family have undergone through the centuries, there are “,common and permanent traits”, that reveal the greatness and value of both. But, he warned, “,if this value is lived out in an individualistic and private way, as is partly the case in the West, the family can become isolated and fragmented in the context of society.”, The Pope went on to say that it was important to understand that “,the family is good for society, not insofar as it is a mere aggregation of individuals, but insofar as it is a relationship founded in a `bond of mutual perfection.’,”, The good of the family, Pope Francis said, “,consists in sharing relationships of faithful love, trust, cooperation, reciprocity,”, which brings about their happiness. “,The family humanises people through the relationship of `we` and at the same time promotes each person`s legitimate differences.”, Church and the family The Pope highlighted that “,the Church`s social thinking helps to understand this relational love appropriate to the family, as the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia has sought to do, following in the wake of the great tradition, but with that tradition, take a step forward.”, He also emphasized that the family “,is a place of welcome,”, adding that its qualities are “,particularly evident in families where there are frail or disabled members. These families, he said, “,develop special virtues, which enhance the capacity for love and patient endurance in the face of life`s difficulties.”, He also pointed to families “,that generate benefits for society as a whole, including adoptive and foster families and noted that the family “,is the main antidote to poverty,”, In his address, Pope Francis stressed that family- friendly social, economic and cultural policies need to be promoted in all countries that make it possible to harmonise family life. Rediscovering the beauty of family life Turning his attention again to the theme of “,rediscovering”, the beauty of family life, the Pope said there were certain conditions. The first, he continued, “,is to remove from the mind`s eye the ",cataracts", of ideologies that prevent us from seeing reality.”, “,The second condition is the rediscovery of the correspondence between natural marriage and sacramental marriage.”, Finally, spelling out the third condition, he drew from his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia which recalls the awareness that the grace of the sacrament of Matrimony - which is the ‘,social’, sacrament par excellence - heals and elevates the whole of human society and is a leaven of fraternity.”, By Vatican News staff reporter

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 11 Indian Church’,s initiatives for canonization of Devasahayam India’,s Latin-rite bishops are planning a series of events to celebrate the life and holiness of the country’,s first layman and martyr who will be officially declared a saint in 3 months’, time. They are holding up the figure of Blessed Devasahayam as a model to the country’,s Christians. He is an 18th century Indian Hindu convert to Catholicism who suffered martyrdom in 1752, in what is southern India’,s Tamil Nadu state today. He is among the 7 candidates from around the world who will be officially declared saints by Pope Francis at a canonization Mass in the Vatican on May 15, 2022. Model for youth “,We have here a wonderful opportunity to tell the heroic story of our martyr especially to our young people, who will be helped by it to face courageously the exigencies of Christian life and witness today,”, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) said in a statement on Wednesday. “,In martyr Devasahayam we have the first Indian who is acknowledged to have won the crown of martyrdom on Indian soil,”, said the statement signed by CCBI president Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrã,o of Goa and Daman, vice president Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras- Mylapore and secretary general Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi. “,He is also the first lay person and the first married person from India to be conferred sainthood. This canonization, therefore, has a special significance for the Church in India,”, they stressed. Martyrdom Born on April 23, 1712, as Neelakanda Pillai, in the village of Nattalam, Devasahayam served in the palace of southern India’,s Hindu kingdom of Travancore, which stretched from what is Kanyakumari district today, right up to Cochin in Kerala state. At Baptism in 1745, he assumed the name `Lazarus` or `Devasahayam` in the local language, meaning ‘,God is my help’,. However, his conversion did not go well with the leaders of his native religion. False charges of treason and espionage were brought against him and he was divested of his post in the royal administration. He was imprisoned and subjected to harsh persecution. A Catholic for only seven years, he was shot dead in the Aralvaimozhy forest on January 14, 1752. He was 39. Sites linked with his life and martyrdom are in Kottar Diocese, in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu state. The tomb of Devasahayam at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nagercoil attracts large numbers of devotees. Initiatives To celebrate the sainthood of Devasahayam, the Latin bishops have released a prayer to him and a brief outline of his life focusing on his outstanding qualities. In collaboration with the canonization committee of the Diocese of Kottar in southern India’,s Tamil Nadu state, where he was martyred, the CCBI plans to hold a 7-step national quiz competition on his life and message. Similarly, a national essay competition will be held for young people and married laity and school and college students. Following the May 15 canonization, a national thanksgiving celebration will be held on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Aralvaimozhi where Devasahayam met his martyrdom. And on June 24, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all families will be consecrated to the Sacred Heart. The bishops have invited the faithful, both in the country as well as abroad, to join in the prayer as a family and “,plead for the intercession of martyr Devasahayam for our country”,. The Indian Church The CCBI has been behind the sainthood cause of Devasahayam. In 2009, the Latin-rite bishops decided to request the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints to expedite the process of Devasahayam, and in 2013 it decided to include his memorial in the liturgical calendar of India. Bishops from India’,s 132 Latin-rite dioceses form the CCBI, the largest of the 3 groups that make up the Catholic Bishops By Robin Gomes Blessed Devasahayam is India’,s first martyr, as well as the country’,s first layman and married person who will be declared a saint on May 15 in the Vatican. Last December four new members were enrolled at St. Mary’,s, Radcliffe. Mary Ross, Carole Kaye, Monica McCulloch and Marie Bourne are in the centre of the photo, accompanied by Diocesan President Kathleen Henderson-Jones on the left, and Iris Riley, Foundation President on the right. If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 2 48225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org New Members for Salford Diocese £,1.80 provides a child with a meal every weekday for a month Donate Now at www.reachfoundationuk.org THE REACH FOUNDATION UK

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Page 12 Summer 2022 UCM News Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2022 W orld Day of Vocations The World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on the 4 Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, 8 May. Called to Build the Human Family Dear Brothers and Sisters, At the time when the cold winds of war and oppression are blowing and when we frequently encounter signs of polarization, we as a Church have undertaken a synodal process: we sense the urgent need to journey together, cultivating the spirit of listening, participation and sharing. Together with all men and women of good will, we want to help build the human family, heal its wounds and guide it to a better future. On this 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I would like to reflect with you on the broader meaning of “,vocation”, within the context of a synodal Church, a Church that listens to God and to the world. Called to be protagonists together of the Church’,s mission Synodality, journeying together, is a vocation fundamental to the Church. Only against this horizon is it possible to discern and esteem the various vocations, charisms and ministries. We know that the Church exists to evangelize, to go forth and to sow the seed of the Gospel in history. This mission can only be carried out if all areas of pastoral activity work together and, even more importantly, involve all the Lord’,s disciples. For “,in virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization”, (Evangelii Gaudium, 120). We must beware of the mentality that would separate priests and laity, considering the former as protagonists and the latter as executors, and together carry forward the Christian mission as the one People of God, laity and pastors. The Church as a whole is an evangelizing community. Called to be guardians of one another and of creation The word “,vocation”, should not be understood restrictively, as referring simply to those who follow the Lord through a life of special consecration. All of us are called to share in Christ’,s mission to reunite a fragmented humanity and to reconcile it with God. Each man and woman, even before encountering Christ and embracing the Christian faith, receives with the gift of life a fundamental calling: each of us is a creature willed and loved by God, each of us has a unique and special place in the mind of God. At every moment of our lives, we are called to foster this divine spark, present in the heart of every man and woman, and thus contribute to the growth of a humanity inspired by love and mutual acceptance. We are called to be guardians of one another, to strengthen the bonds of harmony and sharing, and to heal the wounds of creation lest its beauty be destroyed. In a word, we are called to become a single family in the marvellous common home of creation, in the reconciled diversity of its elements. In this broad sense, not only individuals have a “,vocation”,, but peoples, communities and groups of various kinds as well. Called to welcome God’,s gaze Within this great common vocation, God addresses a particular call to each of us. He touches our lives by his love and directs them to our ultimate goal, to a fulfilment that transcends the very threshold of death. That is how God wanted to see our lives and how he sees them still. Michelangelo Buonarroti is said to have maintained that every block of stone contains a statue within it, and it is up to the sculptor to uncover it. If that is true of an artist, how much more is it true of God! In the young woman of Nazareth he saw the Mother of God. In Simon the fisherman he saw Peter, the rock on which he would build his Church. In the publican Levi he recognized the apostle and evangelist Matthew, and in Saul, a harsh persecutor of Christians, he saw Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles. God’,s loving gaze always meets us, touches us, sets us free and transforms us, making us into new persons. That is what happens in every vocation: we are met by the gaze of God, who calls us. Vocation, like holiness, is not an extraordinary experience reserved for a few. Just as there is a “,holiness of the saints next door”, (cf. Gaudete et Exsultate, 6-9), so too there is a vocation for everyone, for God’,s gaze and call is directed to every person. According to a proverb from the Far East, “,a wise person, looking at the egg can see an eagle, looking at the seed he glimpses a great tree, looking at the sinner he glimpses a saint”,. That is how God looks at us: in each of us, he sees a certain potential, at times unbeknownst to ourselves, and throughout our lives he works tirelessly so that we can place this potential at the service of the common good. Vocation arises in this way, thanks to the art of the divine Sculptor who uses his “,hands”, to make us go forth from ourselves and become the masterpiece that we are called to be. The word of God, which frees us from self-absorption, is especially able to purify, enlighten and recreate us. So let us listen to that word, in order to become ever more open to the vocation that God entrusts to us! And let us learn to listen also to our brothers and sisters in the faith, for their advice and example may help disclose the plan of God, who shows us ever new paths to pursue. Called to respond to God’,s gaze God’,s loving and creative gaze met us in an entirely unique way in Jesus. The evangelist Mark tells us that, in speaking with the rich young man, “,Jesus looking upon him, loved him”, (10:21). This gaze of Jesus, full of love, rests upon each of us. Brothers and sisters, let us allow ourselves to be moved by this gaze to allow him to lead us outside of ourselves! Let us also learn to look at one another in such a way that all those with whom we live and encounter –, whoever they may be –, will feel welcomed and discover that there is Someone who looks at them with love and invites them to develop their full potential. Our lives change when we welcome this gaze. Everything becomes a vocational dialogue between ourselves and the Lord, but also between ourselves and others. A dialogue that, experienced in depth, makes us become ever more who we are. In the vocation to the ordained priesthood, to be instruments of Christ’,s grace and mercy. In the vocation to the consecrated life, to be the praise of God and the prophecy of a new humanity. In the vocation to marriage, to be mutual gift and givers and teachers of life. In every ecclesial vocation and ministry that calls us to see others and the world through God’,s eyes, to serve goodness and to spread love with our works and words. Here I would like to mention the experience of Dr José, Gregorio Herná,ndez Cisneros. While working as a physician in Caracas, Venezuela, he wanted to become a Third Order Franciscan. Later, he thought of becoming a monk and a priest, but his health did not allow it. He came to understand that his calling was the medical profession, in which he spent himself above all in service to the poor. He devoted himself unreservedly to those who had contracted the worldwide epidemic known as the “,Spanish flu”,. He died, hit by a car, as he was leaving a pharmacy after purchasing medicine for one of his elderly patients. An exemplary witness of what it means to accept the call of the Lord and embrace it fully, he was beatified a year ago. Called to build a fraternal world As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually, we are also called together. We are like the tiles of a mosaic. Each is lovely in itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture. Each of us shines like a star in the heart of God and in the firmament of the universe. At the same time, though, we are called to form constellations that can guide and light up the path of humanity, beginning with the places in which we live. This is the mystery of the Church: a celebration of differences, a sign and instrument of all that humanity is called to be. For this reason, the Church must become increasingly synodal: capable of walking together, united in harmonious diversity, where everyone can actively participate and where everyone has something to contribute. When we speak of “,vocation”,, then, it is not just about choosing this or that way of life, devoting one’,s life to a certain ministry or being attracted by the charism of a religious family, movement or ecclesial community. It is about making God’,s dream come true, the great vision of fraternity that Jesus cherished when he prayed to the Father “,that they may all be one”, (Jn 17:21). Each vocation in the Church, and in a broader sense in society, contributes to a common objective: to celebrate among men and women that harmony of manifold gifts that can only be brought about by the Holy Spirit. Priests, consecrated men and women, lay faithful: let us journey and work together in bearing witness to the truth that one great human family united in love is no utopian vision, but the very purpose for which God created us. Let us pray, brothers and sisters, that the People of God, amid the dramatic events of history, may increasingly respond to this call. Let us implore the light of the Holy Spirit, so that all of us may find our proper place and give the very best of ourselves in this great divine plan! Rome, Saint John Lateran, 8 May 2022, Fourth Sunday of Easter. CBCEW His Holiness Pope Francis UCM Wales Annual Conference In March I was invited as a guest to UCM Wales Annual Conference. This year it was held in Port Talbot, a lovely part of the Welsh countryside, the hotel was on the front looking out across Swansea Bay. The theme this year was ‘,Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men. Matthew 4. Tuesday started with prayers with an extra one said to Our Lady of Kiev, Ukraine. The first speaker was Father Michael Akpoghiran, a Dominion Priest. He said that although the conference theme was Fishers of m en, he would like to change it to Fishers of Christ. John 4. This tells the story of the woman at the well, was she the first apostle? We know she was a Samaritan and after meeting and ta lking with Jesus, she went out into the village inviting people to come and meet Jesus. Father Michael then went on to ask us if Mary Magdalen was the first apostle after the resurrection, Jesus met and spoke to her and then she went to the disciples and told them the news. It certainly gave us food for thought. He finished by saying”, remember G od comes to meet us just where we are”,. Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop George Stack. The next day the Speaker was Jacky Wykes. Her subject was evangelisation. A question given to us was ‘,How can we spread the gospel and good news? This opened up a lively discussion, one of the comments made was by our actions and deeds, you do not hav e to go and stand in a public place proclaiming the gospel. One of the members was presented with her 50-year badge. During a conversation with another member, she told me that she was o n the first Walsingham pilgrimage that was allowed to hold a service in the Abbey grounds. The conference ended with Mass celebrated by their Ecclesiastical Advisor, Canon Paul Watson. Margaret McDonald, Past National President

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 13 Our Lady of Fidelity The church needs religious sisters URGENTLY to bring Christ to others by a life of prayer and service lived in the community of Ignation spirituality. Daily Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses of the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette Mature vocations considered. CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF FIDELITY 1 Our Lady`s Close, Upper Norwood, London SE19 3FA Telephone 07760 297001 090699502 If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 2 48225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Can you step out to help Christians get back on their feet in the Holy Land? With the tourism industry slow to recover from the impact of the Covid pandemic, a lifeline is being offered to help Christians develop new skills and find employment in the Holy Land. Ecumenical charity Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) has launched a new vocational scholarship programme, Road to Success, to help Christians become less dependent on tourism and move into skills gaps in the region. And this spring FHL is inviting churches to help people take their first steps in shortage skill areas such as IT, electrics, plumbing and nursing - by accepting the Pentecost sponsored challenge of walking, swimming or cycling in their own local area in a six-week virtual pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Along the way, participants will `visit` key locations where Jesus once walked, meet the Christian community and hear about the work FHL is doing to support families as Covid continues to cause far- reaching hardship to Christian families largely dependent on pilgrims and tourists who remain largely absent. FHL Executive Director Brendan Metcalfe said: ",The fantastic news is that there is excellent training available from local vocational training centres, which see 90% of their students walking straight into a job. ",But with no government funding, many families struggle to afford fees. This is where we can help school leavers and people who lost work in the pandemic to find a new way forward with stable employment. Not only will they be able to support their families, but they can also fill key roles in their communities. ",The building blocks are all there, and so we are appealing to churches, schools, businesses and individuals this spring to step out on the Pentecost Challenge and help give people that vital step up through our new Road to Success scholarship programme. ",Most of us haven`t been able to visit the Holy Land and learn from its people, the `living stones` of Christianity for years now, the virtual journey of the Pentecost Challenge provides an opportunity to do both of those things and enjoy some exercise. Please join in and help your brothers and sisters get back on their feet!", To find out more about the Pentecost Challenge visit: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/pentecost22 Watch a video on one the FHL projects: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-5d1gEwfAo Source –, Independent Catholic News 7th May 2022 Book: Becoming a Pastoral Parish Although the Church maintained engagement with parishioners and quickly pivoted to online Mass during the Covid crisis, one thing that did inevitably suffer was pastoral outreach. Whilst daily worship continued and some of the sacraments were carried out, the task of nourishing and developing the parish community was beyond the possibilities afforded by continued lockdowns. A new book arrives at a crucial juncture as the easing of restrictions allows for the return of pastoral engagement with the individuals, families and groups that constitute a parish. Becoming a Pastoral Parish Council: How to make your PPC really useful for the twenty-first century by Patricia Carroll sets out to clarify and explore the role that PPCs can play in the future pastoral development of a parish. The book carries a foreword by Archbishop Dermot Farrell and focuses on the purpose of the parish community within the context of the five P`s of the PPC: Pastoral, Prayerful, Partnership, Planning and Participation. Informed by Evangelli Gaudium, the book integrates the pastoral theology of Pope Francis into every chapter with a view to preparing for the challenges and opportunities that are present for the twenty-first century parish. It will be of interest to and a resource for those working in lay ministry and faith development as well as parish workers, diocesan officers, and those interested in synodality and parish pastoral development. Originally from Scotland, Patricia Carroll is Director for Mission and Ministry in the Archdiocese of Dublin. She has worked for over twenty years in the area of developing lay people for ministries both as a practitioner in parish pastoral work and as an educator of lay people. Becoming a Pastoral Parish Council: How to make your PPC really useful for the twenty-first century by Patricia Carroll and with a foreword by Archbishop Dermot Farrell is published in Ireland and the UK by Messenger Publications. Priced at €, 9.95/£,8.95 Iraq –, school of hope and recovery Iraq’,s Christians will, on Sunday, pass a momentous milestone on the way towards recovery from genocide when a community of Sisters officially open their long-awaited school. With capacity for 625 students, Al-Tahira Secondary School opens on 1st May in Qaraqosh (Baghdeda), the largest of the 13 Christian majority towns and villages in the iconic Nineveh Plains. Unlike most structural projects which involve restoring buildings damaged by Daesh (ISIS) during their occupation of Nineveh, the mixed school has been built from scratch in what was the playground of Al-Tahira Primary School, also run by the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena. Al-Tahira Secondary School, which admitted its first students in February, comprises state-of-the-art facilities spread over three floors, including three science laboratories, a computer centre, a large conference hall, library and chapel. Five years in the making, the school is one of the single biggest projects in Iraq supported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians. Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, the Executive President of ACN (International), who will be participating in the opening ceremony along with other staff from the charity, said: “,ACN was involved right from the start of the initiative and it has been a privilege to work with so many committed individuals and organisations to bring this project to fruition, including the Austrian bishops’, conference, supported by the Austrian government.”, ACN was involved in securing more than 80 percent of the US$2.1 million (£,1.67m) needed to build the school. Thanking benefactors for their tireless support for Iraq, he went on: “,I would like to pay tribute to Sister Clara Nas, the other Dominican Sisters and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality.”, He added: “,Back in the darkest days of the Daesh (ISIS) occupation of the region, who would have thought that just a few years later we would be celebrating the opening of a brand new school?”, Showing an ACN delegation around the school last month, Dominican Sister Huda said the school is about helping to secure a future for Christians in a country where numbers have fallen from more than one million before 2003 to perhaps 150,000 today. She said: “,We are building the character of the students to be leaders in society, taking responsibility and developing a plan to remain in this country. “,The presence of the Sisters here, the presence of the school here are both signs of hope, giving people a reason to stay.”, Student Rameel Rabu Wadi, aged 16, told ACN: “,With buildings like this and a chance to study well, we feel we have a big future here. Thank you so much for supporting us.”, CAN - April 28, 2022 John Pontifex The World Observatory on Women The World Observatory on Women (WOW) was created by WUCWO on an experimental basis in 2021, in a first stage covering only the Latin America and Caribbean region. This research will serve to highlight the situation of women both in the Church and in society to be able to understand which are the most appropriate pastoral responses. A research and dissemination programme will be required to scientifically describe, evaluate and give witness to the existential situations and relationships of women in various continents and cultural contexts of life. This project has gone well in Latin America and a most interesting and informative report is available on the WUCWO website. The second stage is about to begin with the Women from the Africa Region who are asking for prayers and financial support. All details of how you can help are on the WUCWO website. Val Ward, WUCWO Board member for UK Boarbank Hall Contact: Sr Marian Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH Telephone: 01 5395 32288 Website: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Canonesses of St Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus “,She who accepts the common life possesses God”, St Augustine A Warm Welcome to Everyone , Prayer , Community , , Hospitality , , Care of the poor and sick,

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Page 14 Summer 2022 UCM News Message of the WUCWO President for the month of May 2022 The face of Christ reflected in women of the Roman Curia Until now, the offices of prefect and secretary of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia could only be held by those in Holy Orders. Obviously, women were excluded. Since the recent apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, women, lay or consecrated, as well as bishops, priests, religious or lay persons, can serve the Church in the position of a prefect or secretary of a dicastery. The Preamble of the document says: “,The Pope, bishops and other ordained ministers are not the only evangelisers in the Church... Every Christian, by virtue of Baptism, is a missionary disciple to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus”,. From this derives the participation of lay men and women in the positions of governance and responsibility. The ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council and its orientations are deepened in the new constitution issued by Pope Francis and, as a consequence, women will be able to act with authority in these positions by virtue of the power entrusted to them by the Pope. The collaborative work between men and women, which is proving so fruitful in all areas of society, will also be present within this structure at the service of the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, acting in his name and under his guidance. Let us celebrate the fact that at the head of these bodies of the universal Church, too, the face of Christ can be reflected by a woman. As women of WUCWO we thank the Holy Father for this crucial and qualitatively significant step that opens wide the doors for women, so that we can offer our participation in decision-making spaces, assuming missions that allow us to contribute with the suitability, formation and experience of each one of us, moved by our deep love for the Church. Although Pope Francis has already appointed excellent women to high positions in the Curia, with this regulation we reach the apex of the recognition of why feminine traits enrich the face of Christ in evangelisation. And from these instances of collaboration in the governance of the Church, so many other alternatives in new ministries of service will no longer be able to exclude women. Let me share with you the joy of seeing something that I expressed last year in my open letter to the Pope come closer to becoming a reality: “,I dream of a Church that has suitable women as judges in all the courts in which matrimonial cases are processed, in the formation teams of each seminary and for exercising ministries such as listening, spiritual direction, pastoral health care, care for the planet, defence of human rights, etc., for which, by our nature, women are equally or sometimes better prepared than men. Not only consecrated women, but how many lay women in all regions of the globe are ready to serve!”,. In the coming years WUCWO must foster formation to increase the preparation of its members and experience in the specific fields in which the Church may call us to serve. These will be topics of conversation at our next meeting in Athens (7-10 October 2022) to which all women members of WUCWO organisations are invited to participate. And please do not forget that the Pope has especially asked us to pray the rosary for peace during the whole month of May. With the desire to meet all of you under Mary’,s mantle every day in prayer and face to face in Greece, I send you my warm regards, Marí,a Lí,a Zervino, Servidora World Meeting of Families 22 –, 26 June 2022 The theme for the tenth World Meeting of Families (WMOF) is Family Love: a vocation and a path to Holiness. The World Meeting of Families was instituted by Pope St John Paul II in 1994. The week is organised and promoted by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Although physically hosted by the Diocese of Rome, in 2022 the event will be multi-centred and spread out throughout the world’,s Catholic dioceses. The limitations of the pandemic are, in a sense, presenting the opportunity for more families to truly participate and offer their contributions to diocesan meetings. The aim is for events in Rome and local initiatives to go hand-in-hand. Catholics will be able to listen to and follow the meeting with the Holy Father via live streaming. Each meeting begins with a Congress that invites married couples, families, pastors, theologians, and professionals with expertise on a variety of issues that affect family life together for workshops, talks, and discussions surrounding the theme. The shape of the event has always been fairly consistent, with an international Theological-Pastoral Congress at the start and ending, in the presence of the Pope, with a vigil and ‘,Festival of Families’, along with a great final Eucharistic celebration. Among other things, the World Meeting is part of the current synodal journey of the Church and will provide a valuable experience of “,participation, communion and mission”, for our families. #WMOF22

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Summer 2022 UCM News Page 15 OBITUA RIES SHREWSBURY Pat O`CONNOR, Past Diocesan President, Sacred Heart &, St Peters Foundation NOTTINGHAM Patricia Ellen NEWBY, St Mary of the Annunciation, Loughborough Foundation. SALFORD Ann GR EGORY, St Mary and St Phillip Neri Foundation, Radcliffe Margaret POSTILL, Past National Media Officer, St Joseph’,s Foundation, Reddish. WESTMINSTER Joan GENTLE, Hitchin Foundation Maria LA PO RTE, Hounslow Foundation Ann TUCK, West Drayton Foundation Betty DONO GHUE, Ware Foundation Pam GALLAGHER, Ware Foundation Sybil ALLARD, Ware Foundation Mary MARLEY, Kensal New Town Foundation Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord Your memories linger, Your smile that cared , Your listening ear Your goodness shared. In God`s deepest love. In God`s gentlest care This is my prayer. Submitting copy for next issue The deadline for articles and photos for the next edition of the UCM News is 15th Otober 2022 Please send copy to ucmnews@yahoo.com Thank you (GDPR) General Data Protection Regulation Anyone sending photos to be published in The Catholic Mother newspaper, it is your responsibility to make sure you get permission from all in the photos. Maureen Gordon R.I.P. Maureen was a member of St. John’,s Foundation in Chorlton, Salford Diocese and during that time served twice as President and as Treasurer. In the Diocese she was the Assistant Treasurer and the Walsingham co- ordinator and Treasurer. At National level, Maureen was the assistant to the National Treasurer and the Secretary/Treasurer of the National Holiday and Rest Homes Service. She was a volunteer for a local Good Neighbours Group for the elderly, driving referrals to different activities and organising the catering for various occasions. She was passionate about Francis House, Children’,s hospice and every year for a number of years she opened her home and garden to raise funds for them. She organised the mail shots, roping in UCM members and friends to put newsletters into envelopes for delivery to the many members of public supporters. She must have sold thousands of Christmas cards for them over the years and organised the catering for the Francis House Annual Garden parties. When she moved from Chorlton, she still remained a member of St John’,s Foundation. Maureen was well known for her catering skills and in her new parish was called on as she had been at St John’,s. Her services were rewarded with the Papal Bene Merenti Medal. The young priest who came to visit Maureen and administer the sacrament of the sick had last seen her when she catered for his recent ordination. Rest in Peace Maureen after a live serving the church and community. Memories of Patricia Tester Patricia was born in South London in 1924 and joined the Wrens towards the end of the Second World War. She met her husband Jack in 1944 and they married in 1945 after Jack was demobbed from the armed forces. Jack was employed as a chartered accountant and in 1953 the couple moved to Nairobi, Kenya where they spent the following twenty-six years. Patricia was very active in the church community while living in Kenya, a commitment which continued when the family returned to live in the United Kingdom in 1979. They settled in Westbury- on-Trym, where Patricia joined the Sacred Heart Church, making friends and becoming a member of the Union of Catholic Mothers. Patricia had a great devotion to the U.C.M., holding office as assistant to the National Treasurer, as Stock Officer, Secretary/Treasurer to National Study Days, Diocesan Treasurer, which also involved dealing with Walsingham and accommodation. From these posts it will be obvious to you that her forte was managing money! She was super-efficient and always totally organised. On a personal level, my earliest memories of Patricia go back to our first visit to the Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick in Derbyshire, where Cecilia Thorley and I were attending National Council of the Union of Catholic Mothers. Patricia was our chauffeur and we soon realised that we must watch our P’,s and Q’,s! It took many meetings before we realised that underneath her stern exterior there was a person of wry humour and understanding. She was well known for a certain look she could give, and one day I dared to tell her that she could freeze one at a glance! Instead of being annoyed she was rather amused and from that day on she rather enjoyed being known for it. Two events that stand out for me (and they are two of many), the first taking place on our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham many years ago, where we surprised not only Patricia but Bishop Mervyn, our Spiritual Director, with a celebration of Patricia’,s 70th birthday and Bishop Mervyn’,s golden jubilee –, with the Shrine’,s permission we organised a room after supper, one of our members, Helen Cordy, had (as usual) brought a lovely cake, and we were even allowed alcohol, normally forbidden on the premises –, we had such a job to keep the Bishop and Patricia talking outside while we got the room ready. It really was a total surprise to them both when they walked in and such a happy occasion. My other memory is spending several hours in a very small hotel bedroom with Patricia, Jack, Hugh my husband and myself. It was the last day of the U.C.M. National Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and at very short notice we were told our flight home, arriving in Gatwick, had been changed to Stanstead and would not be leaving until the early hours of the morning. There was a very long evening ahead of us and it was very difficult to rest in such a small room meant for two, however we had a most enjoyable and if I remember, hilarious time telling our life stories and of course no sleep! The Clifton branch of the U.C.M. were fortunate to join many National Pilgrimages over the years, so full of memories, and friendships became very dear. We also attended National Council for more years than I can remember but one thing stands out, Patricia always got the Clifton contingent “,the best seats in town”,. We were always at the front of the hall, as she would not consider anywhere else! When Patricia became unable to attend meetings of the U.C.M. at The Sacred Heart, Bristol, due to ill health, with Cecilia, we visited Patricia in her home. She loved to reminisce about anything to do with the U.C.M. We had so many laughs together. When she moved into St Joseph’,s, sadly Covid restrictions put an end to any visiting but, as “,The Dursley Girls”, as she loved to call us, we remember her fondly. Patricia’,s husband Jack passed away in 2012 and she is survived by their two daughters, Gillian and Kate. Midie MacDonald and Cecilia Thorley Pauline Jaricot - A Saint for our times Sunday 22 May is a day of prayer and celebration for overseas mission organisation `Missio`, and indeed the whole Church. One of its founders, Pauline Marie Jaricot, will be beatified in Lyon. It`s a leap forward on the path to Sainthood that will see Pauline Jaricot declared a `Blessed`. Beatification requires a miracle through the candidate`s intercession to be recognised by the Church. In Pauline`s case this happened in May 2012. A three-and-a-half-year-old girl named Mayline, also from Lyon, choked on food and suffocated. Unable to resuscitate her, doctors explained that she was brain dead and that she would die in the next few weeks. Upon hearing the news, pupils and parents of Mayline`s school decided to ask for Pauline Jaricot`s intercession by praying a novena for Mayline`s recovery. At the same time, as Mayline lay in a coma hooked up to a feeding tube and respiratory machines, her parents began looking for a child- sized coffin. Soon afterwards the doctors were surprised to confirm that Mayline`s condition had changed. Remarkably, she was released from the hospital that December - fully healed. Doctors have been unable to explain the change in her health. Mayline`s parents are convinced of the intervention of Pauline Jaricot. A diocesan enquiry occurred in 2019, where a medical board validated the miracle of healing, and the theological commission certified the intervention of Pauline Jaricot in the full recovery of little Mayline. Mayline`s miracle has led to Pauline Jaricot`s Beatification. For the final step, Canonisation, a second miracle will need to be recognised. Source: CBCEW Pauline Jaricot If you would like to advertise please contact Charlotte Rosbrooke on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org

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Page 16 Summer 2022 UCM News Spring Plenary 2022 Resolution An invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58) A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives the Church her identity –, “,The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.”, It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as “,the Sunday Obligation.”, Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply. We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation. Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “,Virtual viewing”, of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday Obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick, for whom the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound. We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes, schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now we look forward with renewed faith and confidence. In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’,s Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost, we now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person. As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the Lord and glorify Him with our lives. Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’, Conference Friday 6 May 2022 Returning to Mass at Pentecost Photo courtesy of Depositphotos The Blessed Virgin Mary grants these seven graces to the souls who honour her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditating on her tears and sorrows. The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget. The Seven Sorrows: - 1. The prophecy of Simeon. 2. The flight into Egypt. 3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. 4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. 5. The Crucifixion. 6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross. 7. The burial of Jesus. The Seven Graces: - 1. I will grant peace to their families. 2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries. 3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work. 4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls. 5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives. 6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother. 7. I have obtained (This Grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolours, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy. Reprinted from C HRIS TIAN ORDER, APRIL, 2007 The Seven Sorrows and Graces the Blessed Virgin Mary

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