2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk CONTACT US: The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published on the last Sunday of the month previous to publication date. The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published by its owners. The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, a registered charity, (No. 234331), and is wholly independent of and separate from any previous newspaper published by or on behalf of the diocese. EDITOR: Edwina Gillett 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 edwinagillett@hotmail.co.uk www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk ADVERTISING: Charlotte Rosbrooke / CathCom Ltd. 01440 730399 / 07932 248225 charlotter@cathcom.org www.cathcom.org DESIGN &, LAYOUT: Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative 01253 730343 rob@hot-creative.co.uk www.hot-creative.co.uk PUBLISHED BY: CathCom Ltd. N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Blois Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Su昀,olk CB9 7BN 020 7112 6710 www.cathcom.org Articles to: voicenews@hotmail.co.uk Letters to: voiceletters@hotmail.co.uk POSTAL ADDRESS: FAO Edwina Gillett 99 Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ Please send articles for publication on CD or by email, supplying any photos separate to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise please type double spacing or write very clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST DAY of the month prior to publication. Photographs will be returned if you remember to put your name and address on the back of each and enclose suitable stamped and self- addressed packaging. O n a beautiful sunny Autumn morning, parishioners of Our Lady and St Edward’,s gathered for the celebration of their Creation Mass recognising that our Christian responsibility for the planet begins with appreciation of the goodness of all of God’,s creation: “,God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good”, (Gen 1:31). Our ful昀,llment as people, as Catholics, and as Christians, depends on the relationship of care that we establish with the world. So, the commitment to our common home is not optional, we are all called by God to be caretakers of creation. As we move towards the UN Climate change conference (COP27) on 6-18th November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, this responsibility comes sharply in to focus. At the start of Mass, young people read selected quotes from Laudato Si. Fr Ernest then invited parishioners to read the Entrance Antiphon together: “,O Lord, you have given everything its place in the world and no one can make it otherwise. For it is your creation: the heavens and the earth and the stars: you are the Lord of all”, which was so appropriate. Fr Ernest’,s homily focused on increasing our Faith. He referred to the virtues of knowledge and understanding, making particular reference to understanding the beauty of the gift of Creation, of the threats to it and the need to protect it. Parishioners were invited to bring donations for the food bank in the spirit of sharing our abundance. A selection was brought forward in the o昀,ertory procession. We ended with the CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day appeal. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving have always been important parts of our Catholic life, and this year can help CAFOD’,s local experts in East Africa work with families there to survive food shortages and severe drought. Over the years, our parishioners have been very generous in response to the CAFOD Lent and Harvest appeals and we are so grateful. The Mass was punctuated by live music from our choir, including “,Morning has Broken”,, “,Joy is like the Rain”, and “,O Lord my God, when I in Awesome Wonder”, . The involvement of the young people was inspirational. The mass was a great team e昀,ort involving numerous parishioners and Sr Maria Dee who made the wonderful displays you can see in the photographs. In the article “, Guardians of God’,s creation”, The Bishops conference of England and Wales make this positive re昀,ection about what we can do about the challenge we face: “,It is possible to change course. Scienti昀,c research gives us a n insight into what our future earth may look like. But all projections depend on the actions that we take today. We must take action urgently. We are aware of the common but di昀,erentiated responsibilities, with greater attention given to “,the needs of the poor, the weak and the vulnerable, in a debate often dominated by more powerful interests.”, We must face this challenge with con昀,dence in the knowledge that the worst e昀,ects of this ecolog ical crisis can still be avoided. As Bishops, we will review the ‘,Call of Creation’, to re昀,ect on our present situation and to promote goo d practice for diocese, parishes, schools, families and individuals. We need a more considered relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth through the way we manage our resources as a Church”,. Jane Tudor, Head of School Visual Performing Arts and Digital, Preston College https://www.cbcew.org.uk/gu ardians-of-gods-creation/ https://laudatosimovement.org/news/caring-for-god-creation- en-news/ Our Lady and St Edward Preston Creation Mass Pope Frances has been very clear on his views about our responsibility towards the planet: “,I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and a昀,ect us all.”, Pope Francis, Laudato ‘,si “,Whatever we value, we seek to protect”,

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3 Parishioners when re昀,ecting on the Mass made the following comments: Emma McGrath - “,What made the service meaningful to me was witnessing our young readers making a plea for the planet that they are going to inherit.”, Valerie - “,It was a wonderful peaceful Mass on a beautiful morning that really made me think about God’,s wonderful creation. Our young people’,s obvious passion for the environment was really inspiring, and the lovely music was appropriate and re昀,ective.”, Sr Shienrose - “,Thanks be to God! God is so generous in bestowing on us the grandeur of creation. Indeed, his creation is a re昀,ection of his unconditional love to us. I couldn’,t complain how the Lord enveloped me with his assuring presence through the beauty of his creation. Deo Gratias!”, Stephen - “,We celebrated Creation on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St Francis of Asissi. There was a happy co-incidence with the appeal for the CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day when we were invited to share with others God’,s incredible generosity.”, K&,M Maintenance Heating - Electrical - Drainage Established 25 years Telephone: 01772 704530 Fax 01722 798801 Heating, Electrical and Drainage and Plumbing services across the North West of England Gas •, Emergency Boiler Repairs for all makes •, Boiler Installations &, servicing •, Central Heating System repairs/upgrades/leaks •, New fitted Central Heating Systems •, Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12) Electrical •, New consumer units supplied and fitted •, All emergency breakdowns •, Power tripping •, New lighting •, Additional sockets •, Faulty sockets •, Rewiring •, Outdoor lighting/sockets •, EICR - electrial safey certificates Drainage and Plumbing •, Blocked drains, internal and external •, Leaks •, New taps •, Camera surveys Prices Boiler Service - £,49 + VAT plus £,10 for every additional appliance. Tel No: 01772 704530 Mobile: 07941 554730 Fax No: 01772 798801 Address: K &, M Maintenance Services Ltd, Unit 8A, Electron Mill, Brook Street, Preston PR1 7NH More information: www.kmmaintenance.co.uk Mark F H Rae Funeral Directors Dip FD MBIFD Incorporating Rawcliffe and Rae Independent Family Firm A Caring and Personal Service with over 40 years experience Funerals conducted by Mark and Helen Rae Consultant Funeral Director Paddy Keogh Tel: 01253 789000/01253 735269 Wood Street, St Annes on Sea, Lancashrie FY8 1QS Website: www.markraefunerals.co.uk

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4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk Y ou know what they say…, new year, new team at Castlerigg! Actually, nobody really says that, and to be honest some of the team aren’,t new, but some of them de昀,nitely are so it’,s a good chance to run through who we’,ve got and where they’,re all from. In the summer, we said goodbye to Trish, Alex, Megan, Mel, Ellie, Beth, and Rachel. Jack, Paddie, Joe and Rachel stayed with us and we were joined by Dom, Katie, and Sarah. Since then, we’,ve also been joined by Amelie and Kylie, with another Katie joining us at the start of November. Here’,s the team sheet: RACHEL Known as: Mack Age: 23 Role: Experienced Volunteer Mack is in her second year at Castlerigg having previously worked at Alton Castle –, a retreat centre in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Mack is a watersports enthusiast and, remarkably, also a fully quali昀,ed nurse, who keeps up her quali昀,cations by working the occasional shift around her work at Castlerigg. She is also allowed to drive ambulances, but not with the blue lights on! She comes from Newcastle and also, sort of, from Brampton. Totally untrue fact: Mack can say ‘,two lagers and a white wine please’, in more than twenty languages. PATRICK Known as: Paddie Age: Older than the volunteers but nowhere near as old as Jack Role: Deputy Director Paddie is now in his second year as Deputy Director having previously spent a year as trainee retreat leader. He comes from a small place in Northumberland called Scotland gate and has worked at two other retreat centres and with a host of other youth ministry projects before landing at Castlerigg. Paddie is a member of the Cor et Lumen Christi Community. Totally untrue fact: Paddie’,s favourite movie is the original Top Gun. He can quote every line and asks young people on retreat to call him ‘,Ice man’,. JACK Known as: Jack Age: Very old. More than double some of the volunteers! Role: Director Jack has been working with young people since literally the last century and has been at Castlerigg since May 2020, having worked here for a few years back in the noughties. He is married with two very young children and is married to a lady called Gillian, meaning that they are almost Jack and Gill. Jack is from Germany originally and has lived pretty much everywhere. Totally untrue fact: Jack once challenged the red telly-tubby to an arm wrestle JOSEPH Known as: Joe Age: 23 Role: Trainee Retreat Leader Joe is from West Sussex and studied physics at Lancaster University before doing a gap year at Castlerigg last year. This year he joins the leadership team as our Trainee Retreat Leader and is currently getting used to the ropes in leading programmes in the Youth Service. Totally untrue fact: Joe bears a striking resemblance to Dwayne ‘,The Rock’, Johnson and often enters lookalike contests. KYLIE Known as: Kylie Age: 23 Role: Experienced Volunteer Kylie is the most recent addition to the Castlerigg team. She has only been with us two weeks, but she’,s settled in really well and already got used to the work –, probably something to do with the fact that she has done a lot of retreat work before with the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Talking of Birmingham, that’,s where she’,s from, but she’,s not new to Cumbria. In fact, she’,s just 昀,nished a degree in dance at Cumbria university. Totally untrue fact: Kylie is 昀,uent in Spanish –, she learned it so she could better understand the Macarena and the Ketchup song in their original language. KATIE W Known as: Katie Age: 18 Role: Volunteer Katie is from Sta昀,ordshire and 昀,rst came to Castlerigg with her school on retreat in Year 8. She has just 昀,nished her A-levels and is hoping to go to uni after Castlerigg. Totally untrue fact: Katie is a huge fan of darts and has put up pictures of Eric Bristow all over the sta昀, lounge. Every time something good happens, she shouts ‘,one hundred and eiiiiiiiiiighty’, at the top of her voice! SARAH Known as: Sarah Age: 18 Role: Volunteer Sarah is from Bury and, like the other volunteers, got interested in Castlerigg after coming on retreat with her school –, in her case, in Year 10. Sarah has just 昀,nished her A-levels and is a keen Ukulele player. Every few weeks a parcel turns up for Sarah and it’,s usually something ukulele related! Until she started at Castlerigg, Sarah had never been to KFC, MacDonalds, or Burger King. Don’,t worry though –, she has now! Totally untrue fact: When she’,s not working, Sarah likes to go into the Garden at Castlerigg and talk to the Squirrels. DOMINIC Known as: Dom Age: 18 Role: Volunteer Dominic has just 昀,nished his A-levels having previously attended Keswick School, so he knows the town well already, although he’,s actually from Workington, where he is an altar server in the parish. So, of all the team members, Dom is closest to home! He is also active in a drama group and wants to pursue acting when he’,s older. Totally untrue fact: Dom bears absolutely no resemblance whatsoever to ‘,Sideshow Bob’, from the Simpsons and Jack has never ever pointed this out. KATIE F Known as: Katie Age: Actually, we’,re not sure! Role: Programme Leader Katie hasn’,t actually started yet, and will join us right around the time this edition hits the streets. So, actually she has started –, if that works? Anyway, Katie is from Wake昀,eld and has been in Youth Ministry for a few years. She even once worked with Paddie! For the last few years, she has been a parish youth worker in Durham and she has a degree in Art! Totally untrue fact: Katie is a lego fanatic and is working on a model of Castlerigg. AMELIE Known as: Amelie Age: 19 Role: Volunteer Amelie is from Dunoon in Scotland. Except that, when she starts talking it becomes pretty obvious that she’,s not, and a bit of digging soon reveals that she’,s actually from Oxford. Amelie is in her 昀,rst year as a volunteer at Castlerigg and is part of Youth 2000 where she recently completed the Worship School. She has also been involved with Craig Lodge in the past –, a retreat centre up in Scotland. Like Sarah, Amelie is a keen Ukulele player. Totally untrue fact: Amelie can walk on water and is often used by Amazon for delivering parcels to that house on the island in the middle of Derwentwater. Meet the New Team YOUTH SERVICE UPDATE

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 WHAT’,S BEEN HAPPENING LATELY? It feels like a while since we’,ve done one of these, and the Youth Service has been pretty busy lately. We’,ve got a load of new schools visiting this year, we’,re continuing to renovate the building and our new programme is going from strength to strength. We’,ve also got a lovely new team, but more of that at the end. WHAT’,S COMING UP? December 9-11 // Advent Retreat // A chance for young people (Year 10 upwards) to visit Castlerigg for our 昀,rst open retreat of the year. Journey through Advent, make some friends, and explore your faith. December 17 // Christmas Fayre // A chance for the diocese to visit Castlerigg and have a bit of fun. This is our 昀,rst open day since Covid and we’,re hoping for a good crowd. World Youth Day // July 31 –, Aug 6 // Sign up for the Diocesan trip to Lisbon! Check out our website for details of all of the above. To advertise please contact Charlotte on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Independent Catholic Funeral Director Arranging and conducting funerals in the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster since 1986 Lytham Funeral Service Ltd. 42 Clifton Street, Lytham FY8 5EW Tel. (01253) 733909 www.lythamfuneralservice.co.uk David Pope dip FD MBIFD

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6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk D uring the Covid-19 pandemic, many seafarers found themselves stranded on ships far from home. Peter Morgan, port chaplain in Bristol for Catholic charity Stella Maris ( formerly called Apostleship of the Sea) , learned just how di

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 Dear Editor, I was working in a church garden some years ago when a couple passed me on their way to visit the parish priest. When he saw me the man exclaimed loudly and almost angrily, “,what’,s he doing here?”, I may be wrong but I put this down to the possibility that the man had never seen a Catholic brown man before. Is this possible? The danger with stereotyping is that it takes away a person’,s individuality and lumps people together on the basis of colour. No attempt is made to d i昀,erentiate people by country of origin, dress, religion or occupation. I feel very strongly that this should de昀,nitely not happen in the Christian community and that people may claim that their church or school is “,all-inclusive or totally integrated”, but if they still use stereotypes then they still have a long way to go! Yours sincerely Austin D’,Souza, Lytham St Annes Your Letters Send us your letters: Write to: The Editor, 99, Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 4DJ. Email to: voiceletters@hotmail.co.uk •, Please keep your letters concise (max 300 words) •, Include your full name and address •, Letters should not include any personal criticism or attacks •, The editor reserves the right to: –, Amend or shorten letters or to refuse to publish them (no correspondence to discuss decisions taken will be entered into) –, Publish a response if deemed appropriate Dear Lord, Your Word reveals to us that in Your kingdom there is an immeasurable amount of people from every nation, from all tribes and people, and from all languages. This diverse multitude are all worshipers of You who stand before the throne and before the lamb clothed in white robes crying out that salvation belongs to You. In heaven, there is diversity and inclusion, so let this be my mind- set here on earth too, Amen. Re昀,ection: Revelation 7:9 >, We would like to thank these schools for always supporting the paper Our Lady’,s Catholic High School St Anthony’,s Drive, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 3SQ Headteacher: Mr Charnock Tel: 01772 326900 Email: admin@olchs.lancs.sch.uk Web: http://www.olchs.lancs.sch.uk Teacher Training with the Catholic Teaching Alliance The Catholic Teaching Alliance (CTA) is a partnership between 70 Catholic primary and secondary schools, and a post-16 college, led by Our Lady`s Catholic High School with a shared vision and commitment to providing PGCE with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) courses in partnership with the University of Cumbria. Contact: 01772 326931 Email: CTAschooldirect@olchs.lancs.sch.uk Website: www.catholic-teaching-alliance.org Headteacher Mr S N Corless Etterby Scaur, Carlisle CA3 9PB Headteacher Mr Matthew Harris office@austinfriars.co.uk Tel: 01228 528042

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8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk A round 昀,fteen hundred pilgrims from across Cumbria visited Our Lady and St Joseph’,s in Carlisle as the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help played host to the Relics of St Bernadette. The event, though a short twenty-four- hour period (Friday 23rd September to Saturday 24th) , was part of the special pilgrimage from Lourdes to cathedrals and churches across England, Scotland and Wales. The day began at 8am on the Friday with a Mass of Welcome. Throughout the morning, many visitors, including parties of school pupils, were able to come in procession to the church, to venerate the Relics and take part in public recitations of the Rosary. Photographs courtesy of Mike March Pilgrim Photography Bishop Paul Swarbrick celebrated Mass at 12 Noon, with a Eucharistic Procession and Blessing of the Sick, very much in the style of the afternoon Eucharistic processions in Lourdes. There was also two further Masses in the evening, culminating in a wonderful Torchlight Procession around the local streets. Confessions were heard in the midst of the busyness of the day and in the quiet of the night, during the night Vigil lead by members of our Diocesan Youth Team based at Castlerigg Manor. Finally Mass early on Saturday morning was celebrated to give thanks and to send St Bernadette on her way, this seemed to come all too quickly. Concelebrants at the Masses included Canon Luiz Ruscillo, Fr Paul Harrison, also of the parish, and Fr Norman Johnston, a retired priest of the diocese. Singing was led by choirs made up of volunteers from across the parish, while many other volunteers, including The Knights if St Columba, assisted visitors with parking, admission and refreshments. “,It was a bringing together of various former communities to a comparatively new parish, with shared work for the day,”, said coordinator Fr Daniel Etienne. “,Over 昀,ve hundred children came from di昀,erent parts of Cumbria, representing their schools. There had been preparation for them before the day, and then at church they were able to meet people who’,d been to Lourdes and were able to share the message of St Bernadette,”, he added. Fr Etienne said it had been a particularly signi昀,cant event because Our Lady of Lourdes is the Patron of the Diocese of Lancaster. “,It meant we had Lourdes for a day with us,”, he said, “,so we were able to pray for our Bishop and for our Diocese.”, Canon Ruscillo said, “,It was a privilege for our parish to host St Bernadette’,s relics and welcome so many pilgrims. I was moved by the generous response of scores of parishioners who gave their time and commitment to making the event such a success. “,But most of all, everyone who joined us was able to express their love for Mary and con昀,dence that she accompanies us on our spiritual pilgrimage following her son. It was a tremendous blessing for us all.”, Jack Johnstone

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9 A small group of Year 6 children travelled to Lancaster from Windermere to visit the relics of St. Bernadette, which were on view at St Peters Cathedral. Father Michael Docherty spoke to us 昀,rst and we shared all the information and facts we had learnt about St. Bernadette with him. He was very impressed! We presented a St. Cuthbert’,s candle and some special o昀,erings to leave at the Cathedral, as well as prayers written by the children. The children left: •, a burning candle for light •, a living succulent plant to represent St. Bernadette living amongst us •, a shiny love heart to show our love and devotion to her •, and some dried 昀,owers, to show that although she has died, we will always remember her and that her memory will last forever The children also wrote prayers of dedication to St. Bernadette. The whole of KS2 have studied the life of St. Bernadette and some felt a great connection to her. In class the children also re-enacted part of Bernadette’,s life using drama. This very special experience will stay with the children and sta昀, for a very long time. It was truly magical. ‘,help one another, this is what we do with all our hearts...’, Children of St. Cuthbert’,s Mrs Lucy Bone, Acting Head teacher

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10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk T he excitement was almost palpable as both young and old alike boarded the coach of Guardian Angels, destined to meet with the relics of St Bernadette. The weather, as ever was dismal and wet, but this was not enough to dampen the spirits of the newly formed parish. Over 50 parishioners boarded the coach and set out to pray, to contemplate or simply to be close to the relics of St. Bernadette. Especially since, the patroness of our diocese is Our Lady of Lourdes. Louise Lavery W e will, as a diocese led by Bishop Paul, be going on pilgrimage to Lourdes from 21 –, 28 July2023. The pastoral theme will be the word’,s that Mary, the Mother of God, entrusted to Bernadette Soubirous on 2 March 1858: “,Go tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people sho uld come in procession”, . The visit of the Relics of St Bernadette to the UK inspired many 昀,rst time pilgrims to join us on our 2022 Pilgrimage. We look forward to welcoming new and past pilgrims. New faces, new life and new targets are essential each year if the pilgrimage is to continue to grow. So please think about coming along. Medical and Brancardier Teams are totally reliant on volunteer helpers and care for our sick pilgrims, their service being second to none. We therefore appeal for nurses and Carers throughout the diocese. If you or anyone you know are willing to be part of the Medical team then please contact: chiefnurse@lancasterlourdes.co.uk Many of you will know what a rewarding, wonderful experience working at the service of the sick pilgrims in Lourdes is. If you would like to join our Brancardier Team (male 23+) then please contact: chiefbrancardier@lancasterlourdes.co.uk Youth Teams Director of Youth will be Katie O Donnell. Katie will be supported by Team leaders who will ensure the young people have a spiritual and uplifting week. If you are 15+ please consider coming on pilgrimage with us. You will be given all the preparation, support and training you need. Many young people make decisions about future careers whilst in Lourdes. Find time to explore your faith, to learn about yourself and to make friends you will have for life. It is often said “,you don’,t ‘,go’, to Lourdes, you are ‘,called’,’,. Please answer the call in 2023! All young people are asked to registered as soon as possible. Forms are available through Joe Walsh Tours or contact: youth@lancasterlourdes.co.uk Posters and information will be available to all parishes by the end of November but in the meantime please feel free to contact Joe Walsh Tours: www.joewalshtours.co.uk/pilgrimages or call Freephone: 0808 1890468 Linda Wisdom, Director of Operations Join us in Lourdes 2023 Blackpool on Pilgrimage Boarbank Hall Contact: Sr Marian Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH Telephone: 015395 32288 Website: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Canonesses of St Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus “,She who accepts the common life possesses God”, St Augustine A Warm Welcome to Everyone Prayer , Community , Hospitality , Care of the poor and sick 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 Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses SELF STORAGE Secure Units Available Sizes To Suit All Needs Competitive Rates Open 7 Days Curly Tail Storage Park Lane, Forton PR3 0JX Tel: 01524 791837 E: andrew@curlytailstorage .co.uk www.curlytailstorage.co.uk

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 S t John the Evangelist in Poulton-le-Fylde was where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul Swarbrick for the repose of the soul of Fr John Walsh who celebrated 40 years of priestly ministry earlier this year surrounded by his family, brother priests and parishioners. Many priests of the diocese concelebrated the Mass with the Bishop ahead of his return to Ireland for a funeral Mass at St John the Evangelist in Tubercurry, County Sligo. Rev. Fr John Walsh was born in Listowel, County Kerry, on 28th September 1943 and was the eldest of 13 children. He was a Seminarian at the Beda College, Rome from 1979 and was ordained to the Priesthood at St Walburge’,s, Preston in 1982 by Bishop Pearson. After serving as curate in Blackpool and Kendal he had two tours as a missionary in Zambia, warm memories of their time together serving in the diocese of Monze were shared by Bishop Paul at the Requiem Mass and the gathering with family and friends afterwards. Fr John returned to the diocese in 1993 where he served as Parish Priest in Preston, Carlisle, Morecambe and English Martyrs and St John the Evangelist parishes in Poulton. He later moved to St Winefride’,s House in Bispham in his retirement. He died one day after his 79th birthday. May he rest in peace Eternal rest grant unto Fr John O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace Amen. Fr John Walsh R.I.P. 28 September 1943 - 29 September 2022 Photographs courtesy of Mike March Pilgrim Photography JILL GLENCROSS FUNERAL DIRECTORS An Independent Multi Award Winning Family Funeral Directors Female and Male Funeral Directors Private Chapels of Rest Nothing Is Ever Too Much Trouble 16 The Square, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7PY Tel: 01228 317373 https://www.jillglencrossfuneral - director.co.uk/ Michael G Maddison Independent Funeral Director 57 –, 61 Newtown Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 7JB Tel : 01228 317577 I offer a 24 hour 365 day a year Caring, Professional Service and have over 20 years experience Private Chapels of Rest and Memorials Pre Paid Funeral Plans Able to support you when needed Michael George Maddison holder of an Advanced Diploma in Funeral Directing email: mgm.funerals@outlook.com website: www. mgmfunerals.co.uk fb: Michael G Maddison Independent Funeral Director

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12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk The Sacrament of Matrimony. What does it mean to remember? And why do we remember? T o remember someone can be simple, a task or a place or situation can bring them to mind, the favourite armchair, ‘,their place’, can bring them to mind. Their memories can be joyful, painful or even haunting, depending on the experience of them and their time. If I consider my English grandparents. I will remember my Nana each time I pick up a mop bucket. I remember for two reasons: Firstly because her saying was always ‘,what’,s a job worth doing unless it’,s done properly’, when all I wanted to do was cut the corner of scrubbing and cleaning down the front pavement outside her terrace house (with water and bleach) and go out and play with my cousins. I’,ll also remember because there is a great story that our family’,s women handle childbirth well, and that Nana was mopping the 昀,oor, got a pang and then apparently dropped my mum out, delivering her into that mop bucket! My granddad was born in Williamson’,s Park, Lancaster, the son of the Head Gardener. So, again with him there are memories not only of chasing him around the kitchen to put whipped cream on his nose, a game we played in his latter years when he could barely run! But, also the park itself and of course gardening. His love of the soil ensured our passions of muck and plants were evenly shared! Even now, as I plant my onions ‘,his way’, or scout the 昀,elds for sheep droppings to place in a bag in my water butt (yes, I’,m not joking!) , or the stench that comes out of said water butt when I feed the tomatoes with it, I remember him. In my memories of remembering my ‘,not Indian-Indian’, Nana, I am reminded of the gifts of faith, of service, of duty, not to mention anything about my Indian cooking skills or the love of making homemade fudge each Christmas! The Blessed Sacrament or the kitchen stove bring me straight into her presence and soothes life’,s challenges! All these memories 昀,ll me with warmth of the by-gone days. In remembering these I feel hope in my heart and know that they have provided me with a model and taught me how to be a grandparent to my next generation. So much of what they’,ve shown me, I have already been doing with my now grown children and my grandchild. Yet Remembrance in this November’,s sense isn’,t about the nicer heart- warming 昀,u昀,y bits. Remembering here is about those lost in the trauma of war. And it is also a time to remember those who are still 昀,ghting for life and freedom, for all. The traumas of the Great War and the later World War 2 aren’,t that far away. They had a huge impact on my grandparents lives. As a farmer my granddad had to provide food for rationing and my nana worked as a factory girl. Even my ‘,not so’, Indian family were caught up with a front row seat, witnessing the Partition in Indian. They whose lives and emigration depended on their ‘,English’, ‘,not Indian’, roots. We cannot even begin to imagine what any of these lived through, or how they survived, but through the grace of God they did. Meanwhile, their friends and family around them fought too, and died in the trenches or on the front line or the streets and houses about them. Their traumas are passed down to us in time. Not as a whip or a beating stick, but as a compassionate heart beating. Their memories and memoirs are spoken to remind us of the horror humanity can cause one another and to show us the preciousness of life and freedom and how love endures. We remember in the hope that this doesn’,t happen again…, That these lives were lost for a reason, one that matters. As I write I ponder if history is indeed destined to repeat. As the Ukraine -Russia war rumbles on and shock waves pass out to the wider world, con昀,ict between nations remains but this time with more damaging and planet ending weaponary. And therefore we must do what every human is called to do from the beginning of our existence. To 昀,ll the void of yearning or hurt, and with a compassionate heart 昀,lled with love and pray for peace. Con昀,ict is the way of humanity and as we read the Old Testament, the great books of remembering we see it is as old as mankind. Yet our spiritual yearning and need for prayer and mercy is too. Just as the prophets of old, and the chosen people who went astray, and those who condemned Jesus, we are not asked to retaliate with aggression but with peace. Even in his last moments Jesus intervenes for us “,Father forgive them for they do not know what they do”,. (Luke 23:34). Remembrance is hard. It can be 昀,lled with anguish, frustration, anger at the loss, but it can also be 昀,lled with thankfulness and peace. Let us today remember the love, the lessons those gone have to teach us, and the honour of knowing them, or being able to remember. Let us also today pray for peace in our hearts, peace in our homes and families and countries, and peace for all in our world. Peace granted not by our human made up means but instead peace given by the grace of God ‘,Dona nobis pacem’,. Lisa Vallente-Osborne, Lancaster ‘,I will remember you…,..’, ‘,we will remember you…,..’, these are such huge commitments and responsibilities said in one or two small sente nces …, Remembrance

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 P lastics are extraordinary materials. They are 昀,exible, colourful, light, abundant and almost indestructible. These are the very properties which make them so useful, but also make it so problematical when they escape into the environment. It is fairly certain that everyone who is reading this article would say they are not a ‘,litterbug’, , they recycle as much as they can, and they don’,t eat plastic. So how does plastic escape? ‘,Turning the Tide on Plastic’, is the title of a book written by Lucy Siegle, published in 2018.* One would hope that the situation on plastic pollution has changed in four years but alas the more we know about the problem the worse it appears to become. Worldwide the plastic which we throw away, in a single year, could circle the earth four times. Out of the 320 million metric tonnes of new plastic mass produced each year, eight million tonnes leaks into the world’,s oceans and waterways. By 2050 we shall have more plastic in the sea than 昀,sh.* Plastic is often light so it is easily blown away. How many pieces of plastic are in our streets? Multiply that by the number of roads in your area. How many bins are over昀,owing in local parks, outside shops? Wrappers, our kiddies’, toys and other inadvertent dropping of plastic by mistake, happens. There can be sauce pouches, biscuit wrappers, plastic stirrers etc. dropped on the ground outside café,s. Maybe we don’,t want to dirty our hands to pick them up, they’,re blown away, maybe a bird eats them along with the food they 昀,nd, the owner of the café, may sweep them up and put them in a rubbish bin, as it is too messy, or it is too time consuming to recycle. Recycling Plastic –, the reality in 2018 Does your local authority have a Materials Re covery Facility (MRF, pronounced MURF) ? At £,6 million a pop, councils are reluctant to invest in loads of MRFs to sort their waste. Instead, they are often owned by Waste Giants who must generate a pro昀,t to satisfy their shareholders. MRFs have ballistic separators which bounce and vibrate waste along a belt. Pumped air separates lightweight plastics from heavier glass and metals. An infra-red beam might be 昀,red into a piece of rubbish to ‘,see’, what kind of resin the item is made from. Clever? The truth is that a lot of plastic is not recognized or too di

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14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk The winners: 1st Prize KENZIE NODWELL St. Bede’,s Catholic High School, Lytham 2nd Prize EVA Our Lady’,s Catholic High School, Preston 3rd Prize MIA Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley E arlier this year Cardinal Newman College Preston launched a competition for students in their feeder Catholic high schools to design and make a cruci昀,x to be displayed in some of the new and remodelled buildings at the college. They received over 150 entries and were absolutely blown away by the standard of the entries and the e昀,ort that went into the design and production of the artefacts. The entries included cruci昀,xes which had been 3D printed, welded and painted and made Hang High the Cross from ceramic, plaster, wire, wood and even wool. The principal, Nick Burnham, had an unenviable task to choose the winners! Many of the entries will be displayed around the college and hopefully their designers will be able to see them when they come to study at Cardinal Newman in the future. Many students received a Highly Commended certi昀,cate and a sweet treat and our three winners chose a shopping voucher as their prize. All those who took part should be extremely proud of their e昀,orts. Highly commended ++++++++++++++++ Brownedge St. Mary’,s Catholic High School, Preston –, Jessica Berrill, Ayriya Dapour, Gabriela Slomiana, Kyra Dawson, Ryan Counsell and Suzie Catterall. St. Bede’,s Catholic High School, Lytham –, Jacob Fox, Jason Sandford Jones, Edie Bridgeman and Thomas Massey. Our Lady’,s Catholic High School, Preston –, Abigail, Leo, Phoebe, Maya, Adyan, JW, Jack, Theo, Sam and Oliver. St. Augustine’,s RC High School, Billington –, Chloe Bramwell, George Whitehead and Jude Etough. Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley –, Charlotte , Amelia, Lee, Mia, Brogan, Lily Mae, Amber, Anthony, Ben, Al昀,e and Jurand. ++++++++++++++++++++++ Well done! 1 2 3

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2022 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 S adly, con昀,ict has been a part of life from the earliest of times and inevitably religion has become involved. The Old Testament makes regular reference to tribal war and in Psalms 35 and 64 David pleads “, O Lord…,.. 昀,ght against those who 昀,ght against me.”, &, “,Preserve my life from the dread enemy”, . In the early 1500’,s Pope Julius II was known as the “,Warrior Pope”, , and St. Paul writes to the Ephesians of “,putting on the whole armour of God”, , and in his letter to Timothy of “,昀,ghting the good 昀,ght!”, St Augustine of Hippo’,s philosophy became the source of Christian theory of military ethics and of a ‘,Just War’, . It was in Victorian England that many church priests and ministers attempted to help relieve the depredation and squalor the working classes found themselves in. In 1865 the Salvation Army was formed using titles derived from military ranks for their leaders. Hymns written about this time “,Fight the good 昀,ght”, by John S B Monsell in 1864, and “,Onward Christian soldiers”, by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1871 took a military theme. The expansionist ambitions of European countries would inevitably lead to the huge con昀,ict which erupted in August 1914 with devastating consequences for millions of lives. As the war progressed tales of supernatural and spiritual phenomenon, and of ‘,Divine Intervention’, would spread. The 昀,rst was “,The Angel of Mons”, written by Arthur Machen which would go on to appear in Parish Magazines across the country. In the 昀,rst few weeks of the war the destruction by the German army of the Cathedral at Reims, and months later the shelling of the Basilica in Albert leaving the golden statue of Mary and Baby Jesus hanging at a precarious angle became of great signi昀,cance. As the war progressed other events of ‘,Divine Providence’, emerged. I have recently read a book titled “,Stronger than Steel”,. There is no narrative but it is a small volume containing a selection of the hundreds of moving testimonies and letters written by, mainly French, soldiers to the Carmel of Lisieux telling of their miraculous escapes and survival during WW1 by having invoked the protection of St.Therese. St.Therese had died 17 years before the Onward Christian Soldiers ... outbreak of WW1, and there is a picture of her dressed as ‘,Joan of Arc’, for a play she had written performed for the nuns. It is also reported that St Therese had said, “,I will die with my weapons in my hands”, shortly before her death. The letters, printed in chronological order, are of various lengths written by men of all ranks, some very brief, but others that go into events in great detail. In each the writer’,s survival, of circumstances we can never even begin to imagine, are of them carrying on their person, medals, and pictures and of them invoking the protection of the “,Little Flower”,. The 昀,rst letter is written just one month into the war during what became known as the ‘,First battle of the Marne’, when the German forces were just 30 miles from Paris and led to the realisation that the con昀,ict would “,not be over by Christmas”, . The o

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16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2022 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk T he Bernardine Cistercian community asks your prayers for Sister Mary Lucy, whom the Lord called to Himself early on Saturday morning, 1st October. S Mary’,s Lucy’,s health changed dramatically in the early hours of Thursday 29th September, the feast of the Archangels and she simply ‘,slid’, very gently and peacefully into His eternal Love, surrounded by all the Brownshill Community, Sr. Elizabeth Mary and two of our French Sisters, one of whom was her sister of Profession. Please pray for S M Lucy, for her family, for the Community of the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard and for our Bernardine Cistercian Order, which she served generously and faithfully over so many years. She will surely be praying for us all! S Mary Lucy’,s Requiem Mass took place at Brownshill Monastery before committal at the Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning on Friday 21 October. Eternal rest grant unto S Mary Lucy O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace. Amen Sister Mary Lucy R.I.P. Church Supplies –, serving Schools, Business and Homes Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses To advertise please contact Charlotte on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org

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