20p 20p WHERE SOLD WHERE SOLD MORE THAN 24 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER MORE THAN 24 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER Published by Published by Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 01440 730399 Telephone: 01440 730399 Editor John Clawson. Tel: E-mail johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Editor John Clawson. Tel: E-mail johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Catholic News ISSUE 309 ISSUE 309 FEBRUARY 2023 FEBRUARY 2023 A A l l o o n n g g s s t t a a n n d d i i n n g g p p a a r r i i s s h h i i o o n n e e r r a a t t S S t t T T h h o o m m a a s s o o f f C C a a n n t t e e r r b b u u r r y y C C h h u u r r c c h h i i n n G G a a i i n n s s b b o o r r o o u u g g h h , , L L i i n n c c o o l l n n s s h h i i r r e e h h a a s s b b e e e e n n p p r r e e s s e e n n t t e e d d w w i i t t h h B B e e n n e e m m e e r r e e n n t t i i m m e e d d a a l l s s e e e e p p a a g g e e 3 3 M M i i n n i i V V i i n n n n i i e e s s T T h h e e v v i i s s i i o o n n t t o o i i n n s s p p i i r r e e y y o o u u n n g g p p e e o o p p l l e e t t h h r r o o u u g g h h t t h h e e t t r r a a n n s s f f o o r r m m a a t t i i o o n n a a l l e e x x p p e e r r i i e e n n c c e e o o f f v v o o l l u u n n t t e e e e r r i i n n g g S S e e e e p p a a g g e e 8 8 CAFOD launches Big Lent Walk to fight global poverty T his Lent, CAFOD, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church, is setting an inspiring challenge to help raise money to fight global poverty. The challenge is simple - walk 200km over 40 days, while raising money for families impacted by the climate crisis. How and when people walk the 5km a day is up to them, but it can be done alone, with friends, family or with a school. Every £,1 raised for the Big Lent Walk will help CAFOD support families in their efforts to respond to the impact that the crisis is having in their communities and across the world. Signing up couldn`t be easier, just head search Big Lent Walk in google or head to https://walk.cafod.org.uk/ and get going. Jo Kitterick, CAFOD`s Director of Fundraising and parish participation, said: ",Lent is a time for reflection, which helps us to challenge ourselves, and a period where we think about others and what we can do to help those in need. That`s why I`m really excited about taking part in the Big Lent Walk, I`ll be using the walk each day to think about people working every day to overcome extreme global poverty and its causes.", Families CAFOD support include Dristy and her Mum Rupali in Bangladesh. Together, they are protecting nature and livelihoods, building seed beds and planting palm trees to protect crops from flooding and cyclones. Rupali has a powerful message on her desire to help others around her, she said: ",It`s not right if I always have food on my table, yet my neighbour barely has anything to eat. I will stay well, I will keep my environment well, and I need to fight to help the people who are around me too. When they are all in a good place, the entire village will be in a good place.", Continued on page 2 Bringing Our Gifts To The Altar Come and join us Our Church is going through a time of change. When we read the signs of the times we know that we can no longer expect the future to look like the past. Over the years our parishes have enjoyed the individual attention of many priests. In many parishes congregations have also dwin - dled, especially amongst the young. Pope Francis calls us not to be daunted by these challenges but to embrace them as an opportunity. We are a people of hope. Over the weekend of 11th and 12 th February we will spend a little time reflecting upon how Pope Francis wants us to grow in faith and love despite the problems we face. It will be a lively and enjoyable reflection about who we are and who we are called to be. These are the words of David Wells. As a public speaker he has had the privilege of leading and teaching all sorts of groups. From speaking to 8000 young people at Wembley Stadium and similar numbers of teachers in the USA, to small groups of men at parish breakfasts or just a few volunteers in a parish meeting. For a wonderful opportunity to listen and to meet David and to boost your Catholic lifestyle you are invited to join the Catholic community of New Ollerton, Newark and Southwell who have invited David Wells to speak at all Masses on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February 2023 and also on Sunday 12th at 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM in the Holy Trinity Centre on Boundary Road Newark All are invited.

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MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF BRINGING THE BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER TOGETHER The monthly paper for the The monthly paper for the Diocese of Nottingham Diocese of Nottingham FRANKLY SPEAKING FRANKLY SPEAKING Page 2 The Catholic News. February 2023. Editor: John Clawson Editorial Office: Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 01440 730399 email: johnclwson@icloud.com or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Website: www.bellcourtltd.co.uk Distribution enquiries: Nick Layton e-mail nick@cathcom.org, Bellcourt Limited, Publication date: Fourth Sunday of the month for the following month. Opinions ex - pressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Diocese. P ublishers and Owners : Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Advertising: tel: 0207 112 6710 Parental permission should be sought before submitting photographs of minors. Views expressed in The Catholic News are not necessarily those of the editor Wanted Parish Correspondents The Catholic News is looking for a Parish Correspondent in your parish to send in local news for publication in this newspaper. All items to be emailed to johnclwson@icloud.com before 10th of the month The year 2022 left behind so much legacy that many hoped it would be much better into the New Year. Composing this article on January 2nd I have already met many who have hopes for a different and happier world. The continent of Europe was in 2022 greatly shaken by events involving Ukraine which sadly continued into 2023 with more lives being lost and peace seeingly far away as President Putin declared that last year was “,a year of difficult, necessary decisions.”, Try telling that to the families huddled together in Kyiv and elsewhere. Since the war started 11 months ago the United Nations estimates seven million Ukrainians have been displaced while millions have fled the country to find safety elsewhere. In our country the industrial disputes causing widespread disruption seemed to escalate once the Christmas holiday period drew to a close. I am old enough to recall, similar activity from the 1950s and 1960s indeed some historians were convinced that the 1959 General Election was decided by the London Bus strike. What cannot be denied is the misery and acute suffering inflicted on some good people who needed the NHS. The Paramedics, Accident and Emergency staff and hospital ward doctors and nurses surely need our prayers this winter. As for the political and trade unions leaders the sooner they get talking to resolve these issues the better. I leave it to historians to comment on why nurses and ambulance drivers took industrial action. I suspect most readers will have their own opinions. Just 14 hours before New Years Day we heard of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. When King Charles heard this news he expressed his “,deep sadness”, and he surely spoke for many. Those who were present at his historic visit in 2010 will have both fond and spiritual memories. The King paid tribute to his constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill and how his vision strengthened the global Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The decisions he undertook would have been accompanied by great spiritual preparation and the large crowds who gathered to pay their respects at the Vatican were proof of this Pope Benedict succeeded to Papacy 60 years after the end of the Second World War. May He Rest in Peace. Frank Goulding Holy Trinity Parish, Newark Continued from page 1 Supporting the Big Lent Walk, will help families like Dristy and Rupali to protect their livelihoods and to support their community. Any money raised can make a huge difference to people`s lives. - £,10 can provide four palm trees to protect land from extreme weather caused by the climate crisis. - £,26 can provide tools and training to build raised beds to protect vegetables from floods. - £,185 can provide a place on a two-week course: growing food, adapting to extreme weather and new ways of earning a living. While the challenge starts on Ash Wednesday (22 February), people, parishes and schools are already fundraising. Those taking part are encouraged to share on social media, using the #TheBigLentWalk hashtag. Anyone who raises £,200 through their Big Lent Walk page will receive a special free gift as a special thank you. For those who want to clock the activity with something other than walking, they can do a 15 minute cycle or 35 minute exercise class. Cardinal Nichols visits St Peter’,s Basilica to pray as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state Shortly after arriving in Rome on Wednesday, 4 January, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’, Conference, spent some time in prayer and quiet contemplation before the body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Lying in state in St Peter’,s Basilica, the late Pope Emeritus was visited by almost 200,000 Catholics who paid their final respects and offered prayers for the repose of his soul. Also present at this time were other bishops and ordinaries from England and Wales and senior clergy with links to our countries. Former Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Mennini, who was nominated Nuncio to Great Britain by Benedict XVI in December 2010, came to pray. As did Monsignor Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. The Ordinariate was established by Benedict, as Pope, in November 2009 for Anglicans and their clergy who wanted to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Ukrainian Catholic Eparch, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, also spent time in prayer before the Pope Emeritus. The Ukrainian Catholic Church in England and Wales was elevated to eparchial status –, effectively a diocese –, on Pope Benedict’,s watch in January 2013. The Requiem Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be celebrated by his successor Pope Francis on Thursday, 5 January 2023. The last Pope to celebrate the funeral of his predecessor was Pius VII in 1802.

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The Catholic News. February 2023. Page 3 Subscribe@catholicpost.co.uk 01440 730399 www.catholicpost.co.uk Monthly National Catholic Newspaper National and International News from a Catholic Perspective with thoughtful articles to deepen Faith The UK’,s ﬁ, rst Carbon Neutral National Catholic Paper Fr Matthew Jakes presented the Benemerenti medal to parishioner John Hanrahan John Hanrahan, 85, is a long standing parishioner at St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, but was originally from Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland. John started his long association with the church as an altar boy back in Ireland and has given years of service to each parish he has been in. St Thomas` church and parishioners have benefitted from the expertise that John, a retired builder, has brought to the church by undertaking or overseeing various works. John has been involved in many aspects of church life, including being on the Finance Committee. John and his wife Theresa didn`t know about the presentation which was a surprise made even more special by his family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, travelling from Devon, London, Wales and Manchester to be there.", Cost of living crisis Parishioners at St Charles Borromeo, Hadfield are working with other churches in the area to ensure that local people struggling with the cost of living have access to information about agencies providing help. Jointly, they are producing a leaflet to highlight contact details of where to access free food, free clothes, warm spaces with free lunch, access to debt counselling and a repair shop so that things can be fixed rather than go to landfill. St Charles will act as a collection point for food and toiletries which will then be delivered to the local food distribution point. They are also collecting jigsaw puzzles for delivery to the church providing a warm space twice a week. There has been an increased demand for help so it is hoped that the extra donations will help. Sue Hoolahan

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Page 4 The Catholic News. February 2023. Around our diocese Thank you to our Chaplaincy Team who led us in our Epiphany Mass. The wise men were brave and trusted the star to guide them on their journey to meet Jesus. We too mustn’,t be afraid to answer God’,s call and see the difference Jesus can make to our lives. An abiding memory I have of Pope Benedict is how his quiet humility, warm charm, gentle eloquence &, love of Christ won over the hearts of the British people during his visit to the U.K. in 2010. May he rest forever in God’,s eternal and merciful love. Bishop Patrick Emmanuel House A huge Thank You to our recent volunteer groups who helped out in our Winter Shelter. These photos are of groups from Notts Diocese cooking for our beneficiaries. We`re very grateful for all of the help we received from volunteers this Christmas Wonderful to see and absolutely valuable for many families. Our children delivered food to Holy Cross Church for their food bank collection. This was collected in school as part of our Advent preparation Bishop Patrick Gestures of respect and continuity as the Papal flag flutters at half mast as Mark of respect to Pope BenedictXVI at the Cistercian Monastery Leicestershire Mount St.Bernard Gerry Molumby

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The Catholic News. February 2023. Page 5 “,A city on a hill cannot be hidden”, Matthew 5.14 Lincoln parishes joining forces for outreach Monday 27 February 2023, 7.00 -9.00 p.m. Our Lady of Lincoln Church Laughton Way, Lincoln LN2 2HE We can achieve far more together than apart. As the three parishes in Lincoln plan to join forces, we have a great opportunity to combine our endeavours for outreach and mission. We can make a bigger difference and build stronger partnerships across the city and surrounding villages. Come along on Wednesday November 9th from 7-9pm, and meet fellow parishioners from Our Lady’,s, St Hugh’,s and Ss Peter &, Paul’,s. We’,ll build on the work of the recent Here: Now: Us and Springboard workshops, and identify how we can combine our efforts and develop fruitful relationships with other organisations and faith communities. It’,s helpful if you could let us know you’,re coming: email Deacon Warren Peachey (warren.peachey@dioceseofnottingham.uk) The Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Johannes Ortner On 26th October, St. Anthony’,s church in Calverton opened our doors for an Autumn Fair. This was the first community social event to be held in the church for several years. The Fair was a huge success. It was wonderful to welcome many visitors from our neighbourhood and parish as well as from the parishes of the Good Shepherd and Our Lady of Victories. We all enjoyed the relaxing and warm atmosphere as people chatted over cups of tea and coffee and browsed around the huge array of giftsand crafts on offer. The tombola was very popular and we sold a large number of delicious home baked cakes. Many thanks to all who supported this event. We raised around £,550 for church funds and the Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Society. We hope to be hosting other social events in the not too distant future and look forward to another opportunity to bring people together. Cheryl Broodryk First community social event to be held in the church for several years Catholic agencies unite to back Homes for Ukraine scheme The number of people fleeing the brutal Russian war in Ukraine and in need of shelter will continue to rise this winter. Russian attacks on critical energy infrastruc - ture are even taking place in areas considered relatively safer, such as western Ukraine. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has reaffirmed the UK government’,s support for Ukrainian defence efforts, as well as assisting those dis - placed by this unnecessary war. St John of God Hospitaller Services (SJOG), in partnership with Caritas Social Action Net - work (CSAN), is asking for people to provide much-needed help for Ukrainian guests. Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, hosts who commit to providing six months of ac - commodation are eligible to receive £,350 to help with expenses associated with hosting. SJOG and CSAN have launched a new project offering a matching pathway, training and support for hosts and guests. The aim is to support 600 people on their journey towards independence and provide opportunities to build a new life and integrate into the community. One Ukrainian guest said: “,I am so grateful to the UK government for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. I feel safe here, away from the sounds of sirens, curfew, and living in constant fear of shelling. “,The scheme has given me time to find my feet and build a new life. I have been in the UK for about seven months now, and I have found a job and moved out of my host’,s place. I am incredibly grateful for all her help and support. I will be forever grateful.”, The SJOC/CSAN scheme matches hosts with guests to the requirements of both parties, in - cluding area, home and health requirements and dietary and pet preferences. It also offers... •, Mediating first e-meetings between hosts and guests •, Toolkit for hosts and a welcome book in Ukrainian for guests •, Online training about the hosting process •, Transfer from the Poland-Ukraine border to London •, A welcome box for the Ukrainian family upon arrival •, Support during the first month of placement •, Re-matching service •, Ensuring support from local communities •, A multilingual team that speaks English, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian and is ready to help Details of the scheme have been sent to every parish in England and Wales and the agencies hope the Catholic community will rally round to support those coming from Ukraine. People willing to share their space with those in need of a safe place can register their inter - est at forms.office.com/r/DFYUneZ7nC. For more information, visit sjog-homes - forukraine.uk or email homesforukraine@sjog.org.uk. You can also find out more at facebook.com/sjoghomes - forukraine. 2023 CSN Conference Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Hope Opening spaces for conversation and encounter Speaker: Dr Clare Watkins Liturgist: Regula Hug, Sisters of St Andrew Monday 20 - Wednesday 22 March 2023 The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire At a time in our world when much seems difficult, desperate, distressing and even hopeless, this Conference invites us to take time to rest in the great gift of hope that lies at the heart of our faith. For all that this is indeed such a great gift, it is often one of the most difficult for us to receive, to understand, and to shape our lives by. Part of the reason for this might be that we look to the wrong places to receive such hope. The narratives of hopelessness confront us daily on the ‘,big stage’, of world news: environmental crises, economic hardships and injustices, political strife and corruption. Perhaps Christian hope, as a counter to these stories, is rather to be found in the smaller, so-called ‘,ordinary places’, of human living. In this Conference we will explore this Christian ‘,hope-in-ordinary’, –, through Scripture, prayer and theological reflections, and through the discernment of ordinary lives of faith –, our own and those of others whose stories we will discover. In this way we will encounter afresh that gift and living of hope which, in its very everydayness, can transform our often despairing and hopeless world. Dr Clare Watkins is Reader in Ecclesiology and Practical Theology at the University of Roehampton. A Roman Catholic, lay-woman theologian, committed to teaching and research in the areas of ecclesiology, sacramental and practical theology, Clare has a particular concern for working in ways that contribute to the integration of academic theology and faith practice, for the good of both. Her research brings together theological and spiritual traditions, with participative qualitative research of faith practices ‘,on the ground’,.

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Page 6 The Catholic News. February 2023. Candy Canes delighted the little ones! This year at the Vigil Holy Masses of the Good Shepherd and St Anthony’,s parishes, of Nottingham, we aroused the interest of the little ones by offering them the Candy Cane message of Christmas. Attached to the explanation card was a candy cane visually drawing the child’,s attention to the shepherd staff and the letter “,J”, for Jesus. A simple message and gladly accepted. As well as the candy canes!! Cheryl Broodryk A Gift As seen in the article ‘,A society that erases women is impoverished’, published in the December issue of Catholic News, Pope Francis in a recent interview talked of how “,equality between men and women is still not universally found ... we have to keep fighting for that because women are a gift.”, Four such women who are a gift to the Catholic Church and to the world are the four female Doctors of the Church: St Teresa of Avila, St Catherine of Siena, St Hildegard of Bingen and St Thé,rè,se of Lisieux. At the Lincoln churches of St Peter &, St Paul and St Hugh’,s, parishioners were given the opportunity to prepare for the coming of Christ, during Advent, with the help of these four women. Each week a reflection on one of the four Saints relating to the Sunday Gospel (together with questions to ponder and quotes by the Saints) was displayed in church for interested individuals to read and pray about. In the interview, Pope Francis also remarked that women do not have to become like men, that they have their own ways, equal and complimentary. In their quest for equality, women sometimes adopt the ways of men, perhaps having little choice to do so in order to ‘,succeed’, and lose sight of complimentarity. In a time when the role of women in the Church is a hot topic, the four female Doctors of the Church remind us that women do not have to become priests or deacons, or forsake their femininity, for God to use them in His Church or Kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit who achieves great things, thus God can work through any person and in any way He determines, of the four women Doctors, one of the women was called to do the major work of reforming a religious order, whilst another was called to be hidden and unknown during her short lifetime. It is something we all need to be mindful of if equality is to ever become reality. Whilst it is good to honour and celebrate these four Saints, each person, whether male or female, old or young, is a gift to the world out of the love of the Trinity and receives gifts from God to be used for the good of the world. In the new year coming, may we both discover anew the gift we are to the world (and the gifts God wants us to offer the world) and recognise the gifts others are (and have) too and as we open ourselves to this knowledge may we, in a spirit of equality and respect, be united in seeking Gods Kingdom come on earth as in heaven. Jo Bishop Nowakowski: “,Benedict XVI understood travails of Ukrainian Catholics”, cbcew Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community in Great Britain, speaks to Vatican News about his encounters with Benedict XVI and the late Pope Emeritus’, concern for the plight of Ukrainian Catholics.“, He suffered fascism, lived through the Nazi era, and understood the destruction of our Church under the Communists.”, The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop of Holy Family of London offered that perspective on the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who was laid to rest in the Vatican recently. In an interview with Vatican News’, Svitlana Dukhovych, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said Benedict’,s experiences helped him understand the travails of Ukrainian Catholics throughout the decades. Unique perspective on Ukraine For a time in the seminary, the late Joseph Ratzinger shared a room with a future Ukrainian Catholic priest. Bishop Nowakowski said this experience gave him a unique perspective on the Church in Ukraine, which he was then able to bring to his work in the Vatican in later years. “,He was able to continue that legacy of understanding those countries which suffered under Communism and Fascism. And I think that helped him understand who we were as a Ukrainian people, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union.”, On 9 November 2022, less than two months before his death on 31 December, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI met with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. During that meeting, the Pope Emeritus reportedly told Major Archbishop Shevchuk that he was following the situation in Ukraine closely and continued to pray for peace in the war-torn nation. Kind and gentle Turning to his personal encounters with the late Pope Emeritus, Bishop Nowakowski said he once attended a lecture delivered by the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger while he was a theology student at the Pontifical Angelicum University. Despite failing to recall the subject matter of the lecture, he certainly recalled his excitement as a young student to listen to such an eminent theologian. Bishop Nowakowski met Benedict XVI several other times in his life, once when he attended the initiation course for newly- ordained Bishops. “,He welcomed us warmly to Rome,”, he said, “,and his kindness and gentleness really showed at that moment when he met with us.”, Attentive to others During later encounters, the late Pope Emeritus always remembered to ask Bishop Nowakowski about his mission as the Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in Vancouver, in British Colombia, Canada. “,I think his personality showed through in the fact that he was interested in you. He asked you questions about how you are doing, how are you feeling, and was clearly attentive when you were speaking with him.”, As Benedict XVI was laid to rest on Thursday, Bishop Nowakowski recalled the effect the late Pope Emeritus’, caring presence had on those who met with him. “,It made me feel that I was not just another person,”, he concluded. “,And I think that is how his pontificate was. I think he cared about people. He was a caring, gentle, intelligent, peaceful man.”, I certainly recalled my excitement as a young student to listen to such an eminent theologian

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The Catholic News. February 2023. Page 7 Whether you are taking your first steps towards opening a `Warm Hub`, or have been running a community café, for many years, these friendly gathe rings will be an opportunity to: •, meet others who organise similar projects to yours •, exchange good practice and pick up ideas from across the diocese •, ask for advice from peers and from diocesan staff •, help your project grow in size and community impact •, find support with project development and fundraising. A support network for parish drop-ins, community café,s and Warm Hubs in the Diocese of Nottingham Warmer Welcome An online drop-in for anyone organising a Warm Hub or community café, in their parish •, Monday 13 February at 7.00 p.m. •, Tuesday 14 March at 7.00 p.m. You’,ll be warmly welcome! For details and booking visit bit.ly/WarmerWelcome This Winter Caritas is hosting a regular online get-together on Zoom for anyone offering parish-based hospitality and outreach in the cost-of-living crisis. You will be ‘,warmly welcome’, to join us on 13 February or 14 March. To sign up to either workshop, click here, visit bit.ly/WarmerWelcome email caritas@dioceseofnottingham.uk or call Paul on 0115 648 1509 A Warmer Welcome Discovering the power of hospitality Parishes in Nottingham Diocese are opening ‘,Warm Hubs’,, as Paul Bodenham from Caritas Diocese of Nottingham writes “,With households expected to be paying 30% of their income on energy in January 2023, these are hard times for almost everyone. So it’,s heartwarming that parishes around Nottingham diocese are opening up this Winter, offering a ‘,warm space’, for those who are struggling to make ends meet. At least 15 of our parishes are now providing a warm, hospitable space with refreshments and companionship at least once a week, or planning to open one soon. If you’,re volunteering your time in this way, Caritas is here to support you.”, This Winter Caritas are hosting a regular online get-together on Zoom for anyone offering parish-based hospitality and outreach in the cost-of-living crisis. You can find more details in the poster below. We’,ve also published a Caritas ‘,Outreach Toolkit’,, which serves as a one-stop-shop for advice and inspiration to help you and your parish develop outreach activities, safely and effectively. Email caritas@dioceseofnottingham.uk for your copy. Stella Maris Chief Executive Officer to step down Stella Maris After almost 13 years’, service with Stella Maris, Martin Foley has informed the Trustees that he will be resigning his position to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer with the Arise Foundation, an anti-slavery NGO. His precise date of departure has yet to be confirmed but is likely to be towards the end of March 2023. Martin will continue serving as Stella Maris CEO until then. Esteban Pacha, Chair of Trustees, said, “,On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to express my thanks to Martin for his service to Stella Maris. As the leading provider of welfare support for seafarers, fishers, and their families, Stella Maris is in a better place now than it was 13 years ago. That is due to Martin’,s dedication and hard work in collaboration with all our volunteers, chaplains, staff, trustees, and supporters. His wonderful efforts for seafarers, fishers and their families have produced tremendous fruit, both here in the UK and overseas through the global Stella Maris network.”, Martin Foley said: “,Stella Maris is an outstanding charity. It has been a privilege to serve Stella Maris as Chief Executive Officer, alongside our superb volunteers, chaplains, staff, and trustees. We have achieved a great deal together and I give thanks to God for the part he has enabled me to play in this. “,As both Stella Maris and the Arise Foundation are involved in the fight against slavery and human trafficking, in my new role with the Arise Foundation I hope to continue to collaborate with Stella Maris, here in the UK and overseas, to eradicate slavery in the maritime sector.”, The recruitment process for Martin’,s successor is underway. Further details will be announced shortly via our website and social media channels. As the leading provider of welfare support for seafarers, fishers, and their families, Stella Maris is in a better place now than it was 13 years ago Requiem Mass was offered in St Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict. May he rest now and forever in God’,s merciful love. Repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict

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Page 8 The Catholic News. February 2023. NATIONWIDE SERVICE IN DESIGN, INSTALLATION &, MAINTENANCE OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND EARTHING SYSTEMS HAVE YOU BOOKED IN YOUR ANNUAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION TEST AND INSPECTION? IS YOUR SYSTEM COMPLIANT TO THE STANDARD BS EN 62305: 2012? CONTACT US NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION OR FREE ADVICE AND SUPPORT REGARDING YOUR LIGHTNING PROTECTION WWW.LIGHTNING-PROTECTIONUK.COM 0115 8411 211 INFO@LIGHTNING-PROTECTIONUK.COM SVP –, What We Do Please support our Advertisers The SVP beyond the Conference 1 This is the first in a series of articles detailing what else the SVP does beyond the parish conference. The focus in this article is on the SVP’,s youth movement. How the SVP ,Involves Young People The vision is to inspire ,young people through the transformational experience of ,volunteer - ing. , Being part of a life changing, safe and supportive environment ,helps young people grow positively. , , Our Young Vincentians (YV) programmes take , our Vincentian ethos into schools, colleges, youth hubs, universities and parishes, to help sow seeds of a lifetime of service. All over England and Wales Children, Young People and Young Adults are taking up the invitation to join the Vincentian family and turn their concern into real action! These groups are , based in schools and parishes across England and Wales. The energy they bring is hugely important to the greater work of the St Vincent de Paul Society. , SVP Young Vincentians The Youth section of the SVP is divided into 3 apostolates: Mini Vinnies (7-11 years) Youth SVP (11-18 years) Young adults/1833 (18 years +) Who are the Mini Vinnies? The Mini Vinnies are quite literally mini St.Vincent de Paul’,s. Mini Vinnies are 7 to11 year olds based in schools and parishes across England and Wales, and in several other countries across the world. They come together to form a part of the ,St. Vincent de Paul Society England and Wales, a voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms. Mini Vinnies meet to pray, discuss and support however they can, to help make a difference in their communities. , Mini Vinnies truly turn concern into action as they use the simple formula of , ‘,see, think, do’, ,to find people in need and help them. They might help by: , •, Writing cards for children in hospital •, Visiting local care homes to sing or play games with the residents •, Knitting scarves for the homeless •, Running food collections for a local foodbank Could children at your school or parish get involved? If you wish to learn more about starting a Mini Vinnies group, contact Katy Ramsay at katyr@svp.org.uk What is Youth SVP? With an effective formula of , ",See, Think, Do,", ,groups of Youth SVP members ages 11 to 18 meet in schools and parishes across England and Wales to discuss how to support people in need around them. Youth SVP , members use their voices and abilities to engage in their communities and take part in social action. Through voluntary work, Youth SVP members not only make a positive difference, but learn new skills, build lasting friendships and develop their faith. Youth SVP members make a difference in their communities by: , •, Hosting bake sale fundraisers , •, Helping out at soup kitchen , •, Writing an article in their school newspaper , •, Collecting food for a local food bank , •, Packing `Vinnie packs` with winter essentials for the homeless , •, Putting on a Christmas party at a care home , , Could children at your school or parish get involved? If you wish to learn more about starting a Youth SVP group, contact Julia Fitzgerald at juliaf@svp.org.uk SVP Young Adults/SVP 1833 This is the programme for ,young adults and those at ,university who join together to build friendships, pray and serve those living with poverty. `SVP1833` is the name of the university young adult apostolate of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, named 1833 in memory of the year the SVP was founded by a university student, Frederic Ozanam, at ,the Sorbonne in Paris. SVP Young Adults is the apostolate for all young people wishing to live a life of Vincentian charity. Members join together in parish young adult conferences (groups) to pray together, develop Christian friendships, and to go out into their villages, towns and cities to serve those living in poverty. , If you wish to learn more about starting a Young Adults group, contact Sarah Barber at sarahb@svp.org.uk The SVP Youth movement provides the opportunity for young people to move seamlessly through the apostolates putting their faith into action and preparing the foundations for SVP adult membership in the future. If you would like more information about the Youth movement or any other aspect of the SVP, please contact Lance Philpott at lancep@svp.org.uk Safe Spaces Service Update Safe Spaces, the free national support service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse, increased operational hours under a newly appointed independent provider, First Light, who took over the service from Monday 9th January. Safe Spaces offers a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, The Church in Wales or The Catholic Church in England and Wales, regardless of disability, age, gender, or sexual orientation. Safe Spaces Services will be available on 0300 303 1056 Opening hours will be extended to Monday to Friday 9am –, 9pm, Saturday 9-1pm and Sunday from 1-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review) Safe Spaces can also be contacted at Safe Spaces England and Wales First Light is an independent organisation with over 25 years’, experience in supporting those who have experienced or are experiencing sexual abuse and/or domestic violence and abuse, including survivors and victims of church-related abuse. First Light were appointed by The Church of England, The Church in Wales and The Catholic Church in England and Wales on 24 November 2022 after a rigorous recruitment process by The Board of Trustees of Safe Spaces England and Wales including victims and survivors. First Light have assumed responsibility of the website and communications for Safe Spaces and will post updates in due course. The Bishop of Southampton, Debbie Sellin, a Trustee of SSEW said: “,This new arrangement will support a welcome continuation of Safe Spaces, a vital service for those who have been affected by church- related abuse. I will be praying for all current and future service users, as well as for First Light as they begin their work as the new providers of Safe Spaces.”, Bishop Paul Mason, Safeguarding Lead for the Catholic Church, Board Member of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and a Trustee of SSEW said: “,“,First Light have shown exceptional commitment to survivors and victims of church-related abuse. As they take over as new independent providers of Safe Spaces today, these extended opening hours demonstrate a responsiveness to need which we are confident will go a long way to reassuring service users.”, Lyn Gooding, Chief Executive of First Light said: “,We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this vital service to survivors. We’,re confident that we have the skills, experience, understanding, and expertise be able to offer survivors a truly independent support service. We are proud to say we’,re here for anyone who needs us on their journey to recovery, and towards a future free from abuse.”, Les Bons Mots –, for February Plan ahead - It wasn`t raining when Noah built the ark Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers. When you get to your wit’,s end, you’,ll find God lives there. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges. Be ye fishers of men. You catch them. He’,ll clean them. Some minds are like concrete: thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. God himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead, so why should you? People are funny. They want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. God doesn’,t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God loves everyone, but probably prefers “,fruits of the spirit”, over “,religious nuts!”, God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. Prayer: don’,t give God instructions, just report for duty! We don’,t change the message. The message changes us. The best maths equation ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4given. And the finest piece of advice: If God is your co-pilot, swap seats. Source Wrexham newsletter

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The Catholic News. February 2023. Page 9 DAILY: Holy Mass at 9am Adoration and Evening Prayer from 6pm –, 7pm WEEKLY: Every TUESDAY 7pm –, 8.30pm. BIBLE STUDY: A study of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, a handbook for the Church of today 7.30 am Morning Prayer 9.00 am Holy Mass 5.45 pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Adoration, Evening Prayer, Benediction 2.30 pm –, 3.30 pm: BIBLE STUDY –, The Book of REVELATION Thursday 23rd February at 2.30 pm: “,The spirituality of St. Theresa of Avila”, (Cyprian Blamires OCDS) ASCRIBED Meeting: Monday 20th February –, Feast of the Cell VOCATION DISCERNMENT DAY –, 10am to 4pm –, Saturday 25th February Rosmini Centre, 433 Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicester, LE7 4SJ Tel. 01509 81 3078, Mob: 07828781537, aabelsito@hotmail.com Why not join our ZOOM group from the comfort of your home? Send us your e-mail and we shall send the link. LECTURES IN FEBRUARY For all your advertising requirements please contact Natasha on 01440 730399 Natasha@cathcom.org Please support our Advertisers Hopelessly devoted to you January and the Church celebrates the month dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, with the Feast day on 3rd January. At St Peter &, St Paul Church, in Lincoln, a display was created to raise awareness and encourage this devotion. Following the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, the start of a new year can be a good time to reflect upon our relationship with Jesus and what can help foster that relationship in a new or deeper way. Greater reverence and faith in the name of Jesus is one way, however, to assist us, the Church offers many different devotions, some traditional, others more recent. Whichever devotion(s) we may undertake, their purpose is to lead us to God and if we discover this is not the case it could be a sign we either need to shape up or shake up! Whilst February is the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Family, here at SSPP, we will be looking at a different devotion - the Holy Face of Jesus, in preparation for Lent. Contemplation of the Holy Face was encouraged by St Pope John Paul II and the recently deceased Pope Benedict XVI also wrote about the Holy Face on many occasions. Lord Jesus, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we always be hopelessly devoted to you, please fill us with the Holy Spirit! Jo Staff and families from Portland prison sent a message after their Pact Christmas Family Visit Day: `Operation Elf was a huge hit. We would like to say Thank You.` Pact is the national Catholic charity which provides support for prisoners and their families. Operation Elf is our annual Christmas appeal in which parishes, schools and individuals help parents in prison to give a Christmas gift to their child. This year people generously donated gift cards - and in some cases sacks of presents - so that mums and dads in prison were able to give their children a Christmas gift. In this bumper year, Operation Elf supported the parents of almost 2,000 children across England &, Wales. At Pact we appreciate the generosity of those who were able to give at a time when there is so much need. One parent said, `Thank you for the gift cards. It Bumpe r Operation Elf helps Mums and Dads in prison At Pact we appreciate the generosity of those who were able to give at a time when there is so much need Pact means a lot as the cost of living problems we are having are hard.` We noticed more creativity than ever. The parishes of Borehamwood and North Harrow collected gifts and worked directly with Pact staff at HMP Pentonville and HMP Wormwood Scrubs to deliver them in time for Family Days. Fr Dominic McKenna attended one of the Pact family days and was inspired to preach about it at Sunday Mass at St Teresa`s in Borehamwood afterwards. School pupils from the dioceses of Southwark and Arundel &, Brighton arranged a variety of Operation Elf fundraising events, like paying a small fee to wear their trainers for a day. Pact staff at Elmley prison, Isle of Sheppey, arranged for the dads inside to choose gifts for their children, using donated gift cards to purchase them. Staff facilitated the dads being able to wrap and label the gifts and have them ready for the children when they arrived for their Christmas Visit. This process provided rich opportunities for the dads to talk about their children, think about what they might like, and look forward to seeing their smiling faces. One dad said, `We all thought Operation Elf was a fantastic thing to do for the children. My boy really enjoyed it. Thank you for the lovely experience.` And another, `Little touches like this make the time apart more bearable`. Where we can, we will send some of this beautiful feedback directly to those who supported Operation Elf. However, many people sent Operation Elf gift cards to the Pact office anonymously. From all of us here at Pact, thank you for thinking of prisoners and their children and for supporting family bonds at what ought to be such a special time. We invite you to stay in touch with the work we do at Pact all year round. Consider signing up to receive our quarterly magazine Fresh Start. Think about volunteering with Pact and working with prisoners and their families in person or remotely. We offer training, support and a community of wonderful people to work, and walk, alongside. Theresa Alessandro

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Page 10 The Catholic News. February 2023. Book Reviews Book Reviews In summary Dr Treloar’,s book, which is slightly smaller than A5 in size is a beautiful piece of lit - erature that is a ben - eficial read for all healthcare profes - sionals and those who know an individ - ual with dementia. While it is written from a Catholic perspective the vast majority of the book is highly relevant to those of all faiths and none. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and will enjoy referring to it in the future, it has enabled me to spend some time considering and reflecting upon the many varied and important practical and spiritual care elements of caring for and interacting with a person who has dementia. Donato Tallo - The Catholic Medical Quarterly Volume 67 Learn to welcome peace beyond trials and to see it as a limitless gift from God, through teaching marked by the Spirit of St Benedict. Trials quickly take Peace away from us. Does this mean peace of heart is impossible? No, for Jesus himself promised it to us. There is peace beyond our trials, but we do not receive it according to the way of the world. Fr Bernard Ducruet, through teaching marked by the Spirit of St Benedict, leads us to welcome the peace as a limitless gift of God and the fruit of struggle. One of the biggest challenges facing those advocating for action on the climate crisis is the issue of ‘,climate despair’,. Agencies across the political, social and religious dimensions encounter this resistance which often stems from a sense of helplessness at the enormity of the task confronting us. However, it has become clear that we are all called to ecological conversion and leaders and activists in every sphere must find a way of addressing concerns and effecting action. In Laudato Si’,, Pope Francis strove to refocus an historical priority among the faithful on eternal salvation and drew attention to the importance of prayer in action by way of care of the earth. An exciting new book picks up on this theme and offers a practical and accessible introduction to how local churches can contribute in concrete ways to healing the environmental crisis. The Parish as Oasis. By Kevin Hargaden and Ciara Murphy presents a practical array of experiments and actions that congregations can undertake that can make a tangible impact in caring for our common home. While hands-on, with real-world examples, the book also plants these initiatives within a coherent eco-theology. Ecumenical in direction, this book seeks to draw readers from across the Christian spectrum. As well as being of interest to church leaders, it will be a valuable aid to pastoral workers and parishioners in avoiding the existential environmental angst by literally digging in and getting their hands dirty. It relocates how we think about faith and the role of the church –, not at the margins but serving instead as an oasis in those parts of our society that are parched and denuded. Dr Kevin Hargaden is the Director and Social Theologian of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. He brings an expertise in Catholic Social teaching and eco-theology, along with a growing global reputation as a moral theologian of note. Dr Ciara Murphy is the Environmental Justice Advocate of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. She is an influential figure in Irish environmental activism through her work at JCFJ and Stop Climate Chaos and a published author on the particularities of how faith and social activism in Ireland. The Parish as Oasis: An Introduction to Practical Environmental Care by Kevin Hargaden and Ciara Murphy €,14.95/£,12.95 www.messenger.ie Peace of Heart –, According to St Benedict Fr Bernard Ducruet, OSB £,3.50 CTS Product Code: PA66 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784697426 www.ctsbooks.org Heresy Through the ages Fr Jerome Bertram £,1.75 CTS Product Code: H507 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860824333 www.ctsbooks.org Fr Bertram runs through the five main recurring heresies and their various manifestations. Throughout her history, the Church has had to combat a number of recurring beliefs and ideas which misunderstood and distorted the Faith passed down from the Apostles. Fr Bertram runs through the five main heresies and their various manifestations from Arianism to Modernism, and explains how they were and are being resisted and overcome. Discerning and Preparing for Religious Life Rachael Marie Collins £,1.75 CTS Product Code: PA28 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784691356 www.ctsbooks.org Drawing on the wis - dom of Teresa of Avila, Thé,rè,se of Lisieux, Zé,lie Martin, Elizabeth of the Trin - ity and others, young women are guided through discerning and responding to a call to religious life. It can take a long time to discern a call to religious life. Part of the problem is that we haven’,t been told how to discern. Discernment is really a period of preparation for and training in the religious life. It is also a period of courtship. This booklet, written as a series of letters to a young woman starting the discernment process, draws on the wisdom of women who embodied the “,feminine genius”, (John Paul II) –, Teresa of Avila, Thé,rè,se of Lisieux, Zé,lie Martin, Elizabeth of the Trinity and others. It provides a lucid overview of the spiritual life and discernment process, drawing on the rich spiritual tradition of the Church. Galileo: Science and Faith Dr William Carroll £,1.75 CTS Product Code: H509 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860825460 www.ctsbooks.org This booklet explains the facts of the Galileo case, the fa - mous clash of Faith and Science, and traces the subse - quent development of the myth that the Catholic Church has always been the enemy of science. Is the Church against Science and Reason? The Galileo controversy has become a paragon of faith`s supposed hostility towards science. Galileo believed that the earth rotated around the sun but did not have sufficient evidence to prove it. The Inquisition believed that unless such evidence existed the sun should continue to be considered to rotate around the earth. This booklet explains the facts of the Galileo case and traces the subsequent development of the myth that the Catholic Church has always been the enemy of science. This history proves that even in the Galileo case, the Church remained true to its belief that faith and reason belong together. Catechesi Tradendae Pope St John Paul II £,1.75 CTS Product Code: DO513 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9780851833033 www.ctsbooks.org Apostolic Exhorta - tion of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Episcopate, the Clergy and the Faith - ful of the Entire Catholic Church on Catechesis in our time. ",I ardently desire that this apostolic exhortation to the whole Church should strengthen the solidity of the faith and of Christian living, should give fresh vigour to the initiatives in hand, should stimulate creativity –, with the required vigilance –, and should help to spread among the communities the joy of bringing the mystery of Christ to the world.", DEMENTIA - HOPE ON A DIFFICULT JOURNEY By Dr Adrian Treloar £,9.95 RP Books Product Code: 1734 ISBN NO:9780852314715 www.rpbooks.co.uk Please support our Advertisers

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Page 11

The Catholic News. February 2023. Page 11 and legally in supporting their just and fair cause and that can be felt obviously by the action and reaction and the pressure amounted by US and Israel on many states to vote against the resolution.", Notably, this will be the second Advisory Opinion to be delivered by the ICJ on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The first landmark Advisory Opinion was delivered in July 2004. It focused on the construction of a separation wall in the West Bank. The ICJ found at the time that the construction of the wall violated numerous international norms, including the Palestinians` right to self- determination, and stated that Israel was required to cease its illegal actions and provide a remedy for the violations inflicted. Our Global Community Holy Land: UN votes for enquiry into legality of Israeli Occupation ICN On 30 December, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted in favour of a resolution requesting the International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion on the legal nature of Israel`s prolonged military occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and the responsibilities of third party-states. The resolution, which was approved with 87 votes in favour, 26 votes against, and 53 abstentions, asks the ICJ to weigh in on the ",legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition character, and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures",. The resolution also asks the Court for an opinion on how these Israeli policies and practices ",affect the legal status of the occupation", and the ",legal consequences that arise for all states and the United Nations from this status",. In a statement the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said it ",welcomes the adoption of this important and historic resolution which is a step in the right direction towards holding Israel accountable for its ongoing oppression and suppression of the Palestinian people as it provides an opportunity to freshly examine the legal consequences of Israel`s decades long occupation. PCHR regrets that many European countries including Sweden, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and United Kingdom either abstained or voted against the resolution at a critical time as the new extreme Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to make the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel`s sovereignty in the Occupied West Bank a top priority, in violation of international law. Raji Sourani, PCHR Director said: ",This is a unique juncture legally and politically in the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people for their self-determination and independence. It gives the Palestinians an upper hand morally This is a unique juncture legally and politically in the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people for their self-determination and independence Bringing God’,s word to young Amazonians The Sateré,-Mawé, people numbered just 1,200 in 1972 and were in danger of extinction because of disease and neglect by the civil authorities ACN Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has distributed a new translation of its Child’,s Bible to the Amazonian Sateré,-Mawé, people, who at last can learn God’,s word in their own language. More than 1,000 copies of the ACN Child’,s Bible, God Speaks to his Children, were distributed to representatives of nearly 30 Sateré,-Mawé, communities, who live in the Andirá, and Marau regions of the Amazon. In total, the charity has printed 51,459,477 copies of the book in 193 languages, including more than 10 million copies in Brazil alone. The Sateré,-Mawé, people numbered just 1,200 in 1972 and were in danger of extinction because of disease and neglect by the civil authorities. They now number more than 12,000, with Sateré,-Mawé, children benefitting from a network of bilingual schools. Dercival Santos Batista, a member of the Sateré,-Mawé, and one of seven local catechists who translated the new edition of the Child’,s Bible, praised the initiative. He said: “,Through this book, our children and our youth will be able to walk along the right path. It is also very important for our own understanding of the Word of God.”, Father Henrique Uggé,, an Italian missionary with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), who has spent decades working with the native people of the Amazon, said: “,We all like to hear, read, and meditate on the Word of God in our own language, in our own cultural and historical context.”, He added that the Sateré,-Mawé, will also be able to hear Mass readings in their indigenous tongue, emphasising that “,this will be most useful for them”,. The Child’,s Bible, which includes key stories from the Old and New Testaments, is funded and distributed by ACN. Besides the Sateré,-Mawé, and the standard Portuguese versions, the Child‘,s Bible has been translated into other indigenous Brazilian languages such as Guarani, Tukano, Ticuna and Macuxi. In some cases, the Child’,s Bible was the first book ever to be published in that specific language. Maronite Patriarch meets with UK political leaders and Lebanese delegations In all his meetings this week, the Patriarch has stressed the need to preserve the diversity and pluralism of Lebanon cbcew.org.uk His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, Patriarch of Antioch, and head of the Maronite Church, continued his visit to the UK with a series of official meetings, most notably with Lord Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East, with Sarah Mackintosh, Deputy National Security Adviser, who has responsibility for the Middle East, and with Parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group to the Holy See. The Patriarch was accompanied to all these official meetings by Archbishop Paul Boulos El-Sayah, His Excellency Rami Mortada, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Kingdom, and Mr Maran Francis, Counsellor at the Lebanese Embassy. In recent days, His Beatitude has also met with representatives of various Lebanese parties at the Maronite Parish in London, for which meeting he was accompanied by Abbot Hadi Mahfouz, General Superior of the Lebanese Maronite Order, and Father Fadi Kmeid, Maronite parish priest in London. In this meeting, His Beatitude met delegations representing the Marada Movement, the Free Patriotic Party, the Kataeb Party, the Lebanese Forces Party and the Liberal Movement. Lebanon’,s diversity and pluralism In all his meetings this week, the Patriarch has stressed the need to preserve the diversity and pluralism of Lebanon which distinguish it from other countries in the region and which make its society such a unique model of Christian-Islamic coexistence and dialogue between cultures and religions.

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Page 12 The Catholic News. February 2023. 2-in-1 Crossword by Axe You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same. Across: 5 Adiaphorist, 7 Noah, 8 Edomites, 9 Saluki, 11 Mithra, 12 Aga, 13 Syrian, 14 Hormah, 15 Straiten, 17 Coif, 18 Competition. Down: 1 Sikh, 2 Ephesian, 3 Gozo, 4 Minister, 5 Apocalyptic, 6 The Creation, 10 Up in arms, 11 Mahanaim, 16 Thee, 17 Cain. SOLUTION CRYPTIC Across 5 German heretic Diaspora hit badly (11) 7 Arkwright: name of American hospital at first (4) 8 Its English, eccentric, retro style introduces these biblical people (8) 9 Barker`s part of this universal UK institution (6) 11 Persian god, legend says, is meeting with one in Egypt (6) 12 Turkeys lord it in the oven? (3) 13 Aramaean maybe investing a Welsh girl with a little time (6) 14 Horse or pig meat that`s served up in a Canaan town (6) 15 Distress bearings found in the sea off Dover (8) 17 Women`s headgear, providing it`s firm at the front (4) 18 Into pit come the sporting opposition (11) CRYPTIC Down 1 One from India to look out for, they say (4) 2 This recipient of a letter is a kind of record: he`s a Scot (8) 3 Part of Malta`s no-go `zombie` sector (4) 4 Religious type –, one to find in York, for example (8) 5 One Coptic play that turns out to be prophetic... (11) 6 ...notice Earth in turmoil? (3,8) 10 Fuming after Ulster`s reversal over weapons (2,2,4) 11 Place in Gilead`s a goal for leading actor`s comeback (8) 16 What you used to be is there –, just get rid of the radical element (4) 17 There`s a tiny number in jail, brother, for murder (4) QUICK Across 5 Member of a 16th Century German protestant sect condemned as heretics by Luther (11) 7 Along with Daniel and Job, one of Israel`s three righteous men (4) 8 Bible people from southern Dead Sea area (8) 9 Domestic dog, aka Persian greyhound (6) 11 Ancient Persian god of light and truth (6) 12 - -- Khan, spiritual head of Ismaili Muslims (3) 13 Native of a middle eastern Arabic republic (6) 14 Town in Canaan which after the Conquest was given to the tribe of Judah (6) 15 Restrict, impoverish (8) 17 Cap worn by fundamentalist Mormon women (4) 18 Formal sporting event, tournament (11) QUICK Down 1 Adherent of a monotheistic religion established in the 15th century by former Hindus (4) 2 Recipient of one of Paul`s epistles (8) 3 Mediterranean home of the Giant`s Tower, the world`s oldest man-made religious structure (4) 4 Clergyman, as usually called in Protestant churches (8) 5 Significantly prophetic (11) 6 Part of Genesis featured in Haydn`s landmark oratorio of 1798 (3,8) 10 Strongly protesting, actively rebelling (2,2,4) 11 Where Jacob saw angels before reuniting with Esau (8) 16 Biblical pronoun (4) 17 First child of Adam and Eve (4) Encouraging Big Ideas Open Morning Saturday 4th March 2023 | 09:30-12:00 Book your place online now www.ratcliffecollege.com/visit Judged ‘,Excellent’, in 2022

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