2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 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 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. H e died on the morning of 31st December 2022, as a consequence of which, the New Year news headlines were dedicated to a man of Faith, Fireworks took second place for once. He completed 95 years in this world, having lived through some of the most violent events of the last century. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in 1951. His years of service to the Church included him having a signi昀,cant place in the Second Vatican Council. His most productive years have been intent on the Church retaining a clear and balanced understanding of the work of that Council. I have no intention to give any sort of ‘,potted’, biography of Pope Emeritus, Benedict. Enough can be found elsewhere and is widely available. In any case, a ‘,potted’, biography is hardly a worthy o昀,ering for such a 昀,gure. What I do intend to express is the Church’,s debt of thanks to God for having given us such a Servant, Shepherd and fellow Pilgrim in these times. It is fascinating to re昀,ect on how the Lord works, calling such a man to such a vocation and ultimately to the highest O

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3 Photos: Cathedral pics courtesy of Michael Durnan. 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 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

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4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 MATTERS YOUTH General Update It’,s cold in Keswick! Hopefully by the time this edition hits the pews it will be a little bit warmer, but right now (late January) it’,s a bit chilly. The road down to Castlerigg was a bit of an ice rink last week but, on the plus side, there were some beautiful views to be had (see photos) . Our team started the New Year with a retreat. Not a retreat at Castlerigg though. This time, our team were the retreatants, going away for four nights at Pluscarden, a Benedictine Abbey in the North of Scotland. The team all agreed that it was a worthwhile experience, albeit with a mammoth journey to get there! This year has been a strange one. Usually, we start with a team and that’,s the team that goes through the year, but this year we’,ve had a lot of new people join us as things have gone along. Since we started in September, we’,ve welcomed Amelie, Kylie and now Starr –, our latest team member who joins us from Hertfordshire. We’,ve also said goodbye to Rachel in recent weeks too, as she moves on to pastures new. In recent years, November to February have been quiet months at Castlerigg, but this year things have really picked up. November was packed fairly full and the rest of the winter has also been far from quiet. Recently we’,re hosted groups from Preston, Carlisle, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and a few other places besides. At this point in the year we’,re very much looking ahead –, and I don’,t just mean to when the weather gets warmer! The next big open event is our Easter Retreat, and after that we’,ll be gearing up for Lisbon in the summer! (see below) . We’,re also proudly supporting the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage which you can probably read all about elsewhere in these pages. Altar Servers Retreat In mid-January we held our second annual retreat for Altar Servers and we got a really good crowd of people from all over the diocese, but mostly from Cumbria. The retreat gave the servers a great chance to re昀,ect on their ministry and have a bit of fun together. Father Daniel Etienne from Carlisle joined us to celebrate Mass –, a rather strange but wonderful a昀,air in which the servers in full uniform were the majority of the congregation! Other than through our schools, Altar Serving is the main way in which the Church has regular contact with young people. There are many times more young people altar serving than there are active in youth groups. It’,s a ministry that goes back a great many years, and a lot of priests proudly look back on altar serving as their 昀,rst experience of being on the sanctuary. Pray for all of our altar servers, and pray for our MCs and other adults who look after them. Join Our Team We are currently looking for gap year volunteers to join our 2023-24 team. Pretty soon, we will be recruiting some paid leadership posts too. Keep an eye on our website and our social media –, Facebook @CastleriggManor –, the ads will appear soon. In the meantime, if you want to 昀,nd out anything or just have a chat, Email director@castleriggmanor. co.uk , or phone the Manor and ask for Jack. The ministry team at Castlerigg Manor are the heart of the Youth Service. They all stay together on site (apart from Jack, who lives with his family close by) and live as part of a community which is a lot of fun! But they work hard too. They welcome groups to the Manor and occasionally go out to schools and parishes too. They give testimony, lead games, help out on walks and other activities, and they also lead small groups, and spend time with the young people letting them know that they matter. Working at Castlerigg is an experience that hundreds of people have had, going all the way back to 1969. It builds con昀,dence and skills, strengthens faith and, as well as anything else, it’,s just a heck of a lot of fun! What’,s Coming Up? World Youth Day // We still have spaces which we are o昀,ering at a very good price. Head to www.castleriggmanor.com for more details. World Youth Day 2023 is happening from July 31st to August 7th and it’,s being held in Lisbon, Portugal. Your chance to get together with millions of other young Catholics, oh and the Pope too! Easter Retreat // April 6-9 2023 // £,65 –, journey through the Easter Triduum at Castlerigg Manor. Sign up via our website. LIT // Open Con昀,rmation Retreat // May 26-28 –, Our open retreat for young people who have recently been con昀,rmed, or are about to be. A chance to make some friends and re昀,ect on what it means to be sealed with the Holy Spirit. Follow Our Social Media Young People –, follow atcastleriggmanor on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Adult Leaders –, follow atcastleriggmanor on Facebook, and you can also follow atYS_Castlerigg on Twitter and Instagram Play the Lottery Did you know that Castlerigg Manor runs a monthly lottery? It’,s there to raise a bit of money for the Youth Service and it’,s a bit of fun too. Plenty of people have won so far! Just to be clear, when we say words like lottery and win, don’,t imagine you’,re going to be going round the Caribbean on a yacht. It’,s not that kind of lottery. Winnings are more like a few hundred quid but look at it this way –, you’,re probably a hundred thousand times more likely to win than the yacht version. For more details, check out: www.castleriggmanor.com The lottery is important to us because it raises some vital funds for Castlerigg and for our work. Why is this important? Well, let’,s just say that we are expecting to pay 昀,fty grand just on electricity and gas during the next 昀,nancial year!! And by the way, if you want to make a donation to Castlerigg Manor without the lottery thing, you can do that too. Again, check out our website.

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 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 + March 2023 Dear Editor, Synodality –, is there anything in it for us? F ollowing on from the Synod activity in parishes earlier this year, the Bishops of England and Wales issued their ‘,National Synthesis Document’, from the diocesan Synod reports. At the same time, the bishops issued their own r e昀,ection on the outcome “,Seeking Our Heart’,s Desire”, . Unfortunately, very little has been heard of either, then or si nce. Was there a letter to be read in all parishes? There does not appear to have been any communication back to the people. We must not let the 800 pages of the diocesan reports go withou t making good use of the time, energy and e昀,ort that went into them, even if only an estimated 10% of the Mass-going Catholic population contributed. Although there is nothing speci昀,c concerning climate change, th e environment, care of creation, or justice and peace, that is not necessarily to b e expected, since that was not the focus of the synodality process, but rather one of list ening to each other and the Holy Spirit, discerning our desire for the church in carryi ng out its mission in the future. There are positives, especially the experience of synod ality itself, which ‘,to many of those taking part was a revelation’,.[10] One problem is 昀,nding out the synodality process itself. Althou gh there was guidance produced by the Vatican, each diocese produced its own method and way of proceeding. A comprehensive guide, for example, was produced by the Birming ham Archdiocese ‘,Walking Together: A handbook for the synodal journey’, that is still available at https:// www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/the-synod-2021-2023 (Scroll down to ‘,Download Handbook) , The Northampton Diocese also have resources at https://northamptondiocese.org/ synod-resources-and-training/ . So do look at your own Diocesan website to see if there is anything there for you. Returning to the Synthesis document, it does say (para 86) : ‘,A striking feature of the submissions was the widespread desire for mission and outreach. …, An ever-deepening synodality will be re昀,ected in greater atte ntiveness to the peripheries of su昀,ering and need, both locally and globally, such that pari shes and schools become ever more outward-facing, evangelising, and mission-oriented. A synodal Church in which the faithful assemble, listen and discern is more likely to recognise Christ in the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth, and to respond in concrete apostolic actions that make visible God’,s compassion for all His creatures.’, Therefore, it is in our own interest that the synodal process i s continued, so that the Church becomes more mission orientated and outward looking. ‘,There is a felt desire …, that the synodal process now be embedded in dioceses and parishes, and that structures and formation be introduced at every level to enable this’,, [76] and ‘,it requires of those in authority a commitment to facilitate and enable it through concrete reforms.’, [88] This is happening in some dioceses, but, if not, it is up to us to a pproach our priests and bishops and ask what they are doing about it, a s well as working with them to bring it about. The Synod ‘,asks us to hear and respond without waiting for this or that change or new structure, con昀,dent that, in awakening to ou r co- responsibility, the reforms will follow’, …,‘,if embraced’,. [89] Above all, the synod ‘,is an invitation that must be acted on’, [87] , as it says in the conclusion, and it is up to us to make something of it, to embr ace it and to pursue it. With this in mind, we can be encouraged to approach our clergy with a view to more co-operative working. It is up to us to take the initiative. If we don’,t, nothing is likely to happen! Let’,s ask our parish priest what his plans are and how we can work with him to move things forward. Let’,s get other parishioners interested in joining in. Let’,s get the ball rolling! All quotes are from the ‘,National Synthesis Document’, (If you have yet to read it, it is suggested you read it backwards, starting at section VII, then VI, V, etc –, it makes much more sense that way!) Brian Austin, LS Animators UK Writing Group. 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

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 F r Philip Newbold, a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham has retired in the diocese of Lancaster. He has decided to use his time during Lent to support AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (Emergency Aid for Ukraine) . This provides food, clothing and shelter for those caught up in the war. He aims to walk 10,000 steps every day throughout Lent and hopes to raise money through sponsorship. You can sponsor him online at the address below or sign the sponsor sheet and Fr. Philip will arrange collection after East er. Thank you for your support. Sponsor Fr Philip online at: www.justgiving.com/page/fr-philip-newbold-167? Aid to the Church in Need –, Fr Philip’,s Walk for Ukraine 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 + March 2023 I n November, we gathered for our annual dinner at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, the guest speaker was newly ordained Fr Philip Wrigley and the guest of honour, Bishop Paul Swarbrick. It is always a lovely evening and it was well attended from all corners of the diocese providing an opportunity to catch up and re昀,ect on the year gone by. Fr Philip re昀,ected on his vocation journey from the day he started serving in his home parish in Carlisle with Canon Dewhurst, to his priestly ordination last year. Bishop Paul concluded the evening echoing the need for vocations to the priesthood and diaconate and that perhaps the seeds of vocation were already planted in some of those in attendance. He also acknowledged the important role our female Servers play and their special closeness to Our Lady and vocations to the religious life. Special certi昀,cates from the Bishop were presented to Keith Earnshaw and John Walsh for over 50 years’, service, Chinedu Benward for over 20 years’, It has been a busy few months for the Altar Server’,s Guild of St Stephen in the diocese writes Paul Woodhouse of Blackpool. The Guild of St Stephen service and Anna-Marie Hilton, Panashe Madhlambudzi and Ted Case for 10 years’, service. Our diocese is well represented nationally, Paul Briers from Workington is the current Honorary President of the Guild, and Bishop Paul recently appointed Ian Mulholland from Preston as the new Director of the Lancaster branch. Paul Woodhouse in Blackpool acts at Communications O

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9 O n Sunday 8th January, 2023 Keith Earnshaw of St. Wulstan’,s Parish Fleetwood was awarded the gold medal for being an enrolled member of the Guild of St. Stephen for 50 years. Keith has actually now been a continuous altar server for 72 years and so this award is richly deserved. Keith was enrolled as an altar server on 3rd September, 1950 at Holy Family Church Freckleton. In 1956 he moved to Fleetwood and joined the altar servers at St Wulstan’,s. During the late 1950’,s early1960’,s all the senior servers were enrolled into the archconfraternity and Red Letter Day in Fleetwood Keith was enrolled in 1959. After the homily the altar servers all gathered in front of the Altar and Canon Hayes explained to the congregation about Keith’,s long service and dedication and then Blessed the Medal. Ian Mulholland as Diocesan Director of the Guild then made the award to Keith. A fabulous day for Keith and the Parish and hopefully an inspiration to the excellent serving team at St. Wulstan’,s. Ad Multos Annos Keith. Ian Mulholland Diocesan Director of the Guild of St Stephen Keith in a white alb with Canon Alf Hayes, Paul Briers, Honorary National President of the Guild and Ian Mulholland, Diocesan Director of the Guild A nd just beginning, James of St Joseph’,s Ansdell has just completed 12 months as an altar server and is now enrolled in the Guild of St Stephen. Here he is seen receiving his medal and certi昀,cate from Fr Peter Clarke.

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10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 “,We must respond as Christians to the cry of creation and think hard about how we live our lives so that we are good stewards of our fragile planet and live in solidarity with the world’,s poorest communities.”, The Call of Creation: Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales 2022 Boarbank pioneers online retreats on the Care of Creation S r. Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall in Cumbria has started a series of online weekend retreats to help Catholics understand and put into practice the Church’,s teaching on the Care of Creation. The retreat is called “,Your Planet and Your Parish”, and explores how we can help our communities respond to the “,signs of the times”, and the challenges they present. It consists of about six hours spread over a long weekend so there is time for both re昀,ection and for our normal weekend activities. Even before the publication of Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si “,On Care of our Common Home”, , the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) has been active in promoting ecological conversion within the church. As far back as 2002 it published a document “,The Call of Creation”, setting out what we should be doing. This was revised and re-issued in 2022. The Conference also established an Ecological Conversion Group (ECG) to provide it with expert advice. The retreats, which are run in conjunction with the ECG, have a range of top speakers. Recent ones have included Bishop Terry Drainey and Bishop David Oakley, together with John Paul de Quay of the ECG and Sr. Margaret Atkins herself. However, the main sessions have belonged to the participants, sharing their achievements and challenges, discussing possible solutions and naming their hopes and plans for continuing their journey of “,Care for our Common Home”,. There was imagination and inspiration aplenty from the participants: •, Brownedge School near Preston is dividing its outside areas into 昀,ve “,Ws”,. Wilderness (200 trees planted) , Wildlife, Work (growing food) Wellbeing and Worship. The pupils are fully involved in all the plans and the ethos is re昀,ected in every school activity. If only every school could be like this ! •, A parishioner from Wales spoke movingly about guidance from Our Lady after a visit to Mejugorje which inspired him to start growing vegetables at the church. It has brought people together, created warm and friendly spaces for the cold, lonely and marginalised and produced food for those in need. Above all, it has given new life and prayerfulness to the parish. •, A parish in Yorkshire is following the CAFOD ‘,Live Simply’, Sr Margaret Atkins and Steve Burrowes of Wardley Hall Laudato Si’, Centre with pupils from Brownedge School. 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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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 programme with amazing enthusiasm and energy. Their ideas included a “,Tree of Life”, for suggestions, planting pollinators, wind昀,owers, herbs and fruit trees, bird and bat boxes, a bug house and a hedgehog hotel. They have overhauled their energy use and recycling, raised funds for a parish link in Mali and collected food and warm clothes for local charities. They marked the Season of Creation with prayer, activities and discussions, and celebrated receiving the Live Simply award with a parish party, the 昀,rst sacraments for the children and the Parish Priest’,s Golden Jubilee. Social justice is anything but boring! •, Young people in Brentwood and Westminster Dioceses, concerned about the environmental cost of 昀,ying to Lisbon for the World Youth Conference, decided to go by coach instead. One participant pointed out that the pilgrimage begins when you leave home, not just when you arrive. They are making the most of their journey, visiting Tours, Valladolid and Porto on the way. •, Behind the scenes, many dioceses are reviewing their energy use and most have now transferred their funds from fossil fuel companies into more ethical organisations. All these stories show that in a world where the problems seem so daunting, it is never too di

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12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 O n October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared St Therese of Lisieux a Doctor of the Church. That means that this young woman who died at 24 and spent the last ten years of her life in an enclosed Carmel o昀,ers a teaching that is perennially helpful and reliable. St Thé,rè,se said she wanted to spend her heaven on earth making others love God as she loved Him and teaching her ‘,little way of love’, to souls. So, what is this little way? Thé,rè,se wanted to be a saint, and yet she felt incapable of performing the heroic fasts and penances of the saints of past ages. She reasoned that God would not inspire the impossible. Since the staircase of holiness was too steep, she 昀,gured there must be a lift –, a short-cut –, that would raise her to Jesus. She searched the Scriptures and found these words: “,Whoever is a Little One, let him come to me …, I felt I had found what I was looking for. …, The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! And for this I had no need to grow up, but rather I had to remain little and become this more and more”,. What does it mean to be little? Being Poor in Spirit Little children depend on their parents for everything, and in the same way we have to rely on God. This poverty places all the goods of God at our disposal. Gratitude Thé,rè,se was continually thanking God, for she knew that nothing was hers, all was gift. She desired to quench Jesus’, thirst for love and gratitude. Image courtesy of Lisieux Archive. “,What draws the most blessings upon us is gratitude. I know this by experience. Try it and you’,ll see. I am pleased with everything God gives me, and I prove it to Him in a thousand ways”, Realising God is your Father In God, Thé,rè,se saw, above all, a Father, and one who loved her with in昀,nite tenderness. Receiving His divine life at baptism she (and we) became His adopted children. God in昀,nitely surpasses the best of earthly fathers: He is in昀,nitely good, generous, all loving, compassionate, powerful and wise. He desires to do you good. If He allows something bad to happen to you it is only because He can bring good out of it. ‘,GOD IS LOVE’,. He cares about the smallest details of your life. How can He forget you when He is so close, that He dwells IN you? Con昀,dence in God This knowledge gave Thé,rè,se immense con昀,dence. She could trust Him, she didn’,t need to worry about the future, she could live serenely in the present moment. ‘,Your heavenly Father knows you need these things’, . She expected everything from His goodness. ‘,We obtain from the good God quite as much as we hope for’,. Loving your weakness To be little, for Thé,rè,se, meant never being surprised at her faults (for everyone expects children to fall) . She didn’,t get discouraged, but even rejoiced in her weakness, because she realised it was the guarantee of God’,s help. In this she was following St Paul who had said ‘,I will boast gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me’, (2 Cor 12). Trusting in God’,s Merciful Love It is weakness that draws God to manifest His love in the form of Mercy. Divine Compassion instinctively reaches out to human misery to raise it up –, the more so –, the more pitiful the person’,s state. ‘,For to him that is little, mercy will be shown.’, If we were not weak, we’,d never experience it. Thé,rè,se ends her Autobiography aspiring to copy the trusting con昀,dence of Mary Magdalene: ‘,Even if I had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into Jesus’, arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.’, Can con昀,dence in God’,s mercy apply even to big faults or grave sins? Thé,rè,se is adamant that it can: ‘,If I had committed all possible crimes, I would always have the same con昀,dence, I feel that this whole multitude of o昀,enses would be like a drop of water thrown into a 昀,ery furnace.’, Surrender ‘,Jesus showed me the road that leads to this Divine Furnace, and this road is the surrender of the little child who sleeps without fear in its Father’,s arms.’, Surrender is basically abandoning yourself to God’,s will. If we can let go control, He will arrange things for us in the best possible way. Humility Littleness is essentially humility. Being little means taking the lowest place, going unnoticed, forgotten, overlooked, no one asking your opinion or telling you what is going on. Thé,rè,se describes a break-through moment. ‘,I understood that it was impossible for me to do anything by myself’,. Not to trust in self is the great starting point in turning to Him for everything: ‘,Apart from Me you can do nothing’,. Uniting yourself to Jesus Thé,rè,se’,s secret was to unite herself to Jesus and allow Him to do everything in her. She discovered this need to unite herself to Christ by meditating on His new commandment: ‘,love one another: as I have loved you, you also should love one another’,. This love led Jesus to the Cross. ‘,Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends’,. She realised she didn’,t love her Sisters as God loves them. But she knows God doesn’,t inspire the impossible, so it must mean that Jesus intends to love her Sisters in and through her. ‘,When I am charitable, it is Jesus alone who is acting in me, and the more united I am to Him, the more also do I love my Sisters.’, Acts of Love and Sacri昀,ce Thé,rè,se made up for the lack of extraordinary penances by the heroic quantity of little acts of love and sacri昀,ce, things that came her way in the ordinary course of daily life. ‘,I have no other means of proving my love St Thé,rè,se’,s Little Way A Short-cut to Holiness

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 for you other than that of strewing 昀,owers, that is, not allowing one little sacri昀,ce to escape, not one look, one word, pro昀,ting by the smallest things and doing them through love, and in this way I shall strew 昀,owers before Your throne. I shall not come upon one without unpetalling it for You’,. These petals she believes will charm Jesus. He will take these petals of sacri昀,ce and pour them out to give the Church graces, to help priests and missionaries, and thereby to save souls. For example: •, She gave up her free time to help others •, She volunteered to work with a di

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14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 J ordan is integral to the Holy Land, as the site of the Lord’,s baptism and early ministry. Our presence was a

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March 2023 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 A t the start of our academic year, a group of students from Our Lady’,s prepared for and visited the relics of St Bernadette at Lancaster Cathedral. We designed a school cross and candle to represent our school, which we took to the Pilgrimage Mass. Afterwards we had a very enlightening talk in the cathedral centre to understand the signi昀,cance of the relics more. Several pupils from my Faith in Action group commented ‘,It was di昀,erent as I’,ve never been to a church before and I found it fascinating... I learnt so much about St. Bernadette and her relics...I espe cially enjoye d the Mass as I’,ve never heard those readings and found it informative and interesting’,. During Autumn term, a group of students joined together to form a Faith in Action group, led by Mr Eidsforth. We meet twice a week to plan events, design and create religious themed resources and put our faith into action by exploring religious and cultural issues and getting involved in the community, both in school and in the wider area. Here is a 昀,avour of what we have been up to so far: •, Organised and delivered winter packages of food, toiletries, clothes and treats for the homeless, along with over £,500 raised in school for LDHAS •, Created Advent wreaths for classrooms •, expressed the importance of reinstating the public nativity crib to the Mayor of Lancaster •, Judged letters and prayers written for a homework competition in response to our learning in the new Our Lady’,s Catholic College, Lancaster RECD about caring for God’,s creation, sent and displayed to raise awareness of ‘,the cry of the earth’, •, Put together this year’,s school nativity crib •, planned a series of events throughout the year ahead from charity cake sales and caring for the local environment in light of Pope Francis’, Laudato Si, to visits to places of faith •, raised money for the Ukraine through the sale of Christmas Nativities •, holding an Epiphany Crown-making competition We ended last term by writing individual Christmas cards to each elderly resident at Nazareth House, which we delivered by hand. The students were exemplary and both they, the residents and the sisters alike were all deeply humbled by their carol-singing and conversations, interactions, Christmas card delivering and Christmas tree decorating. It was a rewarding way to put our faith into action and to live out Christ’,s command to love and serve- especially at Christmas time. It’,s been a rewarding academic year so far, full of learning and living out our Catholic faith, fun and faith in action! If any groups, churches, charities, schools and or/organisations in the diocese would like any help with anything, or have any ideas or suggestions about how we could put our faith into action even more during term time, we would love to hear from you and get involved! Please email l.eidsforth@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Luke Eidsforth RE teacher + Faith in Action group leader

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16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2023 St Bede’,s Catholic High School in Lytham have established a new peer support group which they hope will go from strength to strength. B y 10th January 2023, 18 pupils had successfully completed a one-day anti-bullying training session run by The Diana Award at either Fulwood Academy, Preston or at High昀,eld Leadership Academy, Blackpool. These events involved secondary schools from across the county. Young people, aged 11-16, worked together and acquired vital skills to enable them to identify and change the attitudes and behaviours of bullying in their community by building their skills and con昀,dence to address di昀,erent situations, both online and in the real world. Our pupils upheld the Jesus’, teachings to love thy neighbour and were inspired to re昀,ect His courage and compassion to ensure that no young person is left behind. The Diana Award’,s free Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme (which is available to schools across the UK) , sees Anti-Bullying Ambassadors in Lytham trainers working with students and other young people to change the attitudes surrounding bullying. The programme has a strong peer-to- peer focus, with trainers giving young people the skills and con昀,dence to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors who will play a key role in tackling bullying in their schools. The Diana Award’,s anti-bullying work is recognised as world-class thanks to this sustainable approach. Upon completion of the course, pupils received certi昀,cates for their training, made an action plan of how to approach bullying issues that may arise in their communities and committed to their roles as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Commenting on the training, Elliott said, ‘,Although the training was really intense, I couldn’,t be a Respect Ambassador without it.’, Paula Burdess, Lay Chaplain +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Editor’,s note The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassador programme is run by the charity - The Diana Award. The Diana Award was founded as a legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales’, belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. Its mission is to foster, develop and inspire positive change in the lives of young people. Church Supplies –, serving Schools, Business and Homes Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses For ALL of your Parishioners For some of your Parishioners 100 copies: from £,12 (12p per copy) 200 copies: from £,23.20 (11.6p per copy) 300 copies: from £,32.80 (10.9p per copy) 50 copies: from £,9.60 (19.2p per copy) 10 copies: from £,7.20 (72p per copy) Individual Subscriptions Online Subscriptions 1 Online Copy via Email from £,2.40 per month Annual 1 Copy from £,3.20 per month Subscribe to All prices include delivery www.catholicpost.co.uk subscribe@catholicpost.co.uk 01440 730399 To advertise please contact Charlotte on 07932 248225 or email charlotter@cathcom.org

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