Catholic South West History
Newspaper for the Dioceses of Plymouth, Clifon and Portsmouth
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Oct 2023 edition of the Catholic South West
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Spotlighting: Our Lady of the Angels, Saltash Page 4 Wonderful week in Lourdes Page 6 The Pope Video Page 10 OCTOBER 2023 Inside Given a new lease of life on TV’,s ",The Repair Shop", Page 3 The Emmaus Project is the result of a commitment made by a number of schools in the Diocese of Clifton to support a unique initiative that originated in a decision by the International Tree Foundation (ITF) in Africa to work with an agro-forestry NGO in Uganda’,s Masaka province, the Masaka and District Land Care Chapter (MADLACC). ITF and MADLACC elected to plant tree nurseries in selected schools across the district, training pupils in tree planting and management with a view to creating sustainable economies in which children played the formative role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Children will then pass onto their peers, teachers and local farmers the essence of what they have learned. We, in Emmaus, committed ourselves to providing the water resources they needed. In partnership with WaterHarvest, a water harvesting charity based in Winchester and the Kisoboka Trust, a charity in Southammpton, we decided to employ Mr Dan Kilimani, an engineer, to produce a detailed report for the chosen 23 schools, outlining precisely their current water resources and estimating the number of 20,000 litre water tanks they would each need to achieve the amount of water needed for the school’,s community to be able to have sufficient Dan Kilimani (Engineer) with some of the pupils at St Jude’,s Emmaus - A Unique Partnership Pupils sit in front of their new tank at St Jude`s clean drinking water along with water for all washing, cooking and irrigation needs. Having established a priority list for the 23 schools, WaterHarvest elected to complete work at the St Jude’,s RC Primary School, whilst the Emmaus schools in the UK began fund raising. This was our pilot project. St Jude’,s was successfully completed at the end of the summer term 2023. Within days of completion, the Headteacher reported a significant rise in the nominal role and a genuine joy in the whole community. We have since received reports from Dan Kilimani that the local community were able to use the full water tanks during the recent dry season, whilst pupils were on their summer holiday. The project has transformed the lives of a large number of people. That was the start! Our school, St Edward’,s, in a generous match-funding arrangement with WaterHarvest have since completed works at the Lubanda Islamic School as an indication of the multi-faith aspect of the project. St Francis School in Nailsea, Bristol, completed similar works at the Kiwangala Primary, again with WaterHarvest’,s help. We are now actively planning to complete the next 4 schools before the end of the financial year with the Trowbridge Catholic schools hub fund raising for the next school on the list. During a period of time in which we have suffered both a global pandemic and an economic crisis, The Emmaus Partnership is proud to have completed 3 schools already, with plans for up to 5 more…,a significant achievement.
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2 October 2023 Catholic South West CONTACTS &, DETAILS Catholic South West is a monthly newspaper for Catholics in the Plymouth , Clifton and Portsmouth Dioceses . It is published by Bellcourt Ltd AIMS To build community in the South West by sharing stories relating to Catholic life around the South West . To encourage readers to get more involved in - or start - projects and initiatives in the local area . To provide thought - provoking articles to help readers deepen their Faith . GET INVOLVED We need your help ! Articles : We need your local articles - we can only include what we get . So if you have an article or just a photo with a short desc r iption - please send it in . Ideas : We need your ideas for the paper and we need your ideas in the paper . If you have any thoughts on what we sh - ould include - or if you are thinking about starting a new initiative - get in touch - we ’, d love to support it ! Readers : If you can encourage other readers in your parish please do so . Advertising : We rely on advertising - if you know of anyone that would benefit from promoting their business, event or anything else to parishioners throughout the South West, do let us know. SUBMITTING EDITORIAL To send in editorial or to get in touch please contact us at : CSW - Bellcourt Ltd N 2 Blois Meadow Business Centre Steeple Bumpstead Haverhil l , Suffolk CB 9 7 BN csw at cathcom . org 01440 730399 ADVERTISING To advertise in Catholic South West please contact us on 01440 730399 ads@cathcom.org DATES Catholic South West goes to parishes on the last full weekend of the month . It is printed around the middle of the month - so if you would like to adver - tise or send in editorial please do it as early as possible . LEGAL INFORMATION Please note that opinions expressed in this paper and on any linked sites or publications are not necessarily those of the Publishers , Editor , any Diocese or the wider Roman Catholic Church Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that due acknowledgement , when appropriate , is made to the originator of any image submitted for publication . It is understood that those submitting material for publication in CSW either hold the copyright or have arranged for publication with the appropriate authority . EDITORIAL GUIDELINES 1) Think of the readers : If you are writing about an event , think about the rea - ders that don ’, t know anything about it . Outline what happe - ned , but focus on why people go , why it is important to them , or some teaching that was given . Make sure readers learn something from your article - they don ’, t just want to know who was there and what snacks were available ! 2) Keep it brief : Make sure you make your point - but keep it brief and punchy . 3) Pictures : Send pictures as they are - even if they are very big to email . Don ’, t re - duce them in size or put them inside a Word document . They look fine on the screen but terrible in the paper ! FROM CSW Dear Reader, This issue of Catholic South West contain articles about the great work being done by the Emmaus Partnership, which is supported by Catholic Schools in the Clifton Diocese. We also have a focus on Our Lady of the Angels, Saltash and the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. There is information about Prisoners week and Education Sunday as well as a look at Laudato Si Week and in the article which looks at walking in the footsteps of St Columban. This issue is very varied and has information from around the South West. We have also noticed that we are getting more and more regular contributors to Catholic South West, which is excellent. We really want to reflect all regions of the South West. So please do keep sending in articles, photos and thoughts! CSW TEAM Philomena O’,Rourke celebrated her 93rd birthday this month at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic church Weymouth. She always attends Sunday Mass and is a happy, smiling lady who is the most elegant in the parish. God Bless you Philomena, we all love you x God Bless you Philomena On Saturday 28th October at St. John the Baptist, Trowbridge, we are holding a day with the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph to explore the ministry of catechesis: ‘,The Joy of the Gospel –, the Joy of Catechesis’,. As well as celebrating Mass and taking time to pray together, we will look at the vocation of the catechist, how we integrate catechesis into the wider Church, the for - mation of the catechist and how to plan a catechetical session. This rich day of for - mation is for seasoned catechists, and anyone feels called to this ministry but who might not feel equipped. The day will begin with prayer at 10am, with refreshments from 9.15am. Please bring a packed lunch. The day will end at 4pm. If you are interested in attending this day, please register through the Event - brite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/668215439 367 ‘,The Joy of the Gospel –, the Joy of Catechesis’,
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Catholic South West October 2023 3 The monks welcome you to their home and hope you fi nd peace and rest here. Explore our beautiful Abbey and gardens. Enjoy lunch with loved ones or take some time for yourself. Groups: 01364 645532 Accommodation: 01364 645630 Conferences: 01364 645630 Explore Devon,s Hidden Gem Buckfast Abbey is a registered Charity No. 232497 Abbey Church , Working Monastery , Exhibition , Gardens , Shops , Restaurants , Hotel &, Conference Centre Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE , www.buckfast.org.uk S U N D A Y C A R V E R Y S U N D A Y C A R V E R Y October 14th 27th 28th November December 30th November - 2nd December Christmas Market: Visit the website for further details 2nd 9th 16th Concert: Celebrating 10 years of Collati The Big Buckfast Quiz Grand-Orgue Recital: Thomas Trotter Service: RSCM Advent Carol Service Concert: Cantique de Noë,l Festival Carol Service Earlier this year, a painting of Our Lady feeding the infant Jesus was featured on the TV program ",The Repair Shop",. During the 2nd World War it had been hidden in a coat by a Ukrainian family who were captured and taken to slave labour camps. The painting belonged to the father of the family who was a Ukrainian Catholic Priest, and it hung in his parish church. After the war the family was split up but the painting somehow survived. Eventually the painting was given to the daughter of one of the survivors Maria Kirk, who is a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Eastwood. After many years Maria decieded to apply to the Repair Shop to try and have it restored, and was accepted. The restoration was done by Lucia Scalisi, who said that ",it Painting that survived World War II is given new lease of life on TV’,s ",The Repair Shop", was a miracle it had survived",. So many people had expressed an interest to see the painting, that Maria put it on display in her parish church, she said ",I thought a few people would come out of curiosity but could not believe that over 300 visitors came. Many from other Churches in the area, but many of no faith who just wanted to see the painting. It was very moving to see people in tears just sitting quietly looking at her, many people said that the face of Our Lady just drew them in and touched them. It was lovely to be able to share the story and experience with them.", Maria hopes to display the painting at St Barnabas Cathedral some time in October. Maria Kirk
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4 October 2023 Catholic South West In 1884, after the Catholic Emancipation in 1829, French Franciscans opened a novitiate at Saltash, dedicating their new church to Our Lady of the Angels. In 1906 the Franciscans left and sold the property to the Bishop of Plymouth. When that building became unsafe in 1940 after war damage, the parish moved to the chapel at the Good Shepherd convent, built in 1935 from designs by Wilfred Mangan and dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. When the sisters left in 1959, they sold the site to the Plymouth diocese. In 2004 these buildings and adjoining land were sold for redevelopment, and the congregation worshipped for a while in a nearby Anglican church. Construction of the new church, designed by Jim Caley of the Plymouth firm of Lacey Hickey and Caley and built by Midas Construction, began in the summer of 2006. The project cost was £,450,000, offset in part by sale of adjoining land as part of a new housing development. The first service was held on Palm Sunday in 2007, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Budd on the 4th of May 2007, when the new church reverted to the old dedication to Our Lady of the Angels. This new church of distinctive design pays regard to environmental sustainability and Cornish identity. With support of the Saltash Environmental Action Group {SEA} the grounds are trying to be ‘,green’, –, a former parishioner was largely responsible for turning the grounds into bee, insect, bird friendly feeding areas. The field behind the church is now scythed once a year and shows positive signs of biodiversity –, last autumn cherry, silver birch and rowan saplings, plus hedging plants have been planted on the field. The front garden is wild with many interesting shrubs and flowers. Many grown from a seed mix from the 2012 Olympic Park. There is escallonia hedging in the car park –, very popular with the bees. Neighbours have been contacted to explain our green scheme, so they realise the grounds are not being neglected. At the same time, we offer to pray for our neighbours and invite them to send in their prayer petitions for us to include with our own. In the long term our intention is for a community ‘,Soul Space’, for quiet reflection. The church has seating for 130, with attached sacristy, hall, kitchen, meeting rooms and parish office. The hall is available for hiring. A distinctive design, with a curved metal roof defining the central ‘,nave’, of the worship space. The external masonry walls have a white rendered finish apart from the projecting central fins at front and back, which are clad in red cedar shingles. The central roof sweeps up at the entrance narthex, a Spotlighting: Our Lady of the Angels, Saltash light and welcoming area with glazed walls {incorporating etched prayer texts in English and Cornish of The Lord’,s Prayer and the Hail Mary} and again over the sanctuary. The other roofs are flat, originally intended to have a sedum finish. The interior worship space is a single, light spacious volume, with white plastered walls, lit indirectly from the narthex and by top lighting over the sanctuary. Upholstered chairs for the congregation are arranged in a shallow curve, facing towards the central sanctuary. The altar, ambo, font, and tabernacle pedestal are of textured Cornish granite, supplied by Williams and Triggs of Newton Abbot. The wall mounted crucifix was brought from the old church. Our Lady of the Angels, Saltash is one of the four churches under the responsibility and pastoral care of Fr. Gilmour McDermott, where he has seen improvements to the church building. Just recently new windows have been installed, and the failed roof has just been replaced leaving us with several years of fund raising. Thanks to the generosity of a parishioner the lettering on the new windows was able to be replaced and a grant obtained for us by the diocese has meant that the hall windows have been replaced and the making good of the flooring should soon be completed. Unfortunately, the works stirred up an ant nest and there was an infestation of flying ants –, not quite the ‘,green’, environmental sustainability which was planned! This ant problem has been dealt with by professionals and we have a guarantee the ants will not return. We are hoping the hall will be well used by the parish and local community. We are pleased some inquiries are being made. Although, a small parish and congregation, Saltash has a thriving Ecumenical Mission, their ‘,Anchor’, group, since their first meeting in January 2015, meets regularly and has held joint meetings with Liskeard’,s ‘,Bethany’, group. The Anchor group is aimed at the spirituality of older women. It combines an opportunity to meet and listen to each other’,s stories in a confidential and supportive atmosphere, explore extracts from scripture or writings of St Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich. We also make room for a silent period to experience the gifts and insights that it brings. Pre-Covid, we have had Days of Reflection and hope to have something in October. A new prayer group is in the process of forming with the aim to pray for our parishioners and parish both generally and specifically. Recently along with Liskeard, Sclerder Abbey, and Torpoint, Saltash joined in with the weekend long celebrations commemorating Fr. Gilmour’,s golden jubilee celebrations of his ordination to the priesthood. On Sunday afternoon {23rd July 2023} a concert was held with the Burraton Boys {a male choir from Saltash} followed by a buffet –, arranged and supplied by the parishioners - a big thanks to all who helped arrange the concert and supplied the meal afterwards. It was good to see so many parishioners and friends turn out to support the free concert and the generous donations towards Parish Funds. There are hopes to arrange more concerts with the Burraton Boys by the end of the year –, such as two Gaudete Sunday Carol Concerts followed by high tea. Article by Rosemarie de Boyer Photos courtesy of Fr. Gilmour McDermott KHS
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By Fr Jeremy Corley Scripture Focus Around harvest time, we are invited to celebrate the Season of Creation. This significant season concludes on the feast of St Francis of Assisi (Wednesday 4th October), who is patron saint of ecology. His example inspired Pope Francis’, 2015 document on Care for our Common Home (Laudato Si’,). The document begins by quoting the saint’,s canticle, praising God for the marvels of creation: “,Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.”, The Old Testament prophets often describe the creation, which can reveal God to us. In the first reading on Sunday 8th October (27th Sunday of the Year), Isaiah tells a parable about a vineyard. His hearers would have been familiar with this, because the hill country around Jerusalem was often used to grow grapes. The prophet depicts a fertile hillside where the soil had been cleared of stones and planted with choice vines. With well- prepared soil and a suitable climate, the farmer expected it to yield a rich harvest of grapes. Instead, all it produced was a harvest of sour grapes. In disgust, the farmer decides to leave the vineyard to go wild and be trampled on. Isaiah’,s parable speaks of the vineyard to illustrate God’,s love for Israel. God had provided all the conditions Israel needed to produce a harvest of goodness and justice. Instead, the land was marked by bloodshed and oppression of the poor. God had greatly blessed the people, but they failed to respond to his love or treat their neighbours justly. That is why he decides to cease protecting his chosen people. Instead, they will become liable to attack from enemies (the Assyrian invaders). Jesus recalls Isaiah’,s vineyard parable in the gospel on Sunday 8th October (27th Sunday of the Year). Again the parable concerns a vineyard, suitably prepared and planted with vines. In the course of time, the landowner expected it to produce a harvest of grapes. When he sent his servants to collect the produce, they were beaten or stoned. Finally, he decided to send his own son, expecting that they would respect him. Instead, the vineyard tenants plotted to kill the heir and seize the vineyard for themselves. After they had killed the landowner’,s son, he took action to punish those wicked tenants and find new tenants who would produce the proper harvest of fruit. The parable ends with Jesus’, challenge to his original audience: “,God’,s kingdom will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”, St Matthew was writing his gospel after the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem temple, understood as fulfilling Jesus’, warning to the Jewish leaders. He saw the community of Jesus’, followers as taking on the call to work in the vineyard. The vineyard parables of Isaiah and Jesus serve as a reality check for us. Are we really producing the fruit that God asks of us? Do we pay more than just lip- service to loving God and loving our neighbour? Our world has a vast gap between the richest and the poorest—,do we think of those in need and try to help them? Our world is now in the middle of a climate crisis—,are we taking steps to protect the earth, which is our common home? St John’,s Gospel presents Jesus as the true vine and reminds us that we can only bear fruit if we remain united to him. St Paul reminds us of the Holy Spirit’,s fruits of love and joy and peace, patience and kindness and goodness, faithfulness and gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22- 23). As we conclude this harvest season, let us thank God for his many gifts to us. Let us pray that we may indeed bear good fruit, by loving God and loving our neighbours in our daily lives. PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD Catholic South West October 2023 5 Donate now at www.reachfoundationuk.org Your money goes a long way! Reach Foundation UK - charity no: 1171521 To Advertise in the Funeral Section contact Nick on 01440 730399 nick@ cathcom.org Funeral Services Please support our Advertisers
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6 October 2023 Catholic South West Plymouth Diocese pilgrims are recently back from a wonderful week in Lourdes. Even as a small group, we were recognised by other Dioceses and asked to lead a number of events including: Mass at the Grotto led by Father Anthony O`Gorman, which was an uplifting experience for all of us but especially our readers, altar servers and musicians who all participated. Wonderful week in Lourdes Leading the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament which was a privilege to witness and be part of. We were joined and fully supported by the Dioceses of Arundel and Brighton, Hexham and Newcastle and Shrewsbury and Salford. As pilgrims we were spiritually moved by Father Anthony’,s humility, grace and reverence with which he led this great event. A truly moving experience. Leading the Torchlight Procession. Our wonderful youth pilgrims were the candle bearers at the very front of the procession, and we all stood strong behind our Plymouth banner full of joy and pride, with Father Anthony once again doing an amazing job leading us in the Rosary. Our youth pilgrims were an inspiration to us all. They did an amazing job looking after our VIPs, showing friendship love and respect for them at all times. They wish to express their grateful thanks to all the parishioners across the Diocese who helped raise money to fund their pilgrimage by attending events, buying cakes, Christmas cards and praying for them. We remembered and lit candles for the whole of Plymouth Diocese, our own parishes and for Father Kieran Kirby, may he rest in peace.
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Catholic South West October 2023 7 “,Regularly Supervised &, Experienced Staff”, For Free Assessment visit www.sunshinecare.co.uk or Call us today! 0800 2343520 Tel: 01752 204044 Please support our Advertisers DONATE NOW www.shelterbox.org/protect OR CALL 0300 0300 500 URGENT APPEAL NO ONE WITHOUT SHELTER PROTECT PEOPLE IN DISASTER ZONES Scan here to make a life-saving gift today Registered Charity No. 1096479 On Prisoners’, Sunday the Catholic Church encourages everyone to reflect on and pray for prisoners and their families. This year, Prisoners` Sunday takes place on 8th October but you can mark the occasion on a day that suits your parish calendar. What is Prisoners’, Sunday? Prisoners’, Sunday is a time to think about how we as individuals, as a Church and as communities are serving those affected by imprisonment. Prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families often find themselves on the margins of our society. Yet Jesus challenges us with His words: Prisoners` Sunday Our work at Pact draws on the values of our faith: dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity. We believe that everyone can make a fresh start whatever they may have done. Bishop Richard Moth, Catholic Liaison Bishop for Prisons, writes to all parishes in the Pact Prisoners` Sunday Pack, to encourage support for this time of reflection, prayer and action everywhere on Prisoners` Sunday. We are grateful to parishes who are able to hold a second collection to support the work of Pact - and to individuals who may send a donation at this time. A second collection can also be arranged on an alternative date if that works better for your parish. Perhaps some supporters may be able to hold a simple Prisoners` Sunday fundraising event. Find out more about Marking Prisoners` Sunday in your Church by visiting www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hold-a- prisoners-sunday-service How can I find out more? Contact Theresa Alessandro, Catholic Community Engagement Manager at parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk We hope that you will join us in marking this day. Thank you for your support. Prisons Week 8 - 14 October Prisoners’, Sunday marks the first day of the ecumenical Prisons Week, a dedicated week of prayer across our Christian communities. Prisons Week was founded by Bishop Victor Guazzelli in 1975. Since then, the Prisons Week group has prepared resources to enable the Christian community to pray for the needs of all those affected by imprisonment. The Prisons Week Prayer Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ, in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day.
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Rising Sun Nurseries, near Callington, Cornwall, has a complete range of garden care products, tools, pots, composts and accessories for all your gardening needs, and a wide range of plants, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds for every garden. We are open 7 days a week throughout the year. There is ample parking. Our friendly staff are always on hand to help you and to offer advice and recommendations. •, Bedding Plants •, Ceramic Pots and Troughs •, Hanging Baskets •, Composts •, Patio and Pot Plants •, Gifts •, Bird Feeders •, Cut Flowers •, Annual Seeds •, Christmas Trees 8 October 2023 Catholic South West The Latin Mass Society www.lms.org.uk 020 7404 7284 Masses in the Extraordinary Form in Plymouth Diocese: Lanherne Convent, St. Mawgan, Cornwall TR8 4ER Sundays 8.30am Low Mass10.00am Sung Mass Monday –, Saturday 8am Low Mass. Thursdays 8am Low Mass and 6.15pm Low Mass Confession: Saturdays at 3pm St. Edward the Confessor, Home Park Avenue, Peverell, Plymouth, Devon PL3 4PG Sundays 8.30 am Low Mass. 1st Saturdays 11.30am Mass Holy Angels, Shrine Church, Queensway, Chelston, Torquay, Devon TQ2 6BP Sundays: 10.45am Sung/High Mass (Confession before and after Mass and every day if required). Vespers &, Benediction. 8.30.am Low Mass Monday, Tuesday &, Saturday 12 noon Low Mass Wednesday &, Friday 12 noon Sung Mass Thursday 5.30pm Vespers, 6pm Adoration (Confessions), 7pm Compline. Our Lady of Lourdes &, St. Cecilia, White Cliff Mill St., Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7BN Saturday mornings 9.30am Low Mass Before travelling any distance and to avoid disappointment, contact the LMS Rep on either 07555536579/devon@lms.org.uk Please support our Advertisers The following is a message from the Bishop of Leeds: the Rt Rev Marcus Stock and chair of the Catholic Education Service. His vision and words have been shared to inspire, encourage and affirm all those involved in the unique and impactful mission of providing and facilitating a holistic, Christ centred Catholic education. In turn, we are all encouraged and called to pray for all those who work and teach in our Catholic schools, the children and young people who are there to learn, and for the other collaborative educational settings within our diocese and beyond! A Message For Catholic schools ‘,This year, the 10th September, marks the 175th celebration of Education Sunday for the Church in England and Wales. Education Sunday, at the start of the new academic year, offers us an opportunity to pray to Almighty God for all people involved in Catholic education, to celebrate the achievements of the past and to ask Our Lord to bless the work of the year ahead. The resources for Education Sunday this year focus on the promise given by Jesus in St Matthew’,s Gospel: Where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them. Matthew 18:20 As you gather today in your schools and universities, you can take these words to heart, for our Lord Jesus Christ always keeps His promise. You are gathered together in His name and He is with you as you work, learn, pray, grow and live out your mission. The great desire of Jesus is to be with us and to invite us to enter into a personal relationship with Him, a relationship of love. When a person knows they are truly loved, a new confidence abounds. St John Bosco, the great patron saint of young people and of education, once said: “,Without confidence and love, there can be no true education. If you want to be Education Sunday: A Message For Catholic Schools! loved you must love yourselves, and make your children feel that you love them.”, The mission of our Catholic schools, colleges and universities is to provide a holistic education which enables the lives of children and young people to flourish and for them to be formed into the men and women that God the Father has created them to be. May our Catholic schools, colleges and universities always be places where children and young people discover that they are known and loved by the Lord in their uniqueness. May they be able to look back and recognise that our Lord Jesus Christ was present to them throughout their education. May the gift of faith inspire them, the gift of hope encourage them, and the gift of love sustain them as they strive to live out their unique mission in the world. When young people leave our institutions, with Christ at their centre, may they do so with stronger faith and greater confidence, to share the love that they have received with others, in whatever vocation or work they undertake We owe much gratitude to all those who, over the past 175 years, have governed, led, taught and supported the children and young people in our Catholic schools, colleges and universities, and who have created the environments and opportunities for a loving encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. On this 175th Education Sunday, as we gather in the name of the Lord Jesus and have confidence that He is with us as He promised, let us give thanks to Almighty God for all the ways He has been present to us amidst the joys and sorrows of our life. Let us invite Him to be with us over the coming academic year. I remain, yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, Rt Rev Marcus Stock Bishop Of Leeds Chair of the Catholic Education Service.’, Congregations from across our far-reaching diocese gathered to celebrate Mass this Education Sunday!
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By Dr Jay Kettle-Williams View from the Pew Catholic South West October 2023 9 Dr J L Kettle-Williams is an experienced business communications consultant and wordsmith (tutor, writer, translator). My attention always turns to what the MSM (Mainstream Media) might be up to reporting and saying about the Orange Walks, come the anniversary of The Battle of The Boyne. The ,Battle of the Boyne was fought between King James II (James VII of Scotland) and King William II (House of Orange) –, rival claimants to the English, Scottish and Irish throne. The battle took place on 1 July 1690 across the River Boyne ,close to the town of Drogheda, on the east coast of Ireland. William’,s army won the day, being better prepared than the opposing forces consisting mainly of raw recruits. The continued Protestant ascendancy in Ireland was thereby ensured. The Twelfth ,(aka , Orangemen’,s Day ) is an Ulster Protestant ,celebration traditionally held on 12 July to celebrate the Glorious Revolution ,(1688) along with William’,s victory at the Boyne. On and around the Twelfth, large parades are held by the Orange Order ,and Ulster Loyalist ,marching bands. My mother’,s birthday fell on 12 July. God rest her. The day always held further interest for her as her Irish side of the family was split Catholic/Protestant, one faction never attending life’,s major events celebrated by the other. The antagonism within the family had been inherited from the warfare the of 17th century and as latterly perpetrated by the Orange Walk. Hope for the Future But, for me, an event on 12 July this year put a totally different complexion on those anniversaries. Our local library works, not so much as a reading room, but more like a community centre with all manner of activities ever on the go. The library also offers what can be a busy cut- through between the local hypermarket and the town’,s city precinct. Like all shopping precincts, ours has dramatically lost the breadth of retail formerly on offer. Instead, we have umpteen cafes and coffee houses where people relax between visiting the umpteen charity shops between a number of closed units. My wife and I had just finished talking to one of the librarians we knew at one of the desks when I felt a sharp tug on the back of my jacket. A voice called: ‘,Chase me, mister?!’, I turned to see the bright, smiling face of a wide-eyed, young black boy immaculately dressed in his school uniform. He couldn’,t have been more than 8 or 9 years old. ‘,Yes?’, he said eagerly. ‘,Ok’,, I said, handing the bag I was carrying to my wife. ‘,I’,ll count to five,’, I said as he quickly took a step or two back. The race was on, more like a brisk walk or controlled trot, while the librarian laughed and those passing the day on the open-access work stations stopped to look, and those on the chairs put their books down either in amusement or in total bewilderment. Could this be another activity put on by Acknowledgements and Attribution: Texts/References adapted and/or adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by -sa/4.0/, World History Encyclopedia ref: The Battle of The Boyne. the library? The lad slipped, stood up. Round two was quickly under way with him cackling and guffawing. I never did catch him. His mother then called from further down the library. Dressed colourfully and wearing a dramatic headdress, she’,d finished logging books in or out at the front desk. The young boy scampered up to her. As they left the library, mother and child hand in hand, he turned to offer the widest of beaming smiles and waved goodbye. I pray that our children’,s innocence be ever defended together with freedom for us all from the divisive and corrosive pressures ardently at work around us.
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10 October 2023 Catholic South West SEPTEMBER 2023 From Parish Life to the Thin Blue Line page 11 Love in a Bottle Ukraine Bishop Visits Liverpool page 3 Edition 21 Please donate £,1 to support your parish Everyone! Everyone! Everyone! ",In the Church there is room for everyone. “,Father, but I am a wretch, is there room for me? There is room for everyone! All together now, everyone, repeat with me in your own language: Everyone, everyone, everyone.", Pope Francis, World Youth Day, Lisbon 2023 page 7 page 13 www.CatholicPost.co.uk 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 Each month the Pope`s Worldwide Prayer Network shares a video recorded by the Pope. It is a way of sharing the Pope`s in - tentions for that month with the world and is an opportunity for the Holy Father to speak directly to the listener. This month`s intention is for those living on the margins of society and what follows is the transcript of that video. A homeless person who dies on the street will never appear among the top stories of search engines or newscasts. How could we have reached this level of indifference? How is it that we allow the “,throwaway culture”, –, in which millions of men and women are worth nothing compared to economic goods –, how is it that we allow this culture to dominate our lives, our cities, our way of life? Our necks are going to get stiff from looking the other way so we don’,t have to see this situation. Please, let’,s stop making invisible those who are on the margins of society, whether it’,s due to poverty, addictions, mental illness or disability. Let’,s focus on accepting them, on welcoming all the people who need it. The “,culture of welcoming,”, of hospitality, of providing shelter, of giving a home, of offering love, of giving human warmth. Let us pray for those people on the margins of society in subhuman living conditions, that they may not be neglected by institutions and never be cast out. Those forgotten by the press It is specifically for them, those forgotten by the press, that this month’,s video seeks to draw attention to. The images accompanying Pope Francis’,s words show The Pope Video - For people living on the margins homeless people –, alone or in small groups, at times almost stepped on by passersby –, on the sidewalks of Canada, the United States, Kenya, Cameroon and India, street children who spend their day washing the windshields of cars stopped at stoplights in San Salvador, people with different disabilities in Spain, the Philippines and Central America, shantytowns near skyscrapers in Vancouver, and near buildings in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Various types of people live on the margins of our society. Their numbers are much higher than we think. In fact, according to the United Nations, more than 700 million (10% of the population) live in extreme poverty, facing major difficulties in obtaining basic necessities, such as healthcare, education, access to water and sanitation. The UN also adds that around 1.6 billion people live in inadequate living conditions, including in the most industrialized countries. Similarly, reports from the World Health Organization reveal that one of every eight persons lives with a “,mental disorder,”, and that 16% of the world’,s population lives with a “,serious disability.”, Welcoming is more than helping “,Prayer brings to light what is hidden in the heart. Therefore, those living on the margins, as if invisible, must find room in our hearts. They are in the heart of the Church: a heart of flesh and not of stone. A heart of stone casts out, a heart of flesh welcomes,”, says Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, about the Holy Father’,s video for the month of September. He adds, “,Pope Francis is aware of the educational power of prayer and through it, he invites us to develop a culture of welcome. ‘,The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone.’, This message will be strong and credible if, even today, we give a voice to the outcasts, if we recognize the indelible dignity of those who have been crucified by a ruthless economy, by harassment or by indifference. Welcoming is more than helping: it means putting the other person at our level, rediscovering a sister or a brother we have lost. We are transformed into one Body through prayer.”, A “,culture of welcoming”, Father Fré,dé,ric Fornos S.J., International Director of the Pope’,s Worldwide Prayer Network, comments: “,How is it possible to We are sorry to report that Axe (aka Alun Evans) who has kept us entertained (and challenged!) with his crosswords since 2015, has recently passed away very suddenly. We were notified by Alun’,s daughter Katy and we hope you’,ll join us in sending love and prayers to the family. Thank you Axe find a tangible solution to the millions of outcasts who often meet only with indifference, or even annoyance, in response? Pope Francis invites us to approach poverty and exclusion differently. This means praying, since prayer transforms our hearts, it changes our outlook and opens us up to others, in particular, to the most vulnerable. Let us pray with Pope Francis for a ‘,culture of welcoming,’, so that everyone who needs it might find welcome, shelter, a home, love, and human warmth.”, Visit thepopevideo.org where you can view the video yourself and sign up to receive future videos in your email.
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Catholic South West October 2023 11 Book Reviews A Simple Prayer Book (Gift Edition) Catholic Truth Society £,9.95 CTS Product Code: D711 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860825989 www.ctsbooks.org This illustrated gift edition of CTS’,s bestselling Catholic prayer book contains all the essentials for a life of prayer, includ ing a vast assortment of prayers and devotions, the Order of Mass, and explanations on Catholic teaching. Illustrated and bound in a soft imitation leather cover, A Simple Prayer Book (Presentation Edition) is a deluxe gift edition of CTS`s trusted and timeless bestselling Catholic prayer book. Divided into three main sections, this leatherette prayer book contains all the essentials for a life of prayer: 1. Prayers and Devotions: including basic prayers, morning, evening and night prayers, the rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, Stations of the Cross, a guide to confession, and prayers to the Holy Spirit. 2. The Eucharist: this section guides Catholics through the Mass, with the Order of Mass, prayers before and after Holy Communion, and an act of Spiritual Communion. It also explains how to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. 3. Catholic Teaching: featuring a summary of Christian doctrine, while also explaining the Mass, the Sunday obligation, fasting and abstinence, and indulgences. The Bible for Little Children Maï,te Roche £,6.95 CTS Product Code: CH60 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784690625 www.ctsbooks.org Telling the most important moments of Salvation history in simple language that smaller children can understand, the most famous Bible stories are brought to life with Maite Roche’,s beautiful illustrations, full of detail and colour that will captivate children. The most famous stories from the Bible retold for little children in The Bible for Little Children. Telling the most important moments of Salvation history in simple language that smaller children can The Holy Sacrifi,ce of the Mass Barbara Reed Mason £,3.95 CTS Product Code: DO963 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784697556 www.ctsbooks.org Every time the Mass is celebrated some - thing astonishing oc - curs: the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross is made truly present. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the words of saints and popes, this book ex - plains how the Sacrifice of the Mass unites the faithful with God. Every time the Mass is celebrated some - thing astonishing occurs: the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross is made truly present. The Mass is the sacrifice of Christ. In this way, it offers all Catholics a powerful and personal encounter with the loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the salvation of sinners. Drawing on the sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the wise words of saints and popes, this book explains how the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass unites the faithful with God. Love’,s True Meaning Fr Anthony Doe, Pope St Paul VI £,10.99 CTS Product Code: Pa57 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784695767 www.ctsbooks.org A significant pastoral assessmen t of today’,s sexual culture on the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae. The full text of Humanae Vitae is also included. EBOOK ONLY. IMPORTANT: This UK ONLY item is a special order and will take approximately Catholic Social Teaching By Raymond Friel £,11.95 PRODUCT CODE: 1969 ISBN NO:9780852316405 www.rpbooks.co.uk Catholic Socia l Teaching (CST) is some - times referred to as the Church’,s best kept secret, perhaps because it’,s so radi - Diary 2024: Through the year with 12 Parables of Jesus By Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R £,7.96 Pre-Order Product Code: 1960 ISBN NO:9780852316399 www.rpbooks.co.uk This stunning hardback diary features a thought- provoking reflection b y Fr Denis McBride on twelve parables of Jesus. Through the parables we learn that inside the story of our everyday life lies the deeper story of our salvation. If the parables work, they leave us wondering not just about the dynamics of an interesting story but about deeply personal and social questions we face every day. Parables are not fictional diversions from real life but deliberate probes into the lives we actually live. They call us to think again about how we see and how we behave, to think again about attitudes and behaviour in our community or society that we accept lazily or uncritically. The parables of Jesus make the ordinary important:Jesus speaks out of a theology of ordinariness when he begins his theological thinking with things as they are. Religion is not primarily about special cultic activities or secret wisdom, it is about loving the God who created us and loving the neighbour we find ourselves beside. Liturgy can be left to one side when more important business, like forgiving our brother or sister, is waiting as the real religious agenda. Our 2024 diary is A5 in size and has a practical full week to view across a double page spread. Included in the diary is an introduction from Fr Denis, year planners for both 2024 and 2025, key dates and feast days, notes pages, and a ribbon page marker. All of these features make it the ideal faith companion, appoi ntment organiser and thoughtful gift. cal. Catholic Social Teaching, as found in the letters and exhortations of popes since 1891, shows us a Gospel- inspired pathway to a society reconciled and in harmony through justice and love. Raymond Friel, in his latest book, provides an introduction to this treasure of the Church. The book is aimed at those who don’,t know much about CST and are looking for an accessible guide to the main principles, with helpful references to scripture and the key Church documents. There’,s a section on Catholic Social Action, to make it clear that all this teaching is meant to inspire people to build a better world founded on truth, justice and love. With moving examples from frontline charities and schools, readers will see what CST looks like when it hits the streets. The final section of the book includes a CST calendar, with suggested dates throughout the year to celebrate some of the key figures and milestones in the long struggle for social justice. This book is suitable for staff working in Catholic schools, or charities, or volunteers in parishes. It will motivate and inspire anyone who wants to make a difference, who believes that we are all in this together, one human family in a common home. 7-10 days to arrive. It will be delivered separately from the rest of your order. The 50th anniversary of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae in 2018 provided Catholics and others with the opportunity to rediscover how to live the true meaning of love, in all its aspects, and above all the gift of sexuality that finds its most creative expression in marriage and family life. This is particularly important today in a society that has reinterpreted love through the lens of a contraceptive culture. Fifty years on, can we grasp the opportunity to reclaim the wonderful truth of the Gospel message: that genuine love, respect for the dignity of others and true generosity of heart develops within our humanity only through the presence of Jesus Christ himself? understand, the stories are brought to life with Maite Roche`s beautiful illustrations, full of detail and colour that will captivate children. Beginning with Creation and ending with Pentecost, this is a wonderful introduction to the Bible for children. Read with children aged 4 and up. Independent reading from age 7.
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12 October 2023 Catholic South West CRYPTIC Across 1 European language that`s not totally suitable (6) 4 Israelite divisions baptiser created without Father`s backing (6) 9 Kind of 11 gets to look arch here in New York (7) 10 Laugh head off reading alternative Welsh writer (5) 11 Long term work on the Metropolitan, maybe (5) 12 Levi`s boy is among Rangers honourees (7) 13 . One in the habit of going to a particular London station (11) 18 Native American, a Margaret Mitchell character, Pennsylvania allowed in (7) 20 Bye, say, after painting flipping divorcee (5) 22 Attempt to resign from work to expose Pakistani water feature (5) 23 Spats as Tiger scratched (7) 24 Variant doctrine being something inadmissible in court, advocate`s opening is dismissed (6) 25 Swift is one in pursuit of a name for the mountain man (6) CRYPTIC Down 1 Judge`s key changes make a Benjaminite town (6) 2 Ransack Winchester, for one (5) 3 Bend a month in the Sorbonne to absorb old speech (7) 5 One of eight, the one that boasts, his head`s gone (5) 6 Prussian`s oddly uncharitable seeing poor Anita depart (7) 7 Inscrutable Egyptian`s wrecked ship and an indefinite number get cross (6) 8 Solomon`s greatest hit, this book? (4,2,5) 14 Hero`s love is torn between Adele and Erica (7) 15 . Russian secret policeman`s at home about one –, that`s out of Lisbon (7) 16 . European city, home to 17 and his flock (6) 17 . Needs no round to be showing below aver age scores to get a clerical job (6) 19 Fool, over a very large port, Paul steered away from (5) 21 Motif of the egoist? (5) QUICK Across 1 Teutonic (broadly) (6) 4 Twelve divisions of Israelites, from the sons of Jacob (6) 9 City of New York state, on the shores of Lake Erie (7) 10 Novelists Evelyn or Auberon? (5) 11 Musical piece accompanying a stage drama or comedy (5) 12 . Eldest son of Levi (7) 13 . RC clergy in the mantle of the Dominican order (11). 18 Uto-Aztecan American of the Great Plains (7) 20 . Additional, surplus (5) 22 Major river of Pakistan (5) 23 Cloth or leather overshoes or leggings (7) 24 . Formal denial or doubt of any defined doctrine of the RC Church (6) 25 Ecuadorean (broadly), for example (6) QUICK Down 1 Town where the Tabernacle was kept and where Solomon worshipped (6) 2 Weapon with a long barrel which features spiralling grooves for accuracy (5) 3 Language presumed spoken by Christ (7) 5 Oarsman or woman (5) 6 Prussian general, Britain`s ally at Waterloo (7) 7 Statue with the body of a lion and the head of a man (6) 8 OT book, alternative title in some Bibles being `Canticles` (4,2,5) 14 Lover of the priestess Hero in Greek myth (7) 15 Peninsula of south-west Europe (7) 16 Local church community (6) 17 Beneficed member of the clergy (6) 19 Port of Mysia visited by Paul (5) 21 Topic: melody (5) 2-in-1 Crossword by Axe You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same. 123 8 9 11 13 14 16 18 22 19 24 12 15 17 20 21 23 25 10 45 6 7 SOLUTION Across: 1 German, 4 Tribes, 9 Buffalo, 10 Waugh, 11 Opera, 12 Gershon, 13 Blackfriars, 18 Arapaho, 20 Extra, 22 Indus, 23 Gaiters, 24 Heresy, 25 Andean. Down: 1 Gibeon, 2 Rifle, 3 Aramaic, 5 Rower, 6 Blucher, 7 Sphinx, 8 Song of Songs, 14 Leander, 15 Iberian, 16 Parish, 17 Parson, 19 Assos, 21 Theme. Season of Creation 2023 –, Walking in the Footsteps Of St Columban Sam, a final-year student at the University of Exeter, joined the Columban Missionaries during Laudato Si’, Week this year, following in the footsteps of St Columban to reflect on ‘,the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor’,. The Season of Creation (1 September- 4 October) invites us all to give thanks for God’,s Creation and reflect on our responsibilities to care for our common home. A pilgrim group of ordained and lay Columban missionaries and co-workers, led by Director, Fr John Boles, walked from Padstow to Fowey in Cornwall from 24-27 May 2023. They drew inspiration from St Columban, who embarked on his missionary journey to Europe more than 1400 years ago. The pilgrims called to mind places served by Columban Missionaries today, in Britain and around the world. Sam talked to Deborah Fisher, Environmental lead for the Diocese of Plymouth, about his experiences. When asked what he had learned along the way, Sam said ‘,‘,We had a lot of time for reflection, and I learned not just about the Columbans and ecology but also a lot about myself and the people I was travelling with. It challenged a lot of my perceptions about people. When you journey with them you change the way you view people, and I took that into my encounter with people afterwards. It was nice to learn how to listen again.’, In answer to the question, Would you recommend this pilgrimage to others?, Sam said ‘,I would certainly recommend it to others. The journey took in all aspects of creation from the smallest of flowers to great landscapes. It was a potent chance to truly admire Creation. Anyone can follow the pilgrimage starting at any place. The journey we took was perhaps the ideal way to do it –, but anyone can find a reflection in the pilgrimage booklet that will have something to say to them.’, To read the full interview with Sam, visit plymouth-diocese.org.uk
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