2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 CONTACT US: The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published on the last S unday of the m onth previous to publication date . The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published by its owners . T he T rustees of the R o m an C atholic D iocese of L ancaster , a registered charity , (N o . 234331), and is wholly independent of and separate fro m any previous newspaper published by or on behalf of the diocese . EDITOR: E dwina G illett 01253 73 66 30 / 079 6 9 9 6 72 68 edwinagillett at hot m ail . co . u k ADVERTISING: C harlotte R osbroo k e / C ath C o m L td . 01440 730399 charlotter at cathco m. org www . cathco m. org DESIGN &, LAYOUT: R ob H otch k iss / H ot C reative 01253 730343 rob at hot - creative . co . u k www . hot - creative . co . u k PUBLISHED BY: C ath C o m L td . N2 B lois M eadow B usiness C entre , B lois R oad , S teeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Su昀,olk CB9 7BN 020 7112 6 710 www . cathco m. org Articles to: voicenews at hot m ail . co . u k Letters to: voiceletters at hot m ail . co . u k POSTAL ADDRESS: FAO E dwina G illett 99 C o mm onside , A nsdell , L ytha m S t . A nnes FY 8 4DJ P lease send articles for publication on CD or by e m ail , supplying any photos separate to the te x t ( i . e . in j peg for m at ). O therwise please type double spacing or write very clearly . L ast date for copy is the LAST DAY of the m onth prior to publication . P hotographs will be returned if you re m e m ber to put your na m e and address on the bac k of each and enclose suitable sta m ped and self - addressed pac k aging . M any of us were outraged at the felling of the “,iconic”, tree at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’,s Wall in an act of vandalism. It was just one sycamore, but we cared because it was a beautiful tree in a glorious position in our own locality. F ar away , in the Am a z on , m illions of trees and the wonderful plants and ani m als that depend on the m are destroyed each year , not as acts of vandalis m, but as acts of greed . T he indigenous peoples , “,the guardians of the rainforest”, , are driven fro m their land and their leaders sub j ected to inti m idation and so m eti m es m urdered . I n j ustice is ra m pant . T he m ain perpetrators are the m eat and e x tractive industries , particularly gold m ining . T he m eat industry clears the forest for cattle ranching or to grow soybeans for ani m al feed . G old m ining creates huge a m ounts of spoil and pollutes rivers with to x ic m ercury waste . O n the other side of the world , in B orneo , The LiveSimply Award The LiveSimply award is a scheme for Catholic communities (parishes, schools, religious orders and chaplaincies) to show how they have been answering the call for us to care f or our common home and stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around th e world by living: simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people living in poverty. The award cele brates what you have already done and inspires you to do more. It helps your community live, not just more simply, but also more fully. Sycamore Gap and Living Simply the rainforest and its O rang - utan habitat is being destroyed for pal m oil plantations . P ope F rancis ta k es us to tas k for this destruction : “,Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see because they have been lost forever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence. We have no such right”,. (Laudato Si’,#33) T he sad thing is that the destruction is unnecessary . I t occurs to satisfy the lifestyles of the well-o昀, - and that includes ourselves. The very pro昀,table burger industry has an insatiable de m and for cheap beef , whilst the por k and poultry industries i m port huge a m ounts of soybean fro m the Am a z on for feed . A ccording to the gold industry ’, s own statistics , nearly 90% of the gold m ined today will end up as bullion in ban k vaults or as j ewellery - icons of wealth and status . T he G olden C alf is alive and well . I s this what life is about - the frantic race to eat m ore , own m ore ? S urely , true living is about peace , content m ent and wholeso m e relationships . I t is about living si m ply , sustainably and in solidarity with J esus ’, particular friends , the poor . I t is about gratitude , not “,attitude”, . A s P ope F rancis puts it : “,Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life, and encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle, one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption”, (Laudato Si’, # 222). I n N ove m ber 2022, the C atholic B ishops ’, C onference of E ngland and W ales published four “,Resolutions on Environmental Matters”,. The 昀,rst re - iterates observing the F riday abstinence fro m m eat , recognising the environ m ental i m pact of m eat

Read in full

Page 3

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3 production , doing so as an act of solidarity with those who face hunger and poverty every day , and dedicating to G od the pressing need for us all to live m ore si m ply . T he third states : T he B ishops ’, C onference co mm ends the L ive S i m ply award as a response to P ope F rancis ’, invitation in L audato S i “,to work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”,. R ecognising that so m e schools and parishes m ay already have si m ilar pro j ects ongoing , the bishops encourage all re m aining schools and parishes to consider signing up to this award as a sign of their solidarity with the poor and their desire to live in har m ony with G od ’, s creation . W ow ! W hat a challenge !.........B ut as a m e m ber of a parish which has the award , I can say that getting started was not too daunting as we were doing m uch of what was re q uired anyway , but it provided a fresh focus for doing m ore . T here is plenty of help and guidance available fro m people who have been through the process . A good start m ight be to put it on the agenda for the ne x t parish P astoral C ouncil m eeting . Y ou can 昀,nd out more at: https://cafod.org.uk/ campaign/livesimply-award . Y ou can also contact CAFOD L ancaster at lancaster@ cafod.org.uk S t F rancis of A ssisi said “,Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if you have to”, . L iving si m ply provides an elo q uent state m ent of gospel values in our distracted world . M eanwhile , let us conte m plate and celebrate G od ’, s wonderful gift of creation , especially in our own diocese , and see k to protect what is good and beautiful in our world , including syca m ores ! Stephen Garsed, Environmental Justice Lead, Lancaster Diocese Faith &, Justice Commission. Campaign Volunteer Co-ordinator, CAFOD Lancaster. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence. We have no such right. Pope Francis 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 MAKE PRAYER THE FIRST STEP In anything worthwhile that you attempt. Persevere and do not weaken in that prayer. Saint Benedict.

Read in full

Page 4

4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 castleriggmanor.com >,>, what’,s coming up? castleriggmanor.com >,>, what’,s coming up? A s I write, we are three days away from our Easter Retreat. We’,ve got a great programme planned and we’,re expecting a great crowd. The weather is also starting to look a little brighter in Keswick and we’,re hoping for a nice weekend. After all, a lot of the Easter Retreat is outside! The Big News! F irst of all , let ’, s start with a big announce m ent ! A re you ready ...? O n S unday S epte m ber 15 th , we are holding our 昀,rst Castlerigg Open Day since before C ovid ! R e m e m ber those days ? A nyway …, W e are opening up the house and grounds for a day and welco m ing not j ust the local K eswic k co mm unity but the whole diocese . B asically , anybody who wants to co m e . N ow (full disclosure…,) this was only con昀,rmed today –, the same day I’,m writing this –, so we’,re a long way from having a full progra mm e but trust us when we say that it ’, s going to be a lovely day ! A nd hopefully m id S epte m ber will still be war m, or at least war m- ish . T he day starts at m idday , 12 p m and ends with M ass at 3 p m. B ishop P aul will be with us to celebrate Mass –, a Mass which will also be a co mm issioning for the new C astlerigg tea m as they begin their year together . S epte m ber 15 th . C astlerigg M anor . 12 p m S tart . M ass at 3. G et it in your diaries ! T hat ’, s the big news . W hat else is there this m onth ? Would you like to join the team? W e are currently loo k ing for a P rogra mm e L eader as well as interns to j oin the tea m! W e ’, ve got a really lovely tea m at C astlerigg at the m o m ent and we ’, re engaged in so m e really e x citing wor k. M aybe you or so m ebody you k now m ight want to j oin us ..? W e now operate a rolling recruit m ent syste m for interns (formerly called Gap Year volunteers) which m eans that suitable people can start at various di昀,erent points in the year. Our Catholic Youth Ministry Internship scheme o昀,ers great training and e x perience wor k ing in a dyna m ic youth service . F or m ore infor m ation contact j ack@ castleriggmanor.co.uk W e are loo k ing for a paid P rogra mm e L eader to start in m id -A ugust . W e are loo k ing for a co mm itted C atholic , ideally with so m e youth m inistry e x perience . It’,s a two-year 昀,xed term post and it’,s residential too . T he salary pac k age is £,2 6 -2 8 k, which is £,19-21k paid salary plus acco mm odation , food and so on . WHAT’,S COMING UP? Summer Retreat // May 24-25 // T he S u mm er R etreat is the new k id on the bloc k. O ur newest general open retreat will hopefully co m ple m ent the A dvent and E aster R etreats by giving people who have been to C astlerigg a chance to co m e bac k and ta k e the e x perience that little bit deeper . L i k e those retreats though , it ’, s not restricted to those who have been before . B oo k ings will open after the E aster R etreat . Catholic Students Retreat // Nov 15-17 // After the success of our 昀,rst students retreat last year , we are holding another one this autu m n . O nce again , there will be a discounted rate for students and this year there will be a the m e holding the wee k end together . B oo k ings will open in the su mm er . Advent Retreat // Dec 13-15 // T he ne x t open retreat after the su mm er retreat will be the A dvent R etreat in m id D ece m ber . B oo k ings open in S epte m ber . Jack Regan MATTER S YOUTH

Read in full

Page 5

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 I n an era where technology is intertwined with almost every aspect of life, incorporating it into church ministry is essential, especially when engaging with today’,s youth. Technology is not just a tool, it’,s a language that young people speak 昀,uently, and the church needs to become conversant in this language to remain relevant and connected. The 昀,rst step in integrating technology into youth m inistry is understanding the platfor m s and m ediu m s that resonate m ost with young people . S ocial m edia platfor m s li k e I nstagra m, T i kT o k, and Y ou T ube are not j ust channels for entertain m ent , they are spaces where young people for m co mm unities , share ideas , and e x press the m selves . T hese platfor m s can be used by the church to share m essages , create faith - based content , and open dialogues with the youth . C reating engaging content that spea k s to the youth in a language they understand is crucial . S hort , i m pactful videos , interactive posts , and thought - provo k ing i m ages can capture their attention and provo k e deeper thin k ing and engage m ent with faith - based concepts . T his content can range fro m day-to-day re昀,ections and Bible verses or the day’,s M ass readings to answers to co mm on q uestions about faith , m orality , and the role of the church in m odern society . Another signi昀,cant aspect is the use of apps and websites . A pps for daily prayers , B ible reading plans , and faith - based podcasts can help integrate spirituality into the daily lives of young people . W ebsites that are youth - friendly , with resources li k e blogs , foru m s , and Q&,A sections , can be invaluable for those see k ing to e x plore their faith at their own pace . V irtual and aug m ented reality present new frontiers for i mm ersive religious e x periences . Im agine a virtual reality tour of historical churches or biblical Incorporating Te c h n o l o g y in Ministry: Engaging Today’,s Youth locations , or aug m ented reality applications that bring B ible stories to life . S uch technologies can m a k e religious education m ore interactive and engaging . T he power of technology also lies in its ability to foster co mm unity . O nline prayer groups , virtual bible study sessions , and live - strea m ed church services can reach those who m ight not be able to attend in person , including youth with disabilities or those living in re m ote areas . T hese digital co mm unities can o昀,er support, fellowship, and a sense of belonging , e x tending the church ’, s reach far beyond its physical walls . H owever , while e m bracing technology , it ’, s crucial to address the challenges it presents . N avigating issues li k e online safety , digital eti q uette , and screen ti m e balance should be part of the church ’, s dialogue with its youth . P roviding guidance on using technology responsibly and ethically can be an integral part of m odern m inistry . I ncorporating technology in m inistry also m eans e q uipping church leaders with the necessary s k ills and understanding . W or k shops or training sessions on using social m edia , content creation , and understanding digital trends can be highly bene昀,cial. It’,s about bridging the gap between traditional m inistry m ethods and conte m porary co mm unication channels . I n conclusion , integrating technology into youth m inistry is not about replacing traditional m ethods but enriching and e x panding the m. I t ’, s about m eeting young people where they are , in the digital spaces they inhabit , and using these platfor m s to co mm unicate the ti m eless m essages of faith , hope , and co mm unity . B y doing so , the church can re m ain a relevant , engaging , and nurturing presence in the lives of its youngest m e m bers , guiding the m in their spiritual j ourney in a language they best understand . To advertise please contact Charlotte on 01440 730399 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

Read in full

Page 6

6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 M any visitors to the sacred Isle of Iona yearn to undertake the traditional seven-mile pilgrimage around the island, but physical limitations can make this journey impossible. Rosemary Power provides an alternative path for those seeking a slower, more contemplative pilgrimage experience in her new book, The Gift of Stillness . T he boo k e m phasises that pilgri m age is a state of m ind and spirit , not j ust a physical j ourney . I ona ’, s beauty and enduring at m osphere of prayer and contemplation encourage deep re昀,ection and connection with the sacred and natural worlds . A uthored by a writer with long personal e x perience of disability , the boo k caters to pilgri m s who wish to e x plore I ona at their own pace. The focus is on re昀,ection and m indfulness , encouraging readers to 昀,nd meaning in the island’,s sights, sounds and rich history . The book o昀,ers three sections: •, Personal re昀,ections: M editations on I ona ’, s m edieval carvings and buildings and on prayers associated with the island . •, Cloister walk: A guided e x ploration , either alone or with a s m all group , focusing on the natural world depicted in the cloisters ’, m odern carvings . •, Island pilgrimage by boat: A j ourney around the whole coastline of the island by boat , enco m passing m ost of the traditional stopping points of the wal k ing pilgri m age and m ore . T he G ift of S tillness is m ore than a guide , it ’, s an invitation to slow down , be present and connect with the deep spiritual essence of I ona . I t re m inds us that pilgri m age is a j ourney of the heart and m ind , open to all . I t gently leads readers on a journey of re昀,ection and spiritual renewal , suitable for all abilities . A testa m ent to the enduring allure of I ona and its profound spiritual signi昀,cance, The Gift of Stillness will resonate with pilgri m s , historians and see k ers of inner peace ali k e . The Gift of Stillness is available for purchase at a reco mm ended retail price of £,10.99. F or m ore info and to purchase , please visit : www.ionabooks.com/product/ the-gift-of-stillness/ Embracing stillness on Iona A new book from Wild Goose Publications o昀,ers a spiritual guide and a cherished companion for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them. It is written by Rosemary Power who is a member of the Iona Community. She writes both academically and for the general reader. She is the author of several books, including Image &, Vision: Re昀,ecting with the Book of Kells , and The Story of Iona: Columban and Medieval Sites and Spirituality . The Mater Christi Trust is a growing Catholic Academy Trust in Cumbria &, Lancashire. A list is being compiled to ensure that Catholic teachers in the area get the same notice of future opportunities as Trust employees. Please email Claire.Ward@mater-christi.com to be added to the Trust Newsletter mailing list or find us on LinkedIn: Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust We are a growing family of schools. Our Trust is now 13 schools, 11 Primaries and 2 Secondaries across North Lancashire and Cumbria. Email: jacky.kennedy@mater-christi.com Chief Executive Officer : Miss Jacky Kennedy

Read in full

Page 7

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 M ission Together –, the children’,s branch of Missio, the Pope’,s charity for overseas mission –, is helping children to join with their global sisters and brothers to celebrate World Children’,s Day over the weekend of 25- 26 May. P ope F rancis announced the inauguration of this special day on 8 D ece m ber 2023. T he concept ca m e fro m a nine - year - old boy , A lessandro , who , j ust a few m onths earlier had written to P ope F rancis with an idea to bring children together fro m di昀,erent countries for a special event. A lessandro ’, s hope was that the children could get to k now one another , play and pray together , and beco m e friends . A lessandro ’, s idea leans into the practice of acco m pani m ent , which P ope F rancis says is at the centre of being a m issionary disciple . F or the H oly F ather , acco m pani m ent m eans encountering others and listening to the m so that we can for m connections , build relationships, and re昀,ect the love of Jesus to the m. W orld C hildren ’, s D ay invites children fro m around the globe , including those from areas of con昀,ict and children of di昀,erent faiths, to join together as sisters and brothers . A lthough the event focus will ta k e place in R o m e , P ope F rancis calls on C atholics around the globe to celebrate this special event in their own D iocese too . Cardinal Mendonç,a, Director, WCD W orld C hildren ’, s D ay is an occasion to put children , who are the present and the future of hu m anity , bac k at the centre of the world ’, s attention …, It o昀,ers children the possibility to beco m e protagonists through m o m ents of prayer , friendship , and for m ation . World Children’,s Day We would like to thank these schools for always supporting the paper St Vincent’,s Road, Preston PR2 8QY Telephone 01772 716912 Email admin@ccc.lancs.sch.uk www.ccc.lancs.sch.uk Together in One Body CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Headteacher: Mr John Hankin Cardinal Allen Catholic High School Melbourne Avenue, Fleetwood FY7 8AY Headteacher : Andrew Cafferkey Tel : 01253 872659 E-mail : head@cardinalallen.co.uk

Read in full

Page 8

8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 Holy Week and Easter Can you spot the locations?

Read in full

Page 9

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9

Read in full

Page 10

10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 Why Become a Catholic? With a background of an increasingly secular society, why do so me adults still decide to join the Catholic Church? A new report by the Diocese of East Anglia Commission for the New Evangelisation throws some light on the matter. M ost people will be aware of declining attendance at regular religious services and increasing numbers of those who do not identify with any religious faith in an increasingly secular society. Yet there are many adults who do choose to join the Catholic Church. T he D iocese of E ast A nglia C o mm ission for the N ew E vangelisation recently carried out a research study to e x plore why adults decided to beco m e C atholics and whether there are any lessons for evangelisation . T en individuals (昀,ve male and 昀,ve female) fro m across a broad range of parishes were interviewed in depth and the interviews were then syste m atically analysed to identify co mm on the m es which appeared to infor m participants ’, j ourneys into the C atholic C hurch . There were six key interrelated themes identi昀,ed. Interviewees e x perienced a spiritual restlessness , including already co mm itted C hristians in another deno m ination . I t was acco m panied by a deliberate q uest for this to be resolved and was often a very protracted process over a nu m ber of years . T heir q uest was intellectually driven . P articipants were highly proactive in their quest to 昀,nd a spiritual home and in the process ac q uired i m pressive k nowledge about C atholicis m. T hey drew heavily on Y ou T ube channel spea k ers for their spiritual for m ation . Intellectual rationales were insu

Read in full

Page 11

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 Editorial credit: Taljat David / Shutterstock.com O n Easter Sunday 85 parishioners from Churches Together in Fulwood and Broughton, Preston, worshipped together on Beacon Fell. Catholics, Methodists, and Anglicans prayed together as the sun rise reminded them of the risen Christ. One visitor to Our Lady and St Edward’,s parish, Anne, wrote about the event. “,As dawn broke on Easter Sunday, the view from Beacon Fell summ it took our breath away. We quickly realised the crazy early alarm and stumbling up the hill in the pre sunrise darkness was entir ely worth it. Against the backdrop of an amazing sunrise, we took part in a short Easter service organised by Rev. Jane Wild from Fulw ood Sun Rise service Methodist church, and Rev. Martin McDonald from St. Cuthberts church. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience revelling in t he beauty of the crisp morning and the camaraderie of this special occasion. The event concluded with hot cross buns, cups of tea and a beautiful atmosphere of fellowship and community. Perfection, would highly recommend this annual event to all. See you there next year!”, R ev J ane W ild (superintendent Minister) said “,It was lovely to see so many di昀,erent traditions worshipping together on the most signi昀,cant Sunday of our Christian year. ”, Elizabeth Alty JILL GLENCROSS FUNERAL DIRECTORS An Independent Multi Award Winning Family Funeral Directors Female and Male Funeral Directors Private Chapels of Rest Nothing Is Ever Too Much Trouble 16 The Square, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7PY Tel: 01228 317373 https://www.jillglencrossfuneral - director.co.uk/ To advertise please contact Charlotte on 01440 730399 or email charlotter@ cathcom.org Subscribe@catholicpost.co.uk 01440 730399 www.catholicpost.co.uk Monthly National Catholic Newspaper AP ri L 2024 Th e Ni ce n e C r ee d - top o f t h e p r aye r pops page 12 C urr y a nd Co nv e r sat i o n M o r e t h a n 100 to nn es sa v e d fr o m g o ing to w aste page 9 S t A n s e l m - A p r i l 2 1 s t Edi t i o n 28 Pl ease d o n ate £,1 to s u ppo r t yo ur pa ri s h S ee b e l o w f o r d eta il s page 15 www. Cat h o li c P ost . co .uk Di ocese p ubli s h es r es ul ts o f ‘,Bi s h op Al a n Li ste n s ’, r esea r c h r epo r t Last summer, Bishop Alan of the Diocese of Brentwood, in partnership with the Margaret Beaufort Institute, invited Catholics who no longer regularly come to church to get in touch. Bishop Alan, and our wider church, wanted to seriously listen to their stories and experiences to understand why so many Catholics no longer feel as though they belong in the Church. Fr Liam Hayes, Director of The Centre for Ecclesial Ethics at the Margaret Beaufort Institute, Cambridge, undertook the research on Bishop Alan’,s behalf. He says: “,Our research revealed that many of the 80% of baptised Catholics who no longer go to Church do not feel welcome, appreciated or even visible, for they experience a Church in which they nolonger see their face, hear their voice or recognise their story in too many of the church’,s ethical teachings and its wider praxis. “,The Covid pandemic afforded many Catholics the opportunity to reappraise their relationship with faith and Church, and when Catholics feel judged, unwelcome, invisible and neglected, they tend to leave and seek joy and hope elsewhere in order to make sense of the griefs and anxieties of their lives. Visit www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/ to see the responses in the diocese svp.org.uk If you have been given the Catholic Post for free in your parish, PLEASE would you be able to donate £,1 to your parish for it, or even £,10 per year! My faith has not waivered, my relationship with God will always be strong, but it is the judgement from the Diocese and the Church which needs to change to become more inclusive of everyone. Churches must open their doors to all, not just to those defined specifically as ‘,practising’, Catholics.’, The UK’,s ﬁ,rst Carbon Neutral National Catholic Paper National and International News from a Catholic Perspective with thoughtful articles to deepen Faith

Read in full

Page 12

12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 O n 20th January 2024, if you had wandered into Canterbury Cathedral’,s crypt, you would have found yourself at a banquet. Hundreds of people with and without learning disabilities, crammed in, waving colourful 昀,ags, dancing to Abba, making a holy noise in that ancient building. This was L’,Arche Kent’,s 昀,ftieth birthday party. In one of the speeches, someone asked: what do you do when a miracle happens? ‘,You see it and you believe it,’, rang out a voice in the front row. L’,A rche UK began in 1974 in a village outside C anterbury , when a group of people with and without learning disabilities m oved into a house together inspired by the L’,A rche co mm unities in F rance , C anada , and I ndia . A t that ti m e , people with learning disabilities were generally living with fa m ily or in long - stay hospitals where abuse was rife . L’,Arche UK: A Joyful Rebellion L’,A rche began with a series of ‘, what ifs ’,: what if people with and without learning disabilities were partners in co mm unity - building ? W hat if sharing life was better than living alone ? W hat if friendship is at the heart of the gospel ? T hat beginning was a m iracle . I t is even m ore m iraculous that we are still here, 昀,fty years later. L’,Arche is now an international federation of co mm unities of people with and without learning disabilities . W e are based at eleven sites across the UK, fro m L ondon , to P reston , to I nverness . F riendship , faith , and celebration are at the heart of our shared life . B ut when you live in L’,A rche , you witness fragility and pain as well as friendship and joy. The last 昀,ve years have been bruising . T he pande m ic , a social care funding crisis , B re x it , and revelations of historic abuse have hurt us . And yet, miraculously, we’,re still here –, see it and believe it . O ur j ubilee the m e is ‘,joyful rebellion’, , so m ething urgently needed in 2024. S haring life as people with and without learning disabilities is a rebellion against a care sector that doesn ’, t always care , and a society that too often sees disabled people as less capable of relationship or creativity . B ut , throughout our history , we have rebelled with j oy rather than letting ourselves be deadened by anger . W hen I arrived at L’,A rche in 201 8 , I was angry . A usterity , rising populis m, a collapsing environ m ent , a divided C hurch –, the UK felt broken. Life in L’,Arche was often tiring , m undane , overwhel m ing . B ut I found m yself invited into a di昀,erent way of living, a community where m iracles were to be e x pected and inclusion was the nor m. S i x years on , I am 昀,rmly convinced of the power of co mm unity to change the world . 2024 is a m o m entous year , as a q uarter of the world will vote in elections , and war and cli m ate destruction spreads . C o mm unity is not an easy 昀,x but an antidote to that fa m iliar poison : that voice in all of us that says , ‘,you do not matter, you cannot make a di昀,erence’,. L iving in L’,A rche is a m asterclass on how to live together in a hurting and i m perfect world : gently , j oyfully , rebelliously , e x pecting m iracles . J oin our j oyful rebellion and apply for our live - in progra mm e , the S oulful I nternship . Y ou ’, ll live and wor k alongside people with learning disabilities whilst being guided through a progra mm e all about m indfulness , e m bodi m ent , and L’,A rche ’, s distinctive charis m. Mary Osborne L earn m ore at : www.larche.org.uk/soulful-internship A lternatively , you can sponsor an intern for a year . G et in touch with us at livein@larche.org.uk

Read in full

Page 13

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 Dear Editor +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Parrhesia: The biblical art of fearless speech A s the various UK P arlia m ents atte m pt to silence even silent prayer and thin k ing outside abortion clinics with threats of i m prison m ent , we do well to consider freedo m of speech . U nli k e other G ree k ter m s co mm only used in liturgy , parrhesia is not necessarily a ter m m ost C atholics are fa m iliar with . A nd still , it occupies an i m portant place in S cripture , and thus in the spiritual lives of believers . A s is often the case , the word is co m posed of another two : pan (meaning all, as in Pantocrator, the one who has authority over everything) , and rhē,sis (meaning speech) . T hat is , parrhesia is about “,saying it all”, without reservation . I n m ore ways than one , the word enco m passes the notion of fearless and uninhibited candid speech . E arly philosophers li k e H eraclitus , S ocrates , and D iogenes are seen as the e m bodi m ent of parrhesia . Socrates exempli昀,ed parrhesia in his relentless pursuit of trut h through open dialogue . H e fearlessly confronted societal nor m s and authority , spea k ing candidly to e x pose ignorance and challenge conventional wisdo m. H is m ethodical , philosophical use of parrhesia presupposes that genuine knowledge emerges through the un昀,ltered exchange o f ideas –, even if it means challenging some of the prevailing bel iefs of the ti m e . I n C atholic theology (and in Scripture) parrhesia ta k es on additional layers of m eaning . W hile preserving this S ocratic co m ponent of unreserved speech , P auline letters encourage believers to spea k the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) . I f S ocratic parrhesia allows for the discovery of truth in dialogue , unreserved loving conversation brings together the transfor m ative power of fearless love and inti m ate co mm unication . I n m ore ways than one , this is what the W ord of G od does : an unreserved, in昀,nite, fearless donation of itself. Christ himsel f, the e m bodi m ent of truth , used parrhesia in challenging the religious authorities of his ti m e , e x e m plifying the align m ent of forthright speech with higher m oral and spiritual principles . P hilosophical and theological traditions have always e x plored the relationship between truth - telling and spiritual transfor m ation , e x a m ining how sincere speech plays a role in the develop m ent of the self . I ndeed , parrhesia beco m es a tool for self - e x a m ination and confession , paving the way for a deeper connection with ourselves , others, and the wholly Other –, namely, God. The act of speaking truth, even when uncomfortable, becomes both a form of spiritual puri昀, cation and an avenue for divine revelation . T hin k ing of J esus ’, unreserved speech , not only when confronting the P harisees , but also with his friends and fa m ily , serves as a re m inder that genuine dialogue , rooted in authenticity and courage , is not only a philosophical pursuit of truth but also a transfor m ative act with clear spiritual i m plications . Brian McKenna via e mail ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Your Letters Send us your letters: Write to: The Editor, 99, Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 4DJ. Email to: voiceletters@hotmail.co.uk •, P lease k eep your letters concise (max 300 words) •, I nclude your full na m e and address •, L etters should not include any personal criticis m or attac k s •, T he 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

Read in full

Page 14

14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 Back in the Habit! A Di昀,erent kind of Abbey (Road) for chart-topping Nuns Following on from their debut album in 2020 entitled ‘,Light of the World’, which soared to No 5 in the UK o

Read in full

Page 15

May 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 H elping others being central to the wor k of the nuns , the P oor C lares were delighted to donate their pro昀,ts from sales of their 昀,rst album to charity, and will continue to do so . T he sisters have also continued their wor k in the co mm unity , fro m ti m e spent at running their s m all guesthouse in A rundel , to helping the local co mm unity in B ungo m a in K enya , where the sisters have a foundation . T his , along with the letters , has also provided inspiration for the new record . P aired with the teachings of S t . F rancis and S t . C lare , the P oor C lare S isters of A rundel here celebrate peace , forgiveness , healing , patience , and j oy . B eginning with biblical te x ts and transitioning to celebrate the wonder and beauty of the planet , the albu m underscores the i m portance of living in har m ony with nature and one another . S panning ages fro m 50 to 9 6 and representing 6 di昀,erent nationalities, the P oor C lares of A rundel is a diverse and vibrant co mm unity , defying e x pectations with their distinct personalities , rich sense of hu m our , and strong opinions . S ecluded but not disconnected , they love watching a 昀,lm to relax occasionally or dancing to the tunes of B ob M arley . G ardening (the sisters are almost completely self-su

Read in full

Page 16

16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + May 2024 Know Yo u r Faith In what way do the people of God share in the three functions of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King? T he people of G od participate in Christ’,s priestly o

Read in full

Find your local Catholic Historical Church newspaper. Scroll to find yours.