2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 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 96726 8 edwinagillett@hotmail.co.uk ADVERTISING: Charlotte Rosbrooke / CathCom Ltd. 01440 730399 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 FY 8 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. W e are currently in a world full of technological advantages. Computers, e-mails and the internet are everyday occurrences to us in the 21st century. With the demand for using Information Technology in the workplace, comes the greater need for protection, especially in cyber- security, safeguarding and data protection. Information Technology is an important resource used within the Diocese of Lancaster, as we are increasingly reliant on computer systems at all levels of the diocese. It is often di

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3 ‘,World’,s Worst Crisis’, in Sudan –, CAFOD launches Emergency Appeal T he people of Sudan need our help urgently. The situation has gone from serious to desperate very quickly. The U N is calling it ‘,the world’,s worst displacement crisis’, . Due to the extremely worrying emergency situation in Sudan, CAFOD are launching an emergency appeal for donations to get aid to them on the biggest scale we can muster. With over eight million people having 昀,ed their homes to escape violence, after 昀,ghting erupted a year ago between government forces and paramilitaries, and with 25 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, CAFOD says there is a short window to act before the growing season in Sudan starts in June, as fears grow of an impending - yet preventable –, famine. Jo Kitterick, CAFOD’,s director of participation, said: “,Many aid agencies exited Sudan when the current 昀,ghting erupted a year ago. Right now Catholic agencies in the Caritas network that CAFOD is part of, supported by the Church of Sudan, are some of the only organisations able to deliver aid to support the Sudanese people. The communities we serve in Sudan have issued a desperate cry for help and we are inviting the Catholic community to stand alongside us and the local Sudanese organisations we fund in responding to their call.”, CAFOD has been working alongside communities in Sudan for over 昀,fty years. Donations made to its Sudan crisis appeal –, whether online or via collections in parishes this weekend –, will go towards supporting families in Sudan and surrounding countries, who are already contending with extreme hunger, as communities strive to stop the crisis becoming the worst in living memory. Speaking at the weekend, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, the UK’,s permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council that while Sudan is in the grip of the world’,s worst hunger and displacement crisis, “,it is not too late for Sudan to return from the brink,”, as she urged the warring parties in Sudan to engage in political negotiations to bring about peace, and for greater access to humanitarian access to reach those most in need. Donations can be made at: cafod.org.uk/SudanAppeal Patrick Gardner, Community Participation Coordinator –, CAFOD Lancaster ...it is not too late for Sudan to return from the brink... Barbara Woodward CAFOD is the o

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4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 castleriggmanor.com >,>, what’,s coming up? castleriggmanor.com >,>, what’,s coming up? G reetings from Sunny Keswick. After a pretty half-hearted Spring, the Lake District is 昀,nally starting to feel like it has remembered to prepare for summer after all! As you’,d expect, we are very busy at the moment. We are now booked pretty solid until next winter with only a few gaps here and there’,s some exciting things going on. Easter We celebrated our Easter Retreat over the Easter weekend and had a lovely time. There were just short of twenty people all in. We went to Keswick parish for the Good Friday service and and we headed to Windermere for the Easter Vigil. Our open retreats really have taken o昀, this year with good numbers coming through for all of the programmes. Have you put 15th September in your diary yet? As we mentioned last time, we are holding our 昀,rst Castlerigg Open Day since before Covid! We are opening up the house and grounds for a day and welcoming not just the local Keswick community but the whole diocese. Basically, anybody who wants to come. The day starts at midday, 12pm and ends with Mass at 3pm. Bishop Paul will be with us to celebrate Mass –, a Mass which will also be a commissioning for the new Castlerigg team as they begin their year together. September 15th Castlerigg Manor. 12pm Start. Mass at 3pm. Get it in your diaries! Would you like to join the Te a m ? We are currently looking for young Christians (usually aged 18-22) to join our Youth Ministry Internship Scheme. It’,s a great chance to get some brilliant training, quali昀,cations, and experiences. We now operate a rolling recruitment system for interns (formerly called Gap Year volunteers) which means that suitable people can start at various di昀,erent points in the year. For more info email jack@castleriggmanor.co.uk Parish Visits At the moment, we are trying to visit as many parishes as we can. The aim of this is to introduce people to the Youth Service and the work that we do. We are slowly working our way outwards from Keswick, doing a couple of visits a month, so look out for us. WHAT’,S COMING U P? Summer Retreat // May 24-25 // The Summer Retreat is the new kid on the block. Our newest general open retreat will hopefully complement the Advent and Easter Retreats by giving people who have been to Castlerigg a chance to come back and take the experience that little bit deeper. Like those retreats though, it’,s not restricted to those who have been before. Bookings will open after the Easter Retreat. Catholic Students Retreat // Nov 15-17 // After the success of our 昀,rst students retreat last year, we are holding another one this autumn. Once again, there will be a discounted rate for students and this year there will be a theme holding the weekend together. Bookings will open in the summer. Advent Retreat // Dec 13-15 // The next open retreat after the summer retreat will be the Advent Retreat in mid December. Bookings open in September. MATTERS YO U TH

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 I n a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world, the role of the Church in addressing contemporary social and ethical issues with young people is more crucial than ever. Today’,s youth are growing up in an era marked by signi昀,cant societal shifts, technological advancements, and moral complexities. The Church can provide a guiding light in navigating these challenges, helping young people to understand and integrate their faith with the realities of the modern world. One of the primary tasks is to address the apparent disconnect between what the Church teaches and contemporary societal norms. Issues such as climate change, social justice, human rights, and technological ethics are at the forefront of young people’,s minds. They are looking for guidance on how to align their faith with their desire to engage with and improve the world they live in. To begin with, the Church must foster open and honest dialogues. Creating a safe space where young people can express their doubts, ask tough questions, and discuss controversial topics is essential. These discussions can be facilitated through youth groups, workshops, or forums. It’,s important that the Church doesn’,t shy away from di

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6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 O n Friday 19th April, 27 students and sta昀, from Cardinal Newman College, Preston took part in a big sleep out, to raise money and awareness for people living with homelessness. Organised and run by the Newman Against Poverty group and the Equality and Diversity Team, the group spent the night ‘,sleeping’, out in the College grounds. Supported by homelessness charity, Shelter, who came along to speak to our students about the work that the charity does and how our fundraising money would be spent. Shelter also talked about housing rights and the issues within the current law that they are campaigning to help change. Our students arrived at 7.30pm, with their sleeping bags in tow, and after hearing from the representatives from Shelter, they took part in a range of activities relating to the pressures of a昀,ording to run a household, particularly with the current cost of living crisis. They then spent the night under the stars Big Sleep Out! in our gorgeous, but freezing grounds and even woke up to frost after getting an average of just 3.5 hours sleep each. Calista Mullin, Assistant Head of Law who helped to organise the event said: “,The students who took part were amazing and a credit to the College. A massive thank you to Kelly Illingworth-Turner, Bernice Taylor, Georgia Wright, Emma Watts, Ashely Hurst, Ian Bruce and Andrew Salter for their support and making what could have been an extremely stressful experience, an overwhelmingly positive one. Despite this, I can say with certainty that all those who took part will have been grateful for their own beds on Saturday evening.”, Despite these challenges, all students who took part managed to stay outside for the entire night and raised a fantastic total of £,1700, which is still growing as donations continue to come in. If anyone wishes to continue to support the sleep out, the just giving link is still active: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ newmansleepout2024 Reception places at St Mary’,s Catholic Primary School, Great Eccleston. Please contact Mrs Jennifer Birch, Headteacher 01995 670364 or email bursar@st-marysgreateccleston.lancs.sch.uk Nursery and Reception places at St Teresa’,s Catholic Primary School, Cleveleys. Please ring Mrs Lynsey Ankers, Headteacher 1253 852457 or email admin@stteresasprimary.com Nursery and Reception places at St William’,s Catholic Primary School, Pilling. Please contact Mrs Heather Hogarth, Headteacher 01253 790389 or email head@st-williams.lancs.sch.uk Nursery places available at St Wulstan’,s &, St Edmund’,s Catholic Academy, Fleetwood. Please contact Miss Samantha Solloway, Headteacher 01253 874785 or email enquiries@st-wulstans.lancs.sch.uk There are places available for September 2024 at the following schools in Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Academy Trust, please contact the schools directly for further information.

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 T he Catholic Voice of Lancaster is looking for a new editor from the end of this calendar year. If you have a good standard of English grammar, good communication skills and a reasonable standard of IT then this role could be right up your street. The Catholic Voice publishes 10 issues year, there is no Paper in January or August. Typesetting and artwork are handled separately and our publisher Cath Com handle all advertising and printing issues and delivery to deanery centres each month. The Editor’,s role is to foster good links across the diocese to A Great Opportunity Awaits …,.! ensure a steady 昀,ow of good news copy as well as commissioning more detailed articles as appropriate. Additionally, items submitted for publication need to be checked to ensure there is nothing that runs contrary to the Catholic Faith, standards of grammar are maintained and articles are reported at an appropriate length to ensure maximum engagement across the regional areas of the diocese as well as age groups. Clearly it is not possible to relay all the nuts and bolts of the role of the Editor in such a short piece but the existing Editor is prepared to talk through the role in more detail on request and will provide full and robust training to ensure a smooth handover. If you have a bit of spare time each month, and would like to help the Church of Lancaster in this volunteer role please give this opportunity some serious consideration. Interested? Then please don’,t delay contact the Editor: Edwina Gillett edwinagillett@hotmail.co.uk 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is looking for a new editor –, are you that person? 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

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8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 T he 昀,rst pilgrimage that Bishop Paul will lead is a trip to the renowned town of Lourdes. From July 23rd to July 30th, 2024, we will have the chance to immerse ourselves in the special atmosphere of this holy place. Lourdes is famously known as the site of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette, and it continues to be a source of healing, prayer, and miracles for countless pilgrims. If you are a young person seeking to deepen your faith and explore your spirituality, we have a pilgrimage to Lourdes speci昀,cally tailored for you. The youth session will take place from July 22nd to August 1st, 2024. This is an incredible opportunity to not only connect with like-minded individuals but also to experience the transformative As the Director of the Diocesan Shrine of Ladyewell Preston, I want to invite you to join our beloved Bishop Paul Swarbrick on a series of pilgrimages that he will embark on this year 2024. These spiritual journeys o昀,er a unique opportunity for us to connect with our faith, as well as with the rich history and traditions of our Church. power of faith in a youthful and vibrant setting. We also have a pilgrimage to Walsingham, a place of signi昀,cant importance in the Catholic faith. From September 2nd to September 6th, 2024, we will journey to the heart of England to visit the Walsingham Shrine. It is a highly esteemed pilgrimage site, and we are fortunate to have Rev. Fr. Robert Billing, one of our own priests, as the director of the Walsingham Shrine. If you would like to book a place on this pilgrimage, please contact Deacon Charlie Conner –, email charlie.conner@lrcd.org.uk or call 07895742732 . Additionally, we have our very own Diocesan pilgrimage on September 21st, 2024, at our cherished Ladyewell Shrine in Preston. This pilgrimage holds a special place in our hearts as it allows us to celebrate and honour our Lady in a meaningful way, right in our own community. This pilgrimage o昀,ers a chance for introspection, prayer, and renewal as we gather together to seek Mary’,s intercession. But what exactly is a pilgrimage, and why is it so important for us to embark on one, particularly to a place where our Lady is honoured? At its core, pilgrimage represents a quest for divine connection or spiritual meaning. It entails embarking on a journey to a sacred place or destination, often associated with religious signi昀,cance. However, pilgrimage is not con昀,ned to a speci昀,c religious act but is also relevant to seekers on a spiritual or personal level. A pilgrimage is not merely a physical journey, it is a spiritual quest that nourishes our souls. It is an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and focus on deepening our relationship with God. By visiting holy sites and engaging in sacred rituals, we are reminded of our humility, our dependence on a higher power, and our need for spiritual renewal. The very essence of pilgrimage lies in the belief that travelling outwardly aids in exploring one’,s inner self. Stepping away from the routines and comforts of everyday life allows individuals to re昀,ect upon their core beliefs, values, and aspirations. Unlike conventional tourism, pilgrimage involves a deliberate focus on introspection, self-dis covery, and personal transformation. When we visit a pilgrimage site where our Lady is honoured, we are not only paying homage to her but also seeking her Join Bishop Paul Swarbrick on a Spiritual Journey - Embark on pilgrimage this year

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9 intercession. As Catholics, we believe in the powerful role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus and the queen of heaven. By visiting a place of devotion to Mary, we demonstrate our love, trust, and faith in her maternal care. It is through her that we can draw closer to her son, Jesus, and experience a deeper connection to our faith. Furthermore, pilgrimage provides a unique environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds congregate with a shared intention. Whether it is through group prayers, ritual practices, or ceremonial events, this sacred journey creates a sense of belonging and community spirit. Such interactions encourage dialogue, empathy, and a deeper understanding of human nature, fostering strong bonds amongst participants. Pilgrimage often involves rigorous physical exertion, symbolizing the puri昀,cation of the spirit. Rituals, prayers, or acts of devotion performed during the journey cleanse the soul of accumulated negativity, allowing for spiritual rejuvenation. Immersion in sacred spaces, whether natural or constructed, further facilitates a connection with a higher power and ampli昀,es one’,s personal faith or beliefs. Pilgrimage possesses an innate ability to heal emotional wounds and o昀,er solace to those burdened by life’,s trials. The act of surrendering one’,s grief, seeking forgiveness, or placing trust in a higher power can be immensely cathartic. The solitude and serenity of sacred sites provide a conducive environment for inner healing, promoting emotional well- being and a sense of closure. Many pilgrimage sites are nestled amidst breathtaking natural landscapes, inviting pilgrims to connect with the world around them. This interaction with nature fosters a deep appreciation for the environment and encourages environmental stewardship. Pilgrims become more conscious of the interdependence between humans and their surroundings, nurturing a greater sense of responsibility towards the preservation of our planet. Pilgrimage o昀,ers a wellspring of inspiration that transcends the duration of the journey itself. The memories, lessons, and connections formed during this sacred quest live on, in昀,uencing pilgrims long after they return home. By immersing themselves in the stories and experiences of spiritual ancestors, pilgrims tap into a collective wisdom that guides and motivates them to lead more meaningful lives. Finally, in a fast-paced world often consumed by materialism and super昀,cial desires, pilgrimage remains an essential. Therefore, I encourage each and every one of you to consider joining Bishop Paul on these pilgrimages in 2024. Whether you are seeking personal healing, spiritual rejuvenation, or simply a greater connection to your faith, these journeys have something profound to o昀,er. As we embark on these sacred adventures together, let us open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of pilgrimage and the blessings that await us. May God bless you abundantly on your pilgrimage. Fr. Augustine Obiagwu, HFFBY Director, Diocesan Shrine of Ladyewell augustine. obiagwu@lrcd.org.uk

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10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 S peaking ahead of a Westminster Hall Debate on assisted suicide and euthanasia, Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing described it as a missed opportunity to talk about 昀,xing the UK’,s palliative and social care system. He commented: “,Changing the law would put pressure on the elderly, vulnerable and disabled people into ending their lives prematurely. This is what we see in the US State of Oregon, whi ch has an assisted suicide system and where a majority of those ending their lives in 2023 cited the fear of being a burden on their families, carers or 昀,nances as a reason. While in Canada, which has a euthanasia system, 1,700 of those whose lives were ended cited loneliness as a reason in 2022. We have also seen the dee ply troubling cases of Paralympians, army veterans and disabled people being o昀,ered ‘,an assisted death’, rather than the support they need to live. “,Then there is the myth of the ‘,Hollywood death’,. Studies show those who ingest death row drugs as used in Oregon, far from having a quick and painless death, slowly drown in their own secretions and die of what doctors call a pulmonary oedema. “,And this is before we get to the worrying data from the US and Europe that shows legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide, f ar from reducing the number of suicides seems to be associated wit h an increase in the numbers of people taking their own lives in the general population, perhaps because it normalises the idea and practice of suicide.”, Dr Macdonald concluded: “,At a time when we have seen how fragile our health care system is, how the hospice movement has a £,100 million black hole in its budget, and when up to one in four Brits who would bene昀,t from palliative care but aren’,t currentl y receiving it, holding yet another debate on whether or not the state should kill a small number of people compared to caring f or the hundreds of thousands of people who are terminally or have chronic and degenerative conditions is a missed opportunity. Instead of discussing this dangerous and ideological policy, we should be talking about how to 昀,x the UK’,s broken and patchy palliative care system so everyone can have a digni昀,ed death –, A view shared by the Health and Social Care Committee.”, For more info contact Alistair Thompson of Team Britannia PR on: 07970 162225 or by email: alistair@teambritanniapr.com Care Not Killing is a UK-based alliance bringing together over 40 organisations - human rights and disability rights organisations, health care and palliative care groups, faith- based organisations groups - and thousands of concerned individuals. They have three key aims: •, to promote more and better palliative care, •, to ensure that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed, •, to inform public opinion further against any weakening of the law. Westminster Hall Debate on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia - A “,missed opportunity”, says Care Not Killing 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 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 £,1.80 provides a child with a meal every weekday for a month Donate Now at www.reachfoundationuk.org THE REACH FOUNDATION UK 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

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 Editorial credit: Taljat David / Shutterstock.com R equiem Mass at Holy Family Barrow on the feast of SS Philip and James –, Dear Bishop Paul fellow clergy, and dear faithful people of Barrow, and beyond. All of us are gathered today to raise the soul of Father John Heaney by our prayerful o昀,ering of Mass for him, and also, to thank the good Lord for his life and ministry among us as a Christian and a Priest. I learned that John did not want any great anthem of praise in his honour at his funeral, and this sentiment is entirely consistent with the man he was. Nevertheless, we must do justice to a good and faithful priest, trying not to contravene his wish. Since the Incarnation of the Son of God it is impossible to 昀,nd disembodied grace, except in God alone. When it comes to us, God’,s grace is embodied in a human life and nature. Apostles like SS Philip and James, whom we celebrate today, spent their lives after the resurrection proclaiming the Gospel by word and example, and paid the ultimate price of martyrdom. Grace was incarnate in their lives, just as it was in the life of Fr John Heaney. Yes, we are imperfect creatures, but God’,s love can perfect our 昀,awed nature, and then the possibilities are endless. As the la te great Pope Benedict said of himself at his election, the Lord can use ‘,our insu

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12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 I will start with a direct quote from Fr Tom’,s Last Will and Testament. “,I hereby request and beseech that only the undermentioned biographical information (preferably less, but no more) shall be included in the homily at the Requiem Mass on the day of my funeral: Date and place of birth: Carlisle, 15th January 1929. Education: St Cuthbert’,s school and St Patrick’,s school, Carlisle. St Bernadine’,s, Buckingham. Campion House, Osterley and Ushaw College, Durham. Ordination: Our Lady and St Joseph, Carlisle 14th July 1957 Service: Parishes in the Diocese of Lancaster. Army Chaplain for 16 years. Secretary to Bishop of HM Forces. Secretary to the Bishop of Lancaster. I further request that the short homily at my Requiem Mass be given on the themes ‘,The Priesthood’, and ‘,Christian Death’,, and that the one giving the homily begs forgiveness of all whom I have o昀,ended, and the prayers of all”,. When I read of Tom’,s request for a short homily, with very little of his life, it reminded me of the English Teacher who set her pupils a composition and told them that every good story contains four essential parts –, Religion, Royalty, Romance and Mystery. So o昀, they went. To her amazement one boy 昀,nished within two minutes. He’,d written. “,Good God”, , said the Princess. “,I’,m pregnant. Whodunnit?”, It ful昀,lled the task but told you nothing. In a similar way, if all I had to do was write, ‘,Tom was born, he was ordained, he died’,, you could say I’,d ful昀,lled my task, but not told you anything. However, that was Tom’,s wish, so I could 昀,nish now, e xcept for the fact of his request for a few words on Priesthood and Christian Death. With regards to priesthood, the 昀,rst Requiem Mass for the late Fr Tom Foster was celebrated at Our Lady and St Joseph’,s, Carlisle on Thursday 2nd May 2024. The homily was delivered by Canon Alf Hayes. scripture reading I have chosen is from Hebrews 7:23-2 8 . It’,s about the perfection of Christ, the heavenly high priest. He is the ideal priest, holy, innocent, uncontaminated and beyond the in昀,uence of sinners. For all of us priests who are meant to be an ‘,Alter Christus’,, (another Christ) , such an ideal is really hard to live up to, well-nigh impossible. So why do we bother? I suppose it all comes down to the fact that Jesus says, “,Remember, you didn’,t choose me: I chose you, and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit which will last”,. When we priests think about those words, we might feel, “,Well, why did you choose me? You knew 昀,ne well that I’,d let you down, that I’,d never reach those dizzy heights of perfection, and that I’,m certainly not uncontaminated and beyond the in昀,uence of sinners”,. But then, we realise that when it comes to choosing, Jesus has form, just like his Dad had in the Old Testament, choosing the most unlikely characters to ful昀,l his plan. I’,m sure you all know that old story of Jesus seeking Management Consultancy advice, before choosing the apostles. The report which comes back is very negative. Matthew is known for shady dealing and keeping questionable company, James and John are explosive, Thomas questions everything, and Peter’,s mouth sounds o昀, before his brain’,s engaged. In fact, the only one to show any business acumen at all is Judas. But they were the 昀,rst priests he chose –, a bit rough and ready, some needing re昀,ning around the edges, others not too bright, but all willing to allow him to use them in God’,s service. That’,s the way Jesus does things. Think of St Paul, probably the greatest missionary ever, and yet plagued by his imperfections, begging God to remove whatever weakness the thorn in his 昀,esh was, only to be told by Jesus, that his grace is su

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 C anon Peter Hart of Our Lady’,s Star of the Sea and Fr Patrick Hibbert of St Alban’,s each celebrated 50 years of priesthood in May. The Catholic Voice thanks them both for their local service and sends them both our prayers and best wishes. 100 years of Priestly Service

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14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 O n Tuesday 23rd April 2024, the Rt Rev. Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster, visited St. Bede’,s Catholic High School, for a pastoral visit. Bishop Paul wrote to us in October to reassure us of his support and prayers at a time when our community was mourning the tragic passing of a well-loved pupil. Our community were reassured by the Bishop’,s pastoral care and consideration. We felt that the Bishop truly accompanied us in prayer and we were very consoled by the wise and re昀,ective contents of his letter. In light of his letter, our Headteacher Mr. Marsden, supported by Father John Millar (our priest chaplain) , invited Bishop Paul and Father Michael Docherty, Episcopal Vicar for Education, to visit us. At the start of the academic year at St. Bede’,s, we had set out school priorities with the intention of further improving ‘,behaviour, engagement, devotion and excellence’, . These words formed our ‘,Bede Acronym’, and typi昀,ed all that we stand for here in this school. A key part of further developing the devotion aspect of life at St. Bede’,s has been the establishment of the Society of St. Joseph. The Society of St. Joseph are a pupil leadership group who were successfully appointed to be representatives of the Catholic life of our school. These pupils attend weekly Mass before school, they voluntarily lead our start of lesson prayers and regularly pray the Holy Rosary. Ultimately, there pupils have a mandate from Christ and are given the responsibility to be ‘,salt, light and leaven’, and 昀,ll the school with goodness and prayer. After meeting our Headteacher, Chair of Governors and representatives from our governing body, Bishop Paul joined the Society of St. Joseph, Mrs. Gili-Ross (Headteacher of St. Peter’,s Primary School) and pupils from St. Peter’,s, to pray the Holy Rosary. Bishop Paul led us in the opening prayers and the 昀,rst decade, whilst kneeling at the prie-dieu at the front of the chapel. Pupil representatives from the Society of St. Joseph followed suit, by leading each decade of the Rosary, kneeling reverently before the altar. Our Bishop and Episcopal Vicars remained kneeling throughout the Rosary before rising for the Salve Regina, sung in Latin, led by Mr Warrington our Head of Music. The pupils then prayed the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary before humbly receiving an episcopal blessing. Following the conclusion of the Rosary, Bishop Paul met with a group of pupils who had prepared questions for him. Some very insightful discussions arose from this meeting and the pupils enjoyed 昀,nding out about the Bishop’,s vocation. The pupils spoke openly about their experience at school and life as young people in the modern age. Mrs Cutherbertson, our Head of Religious Education, supported the pupils with the formulation of the questions. In keeping with the previous activity, Bishop Paul was led on a learning tour of the school by Mrs. Smith, Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning. This enabled the Bishop to visit a variety of lessons, including RE, Science, Drama and PE. Bishop Paul was very keen to listen to the pupils and 昀,nd out more about their experiences. During the tour, Mrs. Smith outlined our very ambitious curriculum intent which is predicated on enabling pupils to dis cover truth, develop goodness and appreciate beauty in all of their learning. Following a short break to pray the Angelus at midday, the Bishop met with sta昀, and governors for lunch. A range of sta昀,, with varying responsibilities and lengths of service, met with the Bishop and discussed their experience working in Catholic education at St. Bede’,s. After lunch, the Bishop attended an assembly with our year eleven pupils. This assembly was led by Mr. Langley, Head of Pupil Behaviour and Mr. Marsden, Headteacher. In addition to this, the assembly was supporting by our Head Boy, Head Girl and their deputies. The pupil leaders read readings from Deuteronomy and St Paul’,s letter to the Colossians. The readings were lovingly prepared with the theme of ‘,going forth’,. This was appropriate as the pupils are about to embark upon their examinations prior to leaving us at St. Bede’,s. Bishop Paul spoke to them about the parable of the treasure found in the 昀,eld and encouraged them to remember the experience of the faith they have had at our school. He also commended the pupils for engaging with the very bold and passionately Catholic vision of the Headteacher and senior leaders at St. Bede’,s. The Bishop blessed the pupils, their teachers and the wider school community before the school hymn was sung. Our Headteacher expressed his gratitude to the parents who joined us for the assembly and the governors who were present with us throughout the day. Bishop Paul very generously remained behind to take photos with the pupil leadership team, sta昀, leaders and the Society of St. Joseph. Before his departure, the pupils presented Bishop Paul with 昀,owers and a custom- made wine case which had been created by colleagues of our technology department. Reuben Gabrasadig, Deputy Headteacher In the Bishop’,s pastoral care

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June 2024 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 TEN YEARS OF WORKING TOGETHER (Plenty of people are thankful for YOU) W h a t a r e y o u What are you t h a n k f u l f o r ? thankful for? At Your Catholic Legacy we’,ve been working together for a whole decade. Looking back, we’,re grateful for people like you who have pledged gifts in your Wills to Catholic causes. When you look back over the last 10 years of your life, what makes YOU thankful? Tell us what you’,re grateful for. A gift in your Will is a way to express your gratitude to God for all you’,ve been given. It’,s a way to give back, in thanks. Please could you consider a gift in your Will to Catholic causes today? Visit yourcatholiclegacy.org.uk to tell us what you’,re thankful for and ﬁ,nd out how to leave a gift in your Will. CATHOLIC LEGACY WEEK 20-26 MAY Credit: CAFOD/Thom Flint Credit: World Villages for Children Credit: HCPT

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16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2024 T he St Vincent de Paul Society, in partnership with CAFOD, have come together to encourage Catholics across the country to engage with their local candidates ahead of the next general election. A Year of Encounter is a joint initiative by the two faith charities which aims to inspire supporters to reach out to their local candidates to help advocate for to tackle domestic and global poverty issues including the cost-of-living crisis, o昀,ering a warm welcome and compassion to people seeking asylum, as well as tackling regional inequalities. Tackling domestic and global poverty is a main priority for both charities, something which the SVP and CAFOD advocate for through their social justice work. “,We’,re hoping that our joint initiative will strengthen communi ty participation and be the foundation for starting to build stron g community links through local faith groups,”, explains Policy and Public A 昀,airs Manager at the SVP, Alessandra Sciarra. “,This is great way to encourage the Catholic community in Engla nd and Wales to reach out to their local candidates. Together we hope our guide will give people the tools to 昀,nd out issues in their local areas fo r themselves and start building their own relationships so they can make the ir own choice when it comes to voting in the next General Election later this year.”, This year marks the 1 8 0th anniversary of the SVP, which will be a year-long celebration of the work the society has done in that time of tackling poverty in all its forms and supporting people most in need. There are currently 2 free online training sessions which will o昀,er a step-by-step process of how your parish can engage with your local candidates in simple ways. Both event details can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/svp-and-cafod-78655520313 More information can be found about A Year of Encounter by visiting: https://svp.org.uk/encounter Catholic Charities U nite for Election Year Campaign Church Supplies –, ser v i ng Sch oo ls , B usi n ess and Hom es Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses To advertise please contact Charlotte on 01440 730399 or email charlotter@cathcom.org Two amazing care homes. One unwavering standard. Evermorecare.com The way a perfect care home should be. For a brochure or tour, please call Chorley Astley View, Euxton Lane PR7 1PS. Tel 01257 444860 Lancaster Ashton Manor, Scotforth Road LA1 4XN. Tel 01524 566007

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