S aturday 7th March saw something incredible take place at Wembley Arena. Over 8,000 young people gathered together for the largest ever Catholic event to be held in the UK! It was a brilliant way to come together as a Chris, tian community to celebrate and share our faith with other young people. The Briars joined over 200 young people at Wembley Arena wearing fantastic Robin Hood hats representing the Nottingham Diocese, young people from Scunthorpe, Leicester, Buxton, Nottingham, Belper and Derby! There was a phenomenal atmosphere both around Wembley arena but also inside, with so much to see and do! Cardinal Luis ‘,Chito’, Tagle was most peo, ple’,s highlight of the day, offering such honest testimony in a funny and engaging manner. It was inspiring to hear somebody in such a respected position in the Church talk so openly about how we’,re all part of a family, a family in Christ. Continued on page 11 Catholic Produced by Produced by Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Ste eple Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Ste eple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 0207 112 6710 Telephone: 0207 112 6710 Editor John Clawson. Tel: E,mail john@bellcourtltd .co.uk or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk Editor John Clawson. Tel: E,mail john@bellcourtltd .co.uk or david@bellcourtltd.co.uk 20p 20p WHERE SOLD WHERE SOLD ISSUE 229 ISSUE 229 APRIL APRIL 2015 2015 News MORE THAN 17 YEARS OF BRINGING THE MORE THAN 17 YEARS OF BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER Flame 2 A significant evangelisation initiative called Proclaim ’,15 has been launched to support, inspire and encour, age new expressions of parish evangelisation. A project of the Bishops’, Conference of England and Wales, it is designed to affirm the good work that is al, ready being done by the Catholic community, and to provide resources and events to profile and develop new expressions of Catholic joy and missionary out, reach. The PROCLAIM ’,15 small group materials for use in parish groups are online ready to download on the diocesan website For more information please visit: www.catholicnews.org.uk/proclaim15 The sessions ar e timeless so can be used any time during 2015 and be, yond to initiate prayer and reflection about the foun, dation stones of Catholic evangelisation. Each session includes a story, questions to ponder, a Scripture read, ing, prayer and extract from Evangelii Gaudium. The materials aim to inspire a practical and local response to the call to share our faith. Proclaim ’,15 has a prac, tical and ‘,how to’, focus because while there is enthusi, asm within the Catholic community to share confidently and joyfully our Faith, it can at times be hard to discern where to begin. This initiative aims to address that difficulty and is inspired by Pope Fra ncis’, Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, in which he writes: “,I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’,s journey in years to come.”, Cardinal Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster ????????

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Two years after he was elected pope, Pope Francis` popularity rating among U.S. Catholics is at 90 per cent, surpassing Pope Benedict XVI`s best,ever popularity, and rivaling that of St. John Paul II. Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit Washington, New York and Philadelphia in September, garnered a ",very favorable", view from 57 per cent of U.S. Catholics, and ",mostly favorable", from another 33 percent. Pope Francis talks with Kiko Ar guello, founder of the Neocatechu menal Way, as he arrives to lead a special audience for members of the movement in Paul VI hall at the Vat ican March 6. Editor: John Clawson Editorial Office: Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre,Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Telephone: 0207 112 6710 email: john@bellcourtltd.co.uk or davidlodge101@hotmail.comWebsite: www.bellcourtltd.co.uk Distribution enquiries: Nick Layton, Bellcourt Limited,Publication date: Fourth Sunday of the month for the following month. Opinionsexpressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Diocese. Publishers and Owners : Bellcourt Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre,Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN Advertising: tel: 0207 112 6710 Parental permission should be sought be,fore submitting photographs of minors. Views expressed in The Catholic News are not necessarily those of the editor MORE THAN 17 YEARS OF MORE THAN 17 YEARS OF BRINGING THE BRINGING THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE TOGETHER TOGETHER The The Catholic News Catholic News The monthly paper for the The monthly paper for the Diocese of Nottingham Diocese of Nottingham Wanted Parish Correspondents The Catholic News is looking fora Parish Correspondent in your parish to send in local news for publication in this newspaper. All items to be emailed to john@bellcourtltd.co.uk before 10th of the month Page 2 The Catholic News. April 2015 Feast of the Divine Mercy will be celebrated at the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Brooklyn Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9ES on Sunday 12th April 2015 3.20 The Stations of the Cross 3.40 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 3.50 We will conclude with Benediction 4pm Close There will be an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the end of the service. However, St. Faustina always prepared herself to receive Holy Communion on the Feast day by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the Saturday before the Feast. Tea and cakes will be served in the church hall after the service Jesus promises special graces to to those who celebrate Mercy Sunday. He told St. Faustina `I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My Mercy. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy. My desire is that the Feast will be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter` Please come and join us and the Poor Clare Sisters for this great feast. For further information please ring Madeleine on 0115 927 7893 or Mary on 0115 849 4309 2.30 Welcome 2.40 Prayer to Mary the Mother of Divine Mercy 2.45 Talk given by Rev. Martyn Swaby , Deacon 3pm The 3`O Clock Prayer 3.10 The Chaplet THE FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 12th April 2015 An Afternoon of Devotions With Father Anselm OCSO The Main Celebrant at the 5pm Mass. 2.30pm Opening Hymn and Introduction Blessing of The Divine Mercy Image 3pm THE HOUR OF MERCY “,At this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that asks with confidence in My Mercy”, The Chaplet of Mercy Stations of the Cross 3.30pm Break for Refreshments &, Bookstall 4pm Holy Hour followed by Benediction Priests available for confessions during the afternoon. 5pm Holy Mass and Veneration of the Relic St Faustina “,The soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy, shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment”, (This is the promise made by Our Lord of Saint Faustina) AT THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL Gleneasgles Avenue, Rushey Mead, Leicester. Tel. 0116 2661621 For further information contact Kath Gambin on 0116 2340103 After two years in office, Pope Francis has 90 percent favorable rating In Honour of St Teresa Of Avila Adult Faith Formation at the Good Shepherd Church, Notting, ham has just released it`s new programme for the months of May to June 2015. It includes DVD presentations to honour the 5th Centenary Celebration of St Teresa Of Avila, commencing with a slide show, `Discovering The Fire Within", a laymans per, spective by parishioner, Mr Alan Broodryk. Subsequent weeks will see the showing of a dramatized, spanish DVD presentation with english subtitles, ",Teresa de Jesus", exploring her life story. Come a long and join us and be inspired by the richness of this wonderful Doctor of the Church, who has so many pertinent les, sons for the Church today. How fortunate are we to have such wonderful heavenly help so close at hand, to help us all on our road to holiness. God bless Cheryl Broodryk Catenians help to the Homeless Catenians –, Strengthening family life through faith and friendship The Derby Branch of the Catenian Associ, ation recently gave a cheque for £,340 to the Derby Soup Run. John Lawson, President of Derby Catenians and parishioner of St. George’,s, presented the cheque to Mrs Jackie Newbury and her husband John. Mr &, Mrs Newbury have been involved in the charity for over 30 years and Mrs Newbury has chaired the organisation for several years. Derby Soup Run is open every night of the year in the centre of Derby providing sustenance to an average of 20 people each evening. If you wish to help the Charity in any way look up Derby Soup Run website. John Lawson, Catenian President said “,As Catenians, one of the promises we make is ‘,to be ever mindful of the needs of others’, and this gift to the Derby Soup Run goes a little way to fulfil that promise”,. Kevin Hurst DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY DEVOTIONS Sunday 12th April Our Lady of Lincoln Laughton Way Lincoln LN2 2HE 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and Eucharistic Adoration 4pm Mass of the Day Confessions will be available during Exposition

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By the time that you read this the Year of Consecrated Life will have been in full flight for several months and we shall be heading towards the great feast of Easter. It has been a tradition within our her, mitage for many years to build an Easter Garden standing as a silent witness to the Resurrection and an aid to our si, lence, prayer , and reflection. It is impor, tant that we soak up the and be silent absorbing all that Easter means for us. The words of Thomas Merton seem per, fect and help us to focus our mood and tune in: “, Take some time and sit quietly by the empty tomb... We shall hear Him speak our name, though all appears empty. Sit with longing....He will speak....and we shall know His Presence “,. Christ is Risen ! This great proclamation by the Church is at the heart of it. God’,s promises have been accomplished in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. It is this very proclamation that our Holy Father has asked Consecrated men and women to “, Wake up the world “,with. Christ is alive and reigns with us, surely this proclamation should wake up our world, this great Paschal proclamation should evangelise our world too .It is through Jesus Christ that the Father promises us life beyond death, a life much fuller than we could ever imagine, a life where there is no more pain, no more tears... the life with God...... our lives resurrected. Even in death we are not abandoned. That is mystery, but Jesus is the proof. Nothing can stop the Father.That is hope. That is faith. Christ is Risen –, this is what we have to shout from the housetops, every day and every Sunday. Of course we realise that the empty tomb does not prove the Resurrection, but rather it tells us that Christ has escaped the bonds of death, and that he prepared his friends, the disciples, to meet him. There was to be a divine encounter, which would change their lives forever. They had a desperate need to meet their living Lord, bearing in mind all their doubts and hang ups. We too share that need with them, more than anything else we need and want to experience the Risen Lord. It is for this reason it is important to sit down at the empty tomb, or stand still by the Easter garden, be silent and wait, as Merton said. He is risen and wants com, munion with us. Thank God that we too realise our need for Him. This surely is the beginning of a beautiful friendship –, and he has already called us “,friends”, at the recent supper. “, Happy Easter seems so bland. Maybe at the Pax at Easter Mass we should copy our Russian Orthodox brethren and speak those words of peace and comfort to each other ‘,Christ is Risen’, –,and after Mass too continue this proclamation to ‘,wake up our world.’, along with our Con, secrated men and women throughout the world. Christ is Risen !!! A Happy Easter to you all. David + Hermit of the Diocese of Nottingham The Catholic News. April 2015 Page 3 Thoughts from Elston Hermitage......... St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy Alvaston Street, Alvaston, Derby DE24 0PA Telephone 01332 572154 Email : admin@stjohnfisher.derby.sch.uk Website: www.stjohnfisher.derby.sch.uk Primary Teacher –, KS2 Full,time –, From Sept 2015 In May 2014 OFSTED judged Saint John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy to be GOOD in all areas. ‘,Their high expectations of pupils progress have been key in raising standard s. The Academy is moving forward rapidly’,. The Directors of St John Fisher CVA are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Key Stage Two class teacher who would like to join us on our journey towards Outsta nding: Supportive of our Catholic ethos Have high expectations of themselves and their pupils Are positive and enthusiastic and willing to work hard Have vision and wish to develop themselves In return for hard work and dedication we offer: A friendly and supportive team Ongoing mentoring and coaching by experienced teachers Experienced and Newly Qualified teachers warmly welcome to apply. Teachers of all faiths or no faith who are sympathetic to our Catholic ethos are also warmly welcome to apply The interview process will be in two stages: Stage 1 –, Lesson observation Teachers will be observed teaching a 30mins Literacy and 30mins Numeracy lesson on Wednesday 15th April or Thursday 16th April 2015 If successful the candidate will move to stage 2. Stage 2 –, Formal interviews will be held on Friday 17th April 2015 St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. For an application form and further details, please contact Mrs Harlow the School Business Manager. Closing Date for applications is Monday 13th April 2015 at 12:00pm Together in Prayer 2015 This year, on 6 March, St Ralph Sherwin Church, Chellaston, Derby hosted the local Women’,s World Day of Prayer. Local Angli, can and Methodist churches hosting this service. The 2015 service was put together by faith groups in The Bahamas. An Ecu, menical Group in Chellaston, Derby joined forces to plan the event, prepare the church and share this special day with prayers, readings and hymns followed by Fairtrade refreshments and an opportunity to talk and taste delicious Bahama Mama Carrot cake, Johnny cake and tropical fruit. The Bahamas is one of the most prosperous in the West Indies but there are also areas of deprivation. Those who gathered for the event heard about Jesus and His radical love and reflected upon the concerns of the women of The Bahamas. Last year, there were over 17,000 worship services world, wide and proceeds from retiring collections enable grants and donations to be made to many charities. In 2013 CAFOD received a grant of £,5000. Christian Aid received £,20,000 for Syrian refugees. It was a de, lightful opportunity to share in fellowship and solidarity and learn about how Chris, tian organisations are responding to the pastoral needs of those in The Bahamas, who may live away from the eyes of the tourists and find life a struggle. Anna Bourke Searching for award,winning young people in the Diocese of Nottingham A new series of awards has been launched aimed at honouring the everyday social action of young people in the UK. The Celebrating Young People Awards is open to all young people aged 11,25 and honours all types of social action. Young people across the UK are being sought for the inaugural awards, or ganised by Catholic youth charity Million Minutes. The six categories are in spired by Catholic social teaching, and will have four winners each. Danny Curtin, Million Minutes` Chief Executive, said, ",Young people all too often get a bad name. But they are amazing. Million Minutes is all about giv ing a voice to the young people that get overlooked , we`re delighted to launch these awards to celebrate all that young people are and all that they give to our world. ",I`m urging anyone who knows a young person who deserves some recogni tion to nominate them –, don`t assume someone else will.", Awardees will be honoured at a special reception in the House of Lords before a glittering ceremony in London`s Leicester Square. Supporting the Awards, Margaret Mizen of the Jimmy Mizen Foundation said, ",We are so happy that Jimmy`s name will be used for one of these awards, inspiring peace in the lives of young people.", The Foundation is supporting the Jimmy Mizen Award for promoting solidarity and peace. The closing date for nominations is 24 April, and nominations can be made easily online at http://www.millionminutes .org/awards/ For more information, please contact Daniel Hale, danielh@millionminutes.org

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Page 4 The Catholic News. April 2015 Vocations Conference Saint Thomas More The Chaplaincy of a Westminster second, ary school organised a one day Conference for its students to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life and to explore the call to vocation. Students at St Thomas More Language College in Cadogan Street Chelsea wel, comed sixty four members of various Reli, gious Orders and Institutes to share their vocation stories and unpack the particular charisms of their founders. The event held in the College on Wednes, day 4 March 2015 saw the normal timetable collapsed to allow the whole school community to participate in this special one day event. The day began with a Key note address de, livered by Fr Stephen Langridge the Voca, tions Director for the Archdiocese of Southwark. The College had invited Religious Orders and Institutes of Consecrated Life to send two delegates to work with students in small groups exploring the theme of voca, tion. Students heard from delegates their own stories of God’,s call to conversion of life and how they as individuals and groups seek to serve the needs of the world today. Delegates came from across the city of Lon, don and across the United Kingdom with Priests, Friars, Canons, Sisters and Conse, crated persons as well as students and seminarians from the Seminary in Allen Hall who all shared their personal stories of Vocation and the joys and challenges of living the Consecrated Life. At 12noon students and guests gathered for a Solemn Mass celebrated by His Emi, nence Cardinal Vincent Nichols and concel, ebrated by the clergy and Religious who had gathered for this Conference. The Col, lege Liturgical Choir sang the setting Missa De Angelis and the anthem Panis Anglicus and the College’,s Gospel Choir sang some beautiful meditational music during the distribution of Holy Commun, ion. Fr Antony Homer the College Chaplain and organiser of the event was overjoyed at the response his invitation to the Religious had generated. “,The students actively en, gaged with each presentation and asked searching questions as they explored what it means to live the Consecrated life in the Twenty First century. It is hoped this event will raise the profile of these men and women who have actively consecrated themselves to the service of the Lord in re, sponse to the needs of our world. The Con, secrated life is such a beautiful, dynamic and wonderful force for good in our world and the witness of these men and women certainly stirred the hearts and minds of our whole community challenging each of us to consider afresh the invitation of Christ made at our Baptism”,. Guests from different Religious Orders and Institutions included the Canons of Pemon, tre in Chelmsford, the Benedictines of Farnborough Abbey and Quarr Abbey, The Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary in king, standing, The Sisters of Reconciliation in Walsingham, The Franciscans of the Re, newal, the Comboni Sisters, the Grey Fri, ars, the Dominican Sisters from the New Forest, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Poor Clare’,s from Arkley, Sisters from Littlemore near Oxford, Poor servants of the Mother of God, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Missionary Sisters from Bromley, Members of the Society of Jesus, Sisters of Christ in Wimbledon, Carmelite Mission, aries, Holy Cross Missionaries as well as students and seminarians from Allen Hall in Chelsea. “,It was not only wonderful to meet the stu, dents but also to meet so many other reli, gious. We all gave our live to the Lord for the same cause, to love Jesus and to bring many people to Jesus in whatever way. It was a day we will not forget so quickly.”, Sr Kristien and Sr Tatjana The Spiritual Family The Work It is hoped some of the Religious will return to the College in the future and work with us to consolidate and build upon the

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M ary Potter was a remarkable young Victorian woman who took the poor and sick to her heart. She had a vision of founding a religious order which would pray for and care for the needs of the sick and the dying.Although she came fro Southsea, in Hampshire, it was on the mean streets of Hyson Green that her idea, was realised in 1877 when she founded the Little Company of Mary in a disused silk factory in Lenton Street. London,born Mary was one of five children whose father walked out on them because he did not share his wide’,s new,found Catholic beliefs. She fell in love with a devout young man named Godfrey King, who gave her an un, derstanding of faith and the power of prayer. But, as Mary’,s spiri, tuality deepened, so her love for Godfrey waned and the en, gagement was called off. May entered a con, vent but did not stay and returned home. One day in October 1874, Mary was reading her Bible when the words in the Gospel of St John, 15:16, “,I chose you, I appointed you to go on and bear fruit, fruit that shall last”,, made an enormous impression on her. From that day, she dedicated her life to nursing the sick and praying for the dying, She devised a plan to form a society of women who shared her ideals and, three years later, that vision brought her to meet Bishop Edward Gilpin Bagshawe, of Not, tingham, a friend of her brother. Miss Potter’,s visit is recorded in Bishop Bagshawe’,s diary inder the date January 14, 1877. Mary had travelled to Nottingham to ask the bishop is he would allow her and a group of women she knew to care for the sick in his diocese. The bishop backed the idea and sent Mary to Hyson Green, then a particularly impov, erished area, where he wanted to start a mission. The dilapidated silk factory was found and, with the help from neighbours, converted into the first convent of the new congrega, tion. The convent, which also served as a mis, sion chapel for the people of Hyson Green, was opened by the bishop on Easter Mon, day, 1877. Two of the co,founding members of her group were Elizabeth Bryan and Agnes Bray. They had arrived in Nottingham on St Patrick’,s Day 1877. Eleanor Smith and Edith Coleridge, a trained nurse from Lon, don, joined them in May. On July 2, 1877, the five ladies received the habit and their distinctive pale blue veils which led them to be known as the “,blue nuns”,. The title, The Little Company of Mary, represented the small number of people who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother, Mary. Mary Potter’,s growing band went into homes for the poor and the needy, teaching the basics of hygiene and childcare, visiting anyone in prison and the workhouse, nurs, ing the sick, praying for the dying, assist, ing the poor and aiding anyone who called at the door. The parish of St Mary’,s Hyson Green, has its origins in the mission . In 1882, she went to Rome. From 1902, Mother Mary Potter remained in Rome and died there in 1913, aged 65. Eighty years later, her remains were brought to Notting, ham to be re,interred in St Barnabas’, Cathedral. Pope John Paul declared Mary Potter ven, erable in 1998. The Little Company of Mary Sisters Her, itage Centre is at 32 Regent Street, Not, tingham, NG1 5BT. Tel 0115 950 5167 or email lcmheritatge@googlemail.com The Catholic News. April 2015 Page 5 FRANKLY SPEAKING FRANKLY SPEAKING The Little Company of Mary The Mission continues today in many parts of the world and God is till calling, be attentive to him, he may be calling you FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON OUR MISSION VISIT US AT 588 Radford Road, Nottingham NG7 7EX or contact: Sr. Eileen Lyons on Nottingham 0115 979 1088 www.lcmglobal.org 2015 Year of Consecrated Life Commemorating the Death of Venerable Mary Potter April 9th 1913 Her name adorns a Nottingham tram and a health centre in the city... but who was Mary Potter? David Lowe tells her story Woman who devoted her life to helping others Simon Bank, great,great,nephew of Mary Potter, and Sister Carol Pacini, from the USA, look at a picture of Mary Potter at the 2013 celebration of the centenary of her death The Mary Potter Tram The Catholic Community is important in the coming election Since New Year’,s day we have been con, stantly reminded that we will vote on May 7th to elect a new Government. In last month’,s article I mentioned the im, portance of the family as a sure founda, tion for our purpose in life and this must be linked to the coming poll. Two important issues will be facing many families in this election, the edu, cation of our children and how to afford the cost of housing. Religious freedom to send boys and girls to the school of our choice is surely to be greatly valued. The reputation of our Catholic schools has been achieved by hard work and dedica, tion by teachers and their assistants. Those who oppose religious schools seem to seize the opportunity to promote an ever more secular society which they want at any expense. They are entitled to their viewpoint but we must defend some of the accusations that are made. Catholic schools are academically suc, cessful despite a high proportion of chil, dren from more deprived backgrounds. Surely this matters when, according to the Child Poverty Commission. Britain risks being a permanently divided na, tional due to social mobility on a post, code lottery basis. Then we have the claim about State funding in the faith sector school. This is never accompanied by the fact that the Catholic community contributes 10 per cent of the cost of building maintenance, or that these buildings and the land belong to our Dio, ceses. It is surely another fact that these costs would be borne by the tax payer if Catholic schools were forced to close. Rising prices are making houses less af, fordable. In my own street of mid terrace property owner occupiers are becoming more rare and “,To Let”, signs frequently appear. We now have a generation of younger people who are renting and by 2019 another 1.2 million households w3ill have moved into the private rented sector. As usual money is the driving force, we really do need some politicians who will stand up for our younger families who cannot afford to buy a home. The politi, cal parties see home ownership as vote winner, for decades this has been seen as a means of generating financial security. Attitudes need to change, our young fam, ilies and their children deserve politi, cians who care about them. The Catholic Community is important in the coming election. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has urged us all to “,stir your, selves”, engage in politics, candidates do need to be questioned if only for the sake of our children. On a recent parish cele, bration Mass in the North West Arch, bishop Malcolm McMahon was about to speak to the congregation when the chil, dren’,s Liturgy Group re,entered the church, those youngsters were made to feel special by the Archbishop. In the coming election we must do the same. Frank Goulding Holy Trinity Parish, Newark

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Page 6 The Catholic News. April 2015 The Family Funeral Service Personally owned and managed by the Lymn Rose Family AW Lymn Nottingham Robin Hood House, NG3 1GF Tel: 0115 950 5875 | www.lymn.co.uk /awlymn | /awlymn Meet Antonio from our Nottingham Office 24 hour personal service Flagship fleet of Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles Pre-Paid Funeral Plans We have a nucleus of Catholic staff who know your community and strive to meet your needs “,Our family serving your family since 1907”, Good Friday is a time of darkness. “,When the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”, The physical gloom matches the spiritual darkness, as the Lord of life suffers and dies on the cross. Evil seems to have tri, umphed. The messenger of goodness and healing has been taken away from the earth. Life has been extinguished. From the cross he cries out: “,My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”, The God who has been with him in his ministry—,the God whom he has ad, dressed as Abba, Father—, seems now to have deserted him. Previously he has healed the sick and reconciled enemies. He has comforted mourners and forgiven sinners. He has fed the harassed crowds with loaves and fishes, as well as with the bread of his teaching. He has shown humanity a way of living with justice and compassion. He has even been welcomed into Jerusalem by a great throng of people wav, ing palm branches and singing: “,Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!”, Yet now he has been deserted by those who were once his friends. Worst of all, he now feels aban, doned by God his Father. One of the psalms expresses his anguish: “,My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? You are far from my plea and the cry of my dis, tress. O my God, I call by day and you give no reply. I call by night and I find no peace.”, One of his disciples has betrayed him, and he has been abandoned by the rest. He has been put on trial in front of the Roman governor, and quickly condemned to death. After cruel tortures, he has fi, nally been nailed to a cross. The one whom we call Lord suffers the death penalty that was meted out to a rebel slave. Last of all, when all the noise has subsided, Joseph of Arimathea takes his cold dead body and lays it to rest in a rock, hewn tomb. Then the tomb is sealed with a huge boulder. The great teacher and healer is now dead and gone. Everything is finished. Yet that is not the end of the story. As we know, the crucified one rose again on the third day. And so at Easter we celebrate the light of the risen Christ. Dur, ing the Easter Vigil, the paschal candle is brought into the darkened church, symbol, izing Christ’,s light which overcomes the darkness of death. We recall the holy women going to the tomb at dawn on Easter morning and finding the tomb empty. We remember their shock that their master seemed to have been taken away. We see them run, ning away from the tomb in fear. But then we hear the stories of the risen Lord coming unexpectedly to meet his followers. First he meets Mary Magdalene as she comes to the tomb to mourn. Then he appears to the gathered disciples huddled in the upper room. “,Peace be with you.”, And a story arrives from two travellers walking to Emmaus. They came to their destination and wel, comed a stranger, who broke bread with them and vanished. The Lord of life had not abandoned them after all. God had not forsaken his beloved son. The reading on Easter Monday gives us St Peter’,s testimony to Christ’,s resurrection, spoken to the Jerusalem crowds on Pentecost morning. God did not abandon his holy one to the underworld, nor did he allow his body to experience cor, ruption. Instead: “,God raised this Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses.”, This consoling message means that cruelty and violence are not the con, clusion of everything. Death and destruc, tion do not have the last word. In Christ’,s resurrection, we see that life is ultimately more powerful than death, despite the cost paid in his crucifixion. This is not an easy victory or a cheap triumph. This is the fruit of the hard road to Calvary, but in the end our redemption is won. As Pope John,Paul said when vis, iting Harlem in 1979: “,Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song!”, We are a people of hope, not in ourselves, but in the Lord who saves us. This is the faith to which we witness in our words and actions. Christ’,s light is stronger than the darkest forces of death. Christ’,s love over, comes the harshest cruelties. The Easter Sequence expresses our response: “,That Christ is truly risen from the dead, we know. Victorious king, thy mercy show!”, Father Jeremy Corley Word Among Us Not forsaken or abandoned Generous young supporters The School Council at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby cameup with a great way to raise funds for CAFOD. They suggested that instead of buy, ing a present for their teacher at Christmas, their fellow pupils could give a dona, tion to CAFOD. In the end they collected £,114 and the pupil reps on the School Council decided to buy a cow and two School Starter Packs from the World Gift range with the money. Anna with the School Council Reps from key stage 2 Anna Bourke, from the CAFOD Nottingham Schools Team, visited the school re, cently to tell the pupils about Zin Thu Thu in Myanmar. While she was there she took the opportunity to present the School Council Reps with the World Gift and thank you certificates. Anna with School Council Reps from key stage 1

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The Catholic News. April 2015 Page 7 Step into the Gap –, Saying goodbye to Nicaragua It’,s the end of the visit of CAFOD’,s Step into the Gap volunteers to Nicaragua. Here are the thoughts of Kate and Steph as they prepare to return to the UK: Kate We have seen and experienced Nicaragua in so many ways these past few weeks, and to put it into words is a daunting task. My reasons for joining CAFOD’,s Step into the Gap programme at the beginning of the year were: I have been a long term sup, porter of CAFOD’,s work, I have helped in fundraising, been a Young Leader helping out at events such as Flame and done work experience at Romero House. So it really seemed like a natural progression to spend a year out of education expanding my knowledge of CAFOD and learning more about their work in the developing world before heading off to university to study In, ternational Development. But over the past 6 months, this year has become less about myself and more about those around me. I am extremely fortunate to spend a year with nine of the most hardworking, dedicated and passionate people that I have ever met. They have truly changed my life in more ways than one and I have been lucky enough to go to Nicaragua with three of them. I can honestly say I have made friends for life. Playing games This trip has really been a dream come true for me. I have witnessed first,hand some of the work CAFOD’,s partners do. Nicaragua is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been able to travel to, the scenery is breath,taking with lots of rolling mountains silhouetted by volcanoes, and it is a country rich in culture. But the people here in Nicaragua are truly what make this place so amazing. They are the friendliest people I have ever been able to meet. They have welcomed us into their homes and their hearts and treated us like family. I wish we could spend longer here exploring more of what Nicaragua has to offer but from what we have witnessed so far, it has been truly awe inspiring. And in trying to show you exactly that I am going to share with you some of my highlights. We were very lucky to meet Fr. Fernando Cardenal, former Minister of Education here in Nicaragua and a Jesuit priest. This man is a true inspiration to all. In his own words he says “,The joy of living is to serve, and I have to serve in order to be happy.”, Fernando made an oath to God that he would spend his life defending the lives of the poor, and he has done exactly that. Our meeting with him was short, but I left his presence absolutely speechless and spell bound, he is a true reflection of God and what we should all strive to be. Another person who made a huge impres, sion on me was a young women called Dona Helen, who is someone that ASOMUPRO and CAFOD are working with closely. She has been through so much yet has stayed so positive and strong throughout it all. She is a woman of pure determination and she says that she owes all this to God and her children. She says “,Above all I ask of God that no harm comes to my children, and that my children have a better chance in life than me. This is the legacy I want to leave them.”, I have also learnt over this trip the impor, tance of loving one another, this was exem, plified in Elizabeth who works for ASOMUPRO, one of CAFOD’,s partners out here in Nicaragua. Her family welcomed us into their home for a week, gave up their beds and made a place for us at their table. They went completely out of their way to make us feel welcome, and it was really heart,breaking to leave. Even though we didn’,t speak the same language, came from totally different homes and backgrounds, they truly loved and cared for us. I am re, ally excited to go back home and share some of these incredible stories that we witnessed, and I really hope that in the fu, ture I can return, and revisit some of the places and people that we have been fortu, nate enough to meet. I have left this trip completely changed in more ways than one and a piece of my heart will always be in Nicaragua, until next time…, Learn more about CAFOD’,s work in Nicaragua. Jose I can barely remember getting on the plane at Heathrow, exactly three weeks ago from me writing this, as I come to the end of what can only be described as a trip of a lifetime. The people we have met, what we have witnessed and the communities we have immersed ourselves in are unlike anything I have ever seen before. I have fallen in love with Nicaragua, as a country, with the people, with the language and even with the animals. There are still many places I would like to travel to in the world but I will be returning to Nicaragua one day, hopefully with perfect Spanish next time! I’,ll start with the country, Nicaragua, somewhere many people back home hadn’,t even heard of before I came. I myself knew little about it, except where it was. Having learnt about its recent troublesome history since being here, I am ashamed to say I knew nothing of it before. For someone who is not normally a history or political fa, natic, it has really struck me. It began when we met Father Fernando Cardenal. A real inspiration to the people of Nicaragua, he has dedicated his life to helping the poor. He had us all speechless as he told us of life here in the ‘,80s, and how in some ways life has not improved for many Nicaraguans in the years since. We walked away even more apprehensive about what was to come over the following weeks, but more keen to learn. The country itself is beautiful, a land full of volcanoes, lakes, colourful towns, natu, ral beauty and infinite skies. However this is not the main reason I’,ve fallen in love. It’,s the people who live here that make Nicaragua what it is. As a human geogra, pher it’,s always the people of a place that interest me, and capture my heart, not the environment that they live in. However I have found that for Nicaraguans, the two are very much connected. For many of the people we have met, they have been de, pendent on the land for their livelihoods. “,Land is life”, is one comment that Jose, a man involved with a cooperative supported by John XXIII institute from a community El Caimito, said who then went on to say, “,We live by the will of God”,. Whether or not they have enough food to eat or sell de, pends upon the climate that year. God is central to the people’,s lives who we’,ve met, which is something that I have found quite inspirational. God has a path for everyone and you’,ve just got to follow it. Steph and Georgina The openness of the people we have met has been amazing. Their willingness to share stories about their life to strangers from a strange land as well as opening up their houses to us is something I will never forget. “,Love thy neighbour”, is a quote that to me sums up every encounter we have had. The love for each other within fami, lies, communities and God has been evi, dent to see. For me, my favourite memories of the trip are the days we spent living with Eliza, beth’,s family (an ASOMUPRO technical support worker) and when I spent the night with Jairo and Georgina and their children. Jairo, like Jose, is part of a John XXIII cooperative in El Caimito. It is im, possible to ever completely understand other people’,s lives but living with them even for a short time is the closest we can get. It also allows for deeper relationships to be made. The night I spent on my own, in a remote community away from the rest of the group, I felt completely at home. This was because I was sharing a room with Georgina and her daughter, people I had only known a few hours but who had opened up their home to me in a way that had touched my heart. The next morning this relationship was made deeper by help, ing to prepare breakfast and sharing sto, ries about our lives with each other. I can’,t bear the thought of never seeing these peo, ple again, which is why I must return one day. International development is a real passion of mine and to have the opportunity to meet CAFOD’,s overseas partners and to see their work in the communities first hand really has given me a drive to make a difference in our world. It is clear the pos, itive impacts each partner has made on people’,s lives, whether it be empowering women in rural Nicaragua, guiding young people to become leaders or bringing to, gether communities as a cooperative. I can’,t wait to share these very real stories with CAFOD supporters back home. I want to finish with a quote from Isabel, a woman who has been helped by John XXIII social housing scheme, “,Life is beautiful, you’,ve just got to work at it”,. I think this is true of anyone living anywhere in the world. Everyone is a child of Christ, everyone can make a difference “,one step at a time”, (Juan Carlos, ASOMUPRO technical sup, port worker). Are you 18 –, 30? Looking for a gap year with a difference? Step into the Gap is a life changing opportunity to volunteer in the UK, gain work experience, develop leadership skills and visit CAFOD partners overseas..You will live and work in one of CAFOD UK placements for a year, learning more about yourself, your faith and the world we live in and you’,ll inspire others to make a differ, ence in the world. For more information contact CAFOD or take a look on their website. St John Houghton CVA shows its concern over climate change Students and staff from St John Houghton CVA re, flected on the is, sues around climate change as part of their Epiphany Liturgy. This resulted in more than 200 One Climate One World action cards being completed and more than 200 h e a r t , s h a p e d pledges to personal lifestyle changes. Thank you to the chaplain and the school Justice and Peace Group for all their hard work in organising this magnificent re, sponse to the invi, tation to take part in our campaign and to all those who took part. A book full of heart,shaped pledges

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Page 8 The Catholic News. April 2015 Pleas e r eme mber my int e n tio n/s in pra yer.

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The Catholic News. April 2015 Page 9

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Following tea with Headmaster, Mr Fisher, Education Minister, Nicky Mor gan had an appointment with the Grace Dieu Debating Society... The pupils chatted with Nicky about how politicians debate on different sub jects and how new laws are passed in the Houses of Parliament. They were extremely impressed by her incisiveness and wealth of knowledge. They were keen to learn about her life and work as well as the complexities of Parliament protocol. After the session Nicky commented on how the Grace Dieu debaters were ",far better behaved than most of the MPs that attend Prime Ministers Ques tions!", Page 10 The Catholic News. April 2015 ! ",##$%## ",%&,`()`*$# +%, ",##-./00! &,#&,!`/0$!/0$! &,#$, &,! ./00$!1/0$!2 &, ! !", !", !", !", ",#",", ",#",", ",#",", ",#",", New Rector for the Beda College At the request of the Catholic Bish ops` Conference of England and Wales, the Congregation for The Clergy has appointed Canon Philip Gillespie, a priest of the Archdiocese of Liverpool and currently Dean of the Catholic community on the Isle of Man, as Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome. He succeeds Mon signor Roderick Strange of the Dio cese of Shrewsbury who after nearly 17 years, will return to England to take up a position at Saint Mary`s University, Twickenham, London. On hearing of the appointment Mon signor Strange said: ",The responsibil , ity for helping Beda men from more than 20 countries discern their voca tion and preparing more than 170 of them for ministerial priesthood over the past 17 years has been an unimag inable privilege for me. My prayers and good wishes will accompany Canon Philip Gillespie as he contin ues this vital work. He will find the Beda family in good heart.", Canon Gillespie said: ",I have to con fess that I was very surprised by the news of this appointment and while I am truly sorry to be leaving the Isle of Man, I am immensely grateful for the privilege of being able to share with the students at the Beda my love of the ministerial priesthood and, in conjunction with the other staff of the college, assisting in their discernment and preparation.", The Beda College in Rome was founded in 1852 by Pius IX to ac commodate a number of clergymen from England who had joined the Roman Catholic Church from other C h r i s t i a n denominations and wished to prepare for the Catholic priest hood. They came only for four years, because they were seen to have sig nificant experience already. The new College, first known as Collegio Ec , clesiastico and later as Collegio Pio, also included lifelong Catholics, drawn to the priesthood later in life. A third category comprised priests studying for post, graduate degrees in Rome. Pope Leo XIII issued a new constitu tion in 1898 and placed the college under the patronage of the Venerable Bede, the eighth century Anglo Saxon monk and scholar. Cardinal Howard bequeathed to the two col leges his valuable library. In 1956 Pope Pius XII provided from extraterritorial property of the Holy See the land on which the present Beda stands, adjacent to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Pope John XXIII formally opened the new building on 20 October 1960. The Beda remains the responsibility of the Bishops of England and Wales but now receives men from English speaking countries worldwide. About the appointment Archbishop Bernard Longley, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops` Conference of England and Wales Special Commis sion on Overseas Seminaries said: ",I am delighted that the Holy See has appointed Canon Philip Gillespie as the new Rector of the Beda College. Canon Gillespie brings considerable experience both as a pastor and parish priest and from his years as a member of staff and Vice Rector of St Cuthbert`s College, Ushaw. He is well suited to the work of assisting students in their discernment and preparation for ordination and he is looking forward to working with his colleagues on the staff and alongside the FMDM Sisters. I also wish to pay tribute to Mgr Strange`s seven teen years of devoted and fruitful service in priestly formation and I wish him every blessing for his future ministry.", Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said: ",Canon Philip Gillespie goes to his new post at the Beda with the prayers and good wishes of the priests of the Archdiocese of Liver pool. Canon Philip is a very fine pas , tor who has considerable experience of the formation of future priests and I am sure that he will prove a worthy successor to Monsignor Roderick Strange, and continue his excellent work.", NICKY MORGAN VISITS GRACE DIEU At Mass every weekend , 100 years old I wonder how many parishes in the diocese, or indeed in the country, have a parishioner of a hundred years old who is at Mass every weekend . Our Lady of Lourdes does: Pat Mc, Donald is with us every Saturday evening, making th e journey from his home on his trusty scooter. Father Colin presented him with a P apal Blessing at the first Mass of Laetare Sunday to mark Pat`s one hundredth birthday. God bless you for your faithful, ness to him and to his Church, Pat. Ad multos annos!

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The Catholic News Nottingham distributed to all Catholic Churches in Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, South Humberside (except High Peak and Chesterfield district of Derby) It has a circulation of 4,500 Adverts start at £,19. Please phone Alice on 01440 730399 to book an advert in the paper. 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. Daliy Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses to the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette. Late vocations up to the age of 46 wel, comed. COVENT ,OF ,OUR LADY OF FIDELITY Central Hill, Upper Norwood, LONDON SE19 1RS Telephone: 07973 6002563 or Fax: 0208 766 6579 Mobile: 07760 297001 Ministers of Religion The Catholic News. April 2015 Page 11 Book Reviews JOE WALSH TOURS PILGRIMAGE SPECIALISTS Joe Walsh Tours | www.joewalshtours.co.uk | info@joewalshtours.co.uk 0203 468 0617 | 0161 820 8790 | 0151 909 2871 | 0292 000 3865 | 0141 530 5060 Bonded and Licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK | ATOL 5163 FOLLOW US: Other departure dates &, Airports available FATIMA &, LISBON COAST 16 SEPTEMBER | 7 NIGHTS From Liverpool MEDJUGORJE 16, 23 &, 30 MAY | 7 NIGHTS From Manchester | Hotel Leone LOURDES £, 539 pp from £, SPECIAL DEPARTURE 27 MAY | 5 NIGHTS From Liverpool £, 629 pp from £, DAILY BREAKFAST, LUNCH &, DINNER TRAVEL TO MEDJUGORJE ON THE MONTH OF OUR LADY DAILY BREAKFAST &, DINNER DAILY BREAKFAST &, DINNER *LUNCH INCLUDED IN FATIMA LOURDES * NOTTINGHAM DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 3 JULY | 6 NIGHTS From Leeds Bradford 13 JULY | 5 NIGHTS * From East Midlands 31 JULY | 6 NIGHTS From Manchester £, 649 pp from £, £, 599 pp from £, £, 629 pp from £, DAILY BREAKFAST, LUNCH &, DINNER £, £, 629 pp fro m In a quirky and gently humorous memoir author and journalist Greg Watts tells the story of when he left the Derbyshire town of Wirksworth to go to a London seminaryto be a priest. In The Long Road Out of Town Greg reveals how he abandoned his faith. “,My teens were a turbulent time and I was drifting from one job to another and I’,d stopped going to Mass. There were only about 30 Catholics in Wirksworth and I felt very isolated. “,But when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 I was petrified that a nuclear war was going to break out, so I started going to church again. And I became immersed in the lives of the saints.”, Greg got involved with The Briars youth centre in Crich and began to feel he wascalled to the priesthood. “,The Briars was such a happy place and the priests there hada big influ ence on me. And the feeling that God was calling me to be a priest began toform in me.”, He eventually went to train for the priesthood at the Jesuit,run Campion House College in London. “,It was an extraordinary place, and it was also very tough. I was very naï,ve and pretty mixed up when I arrived. But when I left, I had changed in waysthat I could never have imagined. I owe the Jesuits and the other staff there a lot.”, The Long Road Out of Town: A Memoir is published by Milestone Books, priced £,8.99. THE LONG ROAD OUT OF TOWN: A MEMOIR Author recalls Catholic teens in Derbyshire Continued from page 1 He was reflecting on Pope Francis’, docu, ment, Evangelii Gaudium, ‘,The Joy of the Gospel,’, and urged us to see opportunities where we could show mercy to each other through kindness and understanding, “,Be the living signs of God`s love, mercy and joy in the world.", He ended his talk with a quote “,Blessed are the merciful,”, which he asked us to text to people we cared about, becoming very memorable and later trend, ing on Twitter! Renowned speaker and past Briars Team member David Wells, encouraged us to re, member that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, exactly as he wants us to be, ",God chose you! He loves you as you are and you never have to prove yourself to anyone. Today Love chooses you.”, He showed a beautiful illustration whilst explaining that Jesus didn’,t choose the most talented, the most popular or the most intelligent to be his followers, but he chose people like you and I, people who make mistakes and are just ordinary. This led into a beautifully powerful moment, as Matt Redman sung ‘,10,000 Reasons’, and asked everyone to shine the light of their phones. Thousands of lights appeared around the arena, as we were reminded to be but to be the light in the world. Throughout the day Matt Redman filled the arena with amazing music and worship that created such a spiritual, joyous atmos, phere. It was great to see young people as the face of CAFOD at Flame 2, explaining what they had learned from visiting their joint projects in Nicaragua and Zimbabwe and to encourage others to apply to spend a gap year with CAFOD’,s ‘,Step into the Gap,’, project. It was truly inspiring to hear from young people talking about ways we can actively get involved in helping others and raising awareness of the work of CAFOD and its partners. The day reached a crescendo with a bril, liant flashmob where everyone joined in a dance to Pharell Williams’, ‘,Happy’,, re, minding us all to be joyful about our faith and to share this joy with others. The Not, tingham Diocese definitely shared this joy with everyone else as we started a flash, mob of our own as Matt Redman ended the day with ‘,Dancing Generation!’, It was such an uplifting experience, and a wonderful opportunity to be able to share it not only with the youth group on retreat with us that weekend, but also with the rest of the young people from our diocese and across the UK! We are already excited for Flame 3! By Chloe Rollinson

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Page 12 The Catholic News. April 2015 THE SCHOOLS LISTED ON THIS PAGE ARE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC NEWS THE TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beechdale Road, Aspley, Notts NG8 3EZ Headteacher Mr M McKeever Telephone 0115 929 6251 The Priory Catholic Voluntary Academy Raglan Street, Eastwood, Notts NG16 3GT Headteacher Mr A Harrison Telephone 01773 713731 CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Firs Avenue, Alfreton, Derbys DE55 7EN Headteacher Mrs Carrazedo Telephone:01773 832919 Saint Thomas Catholic Primary School Church View, Allendale, Ilkeston, Derby DE7 4LF Headteacher Mr Geraghty Telephone 0115 932 0550 Saint Charles Catholic Primary School Bosworth Road, Measham, Leicester DE12 7LQ Headteacher Mrs Smith Telephone 01530 270572 Saint Joseph`s Catholic Primary School Mill Hill Lane, Derby, Derbyshire DE23 6SB Headteacher Mrs T Churchill Telephone 01332 361660 St Joseph`s Catholic Primary School Chesterfield Road, Matlock DE4 3FT Headteacher Paul Scully Telephone 01629 583616 33 Derby Road, Nottingham NG1 5AW Headteacher Mr Eastwood Tel: 0115 9418 356 “,An Independent Catholic Primary School and Nursery in the heart of the City”,. St Mary’,s Catholic Voluntary Academy Hastings Street, Loughborough LE11 5AX Headteacher Mrs A Jones Telephone 01509 212621 St Marys Catholic Primary School Longlands Road, New Mills, Derbyshire SK22 3BL Headteacher Mrs A King BEd (Hons) NPQH CCRS Telephone 01663 742412 Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School Boundary Road, Newark, Notts NG24 4PH Headteacher Mr B Doran Telephone 01636 689177 Saint Mary’,s Catholic Primary School Lowry Drive, Marple Bridge, Stockport, Cheshre SK6 5BR Headteacher Mrs F Boucher Telephone 0161 427 7498

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