The Catholic Post April 2023

Is There Another Way?

The Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Paul McAleenan, has commented on the government’s Illegal Migration Bill:

“Everyone who makes a dangerous journey across the Channel to build a better life here has a name, a face, and a story.

“People are driven from their homes by poverty, conflict, persecution, natural disasters, or other factors that prevent their flourishing. Many have links to the UK or family members already living here. Yet, far too often, there are no safe routes open to them.

“While we all wish to end dangerous Channel crossings, this new legislation treats migrants and refugees as a problem to be solved rather than brothers and sisters towards whom we

have responsibilities. Establishing more safe routes, and genuinely understanding people’s individual circumstances are essential to

meeting these.“As Christians we call for the human person, made in the image and likeness of God, to be put at the heart of public policy.”

Salford Diocese welcomes Fr Peter

dioceseofsalford.org.uk

The joyful celebration welcomed many guests,

An air of celebration filled Salford Cathedral on Saturday 25th Feb as Salford diocese welcomed a new priest.

Members of the clergy from across the diocese – as well those from further afield -joined Bishop John Arnold for the priestly ordination of Peter Hapgood-Strickland.

The joyful celebration welcomed many guests, including friends and family of Fr Peter, parishioners from the parish of Blessed Dominic Barberi in Bolton, where Fr Peter has recently been serving as deacon, as well as members of Oscott College.

Bishop John began Mass with words of gratitude to Fr Peter, saying: “Thank you for

making this an occasion we want to see more of in our diocese. Thank you for your generosity and your kindness in offering yourself for priesthood in this diocese.”

During the ceremony, Fr Peter was presented to Bishop John by Fr Michael Dolman, Rector of St Mary’s College, Oscott.

Bishop John then delivered a homily, which explored more about the role of priests in our modern-day world.

He said: “There’s a lovely image that Pope Francis uses. He used it for bishops originally but I think it applies equally well for priests too.

Continued on page 3

including friends and family of Fr Peter

Many have links to the UK or family members already living here but far too often, there are no safe routes open to them

Bishop Paul McAleenan Migrants crossing the English Channel

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“He Is Risen” – Alleluia!

Having commemorated Christ’s passion and death in Holy Week, what we then celebrate is his resurrection from the dead and his rising to new life on Easter morning

As you start reading this don’t think I’ve got my seasons mixed up; read on and hopefully it will all make sense.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (with which I am sure you are quite familiar) opens with the following statement: Marley was dead, there is no doubt whatever about that. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail… This must be distinctly understood or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.

It was only when Marley was dead and was being punished for how he had lived his life, that he was given the chance to try to save his partner Scrooge’s soul even if it was too late to save his own. It was only by being scared to death (or perhaps we should say scared by death) that Scrooge woke up to the reality of his situation and chose to do something about it – which never would have happened without that initial visit from Marley’s ghost which then set up the visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. It wasn’t a figment of Scrooge’s imagination, nor was it a dream. Within the premise of the story everything he experienced really happened, and his conversion was the wonderful result referred to by Dickens.

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten that this reflection is supposed to be about Easter. I’m coming back to that now.

Jesus had died on the cross. His death was witnessed by all the people who were present on Calvary including the Jewish authorities and his executioners, as well as his mother and a number of his followers including St John. Before his body was taken down from the cross, the gospel relates that a soldier pierced his heart with a lance to make absolutely sure he was dead. His body was then taken away and sealed in a tomb hewn from rock. There was no question but that Our Lord was dead.

St Mathew’s gospel tells us that the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate to ask him to post guards at the tomb to make sure that none of Jesus’ disciples removed his body in

order to make it look as if he had risen from the dead as he had said he would. Pilate gives his permission and so they first seal the tomb and then put the guards in place. There was, therefore, no way that Jesus or his disciples could have faked his resurrection. Indeed the disciples themselves were hiding in the upper room in the city afraid the authorities would now arrest them and have them put to death also.

When the women came to the tomb the next morning intending to carry out the anointing rites that there hadn’t been time to perform before Passover, the gospels tell us that they found the soldiers still on guard. St Matthew’s gospel says that they were about to ask the soldiers to help them open the tomb when an angel appeared to them, rolled the stone away and sat on it. The angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead and that they should return to the city and tell the disciples what has happened and that they will see Jesus there.

We have been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Our Lord – the two things are usually always mentioned together as the Catechism explains:

The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection he opens for us the way to a new life. The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross. His death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the redemption of mankind through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the sacrifice of the New Covenant which restores mankind to communion with God through the blood of the covenant which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The central point that we need to remember is made by St Anastasius of Antioch in the Office of Readings on Tuesday of Easter Week. He says:

Sacred scripture had foretold from the beginning Christ’s death and the sufferings which preceded his death. But it also

proclaims what happened to his dead body after his death, and declares that the God to whom this happened is impassible and immortal. If he really was God, then the truth of the incarnation must provide us with the reason why the Word of God, otherwise impassible, came to his passion [and death]. Indeed man could be saved in no other way. It was necessary that Christ should suffer; it was completely impossible that the passion should not take place. Christ himself affirmed this when he called slow and foolish those who did not know that the Christ had to suffer in this way and so enter his glory.

The Paschal mystery, therefore, has two aspects: by his death Christ liberates us from sin and by his Resurrection he opens for us the way to eternal life. To put it simply, Our Lord’s death on the cross had to happen so that his rising from the dead could also happen, and that is what brought those opening lines from A Christmas Carol to mind, and with one or two slight changes to the wording it could read: Jesus was dead: to begin with. There was no doubt whatsoever about that. Jesus was dead as a doornail. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come from the events we celebrate at Easter.

Having commemorated Christ’s passion and death in Holy Week, what we then celebrate is his resurrection from the dead and his rising to new life on Easter morning - which is quite rightly the most important feast day in the Church’s year, a celebration of great hope and joy, of darkness giving way to light, and of death giving way to eternal life. All of this is expressed in the Exultet of the Easter Vigil liturgy from which these lines (as in the 1974 translation) are taken:

Rejoice, heavenly powers!

Sing, choirs of angels!

Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam’s sin. This is the night when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin are restored to grace. This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. Night truly blessed when man is reconciled with God! Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night receive our evening sacrifice of praise

From the presbytery.............. by Fr Neil McNicholas

Thoughts on making a Rosary

Why buy a rosary when you can do a better job yourself? Why not encourage the art of rosary making? At Crown of Thorns we have received many beautiful homemade rosaries, handmade in various countries of the world, made of materials found abundantly in their country of origin. Tiny round shells, dried pulses and beans, or just a simple string with knots.

Westminster Abbey marks first anniversary of war on Ukraine

Westminster Abbey

Among the music was the anthem A Prayer for Ukraine, which was sung in Ukrainian by the Abbey Choir

Continued from page 1

“He said that bishops – or priests – need to be in three places at once. He needs to be ahead of the flock in his pastoral care – as a leader, as a guide, giving wisdom, encouragement, understanding; pouring out the scriptures and their understanding to those in his care: a leader.

“He needs also to be in the middle of his flock, getting to know those in his pastoral care. And in the context of the priesthood, that normally means within the parish community. Understanding where that parish is in its development. And parishes can be so different. And not just understanding the parish, but getting to know the individual parishioners, each of them on their own particular faith journey. How he might encourage each one to respond more fully to the Gospel invitation in their lives.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey on Friday, 24 February, the first anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.

The service included prayers for Ukraine and its people, and the Ambassador read the second lesson.

At the end of the service, the Ambassador laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, which stands as a tribute to all who have given their lives in the service of their country.

Among the congregation were the Ambassadors and Deputy Heads of Mission of 64 countries including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

If you are to make a rosary, why not dedicate each bead as you thread it, with an individual prayer intention. In this way you will never forget to offer prayer for deceased friends and relatives and for your own family members, and you will not be distracted from your meditation on the mysteries. Even if you fail to remember whom the individual beads are dedicated for, God will not fail to recall your requests. Spherical beads are the most comfortable to finger and, if strung and not wired, make for the most compact rosary in relation to their size. However, a wired rosary, once broken, cannot be satisfactorily mended, whereas anyone who has access to cord or string and who can tie a bowline knot, can string a rosary.

If the beads used for the ‘Paters’ or ‘Our Fathers’, are larger or of different shape than those used for the ‘Aves’ or ‘Hail Marys’, then no other separation between the beads of the decades is required. Simply thread the beads, then, with the addition of a dab of strong glue on the knot before tightening and by using rot proof or waxed cord, the rosary will last a lifetime, provided the hole in the beads is smooth.

The Holy Rosary is a powerful medium for prayer and Our Lady assures us that through its devout recitation, even wars can be stopped.

www.crownofthorns.org.uk

office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Crown of Thorns Mission of Hope

“And then a priest needs to be in a third place: he needs to be at the back of the flock, making sure no-one gets left behind, or feels rejected, no-one is any way handicapped. That they are able to stay part of the flock, and if they are having difficulty, he is there for them.

“That seems to me a remarkably good image of priesthood in this present day.

“And overwriting all of that is one word: service.”

After the homily, Fr Peter then made a promise of obedience, before prostrating himself before the altar, as a sign of his total dependence on Almighty God.

The ceremony continued as we joined our prayers with the hosts of heaven through the Litany of the Saints, and Bishop John prayed the Prayer of Consecration. Fr Peter was then vested and presented with a paten and chalice, before Bishop John led all priests in a beautiful sign of welcome.

Fr Peter will now return to his parish of Blessed Dominic Barberi, where he will continue his service as a newly-ordained member of the priesthood.

We extend our warmest welcome to Fr Peter and invite you join us as we keep him in our prayers as he begins his ministry.

Promoting the Holy Rosary in the U.K. & throughout the world to bring hope, comfort and peace to the marginalised, the oppressed and the imprisoned, enabling wounded hearts to find healing and shattered lives to find breath and space to renew.

Supporting priests and chaplains in their ministry, outreach and welfare.

Response from parish priests: “The rosary cards that you sent me have had a tremendous effect on the devotion and prayer life of the parish.”

www.crownofthorns.org.uk

email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Phone: 01342 870472

Registered charity no: 1042751

Ukrainian Ambassador lays wreath on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Image: Westminster Abbey

Prince of Wales opens new homeless projects

The Passage

The Passage can help demonstrate it is not an inevitable part of life.

On Thursday 23rd February, HRH The Prince of Wales visited The Passage to officially open two newly refurbished accommodation projects, Passage House and Bentley House.

A major capital works programme started in 2021 which has seen both buildings undergo extensive renovations. Together, they will support around 225 people who have experienced homelessness, each year.

The projects are an important part of our longterm strategy to end homelessness in London.

Passage House has 37 en-suite units and offers a rapid-response service for those who are newly homeless, aiming to reduce the instances of people becoming stuck in a street-based lifestyle. Meanwhile, Bentley House provides homes for life for 20 people who have a long history of being street homeless. While residents here live independently, they are provided with on-site support from The Passage's team of experts and volunteers.

The total cost to refurbish both projects was £9 million, which The Passage has raised from private donors and local authority grants.

During the visit, The Prince met with residents, staff and volunteers to hear about the impact the new facilities will have on those who The Passage supports. His Royal Highness also met representatives from the organisations who have funded the refurbishment, including Westminster City Council, Greater London Authority, the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, the Laing Family Trusts and the London Housing Foundation.

To mark the official opening of the two buildings, guests attended a reception at our very own events space - Cathedral Viewwhere The Prince made a short speech and unveiled two new plaques.

He said: "As Patron of The Passage, I am delighted to be with you all here today to formally launch the refurbished Passage House and the newly created Bentley House. My thanks to those who funded the refurbishment works and to those who worked tirelessly to ensure the highest standards have been achieved. I know this has been a genuine team effort.

"Both these projects give a vital route out of homelessness, ensuring those accessing these services have a place they can truly call home.

"Every time I come to The Passage I am always struck by the lasting impact of their work. The work that I have seen first-hand over many years is the reason I know that ending homelessness must be thought of as more than simply a wishful aspiration. Instead, it should be viewed as an achievable goal, one that working together we can and must accomplish.

"The Passage is taking an innovative approach to preventing homelessness - they are working collaboratively with others in society to tackle this challenge. No single organisation or sector can end homelessness; but by working together in true partnership, organisations like

"I believe this is how we can make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurrent. I am determined to play a significant role to support this becoming a reality and look forward to sharing further details later this year. I am personally more determined than ever to play my part in working with others to do all we can to stop the human tragedy that is homelessness.

Thank you once again for all coming today. And thank you to the whole team here at The Passage for their constant dedication and commitment."

Mick Clarke, Chief Executive of The Passage said: "Every day at The Passage we see people full of talent, but who have had precious little opportunity given to them. We recognise that no one in this country is

born on the streets; circumstances cause people to become street homeless. Our role is to ensure that everyone who comes to our door is given access to those opportunities; opportunities that are the fundamental right of every person in this country.

So whilst we rightly thank all those who have provided the bricks and mortar to refurbish our buildings, we also thank the many people - our supporters, volunteers, staff, and our Royal Patron, The Prince of Wales - who provide the vital ingredients of heart, soul and love which enables these projects to be not just houses, but homes."

Parish Matters

The Council and the ParishConfession or Reconciliation

A few months ago, I wrote about the effects of the Vatican Council on the parish, and considered the changes in the celebration of the Eucharist. Equally important are the changes to the sacrament of Penance. This is the one area where great change has occurred, but more by lapsing from, than participation with, the sacrament. Where once there would have been an assembly line of penitents lined up for the confessional box now there is a void. Confessions available at any time is now the routine offer.

Confession was a recipe with the reliable opening beginning with “Bless me father for I have sinned” and with a relieved ending, “for your penance say three Hail Marys.” We were taught from the catechism with numbered lists of sins beginning with the ten commandments and added to with many categories of different numerical content: seven capital sins, six sins against the Holy Ghost, four crying to heaven for vengeance, or nine ways of sharing responsibility for sin. Like a take-away meal we had a menu to choose from. We were good with numbers even if the content was forgotten. The difference between venial and mortal sin was always stressed, adding to that formation of

a good Catholic guilt. The confessional box, now often used for storage, was dramatic and dark with its curtained grill. Dialogue was not encouraged. Confession as a time of seeking counsel was never suggested, partially because of a disapproving queue of restless penitents to be faced on exit.

The Council offered three forms of the sacrament, continuation of the individual confession; a congregational penitential rite followed by individual confession to a choice and available member of clergy, or a more detailed penitential service with general absolution, (with individual confession as an option). The English Hierarchy banned the third form sometime in the 1970s and has never been restored. The availability of a number of priests following the penitential rite is failing with the falling number of clergy. The traditional form remains. One wonders if the opportunity of a direct, face-to-face form of the sacrament is universally offered to parishioners. Where is this taking us?

In the contemporary world, when people seek guidance, closure or counsel, especially when in a period of crisis, worry or grief, would a faceto-face confession play a part in recovery?

Would turning to Christ in this way be seen as a consolation, an opportunity or a way to forgiveness and a more settled spiritual life? Would all confessors be trained, prepared or even capable of such conversations in a religious setting? Could it be organised as a means of providing sucker to the afflicted? While some parishes have found space for a prayer room/confessional, how many have achieved this one can wonder.

However, the old ways could sometimes surprise. Years ago a priest of my acquaintance had a reputation as a sympathetic confessor, and told me of his experience. Sitting on a Saturday afternoon assigned to the confessional, he related that each week there was always one penitent who sought absolution after a lengthy absence, two, three or five years or more. On one afternoon, as closure time was approaching with only minutes to go, his record was about to be broken. On the stroke of time, the door creaked and the last person entered and began the time honoured formula. It was nearly thirty years since their last confession! The confessor’s record held but only in extra time.

Peter Boylan KSG

Both these projects give a vital route out of homelessness, ensuring those accessing these services have a place they can truly call home

Pope Francis sends a message to young Catholics gathered in London for the 2023 Flame Congress, and urges them to dare to be different as they walk in friendship with Christ.

The event was held 150 days before the 37th World Youth Day—to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 1-6 August 2023—under the theme “Rise Up!”, an echo of the WYD Scripture passage: “Mary arose and went with haste”.

Set free by the Gospel Pope Francis sent his greetings and encouragement to participants in the youth rally on Saturday.

In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope assured the young Catholics of his “spiritual closeness” and

‘Dare to testify to Christian ideals’ Pope’s message to young UK Catholics at 2023 Flame Congress

vaticannews.va

prayed that “Almighty God will richly bless their time together”.

He expressed his hopes that “through adoration, music, testimonies, and the sharing of friendship with Christ and with one another, all present will grow strong in faith and love and bear witness courageously to the Gospel message that sets us free.”

Beauty of generosity

The Pope also urged them to hasten to respond to the Lord’s call to follow Him, as did Mary the Mother of God.

“Dare to be different [and] point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our

personal vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship.”

Pope Francis wrapped up his message by entrusting the young English and Welsh Catholics and their families “to the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham” and offered them his “blessing as a pledge of wisdom, joy, and peace in Jesus the Lord.”

Rising up as young Catholics

According to the event’s website, Flame 2023 is an opportunity to “Rise up after the pandemic, Rise up as young Catholics, Rise up—as Mary did—for the surprising and beautiful adventure that is our Catholic faith.”

Guest speakers included Filipino-born Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and Australian-born Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth.

“Dare to be different [and] point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our personal vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship.”

Tens of thousands of young Catholics from across England and Wales gathered at the OVO Arena Wembley, in London, for the 5th CYMFed Flame Congress.

Charity concert raises almost £32,000

Friends of the Holy Land

Thanks to all that came out and attended the concert and supported this event

A recent concert organised by Friends of the Holy Land was a great success both in terms of attendance and funds generated for their mission.

The ecumenical Christian charity organised a rare evening of wonderful virtuoso singing and entertainment in Westminster Cathedral on Thursday 16 February, featuring the London Welsh Male Voice Choir, supported by The Priests, in a combined performance compered by Mal Pope of BBC Wales.

"It was a full house," said FHL Executive Director, Brendan Metcalfe. "There were over 900 people filling the Cathedral who had the rare opportunity to listen to London Welsh Male Voice Choir and The Priests in a marvellous setting with a great atmosphere.

“Our compère for the evening, Mal Pope, kept us entertained and ensured the evening ran smoothly. It was a great privilege to have the generous support of these magnificent talents as well as the Cathedral team and the many volunteers so generous with their time, to make the event a great success.

“As a result, the concert has generated funds of almost £32,000 from the ticket sales, donations and other income on the night and spread awareness of the essential mission of Friends of the Holy Land to many new contacts - as over half the people in the audience were previously unknown to us.

"I thank all that came out and attended the concert and supported this event. My question for them is – What next? I hope they will register to receive our news and keep up to date with the daily challenges faced by our

brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, which are getting worse; thereby they can spread the news to their friends and local community so the ‘living stones’ are not forgotten.

"I also apologise for the shortage of concert brochures on the night, we have a very small

staff and there was a last-minute problem with delivery. Should you wish to have a copy now please email the office office@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk and provide your address or call 01926 512980 and we will send one to you.”

Notre Dame Week Celebrations

Diocese of Leeds, Education

A week to remember at Notre Dame in Leeds

Please help the victims of the earthquake in northern Syria – where ACN is working with project partners to deliver emergency aid and provide food, blankets, medicine and shelter for those who have lost everything. Syria does not have the infrastructure to cope with this disaster – so please give whatever you can a昀ord! They need our prayers and support at this time.

As part of our recent Notre Dame Week, students of Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College organised a variety of charitable activities, as well as a student-led service.

All our tutor groups competed to see who could collect the most items for the St Vincent’s Centre foodbank in Leeds. They thought about the food most needed, such as breakfast cereals, tea bags, tinned fruit and vegetables, rice, and pasta sauce.

The winning tutor group received free hash browns from our canteen. Congratulations to Pauline Trusselle’s group L6F9-PTR3, led by lower sixth student rep Aparna Syam.

Two other tutor groups put together such lovely food hampers that our Head of Catholic Life Catherine Herring brought them each a box of biscuits.

On Notre Dame Day, the college sports teams captains hosted a Fun Sports Skills Team ND Challenge. This included a penalty shoot out, cross bar challenge, basketball free throw challenge, table tennis targets, a netball challenge, and

many more. The overall winner was awarded a Team ND Hoody. This event was in aid of the Rob Burrows MND charity, with a suggested 50p donation to enter. £59 was raised.

On the same day, a group of thoughtful and determined students led a service in our chapel. Aimee Dixon sang In Christ Alone, Cornelius Shepherd told those gathered the story of the order of Notre Dame de Namur, and Michael Anyoka read from the Gospel of Luke. This was followed by Vanessa Freitas Do Espirito Santo who commented on the scripture, then a prayer from Annabel James, and finally Aimee sang again.

Thank you to all staff and students who made this such a week to remember, and ensured that our celebrations reflected Notre Dame’s Catholic ethos.

Honoured with the Bene Merenti

liverpoolcatholic.org.uk

Pope Francis to make Apostolic Journey to Hungary

vaticannews.va

Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to the European nation of Hungary from 28 to 30 April, marking his 41st Journey abroad, where he will follow a busy itinerary in the country's capital of Budapest.

In a statement from Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni announced on Monday: "Accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesial Authorities, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Hungary from 28 to 30 April 2023, visiting the city of Budapest."

The papal visit will mark Pope Francis' 41st Apostolic Journey abroad.

During his three-day journey, the Pope will visit with refugees and poor people, as well as with children of the Blessed László BatthyányStrattmann Institute.

As is customary, the Holy Father will address authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps; young people; bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers; and representatives of the academic and cultural world.

More than half of Hungarians are Christian, and at least 37 percent of the population identify as Catholic.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, nearly 1 million Ukrainian nationals have travelled through Hungary as refugees, according to local sources.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Joyous celebration of 70th anniversary

Wrexham Clarion

The Carmelite Community of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Peace joyously celebrated the 70th anniversary of religious Profession of Sister Eileen John of the Cross. The Bishop Peter Brignall presided over the Eucharist concelebrating with priests of the diocese. Sister’s close relatives from England and Ireland and friends of the monastery also attended and joined in the celebrations.

Sister had originally entered the Congregation of the Retreat, Bruges, and later answered the Lord’s call to the contemplative cloistered life of Carmel. She entered in Birmingham and later joined our Carmel here in Dolgellau when her Carmel closed. Sister is such a gift to our Community, and held the Office of Prioress, always generously sharing her many talents,

Jubilee of Sister Eileen John of the Crossat the Carmelite Monastery, Dolgellau in particular in writing, gardening, sewing, and archive work along with her versatility in being available for any Community needs. Jubilate Deo!

Congratulations to Ian Robinson on receiving the papal honour ‘Bene Merenti’ for his long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church.

For many years, Ian has been the honorary Grounds Maintenance Manager at Our Lady and All Saints Church in Parbold, West Lancashire and would be the first to say that the honour should be shared with his team of nine volunteers, but for many years, Ian has been the guide, leader and inspiration for all the extensive and varied work that needs to be carried out.

He has organised tree maintenance and felling, civil engineering work to repair and rebuild the flood damaged river retaining walls, Japanese Knotweed eradication, as well as the day to day upkeep of the church grounds and cemetery.

The grounds provide a wonderful and peaceful place for quiet prayer and reflection and are highly valued not only by the parishioners of Our Lady and All saints, but also by the wider community of Parbold and beyond.

Ian’s devoted and diligent work over twenty years has been outstanding, and his Papal Award from Pope Francis is richly deserved.

The medal was awarded to Ian by Bishop Tom Neylon, who was conducting his visitation to the parish, and was joined by Parish priest, Father Leo Daley, and Ian’s family and close friends who were in the congregation for Mass.

A top five Catholic Prep School

“Winterfold House School is an outstanding smaller Prep School with a long and peripatetic Catholic heritage”

Small classes and inspirational teaching

Highest standards of pastoral care

Please contact Admissions to 昀nd out about joining Winterfold at any age from baby to Year 8

Indvidual visits always welcome

He would be the first to say that the honour should be shared with his team of nine volunteers

More than half of Hungarians are Christian, and at least 37 percent of the population identify as Catholic

Carbon Neutral Church Heating

At

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Dear Editor

The Vatican has said the Catholic church can’t bless same-sex unions, as God “does not bless sin” and in response to a question put to them about whether priests can bless gay couples, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), published a decree saying that such blessings “cannot be considered licit”. The response was approved by Pope Francis, who last year endorsed same - sex civil unions in an interview for a documentary film.

The church seems to be softening its stance against the LGBTQ community but the experience of LGBTQ parishioners is quite ambiguous and can vary widely across dioceses and parishes. Many Catholic communities reach out to LGBTQ members to offer as full a welcome as possible within the limits of a Church policy whereas other parish communities have denied membership to LGBTQ individuals and families. It’s about time the church sorted this out. Are LGBTQ parishioners welcome in the Catholic Church or are they not. If they are then please tell the bishops to inform the clergy.

Name and address supplied

Dear Editor

I see in reading ‘Parish Matters’ (March edition of The Catholic Post) Willie Slavin mentioned that the headline ‘A relational church is needed now, more than ever’ in the February issue caught his interest for a number of reasons, not least because of the reference to the influence of Together for the Common Good (T4CG) organisation whose inaugural conference in 2011 he was privileged to attend.

I can supply a little more information which your readers might find interesting. Over two decades, Liverpool's Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops David Sheppard and Derek Worlock forged a celebrated partnership, emerging as trusted community leaders. Along with Free Church leaders, they played a key role in bridging the city's divides and strengthening social trust. The two bishops were held in deep affection by the people they served. In a time of division and political instability, they set aside their differences and worked together for the good of the city. Alongside communities, they contributed to the renewal of civic pride. While our own times

Cardinal Nichols gives Loyal Address to King Charles III

Bea’s Beaus, or INFANTICIDE A Novella

“Get on your knees,” I said. “That’s it. Never mind the litter on the carpet, just push it to one side. Good. Now, you’re to take my right hand…”

He knelt, he took the paw, as per instruction...

“Now, repeat after me. ‘I love you, Beatrice, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the inexpressible honour of consenting to be my wife…?’”

I stopped dead at that point. I think it was articulating the word “wife” that did it. What a wonderful little word that is! The thought that I might myself actually be one… It was too much. Fred was still on his knees, awaiting the rest of his instructions. They didn’t come…

This romantic and poetic story with its pro-life theme can be yours absolutely free, post-free, if you promise to pass it on when finished with. Help build an intelligent prolife culture!

Joseph Biddulph, 32 Stryd Ebeneser, Pontypridd CF37

5PB. E-mail: Joseph.Biddulph@gmail.com

YOUR PEST, OUR PROBLEM.

May God bless Your Majesty and your

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has given a Loyal Address to King Charles III ahead of his coronation in May.

The full text is below:

Your Majesty, On behalf of the Catholic community in England and Wales, I thank you for the privilege of offering you this expression of our highest esteem for Your Majesty and our assurance of loyalty to you in your service of our nations.

In doing so I assure you that there remains in our hearts a most special place for our late Queen Elizabeth. She is remembered in our prayers, with thanksgiving to God for the remarkable and unique role she played not only in the great events of the last 95 years but also in the lives of so many individuals and communities. We pray that she now has an everlasting place in heaven, embraced by the splendour and glory of God, to whom she was so devoted.

Your Majesty, we rejoice in your Accession. For so many years we have observed your

desire and unstinting efforts to explore and enhance the well-being of the entire human family, through your commitment to religious faith, to the protection of the environment, to the relief of poverty, to the promotion of beauty in architecture and living conditions, and your steadfast opposition to religious persecution.

Your Majesty, at this solemn moment I wish to assure you that the Catholic community is profoundly supportive of these fundamental concerns. We strive to offer to our society, Your Kingdom, an education to young people that is rooted in faith and its consequent commitment to human dignity, expressive of service to those most in need and inspired by a vocational call to contribute to the common good and a shared prosperity.

Our faith demands that we have a particular concern for the fate and future of those fleeing violence and poverty, for those trapped in human trafficking and modern slavery, for those dedicated by their profession to the service of the sick and poor, among whom are many Catholics from numerous countries of the world. The Catholic community in our nations today draws together and holds

demand new approaches, we find in their story of unity an inspiration, not just for church leaders but for everyone. T4CG was founded by Jenny Sinclair, Bishop Sheppard's daughter.

Name and address supplied

Dear Editor

Thank you for your very prompt reply to my query regarding despatch of the Catholic Post.

I’m sorry not to have included my address, which I have now sent you.

I am relieved that the delay was down to my fault; I was hoping it was not caused by difficulties getting the paper up and running.

I made my subscription to support your project, much needed in our increasingly humanistic society.

May God bless you all in your endeavours. May you have every success.

Fr.Anthony McLaughlin Blackburn

together in a common faith people from different nationalities, languages, cultures and customs, helping them to find a settled way of life here and to be generous contributors to the common good. Our parishes and communities are places of rich human diversity, outreach and profound communion.

When you addressed faith leaders in September last year, you told us that 'the beliefs that flourish in, and contribute to, our richly diverse society differ. They, and our society, can only thrive through a clear collective commitment to those vital principles of freedom of conscience, generosity of spirit and care for others which are, to me, the essence of our nationhood.' These are values that the Catholic Church holds dear indeed.

Your Majesty, as you approach the solemn moment of your Coronation, and in all the kingly service that you will continue to give in the years to come, I assure you, with great confidence, of the support and prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales. May God bless Your Majesty and your Queen Consort, preserve you both in health of mind and body and grant you every grace and blessing now and for the years to come.

HE Cardinal Vincent Nichols

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I assure you, with great confidence, of the support and prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales.

Queen Consort

CBCEW

St Bernadette UK Relic Tour Legacy Film is launched

birminghamdiocese.org.uk

The St Bernadette Relic Tour Team have released a fantastic new legacy film to commemorate 2022’s hugely successful visit.

The Relic Tour reached 1 in 4 UK Catholics, with many thousands of people actively participating in the visit.

On Thursday 1 September 2022, the relics of St Bernadette Soubirous began a 11,500-mile journey from the Sanctuary in Lourdes to UK churches, cathedrals, a hospital and one prison, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to people of all faiths and none to visit the saint’s sacred relics at one of 52 public venues.

The UK Tour marked the very first time that St Bernadette’s relics had visited the UK, with thousands of people across three nations journeying in prayer to be part of the experience. A quarter of a million people participated in the pilgrimage, with 1 in 4 UK Catholics visiting the relics in person during the two-month tour and many more participating in prayer services, vigils, and special masses, online.

The life and legacy of St Bernadette has touched the lives of many millions of people across the world; 160 years after the first

Frank Goulding

Earlier this year a very successful British company gave time and space to publicly admit some failure instead of promoting its success.

The area of “failure” was not lack of sales or financial profit, but its number of employee’s who had suffered injury despite a mission statement on health and safety. The company regards itself as a worldwide “family” but now freely admits on safety it is time to act in a different and more human way.

In last months article I gave reference to all the missionary activity of our Church. This is often conducted in areas of the world which are highly dangerous and last year 18 missionaries were to lose their own life whilst serving communities living in poverty not least the plight of many children. Despite all these dangers we read of the many vocations to the priesthood or

pilgrimages to Lourdes began it remains one of the busiest Christian pilgrimage sites in the world with the Catholic Church acknowledging 70 miracles as having taken place there.

One visitor to the relics said: “We are all here for different reasons, but we are all [experiencing] the wonder of St Bernadette, and that brings hope.”

More than 500kg of prayer cards, written by UK pilgrims visiting St Bernadette’s relics, were delivered to the Grotto in Lourdes by Relic Tour drivers Gerry O’Malley and Bob Lavery at the close of the pilgrimage in October.

To commemorate the visit and to offer a small glimpse of the many graces made possible

during the pilgrimage, the team behind the Relic Tour have released a special legacy film on YouTube.

A spokesperson from the Relic Tour Team said: “The arrival of St Bernadette’s relics to the UK was a great blessing particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, offering a spiritually enriching opportunity for people in England, Scotland and Wales to gather together at churches and cathedrals across three nations. We hope that this short film encourages people to reflect on the message of St Bernadette and consider visiting Lourdes themselves in the future.”

To watch, google YouTube St Bernadette UK Relic Tour.

consecrated life by those who not only proclaim the Gospel but live their lives assisting in providing food and medicine to those in greatest need. In these days of natural disasters their health and safety guide will incorporate a mission that all of Faith do the work of God.

So as Western Europe copes with fewer vocations what is the way forward? Perhaps like that British company we need to admit our past failures and admit we have got things wrong, even if they are deeply personal.

If this British company prides itself as being a “worldwide family” then so should we even if we are unable to visit many other parishes. David Wells a noted speaker and evangelist now living in Devon spoke recently to a “full house” of the Catholic Community in Nottinghamshire to which I belong. During a weekend retreat he gave simple but highly relevant guidance.

David urged his congregations to be proactive as we look to the future. “Life’s challenges are personal and we need to start our journey of change with ourselves.” Groups then were given time to share their own opinions and experiences. These proved to be both valuable and what is perhaps more important actually interesting.

David’s most important message was a reminder that we are ALL “Easter People” which enables us to be emboldened by “God’s generous love to strengthen our resolve in facing life’s challenges. Working and sharing together is surely our way forward.

A Happy Easter to all readers.

The arrival of St Bernadette’s relics to the UK was a great blessing particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic

Shrines in England

consolation.org.uk

Our Lady of Consolation West Grinstead

at near-by Horsham finally succumbed to their demands and the Carylls were ousted. However, before their final departure (in the first-place to the Continent, then onwards to many other countries) the Carylls made provision for the remaining Catholic flock at West Grinstead.

Inspired by his bishop, Mgr. Denis straightway began to make improvements. He opened a school for poor children in a wooden stable behind the House, which soon grew to accommodate 100 children. He also made plans for the building of the new church.

THE SHRINE

THE PRIEST’S HOUSE

Firstly, the Priest’s House was endowed to the Catholic Church via Bishop Richard Challoner (1691-1781), in order that Mass could continue to be offered for the people of the locality.

The first Catholic Shrine in honour of Our Lady to be established in England since before the Reformation, is to be found in West Sussex, just a few miles south of the market town of Horsham and close to the busy A24 London to Worthing Road: The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation.

The so-called Priest’s House belonged to the Carylls and was part of the West Grinstead estate. There is no record of exactly when it was built, but it was quite possibly in existence from the early years of the 16th century. Originally just a Crofter’s cottage, it is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied Catholic presbytery in England. It came to be known euphemistically as ‘the little cottage in the forest’, and was one of many ‘safe houses’ where priests and seminarians could find, not just Catholic hospitality, but the opportunity of hiding, should militia, magistrates or other suspicious persons be in pursuit. The cottage originally consisted of one room on each of the ground and first floors. Here priests would live disguised as local stockmen (shepherds). Under the thatched roof the Caryll family provided the priest with a hayloft; and hidden within that loft was a tiny chapel for the priest’s personal devotions.

The River Adur runs about a quarter of a mile to the south of the Priest’s House and was often used as a means of transport by people, including priests travelling incognito, travelling between London and the Continent. There is no evidence that any priest was ever captured at West Grinstead (the very fact that the House has survived is itself proof of that); but it is not possible to speak with certainty of the many who undoubtedly used the House as a refuge. (Written records were not kept for obvious reasons of security and anonymity.)

During these early years, the Faithful would have been encouraged to attend Mass in the chapel that was part on the ground floor of the Manor-house in West Grinstead Park.

Secondly, the south side of the Priest’s House was extended; and behind a typical 18th century domestic exterior, a church was created. Bishop Challoner made a visitation to the West Grinstead Mission in 1741 and recorded that he had found 80 Catholics at Mass.

It was at this time that the old hayloft was removed and the present small chapel created in its place. So it is that West Grinstead can claim to have celebrated the Mass continuously since the time that saints Augustine, Wilfrid and Cuthman first brought the Faith to Sussex.

THE END OF PENAL DAYS

Although the history of this Catholic Mission goes back to the days of Henry VIII, the Shrine to Our Lady of Consolation of West Grinstead is comparatively recent. With the departure of the Carylls in the late 18th century, there was little local financial support. So from 1876, Mgr. Denis begged the necessary funds, not only locally, but also in France, Belgium and Holland, to enable the building of the fine late 19th century ‘Gothic’ church that is here.

To a passer-by, an imposing Victorian Gothicstyled church, built in a relatively isolated rural location might seem odd. But the reason for its existence lies in the story of the brave Catholics who continued to live and celebrate the Catholic Faith after 1534 and Henry VIII’s tyrannical oppression and brutal persecution. The inspiration and courage of the local Catholic community lay in the support of the Caryll family. Long-established in the area, the Carylls owned a swathe of houses and farms, stretching from the eastern end of Hampshire, through to central Sussex. This devout Catholic family had given many of its sons and daughters to the Church as priests and Religious; and from 1534 had created a long line of devoted priests who, supported by this family, played their part in keeping the Catholic faith alive here in recusant times, through the temporal and spiritual care provided by the West Grinstead Mission.

Particularly during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, persecution of loyal Catholics was vicious and normally resulted in execution (martyrdom). However, after the persecutions that followed the Titus Oates plot in 1680, the death penalty for being a priest was removed. Instead the laity were targeted; and unscheduled fines and taxes were imposed on Catholics and their civil rights removed. Sadly, almost all the remaining Catholic families conformed. However, not the Carylls, who stayed faithful to the Old Religion and to the Stuart monarchy. They were continuously harassed; and eventually became impoverished, losing all their houses, lands and possessions.

The Carylls were particularly harassed by a virulent local Protestant family, who greatly coveted West Grinstead Park. The Magistrates

The departure of the Caryll family and the Franciscan priests who had mostly served the Mission, was timed with the arrival of French émigré priests – who had fled to this country from the French Revolution. Sadly, in the early years of the 19th century, Catholicism in West Grinstead declined. Thankfully, for all English Catholics, emancipation was finally decreed by English law in 1829. The Bishops of England and Wales were reinstated in 1850: West Grinstead falling within the Southwark Diocese.

The parish was at a low when Mgr. Jean Marie Denis was appointed as its priest in 1863. He also was originally from Brittany in France. With the encouragement of the first reestablished Bishop of Southwark – Bishop Thomas Grant and after him, Bishop James Dannell – Mgr. Denis set about the revival of West Grinstead in a remarkable way; and it once more took a lively part in the story of the Catholic Church in Sussex. Shortly after Mgr. Denis’ arrival, Bishop Thomas Grant made an Episcopal Visitation to West Grinstead. Despite the declined numbers, the bishop gave great encouragement when he said, “This mission has nothing to fear – it has seen far harder times than these. It has protectors in heaven and you will see at West Grinstead things that will surprise you”.

Santuario della Consolata, Turin, Italy

Rome had agreed from the outset that this church should be built as a Shrine ‘in honour of Our Lady and in thanksgiving for the restitution of the Catholic Faith to England’. When choosing a title, Mgr. Denis reverted to a well-established devotion to Our Lady which has its origin at Turin in northern Italy. The West Grinstead shrine to Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead, was founded by Pope Leo XIII with the Episcopal approval of Bishop Grant. The ceremony of crowning was performed before a great crowd of pilgrims on 12th July, 1893 by the Papal Delegate, Bishop Butt, representing the Holy See and Pope Leo XIII.

Our Lady of Consolation of West Grinstead: Have pity on us.

SHRINE PRAYER

O God, who through the Virgin Mary has willed to give to your people the true consolation, Jesus Christ; grant to us who venerate her, under the title of Our Lady of Consolation, the grace to co-operate with her in the work of Redemption, we ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of Consolation of West Grinstead, Have pity on us. St Francis of Assisi, Pray for us. Blessed Francis Bell, Pray for us.

Pope Francis confers Ministry of Reader on Cardiff Cathedral Parishioner

birminghamdiocese.org.uk

Reaching out to Mothers and Children

REACH (Reaching East Africa’s Children) a small charity is making a huge difference to the lives of women and children in Uganda. Established in 2002 and formerly called Bury African Outreach it has had a recent change of name as Chair of the charity Lydia Demetriou now lives in Marple and is a member of the Parish of St Mary’s church, Marple Bridge, Stockport which is part of the Nottingham Diocese. The charity raises funds to support the care and education of vulnerable children in Uganda and was very active during the Pandemic in supplying emergency food to those in need. One of the current projects called, ‘The Joy of Learning’, delivers basic education to the poorest of children living in one of the slums of Uganda’s capital (Kampala) in an informal setting. The ‘Joy of Learning’ is an interim project to educate these children until sponsorship can be found for them to attend formal education. REACH is restarting a project (Post Pandemic) linking groups of women in the UK and Uganda with the aim of improving quality of life, developing and learning new skills and empowering women so

that they are better able to support their families in the long term.

The charity had a big fund raising concert on 3rd March 2023 at Marple Sports and Cricket Club which raised over £1,750.00 with over 100 people supporting the event. The concert featured Taylor Giacoma, singer/songwriter. Raintown Seers, Americana, roots and blues, Lazlo Baby, world music, ska, punk and folk. Everyone had a great evening and the money raised will go towards funding a doctor in Uganda to train as a gynaecologist as there are few gynaecologists and many women with birth injuries go untreated. The rest of the money raised will fund the education projects and a meal for the children who often go hungry.

If you would like to REACH out to Uganda and join with the charity in making life easier for women and children then please see the website where you can make a donation. www.reach-children-uganda.org.uk.

On Sunday 22nd January, the Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis conferred the Ministry of Reader on John Fellows, a parishioner of St. David’s Cathedral, Cardiff. John was one of only three people to be formally instituted as Readers at at a Mass in St. Peter’s, Rome, on Sunday morning. Pope

Francis opened the Ministries of Reader and Catechist up to lay men and women two years ago. Previously, only those in formation for the Priesthood were formally and universally instituted with these ministries. However, the Holy Father opened this formal conferral to lay men and women in 2021.

Since 1955, the Carmelite Shrine of Saint Jude has been dedicated to the Apostle of Hope. Pilgrims find it to be a place of prayer, peace, and hope. All are welcome.

The Shrine also sends out a newsletter four times a year called ‘Carmelite News’ for pilgrims near and far. ‘Carmelite News’ includes reflections, prayers, novenas, details of our Guild and Three Societies (Saint Jude, Little Flower, and Infant of Prague), news on the British Province and Carmelites around the world – plus much more. All are welcome to receive.

Please visit our website: www.stjudeshrine.org.uk/newsletter, or write to: Carmelite Friars, PO Box 289, FAVERSHAM, Kent, ME13 3BZ, or call: 01795 539 214 to find out more and/or to receive the newsletter.

Children saying their prayers before the meal provided by REACH

REACH

The charity raises funds to support the care and education of vulnerable children in Uganda and was very active during the Pandemic in supplying emergency food to those in need

Making a Retreat

dioceseofsalford.org.uk

Match of the Day at Our Lady's

liverpoolcatholic.org.uk

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Prescot featured on BBC’s Match of the Day on Sunday 19February. Over the last two years the school has been part of the ‘Game On’ programme run by the LFC Foundation and Nike to provide all children across Merseyside with free sport opportunities, including sports such as netball, tennis, athletics and many more.

Rylee Foster enjoyed the visit and said, ‘It’s really amazing to me just to be able to do something that I never really had growing up. I like how I can come in and talk about different things and excite them all a bit –that is what means the most to me.’

A retreat can be an opportunity to get away from the stress and anxiety of daily life and spend time praying, reflecting, and deepening one’s relationship with God. It can also be a time for renewal, as when Jesus takes the disciples away to spend some quality time with them, just Him and them together. But a retreat may also be a following of Jesus into the desert, when He was led there by the Spirit away from all distractions, with the specific focus of discernment of His Father’s will (Matthew 4:1 & Luke 4:1).

Retreats can take on many forms from: Private retreats (1:1 between the director and the person)

Group retreats (many participants on the same retreat e.g. Parish)

Silent Retreats

Preached retreats (Themed talks by the director)

Individually guided retreats – the person meets with the director once a day (this can happen within the setting of both a Private or a Group retreat experience)

Days of Recollection

Open Door Retreats

Retreats in Daily Life (Weeks of Guided Prayer)

The retreat may have a program or a theme, with talks or relevant Scripture passages for reflection and meditation. The length of a retreat can also vary, from half a day, weekends, a week or even up to 30 days (for the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius).

Retreats can take place in a parish setting or at a retreat centre.

St Joseph's Prayer Centre

The Prayer Centre is situated in beautiful grounds surrounded by the National Trust nature reserve, in Merseyside. Woodland and coastal walks can be taken directly from the centre with the award winning beach and Irish Sea just 10 minutes’ walk away.

Our tranquil setting in a peaceful and beautiful location provides a place to pray, space to think and time to meet. We offer a programme of organised retreats, workshops or courses from group days and overnight retreats, along with the opportunities for spiritual direction and personal quiet days. We also offer couple and addiction counselling.

We warmly invite everyone to share times of prayer and reflection with us. St Joseph’s Prayer Centre is keen to be a resource for the local community where together, we can respond to the Lord’s invitation, "Come aside... to a quiet place, and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31)

For further information please contact us; Telephone - 01704 875850

The feature covered a visit to the school by Liverpool players Fabio Carvalho and Rylee Foster who spoke with the pupils and took part in training in a number of sports. Fabio said of the pupils, ‘I just hope that they have fun and that they cherish this moment. I hope that they learn something so that they come to school each day and enjoy taking part in football, basketball and different activities to improve both mentally and physically’.

Head teacher, Haydn Boyle, praised the benefits of the scheme saying, ‘all children really want to be something and do something with their lives. Coming out of the years of the pandemic mental health has really been affected for children in schools and now they’ve got a chance to be inspired by someone coming in and working with them showing what they can do and what they can be’.

Previous visitors to the school under the ‘Game On’ programme include World and Commonwealth games heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

CELEBRATION FOR THE MAN WHO COULD BE ENGLAND’S NEXT SAINT

John Bradburne held Buckfast Abbey as a special place in his heart, as this was where he converted to Catholicism.

The Cause for Beatification for Bradburne is now in full swing and he is likely to become England’s next Saint. This is a rare opportunity to learn about Bradburne’s Saintly life and meet the people making this happen.

The John Bradburne Memorial Society will be hosting an event at Buckfast Abbey, South Devon on Saturday 10th June 2023 at 12 noon, to commemorate his 102nd Birthday. This ticketed event will involve a Mass, lunch, talks, music and an exhibition.

“We are delighted, said the Abbot David Charlesworth OSB, to be able to host this event and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible.”

Please note this is a ticketed event so if you would like to attend, please contact JBMS: 07979 187498 or info@johnbradburne.com

Tickets are available on the JBMS website www.johnbradburne.com

And he said to them, ‘Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that there was no time for them even to eat. So, they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.

(Mark 6:31)

‘All children really want to be something and do something with their lives’

World Book Day Celebrated at Saint Paul’s

Students at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester took part in the biggest celebration of books and reading in the world when they participated in a fantastic World Book Day.

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. A main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading.

With the aim of inspiring and developing their students’ interest in reading, the school organised a series of reading related activities including a book quiz, puzzles, The World Book Day Big Book Quiz and a “Guess how many books there are in the Library” competition.

There were some very nice treats for the winners of the competitions.

“World Book Day is the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of reading for pleasure and engage our students in reading activities,” explained Ms Irena Savova, the school librarian. “The students become engrossed in the various competitions and activities and we

know from past experience that the events will encourage them to further develop their love of reading. As well as the activities mentioned above, we will also be rewarding the students who have read 1,000,000 words (or very close to a million).”

“This year, we are excited that the celebrations will continue during March with a visit to the Forum library on 17th March and Tom Palmer visiting St. Paul's on 22nd March."

Mr Jamie Sharrock, English teacher and Saint Paul’s literacy coordinator, said: “Research shows that teenagers who pick up a book for pleasure are more likely to succeed in life. The aim of World Book Day is to inspire people to read, it is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and the students enjoy participating in the event.”

“Reading is vital to young people’s development; it develops the mind and imagination and allows the reader to discover new things,” commented Headteacher, Mr Alex Hren at Saint Paul’s. “Reading should be viewed as a real pleasure and we see World Book Day as a great way for us to encourage our students to read and enjoy more books.”

URGENT Stop young people from falling back into homelessness

The cost-of-living crisis is pushing young people back into homelessness – shattering their chances and wrecking their futures. Young people who have found safety and are making a new start with support from Depaul UK, are now struggling to keep their lives on track. We’ve never seen things so bad. There are many young people not eating properly or heating their rooms, going without basic items of clothing and toiletries, and unable to afford fares to college or work. They’re desperate to cover their rent and stay in their homes.

If these young people return to life on the streets, they are in danger of losing all hope of a better future.

Please donate today

to help a young person pay for essential needs – from energy for cooking and heating to toilet rolls, toothpaste, milk and bread.

Your donation will protect a young person from falling back into homelessness.

You can also donate by cheque, made payable to ‘Depaul UK’, please send to Freepost RTXK–XRRE–AHLC, Depaul UK, Sherborne House, 34-36

Research shows that teenagers who pick up a book for pleasure are more likely to succeed in life

Our Global Community

African Synod: Unity,

against

silence" that allows all participants to express their opinions openly and honestly.

The African Synod on Synodality Assembly taking place in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) entered the second working session as Prayers, Reflection, Spiritual Conversation and sharing on Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) remained key items on the delegates' programme.

The first item on the agenda was the Eucharist which was presided over by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, the Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda.

The Cardinal opened up the day by reminding the participants of the need to foster listening. He expressed regrets saying, "We don't listen to each other despite the means of communication we have."

Cardinal Kambanda who gave the homily during the morning Holy Mass said "the most precious gift that God gave to humanity is the word and the word realizes its objective and has sense when it is listened to. We need to listen to this word of God to live to receive his divine life.

The Local Ordinary of Kigali Archdiocese lamented that "today there are a lot of means of communication but it is the period that communication is at its lowest stage because we don't listen to each other despite the means of communication that we have."

After the recap of the experience and process of the previous day, the bulk of the morning of the second working day of the Continental Synodal Assembly was dedicated to the practice of spiritual conversation: the method presented at the beginning of the assembly aimed at fostering listening to the Holy Spirit and mutual listening among the participants.

Introducing the morning's proceedings and providing a guide to reading the DCS was Fr Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar. He first invited the participants to recognize their common baptismal dignity. Baptism, the Jesuit recalled, "is our founding identity, which qualifies us to participate in the life and mission of the Church, in communion, sharing and dialogue with people of all denominations". He then recalled that the heart of spiritual conversation "is prayer and

Referring then to the invitation to "widen the space of the tent", Fr Orobator recalled how the image of the tent taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah can be compared to the African Tukul, the house par excellence consisting of a roof, walls and a central pole. Whether it is a tent or a Tukul, "the Churchhouse has no doors that close, but a perimeter that continually widens". It is "a tent, a family where everyone can find a place and a home." Finally, the Jesuit repeatedly recalled how "this is a time to thank God who has brought us together, guided by the Spirit of God. This is a time to rejoice: let us not allow the weeds to hinder us; let us allow the spirit to lead us forward.

During the afternoon session, 15 spiritual conversation groups presented summary reports of discussions in their respective groups. Various groups proposed unity, fight against poverty, fight against social equality, neocolonialism as some of the priority areas the synod Fathers need to focus on during the synodal process.

The Church as the family of God called to evangelize through formation. A well-formed family will ensure the society is good and grows according to African values.

The groups vouched for synodal Church as a family of God with defined roles and responsibilities that promote African values and ameliorate the structural governance of the Church family of God by empowering the laity through formation.

Synodality invites us to journey together and not to walk alone by the diversity of our cultures. Africa is called to examine all mechanisms put in place to ensure journeying together is a reality.

Synodality invites us to a profound conversion. This can be achieved through a respect of African values in which the family can play a major role. African voices need to be taken into consideration in the decision making process of the Church.

The groups stressed the need for a family centered understanding of synodality and promotion of African values and a holistic catechism for all.

Catholic bishops have called on Nigerians not to turn to violence following disputes over the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election which elected Bola Tinubu.

As well as appealing for calm and restraint, a statement from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, signed by its president, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, addressed concerns about the credibility of the elections held recently.

In the message Archbishop Ugorji wrote: "We appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm, lawabiding and fervent in prayers."

Warning of rising tension, the bishops stressed the need for authorities to properly investigate worries about the electionswhich have led to the main opposition groups, Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, disputing Mr Tinubu's victory and calling for a fresh round of voting.

"In particular, we urge the leaders of political parties to exercise restraint, while we all give INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) the time to prove that it is still worthy of our trust.

"At this time, when the nation is standing at the edge of a dangerous precipice, INEC must live above board to avoid plunging the nation into an avoidable crisis."

Addressing concerns over the voting process, the bishops continued: "Unfortunately, the experience of many voters on the Election Day were a far cry from the hitch-free exercise that was repeatedly promised."

Cross on altar of church in Nigeria © ACN

According to internal electoral observers, led by Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, polling stations opened late and a new electronic system designed to make public the results from each polling area suffered severe delays - with thousands of results not being uploaded to the platform.

The electoral observers stated: "The combined effect of these problems disenfranchised Nigerian voters in many areas, although the scope and scale is currently unknown."

Writing on behalf of the bishops, Archbishop Ugorji said: "There is, therefore, palpable tension in the air and agitations not just by some political parties but by a cross-section of the Nigerian population. We, therefore, urge the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly take adequate steps to address the issues of concern in order to diffuse the tension and in the interest of the common good.

"No matter how long it takes, INEC has to ensure that it does the right thing now to ensure that the sanctity of the collective will of the electorate is not violated, so as to restore the confidence of the citizenry in our government and its institutions. As the saying goes, it is no use running when one is on the wrong road."

According to INEC, Mr Tinubu received 8,794,726 votes, ahead of his main challenger Atiku Abubakar who came second with 6,984,520.

Pope Francis applauds women on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, I think of all women: I thank them for their commitment to building a more humane society, through their ability to grasp reality with a creative eye and a tender heart.” Pope Francis said this during his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican, recalling that the international Day is being commemorated on 8 March, stressing,”This is a privilege of women alone!’’

fight

poverty, social equality, neocolonialism first main concerns

Bishops appeal for peace as Nigeria stands on 'edge of a dangerous precipice'

“We don't listen to each other despite the means of communication we have."

John Newton- ACN

“We appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm, law-abiding and fervent in prayers."

Book Reviews Book Reviews

Journeying Together

By Joseph D Cortis & Pia Matthews £11.95

Product Code: 1921

ISBN NO:9780852316269

www.rpbooks.co.uk

Journeying Together

offers practical information and hints which helped its authors and contributors to accompany someone with dementia. Having 'been there', they know that you don't have the time, energy - or courage - to cope with unnecessary complications. Journeying Together, is, therefore, a resource of accompaniment and solidarity on a journey which teaches 'a different kind of loving'.

Let’s Go Home

By Jackie Day £3.95

Product Code: 1937

ISBN NO:9780852316214

www.rpbooks.co.uk

Let's Go Home!

Set 1, Book 12

The Faith in Phonics series aims to complement a school’s existing reading scheme with decodable texts, providing a Christian faith focus. The books will enable young children to read Bible stories for themselves. With adult support, the reflections and questions provided at the end of each story will help children to apply the stories, and their Christian virtues, to their everyday lives, thus reinforcing the school ethos.

A Gift of Joy and Hope

By Pope Francis £16.99

Product Code: 103591

ISBN NO:9781399802826

In this encouraging book, Pope Francis explores the meaning of true joy and offers an inspiring message:even in dark times, the light of hope can shine bright.

The past few years have been extremely challenging, but even in dark times, the light of joy can shine bright.

True joy, says Pope Francis, is not a fleeting sentiment or a short-term solution to suffering; it springs from a solid hope that nothing and no one can take away.

A Gift of Joy and Hope is an invitation to embrace authentic beauty and a reminder to be open to encountering God, even in the midst of challenges. In this inspiring collection, Pope Francis encourages readers to change attitudes that exclude others; to reveal the deep dissatisfaction we all hide; and to overcome life’s challenges with courage and faith. He also challenges readers to hope without pessimism or doubt, to hope even in the midst of anxiety, to recognize the beauty all around us, and to let God show us how to deal with your doubts and fears.

This book aims to encourage readers to look outside themselves and believe that hope is still possible and that joy always has the last word.

Dancing with Loneliness

by José María Rodríguez Olaizola SJ

€12.95/£11.95

ISBN: 9871788126243

www.messenger.ie

The Philosopher Paul Tillich said that language created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone — and it created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone. It is when we experience a disconnect with our world, a diminishing or disappearance of the quality of our engagement with others, perhaps a feeling of irrelevance, that aloneness slides into loneliness.

However, loneliness is one of the most universal of all human experiences, a singular companion on our life journey. In his new book, Dancing with Loneliness, celebrated author José María R. Olaizola SJ says that if we can accept loneliness as a normal emotion, we can learn to listen to it and embrace it as a creative emptiness within which something new and life-giving can develop. This negative experience may provide us with a space for self-awareness, self-reflection, self-discovery, and self-acceptance. It can help us to rebuild trust in people and possibly choose those we trust more wisely.

Using the imagery of dance, Olaizola says the world is filled with the music in our hearts and that everyone has a different song. He describes a ‘vicious’ loneliness, painful and unwanted, which is destructive and does not carry the seed of new growth, ‘a tortuous tango’. However, we can learn to guide our emotions and to dance to our own song. We can choose to tango alone or together. This book teaches us the steps.

Olaizola is perceptive, imaginative and downto- earth, and he conveys his wisdom through literature, poetry, cinema and personal anecdotes. Rather than being a sombre read, this book sparkles with the potential of individual endeavour.

José María Rodríguez Olaizola SJ is a Jesuit, writer and sociologist. He is currently head of institutional communication for the Society of Jesus in Spain. He has an active social media presence and is the author of numerous books in his native Spanish. This is his first book with Messenger Publications

Stations of the Cross – Inspired by the Work of SVP

Fr Gerard Bogan

£3.50

ISBN: 9781784697549 www.ctsbooks.org

Walk alongside Jesus in his passion and Cross and be prepared to walk with compassion alongside our suffering brothers and sisters, with these meditations on the Way of the Cross in light of the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Dancing with Loneliness

José Maria R. Olaizola SJ

This meditation on the Via Crucis – the Way of the Cross – reflects on Jesus’ suffering through the inspiration of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and the society he founded to help the poor and those in need: the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Walking alongside Jesus in his Passion and Cross prepares us to walk with compassion alongside our suffering brothers and sisters, to learn to love them as Christ loves them, and to enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s mercy revealed in his holy cross.

If we can accept loneliness as a normal emotion, we can embrace it as a creative emptiness within which something new and lifegiving can develop.

In a perceptive, imaginative and down-to- earth style, Olaizola conveys his wisdom through literature, poetry, cinema and personal anecdotes.

Available from your local bookshop. Also directly from our website: www.messenger.ie or T: +353 1 676 7491

Everyday’s an Open Day at our College & Prep

To book your personal tour please visit our website www.stedmundscollege.org or call 01920 824 247

A Catholic co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 -18, located close to London with excellent transport links and our own private bus service, we offer modern facilities, excellent academic support and a truly Christ-centred education, with full, weekly and flexi boarding options. Scholarships and Bursaries available.

2-in-1 Crossword

by Axe

You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same.

CRYPTIC Across

7 Henry tracks Tolkien's mine to reach Solomon's temple (6)

8 Awful creature! (6)

9 Acre in Alaska's fine, in retrospect, for Hebrew port (4)

10 He came back after nudge, one by a spirited lass (8)

11 This book's dull...also cut (7)

13 Irish saint's oddly evoking good old Exodus (5)

15 She, unfaithful to the prophet, married raver, it's going round (5)

16 Occupation Ulster's withdrawn from, coming to an end (7)

18 Psalm setting, before/after? – a tight one (8)

19 Spring fast with hospital department appeal ending (4)

21 One of Cain's descendants turned bad in Paris, taking 17's heart (6)

22 Unwanted buildup of swabbies, one on top of the other (6)

CRYPTIC Down

1 City that's ultimately shabby, on the other hand is the capital of Kosovo (4)

2 Some versions have this chap meeting Jesus in hero's temple in error (5,3,5)

3 Guy retired after return of writer's block (7)

4 Doctor regularly looks into muscles – they used to read a lot from them (5)

5 Hear old priest's moving 'Hallelujah' (6,3,4)

6 Someone Paul addressed after show, one decked in brown (8)

12 Oxford guy, a leading chap, who's been to Mecca to get David's boy (8)

14 Graduate is, with anger over race, wearing a clerical head covering (7)

17 New report supports pharaoh who killed Josiah (5)

20 Arkwright's circle is embraced by revolutionary dynasty (4)

QUICK Across

7 Mountains where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac (6)

8 Deadly; subject to death (6)

9 Variation in spelling of Acre in the OT (4)

10 Infamous son as described in Jesus' parable (8)

11 One of the Synoptic Gospels (7)

13 St ----- of Glendalough, Co Wicklow, d 618? (5)

15 Son of Japheth and wife of Hosea bearing the same name [Gen] (5)

16 Occupation of the apostle brothers Andrew and Simon Peter (7)

18 Common designation of Psalm 51, set to music by Allegri and others (8) 19 Post-Shrovetide fast (4)

21 Descendant of Cain: 20's father (6)

22 Fearsome person: kind of sauce (6)

QUICK Down

1 Archbishopric second only to Canterbury in importance in the C of E (4)

2 Popular name of a Pharisee, possibly, who hosted Jesus in Bethany (5,3,5)

3 Meeting of a knightly order (7)

4 Pulpits or reading desks in early Christian churches (5) 5 English translation of 'Hallelujah!' (6,3,4)

6 Citizen of an NT Roman province (8)

12 Fourth son of David (8)

14 Cap worn commonly by RC clerics (7)

17 Pharaoh, the slayer of Josiah at Megiddo (5)

20 Captain for 40 days and nights (4)

SOLUTION

Old Hall Green, Ware, Hertfordshire SG111DS