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Cath
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Issue 115 APRIL 2014
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ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL
Our New Archbishop
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contents Cath
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Welcome
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Issue 115 APRIL 2014
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Two historic events for our Archdiocese within just six days. On Friday 21 March it was announced in Rome and in Liverpool that Bishop Malcolm McMahon, currently Bishop of Nottingham, is to be our new Archbishop, the ninth Archbishop of Liverpool.
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ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL
On the previous Sunday Cardinal Vincent Nichols returned to his ‘home’ Archdiocese to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Metropolitan Cathedral following the Consistory in Rome at which Pope Francis created him a Cardinal. We gave thanks to Cardinal Vincent with a promise of prayers for his new work. People flocked to the Cathedral together with journalists and television crews, interviews were done and on both occasions there was a sense of tremendous joy, truly ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ the Joy of the Gospel. So it is with great joy that we welcome Archbishop Elect Malcolm to our Archdiocese and offer our support and prayers both now and in the years to come. From this month the ‘Catholic Pic’ is different, it is now a free publication; please take one home with you and encourage your friends to do so too. If you have any stories or events for the ‘Pic’ our contact details are at the bottom of the page.
From the Bishop’s desk ‘Chips on Shoulders’ A good friend, and a general wit, once said of a fellow priest, ‘the trouble with him is that he is too well-balanced, that’s because he has a chip on both shoulders’. A cutting comment, but we all laughed because it was not only a witty comment, but, and here’s the point, he had highlighted the man’s particular weakness and that was his inability to forgive certain people for certain things. His love for his ‘fellow man’ was often hidden under a veneer of petty vanities. To put it another way, he had particular opinions which left no room for others. This often meant that he talked and preached at others instead of to them. I firmly believe that a true Lenten experience for each of us should enable us not only to see our own ‘chips on shoulders’, but also to be more tolerant and forgiving of the 'chips' on others. Is it just me, or is our society becoming more and more cynical and intolerant? I know that Liverpool people are often known for being 'in your face' but that is nearly always followed by understanding and humour. The Easter Message is about new life and new beginnings. A fresh start, but also an appreciation of what has been achieved for us by others. ‘He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead’...so says our Creed. As we look forward to a new era within our Archdiocese, may we also, not only treasure what we have, but also welcome with open arms, and without 'chips', the Good News of the Lord as proclaimed by our new Archbishop. ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ Editor Peter Heneghan Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk Pictures: Cover and main feature: Tom Murphy Advertising Andrew Rogers 0151 709 7567 Publisher 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS
Copy deadline May issue 8 April 2014 CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Catholic Pictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.
Our New Archbishop Contents 4
Main Feature Archbishop-Elect Malcolm McMahon ready to serve ‘Archdiocese with a big heart’
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News A Cardinal’s homecoming and news from around the Archdiocese
14 Spotlight St Mary’s College Free School application 15 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 18 Animate Youth Ministry Stepping out with Animate 19 Profile Archbishop-Elect McMahon: in his own words 20 Justice and Peace Why voting matters 25 Cathedral Record Holy Week and Easter at the Cathedral 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 28 Pic Life Why we should choose our words carefully 29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey
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Pope Francis appoints ninth Archbishop of Liverpool Archbishop-Elect Malcolm McMahon ready to serve ‘Archdiocese with a big heart’ By Martin O’Boyle I would like officially to announce here in Liverpool simultaneous to it being officially announced in Rome that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has today, 21 March 2014, appointed the Right Reverend Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham, to be the ninth Archbishop of Liverpool. Welcome.’
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The words of the Archdiocese’s Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Tom Williams, at 11am rang out in the Gibberd Room in the Metropolitan Cathedral and across the airwaves of BBC Radio Merseyside on a bright morning in the city. Through the representatives of the media present, the news was swiftly relayed to all four corners of the globe via social media as journalists strained for a photo of the Archbishop-Elect, while Cathedral Staff gathered at the back of the room to catch a glimpse of the new man in charge. Soon, it was his turn to speak and after initial words of thanks, he began by praising the people of Liverpool, most notably the Hillsborough families whom he vowed to support in their ongoing fight for justice. 4
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‘The people of Liverpool and the surrounding area are renowned for having a generous spirit, fierce loyalty where it really matters, an ability to look beyond themselves, as can be seen in the work of LAMP – and a good sense of humour, something which has kept everyone here going through some very difficult times, including those we live in now,’ he said. ‘There are areas of real poverty here, and that still needs to be addressed. I also hope that I will learn from your wisdom and kindness. Although small in area, the Archdiocese has got a big heart. It has always welcomed people from far and wide, as can be seen by the concern of people here for asylum seekers. ‘I am aware as an Arsenal supporter that football matters up here – Cardinal Nichols, down in London, supports Liverpool, so it’s a fair swap! I am also aware that some things run even deeper than the team we support – the determination of the people of Liverpool to seek justice for the 96 who died so terribly in Hillsborough, and the dignity of their families when they were left voiceless, is a powerful witness to us all.’
Born in London, the ArchbishopElect was ordained as a priest by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1982 and served as a parish priest both in the capital and Newcastle-uponTyne. He was appointed as Bishop of Nottingham in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. While he admitted sadness in leaving ‘the banks of the Trent’, he admitted that he was very much was looking forward to ‘living my Christian vocation on the banks of the Mersey’. ‘There is a rich Catholic heritage in this corner of our country; it is a living heritage which should inspire us and challenge us,’ he continued. ‘This makes me think of those areas in our Archdiocese where the Catholic faith was kept alive during penal times; the many people who came here and settled, from Ireland and elsewhere; the priests who died in the 1840s, ministering to victims of cholera; and Father James Nugent, with his plea to “save the child”, and his extraordinary efforts to alleviate poverty, promote the welfare of children and establish prison chaplaincy. Who can forget the partnership of Archbishop Derek Worlock and Bishop David Sheppard, who both welcomed Pope John Paul to our city in 1982? They reflected the traditional, deep concerns of our city for issues of social justice. ‘There is so much that we can do as the Church in Liverpool to serve our brothers and sisters. Just last week, Pope Francis reminded us that we should “have an attitude of poverty and service, of assistance to others”. I hope that attitude will be the approach of all of us in this Archdiocese. The Pope has told the clergy – Bishops, priests, and deacons – to get among the people, to get “the smell of the sheep”, and that is what I intend to do. From the
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feature ‘There are areas of real poverty here, and that still needs to be addressed’
day on which I am installed as Archbishop, I will give my life to all the people of this Archdiocese, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. I am looking forward to working with my fellow Christians from other Churches and communities, people from all religious traditions, and civic and political leaders, building up the good relationships which already exist between us, in our endeavour to serve the common good.’ That feeling appears to be more than mutual, with Bishop McMahon’s appointment welcomed by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and the acting Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Richard Blackburn. Bishop Richard said: ‘I warmly welcome Archbishop-Elect McMahon to Liverpool and look forward to working alongside him. He will be in my prayers as he makes the move to Liverpool.’ Following the press conference, the Archbishop-Elect posed for some photographs outside the Cathedral with the three other Liverpool Bishops who were present: Apostolic Administrator Tom Williams, Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly, and Former Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Malone, who will now
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‘There is much work to be done, because the challenges which we face are real’ 6
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have served under six of Liverpool's nine Archbishops since his ordination in 1955.
asked for the people’s prayers before describing himself as ‘a dreamer for peace, equality and social justice’.
Bishop Tom spoke on behalf of Archbishop Emeritus Patrick and the priests of the Archdiocese in order to welcome the Archbishop-Elect to Liverpool. ‘We have always been well blessed with our Archbishops and are grateful and appreciative of the gifts and talents and service given by Archbishop Emeritus Patrick,’ he said. ‘We welcome Archbishop-Elect Malcolm with open arms and fully commit ourselves to him in a spirit of brotherly love and service. We know he is a Londoner and an Arsenal supporter but nevertheless we welcome him unconditionally!’
Archbishop-Elect McMahon’s Mass of Installation as Archbishop of Liverpool will be celebrated at 12 noon on Thursday 1 May 2014, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, in the Metropolitan Cathedral and the 64-year-old has vowed to start as he means to go on. ‘I would like to assure everyone that, from the day of my installation I will do my level best to lead, guide and serve the people of this great Archdiocese, in Liverpool, west Lancashire and the Isle of Man,’ he said. ‘There is much work to be done, because the challenges which we face are real. But we are a people of hope – just as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is visible for miles around, speaking to us of God’s presence in our midst, I pray that all of us in the Archdiocese of Liverpool will be living signs of God’s eternal love, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in all that we say and do, in the spirit of those who have gone before us.’
Waiting to speak to the ArchbishopElect in the Cathedral were representatives from the BBC, Granada Reports, the Catholic Times and Vatican Radio – indeed, he was still conducting interviews while walking from the Cathedral to the Crypt in time to celebrate 12:15pm Mass. There was a large gathering at the lunchtime service in which the Archbishop-Elect
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St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Centre for Learning Cumber Lane, Whiston, Merseyside L35 2XG Tel: 0151 477 8770 Fax: 0151 477 8775 We believe that all young people have unique and special abilities. We see it as our role to foster and develop the talents of all within our community. We have an extremely talented and committed staff who aim to make learning enjoyable and successful.
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Our insistence on high standards has resulted in: • GCSE results improving at four times the national average KS3 results graded at A and A* levels when compared to other schools.
We are committed to excellence The Chair of Governors Mr John Robson and the whole Catholic community including governors, teachers, support staff and students welcome the new Archbishop and will look forward to working with him in the future and that everyone can look for the common good whilst living life to the full
Pupils’ achievements in KS3 National Curriculum Tests are very high when compared to those pupils with similar backgrounds in other schools. Average grades at GCSE are rising faster than the national average - Ofsted
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News diary If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featured e-mail us with the details at: post@merseymirror.com
Encouragement for those in Civic Life Bishop Tom Williams, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, celebrated the Annual Civic Mass for the City of Liverpool and the County of Merseyside in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Dignitaries from throughout the region attended the Mass including the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Gary Millar. In his homily Bishop Tom spoke of the Gospel of the day, St Matthew's account of the temptations of Jesus. Relating these to the present day he said, 'I see those three temptations in all of us today, especially for those in positions of power and influence'. He went on to encourage those in Civic life saying, 'I firmly believe that we are all tempted by these quick solutions. I also believe that we are all capable of finding solutions, but they do not come easily'. He then reflected on the universal principles of social responsibility encouraging those present to make them their own.
Annual Mass for Healing
Bishop Tom thanked the groups present for the service they offer before concluding by saying, 'My prayer today is that the righteous will stand up and be counted'.
The fifteenth annual ‘Mass for Healing’ will be celebrated by Bishop Tom Williams at 7.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Friday 25th April. Father Peter Morgan from St Anne and St Bernard’s parish will preach.
Taking part in the Music of the Mass was the Choir of the Metropolitan Cathedral under Director of Music, Christopher McElroy. Allegri's moving and haunting motet 'Miserere mei' was sung during the offertory.
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The annual celebration attracts people from throughout the country and was originally led by Father Jimmy Collins who died two years ago at the age of 94. It was his wish that the service would continue and it will now be celebrated
each year on the Friday following Easter. The Mass will be followed by Exposition during which time priests, deacons and members of prayer teams will stand around the steps of the sanctuary so that the congregation can come forward for prayer and a special blessing. There will also be an opportunity for private confession. All are welcome to attend and priests are invited to concelebrate at the Mass.
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news diary
KSC Awards The Knights of St Columba paid tribute to a trio of long-serving members at their recent annual dinner at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, writes David Keane. The event on Friday 28 February brought together the KSC members from Liverpool province along with their wives, friends and family, and this year’s dinner featured presentations to three members for their long and outstanding contributions to the order’s work. Brother Steve Laffan was presented with a certificate and medal marking 50 years’ service and is pictured (see top photo) receiving them from Bro Ron Lynch, supreme knight of Liverpool province. Bro John Dolan was similarly recognised for his 25 years’ service to the KSC (see middle photo), while Bro Anthony Patten was presented with the Meritorious Medal for outstanding service to the Order (see bottom photo). For more details of the dinner and the KSC’s other recent activities, see the Knight Life column on P26.
Malcolm for Liverpool
by Father Andrew Cole After celebrating Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Friday 21 March after he was announced as the new Archbishop of Liverpool, Bishop Malcolm had to return to the Diocese of Nottingham for Mass in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Beeston, to mark the church’s diamond jubilee. Parishioners greeted the Archbishop-Elect with a round of applause at the beginning of Mass, and many people congratulated him upon his appointment to Liverpool. At the end of Mass, two young parishioners came forward and presented him with a gift on behalf of the parish: a Liverpool shirt, with MALCOLM written on the back! Bishop Malcolm remains Bishop of Nottingham until he is installed as Archbishop of Liverpool on Thursday 1 May; he will be greatly missed in the Diocese of Nottingham, but goes to Liverpool with the love, prayers and friendship of the priests and people there.
Easter Card Campaign The Justice and Peace Commission are co-ordinating an Easter greetings card campaign to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to show solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land. When Father Humam Khzouz, Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, was asked whether he thought any changes were necessary to the annual Christmas card campaign, he said: ‘Yes, please send them at Easter as well.’ Cards should be sent to Father Humam who will ensure that they get through to parishes. He has also suggested that an extra card is included for the parish priest so that he can read it to his congregation to help them understand where all the cards have come from. He went on to say that they are looking forward to the cards arriving. Further details can be found on the Archdiocesan website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk where the Justice and Peace page can be found in the Commissions section.
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A Cardinal’s homecoming by Simon Hart
VER 2,000 people filled Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Sunday 16 March to welcome home Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
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For the Cardinal, who was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 1969, it was a landmark occasion. Three weeks after the Consistory in Rome at which Pope Francis made him a Cardinal, here he was back in his home city for a Mass of Thanksgiving.
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Parishioners came from across the Archdiocese, many having known or worked with the then Father Nichols when he served in Wigan, Toxteth and Upholland. Students from St John Rigby Sixth Form College in Orrell – where the Cardinal once served as chaplain – led the prayer of the faithful, and the choir of the Metropolitan Cathedral led the music of the Mass which included the motet ‘Greater Love’ by John Ireland. This contains the words of Cardinal Nichols’ Episcopal motto, ‘Fortis est ut
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feature Help for the Holy Land THE Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) were the grateful beneficiaries of the £20,000 cheque that Cardinal Vincent Nichols received at his Thanksgiving Mass. The Cardinal is a founder patron of the FHL and his wish is that this donation will help the Warwickshire-based charity continue to ‘provide very practical help to our fellow Catholic Christians who live in very difficult circumstances in Bethlehem and other places on the West Bank’.
Mors Dilectio’– Love is strong as death. Befitting the occasion, there were civic dignitaries from throughout the diocese in the congregation including the Lord Lieutenant of Liverpool, Dame Lorna Muirhead, and the Lord Mayor of the City, Councillor Gary Millar, who did the readings at the Mass. In introducing the Mass the Cardinal spoke of his ‘great delight’ at being back in Liverpool for the celebration and thanked the congregation for coming to the Cathedral, saying: ‘I welcome you all most warmly and I thank you for your presence.’ Beginning his homily he reflected on the journey through Lent and the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Drawing a parallel with the Cathedral celebration he said: ‘Peter said to Jesus, “It is wonderful for us to be here,” and I think that is true of us this afternoon. It is a wonderful moment and I would like to thank you again for coming from so many different places.’ He went on to welcome his own brother, John, who had been unable to travel to Rome or London from his home in Liverpool, saying that it
was ‘an important moment for him and me as a family’. The Cardinal spoke of his days in Rome for the Consistory as being both ‘humbling and marvellous’. He said: ‘They were wonderful moments, delightful moments, never before, and only slowly, do you learn about being a Cardinal.’ He explained how taking part in the Consistory and concelebrating the Mass with Pope Francis had renewed and strengthened his faith: ‘To stand in that College of Cardinals with Pope Francis, around the Tomb of St Peter, was a real experience of the depth of our faith – the depth in history and the breadth of it around the world – so we reaffirmed and strengthened our faith.’ The Cardinal reflected too on ‘the past with all its riches’. He said ‘I think it is a moment for memories, a moment for events we’ve shared, a moment to remember some struggles and achievements. My mind goes quickly through different places where I served in this Diocese with great joy. I think of Skelmersdale. I think of Wigan, of St John Rigby Sixth Form College. I think of
FHL vice-chairman Peter Rand thanked the Cardinal, and in turn Liverpool Archdiocese, when he said afterwards: “We feel honoured and privileged to have been chosen by the Cardinal to be the recipient of these very generous donations made by Liverpool parishioners.’ He explained that the sum would help improve the lives of Christians ‘at grassroots level’ in the Holy Land. ‘It shows the recognition by the hierarchy over here of the challenges for the Christian community in the Holy Land at grassroots level rather than purely at the political level. The grassroots level is where the Friends of the Holy Land are working with specific families to be able to alleviate the pressures they are under in terms of day-to-day life, such as paying for their education, their medical fees, operations, the refurbishment of their houses – all very basic but necessary work to improve the quality of their life.” Established in 2009, the FHL also count Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly among their patrons. For more information, visit www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk.
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St Anne’s down the road in Toxteth. I think of the years I spent here in this Cathedral. I think of Manchester and my time at the university there and I know people have come from many different places to be here this afternoon and again, I thank you.’
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Before the final blessing, Bishop Tom Williams, Apostolic Administrator for the Archdiocese of Liverpool, offered the Cardinal the prayers and support of the people of the Archdiocese. ‘Today on behalf of the people of our city and our great Archdiocese I would like to say to our Cardinal Vincent that today we would like to offer our support to you, our united support,’ he said – with a knowing nod towards Cardinal Vincent’s beloved Liverpool
FC’s victory at Old Trafford that lunchtime. He then presented a cheque for £20,000 from a collection held in the parishes of the Archdiocese which will go towards the work of the Friends of the Holy Land. ‘It is a personal gift to our cardinal but is really a gift he would like to give to others,’ explained Bishop Tom. It was then just left for Cardinal Nichols to take his place at the Cathedral entrance and greet those who had come along. The farewells lasted 45 minutes, as his closing words to the congregation hung in the air: ‘Please do keep me in your prayers. I will always remember you and this diocese and all that we will do together.’
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spotlight
St Mary’s College Free School application buildings are leased to the Trustees by the Christian Brothers on the understanding that they will be used to run a school of religious character, Catholic in nature.
im Warren, Director of Schools and Colleges, has sent the following letter to parents who may have an interest in the application of St Mary’s College, Crosby to become a Free school.
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As Director of Schools and Colleges for the Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool I am sending this letter to any parents who have any interest in the application of the Governing Body of St Mary’s Catholic College to become a Free School. I am dismayed that a Catholic College is misleading large numbers of parents of Catholic children by suggesting that St Mary’s College might become a Free School, when the truth of the matter is that this won’t and indeed cannot happen under current Government policy. Parents need to know the truth about the application, which has been submitted to the DfE without the approval of either the Trustees of the school or the Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool. No Catholic school can be run in the Archdiocese without the express permission and approval of the Archbishop. St Mary’s Catholic College is intrinsically Catholic in both its nature and its foundation. It is run by a Trust, the aims of which are to promote Catholic education and it currently operates as an Independent Catholic College with the express approval of the Archbishop. Because of its distinctive Catholic nature, the Trustees cannot change the status of the school or cease to operate the school without the express permission of the Archbishop of Liverpool. Moreover, the College
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Unfortunately current Government policy on new maintained schools, including Free Schools, is to impose a 50% cap on the control of admissions at new Catholic schools. The DfE have already confirmed to us that no new Catholic Free Schools will be permitted to reserve more than 50% of places at the school by reference to faith. They have also confirmed that there can be no exceptions to this policy and that the policy applies to all independent schools with a religious character joining the Free schools programme. I am in possession of a letter from the DfE which states: ‘I can confirm that we have advised the proposers that we will not accept an application for this free school to open with a Catholic designation without the consent of the Archdiocese.’ In November I wrote to the Principal of the College quoting a statement from the Bishops’ Conference: ‘the Bishops’ Conference takes the view that the imposition of a 50% cap on the control of admissions is not a secure basis for the provision of a Catholic school and urges dioceses to resist any pressure to establish a school on that basis.’ I further added, ‘In the light of this statement and current government policy the Archbishop could not conceivably support this proposal. It would be extraordinary, if not contrary to Canon Law, for a Bishop to set up a school, or allow a school designated as Catholic to be set up, which turned away Catholic pupils on the ground that they are Catholic. In doing so we are advising the Governing Body and Trustees of the school that any change of status to the school requires the express
permission of the Archbishop and this will in no way be forthcoming for this proposal. Hence we call upon the Governing Body to end this futile consideration immediately as it can do nothing but cause confusion and engender false expectations for Catholic parents of Sefton and Merseyside.’ Despite my letter and the subsequent advice from DfE, the Governors of St Mary’s Catholic College have continued to promote the idea that they might operate as a Free School from September 2015, when they know full well that this cannot happen. I am now forced to speak publicly for the sake of the numerous parents who are being led to believe that it might happen. It is deeply unfortunate that parents are being misled in this way and the situation has recently been exacerbated by the recent letter the Principal has sent to prospective parents, suggesting that St Mary’s Catholic College, might forgo its religious character status in order to become a Free School. The Archdiocese of Liverpool is and always has been a strong supporter of St Mary’s Catholic College, which has served the Catholic population of Merseyside well for many years. Cardinal Nichols, himself is a former pupil of the College. The Archdiocese of Liverpool will not support any change of status for the College which diminishes its distinctive Catholic nature and so, unless the Government policy to impose a 50% cap on admissions for new schools is removed, then there can be no prospect of the proposed Free School application being approved. I hope this clarifies the situation for all parents. Yours sincerely Tim Warren Diocesan Director of Schools and Colleges
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sunday reflections On a liturgical note The words you sometimes hear in the school playground, ‘Coming, ready or not’, spring to mind as we prepare to celebrate the ‘Great Week’ itself – Holy Week. Perhaps we are not as ready as we would have hoped (either as regards our prayer life or our sacristies!) but the procession with palms and the long Passion Gospel will remind us that Holy Week is with us once again and, ‘ready or not’, we enter into the events of this last week of the Lord's ear thly life. The liturgy of those next days is par ticularly rich both in its drama and its symbols, but because it is so demanding on us we can run the risk of our par ticipation being merely as spectators, people standing around watching something being done for us. Perhaps a key to our understanding of the Holy Week liturgies – and, with it, our full celebration and par ticipation – is to view it not so much on the level of representation (i.e. these days re-present to us what happened ) but that of identification – we identify with the person of Jesus, we see our own sufferings, pains and victories in the light of His. Thus we can share at the deepest level in his Passion, death and resurrection because in
Sunday thoughts It was December. I was a student for the priesthood. In the lecture hall we were immersed in accounts of the Passion of Jesus. In chapel, Advent was drawing to a close and we looked forward to Christmas. It is a problem all of us face. In my day-to-day life I may be experiencing a personal Good Friday moment at the same time as the Universal Church is celebrating Christmas. Conversely, I may find myself rejoicing in the birth of a child or grandchild when the parish is immersed in Holy Week. The Church’s liturgical year is cyclical. It tracks the mystery of our redemption from start to finish, from Advent to Pentecost, over and over again. Meanwhile the ebb and flow of my own life journey is punctuated with its own milestones, a succession of personal Christmases and Pentecosts. Occasionally the two cycles are ‘in sync’. But few of us are born on Christmas Day or die on Good Friday. I
Canon Philip Gillespie
our own lives these events, this cycle, is present ever y day. Ever y day there are little ‘deaths’ in our own lives, ever y day there are the crosses to be borne and the wounds of misunderstanding and prejudice to be suffered. To balance those times of darkness, there are also moments of resurrection, of renewed hope and vision, of new beginnings and fresh hear t. All of these events which make up our daily lives can be seen in the light of Christ and therefore we can give thanks and call even the Friday of crucifixion ‘Good’. It is not easy to celebrate Holy Week wor thily and well – it demands stamina and effor t, not least on the par t of the one presiding over the liturgies! Above all, it demands that spirit of prayer which will recognise in the words and actions of the week no mere ‘play-acting’ of what once was, but the celebration of the love and life which are at the ver y hear t of who we are as Church. ‘This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days would gladly spend.’
Mgr John Devine OBE
may live weeks or years in a personal wilderness of depression or serious illness or loss followed by fruitful and exhilarating patches; Pentecost ‘highs’ and Advent times of waiting. Each member of the congregation is in a different space. We await hospital appointments, driving tests and job interviews. We plan birthdays and weddings and retirement parties. We celebrate happy anniversaries and grieve over losses. This is the material we bring to the altar at every Eucharist. But on Good Friday, I lay my succession of little deaths and resurrections at the foot of the cross. Two days later, on Easter morning, my faith assures me that these personal moments will be made life-giving through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Into the quiet Two years ago I stood near Jerusalem looking out into the wilderness and felt my heart pull me there. I wanted nothing more than to be in the deser t allowing God the space and the time to touch me deeply within, to give me courage to face that within me that does not bring me life. When I returned home I began to realise what I think I already knew: that the deser t is not just a physical place. It was offered to me ever y day as the place where I could face myself and find life. In the early Church, the deser t was seen as anything that moulded and shaped the hear t. The deser t experience empties you. It is a place that you undergo, that you expose yourself to, and that you must have the courage to face. It is not so much that you do things in the deser t but that God reaches into your hear t and does things within you. It is God that does the work, providing you have the courage to be there. Whenever you take time to be with God in the deser t, the first reality you experience is always the negativity within yourself. That is the reason why so many people do not spend time in silence – the temptation is to run away and so we miss the incredible gift that we are being offered. Lent is about taking time in the deser t, courageously facing the chaos and the demons within us and letting God do battle with them in us. The focus on giving things up to earn rewards has in many senses been the downfall of Lent. To deprive ourselves so that we have a deser t experience is one thing. To give up sugar in our tea and hope to lose a few pounds is quite another. When we gather to celebrate Holy Week we ritualise the deser t experience that we have had in Lent. We look at what happened to Jesus and in His stor y we see our stor y, in His death we see our death, and in His resurrection we see our resurrection. If we have spent our time in Lent in the deser t, it will become power fully clear that this is not someone else’s stor y but our own and that we have gone through death and into the risen life of the cosmic Christ. Fr Chris Thomas
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what’s on Saturday 5 April Lenten Holy Hour. 11.00 am at St Mary, Church Road, Woolton, L25 5JF. UCM Annual General Meeting. 12.00 noon in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Stations of the Cross. 12.40 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ. Sunday 6 April Stations of the Cross and Lenten Holy Hour. 3.00 pm at Holy Family, Lily Lane, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 5LL. Lenten Holy Hour: ‘The Raising of Lazarus’. 4.00 pm at Our Lady of the Assumption, Hedgefield Road, Gateacre, L25 2RW. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer and Benediction. 4.00 pm at St Mary, Mount Pleasant, Chorley, PR7 2SR. Stations of the Cross. 6.30 pm at St Mary, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XL. Haydn's ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’ sung by Warrington Choral Society. 7.30 pm at St Mary’s, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NS. Monday 7 April Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.00 am at St Bartholomew, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NY. Mass followed by Stations of the Cross. 10.00 am at St Mark, Penmann Crescent, L26 0UG. Lenten Holy Hour. 11.00 am at St Bartholomew, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NY. Holy Hour with Benediction and opportunity for individual Confession. 2.00 pm at Sacred Heart, Throstlenest Avenue, Wigan, WN6 7AT. Lenten Exposition. 2.00 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB. Evangelii Gaudium Discussion. 7.00 pm in the Fisher-More Hall, Our Lady of the Assumption, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L 16 8NQ. Evangelii Gaudium Discussion. 7.00 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation Hall, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB. Tuesday 8 April Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 9.30 am-11.45 am at St Mary, Mount Pleasant, Chorley, PR7 2SR. Mass followed by Exposition. 10.00 am at Holy Family, Mackets Lane, L25 8TG. Stations of the Cross. 6.30 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB.
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‘Walking through Lent with Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel’. Reflection on the Lenten Gospels. 7.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Lenten Prayer and Reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.30 pm at St Kentigern, Melling, Liverpool, L31 1BS. Details from Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Wednesday 9 April Embroidery for Pleasure Class. 10.00 am1.00 pm in the Art Studio at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. All welcome from beginners to experienced embroiderers who would like to learn new skills. Cost £5 per session including refreshments. Bookings and enquiries: enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk or Tel: 0151 709 9222. Mass followed by Reflection on Evangelii Gaudium led by Sister Christine. 10.00 am at St Mark, Penmann Crescent, L26 0UG. Stations of the Cross. 12.40 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ. ‘The Passover of Jesus: I am risen...and am with you’. Lenten Reflection by Father Tom Cullinan. 6.00 pm at Pauline Books and Media, 82 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HR. Service of Reconciliation. 7.00 pm at All Saints, High Street, Golborne, WA3 3BG.
Stations of the Cross. 7.00 pm at St Catherine Laboure, Stanifield Lane, Farington, PR25 4QG. Service of Reconciliation. 7.00 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ. Preacher: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly. Stations of the Cross. 7.30 pm at Sacred Heart, Throstlenest Avenue, Wigan, WN6 7AT. Newman Circle Talk: ‘The First Easter - the Social and Political Situation in Palestine at the Time of Christ's Passion and Death’ by Dr Gergely Juhasz. 7.30 pm at St Helen's Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby. L23 7TQ.
Stations of the Cross. 7.00 pm at Christ the King and Our Lady, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6YQ.
Friday 11 April Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.00 am at Christ the King and Our Lady, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6YQ.
Service of Reconciliation. 7.00 pm at Our Lady Immaculate, Downall Green Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 0LZ.
Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.00 am at St Mary, Church Road, Woolton, L25 5JF.
Stations of the Cross. 7.30 pm at St Albert, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA.
Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.00 am at St Matthew, Queens Drive, Clubmoor, L13 9DL.
Lenten Prayer and Reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.30 pm at St Oswald, Old Swan, Liverpool, L13 5SB. Details from Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk
Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.15 am at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF.
Thursday 10 April Lenten Early Morning Mass. 6.30 am at St Joseph, Meeting Lane, Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2BB. Mass followed by Stations of the Cross. 10.00 am at Holy Family, Mackets Lane, L25 8TG. Lenten Prayer and Reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 10.30 am at 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Details from Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Service of Reconciliation. 7.00 pm at Our Lady Immaculate, Downall Green Road, Bryn, WN4 0LZ.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 9.30 am-11.45 am at St Mary, Mount Pleasant, Chorley, PR7 2SR. Lenten Holy Hour. 11.00 am at Christ the King and Our Lady, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6YQ. Stations of the Cross. 11.30 am at Our Lady of the Assumption, Hedgefield Road, Gateacre, L25 2RW. Stations of the Cross. 11.30 am at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. Stations of the Cross for the St Thérèse of Lisieux Pastoral Area. 2.00 pm in Liverpool Hope University Chapel, Hope Park, L16 9JD.
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april Monday 14 April Lenten Early Morning Mass. 7.00 am at St Bartholomew, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NY. Mass followed by Stations of the Cross. 10.00 am at St Mark, Penmann Crescent, L26 0UG. Lenten Holy Hour. 11.00 am at St Bartholomew, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NY. Lenten Exposition. 2.00 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB. Service of Reconciliation. 7.00 pm at St Ambrose, Heathgate Avenue, Speke, L24 7RS. Stations of the Cross. 6.15 pm at Sacred Heart, Swan Lane, Hindley Green, WN2 4HD, followed by Mass at 7.00 pm.
Evangelii Gaudium Discussion. 7.00 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation Hall, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB.
Lenten Holy Hour followed by Mass. 6.30 pm at St Albert, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA.
Service of Reconciliation. 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Father Tom Leigh.
Stations of the Cross followed by Exposition. 7.00 pm at St Bernadette, Wigan Road, Shevington, WN6 8AP. Stations of the Cross. 7.00 pm at St Cecilia, Green Lane, Tuebrook, L13 7DT. Mass with Stations of the Cross. 7.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. Night Prayer led by the Choir. 8.45 pm at St Mary, Church Road, Woolton, L25 5JF. Saturday 12 April Service of Reconciliation for the Our Lady of Good Counsel Pastoral Area. 11.00 am at St John, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XD.
Service of Reconciliation (with individual Confession). 7.30 pm at St Albert, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Tuesday 15 April Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 9.30 am-11.45 am at St Mary, Mount Pleasant, Chorley, PR7 2SR. Mass followed by Exposition. 10.00 am at Holy Family, Mackets Lane, L25 8TG. Organ Recital ‘Stations of the Cross’ by Alan Ridout. 12.35 pm. 7.30 pm at St Mary’s, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NS.
Lenten Holy Hour. 11.00 am at St Mary, Church Road, Woolton, L25 5JF.
Stations of the Cross. 6.30 pm at St Marie of the Annunciation, Almond Brook Road, Standish, WN6 0TB.
Mass with Anointing of the Sick. 12.00 noon at St Mary, Church Road, Woolton, L25 5JF.
Service of Reconciliation. 7.30 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L16 8NQ.
Stations of the Cross. 12.40 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ.
Wednesday 16 April Embroidery for Pleasure Class. 10.00 am1.00 pm in the Art Studio at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. All welcome from beginners to experienced embroiderers who would like to learn new skills. Cost £5 per session including refreshments. Bookings and enquiries: enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk or Tel: 0151 709 9222.
Sunday 13 April Ecumenical Service of Blessing of Palms and Procession 10.30 am followed by 11.00 am Mass at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. Penitential Way of the Cross. 3.00 pm at Holy Family, Lily Lane, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 5LL. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer and Benediction. 4.00 pm at St Mary, Mount Pleasant, Chorley, PR7 2SR. Stations of the Cross. 6.30 pm at St Mary, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XL.
Reconciliation Mass. 7.00 pm at St Benedict, Market Street, Hindley, WN2 3AA Maundy Thursday 17 April Mass of the Lord’s Supper:
7.00 pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. 7.00 pm at Sacred Heart, Throstlenest Avenue, Wigan, WN6 7AT 7.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. 7.00 pm at St Matthew, Queens Drive, Clubmoor, L13 9DL. 8.00 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. Good Friday 18 April Stations of the Cross: 10.00 am at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. 10.30 am at Sacred Heart, Throstlenest Avenue, Wigan, WN6 7AT 11.00 am (Children’s) at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. 11.00 am in the garden at St Matthew, Queens Drive, Clubmoor, L13 9DL. 11.30 am at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. 12.00 noon at St Mary, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XL. Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion: 2.00 pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. (Ecumenical Celebration with Prescot Parish Church.) 3.00 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. 3.00 pm at St Cecilia, Green Lane, Tuebrook, L13 7DT. 3.00 pm at St John, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XD. 3.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. Watching at the Tomb. 8.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. Holy Saturday 19 April The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter: 5.30 pm at St Mary, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XL. 7.30 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. 9.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. 9.00 pm at St Matthew, Queens Drive, Clubmoor, L13 9DL. Wednesday 23 April Embroidery for Pleasure Class. 10.00 am1.00 pm in the Art Studio at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. All welcome from beginners to experienced embroiderers who would like to learn new skills. Cost £5 per session including refreshments. Bookings and enquiries: enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk or Tel: 0151 709 9222. Tuesday 29 April Cursillo Ultreya. 7.30 pm at St Teresa, College Road, Upholland, WN8 0PY.
More details at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk or www.catholicpic.co.uk
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youth ministry
Stepping out with Animate From ‘Deal or no deal’ to Superman – Beth Taylor explains what makes up a school mission week. One of the most important aspects of our work at Animate Youth Ministries is the mission week and one recent such assignment took us to St Augustine’s High School in Billington. The theme for the week was ‘Stepping out in Faith’ and during our opening sessions we looked at the first part of that title – ‘Stepping out’ – and what this may mean. Some of the pupils said it was doing things differently from everyone else, having your own opinions and not being afraid to stand by them. We then played the classic game of ‘Deal or no deal’ where the young people had the chance to win ten whole pounds! We used this to help them see that we have choices to make and that sometimes they can be difficult and we do not always pick the right option. This led us into a drama called ‘Choices’, where the characters have various choices available and sometimes make the wrong decision – with the inevitable
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results. Even though these were comical situations, it gave a clear example that our actions have consequences and not all of them positive. To underline the point about choices we even watched a clip from the ‘Man of Steel’ film, where Clark Kent must make a decision to save his father from a tornado or not. For the rest of the week we had year group sessions where we explored the faith part of the theme and considered how our actions can affect, inspire and help those around us. For years 7, 8 and 9, we played a game of ‘True and false’, looking at how our faith can help us to decide what is true and what is false, what is a good choice to make and what is a bad choice. With years 10 and 11 we used a clip from ‘Skyfall’ that shows how James Bond is part of a community and by being part of that community he has help and support when he
needs it. We too have help and support from our Christian community in difficult times but we also need to be there to help and support each other as well. After the year group sessions, there was small group work to explore further this idea of faith and how important it can be. With years 7, 8 and 9 we used an activity called ‘Disaster zone’ where participants must whittle down items they have in their possession to the bare essentials. This helps show how we value different things in our life, things which come and go, but one thing that stays with us is our faith. Since that mission, we have had day retreats exploring the themes of ‘Living the Christian life’ and ‘Stand up and have faith’ with Year 8 and 9 pupils from St James’ High School, Stockport. For Ash Wednesday, meanwhile, we visited the sixth formers at Maricourt to think about Lent and what makes up this important time of preparation, before concluding with an Ash service. We have also been preparing for Lent within our own small community by attending Father Andrew Robinson’s Lenten Scripture talks on the parables in Widnes, as well as the Planning Prayer workshop that is run through the Department of Pastoral Formation. Thank you for your continued support and please do keep Animate in your prayers. For further information, please get in touch with us via Twitter, Facebook and our website, www.animateyouth.org.
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profile
Archbishop-Elect McMahon
Archbishop-Elect McMahon: in his own words When the announcement of Archbishop-Elect Malcolm McMahon’s appointment was made, many turned to the internet and the media to learn more about the man. Many were impressed to learn that he had studied Philosophy at Oxford as well as Mechanical Engineering in Manchester. However, in the many interviews he gave, the 64-year-old also offered an insight into his character and what we can expect from his ministry. On his appointment ‘I’m very pleased to be called to serve in Liverpool. I felt that the Lord was moving me on to a new corner of his vineyard. I thought I would see my silver jubilee of Ordination as a Bishop on the banks of the Trent; now I am being asked to live my Christian vocation on the banks of the Mersey. I promise to do my best to repay the trust that Pope Francis has placed in me, and which the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Liverpool are being asked to put in me.’ On the challenges ‘We need to preach the Gospel so that it appears relevant to people in their particular situations; so they see the face of Christ on the people around them. There’s a very big disconnect for
some people. We have to try to work out why the handing on of the Christian faith from generation to generation is breaking down and I think it’s to do with the nature and structure of family life. We need to look at what children and young adults learn and experience in Catholic schools and why it isn’t transferable to their home and everyday life. It’s those connections which we have to re-establish.’ On his mission ‘I want to go out to the poor and those who don't know Christ. I want to try to help those who are sad to be happy. I want to try to get justice back into everyday situations. I want thosee feeling lost or disorientated to regain their purity of heart. It’s about growing together in faith. These things are highly connected and something which I think the Church can make a big contribution to. So my priorities are basically the Beatitudes.’ On his personality ‘I can be a bit grumpy sometimes, but most of the time I’m fairly happy. My hobbies are few but I enjoy golf, reading and listening to music. I do like to go out to concerts, particularly orchestral and chamber concerts. I’m not terribly
musical and learning to appreciate music has been quite an interesting development in my life. I also like to wander about town and pop into cafés, to have a coffee and chat to people. I don’t like to be isolated and cut off from people.’ On football ‘I am aware as an Arsenal supporter that football matters up here – Cardinal Nichols, down in London, supports Liverpool, so it’s a fair swap! My brothers are season-ticket holders at the Emirates and keep me fully up to date on the ins and outs of Arsenal. Football is really important to people as it acts as a focus for our enthusiasm and our energy – and the sport provides that. It provides continuity over generations and gives us all a great sense of belonging. It’s not that much different from the Church in that respect!’
‘I am aware as an Arsenal supporter that football matters up here – Cardinal Nichols, down in London, supports Liverpool, so it’s a fair swap’ Catholic Pictorial
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justice & peace
Why voting matters By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker Have you noticed how many programmes there have been on our television screens about World War One? Knowing that this would be certain to happen, the Justice and Peace Commission chose the commemoration of the war as one of its priorities for this year so that we could encourage reflection on the need for peace and ask what lessons we have learned in the last 100 years. It is brutally obvious that what happened after WW1 did not stop WW2. The question to be asked, though, is what happened after WW2 that has stopped WW3? The answer lies in dreams. A group of politicians were brave enough to dream a political and economic dream. After the Second World War, huge efforts were made to increase prosperity and to make the prosperity of one country dependent on the prosperity of another country. Enemies were helped to become friends. This is the project of European economic union that is now the EU. In the light of recent events in Ukraine and Crimea, I think we should cherish the view that the European Union is essential to peace in Europe. Ukrainians looked towards Europe and wanted to share in the
peaceful co-operation and search for increased prosperity that exist in our part of the world. Russia looked towards Europe and saw rivalry, imperialism and loss of identity. Maybe one day Russia will be confident enough to claim its place as the eastern edge of Europe rather than as a rival to Europe. On 22-25 May there will be elections to choose MEPs to represent us at the European Parliament. The last time we had European elections the turnout was very low, with only 19% of eligible people registering a vote. This meant that MEPs were elected with far fewer votes than previously. We could be dismissive about this and say we do not care about what happens in Europe but the practical impact of a low turnout is that a small number of votes had a big impact on the results. For example, if 100 people vote, then 100 votes is 100%; if 1,000 people vote, 100 votes is 10%; if 10,000 people vote, 100 votes is 1%, and so on. Voting really does matter. When there is a low turnout it is not the active supporters who stay
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at home. The active supporters always vote. The BNP has active supporters. As a result of the previous low turnout the BNP did well in the last election and, to our shame, our region sent the leader of the far-right BNP to Brussels as one of our representatives. UKIP is not so far to the right as the BNP but they are a party with only one policy: Britain should leave the EU. How ironic that they use the money that their MEPs receive from the EU to fund their anti-European campaign at home. There is a popular idea among many newspapers and politicians that we would be better out of Europe and UKIP and the Tories are promising an ‘in/out’ referendum. Labour is on the fence but not even the LibDems have dared to ask for an ‘in/further in’ referendum. Surely our Catholic dream is of solidarity and peace, with a shared prosperous future for the entire world, rather than continued squabbling among separate little enclaves all battling with each other over decreasing resources? Our votes can make a difference in holding Europe together.
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FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY Sunday 27th April 2014 Pope John Paul, who promoted the importance of the Divine Mercy Devotion, will be canonisation on this day. Our Lord asked Saint Faustina to promote the devotion to His mercy- saying “The soul that will go to Confession (within the octave of the feast) and receive Holy Communion on the Feast day, shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” St Faustina confirms Our Lord’s command to her ‘If I cannot show mercy, by deeds or words, I can always do so, by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there, where I cannot reach out physically.’ Archdiocese venues celebrating the Feast of Divine Mercy - start time Our Lady Star of the Sea, Seaforth 1.30pm Devotions, Confession Mass 4 pm (Peter -Divine Mercy shop bus 53 from Liverpool) St Francis of Assisi, Garston, Liverpool 2.30pm Devotions, Confession, St Clares, Arundel Avenue, Liverpool 3.00pm Devotions, Exposition, Confessions Our Lady of the Annunciation Bishop Eaton Liverpool 2.00pm Rosary, Devotions, refreshments after Mass Mass 3.15pm St Aloysius, Huyton, Liverpool 2.00pm Devotions, Confession Mass 5.00pm St Monica’s, Fernhill Road, Bootle 2.00pm Confessions, 3pm Devotions Mass 3.15pm St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo 2.00pm Confession Ven of Image, Devotions and Mass Holy Spirit, Ford 3.00pm Devotions St John Stone, Woodvale Ainsdale (Augustinian) 1.30pm opens - Confession 2pm, Devotions, Mass 3.15pm St Mary’s Broadfield Drive, Leyland 2.45pm Devotions Confessions Healing Service Mass 5.00pm Sacred Heart, Brooke Street, Chorley 3.00pm Exposition, Confessions Devotions Mass 4.00pm St Patrick, Clinkham Wood, St Helens 2.15pm Confession, 3 pm Devotions St Mary’s, Standishgate, Wigan 3.00pm Devotions Mass 4.30pm Holy Family, New Springs, Wigan 3.00pm Devotions Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ramsey, Isle of Man 2.30pm Devotions
DIVINE MERCY SHOP for leaflets, Divine Mercy pictures etc.
Unit 2, 37 London Road, Liverpool (Four cabins behind a bus shelter opposite ‘Cash Converters shop’, near to Lime Street) Open: Mon– Fri 10.30-4.30 except Wed – closed Sat 10.30-3.30
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EXCLUSIVE CATHOLIC PIC READER TRAVEL OFFER
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FR PETER MORGAN - Parish Priest of St Anne & St Bernards, Overbury Street, Liverpool will lead this Exclusive Catholic Pic Pilgrimage at the special request of our previous Holy Land Pilgrims (February 2013)
29th SEPT - 9th OCT 2014 £1375 per person Accompanied by Fr Richard Sloan of Liverpool Archdiocese they will lead you on an incredible journey to the Holy Land following in the footsteps of Jesus. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience. If you would like to know more about this wonderful offer, please call Barbara on:
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cathedral
Holy week and Easter at the Cathedral Traditionally Holy Week and Easter form the busiest time of year at the Metropolitan Cathedral. In the space of seven days major services include the Solemn Procession and Mass on Palm Sunday, the Chrism Mass on Wednesday evening and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday evening. On Good Friday afternoon there is the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and after a more meditative day on Holy Saturday there is the Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter. On Easter Sunday itself there is the Solemn Mass and Choral Evening Prayer. Palm Sunday morning sees the Procession of Palms and Solemn Mass at 11.00 am. There will be the hymns ‘All glory, laud and honour’ and ‘Ride on, ride on’ with the sung Passion according to St Matthew. The usual afternoon celebration of Choral Evening Prayer is replaced by the Office of Tenebrae sung by the Choirs of the Cathedral at 7.30 pm. This service anticipates the monastic offices for the last three days of Holy Week. Tenebrae means shadows and refers to the gradual extinguishing of candles and lights as the service proceeds, until only one candle remains. Its light is then hidden and a loud noise is made to symbolise the death of Christ, his descent to the dead, and the earthquake at the time of the resurrection. When the light of the one candle returns everyone leaves in silence. On Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm there is the Solemn Mass of Chrism, a Mass celebrated only in Cathedral churches and which is attended by priests and people from throughout the Archdiocese. The Oils which the priests will use in the Sacraments during the coming year are consecrated and the priests present renew their commitment to the ministry. The Oil of the Sick is used in anointing; the Oil of Catechumens takes its name from the title given to those preparing for baptism and the Chrism, which takes its name from Christ himself, is used to anoint those being baptised, confirmed or ordained. On the morning of Good Friday there are the Stations of the Cross at 11.00 am
and at 3.00 pm there is the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, private confession. On Holy Saturday there will be the Sung Office of Readings and Morning Prayer at 10.00 am and then, as the Church keeps watch, there are no other services until the Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter at 9.00 pm. The Vigil begins in darkness before the lighting of the Paschal Candle; after the singing of the Exsultet, the story of salvation, is told through readings and psalms before the Gospel account of the Resurrection. Baptismal vows are renewed and the First Mass of Easter is celebrated.
Easter Sunday is a day of celebration with the Solemn Mass of Easter at 11.00 am, where again there is an opportunity to renew Baptismal promises. There will be a celebration of Choral Evening Prayer at 3.00 pm.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 13 April 8.30 am Mass (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 10.00 am Family Mass (Crypt) 11.00 am Procession of Palms and Solemn Mass Celebrant: Bishop Thomas Williams (Apostolic Administrator) 7.00 pm Mass (Crypt) 7.30 pm Service of Tenebrae (including Allegri’s ‘Miserere’) Wednesday of Holy Week 16 April 7.30 pm Mass of Chrism Celebrant: Bishop Thomas Williams (Apostolic Administrator) THE EASTER TRIDUUM Maundy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper 17 April 10.00 am Sung Office of Readings and Morning Prayer (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 7.30 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Celebrant: Bishop Thomas Williams (Apostolic Administrator) Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion 18 April 10.00 am Sung Office of Readings and Morning Prayer (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 11.30 am Stations of the Cross led by Bishop Thomas Williams (Cathedral) 3.00 pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion Bishop Thomas Williams (Apostolic Administrator) will preside Holy Saturday 19 April 10.00 am Sung Office of Readings and Morning Prayer (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 9.00 pm The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter Celebrant: Bishop Thomas Williams (Apostolic Administrator) Easter Sunday 8.30 am 10.00 am 11.00 am 3.00 pm 7.00 pm
of the Lord’s Resurrection 20 April Mass (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) Family Mass (Crypt) Solemn Mass of Easter Day Choral Evening Prayer Mass (Crypt)
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Pic extras Mums the Word
News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba
Easter 2014… it is hard to believe that it is 14 years already since we celebrated the new millennium. Do you remember all of the predictions that were to come true? But nothing did! God created the world and only He knows the day and hour, only He knows what the future holds. Another Lenten journey will be almost over as you read this article and April is a lovely month to celebrate Easter. For a start, it gives us plenty of time to eat all those Christmas biscuits and chocolates! Also, the plants in our gardens are starting to shoot through – new life is what Easter is all about. Throughout Lent, the love of our crucified Lord keeps saying to us: ‘Come back to me with all your heart, don’t let fear keep us apart.’ Through our prayers, fasting and penance, we are truly able to sing at the Easter Vigil that the light of Christ has come into our world. • On your behalf, prayerful greetings have been sent to our ecclesiastical adviser, Bishop Brain, as he celebrated 50 years of priesthood. We also pray for our new Cardinal Vincent Nicols and the new Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, while not forgetting in our prayers Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly. • As we commemorate the centenary of World War One, let us continue our prayers for all those countries who are at war, causing bloodshed and untold misery to their people. I hope you all had a lovely family day celebrating Mothering Sunday on 30 March and I look forward to seeing you at our AGM on 5 April – it takes place on the same day as the Grand National but will certainly not cost you as much! May the peace and joy of the risen Lord be yours this Easter and always.
God Bless, Ann Hogg, Media Officer
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Knights welcome new faces The Knights of St Columba in Liverpool have seen their ranks bolstered by the arrival of three new members. St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Waterloo was the venue for the admission of the trio – Paul Larkin, John McQuade and George Whelan – at an installation ceremony at 11.15am Mass on Sunday 2 March. We are grateful to Father John Cullen for his part in the ceremony and for the very warm welcome he extended to us all. Our picture shows the three new members with the installation team after the Mass. • It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Mrs Mary Downey, widow of the late Steve Downey, a brother from Council 14, on her 100th birthday on Thursday 6 March. The occasion was marked by the celebration of Mass at Christopher Grange where Mary is a
resident followed by a reception at Christ the King social club attended by a large number of relatives, friends and neighbours. • The annual dinner of Liverpool province took place at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel on Friday 28 February. The event was attended by KSC members, their wives, friends and family. Our photo shows distinguished guests Bro Ron Lynch, supreme knight, and his wife Barbara; Bro John Hamilton, provincial grand knight, and his wife Rita; Right Rev Vincent Malone, former Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool; Rev Tom Wood, provincial chaplain; and John Church, provincial social secretary, and his wife Patricia. Websites: www.ksc.org.uk and www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com
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PIC Life Why we should choose our words carefully By Moira Billinge Six degrees of separation’ is an unproven but often tested theory whereby all people on the Earth are connected to one another by no more than six individuals. The theory is similar to the idea that ‘it’s a small world’. It reasons that, through a series of associations, all people have the potential to know one another, on a first-name basis, through mutual acquaintances, and that a ‘friend of a friend’ chain will link any two people in the world in a maximum of six steps.
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A ‘degree of separation’ is a measure of the social distance between people. Each of us is supposed to be one degree away from ever yone we know, two degrees away from ever yone they know, and so on. During a recent supermarket visit, I overheard two other shoppers chatting as they waited to present their purchases to the cashier. Interestingly, although they were complete strangers, they happened to be talking about two people whom I know quite well. Inevitably, that immediately implied that although we had never previously met, we probably share many acquaintances. There seems to be some solid foundation to the theor y of ‘Six degrees of separation’. In this day and age, technology has dramatically reduced those degrees of separation. What if the couple had been talking maliciously about their subjects or revealed a confidence? Once star ted, where might the repercussions end? Scandal is easily repeated and transmitted globally in seconds, by means of 28
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social media – via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Bad news travels like wildfire – and so does gossip. Without due care, it is incredibly easy to use our words to cause untold pain and distress. In this era of advanced communications, we need to be more vigilant than in any previous age about what we say about others. A well-known proverb which is probably more relevant today than ever before, says: ‘A lie can be halfway around the world before truth has even put its boots on.’ In this context, it is wor th noting Pope Francis’s recent words on spreading the good news, when he quoted his predecessor Paul VI: ‘May the world of our time, which is searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled to receive the good news not from evangelisers who are dejected, discouraged, impatient or anxious, but from ministers of the Gospel whose lives glow with fer vour, who have first received the joy of Christ.’ The Pope also commented that: ‘There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter.’ As we talk with others, let our words spread all that is brightest and best about the people around us. What a difference that would make! If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek, Five things observe with care, To whom you speak, Of whom you speak And how, And when, And where. (Caroline Lake Ingalls, 1881)
Our Easter Prayer Dear Lord We have come through Lent with you, and now we celebrate your resurrection with joy and great love. Amend Please send your favourite prayer to: Barbara, Catholic Pictorial, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS Please include your contact number (not for publication) and which parish you are from.
Worth a visit
This month, allow some time for reflection in your Lenten preparations with a trip to an ancient parish in Wakefield, writes Lucy Oliver. St Peter’s Church, Felkirk dates from the 1100s and its name was taken from the Anglo-Danish word for ‘church of wood or planks’. Set in open countryside, the church was later rebuilt in stone, and is believed to be the first constructed in northern England after the Harrying of the North by William the Conqueror. It served five villages and boasts a large west tower. Enlarged in the Norman period, the church retains many features from that time, such as its gargoyles, and there is also a blocked leper’s window at the west end of the north aisle. Restoration work conducted in the 19th century has preserved Felkirk’s original layout, though there is also an Elizabethan school room, which was in use until 1851. The church’s fascinating history makes this parish a must-see in the Wakefield area for an insight into early Christianity, and its rural setting offers ample opportunity to pause for prayer. Located on Church Lane in South Hiendley, near Barnsley, the church and graveyard will be open on Monday 31 May (12.30-5pm) for tours with refreshments available.
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join in Eating Out
Children’s word search
To celebrate the great love and joy of Easter maybe you could have a family meal at one of our listed eataries. Do book your table in advance.
Easter Sunday will bring us to our joyful celebration of this awe-inspiring time. Take a look at our word search to see if you can find out more.
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More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy The primary school children had been told not to run in the corridors.
Deli-Fonseca Brunswick Dock, Liverpool, L3 0151 255 0808 Wayfearer Alder Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NL 01257 464600 Laureate Restaurant Kilneycourt Hotel chorley Road, Standish WN1 2XN 0844 879 9045 The Wine Cellar Lord Street/Eastbank Street Corner, Southport 01704 530002 Eighty Eight Brasserie Lord Street, Southport 01704 339988 Number 600 Bistro 60 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 0151 707 6060
Greeting Cards from the Carmelite Monastery
‘Your teachers are right y’know,’ Father Mullarkey told them. ‘You can’t be dashin’ round all over the place. ‘I remember a little girl who was late for school,’ he went on. ‘She was running as fast as she could, and while she ran she was saying a little prayer: “Please God, help me not to be late for school.” And just then she went and tripped over the curb. ‘She picked herself up and ran on, still praying: “Please God, help me not to be late for school… but don’t push me over this time!”.’
Audio copy of the Pic out now An audio version of the ‘Catholic Pictorial’ is available free of charge, compiled by students, technicians and Chaplain, Helen Molyneux, at All Hallows RC High School, Penwortham Anyone interested in receiving the audio copy should contact Kevin Lonergan Tel: 01772 744148 or 01772 655433 (home).
Beautiful cards for: First Holy Communion & Confirmation cards and new range of Mass cards now available. Easter Ordination Anniversary of Ordination and all occasions are on sale at: The Carmelite Monastery Maryton Grange Allerton Road Liverpool L18 3NU Please contact the Monastery card office on 0151 724 7102. Email: marytoncards@outlook.com
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