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20p from each sale goes to your parish Issue 112 JANUARY 2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

The joy of the Gospel

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contents Welcome Happy New Year. This month our main feature centres on the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis: ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ ‘The Joy of the Gospel’. It was published in Rome on Sunday 24 November 2013, the Feast of Christ the King, marking the conclusion of the Year of Faith. It received a warm welcome and, although long, is very readable. There is much in it and I would suggest that our main feature is only the start of a process of study and discernment. Resources are being prepared around the document and will be available for priests and people during Lent. Any study will be a joyful study, as Pope Francis says in the opening sentence, ‘The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus’. It is wonderful to have these words of Pope Francis as we start a new year, a time when many people make, and break, resolutions. As Christians our resolutions must be deeper, our commitment greater, but these need not be burdensome. The joy of the Gospel can fill our lives and with that joy comes peace. As we journey through 2014 let us pray that we find both joy and peace.

From the Bishop’s desk I love New Year’s Eve. When I say love, I mean that intimate event where you seek out those you love to embrace and greet and to share the moment with.

Contents 4

Main Feature Joy of the Gospel A welcoming community of love

News From around the Archdiocese

Not everyone celebrates the event the same way. Many can’t even remember, because they are so drunk, many others sleep through it, because they regard it as a non-event, but I love it. Maybe it’s because I have faith in human nature; maybe, it’s because I see things half-full, instead of half-empty. Maybe, it’s because I like people, because I believe that, no matter what mess we get ourselves into there is always hope.

14 Spotlight A safe place for our asylum seekers

Yes, I do believe that clouds have silver linings and that a New Day, a New Year, brings new opportunities and new life.

18 Animate Youth Ministry Opportunity knocks for new Eucharistic ministers

Remember the story of the Road to Emmaus: miserable and down-beat, two of the lost and scattered disciples of Jesus were making a relatively long journey, it was the end of an era for them. Their limited hopes had been dashed when Jesus was Crucified, all hopes and dreams finished, but then a stranger opened the Scriptures to them in other words, they became aware of a sense of meaning to their lives that had been lost: ‘the deaf will hear and the blind will see’. That was their eureka moment, and remember that ‘Special’ moment was at the Breaking of Bread in the Mass, the ‘Eucharist’. New Year is about the question marks of the past being replaced with the exclamation marks of the future. May the Good Lord Bless each and everyone of you this New Year, may we grasp the opportunities that it presents, and fire our hearts and minds with Faith and Love. 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: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk Advertising Andrew Rogers 0151 709 7567 Publisher 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Copy deadline February issue 13 January 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.

15 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese

19 Profile Paul Murphy A man on a mission 25 Justice and Peace What is our response? 25 Cathedral Record Being Special 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 28 Pic Life Why New Year’s resolutions matter 29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey

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Joy of the Gospel A welcoming community of love By Father Philip Inch n November 26th the Church and the world was given an early Christmas present. Pope Francis gifted us the Apostolic Exhortation called ‘Evangelii Gaudium;: the ‘Joy of the Gospel.’

The document is an exhortation to all of humanity to let our hearts be taken up into the very heart of God (178). It is a call to all the Church, popes, bishops, laity and clergy to live out what our Baptism means, and that is to be a missionary, evangelising, welcoming community of love. No summary can do justice to a document. And in many ways Pope Francis’ words should be read not at the desk or sitting on a chair, but on your knees. In this Exhortation the Pope speaks of his ‘dream’ (27) and he opens his heart to each of us as to the way forward for parishes, for Dioceses and for the whole Church. If you have got some vouchers left from Christmas use them to buy this document. You will be able to read it, it is not too complicated, yes it is long, but it is in five chapters with many subsections. Go on treat yourself or a friend! The Pope begins: ‘The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to 4

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encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.(1)’ Pope Francis’ vision of the Parish: In 2006 Archbishop Patrick invited us to Leave Safe Harbours and across the Diocese we have been exploring what it means for us to be the Church today: how can we best use our resources, our strengths, our weakness, all we have at the service of the Gospel. 15 Pastoral Areas have either completed or are on the way to completing their Development Plans, to chart the way forward.

activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers. It is a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey, and a centre of constant missionary outreach. We must admit, though, that the call to review and renew our parishes has not yet sufficed to bring them nearer to people, to make them environments of living communion and participation, and to make them completely missionoriented.’ (28) There should be no talk, then, of a ‘sense of defeat’ (85). ‘Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.

Pope Francis reminds us that we do this not just to ‘manage’ the Church but because: ‘The parish is not an outdated institution; because it possesses great flexibility, so it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.’ (28) ‘An identification of the goals without adequate research on the part of the community as to how to achieve them is doomed to end in mere fantasy’ (33).

I do not want a Church concerned with being at the centre and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life.

In what is one of the most inspiring sections of the document the Holy Father reminds us what a parish is and challenges us as to what it should be like to be part of a Catholic parish: ‘The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration. In all its

More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: “Give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37).’ (49)

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feature ‘The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open.’

Open the Church all day and to everyone! ‘The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason. This is especially true of the sacrament which is itself “the door”: baptism. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. ‘These convictions have pastoral consequences that we are called to consider with prudence and boldness. Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems. (47)

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feature

‘Since I am called to put into practice what I ask of others, I too must think about a conversion of the papacy. It is my duty, as the Bishop of Rome, to be open to suggestions which can help make the exercise of my ministry more faithful to the meaning which Jesus Christ wished to give it and to the present needs of evangelisation. Pope John Paul II asked for help in finding “a way of exercising the primacy which, while in no way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation”. We have made little progress in this regard.’ (32)

‘We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint.’ 6

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Pope Francis on the Sermon: In one section of the document (122158) the Pope speaks of the value of popular piety as an expression of the genuine faith of many people who give testimony to their encounter with the love of God. He encourages theologians to study all that is needed to help in appreciating the various forms of evangelisation (133). Then there is a joke: yes a joke: Section 135 says: ‘The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people. We know that the faithful attach great

importance to it, and that both they and their ordained ministers suffer because of homilies: the laity from having to listen to them and the clergy from having to preach them! It is sad that this is the case.’ The section which follows is a spiritual reflection on what a sermon is for and what a pastor should do if they are preparing a homily, not forgetting the advice in 138: the Pope says that a sermon ‘should be brief, it should not go on too long.’ Being a Jesuit, Pope Francis invites us to an Ignatian exercise of recognizing the presence of God in the world and in the people around us and allowing the light of scripture to be shed. Francis on the Church in the World: The option for the poor, he notes (193), is a constant, clear imperative of Scripture and the Fathers of the Church which created ‘a prophetic, counter-cultural resistance to the selfcentred hedonism of paganism’. The message is “so clear and direct, so simple and eloquent, that no ecclesial interpretation has the right to relativise it’ (194), he says, adding: ‘We may not always be able to reflect adequately the beauty of the Gospel, but there is one sign which we should never lack:

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feature the option for those who are least, those whom society discards’ (195). The option for the poor reflects the way God came into the world: ‘Salvation came to us from the “yes” uttered by a lowly maiden from a small town on the fringes of a great empire’ (197) which is why, says Pope Francis, ‘I want a Church which is poor and for the poor’. The Pope calls for ‘politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor.’ (202-205) It is essential, he says (210), to draw near to new forms of poverty, the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the abandoned elderly, and to be open to immigrants. ‘We Christians should embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition’. Pope Francis links the defence of vulnerable people to the Church’s advocacy of the rights of the unborn. ‘Frequently, as a way of ridiculing the Church’s effort to defend their lives, attempts are made to present her position as ideological, obscurantist and conservative.

Yet this defence of unborn life is closely linked to the defence of every other human right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development…Precisely because this involves the internal consistency of our message about the value of the human person, the Church cannot be expected to change her position on this question. I want to be completely honest in this regard. This is not something subject to alleged reforms or “modernisations”. It is not “progressive” to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life.’ (214) Pope Francis on being a missionary disciple: The Pope proclaims that by baptism we are called to be missionary disciples and that the spirit of our calling springs from this conviction: ‘We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint. It penetrates to the depths of our hearts, sustaining and ennobling us. It is a truth which is never out of date because it reaches that part of us which nothing else can reach. Our infinite sadness can only be cured by infinite love.’ (265) Coming closer to others brings us closer

‘We grow in the light of faith and of knowledge of God’ to Christ (272). ‘Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God. Whenever our eyes are opened to acknowledge the other, we grow in the light of faith and of knowledge of God.’ To grow in the spiritual life means becoming a missionary: ‘a committed missionary knows the joy of being a spring which spills over and refreshes others’. ‘We do not live better when we flee, hide, refuse to share, stop giving and lock ourselves up in our own comforts. Such a life is nothing less than a slow suicide’. Pope Francis goes on to write beautifully of the power of the Resurrection permeating all existence: ‘each day in our world, beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the storms of history’ and ‘all who evangelise are instruments of that power’ (276). Yet the results of our efforts are often obscure: ‘It may be that the Lord uses our sacrifices to shower blessings in another part of the world which we will never visit’ (279). But there is no greater freedom than allowing ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and interceding for others. ‘When evangelisers rise from prayer, their hearts are more open,’ writes Francis. ‘Freed of self-absorption, they are desirous of doing good and sharing their lives with others’ (282). The Pope repeatedly speaks of the joy of the Gospel, the joy of knowing Jesus and the fact that the prime mover in our relationship with God is God himself. God loves us first. It is this fact that impels us to be missionary evangelisers. The document ends with a prayer to Our Lady, the mother of evangelisation, emphasizing her joy but calling all of us: ‘to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.’ This is but a brief summary of a wonderful work from Pope Francis that should be read in its entirety. Resources from the document will be available for priests and parishes to use during Lent 2014.

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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

Superior General visits Bishop Eton

Our Lady’s Parish, Bishop Eton had a special visitor when the Superior General of the Redemptorist Order, the Most Rev Father Michael Brehl CSsR, held the final meetings of his provincial visitation there. The Redemptorists are the seventh largest male Religious Order in the Church and every six years the Provinces throughout the world are 'visited' by members of the General Council from Rome. This year the Redemptorists in the United Kingdom welcomed two Redemptorists from Rome who travelled the length and breadth of the country. At the end of the month long visit, the final meeting took place at Bishop Eton. The visitation was a time to assess the Province, encourage the Redemptorists and to challenge everyone to be grateful for the vocation that has been given to them. Father General gave spoke about the Congregation in many parts of the world, talking especially about the Philippines which he had visited during the recent disaster. He also spoke about Pope Francis with whom he had just met. It was a very blessed visitation and the Redemptorists are renewed in their vocation to preach to those most in need.

Burtonwood Nativity Olivia Alderson and James Morris starred as Mary and Joseph in a Nativity play with a difference at St Paul of the Cross Primary School in Burtonwood. Children from Foundation Stage and Key Stage One took part in the play called ‘Let All the Earth Rejoice’. Unusually the play was written by parents from the school, Gail and Mike Stubbs. Mrs Watts the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One manager at St Paul’s said ‘This has been an exciting experience for the school. It has been challenging and great fun for everyone involved. We have piloted the play in the hope that we can produce it commercially next year for people to buy’.

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news diary

Notre Dame Candlemas Reunion 2014 Candlemas Day, 2 February 1856, saw the opening of Mount Pleasant Teacher Training College in Liverpool. During the years the College was open, the day was celebrated and this tradition continues in the reunions organised for former staff and students of Mount Pleasant and Notre Dame Training Colleges.

trained in the 1970s and 1980s. Some will have been students in the Mount Pleasant building and others will have transferred to the Christ’s and Notre Dame site in Childwall. If you were you a student in those days or have details for others in your year group please contact the Development Office if you can help.

The Development Office in Liverpool Hope University, is currently planning the next reunion to take place on 3 February 2014, the nearest weekday to Candlemas. The day will give alumni the chance to meet up with old friends, celebrate Mass in Hope Chapel and enjoy lunch and afternoon tea in the University’s Eden Arbour restaurant.

Details about events at Liverpool Hope to which former students will be invited to attend or take part are mailed out regularly. Events in the pipeline include an Art Exhibition in April, open to former and current staff and students, a Short Story competition and a reunion for the staff of the three founding church colleges: St Katharine’s, Christ’s and Notre Dame.

If you were a Notre Dame Student in the 70s and 80s Liverpool Hope is gradually building up a database of former Notre Dame students and each year more names are added to the list. There is a particular shortage of names of students who

For further information or to book a place on the Candlemas Reunion contact: Clare Baker, Development Office, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, L16 9JD. Tel: 0151 291 3219. Email: alumni@hope.ac.uk

Obituary of Rev Gary Walsh SSS The former Superior of Liverpool’s Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Dawson Street, Father Gary Walsh, died in Fazakerley Hospital on Thursday 5 December at the age of 53 following a long illness. Father Walsh was born in St Helens and baptised at Sacred Heart church in the town. He studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin where he was ordained Deacon in 1986. The following year he returned to his home parish of Sacred Heart where he was ordained to the priesthood to serve with the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, known as the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. After serving at their mission in Blackpool Father Gary came to Liverpool and the Dawson Street Shrine where he served for many years and became well known throughout the City Centre. Brother Timothy Mcloughlin, Superior of the Blessed Sacrament Shrine, said: ‘Father Gary was very well loved by the people of Liverpool and he had great devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.’ Following a Vigil Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine Father Gary’s Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

St Joseph’s celebrates 50 years 50 years of service to the local Catholic community is a great achievement, and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Warrington celebrated reaching that milestone last year. Highlights in the anniversary year included a beautiful Mass led by Bishop Tom Williams and attended by many ex-pupils and teachers. The Gospel was so apt: Matthew’s account of Jesus praising His Father for revealing hidden things from the learned and clever and revealing them to mere children. Additionally, every class performed songs from the last 50 years at a variety show at the Parr Hall in Warrington. The night was a fantastic success: a packed house with an audience enthralled by the children’s performances. Also in the last weeks, the school have displayed memories, photographs and children’s work commemorating the life of the St Joseph’s since 1963.

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St Mary’s back home Staff and pupils from St Mary’s School, Leyland returned home just before Christmas following the fire which destroyed much of the school in September. The school's 700-plus pupils have been based at two locations since then but returned to their Royal Avenue site on Monday 16 December.

be sharing them with staff, students and parents.

Headteacher Kathy McNicholas said: ‘This has been the most extraordinary term in every sense of the word, and every week has had its highs and lows. Christmas is always a spiritual time for us, and this year particularly so. I am relieved and very happy that the whole school community is back together again.’

A small 'village' of portable teaching and ancillary accommodation has grown at the side and rear of St Mary's, providing facilities to temporarily replace those that were destroyed during the fire. Science labs, design technology rooms, classrooms, a drama studio, changing rooms and toilets are all set up, together with water, gas and electricity services.

Students at the school missed only a few days' schooling despite the devastating effects of the fire, which at its height on 1 September was attended by 20 fire engines and about 125 firefighters. Two weeks later, all students started term in empty high school premises on Ribbleton Hall Drive, Preston. By the end of September, pupils from Years 7, 10 and 11 returned to accommodation at Royal Avenue which had escaped the inferno.

The sports hall still requires work as its metal structure warped in the heat of the fire and the floor was damaged by water, but it should be ready by the end of January. The entrance driveway and car park will also be resurfaced.

Miss McNicholas added: ‘It's been interesting to see the fire-damaged buildings coming down, and sad at times, too, because so much of our previous school life was contained within those walls. But the students have been quite amazing. During difficult times I've gained enormous strength by looking at how they've effortlessly adapted to enormous changes, and dealt with every new situation with enthusiasm.’ ‘The next exciting phase for us all will be the consultation process for the new buildings. The Archdiocese and architects will be presenting outline plans for us to look at during early January and we'll

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‘I'd also like to express my gratitude for the tireless support that has come from so many quarters to enable us to cope with what has happened and move on in such a positive way’

Director of Schools for the Archdiocese, Tim Warren, said: ‘It is a wonderful achievement to see the whole school back on their home site. It could not have happened without the inspirational spirit of the pupils and staff, who led by

their Headteacher have kept the spirit of St Mary’s burning bright despite the adversities they have faced together. We would also like to put on record our appreciation of the strong part played in all this by Lancashire County Council, who have demonstrated ably the important role Local Authorities have to play in supporting our schools.’

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news diary

Crosby’s Kindergarten French

A Crosby nursery has held a special ceremony to pay tribute to the latest graduates of its kindergarten French course. 45 youngsters at the St Mary’s College Bright Sparks facility have just completed a 12-week course in the language which is spoken by around 300 million people worldwide. The lessons took place at the St Mary’s College preparatory school, The Mount, courtesy of Specialist Teaching Assistant Nicky Lopez. The graduation ceremony

was attended by proud parents and grandparents, with all the children receiving a university-style mortar board and a certificate to mark the occasion. Now the children are looking forward to the next stage of their European language tour, a 12-week Spanish course that begins in the New Year. St Mary’s Head of Early Years, Alice Haigh, commented: ‘This is the third year that we’ve run this course and once again it’s been very encouraging to see our

Pupils learn First Aid The pupils of Years 5 and 6 at St Michael and All Angels School, Kirkby have been undergoing potentially life saving First Aid training, including basic defibrillator practice; as part of a programme supported by the Oliver King Foundation. The idea was first presented after the school’s staff undertook their own life saving training, and it was suggested that similar training could be extended to some of the older children at the school. ‘The children have been fantastic,’ said School Business Manager, Maria Graham. ‘They’ve been so enthusiastic about their First Aid training, and see it as a skill that could be useful not just at school, but in the wider community.’ Mark King from the Oliver King Foundation presented the pupils with their First Aid certificates. The Foundation was set up following the death of 12 year Oliver in March 2011, from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) a condition that exists particularly in young people, and which results in abnormalities in heart rhythms. The Foundation’s Community Public Access Defibrillator Scheme is now working to

install the machines in communities across Liverpool. Knowsley Council recently gave the Foundation £70, 000 to install defibrillators and train staff in every school in the borough. St Michael’s And All Angels last OfSTED

pupils tackling a new language with such enthusiasm. Hopefully taking courses like this at such a young age will foster a lifelong interest in languages and the cultures of other countries. Foreign language teaching is a very important part of life for all age groups at St Mary’s College. In addition to French and Spanish, other language options for senior school pupils include German, Mandarin, Latin and Ancient Greek. report commended the school as ‘outstanding’ and remarked on their pupils ‘care for each other’ and ‘their spontaneous response to the needs of others’. ‘So the children’s enthusiastic response to their First Aid training is really an extension of that ethos,’ said Maria. The school celebrated their success with a Mass of Thanksgiving for all their achievements.

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news diary Pupils fundraise for Knowsley Young Carers Pupils at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Knowsley have been raising money to help make a difference to the lives of young people who care for family members. They spent their break times selling cakes to staff and parents in aid of Knowsley¹s Young Carers, raising £722. It is a cause close to the school which has several pupils who care for their parents. Knowsley Young Carers has supported the pupils during difficult times and arranged enjoyable time away from the stress of caring. The week of fundraising culminated in a day of pink celebrations. Staff and children made a donation and wore an item of pink clothing in memory of the mother of two pupils. The whole family received support from the Young Carers group throughout the mother’s illness. Emma Tuffin, Learning Mentor St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, said: ‘Knowsley Young Carers provide fantastic support to young people who help look after a sick or disabled family member. ‘I was delighted when pupils decided they wanted to raise money for this worthy cause in memory of their classmate’s mother, after the family had

received such immense support from the group. ‘It really makes such a difference to a young person to have some well deserved time off from the daily

stresses and strains of being a carer for a family member. It’s great that through the group they get to have a fun time with other youngsters who know what they are going through.’

A celebration of achievement On Friday 6 December a wonderful celebration of achievement took place in the chapel of Hope University. The first six students to ‘graduate’ from the new Diploma in Pastoral Ministry and Leadership which is awarded by the Archdiocese in association with Liverpool Hope University received their Diplomas from Bishop Vincent Malone. Representing parishes in Wigan, Penwortham, St. Helens, Warrington, Chorley and Northwich the students have persevered through twelve modules covering different aspects of pastoral ministry and leadership. The celebration began with a service of prayer and reflection planned and led entirely

by the students themselves. Rev Dr Peter McGrail welcomed students, their family and friends and spoke of the importance of the programme for the university. The majority of the teaching is delivered through the Department of Pastoral Formation with occasional input from other specialists in particular fields. Mrs Veronica Murphy and Rev John McLoughlin are Associate Tutors at Hope. There are a further 22 students enrolled on the course who will hopefully graduate in 2015 and 2016. For further details of the Diploma course please contact Julie Cassidy on 0151 522 1040 or by email J.Cassidy@rcaol.co.uk

Picture: Sean Murphy

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spotlight

A safe place for our asylum seekers By Ewan Roberts, centre manager for Asylum Link Merseyside Watching the dreadful scenes in Syria, we cannot help but feel for the desperate people caught up in one of the bloodiest civil wars of recent times. However, as the victims come closer to our shores, a feeling of unease accompanies them. In Syria, millions are displaced from their homes and already two million have fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and even Iraq. Yet among all these millions, in the year to June 2013, Britain had only 1,358 applications for asylum from Syrian nationals. Why is it so hard for people less than five hours’ flying time away to get here? Why can we not lift people out of that hellish environment and give them new, if temporary, lives? Within these questions lies the unease with which we view the arrival of asylum seekers: somehow the deserving refugee no longer needs our assistance if they make it to Heathrow or Dover. Talk to the wrong person and you will quickly be told that Britain is full: there’s no room here. That argument has been used before and not too far from where Syrian refugees are fleeing from today. Asylum seekers arriving here are means-tested and screened, placed in dispersed accommodation around the country. In the north-west, Liverpool is the centre for this hostel accommodation. They are not permitted to work and get on average £35 a week to live on. After a few weeks, they are sent either to more permanent housing within the city or to other places like Salford, Wigan or Cheetham Hill. What welcome awaits them?

Ahmad volunteers in our kitchen. He has been here a year but only started at the centre six months ago. A few weeks ago he relayed

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that his neighbour had made his family’s life miserable for the past year and the previous day had attacked him, stuffing a note through his door saying he would kill him.

Not put onto a plane, but requested to contact a voluntary returns programme. They have a 21-day notice after which all support is withdrawn.

Conso, another volunteer, was attacked as she went to the local shop and needed stitches in the back of her hand.

Our services are provided in cooperation with the Catholic Church, which houses us, along with trusts, foundations and other charities who support our work. For the 4,000 people using St Anne’s each year we are a solid point in a shifting, often hostile environment but, like many charities, we are struggling in these austere times.

Our centre at St Anne’s provides a safe space. Here Ahmad, Conso and others can fill their time constructively as volunteers, combating isolation and exclusion. Some 150 people each day use the centre for meals, casework advice, English lessons, computer access, or even to get their bike repaired. We see around 250 destitute people each year, offering help with housing and food as well as providing activities like table tennis and allotments. Healthcare providers use us as a gateway to reach this group.

Within our society, there are people who make space for the newcomer, people with a wider vision of a more equal society. Asylum seekers are no different from you and me – it is only their circumstances that are different. We should wish for them what we would wish for ourselves.

The government does not fund services like this, the inference being that asylum seekers should just sit and wait until the immigration caseworker has come to a decision.

To help with the vital work we do, please send donations to: ALM Appeal c/o Treasurer Asylum Link Merseyside, St Anne’s Centre, 7 Overbury Street, Liverpool, L7 3HJ.

Some people wait years and the chances of success are one in three at best. This means that of the 23,000 applicants in the year to June 2013, some 7,500 will get to stay. The rest are asked to leave.

Alternately, donate by bank transfer to the Cooperative Bank, Acc No 65105157, Sort Code 08-92-99; or through ‘Just Giving’ by texting ALM12D and the amount to 70070 eg ALM12D £10.

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note As our schools and workplaces and parishes get back into gear after the Christmastide and New Year break, we look forward to the 12 months which open up before us filled with opportunities ‘to know, to love and to serve The Lord’. In fact, the attitude with which we embrace life is, in the words of Pope Francis in his recent Exhortation, to be filled with ‘the joy of the Gospel’ because it is in that spirit of joy that people will be able to truly encounter the risen Lord Jesus. Joy is not about wearing a fixed grin which people will very quickly realise is false and forced, nor is it an attempt to pretend that life is always a bed of roses; life can be tough, faith can feel sometimes like an uphill struggle, and joy is perfectly compatible with suffering –just look to the Martyrs! The ‘joy of the Gospel’ is our being so deeply rooted in our relationship with the Father that, using the words of Saint Paul, we know in the depth of our being that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8:28). When we come together to celebrate the liturgy of the Church, we are

Sunday thoughts January is the month with the highest number of people pulling a ‘sickie’. One of the joys of Christmas is that it allows us a week of long sleeps. Crawling out from under the duvet to return to work again prompts many to dream not just of an extra day in bed but of early retirement. In recent years the harsh reality of dark January mornings is reinforced by the recession. We may have indulged ourselves over Christmas but now it is back to prison rations. The flat-screen TV may have taken the place of the hearth as the focus of our Christmas celebrations but leaving it to face the outside world once more is still a wrench. Babies grow fast and the Christ child cannot be a baby for ever. We have to leave the cosy stable and move on. The Feast of the Epiphany matches this mood. The Irish call it ‘Little Christmas’ as if to soften the blow. The three Wise Men come from afar to adore the Infant King and then

Canon Philip Gillespie

nourished by word and sacraments for the task that lies ahead of us each day, each week, each year. The liturgy is a moment in the life of each individual and community when, in a particular and powerful way, God works for our good, transforming our lives through the working of His Holy Spirit. Pope Francis certainly challenges every one of us by his words regarding the need for each of us – both as individuals and as parishes – to embrace the call to be missionaries of the joy of the Gospel. We are called to be missioners of Gospel joy in a world which can so often appear to be concerned merely with the superficial, the short-term and the self-centred. By our example, we play our own little part in fulfilling the great command, ‘Go, make disciples of all nations’ – but we can only do this in the strength of the Holy Spirit. This is not only a challenge, but also an examination of conscience!

Mgr John Devine OBE

return to that hostile world. TS Eliot’s Epiphany poem puts it well: ‘We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, with an alien people clutching their gods’. Christmas is for the family, the Church. The Epiphany is a feast for the world, the ‘nations’. And we are the ones who must carry the experience of the Christ child into that wider world. The Epiphany is not a cosy feast. The cruelty of Herod survives today in a world of ethnic cleansing, boat people and refugee camps. Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are not toys for a baby but a reminder of the challenges that the adult Christ must face. We must face them, too, but with a hope enriched by our Christmas celebration.

Hope in God January 2014. The world is in chaos. We live in an uncertain financial climate. We live with the threat of terrorism. We live in a world where fundamentalism is rising and not just among Moslems – Christian fundamentalism is just as much of a reality, where all we can do is point the finger and blame others and allow fear to dominate. As individuals we look at the lives of those we love and we see people torn apart by illness, the scourge of cancer and HIV. People’s lives are devastated as companies close down and unemployment rears its head. People are hurting from being bereaved. Yet as Christians we begin another new year filled with hope. Where does this hope come from? One of the words used in the Genesis stories is ‘blessed’. The Hebrew understanding of blessed is far deeper than our understanding of the word. For the Hebrew, the blessing of God or the ‘barak’ is something that we live in. Some theologians have said that it is the abundant life of God shared with humanity and with the whole of creation. The question we have to ask is whether we believe in this blessing of God, the abundant life of God poured out, because that is where our hope lies. If you know the heart of God, you will know that life is being poured out whatever state the world seems to be in and you will choose to believe that because of this, there is and always will be hope for the future. We have to live in an uncertain world with all the tragedies and experiences that everyone else has, but we live filled with hope in the goodness of God and trusting that ultimately all will be well because of that goodness. So for 2014 can we hope in God? Can we dare hope in the midst of what has happened in Syria and the Philippines just recently? Can we offer hope in the wake of the Glasgow helicopter crash? Of course we can, because God is with us. Fr Chris Thomas

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what’s on Thursday 23 January Catechist Evening Animate Youth Ministries will be hosting an evening for Catechists to gather together and to share ideas and resources at Lowe House, St Helens starting at 6.30 pm. For more information contact Fr Simon Gore on 01744740467 or s.gore@animateyouth.co.uk.

Various dates

Saturday 25 January to Sunday 2 February Homelessness and Poverty Action Week Details: www.actionweek.org Tuesday 28 January Cursillo Ultreya 7.30 pm at St Michael and All Angels, Sydney Powell Avenue, Kirkby, L32 0TP. Friday 31 January to Sunday 2 February ‘And God saw that it was good...’ Exploring the Book of Genesis. Scripture Weekend led by father Chris Thomas at Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or Emal: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Sunday 5 January Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

Sunday 19 January Day of Prayer for Peace

Sunday 12 January Loyola Day 10.00 am-4.00 pm at Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A day of quiet with input including guidance in prayer and sharing on a theme, ending with Mass. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk

Memorial Lecture for Peace Sunday with Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi 1.30 pm at the Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17 1AA.

Tuesday 14 January Ministry Day 10.00 am-4.00 pm at Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A day for people in full-time or part-time ministry with input and sharing and time for quiet prayer and reflection. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk Wednesday 15 January Clergy Day Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A short presentation, prayer and discussion including Exposition and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk Saturday 18 January to Saturday 25 January Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity Saturday 18 January Training Day for those with training in Spiritual Accompaniment Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. Details Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk

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Tuesday 21 January MARCAP (Merseyside And Region Church Action on Poverty) Meeting at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Liverpool, L3 8DR. Details: Steve Atherton Tel: 0151 522 1080.

World of Atherton

Sunday 19 January

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january Looking ahead: Saturday 1 February The Dance Concert 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Sunday 2 February Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Thursday 6 February to Friday 7 February Crossroads Retreat The Prayer centre, St Josephs, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH. Details: www.crossroadsretreats.co.uk Email: info@crossroadsretreats.co.uk Sunday 9 February Loyola Day 10.00 am-4.00 pm at Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A day of quiet with input including guidance in prayer and sharing on a theme, ending with Mass. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk ‘Let Your Light Shine’ Preparing for Lent for Children’s Liturgy Leaders Led by Jo Boyce CJM Music. 2.00 pm at the Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park Liverpool, L17 1AA. £10. Bookings: please send details to Mrs Julie Cassidy at LACE (cheque payable to RCAOL). Tuesday 11 February World Day of Prayer for Sick People Ministry Day 10.00 am-4.00 pm at Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A day for people in full-time or part-time ministry with input and sharing and time for quiet prayer and reflection. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk

Wednesday 12 February Clergy Day Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 6NZ. A short presentation, prayer and discussion including Exposition and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Details from Loyola Hall Tel: 0151 426 4137. Email: mail@loyolahall.co.uk Website: www.loyolahall.co.uk Saturday 15 February ‘Locus Iste’ – In God’s House Concert 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Sunday 16 February Education Sunday

22nd World Day of the Sick: Tuesday 11 February 2014 On 6 December Pope Francis issued his message for the 22nd World Day of the Sick which takes place on 11 February 2014, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, with the theme ‘Faith and Charity: we too must give our lives for the brethren’. The Pope mentions that the Church sees in the sick ‘the special presence of the suffering Christ’, and added that God has reduced and transformed sickness and suffering. “Reduced”, he writes, ‘because it no longer has the last word, which is instead new life in all its fullness; transformed because in union with Christ, the negative can become positive. Jesus is the way, and with His Spirit we can follow Him. Just as the Father gave His Son for love, and the Son gave Himself for that same love, we too can love others as God has loved us, giving our lives for our brethren’. Pope Francis goes on to mention that by Baptism and Confirmation, we are called to conform to Christ, the Good Samaritan to all those who suffer. ‘When we come close, with tenderness, to those in need of care, we bring the hope and the smile of God amid the contradictions of the world’. He explained that to grow in tenderness and respectful, gentle charity, the best Christian model is Mary. ‘She knows how to undertake this path and for this reason she is the Mother of all the sick and suffering. We are able to turn to her with trust and filial devotion, sure that she will assist and support us, and will never abandon us. She is the mother of the Risen Christ.’ He concluded; ‘she stays next to our crosses and accompanies us on the true path towards resurrection and full life’.

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profile

Paul Murphy

A man on a mission It is just over a year ago since Paul Murphy headed south from Scotland to begin a new life and mission in Liverpool. An educational psychologist, Paul came here to work for the Redemptorists as their co-ordinator of youth ministry, living and working in Bishop Eton monastery in Childwall. There are not many 38-year-olds who would drop everything to work for the Church yet, in Paul’s words, ‘the knock was too loud’. When living previously in Elgin in the northeast of Scotland, he had responded to the scarcity of fellow Catholics by setting up a young adult group to share his faith with others; now he had the chance to do it on a full-time basis. ‘I just felt God was calling me to do this at this point in my life and I felt I couldn’t ignore that,’ he says. ‘I’ve got no regrets. In fact it’s the opposite – it’s a real privilege to give young people opportunities because that is all they need, they just need opportunities.’ Paul has established groups for young adults aged 18-35 in both Liverpool and Birmingham, meeting every fortnight for

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faith-based and social activities, and in Liverpool, in particular, the response could not have been more encouraging. ‘I wasn’t sure what to expect but it is just incredible how many people want to become involved,’ says Paul, who grew up in Motherwell before studying Psychology at Strathclyde University. ‘Seventy people have come at least once and we get 20 or 25 each session. We meet every other Tuesday at Bishop Eton and have time for prayer, discussion, reflection, and a social period to finish off. There are people from all over the city, people from 18 all the way up to 35, married people, people of different nationalities, students, professionals, people wanting to learn more about the faith.’ Guest speakers have included Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly while last month brought an Advent retreat at Hawkstone Hall. Another retreat at Kinnoull monastery, Perth – where Paul has been taking groups for a decade – is planned for February. ‘At the end of each meeting, you always feel so encouraged by other people’s faith,’ adds Paul. ‘It is contagious if

people meet and share it together, and the social part is crucial – if you can build up friendships, sharing becomes easy. The faith of others gives you inspiration in your own faith.’ A member of CYMFED, the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation for England and Wales, Paul has also started up a fortnightly Sunday evening youth group for 12 to 17-year-olds at Bishop Eton and is involved in the new 'Ignite Liverpool' youth initiative for 14 to 18-year-olds from parishes across south Liverpool. ‘It’s a chance to come together and see they are part of a bigger faith network,’ says Paul, who reflects that this is a time of hope for young Catholics, not least for the impact made by Pope Francis. ‘He has a very positive message for everyone. Young people are seeing that and seeing how much Pope Francis wants to reach out to them. He is encouraging young people not to be afraid and to serve the Church,’ says a man who is doing just that. • The RYM Young Adult Group and Youth Group both meet at Fisher-More Hall, Bishop Eton. To find out more, email paul.murphy@redemptorists.co.uk.

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youth ministry

Opportunity knocks for new Eucharistic ministers By Rebecca Wall Happy New Year from everyone here at Animate. One of our first big events of 2014 is a Eucharistic ministers’ training course for young people aged 15 or over which we are running towards the end of this month. The course will take place over two days at Lowe House and will end with the participants being commissioned as Eucharistic ministers for their parish, school or college. To become an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist is a great opportunity and a privilege. A couple of years ago, during my first year on the team, I took part in the training course at Lowe House. It allowed me to learn more about the Eucharist and what it means to be and act as the Body of Christ, and it ensured that I had the relevant information and training needed to fulfil the role of Eucharistic minister.

Since then I have been able to distribute Holy Communion to both the young and old, the sick and healthy, and through distributing the Body and Blood of Christ, I have been able to be a witness to my faith. Therefore, I encourage other young people in the diocese thinking about becoming a Eucharistic minister to do so. The training course will be held on the weekend of 18 and 19 January, with applicants commissioned at the 4.30pm Mass at St Mary’s, Lowe House on the Sunday. If you would like to become an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist for your school or parish, please speak to your chaplain or teachers or your parish priest and ask them to support you in this ministry. If you would like to put forward a young person for training, then please get in touch.

You can find application forms on the downloads page of our website www.animateyouth.org. If you would like more information, you can contact Father Simon Gore on 01744740467 or at s.gore@animateyouth.co.uk. Visitors from Cologne After returning to the house after our Christmas holidays, we welcomed three visitors from Germany, who were here to join us in our celebration of the Epiphany. As part of the twin city initiative we have with Cologne, they came to add a European flavour to the occasion and it was interesting to hear about the way the Christmas season is celebrated in Germany. We gave our guests a tour of St Helens and Liverpool so maybe they learned a bit about our culture as well! Catechist evening On Thursday 23 January, Animate will be hosting an evening for Catechists to gather together and share ideas and resources. The team will also put together a booklet filled with resources which Catechists can take away and use with their young people. The event will take place at Lowe House from 6.30-8.30pm. For more information contact Fr Simon Gore (see details above). • Keep up to date with our activities via Facebook (Ani Mate), Twitter (@animateyouth) or our website (www.animateyouth.org).

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justice & peace

What is our response? By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker At Christmas we celebrated the Incarnation, God taking on the human condition in the birth of Jesus Christ. We did this with our cribs and carol services and in the beautiful Christmas liturgies in church but, most importantly, we did this in the reality of inviting God/Christ into the everyday events of our lives and our world. God lives in our lives as well as in our Church. It is this view of the generous presence of God in our lives that makes sense of the presents that that we give during the Christmas season. God is generous. We are generous. Our generosity begins with our families but we are challenged to extend it towards the rest of the world. Our belief does not stop at the birth of Jesus, of course – we also live the mystery of our faith that ‘Christ will come again’. Yet what does this mean for us? Let me share with you the challenge offered by Father Joachim Rego CP, Superior General of the Passionists. He said recently: ‘The people in the Philippines are still numb in shock and disbelief following the unimaginable devastation in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. In certain parts of the world, wars continue to rage; in other

PEACE parts, hearts remain stubbornly closed to resolving decades-long conflicts. ‘In yet other parts of our global village, people are protesting – sometimes violently – for a more just and fair society, especially for those seeking asylum; those who are victims of abuse; those discriminated against because of race, gender, colour or creed; those committed to protecting our environment and planet into the future. I ask myself and challenge you to ask: what is our response to this reality?’ These inspiring words are also very challenging. Will Christ come again only as a final, devastating, cataclysmic moment or will He come again through us, working to be the kingdom, the loving presence of God in the here and now? If the answer is ‘both’, then how do we let Jesus work through us? Where are the people and places in our lives that need the presence of Jesus? How do we join with Jesus in this quest for peace? Our Church celebrates the 3rd Sunday in January as Peace Sunday, inviting us to be peacemakers: in our selves, in our families, in our neighbourhoods and in our workplaces. Peace, of course,

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Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi is easy in the abstract but much more difficult when there is an actual conflict. The Justice and Peace Commission invites you to come to the annual Memorial Lecture at LACE on Sunday 19 January from 2-4pm to listen to Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi. Pat has spent most of her life working for peace and has even been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She will deliver a speech on the subject of remembering the anniversary of the First World War, the title of which is ‘And what did we learn? The challenge to peacemakers commemorating World War I.’

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Holocaust Education Day at St John Bosco On Wednesday 4 December, the History department at St John Bosco held a Holocaust Event for years 10, 11, 12 and 13 History and Theology students. Educator John Corbett and Holocaust Survivor Ruth Barnett came to school to hold a number of different sessions for the students. The day began with an assembly to set the foundations of the day and then all the students involved took part in activity sessions with the educator. Ruth then gave her 90 minute testimony to all students which was then consolidated with a question and answer session and activity session with both John and Ruth. This was a very successful event that reinforced students understanding of the Holocaust and gave them a greater knowledge of other events that are linked within this time frame, thus enhancing their learning for the summer examinations. It was met with an extremely positive response from both students and staff alike when reflected on following the event.

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Notre Dame take the lead at local Church St Anthony’s Church on Scotland Road was the setting for Notre Dame Catholic College’s Carols by Candlelight Service on Tuesday evening the 18th December 2013. The Carol service has been a long standing tradition in the college and was usually held in its magnificent Notre Dame Hall. This year, however, with the move to its new building, Mrs Frances Harrison, Headteacher at the college, fulfilled a promise that the school would develop greater links with the community and the service would be held at a venue other than the college. Father Graeme praised the school for the excellent singing and music provided by the school’s choirs and orchestra and the prayerful atmosphere the service created on a very wet and windy evening. He said how it was a fitting setting as St Anthony’s was the parish church where the Sisters of Notre Dame first settled when they came to Liverpool in the 1800s. Many sisters from the present congregation of Notre Dame attended the event and commented on it being the best ever service. Parishioners from St Anthony’s were able to attend the service with many parents, staff and former staff of the college.

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cathedral meeting the new Dean who will be travelling over for the service and staying at Cathedral House for a couple of nights.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. In the absence of a crystal ball I’m not sure what this year may have in store for us all in the Diocese but hopefully January will be relatively free of surprises so that we can begin 2014 at a leisurely pace here at the Cathedral. As well as the weekend celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany we also have the Annual Children’s ‘Three Kings Service’ which will take place at our Cathedral this year on Wednesday 8 January at 2.00 pm. This is a joint service with Liverpool Cathedral and Cologne Cathedral who will be bringing a delegation of young people to act as kings and a star carrier in the service. (In Cologne various groups of children dress as kings and visit homes

Our German visitors are big fans of a full English Breakfast so I’ll probably have to don an apron and spend the mornings frying bacon that week.

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean

and businesses in the city bringing a blessing and prayers for those who work and live there). Following the sad death of the previous Dean of Cologne I am looking forward to

To mark the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity there will be a joint Cathedrals Choral Evening Prayer at our Cathedral on Sunday 19 January at 3.00 pm with the guest preacher one of Liverpool Cathedral Clergy. Later that week on Thursday 23 January Hope University will be holding their Winter Degree Ceremony here at 11.00 am.

Being Special at the Cathedral

Almost 4,000 pupils from schools across the Archdiocese filled the Metropolitan Cathedral over two days in December for the annual Advent Carol Service. The theme was ‘Being Special’ and they were treated to a very special performance of the Nativity from Cathedral staff and volunteers. Among those taking part the Narrator, Lutje Rathbone, brought cheers every time the word ‘special’ was mentioned. Baby Jesus was played by real live Keira May Lucas-Eastwood while Kizy the dog was disguised as a sheep. The Cathedral Clergy played their part with the Dean, Canon

Anthony O’Brien, and Fathers Ged Callacher and Liam Collister taking the role of the three kings, entering the Cathedral on mobility scooters disguised as camels. All took place under the watchful eye of producer Claire Hanlon who had the task of keeping everyone in line. A tinsel bedecked swaying and waving Cathedral Girls’ Choir took part in the services, singing while the schools brought up their traditional gifts which are donated to Nugent Care for distribution at Christmas.

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Pic extras Mums the Word It is quite true, the older you get the quicker time passes. It does not seem all that long ago that I was writing the January 2013 column. We were all looking forward to celebrating our centenary, yet now that is all behind us and we face 2014 with no big celebrations planned. Knowing the UCM, though, I am sure that some foundations will be planning some celebration along with prayers and socials. We do have our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham, taking place in July. When the UCM first started the pilgrimage, we were not allowed into the abbey grounds. Back then, no pilgrimage was. Permission was requested but always refused, so we did what we always do in times of need: we prayed. Our Lady heard our prayers and our next request was granted on the understanding that the pilgrimage took place on the first Tuesday in July each year and so a tradition was born. At that time we were the only pilgrimage allowed into the abbey grounds and we could follow the medieval pilgrims by walking the Holy Mile and ending with a service in the abbey. We always seemed to have good weather and the ladies of the village quickly realised this and the Monday and Tuesday became blanket-washing day as they could rely on good drying weather. Sadly over the past few years this has no longer been the case. Our next bi-monthly Mass is at Christ the King on 8 January at 7.30pm. At this Mass our charity fund cheques will be presented to the relevant charities. I look forward to seeing you all at the Mass and at our next business meeting, which will take place in the Gibberd room at the Metropolitan Cathedral on 4 February at 7.30pm. God bless, Ann Hogg, media officer

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News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Pope praises Knights of Columbus, our American cousins The Knights of Columbus – the order on which our own KSC is based – began life in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882, founded by Father Michael McGivney, parish priest of St Mary’s, New Haven. Driven mainly by his desire to help widows and orphans in desperate straits, the organisation he created was remarkable as it would be run by Catholic laymen, not clergy. It would provide insurance to help families burdened by sickness, trying to ensure a decent burial and struggling to survive after the loss of the breadwinner. It also offered an alternative to young Catholics who might otherwise be tempted to join the secret societies popular at the time. Today the North American Knights have over 1.8m members. The insurance section has nearly $20bn in assets and in 2012 they donated more than $167m and ‘70 million hours’ to charity. On 10 October last year, Pope Francis received a delegation from the order at the Vatican. He praised the Knights’ integrity and loyalty and expressed his gratitude for their unfailing support of the Holy See. He also thanked them for their prayers and

witness of faith and commended the order to the intercession of St Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family and an admirable model of those virtues of quiet strength, integrity and fidelity which the Knights are committed to preserving, cultivating and passing on to future generations of Catholic men. Meanwhile, the cause for the beatification of Fr McGivney proceeds. Evidence of possible miracles attributed to him was submitted to the Vatican for consideration after he was declared ‘venerable’ in 2008. • A full knighthood ceremony took place at St Francis of Assisi, Garston on 28 October for five new members. The photo shows all five at the ceremony, wearing their purple collarettes: (left to right) Michael Cherry, Alex Capaldi, Peter Cherry, Will Keeffe and Harry Sheridan. Also pictured are provincial grand knight John Hamilton and installation team members Peter Kinsey, John Church, Mark Thompson and Terry Carroll. Websites: www.ksc.org.uk and www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com

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Catholic Pictorial

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PIC Life Why New Year’s resolutions matter By Moira Billinge We are now in the early days of a new year – days when hope really does spring eternal in the form of the many resolutions we make! Those who have made fresh resolutions, or re-made those of previous years, do so with the best of intentions but give it a month or two and for the majority of us, perfection will likely be back where we last saw it – as a distant dream. Still, some of us will plod on valiantly, attempting to keep that initial spark of determination alive a little while longer. It goes without saying that we do not have to wait for 1 January to descend on us each year before making changes in our lives. However, it just feels easier to make them when others around us are perceived to be doing the same. Perhaps there is a kind of camaraderie whereby we are all being miserable together while battling whatever flaws we have decided to eradicate. My new year’s resolutions got off to an unexpected start before Christmas after listening to a homily on Saint Matthew’s Gospel (24:37-44): ‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.’ The homily included an exhortation to live each day as if it were our last, and concluded: ‘One day you will be right!’ Yes, the final sentiment was very amusing as it was intended to be, but 28

Catholic Pictorial

it also served its purpose as food for thought. Making changes does not have to mean giving things up; it can also include taking things on, and putting aside more time – our scarcest and most precious commodity – for the good of other people. Unfortunately, God can be one of the ‘casualties’ of our busy-ness, and we sometimes put Him on the back burner in the hope that He will not mind too much, or better still, will not notice if we get everything else in our day’s schedule completed before affording Him any serious thought. How often have we ended the day without Him even figuring in the ‘Any other business’ item of our crowded agendas? We all have faults and failings and do not usually need to have them pointed out to us. For the most part we are only too aware of the areas in our lives that we struggle with, and which we know we should work on. Even if we fail in our resolve, we will have scored a few brownie points for at least having tried. Embracing change is never easy but it is necessary if we wish to achieve our full potential and become who God intended us to be. Serenity prayer ‘Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ (American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr)

Our New Year Prayer God knows I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown’ He replied ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God that shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. So I went forth and finding the hand of God, walked gladly into the night. Put your faith and trust in God who will never let you down 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

In the heart of Castilian Spain lies Avila, an 11th-century ‘city of saints and stones’. It boasts perhaps the most impressive medieval town wall in Spain and it also offers a window into the life of Saint Teresa of Avila, its most famous daughter. Founder of the Discalced Carmelites, Teresa lived a humbled life and her mission to reform her order was met with much hostility. Her friend and confessor, St John of the Cross, suffered much as he tried to reform his own order to serve God more diligently and avoid the trappings of comfortable religiosity. The Convento de San José, founded by St Teresa over 450 years ago, houses a small museum of artefacts surviving from her life while the Convento de Santa Teresa includes a church built on the site where she was born and several relics including that of her ring finger, once kept by the Spanish dictator Franco at his bedside. Take time to contemplate Teresa’s life – from running away as a child in the hope of being martyred to setting up a new order. And as you reflect on her trials and ecstasies, be inspired by her example to place a cheer ful devotion to God above all other things. Lucy Oliver

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join in Eating Out

Children’s word search The celebration of ‘The Epiphany’ of the Lord is 6 January - we saw his star in the east and have come to pay him homage. Check our word search to find out more about this great feast.

BABY JESUS

HOMAGE

M R

BETHLEHEM GIFTS REVEALING

LIGHT

WISE MEN

GLORY

R M

STAR KING

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy Father Mullarkey was on a visit to the primary school and found one of the young teachers quite upset. ‘What’s wrong?’ asked the auld fella. ‘One of the young boys stole a Mars bar from another child’s bag. I am very disappointed in him.’ ‘Well, I can understand that,’ said Fr Mullarkey, ‘but he’s only a little chap and we all make mistakes. I’m sure he’s sorry now.’ ‘Yes, he is.’ ‘I remember pinching sweets meself in school in Galway when I was his age,’ added Fr Mullarkey. ‘Surely not, Father.’ ‘It’s true. Somebody gave our teacher a box of chocolates and during playtime I took a couple. She wasn’t very pleased and lined the whole class up and asked for the boy who pinched the chocolates to step forward.’ ‘And did you step forward?’ ‘I didn’t need to,’ said Fr Mullarkey, ‘the rest of the class took a step back!’

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).

January is a great time to take a drive out and a short walk to spot the first signs of spring and maybe have a meal at one of our listed restaurants: Delifonseca Dockside, Brunswick Dock, Liverpool 3 0151 255 0808 The Ship Wheat Lane, Lathom, West Lancashire L40 4BX 01704 893117 Eagle and Child Maltkin Lane, Bispham Green, Ormskirk L40 3SG 01257 462297 Travellers Rest Dawbers Lane, Euxton, Chorley PR7 6EG 01257 451184 Blue Mallard Burscough Wharf, Liverpool Road North L40 5RZ 01704 893954 Rigbye Arms Whittle Lane, Wrightington, Wigan 01257 462354

Monastery Shop

The shop at Maryton Carmel Allerton is now open stocking some delightful greeting cards for all occasions, great quality and at very reasonable cost. Please ring the card office on 0151 724 7102 or email marytoncards@outlook.com or visit the shop at: Carmelite Monastery Maryton Grange Allerton Road Liverpool L18 3NU Catholic Pictorial

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Wanted for the Missions Large Statues (Even damaged ones), old vestments, pictures, church fittings, rosaries, prayer books, etc. Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, 102 Moor St, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6EY Tel: 02476 676986

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