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Issue 146 NOVEMBER 2016

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

FREE

Inside this issue: Honours from Pope Francis

Speakeasy at 40

St Helens Rosary Procession

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contents Welcome Our front cover sums up the spirit of this month, November. It is a time to remember and we began last Tuesday with the Feast of All Saints, and the following day, the commemoration of all the faithful departed. These days very much set the scene for the coming month as we remember all those who have gone before us. Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, we pray for all who have lost their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts. We remember others too this month: today is LAMP Sunday, when we remember Father Denis Parry and Father Simon Cadwallader in Peru serving with the Liverpool Archdiocesan Missionary Project. We pray for them, their ministry and those they serve. Sunday 20 November is Youth Sunday, when we remember all those who work with and for our Animate Youth Ministries. It is also the Feast of Christ the King, the titular Feast of our Metropolitan Cathedral and this year marks the closing of the Year of Mercy. Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate Mass for the closing of the year at 3.00 pm in the Cathedral, please do come along to remember and give thanks for the mercy of the Father.

From the Archbishop’s Desk November is always a difficult month for Catholics in England because of the Gunpowder Plot, which is still remembered with bonfire parties and fireworks. As you remember the plot was to kill King James I by blowing up parliament which he was due to open. Today’s Catholics are rightly horrified by the thought of assassinating our monarch who is such a wonderful queen and spiritual leader. Even in the tumultuous times of the early seventeenth century when many Catholics were martyred, imprisoned and fined for their faith, regicide would have been hard to justify. So four hundred years later we still bear some shame for the action of the plotters. This month is also the time when we remember the dead. Those who have died need our prayers and the continuing love that we have for them. Death can break apart the friendships and relationship that we have built up over the years. When someone dies it is as though our families and communities have become ‘dis-membered’. We feel as though part of us has died as well. By praying for the dead we ‘remember’ them, thus putting us back together in the hope that there will come a time when we will all be one in Christ. The strong bonds of love and friendship which we established while we were together in this world surely endure beyond death, and that truth is a consolation for each of us as winter closes in and we begin to look for the advent of new life in the Christ-child.

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

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 Advertising Sales team 0151 709 7567 Publisher CPMM 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Contents 4

Main Feature Irenaeus team look to deepen links

News From around the Archdiocese

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 15 Nugent News Awards galore for our amazing volunteers 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 19 Profile Ged Edwards Working for a better world with Cafod 25 Cathedral Record Happy New Liturgical Year 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 27 Animate Youth Ministry Why community is at the heart of Animate’s work 28 Pic Life Why people, not places, are our Church

Copy deadlines December and January issues December 14 November 2016 January 2017 5 December 2016 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.

29 Join In Family Fun and More Mullarkey 30 Justice and Peace The meaning of Mercy

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Irenaeus team look to deepen links The Irenaeus Project has promoted reflection and spiritual direction across Liverpool Archdiocese and beyond since 2002. It is now looking extend its work even further. ister Moira Meeghan is talking about the effect of longremembered hymns on people living with dementia. ‘As soon as we start singing they join in, they know all the words, and it’s all about enabling them to enjoy things,’ says Sister Moira, who has witnessed this positive impact at first hand since the Irenaeus Project, of which she is part, helped set up a choir for people affected by dementia at St Thomas of Canterbury parish in Waterloo earlier this year.

‘The choir is for anyone who enjoys singing, for anyone living with a form of dementia and for carers,’ she adds. ‘When you are living with dementia the facts are often lost but the emotions remain as they are the last thing to go really. The more people enjoy things and the more those emotions can be stimulated, the better for the person. Singing is good for the brain, the more they can keep the brain stimulated, the better for the person. We’re just creating a situation where people are going to enjoy themselves, where they can feel confident, where their carers can relax and be comfortable as well and where stress is reduced.’ The choir – numbering between 30 and 40 people and open to anybody in Liverpool Archdiocese – is an initiative begun in response to the Archdiocesan plan for people in parishes to be more aware of the effects of dementia on a person and the community. They meet

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on alternate Wednesdays at St Thomas of Canterbury church hall, and will be singing at the Dementia Friendly Carol service in the Metropolitan Cathedral on 14 December, starting at 2pm. It is an admirable undertaking – and is just one piece of the impressive portfolio of work that the Irenaeus Project has been compiling in our Archdiocese. It was in June 2002 that Father Chris Thomas was released from his parish work to embark on a project which draws its inspiration from St Irenaeus, a fourthcentury French bishop whose words ‘Gloria Dei est vivens homo’ are an inspiration to many still today: ‘The glory of God is a person fully alive.’ Today the Irenaeus team includes Father Chris and Sister Moira, who arrived in September 2015 to replace the newly retired Father Brendan Rice, as well as a committed group of lay people led by Jenny Linker. The Waterloo-based team focus much of their efforts on providing retreats and times of reflection, with demand for their spirituality programmes particularly high during the Lent and Advent seasons. As an illustration of their work, Sister Moira notes that their recent activities have included the following: ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars in Orrell; a Living Christ retreat in Skelmersdale; a parish mission in Ainsdale; a course on the Word; and a variety of scripture weekends and mornings.

The Irenaeus team give time to individuals too. ‘The project also works with individuals in the field of spiritual direction,’ explains Sister Moira, ‘offering time to any individual who wants to reflect on their life and where God is leading them.’ The Irenaeus house in Waterloo is a place where people meet for spiritual accompaniment and is also available for residential stays as well as for group meetings. ‘Come and See’ One of the main events run by the Irenaeus team is ‘Come and See’. This is a national weekend conference which takes place every two years. On alternate years, a ‘Come and See Day’ is held instead, featuring keynote speakers, workshops and times of prayer. This year’s event was held on 29 October at Faith Primary School in Liverpool and it included as its principal speakers Lord David Alton and Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace coordinator for the Archdiocese. ‘The aim of these days,’ says Sister Moira, ‘is to promote prayer and reflection as keys to our Christian and Catholic life both at parish and community levels. Spirituality is vital in the process by which people become fully alive.’ While the Irenaeus team have long been involved in parishes and pastoral areas, both within the Archdiocese and nationally, this year they have sought to extend their work by visiting each parish priest and looking at new ways of working. Hence the choir at St Thomas Canterbury is just one of a number of recent initiatives, including an ‘Oasis Drop-in’ session at the same church on the first Thursday of each

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feature ‘The choir is for anyone who enjoys singing, for anyone living with a form of dementia and for carers’

month (2-4pm) for anybody wanting a cup of tea and some conversation. Sister Moira, meanwhile, led the first annual women’s weekend retreat at Irenaeus in September, titled ‘Women at the well’, which provided an opportunity for those present to share their faith and prayer experiences. A men’s equivalent will follow in February next year, running from the evening of Friday 10th to Sunday 12th, led by Father Chris. ‘The women’s retreat was very positively received – people enjoyed it so much that they booked for up the next event immediately,’ adds Sister Moira who will also be leading a ‘Quiet retreat’ in the run-up to Easter, on 24-26 March. ‘The Gift’ Another date for the 2017 diary

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feature

Rehearsing the music at the choir for people living with dementia

is a course organised by CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration), who will be coming to the Archdiocese at the invitation of Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. The director of CaFE is David Payne, a well-known speaker, who is ably assisted by Tim Stevens and several others in a charitable venture to create DVD resources for parishes. On 4 and 26 February, they will be explaining how their new DVD – ‘The Gift’ – can be used to help Catholics explore their faith at Christ the King parish club in Childwall.

Below: Sister Moira

says: ‘This is a response to the Pope’s request that all parishes have ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars – a series of talks to enable people to recognise the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. What they are going to do is come to Liverpool to demonstrate how this resource can be used in the parish. Those people who attend the course will go through the process of ‘The Gift’ and that then enables them to go back to their own parishes to deliver that resource. We hope that many parishes will be represented.’

Elaborating on this event, Sister Moira Sister Moira hopes that parishes will make contact with the Irenaeus Project too. She adds: ‘We are here to support the Archdiocese and in particular the parishes. Why not contact us and discuss where we can help?’ • The monthly Irenaeus newsletter goes out to over 1,000 individuals as well as each parish, school and religious house in the Diocese. To receive a copy please contact jenny@irenaeus.co.uk. • For more information about ‘The Gift’ course at Christ The King parish club on 4 and 26 February, email Sister Moira at moira@irenaeus.co.uk or call 0151 949 1199.

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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: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

Cathedral Life: A Floral Tribute

St Sylvester’s parishioners remember Mary

On the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows 100 people attended a short service in Standish Street, Liverpool, at the site of the former Holy Cross Church, as a tribute to parishioner Mary Riley. Deacon Geoff Adams from St Sylvester’s parish blessed a plaque at the Pieta shrine in her memory. Born in 1948 Mary was from an early age involved in youth work and the Legion of Mary. In 1977 after working for some years in the Inland Revenue, she and her friend, Grace McCauley, left for Canada to work as nannies, intending to stay for a year. In fact she stayed 23 years working in Ottawa for both the Canadian and US Defence Agencies. She was awarded medals for meritorious service by both Governments. During her time in Ottawa she was actively engaged in pastoral work as a Eucharistic Minister.

At the end of September Archbishop Malcolm invited all the priests of the Archdiocese to a ‘Celebration of Priesthood’ at the Centre for Evangelisation. They were joined by Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark, who led a reflection following Mass and lunch. 8

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In 2000 Mary returned to Holy Cross, following the closure of the church in 2001 she gave her full support to her new parish of Our Lady of Reconciliation touching the lives of countless people, taking Holy Communion to the housebound and care homes and helping weekly with the little church. For her annual holiday she would spend a month in Lourdes helping in the Our Lady of Promise Hotel. Towards the end of last year she became seriously ill and died on 24 June. At her Funeral Mass Father Graeme Dunne concluded his homily with the words: ‘Our community has lost a wonderful friend but God has another Saint.’ In addition to the tribute to Mary in Standish Street Father Graeme planted a maple tree, together with a plaque, in the garden of Our Lady's church.

A Flower Festival is to be held to celebrate the Cathedral’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee in 2017 writes Claire Hanlon. The opening will be on Friday 2 June 2017 to coincide with the main weekend of celebrations which will be on Saturday 3 June and Sunday 4 June. We aim to have displays all around the Cathedral and in the Chapels. Each living display will represent a significant liturgical celebration from birth to death and will include scenes depicting Baptism, First Communion, and the Sacrament of Marriage. It is our hope that all those visiting the Cathedral during the Festival will be offered an oasis of calm and beauty, and will in some small way be encouraged to aspire to the values of the Christian Gospel. I would be delighted to invite established and experienced groups or individuals who regularly provide arrangements for their churches or places of worship to a meeting to discuss how they can get involved. Please contact Claire Hanlon in Cathedral House on 0151 709 9222 extension 201 or c.hanlon@metcathedral.org.uk for more details.

Celebration of Priesthood

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news diary

Speakeasy at 40 The famous music group, Speakeasy, will be celebrating their 40th anniversary on Saturday 12 November with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm at 6.15 pm in St William of York Church, Edge Lane, Thornton. Following the Mass there will be a social evening in the parish centre. Speakeasy was founded by Father Tom Leigh and began as a discussion group for young people, the founding members loved music and it soon developed into a music group. It got its name at one of the weekly Monday meetings, when one of the early members looked around the room and saw guitars and guitar cases and was heard to say ‘this looks like a Speakeasy’ The group played at St William of York Church every Sunday night and met in the parish centre on a Monday night. They helped to lead the music for the annual Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes; sang for Pope John Paul II when he visited Liverpool in 1982 and appeared on the BBC's ‘Songs of Praise’.

Obituary of Rev Brian Crane Father Brian Crane, former Port Chaplain, Parish Priest of St Paschal Baylon, Liverpool and Chaplain to Everton Football Club died on Tuesday 4 October at the age of 78 and in the 49th year of his priesthood. Brian Crane was born in Liverpool on 28 July 1938, the son of Michael and Gladys Crane. He attended St Patrick’s and St Charles’ Schools, and Liverpool College of Technology. He studied for the priesthood at Campion House, Osterley, the English College, Lisbon, and St Joseph’s College, Upholland. He was ordained priest by Archbishop George Andrew Beck in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on 8 June 1968. He had five appointments: as assistant priest at Sacred Heart, Liverpool in August 1968; at St Luke’s, Whiston in September 1969; at St William’s, Ince in November 1971; at St Marie’s, Southport in February 1973 and at St Mary’s, Woolton in April 1979. In September 1985 he was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of

Walsingham, Netherton, but after a brief tenure was transferred the following April to St Benedict’s, Warrington. After more than four years in Warrington he moved to Stella Maris, Bootle, to work as Port Chaplain with the Apostleship of the Sea. In January 1992 he was appointed parish priest at St Paschal Baylon, Liverpool. After recovering from a heart attack early in 1995 he took up an appointment as chaplain at the Lourdes Hospital, Liverpool. He retired to Woolton in 1998, though when his health permitted it he supplied in local parishes. He was a fanatical supporter of Everton Football Club and he was very proud to have been their chaplain for very nearly 25 years. Frequently too he would regale those in his company with tales of his experiences as chaplain on board various cruise ships, including the QE2. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s, Woolton by Archbishop Malcolm on Friday 14 October, followed by burial at Allerton Cemetery.

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50th anniversary at St Julie’s St Julie’s School in Eccleston, St Helens marked its 50th anniversary with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm. Concelebrating with the Archbishop were Parish Priest, Canon Tom Neylon and Assistant Priest Father Liam Collister together with past pupils of St Julie's: Father Andrew Rowlands, Father John Heneghan and Father Dominic Curran. The Mass was attended by the children and staff, past pupils and teachers, governors and parishioners. Among the congregation were two Sisters of Notre Dame whose presence acknowledged the huge contribution to Catholic Education by the Notre Dame Sisters over many decades in St Helens. The Church was decorated with the work of the children and staff with St Julie’s favourite flower, the Sun Flower, much in evidence. Since the beginning of term past pupils and teachers have visited the school to view pictures and share memories covering five decades with the children and staff. Following the Mass, and a brief stop for refreshments in the Parish Hall, the Archbishop blessed , and formally opened, a new Prayer Garden dedicated to Our Lady and St Julie in the school grounds.

Pope Francis honours three in Liverpool Archbishop Malcolm presented three people with Papal Awards for their service to the Church following a Service of Evening Prayer at the Centre for Evangelisation. Miss Barbara Hunt, who served as Secretary to the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission for forty years received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Mr John Cowdall, who has been a trustee of the Archdiocese for twelve years, became a Papal Knight of the Order of St Gregory, as did Professor John Tarn OBE, Emeritus Professor of Architecture at Liverpool University. In her role as Secretary to the Liturgy

Commission Barbara Hunt organised the meetings of the Commission and its departments and those between the commission and clergy and parishes and was involved in liturgical training and the formation of readers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. As well as her voluntary work with the Commission Barbara also served the Christian Education Department in organising and delivering modules for the CCRS course. Among many roles John Cowdall was appointed as a Trustee of the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 2004. He is also the Secretary of the Historic Churches

Left to right: John Cowdall, Barbara Hunt, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, Professor John Tarn. Picture: Nick Fairhurst 10

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Committee for the Dioceses of Lancaster, Liverpool, Salford and Shrewsbury and is a member of the Patrimony Committee for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. John also serves as Chairman of Stonyhurst College, and is a member of the Board of Regents of Liverpool Hope University. He was Chief Executive of West Lancashire District Council from 1973 to 1990 having previously been Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Clitheroe Borough Council for four years. Professor John Tarn OBE began his association with the Archdiocese in the early 1970s when he accepted an invitation to volunteer his expertise with the Art and Architecture Department of the Liturgy Commission. He went on to produce the first set of guidelines for Church reordering in the Archdiocese in the 1970s. His help and support to people and priests has been invaluable and he set in place procedures, policy and good practice in the way church buildings are reordered and cared for. He has also helped to implement many of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council relating to church buildings. His work with the Historic Churches Committee is a sign of his dedication for church architecture and for Catholic heritage.

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Catholic schools make the grade for the Educate Awards 2016

The region’s Catholic schools have been named on the shortlist for the Educate Awards 2016 to be held at Liverpool Cathedral on Friday 18 November. The awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, are now in their fifth year and are the biggest celebration of education in the North West. St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic High School in St Helens, St Francis Xavier’s College in Liverpool, Enterprise South Liverpool Academy (ESLA) in Liverpool, Notre Dame Catholic College in Liverpool, All Saints Catholic High School in Knowsley and Holy Family Halewood Primary in Knowsley have all been shortlisted. St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic High School is in the running for Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School. St Francis Xavier’s College is shortlisted for Eco School Project of the Year while ESLA is up for four awards on the night: Communication Award, Spirit of Enterprise, Career Aspiration and WOW Recognition Award. Notre Dame Catholic College and All Saints Catholic High School are shortlisted for the Career Aspiration Award. Learning mentor Diane Reeves from Holy Family Primary is shortlisted for the School Support Star of the Year. The difficult task of shortlisting the entries fell upon the judging panel which includes Henry Platten, founder of the multi award-winning eCadet Scheme; Michelle Dow, managing director of All About STEM; James Tartt, Merseyside track athlete and architect; Radio City breakfast host Leanne Campbell; Olympian and managing director of Raise The Bar, Steve Smith; Councillor Gary Millar, Liverpool’s cabinet member for business, enterprise and investment; Chris Walker, regional managing editor of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales; Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber; Fiona Barnet, director of The Foundry Agency; Andrew Pimbley of Wirral’s Claremont Farm; and the education team at Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse Theatres. Commenting on the shortlist, Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, says: ‘We’re delighted to finally reveal the shortlisted schools ahead of the Educate Awards ceremony next month. With more entries than ever before, this year our judges found it so challenging to put together the final shortlists for each category. ‘The dedication, hard work and impact that teachers, support staff and school communities have is truly humbling and it was fantastic to see so many Catholic schools enter and put their projects forward. The entries this year have been amazing so thank you to each and every school that entered and best of luck to all those shortlisted.’

Letter from Valladolid by Joseph ChampionWilliams ‘Who do you say the Son of God is?’ It was our first session of Human Development, and we were all sitting anxiously awaiting the arrival of our vice-rector to begin the lecture. When he arrived, he split us into two groups and said, ‘Choose question 1 or A.’ Myself and one of the other men ended up with question A: ‘Who do you say the Son of God is?’ We looked at each other and thought, 'Great, this is easy, we know this one.' We had five minutes to prepare our talk and then we were to present it to class. We jumped straight in, like keen young seminarians wanting to impress formation staff with our knowledge of Holy Scripture and Church teaching, and started spouting everything we knew about this question. We began with Mark 8 and John 6: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God'; then onto John 10:10: 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly' and expanded with more of our knowledge. 'He is the anointed one, the Messiah' and so on… We thought, 'We've got this in the bag, complete text-book answer, happy days.' So we presented and were very pleased with ourselves. However, when we looked to Father Paul, he was just smiling. Eventually, he said, 'Yeah, you're right and that's all true. But what I asked was "Who do you say the Son of God is?".' That was the first lesson I learned at seminary. What we should have talked about was our vocation stories, what we were doing the evening before, how we've come to recognise the Lord in our lives, and how we've responded to His Love. You see, we can know scripture by heart, we can all learn the faith and regurgitate it when required but we need to live the faith. Of course it is very important to read Scripture and the Catechism, as these too are integral to forming a relationship with Christ. However, our personal relationship with Jesus Christ comes first and foremost in living out our 'Universal Call to Holiness', as promulgated by Pope Paul VI in Lumen Gentium. This first month of seminary formation has been a great blessing nonetheless, a time of radical life change in order to respond to what the Lord is calling us to: namely, complete giving of self to following Him. We must truly heed Saint John Paul II in his 1982 address to the young people in Cardiff, when he told them not to be afraid to answer the Lord's call. Please pray for me as I continue my seminary training, and be assured of my prayers for you all.

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news diary

‘An act of needless vandalism’ In the early hours of Wednesday 5 October the Metropolitan Cathedral was broken into and a quantity of cash was taken from two collection boxes (emptied on a daily basis). The burglary was discovered when the intruder alarm was activated at around 2.45 am. Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Canon Anthony O’Brien, said: ‘The whole of the Cathedral community has been left deeply saddened by this needless vandalism and damage. Two images in glass, specially made for the Cathedral, have been smashed beyond repair and may be impossible to replace. People from throughout the world visit the Cathedral and those here this morning have been both shocked and horrified at what has

taken place.’ In the days following the break in many messages of support were received at the Cathedral and the Dean of Liverpool, the

Very Rev Pete Wilcox donated some of the visitor donations from the Anglican Cathedral, presenting Canon O’Brien with a cheque for £910.82.

Four fold celebration at Holy Rosary There were four major reasons to celebrate at Holy Rosary church, Aintree Village on Friday 7 October, the 60th anniversary of the celebration of the first Mass in the church. Following a School Mass held in the morning Archbishop Malcolm joined the parishioners in the evening for Mass on the Feast of the Holy Rosary and the anniversary of the church. It was also an opportunity for the parish to formally mark the retirement of Monsignor John Butchard as their parish priest and to formally welcome Father Vin McShane as their new Parish Priest. The Rite of Induction of a Parish priest was led by Archbishop Malcolm and afterwards the celebrations continued in the Parish Centre In September 1947 Archbishop Downey appointed Father John Gillan as priest-in-charge. Father John took up lodgings in 34 Radley Drive and in October 1947 the parish was placed under the patronage of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Building on the church began on 25 March 1955 and Archbishop Godfrey blessed the foundation stone the following October. There was also a celebration for Father Vin in his former parish of St John Vianney where he had worked to help three parish communities become one. New Parish Priest Father Matthew Nunes welcomed his predecessor and Father Vin thanked his former parishioners for their support saying, ‘I am very grateful to Father Matthew and parishioners for the welcome I received. Since the announcement of my new appointment in May I have received many kind words and memories from so many people.’

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Archbishop Malcolm, Father Vin McShane and Monsignor John Butchard at Holy Rosary

Father Matthew Nunes and Father Vin McShane

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note November can be a dark month when we begin to take into our hearts (and into our bones!) that the longer evenings and warm days of Summer and Autumn are well past and that, with the fading of the leaves on the trees, the winter is upon us. Even as the colour of nature around us changes from the green of vibrant growth to the gold and russet of hibernation, the Liturgy seems to add to our despair by presenting us with thoughts of death and departure on the Feast of the Holy Souls on the Second of the Month – a sense of sombre remembrance picked up again on the 11th of the Month as the nation keeps its annual silence and the poppies fall once again. And yet November has opened with the Solemn remembrance not of the power of darkness and decay, but the triumph of the Light - the true Light of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Solemnity of All Saints (All Hallows as it is sometimes known – therefore making the last day of October All Hallow’s Eve, which eventually became Hallow’een ) speaks of Light, Happiness and

Sunday thoughts Supermarket aisles are full of wigs, pointed hats and brooms. Halloween, the eve of All Saints’ Day, is a time when children are encouraged to dress up as witches and ghosts. I’m no fan of ‘Trick or Treat’, an American import. This celebration of spooks and spiders, however distorted and commercialised, is a development of an ancient tradition in the Church. Armistice Day, coincidentally celebrated in November, reinforces the message. Our society is uncomfortable with death. Improved health care in the developed world means that most of us survive until old age. In practice thought of death can be avoided. When death does intrude it delivers a double shock: the loss of someone I love but also an unavoidable confrontation with my own mortality. I am going to die, too. There is a sign above the entrance of an Orthodox monastery on Mount

Canon Philip Gillespie

Peace, and that Blessedness which is the fruit and result of a close following of the way of Christ and of His Gospel. It not only invites us to reflect and be truly grateful for all those Saints of God who have been in past generations (some have been Canonised by the Church, others not); it is also a challenge and an invitation to us to be those ‘Saints’ in our modern world. Not the ‘plaster saints’ or holier-thanthou figurines which run the risk of putting us off rather than attracting us to the Way of Christ!! No we are called to be those people who actually believe the words that Saint John spoke in the Second Reading on the Feast of All Saints – “Think of the love the Father has lavished on us…” and once we have thought – then we live accordingly. The old saying goes: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” May you light a candle of Christ-like goodness in your parish, community and family in these next weeks.

Mgr John Devine OBE

Athos that reads: ‘If you die before you die then when you die you will not die.’ Similar words can be found in the Koran. We pray for our dead on the Feast of All Souls. Many parishes celebrate Masses for the dead throughout the month. But the month of November also reminds us of our own death. Each of us will die as sure as night follows day. The central mystery of our faith involves a death, the death of Jesus. When we are baptised we are baptised into his death. Every Mass is a celebration of the Lord’s death. It is also a reminder of our own. The Gospel encourages each of us to take up our own cross daily. It is an invitation to ‘die before we die’. The month of November provides a healthy but hopeful reminder that we won’t live forever.

Weekly Reflections are on the Archdiocesan website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/reflection 14

Catholic Pictorial

Trust in the light Many years ago the son of a friend of mine died on the operating table. He was 12 years old and had severe learning and physical difficulties. This was after a baby of hers had died just a couple of years earlier from sudden death syndrome. She was taken to some friends who tried to look after her. As the news broke among our wider circle, one after the other we came to see and stand with her and her family in the face of their pain, which was enormous. One day her social worker came. As she left the bedroom where my friend lay almost inconsolable, she bumped into one of our group and through her tears said: ‘How can you possibly believe in God at a time like this?’ The response was simple and yet profound: ‘It’s precisely because we believe in God that we can cope at times like this.’ Faith doesn’t take away the pain and the despair. It doesn’t give us a shortcut through the emotional hurt but maybe, just maybe, it gives us hope to begin again and to face life with bravery Sheila Cassidy once wrote a book called ‘Sharing the Darkness’ in which she said that faith was the willingness to outstare the darkness. I find that quite extraordinary and yet time and time again I meet people who have had the most incredible burdens to deal with and remain willing to trust and believe in the goodness of God. Just recently I met a woman who told me that for 60 years she had practised gratitude. During that time she had had lost her husband and two of her children and yet God was good and life was to be lived. It’s so easy to forget the challenge of being a follower of Jesus, to trust in the face of darkness that light will come, to trust in love rather than in hatred, to believe in goodness rather than evil. If we have anything to offer the world it is how we handle life when it appears to be falling apart. Let's look then for courage in the midst of darkness, hope in despairing situations, and life where there is death. Father Chris Thomas

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nugent news

Awards galore for our amazing volunteers It’s a testament to their hard work, passion and commitment, that six of our volunteers have won awards for their work in the past month. John McCormick was given the Jaguar Land Rover Community Group Award for his service to the Bootle Community Group and Nugent in the Liverpool Echo Awards 2016. The awards, hosted by former Big Brother star Craig Phillips and Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox, saw the great and good of Merseyside honoured for their achievements. John was honoured for his service to the Bootle Community Group and for playing a vital role enriching people’s lives. He has been a volunteer with Nugent for over 35 years, starting by going along to meet and support people in the group, he has now been running the Thursday evening meetings for 32 years and says, ‘the group has become a shining light for its members, a hive of activity with games, crafts and music.’ Thomas Hollet was awarded Volunteer of the Year at Knowsley Sports and Culture Awards held at Knowsley Leisure centre. The awards celebrate some of the talented and committed local people in the Knowsley Borough, who have made a difference to the community. Thomas volunteers with our Opening Doors project which works to support isolated older people in Knowsley. He was overwhelmed to win and said, ‘this is great, but I don’t do it for this, I volunteer because I really enjoy it, meeting people and helping them to get out and enjoy life.’ Thomas retired in 2014 and began volunteering at Nugent in May 2015. During the last year he has provided support to several clients who are isolated and lonely and struggle to get out of the house alone. The 800 group Community Volunteer Awards took place at Bradbury Fields and Nugent and our volunteers triumphed. George and Mary Cureton, leaders of the Netherton Community Group and Joanne Smith a volunteer with our Opening Doors Service all won Volunteer of the Year awards with Nugent being awarded Charity of the Year. George and Mary Cureton are parents to two adults with severe learning and physical disabilities, they set up the Netherton Community Group in 1989 so other parents of adults with learning and

Dates for your diary Here are some great events we have coming up: In November, Nugent will be sending representatives down to London to participate in a Parliamentary Reception, hosted by CSAN, The Catholic Social Action Network.

John McCormick with his award physical disabilities had a base to meet in Litherland. The Group has become a vital part of the community with many long standing members. Joanne Smith has been volunteering at Nugent Opening Doors Service since November 2015 and has supported several clients who are lonely and isolated and unable to get out of the house on their own due to lack of confidence and independence. Finally, our Opening Doors Volunteer, Kerryann Corkery, was awarded 3rd place in the 2016 ‘Volunteer of the Year Awards’ run by Knowlsey Council for Voluntary Service. Our volunteers provide a vital role and support so many vulnerable people; these awards give recognition to the invaluable work they do in their communities. We are so very proud of them all. If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved in volunteering with Nugent please contact Julie Chadwick. Tel: 0151 261 2048 Email: Julie.Chadwick@nugentcare.org If you would like to help older isolated people get involved in their community in the Knowsley area through the Opening Doors project, please call Leanne or Emily on 0151 261 2000. You can find out more about Nugent at www.wearenugent.org

In early December we will be hosting our annual general meeting at Liverpool Town Hall. Luciana Berger, MP, will be our speaker. If you would like to receive an invite for this please email Clarice at ClariceW@nugentcare.org or telephone 0151 261 2000. In addition to these events, we have had a few rewards and recognitions over the last couple of months. Lime House our residential home in Lowton, was inspected by the CQC and the report is now published on CQC website. ‘Good’ in all areas. Well done to the team at Lime House. We also had a really positive Ofsted inspection at Nugent House School Children’s Home and we are currently waiting for confirmation of the outcome from Ofsted. Well done to all the staff! We have also had inspections at other services and homes across Nugent and we are currently waiting for the feedback. A huge thanks to all of the staff at the sites and central office who support each other in order to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable people. And finally, our Marketing and Communications Department won the Northern Enterprise award for our new branding and our volunteers, well our volunteers are winning awards all over the place, they couldn’t be more deserving. Thank you for your dedication to Nugent Care and your compassionate spirit. Normandie Wragg Chief Executive – Nugent Care

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what’s on Tuesday 1 November Feast of All Saints (Holyday of Obligation) Support Group for people living with dementia and their carers 2.00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians, Portico Parish Hall, Prescot, L34 2QT. Details: Joan O’Hanlon Tel: 07984 735590. Everyone welcome. Wednesday 2 November All Souls Day

Solemn Choral Mass for All Souls Day 5.15 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. UCM Bi-monthly Mass 7.30 pm at St Clare Arundel Avenue, Liverpool, L17 2AU. Thursday 3 November ‘If anyone has ears to hear….’ A journey through the Book of Revelation led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am to 12.00 noon at Irenaeus 32 Great Georges Road L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Agape Mass 8.00 pm at St Mary’s, Prescot Road, Aughton, L39 6TA. Details: Archie Cameron Tel: 01704 224286. Sunday 6 November LAMP Sunday Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 8: ‘Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben? (‘Beloved God, when shall I die?’) 6.30 pm at Holy Family Church, Back o’ th’ Town Lane, Ince Blundell L38 1JJ. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. Prayer Meeting led by Emmaus Prayer Community 7.30 pm at St Patrick’s church, Marshside Road, Southport, PR9 9TJ. Details: Archie Cameron Tel: 01704 224286.

Tuesday 8 November Time Out on Tuesdays 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. Open to all who are involved in any form of ministry or service to others, giving time for silence and personal reflection. Offering £10 per person. For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Wednesday 9 November ‘Songs we Remember.’ A morning of singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers (rehearsing for the Dementia Friendly Carol service in the Metropolitan Cathedral on Wednesday 14 December at 2.00 pm.) 11.00 am to 12.30 pm, followed by lunch, at St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: The Irenaeus Project Tel: 0151 949 1199. Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Thursday 10 November ‘If anyone has ears to hear….’ A journey through the Book of Revelation led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am to 12.00 noon at Irenaeus 32 Great Georges Road L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Friday 11 November Mass for the Golden Jubilee of St Albert’s Parish 7.00 pm at St Albert’s, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Saturday 12 November Car Boot Sale 8.00 am onwards in the Cathedral Car Park. Pitches £10. Details from Claire Hanlon 0151 709 9222, Ext. 201 or c.hanlon@metcatherdal.org.uk Mass for the fortieth anniversary of the ‘Speakeasy’ Music Group Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. 6.15 pm at St William of York, Edge Lane, L23 4TG. All former members and anyone with connections to Speakeasy are invited attend. Lovesongs, Wine and Roses Concert with the Cathedral Cantata Choir 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Concert Room. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or Email: bookings@cathedralconcerts.org.uk www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Sunday 13 November Remembrance Sunday

website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/holyweek2016 16

Catholic Pictorial

Prayer Meeting led by Emmaus Prayer Community 7.30 pm at St Patrick’s church, Marshside Road, Southport, PR9 9TJ. Details: Archie Cameron Tel: 01704 224286. Thursday 17 November ‘If anyone has ears to hear….’ A journey through the Book of Revelation led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am to 12.00 noon at Irenaeus 32 Great Georges Road L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Newman Association Talk: ‘Orthodox Christianity’ Speaker: Father Francis Marsden. 7.30 pm (after 7.00 pm Mass) at St. Helen's Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby, L23 7TQ. Details: John Potts Tel:07889 841096. Friday 18 November to Sunday 20 November ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew led by Father Chris Thomas at Irenaeus 32 Great Georges Road L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Sunday 20 November Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King Youth Sunday Mass for the conclusion of the Year of Mercy 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Prayer Meeting led by Emmaus Prayer Community 7.30 pm at St Patrick’s church, Marshside Road, Southport, PR9 9TJ. Details: Archie Cameron Tel: 01704 224286. Wednesday 23 November ‘Songs we Remember.’ A morning of singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers (rehearsing for the Dementia Friendly Carol service in the Metropolitan Cathedral on Wednesday 14 December at 2.00 pm.) 11.00 am to 12.30 pm, followed by lunch, at St

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november Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: The Irenaeus Project Tel: 0151 949 1199. Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Thursday 24 November ‘If anyone has ears to hear….’ A journey through the Book of Revelation led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am to 12.00 noon at Irenaeus 32 Great Georges Road L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 26 November Quiet Day 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. Time to be quiet, reflect and pray. Offering £10 per person. For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com

Iraq, Syria and neighbouring countries. Retiring collection for ACN’s work in the Middle East. Samuel Group Meeting 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm at St Charles, Aigburth Road, L17 9PG. An experience of reflection and prayer for young adults aged between 18 and 30 who are seeking to discern God’s will for their lives. For further details email: SamuelGroupLiverpool@gmail.com

Advent Sequence 5.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Sung by the Cathedral Choir in procession with seasonal music and scripture readings. Reflections on the reality of God and who God is for us led by the Emmaus Prayer Community 7.00 pm at St Patrick’s church, Marshside Road, Southport, PR9 9TJ. Speaker: Archie Cameron. Details Tel: 01704 224286.

The world of Atherton

Sunday 27 November First Sunday of Advent 'Aid to the Church in Need and its work to support the Suffering Church in the Middle East.' A talk by Fr Andrzej Halemba, ACN’s Project Co-ordinator for the Middle East. 2.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, followed by a brief service for Christians in

Looking ahead: Sunday 20 November Mass for the conclusion of the Year of Mercy 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP All welcome Saturday 3 December ‘Prepare the Way.’ An Advent Concert with Jo Boyce and Friends 7.00 pm at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Liverpool, L3 8DR Tickets £8 from St Francis Xavier church. Details, from Debbie Tel: 0151 298 1911. Email: d.reynolds@sfxchurchliverpool.com Saturday 10 December Two Cathedrals’ ‘Messiah’ 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Join the Choirs of Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for Handel’s ‘Messiah’. Directed by James Luxton and accompanied by the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Sinfonietta. Tickets £10 from the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel: 0151 707 3525 or at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lpoolmetmusic Further details Email: music@metcathedral.org.uk

Wednesday 14 December Dementia Friendly Christmas Carol Service with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon 2.00 pm at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Featuring students from St Teresa of Lisieux, Norris Green, English Martyrs, Litherland and Great Crosby Primary Schools plus the ‘Songs We Remember’ Choir. Details: Pastoral Formation Department Tel: 0151 522 1046. Email: m.knight@rcaol.co.uk Thursday 15 December Bethlehem Peace Light Service 6.30 pm at St Mary's Lowe House, St. Helens, WA10 2BE. An opportunity to light a peace lamp from the candle lit by the Scouts from the light in Bethlehem which is then transmitted around the world - unbroken. All welcome to attend and take home your peace light. Refreshments available after the service. Details from Trish Tel: 07592 061699. Saturday 17 December Dickensian Christmas Concert 7.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King A Dickensian-inspired family Christmas concert narrated by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips. A selection of popular Christmas Carols from the Metropolitan Cathedral Choirs and special guests the Archbishop Beck Chamber Choir. Tickets £5 or £10 for a family ticket from the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel: 0151 707 3525 or at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lpoolmetmusic Further details Email: music@metcathedral.org.uk

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profile

Ged Edwards

Working for a better world with Cafod by Simon Hart ‘Pope Francis is doing a tremendous amount both to open people’s eyes and to point people in the right direction to do things about climate change.’ These are the words of Ged Edwards, who, as a community participation co-ordinator for Cafod in Liverpool Archdiocese, is delighted to hear the Pope’s message – and ready to lend support to any parishes and schools seeking to act on it. Cafod, as Ged explains, offers a solid platform for action with its Livesimply scheme. This is a project giving Catholics the opportunity to respond together to Pope Francis’ invitation to play our part in ‘protecting this world which God has entrusted to us’. And it is a project that Ged is understandably enthusiastic about. ‘It’s a marvellous project which is great for parishes and schools alike and brings people together around this vital scheme,’ he says. ‘It’s been going for six or seven years but was revised earlier this year to go alongside Laudato Si and the Year of Mercy. We’re looking for parishes who are interested in living more sustainably and are bringing parishes together with schools to do that. It’s based upon people trying to live simply, sustainably

and in solidarity with the poor, which is taken from Pope Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio.’ Participant communities propose solutions for each of these three categories – simple living, sustainability and solidarity. In the case of the first, it may be something as simple as parish members all walking to church on a given Sunday. For sustainability, it could be encouraging parishioners to insulate their houses better. Solidarity could mean supporting a local food bank. ‘There’ll be one major action and two minor actions under each of those three headings,’ adds Ged. ‘There are some great examples on Cafod’s website.’ It is little wonder that Ged describes this as a project ‘close to my heart’. He has an MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, gained from De Montford University in 2007. In his last job, meanwhile, he worked on a community-based venture involving recycling and reusing furniture in the Chester suburb of Blacon – Sustainable Blacon was the name and it was one of 20 nationwide projects to find ways to live a more low-carbon lifestyle. ‘I was particularly drawn to going back to work in the Church because of Cafod’s

experience in climate change and the impact it's having on poor countries around the world and increasingly here too,’ admits the 56-year-old who once ran the Catholic Children’s Society in Shrewsbury Diocese. A parishioner at St Austin’s in Thatto Heath, the Rainhill resident started working at Cafod in 2012, initially in Salford Diocese, before arriving in Liverpool 15 months ago. ‘I share the role of covering the diocese with Colette Byrne. My role is to support volunteers to enable them to support Cafod’s work locally and across the diocese. ‘It’s a big diocese and trying to respond to that is a challenge – personal focus is not always easy but at the same time it’s very rewarding because it’s important work we do for the Church and it’s great to meet people who want to do it.’ And when it involves helping to combat climate change, then all the better. • Anybody wishing to get involved with Cafod can contact Ged by email at liverpool@cafod.org.uk, or on tel. 0151 228 4028. To read more about Livesimply, visit: http://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Howto-campaign/Livesimply-award

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LIFELONG SUPPORT FOR OUR ARMED FORCES

The Royal British Legion is a national charity helping people in local communities. Find us online at www.britishlegion.org.uk or call us on 0808 802 8080 for more information. The Legion provides information, advice and guidance to help the Armed Forces community find and access the support they need. Though we’re a national organisation, we work in local communities across the UK, delivering information, advice and support where it is needed most, including outreach services for the most vulnerable. Whether it’s money worries, a seaside break with the family, careers advice after Service, independent living or care in later life, we’re here to help. You can find us in Liverpool City Centre at 25-31 Williamson Street, L1 1EB or at a variety of outreach locations throughout Merseyside, including Byng House in Southport. If you would like to get involved by volunteering, please do call the Freephone number or pop in to our offices and we will talk you through it. Details are on the Volunteering page of our website too. SUPPORT US

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youth ministry

Why community is at the heart of Animate’s work Animate Youth Ministries member Lauren reflects on her efforts to help young people understand their role in society – and the place in it for faith. Community, meaning a group of people living within the same place, is a word of which I have become increasingly fond during my years working in youth ministry. I say this, because I never really understood the word until I was encouraged to put it into action in my own life. Now I challenge other young people to do the same. Every year the team at Animate work with 10,000 young people, hoping to help them understand more about the faith they have been called to. When we look at how society has become disengaged over the years you can understand the difficulties that arise. Nevertheless, I think we help these youngsters to experience the grace of God’s love in numerous ways. This brings me back to community. These young people, even if it’s only for a few hours, can come to realise the importance of having others around them. We spend time

allowing them to recognise the importance of others (knowing that every individual has been made for a purpose can sometimes come as a surprise). Having spent three years in this role, I’ve come to recognise that their self-esteem and beliefs can become quite distant from the life which they live. That is why I feel it’s vital for them to understand their value. Since September we have already worked with All Hallows, Penwortham; St Edward’s College, Liverpool; St Francis of Assisi Academy, Liverpool; St Mary’s, Crosby; St John Fisher, Wigan. With each school the focus has been on the various themes of ‘New beginnings’, ‘One Body’, and ‘Strangers to friends’. All of these themes have a pivotal focus on community. We begin with activities to encourage the pupils to engage with others within their group whom they wouldn’t normally speak to; getting them to work together helps them recognise each other’s qualities.

As we move through the day we usually introduce a piece of Scripture which the young people can develop a clear understanding about. Our wish is that they come to realise the power of Christ through the different activities that we run. We as a team try to engage the young people by making our resources and activities as pertinent as we can to the society which we live in. We feel this is necessary, as it allows these students to recognise situations occurring within their own lives. We also see them gain a clearer understanding of working together as one – whether it’s by helping out a classmate or simply listening to an individual they have struggled to interact with previously. As each day closes, we remind the pupils of all the activities and challenges they have undertaken in just a day. We focus too on God and the things He has given us. It gives them a chance to stop for a moment and think about the challenges they face individually as young people in today’s world. Our themes are broad but this allows the pupils to interpret the day and their faith in whichever way they feel comfortable. Personally, I do this job to ensure that youngsters are given the opportunity to feel welcomed into the Church, but also to come to recognise their faith. It is not an easy challenge but to see the impact we have allows my faith to strengthen too. Seeing the pressures and situations they face makes me feel privileged to work in an environment where I can bring fun and laughter for a day, but also give each young person a chance to come to recognise the love of God.

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Our Lady of Good Help Catholic Primary School South Drive, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 8JL Tel: 0151 733 6937 www.olgh.co.uk email: schooloffice@olgh.co.uk

Where “pupils behave well and are eager to learn. Expectations are high! – Ofsted July 2016 You are cordially invited to our

OPEN DAY On Wednesday 16th November 2016 2-3pm & 5-6pm All children and parents interested in joining our vibrant Christian community in September 2017, or before, are warmly welcome to view our school. This includes the opening of our new state of the art Foundation Stage and our new Mediterranean Court Yard We look forward to seeing you! Mrs C Knowles (Headteacher) Miss S Peacock (Deputy Headteacher)

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cathedral Happy New Liturgical Year by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral something new each time we sing it. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of our new liturgical year. As is traditional at 5.00 pm in the Cathedral that day, we have our annual Advent Sequence. This beautiful liturgy brings together words, music, processions and space to help orientate us on our Advent journey. It is both one of the most complex liturgies of the year to plan (the processional chart runs into numerous pages) but also one of the most rewarding as those present are touched in a deep manner by God’s beauty and glory as told through word and music. All are warmly invited to come and begin the new liturgical year with us at this service. November is both a beginning and the end in the church's liturgical calendar. We come to the end of the current liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King, and we being the new liturgical year on the First Sunday of Advent. The Feast of Christ the King is an important celebration at the Metropolitan Cathedral as the Cathedral is dedicated to Christ the King. On this feast day in 1960 the Cathedral Choir sang at Mass for the first time (in the Cathedral Crypt) so this also means that the day celebrates the choir’s birthday. Looking ahead to our jubilee celebrations in 2017 the choir will premiere a new setting of the church's great hymn of praise ‘Te Deum laudamus’ (‘We Praise you O God’) by composer Colin Mawby (for news of our new CD, see below.) As well as marking the end of the liturgical year, the Feast of Christ the King also marks the end of Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy. On the afternoon of Christ the King the Archbishop will lead us in the Closing of the Door of Mercy officially bringing the year of Mercy to an end. Throughout the year we have been using the Archdiocese of Liverpool hymn for the Year of Mercy, ‘World Redeemed by Christ’ written by Father John McLoughlin. This is one of those beautiful hymn texts that seems to reveal

Just in time for Christmas the choir’s latest CD has just been released. Entitled ‘The Choral Music of Colin Mawby’ the CD celebrates the contribution made by Colin Mawby to English Catholic music over the last sixty years. Mawby was a chorister and then Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral for many years, and subsequently has been very active in writing music for our new vernacular liturgy. His many achievements were recognised in 2006 when he was created a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI ‘in gratitude for past and continuing services to church music.’ Each year at the Chrism Mass (and other big diocesan occasions) we sing the Gloria from his ‘Liverpool Mass’, commissioned during Archbishop Worlock’s time as Archbishop and subsequently re-written in 2012 to match the words of the revised translation of the Roman Missal and first used in this format at the Mass to celebrate the golden jubilee of Archbishop Patrick Kelly. The CD, costs £12, is available to order from the Cathedral Music office on 0151 708 7283/ music@metcathedral.org. We have a limited supply available so get your order in soon.

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean The month of November is a time when we celebrate endings and new beginnings and we have services throughout the month which mark the end of the church year and the start of a new season. Having celebrated the feasts of All Saints and All Souls we have prayers each day throughout the month for the faithful departed. Remembrance Sunday falls on 13th November this year. It is a day of prayer in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in service during the world wars and various campaigns since and also a time of prayer for peace. Recent conflicts in the Middle East and parts of Africa have not only resulted in considerable loss of life but have rendered millions of people homeless and destitute and it is fitting that we have a time in the year to reflect and pray for an end to conflict and war and also for those who have been directly affected as a result. The Cathedral choir will sing the Durufle Requiem setting for the Solemn Mass on this Sunday. Our Patronal Feast of Christ the King is on the following Sunday, 20th November. This is not only the last Sunday of the church year but it also marks the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. There will be a special Diocesan Mass at 3.00 pm when Archbishop McMahon will formally close the Holy Year and also the Holy Door in the Cathedral. It might not make the Cathedral that much warmer during the Winter months but it might lessen the draughts blowing through the building. The final Sunday of the month is the First of Advent and as well as the Advent Masses there will be a talk arranged by ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ in the afternoon on religious freedom. The Advent Sequence of Scripture and Advent Music is at 5.00 pm.

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Pic extras Mums the Word ‘The doors are open – Just walk in.’ This was the title of a successful event staged recently in St Joseph’s Pastoral Area, a day of worship and workshops which drew over 140 people from the parishes of St Oswald, St Sebastian, St Paul and St Timothy, St Matthew, St Cecilia and St Margaret Mary. The event, which took place on Saturday 24 September, also offered an opportunity, during the lunch hour, for various organisations to set up stalls to promote their work – including UCM, Nugent Care, Animate and the Knights of St Columba. UCM president Maria Bruns held the fort for us and we have already heard of one new member joining the UCM through this initiative. So, ladies, please look out for such activities in your own area, as I know some of you already do. We could literally set out our stall and promote ourselves to the populace. • The latest UCM National Officers’ Report (October 2016) contained an article from two UCM delegates – Dorothy Pople from Portsmouth and Pat Rogers from Birmingham – to the National Justice and Peace Network’s 38th annual conference. They were full of enthusiasm for the wonderful work done under the J&P banner throughout the world. One of the speakers was Jenny Sinclair, who was representing T4CG (Together for the Common Good). She is the daughter of Bishop David Sheppard, whom we knew so well in Liverpool. How wonderful it is that she is carrying on his excellent work. • Finally, some information for our new members and a reminder to us all: at each bi-monthly Mass a selection of petitions from the Prayer Tree (which is part of the Baby Memorial in the Children's Chapel in the Metropolitan Cathedral) is carried to the altar during the offertory procession as a sign that all the petitions on the tree are remembered in our prayers. Madelaine McDonald, Media Officer

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News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Pantasaph Friary hosts Wirral Knights’ day of recollection Wirral Council 51 organised a successful day of recollection in the beautiful surroundings of the Franciscan Friary at Pantasaph in North Wales. The council chaplain, Father Bernard Forshaw, led a group of 46 including members, their families and fellow parishioners from five Wirral parishes. Deacon Tony Hunt was the main speaker at the day and his subjects included the story of Lourdes and the lives of many of the Saints, including Bernadette, Maximilian Kolbe, Padre Pio and newly canonised Mother Teresa. Later there was an opportunity for private prayer and Confessions. Mass was celebrated by Father Bernard and afterwards there was time to visit the gardens, including the Padre Pio shrine, before the day concluded with Holy Hour and Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. Everyone returned home feeling renewal and encouragement from the experience. • The photograph (below) shows Brothers Terry Carroll, Peter Kinsey and Charlie Newport after the presentation of their meritorious medals and certificates during the Liverpool Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, as reported in the September issue of the Pic.

Archbishop Malcolm also presented a Liverpool Hospitalité medal to Brother Harry Knight (pictured above) in recognition of his long association with the pilgrimage. • In last month’s edition we told you about our sponsored walk to raise funds for the CHICS children’s charity. We extend a huge thank you to all the parishioners in south Liverpool who helped us raise a total amount of £6,100 donated. We will also receive match funding of £3,000 from Barclays Bank and with the inclusion of Gift Aid, the final figure surpasses £10,000 – a magnificent boost for a very deserving cause. Websites: www.ksc.org.uk www.kscprov02.weebly.com www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Email: dpokeane@aol.com

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PIC Life Why people, not places, are our Church By Moira Billinge It is always extremely sad when a church has to be closed. The process leaves many people feeling deeply hurt and let down. A church is not just a building: it is a focal point for its members to come together to help and encourage each other in the practice of their faith. No two parishes are the same: each has its own strengths and weaknesses, organisations, support systems and leadership. Within a parish community there is a unique sense of belonging, of identity and of being part of a family who have shared together – often for many decades – in the joys and the sorrows that come with the territory of being a loved and valued member of that family. Years ago, when we were blessed with many churches and large congregations, it was unusual for a Parish Priest to be without at least one curate to assist him. There was no shortage of vocations so he also had the support of the parish sisters. The curates were able to develop their vocations, learn ‘on the job’ and be comparatively free from major responsibilities; indeed most remained as curates for many years. Today’s picture is very different. The dearth of vocations to the priesthood means that the newly ordained can quickly find themselves in charge of a parish – or two. Families are smaller and fewer practise their faith. This impacts upon the size of the congregations and the funds available to run and maintain the church buildings. Hence the closures across the country, leaving immeasurable distress in their wake. The decision to close a church is never taken lightly. The genuine anguish of the hierarchy, who put the final stamp of approval to set the process in motion, can be underestimated. Ralph, the ‘victim’ of one such closure, 28

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likened his pain to that of bereavement. Many of his former congregation dispersed to other parishes. He became, in his own words, ‘a nomad’, attending Mass in whichever church was convenient for him at the time. Ralph’s life changed from being an active member of his former parish, to someone who picked up a newsletter from a different church almost every week and was neither involved in their activities, nor able to recognise any of the names of the individuals contained in the lists of sick or newly deceased parishioners. The crunch came when Ralph realised that he no longer knew anyone at all. He did not know the names of the people who offered the handshake at the Sign of Peace – and nor did they know his. His sense of isolation deepened: he was an unknown in the congregation. Ralph’s health began to fail and while he was at a friend’s funeral, he started to think about his own inevitable demise, whether imminent or many years in the future. He realised that as he no longer belonged to a parish, there would be no parishioners to mourn his passing, to pray for him or be present at his funeral. Things had to change; he needed to select a parish and put down roots once again. Ralph found that parish. It wasn’t long before the people addressed him by name, and he was able to reciprocate. He is now very much part of his new community and he no longer looks upon it as a place in which he can die, but instead, as a place where he can live. Jesus told us that, even when we say goodbye, when something must break open and die like a grain of wheat, it turns into something stronger than it was before. As important as the church building is to its community, it is the people who are the Church.

Quote from Pope Francis “Any harm done to the environment is harm done to humanity - every creature particularly a living creature, has an intrinsic value, in its existence, its life, its beauty and its interdependence with other creatures”.

Worth a visit

In the final instalment of our visits to Berlin, pause to reflect at the Holocaust Memorial in Mitte, writes Lucy Oliver. Also known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, it consists of 2,711 blocks of concrete, resembling tombstones, and it stands in solemn memory of the six million Jewish people who suffered Nazi atrocities in the Second World War. A walk among these tall stones is a disquieting experience; the uneven blocks vary in height and size to add to the disorienting feeling. There is another monument in Berlin commemorating Europe’s tumultuous history but also its unity and peace: the Brandenburg Gate. Completed in 1791, it stood right beside the Berlin Wall dividing East and West Germany during the post-war years. If parts of the Wall are preserved today to remember the divisions of the past, the Brandenburg Gate remains a symbol of unity having been the site of the joyous celebrations that followed the Fall of the Wall in 1989 – and an arena for public gathering ever since. Visit the Room of Silence in the northern gatehouse, a joint venture run by volunteers, and set up with contributions from people of differing religious and cultural backgrounds working for peace.

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join in Eating Out

Children’s word search The celebration of Saint Andrew the Apostle feast day is November 30. Look at our clues to find out more.

SAINT ANDREW

APOSTLE

MISSIONER

FOLLOWER

GUIDE

FISHER OF MEN GALILEE PREACHER

FAITHFUL SACRIFICE

Why not take a break and enjoy a meal out at one of our listed restaurants Eton Place Woolton Road, Liverpool 16 0151 738 1368 Royal Oak Liverpool Road, Aughton 01695 422121 Armadillo Bebington Road, Wirral 0151 645 5678 The Pheasant Moss Lane, Hightown 0151 929 2106 Nova Pensby Road, Heswall 0151 342 9959 Rose of Mossley Rose Lane, Liverpool 18 0151 724 6037

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy

Christmas Cards from Carmel

The young curate came in after hearing Confessions and said to Father Mullarkey: ‘I sometimes get really sad when I hear what people have to say. It seems to me that some of our parishioners have really hard lives with one bad thing after another happening to them. I wish I could help more.’ ‘Well don’t forget you’re helping just by listening,’ said Father Mullarkey. ‘It’s a good thing for people to get things off their chests.’ ‘Yes, I suppose so,’ said the young curate. ‘There’s no suppose about it,’ said the auld fella. ‘I remember when I was a young priest like yourself, hearing Confessions, and an old chap came in and said his wooden leg was giving him pain.’ ‘How can you get pain from a wooden leg?’ asked the YC. ‘His wife kept hitting him over the head with it!’

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, Dan Antonio, at All Hallows RC High School, Penwortham

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Anyone interested in receiving the audio copy should contact Dan Antonio on 01772 746121

Now is the time to select your Christmas cards which the sisters have produced so beautifully. Visit the Monastery at: Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, L18 3NU. Telephone the card office on 0151 724 7102 or Email the Sisters at marytoncards@outlook.com Cards for all occasions are also available in the Monastery shop try to visit if you can.

Catholic Pictorial

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justice & peace

The meaning of Mercy By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker As we come to the end of the Year of Mercy, I’d like to share with you some of the gifts it has given to me. As the J&P fieldworker, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what I’m supposed to be doing and thinking about the tasks implied by the title of the job. What is justice? What is peace? How do we encourage our parishes to be places where justice and peace can be found, places where they flourish? I get phone calls sometimes from people who think that I’m a Justice of the Peace who can help them with some legal problem that they have. I have to tell them that the Church doesn’t deal with the legal system and that we have nothing to do with the courts. During the Year of Mercy I’ve been helped to realise that, even in the context of Church life, I do have a tendency to think of justice as a legal approach to the way I live, as a way of doing what is right. I’m not on my own in this. St Paul wrote scathingly that we are not saved by the law, with the phrase ‘works of law’ occurring 74 times in his letters. This might sound a bit pedantic but

what St Paul is reminding us is that we are not ‘saved’ by anything we do. We cannot put ourselves on to the ‘good step’ by doing certain things and by not doing others. We are ‘saved’ because of the mercy of God. That is the great blessing that Pope Francis has given us in this Year of Mercy: a chance to re-learn that God’s love is complete and overwhelming. It is not something we have to earn. There are two words in Hebrew scripture to describe God’s love. ‘Hesed’: God’s compassionate love that describes Him as a doting father in whose eyes his children can do no wrong; and ‘Rachamim’: God’s tender love that describes Him as a mother who cannot help but love the child once carried in her womb. The tenderness of this mercy is a far cry from the mercy of a judge who lets us off despite what we have done. The Greek translation of mercy was ‘Eleos’, from which we get ‘Kyrie Eleison’: ‘Lord have mercy.’ Thus at the start of Mass we are not pleading with a judge but luxuriating in the overwhelming love that God has for us. This is the mercy we ask for in the Gloria and then again in the Agnus Dei. None of this is to say that it doesn’t

matter what we do. Of course it does. Our search for justice and peace is now fuelled by our desire to be like our heavenly parent, to share the love that is showered on us. We will do this by the way we live and the kindness that we show in our relationships with others, especially in the way that we care for people. Our caring needs to include not just other people but we need to be kind to ourselves and to all of creation. This brings us back to the three priorities of the Justice and Peace Commission that I wrote about last month: 1) Forced Migration; 2) Care for Creation; and 3) Inequality. If the Year of Mercy leads us to make caring the touchstone of our behaviour, maybe we could remember the words of the poet Robert Frost: ‘Only three things matter. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.’ Twitter @LiverpoolJandp www.instagram.com/liverpooljandp Email: j-p@rcaolp.co.uk

56th Annual St Helens Rosary Procession

An estimated 220 people took part in the traditional St Helens Rosary procession at the beginning of October. The procession was led by Bishop Tom Williams together with the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillors David and Jeanette Banks, and local clergy. Decades of the Rosary were recited for a

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number of intentions, local, national and international, including the family, young people, the sanctity of human life, relief of unemployment, relief from disease and famine and the progression of the Sainthood causes for Blessed Dominic Barberi and Mother Elizabeth Prout. A special intention was for peace in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Iraq and

the Holy Land and for refugees from these conflicts. After walking through the town centre the procession concluded with Benediction at Holy Cross church led by Bishop Tom. Next year the procession will take be on Sunday 1 October 2017, processing to St Mary’s church, Lowe House.

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