Catholic pic october 2017

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 1

Issue 157 October 2017

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor 1932-2017

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 2

7KH FRQČľ LFW FRQWLQXHV PRUH DQG PRUH SHRSOH DUH KXQJU\ KRPHOHVV DQG WUDXPDWLVHG 5HWULEXWLRQ LV ULIH 7KLV \RXQJ FRXQWU\ LV RQ WKH EULQN RI FROODSVH EXW \RX FDQ KHOS EULQJ SHDFH WR WKH SHRSOH RI 6RXWK 6XGDQ World Mission Sunday LV \RXU FKDQFH WR VXSSRUW RXU PLVVLRQDULHV DQG WKH &KXUFK LQ SURFODLPLQJ WKH *RVSHO RI SHDFH WR WKRVH ZKR VXÎ? HU DURXQG WKH ZRUOG %\ VXSSRUWLQJ 0LVVLR WKH 3RSHȇV RÉ? FLDO FKDULW\ IRU RYHUVHDV PLVVLRQ \RX ZLOO EH VKDULQJ WKH SHDFH DQG ORYH RI &KULVW ZLWK DOO SHRSOH E\ KHOSLQJ HYHU\RQH LQ QHHG UHJDUGOHVV RI EDFNJURXQG RU EHOLHI

Where there is hatred, sow love. Help bring peace to South Sudan

Today, your prayers and your donation will help a spirit of peace spread across South Sudan and around the world

To: World Mission Sunday, Missio, 23 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1NU

Ζ HQFORVH P\ GRQDWLRQ RI £ FKHTXH SD\DEOH WR World Mission Sunday) Ζ ZLVK WR *LIW $LG WKLV GRQDWLRQ 3OHDVH VHQG PH D *LIW $LG GHFODUDWLRQ IRUP 1DPH $GGUHVV

3RVWFRGH

7R GRQDWH E\ FUHGLW FDUG RU WR PDNH D UHJXODU JLIW WR 0LVVLR SOHDVH FDOO 020 7821 9755 RU JR WR missio.org.uk 5HJLVWHUHG &KDULW\ 1XPEHU

2

Catholic Pictorial

:06

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 3

contents Welcome Just after the last edition of the ‘Catholic Pic’ went to press the news came of the death of Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor, so this month we pay tribute to his life and work.

The Cardinal worked with Archbishop Malcolm in the Bishops’ Conference and often came privately to visit our archdiocese to see those who he knew from the English College in Rome; among them Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly, Monsignor Jack Kennedy and Canon John Short.

He will be remembered for his humour and his enthusiasm and many, myself included, will be grateful for the support he always offered. Last year when I was working with young pilgrims travelling to Krakow for World Youth Day we held a media training session in London, Cardinal Cormac was only too willing to join us and celebrate Mass for us. After Mass he spent time with the young people and eagerly joined them in their photoshoot.

We remember him in our main feature and he is pictured at St Anne’s, Overbury Street in 2008 when Bishops from Europe and Africa met as the city celebrated being Capital of Culture.

We pray for with grateful thanks for his life and ministry.

Contents 4

Main Feature Farewell to a Cardinal with a human touch

8

News From around the Archdiocese

From the Archbishop’s Desk During a recent break in Portugal I explored the local towns, like most holidaymakers. Inevitably this meant visiting churches, many of which were no longer open for worship but simply well-preserved monuments to a past time and practice. One of my holiday companions was a non-Catholic who was forever asking me about the statues of saints which adorned these very beautiful churches. I quite enjoyed showing off my knowledge to him recalling many stories from my childhood about the heroic acts of the saints. It was an interesting exercise for me as well as for him, I hope, as once more I came to realise how very important our saints are to us as Catholics.

These heroes of our faith are our friends and have an active role in heaven of interceding for us. This idea of the intercession of saints was new to my friend who thought we believed that saints had powers of their own, and was quite surprised when I explained that any favours we receive through our prayers to a particular saint always comes from God. Of course if we believe in a spiritual life then it is reasonable to think that friendship and love continue beyond this life, and that is why we ask them. My friend liked that idea, and I got the feeling that saints for him were no longer lifeless statues or images but new friends he was anxious to get to know better.

15 Pastoral Letter October 2017 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 19 Nugent News The best day ever 21 Animate Welcome to the new team 25 Cathedral Record Mozart’s Requiem at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

Editor Peter Heneghan

Copy deadline November 2017 issue 9 October 2017

Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

Publisher CPMM 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Pictures Cover: ©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk Main Feature: Tom Murphy

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.

Advertising Sales team 0151 709 7567

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life

28 Pic Life Why we should shut our ears to gossip 29 Join In Family Fun and More Mullarkey 30 Justice and Peace A numbers game

Catholic Pictorial

3

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 4

Farewell to a Cardinal with a human touch Holiness, humility and humour defined Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, whose death last month prompted a flood of tributes.

By Simon Hart ‘I will remember him for his humanity, his sense of humour and for the great care which he showed to his brother bishops, priests, the people he served and all who he met. He was always approachable, willing to give his time to listen to anyone and to offer any help he could,’ Archbishop Malcolm McMahon’s words, uttered on the news of the death of Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor, provided one of the many suitably warm epitaphs delivered in the memory of a man who left a deep imprint on the life of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.

He served as the 10th Archbishop of Westminster from March 2000 until retiring aged 76 in 2009 – the first Archbishop of Westminster to do so – and his contribution as leader of the Church in this country earned rich praise from Pope Francis in a message following his death on 1 September.

The pontiff, who was elevated to cardinal in February 2001 at the same time as his late associate, spoke of Cardinal Cormac’s ‘unwavering devotion 4

Catholic Pictorial

to the preaching of the Gospel and the care of the poor, and his far-sighted commitment to the advancement of ecumenical and interreligious understanding’.

Cardinal Cormac, who was 85 and had been suffering from cancer, had spoken of his mortality in Radio 2’s Pause for Thought slot late last year.

Addressing the subject of ‘A good death’, he said: ‘In spite of all our weaknesses and failures, God loves us. So death must be of one piece with life. With the help of God, I hope I will be able to face it, not with fear but with hope and confidence as being in the hands of God.’ If the testimony of close friends suggested that the twinkle in his eye stayed him to the last, his final letter to the clergy and laity said that Cardinal Cormac, who was well accustomed to rushing from one appointment to the next, was ready for his soul’s next step: ‘Please tell them that I am at peace, and have no fear of what is to come.’

A man of many gifts – from musicianship through storytelling to the sporting genes which served his oldest brother James splendidly in an international rugby career with Ireland – Cardinal Cormac was

born in Reading on 24 August 1932, the fifth son of Irish parents, George, a doctor, and Ellen.

Educated at the Presentation College, Reading and Prior Park College in Bath, he began his training for the priesthood at the English College, Rome in 1950, where he joined two of his brothers, Brian and Patrick. While in Rome he gained licentiates in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. As he would later recount on BBC’s Desert Island Discs radio programme, he learned also how to make a good Martini cocktail.

After his ordination on 28 October 1956, he spent ten years as a curate in his home diocese of Portsmouth, before becoming private secretary to the Bishop of Portsmouth (and future Archbishop of Liverpool), Derek Worlock, a position he held for four years. In the 1970s Cardinal Cormac returned to Rome as rector of the English College. It was the period following the Second

Vatican Council and, as he would recall, he found himself called on to ‘broker a peace between the people who want to change everything and the people who want to change nothing’.

His appointment as the third Bishop of Arundel and Brighton followed in 1977. At his funeral Mass at Westminster Cathedral on 13 September, Archbishop George Stack spoke of the significance of his place of burial in the Cathedral in relation to Cardinal Cormac’s experience of child abuse cases during his time as Bishop.

This place was beneath the tenth station of the cross, the station where Jesus was stripped of his garments, and Cardinal Cormac, the Archbishop said, ‘knew well what it was like to have judgments questioned, decisions criticised, mistakes analysed. That “stripping away” could easily have made him angry and cynical, causing him to retreat from the public

‘Please tell them that I am at peace, and have no fear of what is to come’

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 5

feature Left: Cardinal Cormac with Archbishop Malcolm

arena. Yet he acknowledged his mistakes (and) learned a huge lesson and proceeded to establish the most robust safeguarding mechanism possible, a model for other institutions.’

He commissioned Lord Nolan to chair an independent review on child protection in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This was a landmark document and led to the establishment of an independent office (COPCA) to oversee the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

In order to consolidate this work, he also commissioned a review, conducted by Baroness Cumberlege, which led to the establishment of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service and the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission.

In that same homily, Archbishop Stack added: ‘Cormac was a priest to his fingertips. He was comfortable in his own skin. He was aware of his failings, yet supremely confident in his calling.’ This confidence is something he was able to transmit to others.

One of Cardinal Cormac’s preferred mottos was ‘Nemo sibi judex’ – nobody can be

Northern Star Travel

…The art of travelling 0161 773 2115 FATIMA SPECIAL

CHRISTMAS IN LOURDES

ROME EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

Departing 07th December from Manchester 3 nights half board 4* Hotel Excursion to Aljustrel £375 per person sharing £450 in single room

6 days by coach, no overnight travel, Departs 22nd December 2017, Full board 4* Hotel in Lourdes £395 per person sharing £450 in single room

4 days from Liverpool airport, Departs 19th Feb 2018, 4* Hotel, bed & breakfast £449 per person sharing £515 in a single room

GROUPS 2018 Contact us now for Lourdes, Rome, Fatima, Medjugorje, Assisi, Padua & Knock

55A Bury Old Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0FG – Book online www.northernstartravel.com

Catholic Pictorial

5

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:41 Page 6

feature

Above: Cardinal Cormac at the meeting of European and African Bishops in 2008 his own judge. Colleagues appreciated his willingness to listen to others when making decisions.

His own perceptive nature, meanwhile, helped him to bring the best out of others.

Speaking at the Solemn Vespers at Westminster Cathedral on 12 September, Archbishop Bernard Longley said: ‘He could often see the potential for good that others failed to recognise in themselves.’

This chimes with the recollection of Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly, who was a student with Cardinal Cormac in Rome and later served as his vice-president with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. ‘He had a most gracious ability to encourage gifts wherever they were found,’ he says. ‘He could recognise what was possible for other people and encourage them to use their gifts to the full. That is a much

‘He could often see the potential for good that others failed to recognise in themselves’ 6

Catholic Pictorial

stronger quality than being able to delegate.’

Archbishop Emeritus Kelly recalls several visits made by Cardinal Cormac to Liverpool, including one Remembrance Sunday at which the latter laid a wreath on behalf of the Catholic community. Afterwards the pair stood beside the statue of Archbishop Worlock and Bishop David Sheppard on Hope Street and discussed ecumenical matters – a matter of real significance to Cardinal Cormac, underlined by his membership of and scholarly contributions to the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission.

Archbishop Emeritus Kelly remembers too the lighter

touches of a man of holiness, humility and no little humour.

‘He was no mean musician, both pianist and singer, and when I think of him I remember a line from Merchant of Venice. It’s act five, scene one: “The man that hath no music in himself …

The motions of his spirit are dull as night.” For me Cormac is the opposite of all that.’

There was a similar recollection from Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Speaking after Cardinal Cormac’s death, he said his lasting memory of his predecessor would be of his ‘laughter and of his joy in life, music and sport and in company and in having a good chat. I'm sure heaven will be ringing with his laughter.’

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 7

Inspiring In spiring personal p ersonal a and nd a academic cademic

excellence e xcel e len nce OPEN O PEN E EVENING VENING TTuesday uesday 3rd 3rd October October 6.00-8.00pm 6.00-8.00pm

‘Pupils are ‘Pupils ar e m otivated and and motivated c ompassion nate... compassionate... w ell p repared for f or well prepared ttheir heir role role in in m odern ssociety’ oci c ety’ modern Ofsted 2016 2016

Welcoming W elcoming students students ffrom rom all all areas areas of of Liverpool Liverpool & beyond beyond Bellerive iiss a vvery Bellerive ery popular popular choice choice for for girls girls from from across across Liverpool.

Liverpool.

C Contact ontact us us for for a guided guided tour tour and and find find out out why why we we are are such such a unique unique school. school.

Bellerive FCJ Bellerive FCJ FC Catholic C atholic College College 1, A 1, Aigburth igburth Drive, Drive, Sefton Sefton P Park, ark, LLiverpool iverpool L1 L17 73 3AA AA TTel: el: 0151 0151 727 727 2064 2064 www.bellerivefcj.org www.bellerivefcj.org Specialisms S pecialisms in in Sciences, Sciences, A Applied pplied LLearning earning a and nd M Maths aths & C Computing omputing

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 8

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

Diamond anniversary celebrations at St Bede’s

On 20 July, past and present staff, pupils, parents and governors gathered to celebrate the end of the 60th anniversary year of St Bede's Catholic High school Omrskirk with Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool. Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP was the celebrant and Father Godric Timney OSB delivered a thoughtful homily.

The music was led by a 100 strong choir of pupils, staff and parents and the Headteacher Mr Horrocks paid tribute to all those who had been part of the school community over the past 60 years. The deputy mayor of West Lancs was also in attendance.

The Mass was the culmination of a year long celebration of the life of the school.

On the previous Saturday over 200 past pupils, parents and staff attended a celebration in the school. The evening involved entertainment from past and present pupils, including the comedian Jon Culshaw and boxer Tony Bellew.

St Bede’s Catholic High school opened its doors for the first time sixty years ago. As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Friends of St Bede’s have provided two new cherry trees to mark the anniversary. Councillor Savage, the Mayor of West Lancashire Borough Council, officiated at the tree planting and time capsule burial. The Friends of St Bede’s also supplied prizes for two competitions. One was for producing an appropriate contents list for a time capsule and the winner was Matthew Reynolds from Year 10.

Isabella Murray in Year 8, won the 60th Anniversary logo competition. The trees were planted by staff and clients at Midstream a training centre in West Lancashire which caters for people with learning difficulties and other special needs.

Volunteer for Cafod’s only charity shop A Liverpool volunteer is appealing for people to join her in sustaining a ‘one of a kind’ charity shop. The shop is the only one in the country that raises money for Cafod and has been an enormous success over the past 20 years, raising over £715,000. However, due to a lack of volunteers, the shop now risks having to reduce its opening hours.

The shop, on St John’s Road, Waterloo, was set up by Cafod campaigners, Tony Redmond and Harry Wallace, over twenty years ago and has been led by volunteers ever since. Manager, Wendy Francis-Rowe, said: ‘We’re really keen for volunteers of all backgrounds to come forward, as throughout the shop there are a wide number of roles available.

‘It would be a real shame to lose the shop with all of its history, it is truly one of a kind and we’d love for it to continue raising money and bringing the community together for a long time.’

To find out more or to register your interest in volunteering at the shop, please contact Wendy on 0151 286 4003 or email liverpool@Cafod.org.uk

8

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 9

news diary

by Father Simon Gore

Obituary of Rev Gerald Hurst

It was in May last year that Archbishop Malcolm McMahon formally welcomed the national Faith in Action scheme into our archdiocese. As you may remember, the FIA scheme is a new national initiative aimed at rewarding young people for the work they already do in our schools and parishes, and – through suitable reflection on these works in the light of their faith – encouraging them to do more as they mature.

The award has been likened to a Catholic Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and that is not an entirely inaccurate description. But the most significant difference with Faith in Action when compared with other similar schemes is the way in which young people are asked to reflect on any work they do in the light of Church teaching and scripture, and – having reflected on their work – to use those thoughts to move forward on their own faith journey.

A number of schools in our archdiocese accepted the challenge of putting their faith into action within this scheme and at the end of the year we had final pieces submitted from 11 primary schools, 11 high schools and six parishes. This represents over 400 children and young people from across the archdiocese taking part in the scheme and putting their faith into action.

Those children and young people had to do varying amounts of work, to different degrees of involvement, depending on the award level targeted. At the end of the year they had to submit a ‘final piece’ showing how their work and reflections across the year allowed them to develop their faith. These final pieces were all individually moderated by a panel of people from across the archdiocese and returned to the young people to offer them affirmation in the work they had done.

This group of first-year participants attended an awards ceremony in September when they received a nationally recognised certificate and badge As the first step in a new initiative the numbers involved for 2016/17 were tremendous and I hope that as the new academic year begins we will have even more schools and parishes sign up to be involved.

If you would like more information on the FIA scheme please see the Animate website: www.animateyouth.org. If you would like to enrol your school or parish in the scheme for next year please contact Father Simon Gore on s.gore@animateyouth.co.uk or 01744 740467.

Right is the Diocesan FIA logo designed as part of a competition and won by Callum from St Benedict’s, Netherton.

Father Gerald Hurst who was parish priest at St Mary’s, Castletown, Isle of Man for 34 years died on Tuesday 15 August, the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven. He was 88 years of age and was in the 63rd year of his priesthood.

Gerald Hurst was born at Haydock on 3 February 1929, the son of John and Margaret Hurst. He attended Blessed English Martyrs’ School, Haydock, and St Joseph’s College, Upholland, where he was ordained priest in the college chapel by Archbishop William Godfrey on 4 June 1955.

His first appointment was as assistant priest to Canon Gregory Doyle at the Pro-Cathedral in August 1955 and then in April 1960 as assistant priest to Father John Gavin at St Agnes, Huyton.

Between 1963 and 1979 he served as a chaplain in the Royal Navy. For most of his commission he served on HMS Fulmar at Lossiemouth. However, his varied duties also saw him serve on HMS Jufair at Bahrain, HMS Cochrane at Rosyth, HMS Drake at Devonport and HMS Neptune at Faslane.

In October 1979 he returned to the archdiocese to take charge of the parish of St Mary in Castletown, where he remained until his retirement in November 2013. He also had care of the parish of St Columba at Port Erin and Port St Mary. Upon his retirement he moved initially to Ince Blundell, and later to a care home at Platt Bridge, where he became a familiar figure to many parishioners at Holy Family as a result.

His Funeral Mass, was celebrated at Holy Family Church, Platt Bridge on Friday 1 September, followed by burial at St Oswald’s, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Faith in Action update

Father David’s Army Cadet Camp 300 Cadets from 32 Detachments attended the Merseyside Army Cadet Force 12 day Annual Camp at Otterburn in Northumberland.

Whilst on camp they covered drill and turnout, first aid, fieldcraft, expedition, shooting, navigation skills, map and compass, overnight exercise, and spent time at Kielder Water, an adventure centre, where they did watermanship, raft building, rock climbing and zip wire. They also had the opportunity to qualify for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Padres Rabbi Ariel Abel, on his first Camp, and Father David Gamble, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories, Hightown and Holy Family, Ince Blundell, jointly led the Service at the final parade.

Honorary Colonel, Dame Lorna Muirhead, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, made a special visit to see them in training. She has visited for eleven Annual Camps, but this was the last occasion prior to her retirement. The 2018 camp will be at Sennybridge, South Wales with Rabbi Ariel and Father David again supporting the cadets.

Catholic Pictorial

9

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 10

news diary Help needed for 2017 Cafod Fun Run The annual Cafod Liverpool Fun Run will return to Wavertree Athletics Centre on Wednesday 27 December from 12.00 noon.

All are welcome to come along and soak up the atmosphere and live music, and are invited to run, walk or even toddle the route with friends and family.

The committee are also looking for more volunteers to help on the day to ensure its smooth running.

Volunteers are needed to register runners, set up, marshal, to distribute certificates, and to sell raffle tickets.

To find out more or volunteer, please email liverpool@cafod.org.uk All sponsorship will go to Cafod’s refugee crisis appeal.

Celebration for Blessed Dominic

Bishop Marcus Stock at the tomb of Blessed Dominic with visitors from Viterbo

Archbishop Malcolm hosts Civic Reception At the beginning of September Archbishop’s House was the setting for an ecumenical reception for Church and Civic leaders hosted by Archbishop Malcolm. Dignitaries came from across the region to take the opportunity to discuss matters of common interest.

10

Catholic Pictorial

Bishop Marcus Stock of Leeds visited the Shrine of Blessed Dominic Barberi in Sutton, St Helens, to celebrate the annual feast day Mass at the end of August.

Among the concelebrants were priests from the local pastoral area and Passionists from Blessed Dominic’s order. In the congregation were a group from the central Italian City of Viterbo, Blessed Dominic’s birthplace.

In his homily Bishop Marcus spoke of the relevance of the mission of Blessed Dominic, ‘not just for the Church of his era but also its pertinence to the effective evangelisation of our country in our own time’. He recalled Blessed Dominic’s role in the conversion of John Henry Newman to the Catholic faith and concluded by saying, ‘If we, the members of the Church of today, are to engage fully in the challenge put to us in the evangelisation of our society today and to cultivate a new spring for the Catholic faith in our land, we would do well to pay attention to the new ardour, the new methods, and the new expression we find in the mission and ministry of Blessed Dominic Barberi of the Mother of God’.

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 11

news diary Opening our archives for Black History Month

To mark 30 years since the inception of Black History Month, the Metropolitan Cathedral archives will be open throughout October for anybody wishing to read stories of Liverpool’s black community in back issues of the Catholic Pictorial.

You could say, of course, that Liverpool has a head start in being able to provide stories for celebration. The city has the oldest recorded black community in Britain. Its history as a port and centre of trade with the Empire meant that many black people visited and settled: exiled loyalists from the American War of Independence, curious sailors, and students from farflung corners of the world. Liverpool’s black ‘firsts’ include John Archer who, in 1913, became England’s first black mayor – a milestone celebrated on a Royal Mail stamp. There are sports men and women, like boxer John Conteh and the current young heptathlete Katarina JohnsonThompson, and bands such as The Real Thing and The Christians.

The accompanying photograph shows black youths in Faulkner Place, Toxteth, 1972

Liverpool pilgrims visit Fatima Shrine

Established in 1962, the Pic is considerably younger than the city’s black community, yet our old editions still offer insights from the last 55 years into how the life of that community has been reported. Toxteth, of course, is the area of the city where most black settlement historically took place, and it is the Toxteth community that appears most often in the pages of the Pic. Visitors to the archives in October can access some intriguing stories – from the tale of a nearly-forgotten black boxer who became a world champion, via an innovative child-minding initiative, to a less savoury account of early football hooliganism causing racial tensions in the city. Perhaps you have our own story that was featured in the Pic, or know of a report that our research has not uncovered, and if so, do please let us know.

A party of 36 pilgrims from the parishes of St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo; St Anne’s Freshfield and St Wilfrid’s, Garston travelled together recently on pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela and the shrine of Avila. The trip was mainly to commemorate the centenary year of the apparitions in Fatima, but pilgrims were delighted that they were able to also add on to the pilgrimage a visit to the shrine of St James in Compostela and also the shrine of St Theresa of Avila.

If you would like to take a look at tales of Liverpool’s black community, come along to the reading room at the Metropolitan Cathedral archives this month. Visitors paying to explore the Crypt can access the archives during opening hours from Monday-Friday, while anyone else interested should email n.sayer@metcathedral.org.uk.

Neil Sayer, Archdiocesan Archivist

Catholic Pictorial

11

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 12

news diary

The Youth Effect sleepover ‘The Youth Effect’, a youth group based at St Aidan’s in Winstanley, took part in a sponsored sleepover on the floor of the church in aid of ‘The Brick’ and ‘Joshua’s Den’ in Wigan.

The evening started with a Q&A session with the founder of Joshua’s Den, telling how the charity had developed from its early stages. ‘He was so passionate about helping others; it inspired me to want to do the same’, remarked one of the young people.

During the evening the group used 300 tins donated by the parish to create a 3D Celtic cross sculpture synonymous with St Aidan of Lindisfarne, which will be entered into the Brick’s tin sculpture challenge.

At 5.30 am after a little over three hours sleep, the young people woke and moved outside the church to try and gain some insight into the conditions that the homeless are subjected to. One member said, ‘It helped us experience what it would feel like not to wake up in the comfort and warmth of our own bed’.

They stayed outside until Mass reflecting

on the experiences of the evening, while providing a thought provoking sight to parishioners.

‘It was an eye-opening experience and it was a privilege to take part ‘said one member, while two others reflected ‘It helped us walk in other people’s shoes if only for a short time’ and ‘the sleepover enabled me to think of those less

fortunate than myself, and helped me do something practical to help.’

Deacon Jim Cardy said, ‘what an inspiration this is to us, and gives us hope and confidence for our future, as we see faith in Jesus Christ lived out in action.’

So far the event has raised £1500, to be split between the two charities.

Cathedral prepares to welcome Fatima Pilgrim Virgin statue

By Donal Anthony Foley To mark the centenary year of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima in 1917, the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) has organised visitations of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue to the cathedrals of England and Wales, together with the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta for veneration.

Westminster Cathedral was the first stop on the itinerary on Saturday 18 February, when Cardinal Nichols received, blessed and crowned the statue, and it will now be the turn of Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral on 6 and 7 October.

The highlight of the visitation will be Holy Mass with a post-communion act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mass will be preceded by the enthronement and crowning of the National Fatima Statue, and followed by veneration of the relics, along with the enrolment and investiture of the brown scapular. There will also be Fatima talks and devotions over the weekend, including the Rosary.

12

Catholic Pictorial

The dioceses of Cardiff, Southwark, Shrewsbury, Menevia, Nottingham, Plymouth, Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Hallam, Portsmouth and Leeds have all received the statue up to now, and the visitations will continue until mid-October.

In his homily at the Westminster Cathedral visitation, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said that devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so central to her message, ‘is a way for us to say “yes” (like she did) from the depths of our hearts … which is why

today we consecrate afresh ourselves, our lives, our country, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that we can always be saying “Yes” to the Lord, with all our heart, with all our will, from the centre of our being. And only Mary can teach us how to do this.’

He also emphasised the importance of the Rosary and of praying it in the family, which he recalled doing as a child.

Internationally, the highlight of the centenary year of Our Lady’s apparitions in Fatima from May to October 1917 has been the canonisation on 13 May of Francisco and Jacinta by Pope Francis at the Portuguese shrine.

Full details of the Liverpool visitation will be published nearer the time at http://www.worldfatimaenglandwales.org.uk/visitation.html and also circulated to parishes. If anybody is willing and available to offer their help with the visitation programme, they should contact the organisers on either info@worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk or 07786 487557.

Donal Anthony Foley is the Secretary of the WAF England and Wales

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 13

Emerald Ball raises hospice funds A birthday ball in the lovely setting of Liverpool’s Isla Gladstone Conservatory has raised more than £25,000 for St Joseph’s Hospice.

The Emerald Ball marked the 55th anniversary of the founding of St Joseph’s Hospice, aka Jospice, by Father Francis O’Leary and it took place at the Victorian glasshouse in Stanley Park on 9 September.

Local comedian Jed Stone compered the evening and encouraged guests to dig deep for an exclusive collection of raffle and auction prizes, including a vintage

Emerald and Diamond Ring, two walk-on parts in a BBC drama, and a limited edition Game of Thrones bundle.

Dean Sullivan, the former Brookside actor and hospice vice-president, lent his support to the event and joined in with the evening’s celebrations which included a three-course meal and music from local band Hudson.

Mike Parr, chief executive of St Joseph’s Hospice, said: ‘Our Emerald Ball marked a very special occasion. Fifty-five years ago our founder, the much-loved Father Francis O’Leary, began his mission to

provide dignified and compassionate care for people coming to the end of their lives.

‘Our Emerald Ball brought many of our supporters together, including families, staff, volunteers and local businesses, to celebrate this milestone and contribute towards the future of the hospice. It was a fantastic event from start to finish and I felt incredibly proud to be part of the hospice family.’

For further information about supporting the hospice, please contact the fundraising team on 0151 932 6044 or email events@jospice.org.uk.

A new school for south Liverpool The start of the new academic year has brought a new name on the Liverpool schools’ landscape – the Academy of St Nicholas.

Formerly the Enterprise South Liverpool Academy (ESLA), the relaunched school forms part of the All Saints MultiAcademy Trust alongside the Academy of St Francis of Assisi and All Saints Sixth Form College.

A total of 790 students and 97 staff began the new term at the Garstonbased academy where pupils benefit from a state-of-the art £26million school building with facilities including modern ICT rooms as well as eight acres of outdoor space.

The head of school of the relaunched academy is David Lancaster, who has worked previously in Greater Manchester and, most recently, as head of two academies in Lincolnshire. Speaking at the beginning of term on 9 September, he said: ‘It’s an exciting day as we officially open our doors as St Nicholas and get to work with ensuring we deliver the best possible outcomes for all our students. The staff and I are eager to get started and work closely with students, parents and the wider community.’

On the same site as St Nicholas Academy is All Saints Sixth Form College.

The 2017/18 intake will have the opportunity to study A Level and BTEC

courses alongside a varied enrichment programme developing skills needed for the world of work. The dedicated Sixth Form College will provide high-quality careers advice, UCAS guidance and pastoral support also.

The Executive Headteacher of the Trust, Anne Pontifex, said: ‘It’s great to finally open the doors to All Saints Sixth Form College. We have welcomed students from right across the city who have joined All Saints to achieve their future aspirations. Everyone is excited to get started and give our students the best possible education.’

For more information, go to: theacademyofstnicholas.org.uk

Catholic Pictorial

13

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 14

sunday reflections On a liturgical note ‘From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.’

So says the Catechism of the Catholic Church about the ministry of the angels of God (art. 336) and this month of October opens with a great feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. As Saint Basil the Great says: ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading them to life.’

It is lovely to hold the thought that, uniquely and individually, we are protected and shepherded – you could almost say ‘nudged towards’ the fullness of life which God desires for us. That there is in the heart of God the desire and the love which will enable this to take place is a reminder that although we echo and put our trust in the words of Saint John – ‘God so loved the world that he gave His only Son’ (John 3:16) – we should never lose ourselves in the crowd (that idea of ‘the world’) to the extent that we think this applies to everyone else … but not to me!

You and I are uniquely and particularly lovable and loved by the Holy Trinity.

Sunday thoughts Pope Francis returned recently from a pastoral visit to Colombia, a country marred by decades of terrorism, assassinations and civil war. In 2016 a painstakingly negotiated peace plan was presented to the population in a referendum.

But there was opposition to negotiating with terrorists. The peace plan anticipated terrorists abandoning their armed struggle to participate in mainstream politics. The plan was narrowly rejected.

Speaking on the final day of his visit, Pope Francis pleaded with all parties: ‘Only if we help to untie the knots of violence, will we unravel the complex threads of disagreements.’ This was an indirect reference to Pope Francis’s personal devotion to Mary, Untier of Knots.

Pope Francis encountered the image of Mary, Untier of Knots while stationed in Germany in 1986 studying for his doctorate. He visited the church of St Peter am Perlach in Augsburg and saw the painting in which Mary holds a knotted ribbon in

Canon Philip Gillespie

It does not mean we are yet perfect; to use the image of Saint Paul in his letter to the church of Corinth, we are running the race, seeking and searching always for the perfection to which Christ Jesus calls us (I Corinthians 9:24).

In the Liturgy each day we unite ourselves to the angels as they praise the Holy Trinity (in the ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ at Mass) and on many of the Sundays of the year we echo the words of the angels as they give thanks for the birth of Jesus (‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those of goodwill’). It is good to reflect that the angels in their turn unite themselves to us as they protect and shepherd us through the difficulties and twists and turns of every day, if only we remain attentive to their presence.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Mgr John Devine OBE

her hands – representing our lives and the knots that cause us suffering and patiently works to untie the knots. He bought a postcard of the image and took it back with him to Argentina and had the image copied.

That picture is now the centre of devotion in the church of San José del Talar in Buenos Aires. Devotion has spread throughout Argentina and continues to spread throughout the world.

A Novena to Mary, Untier of Knots will take place from Friday 29 September to Saturday 28 October at Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas. Each day we will petition Mary, Untier of Knots, to untie the knots in our lives. Some are of our own making, others due to the actions of others or to the circumstances of life: knots of injustice, disappointment, grief, loss, hopelessness, betrayal, resentment, physical and mental suffering in all its forms.

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

Catholic Pictorial

Follow me A few years ago I sat listening to a man tell his story to a couple of hundred people. It was a story of neglect, abuse and the degradation of a child which led him to become a man who respected nobody and was deeply suspicious of goodness in any form. Chris was imprisoned time and again, which made him hate even more.

He was so angry he would beat up other prisoners just so that he would be beaten up in turn. He was so badly damaged that he only felt fulfilled when someone else was hurting him, hoping to do some real harm.

He met a man who shared with him his faith.

Chris's response was to beat him up. He was placed in solitary confinement and when he came out, the man shared his faith again and Chris reacted in the same way. The third time it happened Chris said he had to admire the man’s tenacity. So, he began to listen and Chris said that he began to weep and begged God to fill his need. At the end of his story, he said that man who was excluded because of his anger was now included in the grace of God. I have been a priest for over 30 years and when I look at all the groups of people I have worked with, many of them have felt marginalised either by the Church or society or both. There have been young people who could not connect, for whom our language and traditions were alien; the university community, searching for meaning and not understanding; the street people, kept out of the mainstream by addictions and unacceptable behaviour.

How do we reach them?

Nowhere in the Gospels did Jesus say, ‘Worship me’. But he did say, ‘Follow me’. What are we going to do – will we just worship or will we follow? And what might that following mean? It might mean that we follow him into the messy places where people feel excluded.

It might mean reaching out to the margins. It might mean standing on the side of those most rejected by society.

To follow Jesus is not an easy way of living because it means letting go of our own desires and needs. It means being willing to let our ego die, that force within us which would see everything as revolving around us.

Sadly, few of us choose to live in that way.

Despite what we say about faith, we live in much the same way as those around us. We seem to have bought the values of the world and lost what should be a vibrant, dynamic faith. To follow Jesus is to take the risk to believe that in doing so we will be filled with a joy that nothing can take away from us, not just in the future but in the here and now. Will you take the risk to follow him?

Father Chris Thomas

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 15

Pastoral Letter: October 2017 Pastoral Letter of the Archbishop of Liverpool read at all Masses celebrated on the twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 1 October 2017 Dear friends, In the Gospel we have just heard a call is made and we are offered two contrasting responses. God calls us and each one of us is invited to respond.

I know that every day across the parishes of our diocese people are generously responding to God’s call. The compassion of Christ is being experienced by so many through the ministry of our priests and people. We are truly very blessed.

In recent years, however, we have had to begin to consider what it means to be called by God in changing times. The Leaving Safe Harbours process sought to help us to hear this call amidst the many challenges facing us. I want to thank all those who, in spite of frustrations, gave so generously of their time and energy.

But we cannot stop there, we must continue to build on that good work. I recently wrote to all the priests to help me to reflect on how to respond to the fall in numbers of priests and people at Mass.

From the feedback that the Deans gave me it is clear that we need to respond to the call being made with a particular focus. The call of Jesus is always to go out, to be missionary, to make disciples.

What does it mean for us to be true to that call today?

In the light of this I want us to embark upon a 3-year journey of prayer, reflection and action that will culminate in a Diocesan Synod in 2020. The Synod will look at practical ways in which we as a diocese respond to God’s call today and in the future.

The first part of our journey will be a year of prayer leading to the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress which will be held in Liverpool next year.

From the 7th to 9th September 2018 10,000 delegates from around the country will be gathering in Liverpool to participate in events in and around the city that will focus us on Christ, the bread of life. Through adoration, talks, workshops, keynote speakers, Masses and other activities we will be given the chance to reflect on how our adoration of

Christ in the Eucharist nourishes our lives as disciples.

Focusing our gaze firmly on Christ is an excellent place to begin our own journey towards Synod 2020. In this coming year therefore, resources such as prayer cards and holy hours will be made available for each parish to take up this journey and I will be coming to each Pastoral Area to lead a Holy Hour.

In the second year of our journey to Synod 2020, parish discussions will take place, which will begin from the fact that we are not about managing decline, but we are trying to catch a vision that will move us forward towards missionary discipleship, so that we do not simply follow Jesus but we take the Gospel message to others.

Year 3 will culminate in the Synod itself, to be held in the summer of 2020. The Synod will present practical ways in which we as a diocese can respond to the call of God. Like the Gospel there are at least 2 ways of responding, we can try to look at ourselves and the problems we face, or we can accept the challenge of every call of Jesus to be missionary and outward looking.

I would like to share with you two recent developments that illustrate this way of responding to the call of Christ today. In the city of Liverpool I have invited the missionaries of Africa, more commonly known as the White Fathers, to take over the pastoral care of one of our parishes.

They will be setting up a mission to specifically respond to the needs of our African brothers and sisters, and others of various ethnic origins, in the city. I will also be giving a parish church, hall and presbytery to the Syro-Malabar community who will embrace a similar mission to part of our Indian community.

In these two examples of our changing Church, we glimpse something of what it might be like to hear and respond to the call of the Lord to look outwards, beyond our own concerns and needs.

We need to regain our

missionary spirit so that the call to holiness we heard in our baptism is expressed by a change of direction.

Baptism has changed us so that as Christians we live no longer for ourselves but for others.

Perhaps we can also begin to see the opportunity that Synod 2020, our 3-year journey of prayer, reflection and action, might bring us to hear and respond to the call of the Lord with openhearted generosity and creative commitment. It is in this spirit that we can face the future with hope and confidence in Christ who is always close to those who seek to do his will.

Be assured of my prayers for you and your families,

The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 16

what’s on Sunday 1 October Rosary Sunday 57th St Helens Annual Family Rosary Procession Led by Bishop John Rawsthorne and local Civic Dignitaries. 3.00 pm from Church Square in the town centre, to St Mary’s church, Lowe House, concluding with solemn Benediction.

Wednesday 4 October Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Thursday 5 October ‘Blessed are you…’ Discovering the Beatitudes Scripture Morning 10.00 am at lrenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199. Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 7 October ‘Celebration’ Concert with the Cathedral Cantata Choir and the newly formed Cathedral Community Choir Director: James Luxton and the Metropolitan Cathedral Orchestra, Conductor: Stephen Pratt. 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Music includes works by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Parry, Rutter, Stubbs and Stanford. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or Email: bookings@cathedralconcerts.org.uk www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Responding to the Call Vocation Discernment Group. A monthly day of recollection to support those exploring Vocations to the Priesthood by helping men who feel called to ordained ministry to discover more about diocesan priesthood and meet others discerning a call to priesthood. An opportunity to talk with, and hear from, priests who minister in the diocese, and also a time for prayer and discussion at St Charles' Presbytery, 224 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG. Details: Father James Preston, Vocations Director Tel: 0151 727 2493 Email: frjamespreston@gmail.com.

Sunday 8 October Day of Prayer for Prisoners and their Dependants.

Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 180: ‘Schmücke dich, O Liebe Seele.’ (‘Dear soul, adorn yourself with gladness.’) 6.30 pm at St Francis de Sales, Hale Road, Walton, Liverpool L4 3RL. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy.

Tuesday 10 October Time Out on Tuesdays

The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco will be travelling around the country, visiting various Cathedrals abbeys and churches this year, 2017, which is the Centenary year of the Fatima message, which was given by the Blessed Virgin in 1917.

They will be at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in October: Friday 6 October 2.00 pm Arrival at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

7.00 pm Mass. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP Saturday 7 October 9.00 am Mass 12.00 noon Mass followed by procession and departure.

Embrace 2017 This year’s Embrace takes place on Saturday 25 November at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. The theme this year is ‘CALLED’ based on the Gospel of the day, Matthew 25:34, ‘Come you whom my Father has blessed’.

Embrace, now in its third year, is an exciting one-day conference for young Catholics in the heart of Liverpool with Praise and Worship, Mass, Adoration, great talks and fantastic workshops. Bring your friends, let’s pack out the Cathedral and show that the Church is ALIVE!!

Registration and details: www.embrace-liverpool.org.uk

10.00 am to 4.00 pm 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 (bring your own lunch). For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com RISE Theatre perform their original play ‘Romero: Heartbeat of El Salvador’ 7.30 pm at St Wilfred’s Pastoral Centre, Mayfield Drive, Widnes, WA8 8PR. The production tells the true story of Blessed Oscar Romero and his heart for the oppressed people of El Salvador.

Tickets: £7.50 (adults); £5 (year 11 and under) from admin@animateyouth.co.uk Tel: 01744 740460 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/risetheatre Wednesday 11 October ‘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. 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 Annual Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for Peace Opening of Novena and ‘Crowning of Our Lady’. Presider: Father Roy Cooper. 7.00 pm at St John the Evangelist, Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool L4 1QL.

website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk 16

Catholic Pictorial

Saturday 14 October to Sunday 15 October ‘Come and See’ Conference 2017 Keynote Speaker: Rev Timothy Radcliffe OP. Workshops led by: Steve Atherton; Fiona Castle; Dermott Donnelly; Pat Kennedy and David and Mary Matthews.

Saturday evening guest speaker: Margaret Duncan. Music and prayer led by Jo Boyce and friends with Steve Murray.

Sunday Mass Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Saturday (9.00 am to 8.30 pm) and Sunday (9.00 am to 6.30 pm) at Christ the King High School Stamford Road Southport PR8 4EX. Suggested donation: £40 (Concessions available on request). Booking forms available (with a stamped addressed envelope) from Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk or www.irenaeusproject.co.uk Saturday 14 October Our Lady of Fatima Procession in Liverpool City Centre 2.00 pm from St Peter’s Square to the Blessed Sacrament Shrine. Details: Jim Ross Email: jimmy.ross7@gmail.com Tel: 07766 706766.

Sunday 15 October Pause for Hope Service led by Bishop Tom Williams and Rev Dr Crispin Pailing 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Main speaker: Dr Joe Maguire, (Consultant Oncologist at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre). Music by the Liverpool Male Voice Choir and Dave Flynn and his daughter Danielle.

p01-17:covers 22/09/2017 16:42 Page 17

october Sunday 15 October to Friday 20 October Fully escorted five-night Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland £699.00 per person sharing, including flight with 15kg checked in bag, all taxes, luxury transfers, five nights in newly refurbished Knock House Hotel with breakfast and dinner. Also including visits to Ballintubber Abbey, Westport, Foxford Woollen Mills. Wheelchair accessible rooms available. Limited single rooms: supplement £60. Groups and Individual bookings welcome. Contact Patricia Tel: 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557. Email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com (Knock Pilgrimages fully protected by ATOL T7613.)

Wednesday 18 October Annual Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for Peace ‘Let your first words be, “Peace to this house”’ Presider: Father Stephen Lee (Metropolitan Cathedral). 7.00 pm at St John the Evangelist, Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool L4 1QL. Saturday 21 October Liverpool Catholic Ramblers’ Association 90th anniversary dinner 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm at Christ the King Parish Centre, James English Suite, Score

World of Atherton

They’re going to have to start publishing fixture lists

Lane, Liverpool, L16 6AW. Tickets £22 from Mr W Harris, 57 Higher Road, Halewood, Liverpool, L26 1TA.

7.00 pm at St John the Evangelist, Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool L4 1QL.

Sunday 22 October World Mission Day.

Saturday 28 October Quiet Day 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. Time to be quiet, reflect and pray.

Offering £10 per person (bring your own lunch). No booking required. For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com

Wednesday 25 October Annual Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for Peace ‘A Message of Peace from Fatima.’

Presider: Father Richard Ebo (St Sylvester).

Looking ahead November Wednesday 1 November Solemnity of All Saints (Holyday of Obligation) Annual Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for Peace ‘Saints: What they mean to us.’

Presider: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. 7.00 pm at St John the Evangelist, Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool L4 1QL. Thursday 2 November Commemoration of all the faithful departed (All Souls Day) Oasis: a listening ear and a cuppa 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at St Thomas of Canterbury church, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Tel 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tuesday 7 November ‘St Paul: the Man and the Mission’ led by Bishop John Arnold 10.30 am - 3.30 pm at St Joseph’s

Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, Formby, L37 1PH. Suggested donation: £20 (including lunch and refreshments). Tel: 01704 875850. Email: theprayercentre.stj@gmail.com Wednesday 8 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. 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 Annual Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered for Peace ‘At Peace with our Vocation.’ Presider: Canon Stephen Maloney (All Saints).

7.00 pm at St John the Evangelist, Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool L4 1QL.

Tuesday 14 November Time Out on Tuesdays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm 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 (bring your own lunch). For further details contact: Sister Winifred.

Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Wednesday 15 November Requiem – Mozart 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Joining together in concert for the first time ever, the choirs of Westminster Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral combine to perform Mozart’s ‘Requiem’. Directed

by Christopher McElroy, the choirs will be accompanied by the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra. Tickets: £20 and £15, available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/lpoolmetmusic or the Cathedral Gift Shop.

Catholic Pictorial

17

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 18

18

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 19

‘The best day ever’

by Mary Beatham It’s always a wonderful privilege to be able to share in a family’s First Holy Communion Day. The children, Alec, Rosaline, Sabastian, and Seraphina prepared and received their Holy Communion with such joy and excitement together that it is summed up by Rosaline as the ‘Best Day Ever’.

Their journey of preparation on the ‘With You Always’ programme began last September at St Teresa’s church in Upholland, with their parents, catechists and myself supporting them. We had a lot of fun building up our relationships as we got to know one another, creatively personalising the programme to their needs, by telling the gospel stories through Godplay, picture puzzles and singing and signing our special prayers and songs together.

Then finally, on the Feast of Pentecost, the sun shone brightly on them all blessing this special day that they had all been looking forward to. Father Philip prepared and celebrated the Mass supported by the dedicated lay catechists, parishioners and all the children’s family and friends. It was a memorable and joyous occasion for everyone especially as the children had come such a long way on their remarkable faith journey together,

Early in September I had a great day visiting some of Nugent’s services with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, President of Nugent as well as Father Michael Fitzsimons, Chair of Trustees.

We visited three projects throughout the day. These included our Epsom Street project in Kirkdale, our residential care home at James Nugent Court and our nursing home at St Josephs, both located in the Aigburth area of Liverpool.

making it truly for us all ‘the best day ever’.

Nugent’s special needs catechists, Mary Beatham and Sister. Eleanor Dalton offer support and help to children with learning difficulties and disabilities and their families in preparation for the sacraments. They work in partnership with parents, parish and special schools and provide guidance and accompaniment for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation and Marriage.

To find out more about our catechist work contact: Sister Eleanor Dalton Email: EleanorD@nugentcare.org Phone: 0151 261-2000

The ‘Epsy’ is a well-loved and humble building in Kirkdale. When we visited we were greeted by volunteers as well as other community members working through Community Payback. We cooked lunch in the newly donated kitchen (thanks again John Lewis) and heard further information about what had been happening at Epsy over the summer time.

We visited James Nugent Court at just the right time. The residents were arriving to the first floor lounge to be entertained by a troupe of talented singers; they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. I recognised one resident in particular she was the very first person to reside in James Nugent Court. Last time I was there she was dancing; this time she was enthusiastically enjoying the entertainment.

At St Joseph’s we saw staff in the newly renovated 1950’s style dining room, catching up on their role essential training with members of our Learning and Development Team. It was great to see the gardens and the parakeet that greeted us on arrival.

Our visits with Archbishop Malcolm occur once a year and the staff are recognised for their dedication to Nugent’s mission whilst the residents often will have a one to one chat with the Archbishop. We are looking forward to next year.

Normandie Wragg Chief Executive Nugent Care

Catholic Pictorial

19

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 20

COUNTRY GROUNDWORKS 31 Sycamore Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 5LD

BRING YOUR GARDEN BACK TO LIFE

R BANKS & SON FUNERALS LTD ESTABLISHED 1921

ƌŝĂŶ ,ĂůůŝǁĞůů ŝƉ &͘ D͘ ͘/͘ ͘

Independent Funeral Directors Monumental Masons A local family run business, R. Banks & Son are one of the largest independent funeral directors in the Wigan area.

Founded in 1921 and now with ten funeral homes across the Wigan area the company has established itself by ŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ Ă ƌĞƉƵƚĂƟŽŶ ĨŽƌ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ͕ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůŝƐŵ ĂŶĚ ƐLJŵƉĂƚŚĞƟĐ ĂƫƚƵĚĞ͘

FINANCE NOW AVAILABLE on Funerals & Memorials

■ ■ ■ ■

■ Block paving ■ Flagging ■ Patios

Flagging Graveling Drive ways Gardens

Landline: 01928 237 555/ 0800 959 6277 Mobile: 07818 769 448 www.countrygroundworks.co.uk We offer a 14 day cooling off period

Options PILGRIMAGE

Ltd.

Lourdes

by Air from Manchester or Stansted

5 Days - £550

Group bookings now being taken for 2018 2018 brochure available soon, please call to order your copy 2017 Pilgrimages to Lourdes * Rome * Medjugorje * The Holy Land * Poland * Fatima 6515

CALL NOW FOR A FREE FULL COLOUR BROCHURE Unit 1 Finlan Road, Stakehill Industrial Estate, Manchester M24 2RW www.options-travel.co.uk

20

Catholic Pictorial

0844 8551844

^ƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ƐƚĂƚƵƐ͕ ǁƌŝƩĞŶ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ ŽŶ ƌĞƋƵĞƐƚ

Golden Charter Pre Arrangement Funeral Plans and Memorial Plans available

ͻ Ϯϰ ŚŽƵƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ͻ ĂƌŝŶŐ ĨĂŵŝůLJ Įƌŵ www.rbanksandson.co.uk ,ĞĂĚ KĸĐĞ͗ ,ĂůůŝǁĞůů ,ŽƵƐĞ͕ ϳϱϴͬϳϲϴ KƌŵƐŬŝƌŬ ZĚ WĞŵďĞƌƚŽŶ͕ tŝŐĂŶ tEϱ ϴ d͗ ϬϭϵϰϮ ϮϮϮϭϱϲ ƌĂŶĐŚĞƐ͗ ^ƚĂŶĚŝƐŚ ϬϭϮϱϳ ϰϮϮϬϭϭ͕ ƌLJŶ ϬϭϵϰϮ ϮϳϭϯϵϮ >ĞŝŐŚ ϬϭϵϰϮ Ϯϲϭϰϭϱ͕ ^ĐŚŽůĞƐ ϬϭϵϰϮ ϴϮϬϱϮϲ͕ dLJůĚĞƐůĞLJ ϬϭϵϰϮ ϴϴϳϯϭϮ ĞĞĐŚ ,ŝůů ϬϭϵϰϮ ϴϮϵϮϬϬ͕ hƉŚŽůůĂŶĚ Ϭϭϲϵϱ ϲϮϮϬϵϵ ŽƉƉƵůů ϬϭϮϱϳ ϳϵϯϴϴϬ͕ WůĂƩ ƌŝĚŐĞ ϬϭϵϰϮ ϴϲϯϵϯϲ

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 21

youth ministry

Welcome to Animate 2017/18

Each autumn Animate Youth Ministries welcome their new Gap Year Team members. Read on as the four new faces for 2017/18 make their introductions: My name is: Molly From: St Wilfrid's parish, Widnes Favourite piece of Scripture: John 15:12-13 – ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’

This is my favourite piece of scripture as it teaches a good life lesson which I like to remember in my day-to-day life that you should always treat others with love and respect.

An interesting fact about me: I have been performing in theatre shows with my local theatre company since I was 10 years old and have done around 20 shows with them since I joined.

I joined the Animate team because: I saw the team in 2012 when they came into my high school to do a mission week and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it inspired me to apply for the job once I had finished my studies.

My name is: Jacob From: St Dunstan’s parish, Woking, Surrey, in the diocese of Arundel and Brighton

Favourite piece of scripture: John 16:33 – ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’

An interesting fact about me: I know every word of the New Zealand Rugby Haka in Maori.

I joined the Animate team because: I have seen that young people do care about their own faith – not the faith their parents may have instilled in them as youngsters, but developing and thinking about their own spirituality. I want to help young people’s Catholic faith grow and hopefully be a role model in positively promoting the Catholic Church.

My name is: Ciara From: St Mary and St John's parish, Wigan Favourite piece of scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10 – ‘That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in

persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’

An interesting fact about me: I play bass guitar in an indie punk band.

I joined the Animate team because: The Animate team has helped me take an active interest in discovering my own faith and I hope I can encourage other young people to do the same.

My name is: Tom From: St Albert’s parish, Knowsley Favourite piece of scripture: Psalm 23 An interesting fact about me: I can quote Star Wars verbatim.

I joined the Animate team because: I like being part of a team.

Please keep the Animate Team in your prayers as they begin their work across the Archdiocese and beyond.

Dates for the diary: 10 October – Romero: The Play Starts at 7.30pm at St Wilfred’s Pastoral Centre, Mayfield Avenue, Widnes, WA8 8PR. Tickets available from Animate Youth Ministries: 01744 740 461 or admin@animateyouth.co.uk – price £7.50 or £5 for year 11 and under.

For more information, go to www.animateyouth.org.

7 November – Lourdes Application Forms Lourdes 2018 Application forms will be available at 9am on 7 November from the Downloads page at www.animateyouth.org.

Catholic Pictorial

21

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 22

St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Copy Lane, Netherton, Bootle Merseyside L30 7PG Tel: 0151 526 6423 Fax: 0151 531 9530 We pride ourselves on having a happy, caring school where children feel valued and safe. We strive for excellence in everything we do and believe passionately in finding children’s strengths to develop their confidence.

We hope our website gives you an insight into our vision and values, as well as providing some useful information about our busy, exciting school.

www.stbenedictsprimary.co.uk

All Saints Catholic Primary School Chesnut Grove, Bootle L20 4LX 0151 288 6420 admin.allsaints@schools.sefton.gov.uk www.allsaintsprimaryschool.co.uk Ofsted 2016 “This is a Good school and the behaviour of pupils is Outstanding.

Attitudes to learning are excellent. Pupils should be rightly proud of the quality and quantity of work in their books and on display around the school”.

What Parents say about us “You listen to them, you show happiness and joy in their achievements, you get upset when they are upset, you wipe their tears, you make them smile - you are like another mum/dad to each and every child in your care”.

MISSION STATEMENT “Each one of you is a child of God” Pope Francis A Catholic learning community that aspires to excel, celebrates achievement and values the uniqueness of everyone

Much Woolton Catholic Primary School

With Jesus we love, learn and grow

Open Day Thursday 19 October 2017 1.30-3pm & 4.30-6pm All children and parents interested in joining our thriving school community in September 2018, or before, are warmly welcome to view our school.

A short presentation will be held at the start of both sessions in the school hall.

Mr M White Headteacher Watergate Lane, Liverpool, L25 8QH 0151 428 6114 www.muchwoolton.co.uk

22

Catholic Pictorial

Of Primary hoosing a primary school sounds like it should be an easy job. What does a four year old really need from a school besides a friendly teacher and a colourful classroom?

But the school you choose for your little one is the first step in their educational career so it’s essential you get it right. For parents keen to ensure their child grows up in the Catholic faith it’s an even tougher process. While there are plenty of Catholic schools in the city under the Liverpool Archdiocese, opting for a faith school does reduce the amount of choice you have. So where do you start? And how can you ensure the decision you’re making on behalf of your child will be right for them.

C

We take a look at how you can decide.

Find out about SATS results SATS results are certainly not the most important factor when deciding whether a school is good enough. There are plenty of other factors to consider.

That being said it is a good idea to get an indication of performance and SATS are a good place to start.

Ask for a tour Taking a tour of the school will do more than just show off its facilities. You’ll also be able to get a feel for its ethos and teaching methods. Is it bright and colourful with lots of work displayed on the walls? Is the library well stocked? Is there an school chapel?

Make a mental note as you’re shown around.

Find out how the school recognises faith How are the Christian festivals celebrated? How does the school work with the local community and the Parish church. Ask questions to ensure you are comfortable with the environment your child will be educated in.

Speak to other parents Find out what other parents of current students think about the school. There is no better recommendation than word of mouth so seek out some opinion of

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery Hall Lane, Kensington, L7 8TQ 0151 709 1782 www.sacredheartliverpool.school sacred-ao@sacredheart.liverpool.sch.uk twitter: @sacred_heart_li facebook: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Liverpool Headteacher: Mrs L Roach We are a proud Catholic Primary School & Nursery in the centre of Liverpool and we offer wrap around care from 8am-6pm.

‘Pupils are outstanding in the way in which they contribute to and benefit from the Catholic life at Sacred Heart’ RE Inspection 2015.

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 23

Importance those people who have experienced what you are going through.

Look for longevity Fresh talent is a great thing for any school and newly qualified teachers (NQTs) can bring a new enthusiasm to the classroom. However, if the school is staffed almost entirely by NQTs (and it’s not a brand new school) you might want to question why there’s no older staff sticking around. If there is a particularly high turnover of staff this should ring alarm bells.

Be on behaviour watch Kids will be kids and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of boisterous fun but while you’re being shown around the school check how the children generally behave.

Are they unruly and does their behaviour go unchecked? While an overly strict environment is not what anyone wants for their children, a lackadaisical approach to discipline is in no one’s best interest.

Speak to the Parish Priest Find out how much of an active role the parish priest plays in the school. Ask the headteacher about school Mass.

Ask yourself: Will my child be happy here?

The most important thing is that your child will flourish at the school and enjoy the experience. You know your little one better than anyone. Does the environment seem like the type of place they’ll enjoy being at? If you have a niggling feeling that they won’t, trust your judgement.

HOPE PRIMARY Lordens Road Huyton, Knowsley L14 8UD email. hope.primaryschool@knowsley.gov.uk Website: www.hopeprimary.com Twitter: @hopeprimaryblog Provision for children aged 2-11

Starting this September we are offering 30 hours free childcare and also we are also proud we now have a new after school club provider, Fun 4 Kids which is available until 5.45pm.

We also have breakfast club from 8.00am.

Catholic Pictorial

23

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 24

Barrington's Funeral Service

A funeral plan leaves nothing to chance and provides peace of mind for you and those you care about

>P[O HU Independent Way funeral plan `V\SS ILULMP[ MYVT! á 3rotection HNHPUZ[ YPZPUN M\ULYHS JVZ[Z á 5HDVVXUDQFH MVY `V\Y MHTPS` œ UV \UJLY[HPU[` VY KPMMPJ\S[ KLJPZPVUZ á &RPSOHWH IOH[LELOLW\ [V JOVVZL [OL M\ULYHS `V\ ^HU[

;HRPUN V\[ H M\ULYHS WSHU PZ VUL VM [OL TVZ[ thoughtful deciVionV `V\ JV\SK THRL AVk for Pore inforPation today

3P]LYWVVS 9VHK -VYTI`

*HSS *YVZI` 9VHK 5VY[O 3P]LYWVVS 3 8-

*HSS THE

In association with

Independent Way To ďŹ nd out more about Golden Charter funeral plans from Barrington's Funeral Service,, please return the coupon to the address above, phone us, or call in.

Mr / Mrs / Ms

Initial:

Surname:

Address: Postcode: Tel no: Email: Use of your data: Both Golden Charter and the funeral director may use your details including your email address to keep you informed about other products and services. If you would prefer not to receive this information, please tick here: Golden Charter and the funeral director respect your privacy and will not share your personal data with any third parties.

GC-LIFT 13937

>L YLJVTTLUK Independent Way funeral plans MYVT .VSKLU *OHY[LY [OL <2ÂťZ SHYNLZ[ WYV]PKLY VM WSHUZ [V PUKLWLUKLU[ M\ULYHS KPYLJ[VYZ SPRL \Z

Light up a Life this Christmas The St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice Light up a Life Appeal helps families to remember and celebrate life at Christmas time by dedicating a light to a loved one on its Christmas tree.

St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice, founded by the late Father Francis Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary, provides long-term, specialised end of life care for patients with a wide range of life-limiting conditions.

Donations and gifts in wills have continued Father Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Learyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; please help us today.

Our special Light up a Life service will be held on Sunday 10th December 2017 from 4pm at St Joseph's Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UE. Thank you for you generosity this Christmas.

LIGHT UP A LIFE APPEAL 2017 Please complete this form giving the name(s) of those you wish to remember. Then return the form and your donation to: Light up a Life Appeal, St Joseph's Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UE PLEASE FILL IN YOUR DETAILS (please print) Title ................... First Name..........................................Surname................................................................

Address ....................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ Postcode ......................................

Telephone ................................................................... Email .............................................................................

Email is the most cost effective way of contacting you. By supplying us with your email address you agree to us contacting you in this way.

TOTAL DONATION ÂŁ.....................................

PAYMENT DETAILS Please make cheques payable to St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice Association or debit my: VISA MASTERCARD Card No: Start date: Expiry date: Security Code (last three digits on reverse of the card): Cardholderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Signature ........................................................................ Date ............................................

TOTAL DONATION ÂŁ ..................................

You can also donate online at www.jospice.org.uk

MAKE YOUR DONATION WORTH MOREâ&#x20AC;ŚGIFT AID IT! Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every ÂŁ1 you donate. In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick the box below: Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. I want to Gift Aid my donation of ÂŁ______________ and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to: St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Signature â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś......................................â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś. Date.......â&#x20AC;Ś..............................â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś PLEASE GIVE THE DETAILS OF THE PERSON(S) TO BE REMEMBERED Name of donor: .....................................................................................................................................................

Name of person(s) to be remembered: 1. .........................................................................................................................................................................................

2. .........................................................................................................................................................................................

3. .........................................................................................................................................................................................

If you do not wish to receive any further correspondence from us, please tick this box We will acknowledge your donation with a card with your loved ones name in.

Please allow 21 days for this to arrive. If you do not require an acknowledgment card (which will save us postage costs) please tick this box Tel: 0151 932 6044 Email: events@jospice.org.uk www.jospice.org.uk LUAL17/CPIC

24

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 16:59 Page 25

cathedral Mozart’s Requiem at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral The story of Mozart’s unfinished masterpiece, his Requiem, has caused speculation and intrigue since Mozart’s death in 1791. It is commonly believed that the score lay unfinished when he died, and that ‘other hands’ completed it. Legend has it that the commission was received and delivered via a masked messenger who kept the identity of the commissioner secret, possibly as they intended to pass the work off as their own.

The mystery surrounding the Requiem was brought into the wider public consciousness in 1984 by the release of the film ‘Amadeus’, which won eight Oscars including best picture and best actor. The film still proves popular, but scholarship in establishing exactly which bits of the Requiem Mozart may (or may not) have written has moved on greatly.

The genesis and reception of the Requiem are only a small part of the reason of the popularity of the work. The music is gripping, from the blood curling ‘Dies irae’ to the tears of the Lacrimosa, making it one of the most popular pieces to be performed in concert halls and Cathedrals across the world.

As part of our Cathedral’s jubilee celebrations, there will be a very special performance on Wednesday 15 November.

For the first time ever, the choir of Westminster Cathedral will join Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir to sing together. This is the first time that Westminster Cathedral Choir will ever have performed in Liverpool. Commonly understood as the finest two RC choirs in the country, this performance of the Requiem

by the joint choirs promises to be a night to remember.

The choirs will be accompanied by the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, who will complete an all-Mozart programme by performing the Masonic Funeral Music and Symphony No.41 ‘Jupiter’, directed by their resident conductor Adam Kornas.

The choirs and orchestra will be joined by excellent local soloists Barbara Ruzsics (Soprano), Stephanie Guidera (Alto), David Lee (Tenor) and Damian O’Keeffe (Bass).

The joint choirs and orchestra singing the Requiem will be conducted by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Christopher McElroy. We are enormously excited to welcome Westminster Cathedral Choir and the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra to join us in this special Jubilee Concert: the combination of these performers and the magical architecture of our Cathedral promises to make it a musical highlight of the Cathedral’s first fifty years.

Tickets for the concert (available on a first come, first served basis) are £20 for premium seats/ £15 for standard seats and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/lpoolmetmusic or the Cathedral Shop on 0151 707 3525.

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean The Annual Inclusive Mass arranged by Nugent Care as a special celebratory occasion with those who have disabilities, is at 3.00 pm today, 1 October.

Last month I itemised the schedule for the visit of the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and relics of two of the children saints: Jacinta and Francisco. Posters have been sent to every parish and I hope you are able to come and spend some time on either 6/7 October to pay a visit to the Cathedral.

It provides us all with an opportunity to pray for the archdiocese and seek Our Lady’s intercession, following the Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter the previous weekend, outlining the way ahead for the next few years leading up to a Diocesan Synod in 2020. There is an evening mass on Friday at 7.00 pm and the Departure Mass is on Saturday at 12.00 noon.

Aid to the Church in Need have arranged a talk on the evening of 10 October given by Father Martin Banni of the Diocese of Erbil in Iraq.

He will be describing their plans to try and rebuild and encourage resettlement of Christians in the region.

On Saturday 14 October there will be a Mass at 4.00 pm in the Crypt Chapel for the Brazilian Community on Merseyside. The Mass will be in celebrated in Portuguese.

Following the memorial of St Edward the Confessor on Friday 13 October, St Edward’s College join us for the Solemn Mass that Sunday. Later in the afternoon at 3.00 pm there is the Annual ‘Pause for Hope Service’ for all who have been affected by Cancer.

Catholic Pictorial

25

p18-26:covers 22/09/2017 17:00 Page 26

Pic extras Mums the Word There was a special celebration for one of our Formby members last month as Patty Dixon, a founder member of the parish UCM group at Our Lady of Compassion, marked her 100th birthday.

Maria Bruns, our diocesan president, was present for the celebratory Mass on 5 September, which was said by Father Bernard Higham and followed by a buffet at which Patty received a beautiful certificate celebrating her 70 years as a UCM member. I wonder how many of those have ever been given? What an achievement, and what a lovely lady! It was a wonderful afternoon and we thank Win Collins, president of the Our Lady of Compassion UCM group, and all of her members for their warm welcome.

Now for some very advanced news of a date for your diaries which has been flagged up by our national secretary, Irene Mitchell. The Bishops of England and Wales have announced that they plan to hold a National Eucharistic Congress entitled ‘Adoremus’ (Let Us Adore). It will be held here in Liverpool, a great honour for our Archdiocese, from 7-9 September 2018. The congress will promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church. Seminars and workshops will be held to ignite our enthusiasm and rejuvenate Eucharistic adoration in our parishes.

On the second day the Echo Arena in Liverpool will host a Congress Mass and there will also be keynote speakers and a drama highlighting the beauty of reverence and devotion. On the final day, Sunday 9th, there will be pilgrimage Masses followed by a street procession.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols is encouraging people to attend the Eucharistic Congress ‘to strengthen our mission of making present the love and compassion of Jesus in our society’.

Dioceses and parishes throughout England and Wales will be invited to take part and I am sure that UCM will play their full part in this.

Madelaine McDonald, Media Officer

26

Catholic Pictorial

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

KSC ready to support Our Lady of Fatima statue visit

The KSC in Liverpool will be playing an active role in the visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the Metropolitan Cathedral this month.

The statue, accompanied by the relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the young Fatima seers, is on a tour of churches and cathedrals around the country to mark the centenary of the Marian apparitions in the Portuguese town in 1917. The Knights are promoting devotion to Our Lady throughout this entire centenary year with particular emphasis on devotion to the Rosary, which Our Lady asked the children to sustain. The statue and relics will be at the Cathedral on 6 and 7 October and the Knights will be honoured to act as stewards. We have already participated in a Fatima centenary procession through the city centre earlier this year (see photo).

The statue was blessed by Pope Paul VI at Fatima in May 1967 and given to this country by the Bishop of Fatima in 1968. Pope John Paul II later blessed it during his 1982 visit to Britain.

• The annual Steve Dooley memorial

sponsored walk took place on Sunday 24 September following a route from the Albert Dock to Aigburth. This year’s beneficiary is the Nugent Crisis Fund and we hope it will be as successful as last year when, with the contribution of match funding by Barclays Bank and Gift Aid, around £10,000 was raised for the Children’s cancer charity CHICS. We are again grateful for the support of parishes in south Liverpool and for the permission of parish priests to distribute envelopes after Masses.

These envelopes were due for collection in the week ending 1 October.

• Our quarterly meeting took place at St Mary’s, Little Crosby on Sunday 17 September and was the first meeting for our new chaplain, Father Dunstan Harrington, parish priest at both St Mary’s and St William of York, Thornton. We take this opportunity to welcome Fr Dunstan to the order and thank him for his invitation to attend the harvest festival at St Mary’s.

Websites: www.ksc.org.uk and www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com

p27-32:covers 22/09/2017 17:28 Page 27

news diary

Oxford offers options for Y12s

Ten of our Year 12 students from Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby visited Oxford University this month, as they ran the rule over their open day.

Teacher, Mrs Garner, said: “As has become the custom, we were given overnight accommodation at the headteacher’s former college of Trinity.

“The central location of this architecturally inspiring college allowed us to enjoy an excellent meal at a local Italian restaurant before getting some sleep.

“The following morning we were welcomed at New College by our former student Rebecca Withey, who gave us an early guided tour and did an excellent job of ‘myth busting’, that encouraged many in our party to think more seriously about applying to Oxford and also made a number of them warm to New College in particular.

“We were also able to visit Wadham, a college that takes pride in its diversity, before returning to Trinity for their open day events. As always, the talk from the admissions tutor was very informative. The students also enjoyed their meetings with subject tutors in the afternoon and also the culinary delights of breakfast and lunch which Trinity is famous for.

“Many also found the time to explore all things Harry Potter and squeezed in a visit to both Christ Church and Balliol colleges. Our students enjoyed the trip and found it incredibly informative”.

p27-32:covers 22/09/2017 17:28 Page 28

PIC Life Why we should shut our ears to gossip

By Moira Billinge The parish priest, a wise and caring man with many years of dedicated ministry behind him, was becoming tired of hearing reports of the trouble that one of his parishioners was causing through gossip. He knew that, because of the very nature of a gossiper, it would not be confined within his parish boundaries but would undoubtedly include the wider community.

There came a time when, despite his already busy schedule, he realised that he would have to address the situation.

The weather forecast indicated that the next few days were set to be extremely windy so he phoned the woman in question and left a message on her voicemail asking her to call in to see him the following morning.

She was curious about the reason for her ‘summons’ but duly turned up at the presbytery at the appointed time.

Although rather surprised when the priest handed her a well upholstered feather pillow, she, nevertheless, took on board his instructions which were that, on her way home, she was to open up the pillowcase and scatter the contents wherever she wished. Ever anxious to add to her repertoire of gossip, she did as requested and even enjoyed the experience as the feathers were whisked greedily from her hands by the gale-force winds as she contemplated the mileage she would get from this particular story.

Next day, she returned to the presbytery to report that she had completed the task.

The priest thanked her and then asked her to go home and gather up all the feathers along the way. She was aghast: ‘How on earth do you expect me to do that, Father? You know how windy it was yesterday. I’ll never be able to get them

28

Catholic Pictorial

all back. They could be anywhere by now.’

‘Correct’ replied the priest, “It’s impossible to retrieve them because you really don’t know where they are. Just like all those tales you’ve been spreading about people – you have no idea how far they’ve gone or how much they’ve been changed as they’ve been passed around.’ His parishioner looked suitably embarrassed and he imagined that this was one story that she would not too readily share with others.

Gossip is a pernicious activity and has a domino effect which wrecks reputations and lives, because it is impossible for its victims to pull in all the threads of what is said about them, and it destroys and divides whole communities. Pope Francis, who often speaks out against it, maintains that ‘there is no such thing as innocent gossip’ and he is right because someone always gets hurt by it – even the perpetrator, because gossiping is sinful.

It can be difficult to avoid a gossiper at times. They have a knack of homing in on people who are perhaps nervous of becoming fodder for the gossiper’s stash, or those who fear they are being impolite in avoiding conversation.

In listening to gossip, however, we are equally at fault because by doing so we are giving the gossiper a spurious power and the oxygen to fuel their compulsion to ‘entertain’ their captive audience with it.

Proverbs 26:20 declares that: ‘Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.’ No matter how difficult it is, we are obliged to walk away.

In the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie: ‘If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek, five things observe with care, to whom you speak, of whom you speak and how, and when, and where.’

Quote from Pope Francis “Jesus is the companion on the journey who gives us what we ask. The father who cares for us and loves us and the Holy Spirit, who is the gift is that ‘more’ that the father gives for which our conscience does not dare to hope”.

Worth a visit

For a city break where history and faith are intertwined, look no further than Bruges, writes Lucy Oliver.

The capital of West Flanders in Belgium is known for its medieval buildings nestling alongside canals and cobbled paving.

Market Square (‘Markt’) is distinguished by its colourful buildings and its 13th century world-heritage belfry whose 83m tower offers stunning panoramic views to those adventurous enough to make the climb.

Visitors on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday will hear a unique carillon concert resonate from the belfry across the square.

Just a few streets away, the Burg Square boasts an eclectic architectural mix and, most famously, the gothic town-hall building, the Stadhuis. Built in 1376, it is one of the oldest in the Low Countries. Next to this imposing structure is the Basilica of the Holy Blood. It is here that the relic of a cloth stained with the blood of Christ, washed from his body by Joseph of Arimathea, is housed after it was brought to Bruges by the Count of Flanders following the Crusades. Don’t leave Bruges without a stroll along the canals and a visit to the markets for some artisan chocolate, the perfect gift or a sweet reminder of your visit.

p27-32:covers 22/09/2017 17:29 Page 29

join in Children’s word search

Eating Out

October 25 is the Feast of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Check our clues to find out more

Invite your family out to share a meal at one of our listed venues.

MARTYRS

G

V

G

X

X

V

N

P

M

S

J

J

TESTIMONY

Y

I

R

E

I

R

H

L

I

R

K

A

B

R

A

V

E

R

Y

V

T

Y

S

W

H

T

I

A

F

A

X

E

P

T

F

G

X

L

C

H

S

A

S

U

Y

R

R

Z

ENGLAND FAITHFUL WALES

T

R

U

B

E

T

H

N

S

A

C

D

SACRIFICE

E

C

I

F

I

R

C

A

S

M

N

S

HEROES

V

J

C

M

H

W

O

J

Z

A

E

A

BRAVERY

B

T

O

O

A

T

R

E

L

B

F

I

U

N

E

L

F

E

I

G

S

W

E

N

Y

Q

E

W

M

S

N

A

F

Y

U

T

J

S

U

R

L

E

E

G

F

X

D

S

FAITH SAINTS

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy The local bobbies are very grateful for the way Father Mullarkey has helped young lads who have committed petty crimes and look as though they might be on the way to more serious offences.

The auld fella is not one for stern, finger-wagging lectures. His calm and pragmatic approach to their problems has helped more than a few young people back onto the straight and narrow.

As a way of showing their gratitude, the police put on a dinner in his honour. When he got back, the young curate wanted to hear all about it.

‘It was a nice night,’ said Fr Mullarkey, ‘and they said lots of kind things I didn't deserve. You'd have thought I was Eliot Ness.’

‘Who's he?’

‘It doesn't matter.’

‘What was the meal like?’

‘Lovely. We had chicken soup, roast beef, Yorkshire pud and all the chocolate biscuits you could eat.’

‘What was the sweet?’

‘It was a police special.’

‘What was it?’

‘Apple pie in custody!’

Saracens Head Summerwood Lane, Halsall 01704 840204 Armadillo Bebington Road, Wirral 0151 645 5878 Ring O’Bells Village Road, Chester 01244 355422 Bistro Pierre London Road, Victoria Square, Stockton Heath 01925 214250 Eton Place Woolton Road, Liverpool 16 0151 738 1364 Britannia Spice The Parade, Parkgate, Wirral 0151 336 1774

Christmas Cards from Carmel

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

We feature just a small selection of beautiful Christmas cards from Maryton Carmel. There are many more lovely designs on sale in the monastery shop if you can get in to see them.

Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, L18 3NU. Telephone the card office on 0151 724 7102 or Email the Sisters at marytoncards@outlook.com

Catholic Pictorial

29

p27-32:covers 22/09/2017 17:29 Page 30

justice & peace

A numbers game Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker, offers a progress report on an initiative to welcome Syrian refugees to our Archidiocese.

Let us start with a number: sixty-five million.

This is both the population of the United Kingdom and the number of refugees in the world. And another number: four million. This is the number of Syrian refugees who have fled from their homes.

And now another number: one million.

This is the number of Syrian refugees that Germany has accepted.

Next, to a smaller number: 20,000. This is the number of Syrian refugees that, in September 2015, our government offered to look after in the UK over five years.

Another number is 6,000. This is the number resettled so far, since the offer was made.

The government has added an extra 3,000 to the number it will allow to come into our country on the condition that local groups take on the responsibility and the cost. This is known as the Community Sponsorship Scheme. It seems clearly to be our Christian duty to look after the poor, the weak, the vulnerable and the marginalised and you may remember reading about this in the Pictorial as long ago as August last year. We made said the following: 1. There are certain things that must be arranged before anything can happen:

• Find a group of like-minded people • Get the approval of your parish priest • Get the approval of the local authority 2. In addition, it would be useful to consider: • Working with other parishes in your pastoral area • Inviting other Christian churches to work with you.

• Identifying people with useful experience and expertise. e.g. parents, knowledge of local area, medical and educational systems, familiarity with local authority, etc.

Since then a group from the Justice and Peace Commission has been busy behind the scenes trying to help make this happen here. We have found that the urge to help was the easy bit. The nitty-gritty has been much more difficult to deal with and we have needed to be well-informed, trusted, networked, organised, realistic, positive, enthusiastic, and very patient.

Things have progressed, though, and there is good news to report.

The story so far is that Archbishop Malcolm McMahon encourages parishes to get involved with community sponsorship as a ‘Year of Mercy Legacy Project’; the Archdiocesan trustees have approved our involvement; Nugent trustees and management have agreed to be the sponsoring body; local authorities are willing to consider applications; the Home Office is keen to support groups; meetings have been held at LACE to listen to people who are already involved

and to learn from them about the six essential areas where a group must be prepared to take responsibility (housing, education, employment, finance, benefit & welfare, and safeguarding); fund-raising has begun.

One last number for you: five. This is the number of parishes in our archdiocese who have offered to become community sponsors and to look after a Syrian family by finding them a home and looking after them while they settle into life in our country. Please pray for them.

If you would like to know more, to get involved, or to donate to this work, please contact the J&P office on 0151 522 1080 or email s.atherton@rcaol.co.uk

‘We Press on, together, in Hope’ ‘My upbringing was very dysfunctional; at the age of ten I found drink and drugs.

I’m a person who has spent nineteen years of my life in prison and Pact support gave me hope, not only to stay out of prison but to help me find meaning in my life. It helped me when I had no food, no travel, and no job. The mentoring service has built my selfconfidence, has given me a life worth leading and given me a future.’ (David, User of Pact services.)

On 8 October we mark Prisoners’ Sunday, the national day of prayer and action for prisoners and their dependants. The theme, ‘We Press on, together, in Hope’, recognises the vital role we all play in coming together, as a Catholic community working to bring light and a fresh start to people affected by imprisonment. We ask you to put your faith into action and help us to support more people like David.

If you would like to get involved or host a talk on Pact’s work in your community please get in touch with Naomi at Email: Parish.Action@prisonadvice.org.uk Tel: 0207 735 9535 Website: www.prisonadvice.org.uk 30

Catholic Pictorial

p27-32_covers 02/10/2017 10:44 Page 31

READ ONLINE www.catholicpic.co.uk

We are a Catholic company and we offer best prices for the highest quality goods including candles, altar wine, vestments, altar breads, charcoal, incense, church furniture, statues, candle holders, brass, silverware and all other ecclesiastical supplies.

For all your church supplies visit:

www.agnuschurchsupply.co.uk or call us on 0121 643 3175

p27-32:covers 22/09/2017 17:29 Page 32

Stt J S John ohn Bosco ARTS COLLEGE

THE LORD WITH GLADNESS SERVE

ST JOHN BOSCO FOR AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATION

OPEN EVENING 28th September 2017 4pm - 8pm

COME AND SEE OUR FANTASTIC BUILDING

Telephone: T elephone: 0151 0151 235 1620

www.stjohnboscoartscollege.com www .stjohnboscoartscollege.com Storrington Sto rrington A Avenue, venue, e Li Liverpool verpool L11 9DQ