Catholic Pic December 2015 by Educate Magazine

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 1

Issue 135 DECEMBER 2015

Inside this issue: Embrace 2015 ‘Build my Kingdom’ Warrington Mass of Inauguration

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

FREE

Welcome to the Isle of Man

“It will be a Holy Year of Mercy”

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 2

s n o i t p O PILGRIMAGE

Ltd.

2016 Brochure available on request, please call now for your copy

Group bookings now being taken for

2016

Christmas in Lourdes Final places for the Christmas trip to Lourdes now on sale

6 days departing 22nd December 2015 No overnight travel 3* Hotel America £365 per person sharing £395 per person in single room We have a very limited number of seats now available for the Christmas in Lourdes trip

6515

2016 Pilgrimages to Lourdes * Rome * Assisi * The Holy Land * Poland * Fatima CALL NOW FOR A FREE FULL COLOUR BROCHURE 768 Manchester Road | Castleton | Rochdale OL11 3AW www.options-travel.co.uk

0844 8551844

Christmas Homeless Appeal Carol Concerts Friday 4th December 2015 7.30pm SS Peter and Paul Church, Liverpool Road, Crosby, L23 5TE Featuring: Great Crosby Catholic Primary School Choir, Holy Family Catholic High School Choir and Liverpool Voice

Saturday 12th December 2015 7.30pm Our Lady of the Annunciation Church Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L16 8NQ Featuring: St. Austin’s Catholic Primary School Choir, New Era, plus other special guests T Tickets ickets a available vailable fr from: om: Nugent Care, Edge dge L Lane, ane, L Liverpool, iverpool, L7 2P 2PE E or ttelephone: elephone: 0151 261 2000, Nug ent C are, 99 E Our Lady Annunciation ciation C Church hurch Bis Bishop hop E Eton ton an and dS SS SP Peter eter an and Paul Church O ur L ady of the Annun dP aul C hurch 2

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 3

contents Welcome This year as we begin the Advent season our thoughts are concentrated not just on our preparation for the coming of our Saviour but also by the start of our Holy Year of Mercy on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our own celebrations begin this afternoon as Archbishop Malcolm celebrates Mass in the Cathedral to mark the start of the year. The Cathedral is one of three churches designated as special places of pilgrimage during the year, the others are St Mary’s, Leyland and Holy Cross, St Helens; offering us many opportunities to visit, to reflect and to pray. In order to show mercy we have to be an open and welcoming people and that is what our Advent journey is about. We reflect on the birth of our Saviour 2,000 years ago, we prepare daily to better welcome the Lord in the Eucharist, and live in the hope of being welcomed by him in the future. We open our hearts to the Lord so that we can better open our hearts to those around us. May we all have a Happy Advent pilgrimage, a Happy and Blessed Christmas and a year filled with the blessing of the Lord, rich in mercy.

From the Archbishop’s Desk During these last twelve months, I have been privileged to visit many of our parishes, chaplaincies, religious houses and schools, and I would like to thank all of you for the contribution you make to the life and mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. During the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, we are asked to proclaim, celebrate and live the mercy of God. We do this partly by seeking the mercy of God in our own needs, and this year will give us a good opportunity to think about our own relationship with God and to seek his forgiveness and compassion in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But it also gives us the opportunity to show the mercy of God, by being merciful to others in all that we say and do. It would be good for us to reflect on the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, call sinners to repentance, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead, and the corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead – during this Jubilee, and to think about how we can better reflect the mercy of God as individuals, families, parishes, schools, chaplaincies and the Archdiocese. With my prayers and every good wish for you and your families at Christmas time and throughout the coming year. Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

Contents 4

Main Feature Opening the Door of Mercy The Jubilee of Mercy begins

News From around the Archdiocese

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 15 Nugent News Celebrations at James Nugent Court 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 19 Profile Elisabeth Hachmöller Adopted Scouser promoting ecumenical cause 21 Animate Youth Ministry ‘This humble place still felt pure’ 25 Cathedral Record Christmas at the Cathedral 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 28 Pic Life Coincidence or the guiding hand of God?

Editor Peter Heneghan Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk Advertising Andrew Rogers 0151 709 7567 Publisher 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Copy deadline January issue 7 December 2015 CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Catholic Pictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey 30 Justice and Peace Update on our response to the refugee crisis

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 4

Right: Pope Francis at the Holy door in Rome

Opening the Door of Mercy The Jubilee of Mercy begins in the Archdiocese of Liverpool ‘A genuine experience of God’s mercy.’ This is what Pope Francis hopes will await each and every Catholic during the coming months as the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy for 2015-16 begins this month. It was in March that the Pontiff surprised the world by announcing the Jubilee Year of Mercy, a time for focus on the mercy of God and a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for all Catholics. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, made clear in ‘Misericordiae Vultus’, what the Year of Mercy would look like throughout the world. The goal is to give people ‘a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God’ and a ‘living experience of the closeness of the Father’. The unique features of this year include pilgrimage, indulgences, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist, the corporal works of mercy, and mercy for the sick, prisoners and the dead. Archbishop Malcolm McMahon echoed this call to seek God’s abundant mercy while also showing mercy to others. He said that the Jubilee Year would allow us to ‘think about our own relationship with God and to seek his forgiveness and compassion in the Sacrament of Reconciliation’. We are also called to act mercifully with others in all that we say and do and show mercy with our family, friends and colleagues. The Jubilee Year of Mercy begins on the

Catholic Pictorial

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December 2015, and concludes on Sunday 20 November 2016, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Jubilee years are special years called by the Church and the last one, ‘The Great Jubilee’, was held in 2000 during the papacy of Pope John Paul II. This special year, as the Pope told us in his Year of Mercy letter in September, ‘has at its centre the mercy of God’. The message is that God is always ready to forgive and there are no limits to the love of God and God’s mercy. This Holy Year is an opportunity for personal conversion, for us to practice mercy in our own lives and ‘be merciful, even as your Father is merciful’ (cf. Luke 6:36). It is a year of mercy rather than severity, of doors and bridges rather than walls and fortresses. We leave the old behind as we enter the door and cross the threshold to a new life of grace and forgiveness where we encounter the love of Jesus. Jesus is the door and Jesus is the gate (John 10). A Holy Door of Mercy in Rome will be opened through which those who enter can experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instills hope. In earlier times a wall was hammered out and rebuilt after the Holy Year, but now it is more usual to use an existing door. Locally, the Metropolitan Cathedral will have its own Door of Mercy and be a place of pilgrimage. There will be

Stations of Mercy for pilgrims to visit, focusing on the forgiveness and mercy of God, and deanery groups are scheduled to make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral on Saturdays throughout the year. Pilgrims will enter through the Holy Door and be able to visit the stations, celebrate God’s forgiveness in a service of reconciliation and through individual Confession, and then celebrate the Eucharist presided over by one of our bishops. The Holy Door of the Cathedral will be opened and dedicated during the Opening Mass on Sunday 6 December at 3.00 pm, with Archbishop Malcolm celebrating. Two other churches in the Archdiocese will be open as Jubilee Churches for individual pilgrimages. These are Holy Cross in St Helens and St Mary’s in Leyland, and they are available for those who cannot travel to the Cathedral but who would still like to make a pilgrimage including the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Mass. These Jubilee Churches will have their own Doors of Mercy. Archbishop Malcolm will open the Jubilee Year of Mercy at St Mary’s on Tuesday 8 December, starting at 6.30 pm with Confessions followed by Mass at 7.30 pm. There is also the opportunity for Confession after Mass.

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 5

feature ‘We are called to act mercifully with others in all that we say and do’

At the Church of Holy Cross and St Helen in St Helens, meanwhile, there will be Confessions every day before and after Mass, retreat days throughout the year, and an event in June titled ‘Addiction in the Light of His Mercy’ with Father Brian McGinley. There is also a catechesis programme starting in January called ‘Mercy? Me?!’ Those unable to travel because they are sick or housebound are not excluded from celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Parishes are encouraged to find ways of celebrating with them, with deaneries encouraged to arrange Mass and anointing for the sick and housebound. Indulgences will be granted to the sick and housebound, prisoners, the deceased, and those who carry out the corporal works of mercy. They are also granted to all who make a pilgrimage and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Year of Mercy. Another concession for the year ‘opens the door of mercy’ in a unique way. This involves an exceptional mercy to women and men touched by the tragedy of abortion. Pope Francis writes that ‘all priests for the Jubilee Year [have] the

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:07 Page 6

feature

Holy Cross, St Helens, one of the Jubilee churches

discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.’ Schools are participating in the Year of Mercy with a special emphasis on the corporal works of mercy. Children will explore practical ways to show mercy in the family, school and world through their actions. There will also be time set aside for prayer, art, fundraising and collective worship, and some schools will visit pilgrimage churches. For this special Jubilee, beautifully handmade vestments, altar panels, lectern falls, pulpit falls, banners, and gospel covers are all available with a hand-

‘Pilgrims will enter through the Holy Door and be able to visit the stations, celebrate God’s forgiveness’ 6

Catholic Pictorial

embroidered Year of Mercy logo. These items can all be made to individual requirements and are available from the Cathedral. For all orders and for more information email enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk. • For up-to-date information about the Year of Mercy, please see www.yearofmercyliverpool.org.uk which will be updated regularly with news, photos and information about the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Please send photos and events for the Year of Mercy to share with others to e.lalley@rcaol.co.uk. The Vatican website for the Year of Mercy is www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va.

Archbishop Malcolm on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy ‘It would be good for us to reflect on the spiritual works of mercy – to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, call sinners to repentance, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead – and the corporal works of mercy – to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead – during this Jubilee, and to think about how we can better reflect the mercy of God as individuals, families, parishes, schools, chaplaincies and the Diocese.’

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 7

‘Stars at Christmas’ Make your Christmas complete by joining the heavenly voices of Liverpool Welsh Choral and the acclaimed Northop Silver Band as they fill the Philharmonic Hall with their uplifting seasonal programme. This year we are delighted to be joined by the BBC’s Alex Jones, star of ‘The One Show,’ as our presenter. Enjoy the variety of every style of Christmas music. Sing along with your traditional favourite carols and songs, then sit back and enjoy the beauty of our Welsh carols, together with an ethereal surprise piece with the sound of stars being represented by very unusual instruments. The eclectic mix of styles is completed with the rousing sounds of the band creating the ultimate Christmas atmosphere. In order not to miss out, tickets can be obtained in advance from mavis@lwcu.freeserve.co.uk, Tel 0151 652 6374 or from the Philharmonic Box Office.

WINTER HEATING BILLS

% APR

REPRESENTATIVE*

*Subject to application and status

0800 0086 999 | heating@stlheating.co.uk | www.stlheating.co.uk

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 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

Exploring Laudato Si’

Around 140 people attended a ‘Faith and Creation’ day at the Centre for Evangelisation organised by the Liverpool Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission and the Columban missionaries writes Ellen Teague. The day explored responses to Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, and Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. In his homily he underlined concerns in Laudato Si’ about the commodification of natural resources, particularly water. The discussions were chaired by Columban Education worker James Trewby and Columban Fathers Jim Fleming and Tom Ryan led prayers at the beginning and end of the day. There was discussion about the Columban Laudato Si’ study programme of six meetings. Action ideas emerging were picked out by Liverpool justice and Peace Fieldworker Steve Atherton. Participants’ commitments ranged from political action, such as lobbying the government not to reduce subsidies to solar and wind energy, to bringing back saying grace before meals in the home to appreciate the source of our water and food. There was a commitment to bring the study programme back to parishes to raise awareness of the challenges in Laudato Si’.

Light up a life this Christmas with Jospice For the last 18 years a large Christmas tree has been placed in the grounds of Jospice, and lit with 2,000 shining lights. This is the ‘Light up a Life’ tree – and each light is placed on it in memory of the loved one of a friend or supporter of Jospice. This year Jospice is hosting its now annual ‘Light up a Life’ service of carols and remembrance on Sunday 13 December, led by Bishop John Rawsthorne, a cousin of the late founder of the hospice movement, Father Francis O’Leary. The service will start with carols at 4pm at the hospice on Ince Road, Thornton and will include the lighting of the Christmas tree. To dedicate a candle go to www.jospice.org.uk or call 0151 924 3812. Anybody making a dedication will be acknowledged with a card and the name of their loved one will be entered in the ‘Light up a Life 2015’ book of remembrance.

Catholic Pictorial

English College Lisbon commemorated Sacred Heart, Hindley Green was the venue for the 141st Catholic Mens Society Rosary Procession led by Bishop Tom Williams and attended by the Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Susan Loudon. The afternoon concluded with Benediction followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. Picture: David Hurst

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 9

news diary

‘Build my Kingdom’ Embrace 2015 The Embrace Conference made a spectacular return to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on the eve of the titular feast of the Cathedral with the theme ‘Build my Kingdom’. Following on from last year’s success young people from across the country came to Liverpool for a day of praise, worship, drama, adoration and reconciliation. After a ‘puppet’ drama presentation from RISEtheatre David Wells, Director of Adult Formation and Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Plymouth gave the keynote address: ‘Love chooses you’, his powerful retelling of the Gospel in just seven minutes. There was then a choice of seven workshops including ‘Faith and Media’ led by local award winning writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

and something we all want to share in.’ Archbishop Malcolm was joined at the Mass by Bishop Michael Campbell OSA of Lancaster, Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury, Bishop John Arnold of Salford and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Vincent Malone.

Cafod’s call for Christmas fun run

During the day forty Catholic organisations including the National Office for Vocations, the Catholic ‘Universe’, Aid to the Church in Need and Nugent Care, were present around the Cathedral to encourage the young people. Embrace organiser, John Griffin declared himself ‘tired but very happy’ at the end of a busy but successful celebration.

‘Does God LOL’ was the next presentation from Father Frankie Mulgrew who spoke about the ‘fun’ side of God and how he calls us to be a joyful people, living our lives to the full. In the time before Mass many priests were available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and long queues of young people built up. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP who welcomed visitors saying, ‘the vitality and energy that Embrace brings to the Church in Liverpool is infectious

Anybody looking to run off the effects of all those mince pies and Christmas pudding has the perfect opportunity on 27 December with the 31st annual Cafod Fun Run. The event takes place at The Mystery, Wavertree Park and all proceeds will go to the Syrian refugee crisis, where Cafod is working through trusted church partners in Syria to get vital aid and supplies to vulnerable people. ‘The Fun Run is a fantastic event for all of the family to join after Christmas,’ said Mike Dooling, who organises the run along with founder Mike Merriman. ‘We have two start times – 12.30 for families and 1.15 for keen runners who want to hit their Christmas personal best!’ There will be prizes for the best fancy dress, music from jazz band The Rioters and hot food and drink. To register, go to www.runforcafod.eventbrite.co.uk or call 0151 228 4028.

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 10

news diary Bethlehem Peace Light comes to St Helens

Jo Boyce and friends

The Bethlehem Peace Light originated in 1986, a Peace Child is nominated and is flown to Bethlehem where they collect a light from the Eternal Flame at the grotto. The flame then travels to Vienna for an ecumenical peace light service after which couriers carry it to other countries. The idea behind the Light is that no one person is responsible for creating peace. It is up to all of us in our own small way to foster peace. If you attend a Peace Light Service and take your own candle or hurricane lamp, you may light it from the Peace Light. There are also candles for those who wish to take a lit candle home. The light stays lit from its reception until 6th January, the Epiphany. Ecumenical Services in St Helens are to be held on 15th December, 6.30 pm at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, Monastery Lane, Sutton WA9 2LS; 16th December at Sutton Village Church, Herbert St, Sutton, WA9 3LE and 17th December at St Marys Lowe House, North Road, WA10 6SE.

A Concert for Advent with Jo Boyce and Friends will be held on Saturday 12 December in St Margaret Mary's church, Pilch Lane, Huyton, L14 0JG, at 7.00 pm. Subsidised ticket prices are £5 for adults and £2.50 children 16 and under. To order tickets, please send a stamped addressed envelope to David Cotterill, 3 Zander Grove, West Derby, Liverpool L12 0QP. Cheques made payable to 'St Margaret Mary's church' (on the reverse, please provide details of the number of tickets you require). For further information, please contact Dave on 07599 425014.

Welcome to the Isle St Mary of the Isle, Douglas was the setting for the Induction of Monsignor John Devine as Parish Priest and Dean of the Isle of Man. Bishop Tom Williams presided at an ecumenical celebration of Evening Prayer which was also attended by civic guests. Monsignor Devine took the solemn oath of fidelity saying, ‘I, John Peter Devine, in taking up the office of Parish Priest of the parish of St Mary of the Isle at Douglas, St Joseph at Willaston and St Anthony of Padua at Onchan promise that I shall always keep communion with the Catholic Church, both in the words I speak, and by my mode of action.’ At the end of the celebration Monsignor Devine was able to greet guests as they left the church and at a special celebration supper. 10

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 11

news diary Patronal celebrations at St Margaret Mary

St Margaret Mary’s parish in Liverpool celebrated their Patronal Feast with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm who was joined by Parish Priest Father Mark Moran and others from the local area. Parishioners had decorated the church with flowers and candles

as the Mass also marked the start of Quarante Ore, Solemn Annual Exposition. In his homily the Archbishop said that the feast day should ‘reenergise us to reach out to people with love and mercy and be a beacon of the light of Christ in our community’.

Donations for Epsom Street

£30, 000 raised for Jospice

Hayes and Finch presented donations to their chosen charity for 2015/16, Nugent Care, at their Epsom Street project which supports local children in Kirkdale with after school and holiday care. Hayes and Finch supplied a contribution to the breakfasts they will receive along with a selection of creative art materials which helped to entertain the children during the halfterm holidays. Pictured are Mr James Finch, great, great grandson of the founder of Hayes and Finch, and Purchasing Administrator, Vera Williams, making the presentation.

Jospice is on target to raise £30,000 following their Concert by Irish tenors, ‘The Priests’ and Liverpool mezzo soprano Danielle Thomas at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Over 1500 people enjoyed a mix of spiritual music, songs from the shows and a little mix of the Irish. The concert finished on a high note with a standing ovation to ‘You’ll never walk alone’ and the promise of another concert in the future. Pat Murphy from Jospice said ‘The evening was a great success, and we owe a massive thanks to our sponsors, our performers and of course everyone who supported us’.

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 12

news diary On Saturday 21st November 2015, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon attended the Mass of inauguration of the ministry of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) at St Mary’s Priory Church in Warrington. The event marked the completion of a fivemonth process after the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the Abbey of Ampleforth had agreed to entrust the beautiful Pugin church of St Mary’s to the FSSP. St Mary’s has become a shrine church located within the extended territorial parish of St Benedict’s and St Oswald’s. Fr Armand de Malleray, Superior of the FSSP in England, has moved to Warrington from Reading and was appointed Rector of St Mary’s. During the ceremony, he made his profession of faith and took the oath of fidelity before the Archbishop. Father Dave Heywood, new Parish Priest of the joint parishes, attended the ceremony in choir as well as Canon Christopher Cunningham, local Dean, and other clergy from the Archdiocese. Father Sean Kirwin, Episcopal Vicar for Finance and Development, acted as Deacon of Honour assisting Archbishop McMahon. Abbot Cuthbert Madden OSB of Ampleforth attended in choir as well and thanked the FSSP for taking over St Mary’s (founded by his community), thus saving that architectural gem from closure. The Mayor of Warrington attended the ceremony as well as other civil and ecclesiastical representatives. Father de Malleray said that he looked forward to

Mass of Inauguration in Warrington

Mayoress of Warrington, Mrs Jean Settle, Mayor of Warrington Councllor Geoff Settle, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Father Armand de Malleray FSSP, Seminarian Marcus Williams FSSP. Picture: Martin Gardner serving the people of Warrington and to work together with his fellow clergy in the deanery. He is assisted by Marcus Williams, a seminarian on pastoral placement until the summer, and from Christmas onwards by Deacon James Mawdsley, FSSP (born and raised in the Archdiocese in Mawdesley), to be ordained a priest next year. Members of the

congregation said that they appreciated the efforts made by their new clergy to facilitate participation, especially the printed translations of the readings, also read from the lectern at every Mass; and the explanations of the liturgical characteristics of the Extraordinary Form which FSSP clerics celebrate as part of their charism.

Remembrance at Broughton Hall On 11 November, Archbishop Malcolm visited Broughton Hall High School to bless the chapel and new school buildings, and to take part in the school’s Remembrance Service. Representatives from each year group, staff, governors, and friends of Broughton Hall took part in the Service in the Chapel and were reminded of the work of Catherine McAuley who founded the Mercy Sisters, associates of Broughton Hall. After the blessing of the Chapel, Archbishop Malcolm was taken on a tour of the school led by Head girl Chloe Spencer and Head prefect Lucy Dunbavin and spent time talking to pupils. The tour concluded at the Dance and Drama Hall with the Remembrance Service of readings and poetry performed by the

Catholic Pictorial

pupils, and a thought-provoking homily from Archbishop Malcolm about the effects of war and how it had touched his family. At 11.00 am, the congregation assembled outside by Broughton Hall’s Memorial Garden for the 2 minute silence which concluded with ‘The Last Post’, played by

Year 11 pupil Jadziah Brookes-Smith, and a reading of ‘For The Fallen’ read by Year 9 pupil Niamh Bush before pupils and staff placed remembrance crosses at the foot of the Memorial Cross. Archbishop Malcolm closed the service by placing a memorial wreath at the cross.

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 13

Cardinal Newman Catholic High School Headteacher: Mrs J Warburton

‘Together we can make a difference. Everyone in our school is valued’ Can you make a difference?

Chaplain Required “The quality of Collective Worship is good with many outstanding features. Pupils are very happy at the school and proud to belong to what they perceive as a supportive and productive environment. They are appreciative of all that is being done on their behalf. They act responsibly and participate constructively in the Catholic life of the school. “ Section 48 Inspection 2015. We are a popular and successful school with a strong Christian ethos. We have enthusiastic staff and well motivated students. We are seeking to appoint a lay chaplain who will work with school staff to promote and maintain the Catholic ethos and spiritual values of the school; to further enhance the pastoral needs of staff and students and to support the Liturgical life of the school. If you are a practicing Catholic, passionate about young people, experienced in education and interested in making a difference to the lives of our students and staff we would like to hear from you. This role is full time (37 hours, term time only), salary pro rata £27,080 Closing date Friday 8th January 2016 at noon Further details and application forms available Tel: 01925 635556 e-mail: cpl@cardinal-newman.co.uk

“

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.

”

A tale of Fr Grumpy Finn Burke is the collie curate at St Werburgh and St Laurence’s Parish in Birkenhead. He was born in Donegal but was snatched at birth by the parish priest, Fr Grumpy, to come and work on the English Mission. Hi early duties involved watering the plants in the parish graveyard, looking after security as a guard dog in the presbytery and car park attendant. However, Fr Grumpy soon saw that Finn had a lot more to offer and soon appointed him as the Parish Newsletter Editor as well as dealing with the many complaints written about the Parish Priest. Finn is much loved by the parishioners and the schoolchildren - which is more than can be said about Fr Grumpy! His Grumpiness was recently awarded a prize by the Bishop’s Conference as the “thickest, rudest and most pastorally inert priest” in the country! Meanwhile, Finn started writing his diary of parish activities and disasters culminating in the best-selling novel “A Stray in a Manger” which was published to great acclaim last Christmas. Finn’s sequel is now with his publisher and will be available soon. The new novel is called “Pawprints in the Sand” and was recently previewed by JK Growling who declared: “Pawprints is a magical read - Grumpy Towers sounds better than Hogwarts!” while Bradley Walsh was simply quoted as saying: “For Fr Grumpy - the Chase is over!” To order a copy of Finn’s new novel, click on to the parish website stwerburghandstlaurence.co.uk or write to St Werburgh’s, Birkenhead, CH41 2XZ. (Tel: 0151 647 9124).

The Collie Curate’s tail continues…

“Pawprints in the Sand” by Finn Burke Age 3½ years

“A fantastic Christmas present!” Order your copy from; St Werburgh’s, Grange Precinct, BIRKENHEAD CH41 2XZ

Only £9.99! (Or £12.99 incl P&P) (Cheques payable to St Werburgh’s)

OR Website: stwerburghandstlaurence.co.uk click on Finn! Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 14

sunday reflections On a liturgical note Misericordiae Vultus – The Face of Mercy There is a temptation to shrug our shoulders at the opening of this Holy Year of Mercy and say, ‘What has that got to do with me?’ or ‘’What difference will it make?’. Well, in the letter declaring his intention to call this Holy Year, Pope Francis writes that just as the love and compassion and tenderness of God lie at the very heart of our understanding of the relationship of Faith, so we are called to make that love and mercy something which transforms our relationships with others and provides the guiding principle of what we do each and every day. And lest we think that all this talk of love and mercy and compassion can be a little too nebulous or ‘touchy feely’, Pope Francis asks us to revisit the Corporal Works of Mercy which are almost an examination of conscience against which we can cross-check our lives. These are: Feed the hungry

Sunday thoughts One feature of my childhood was the Wavertree Garden Suburb Christmas party. The Garden Suburb Institute building still stands on Thingwall Road, around the corner from Christ the King church. Children in the neighbourhood were invited free of charge. It was the only social event we attended that was not Catholic. They said a funny grace before meals that we did not recognise; my first exposure to ecumenism. It made no difference to the food. It tasted better. There were spam and fish paste sandwiches and jelly and blancmange. Each child went home with a bag of sweets, a toy and an orange. Looking back, the significant feature of that event for me was that it took place after Christmas, in late January. Christmas was never over until the Institute Party had been and gone. In primary school we sang ‘We long to see thee so’. The hymn matched the mood. We not merely longed for Christmas, we ached for it.

Canon Philip Gillespie

Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Care for the imprisoned Bury the dead We will not necessarily be in the position to go out of our way to do each of these things every day but on reflection we may realise that we engage in all these attitudes and actions far more frequently than we realise because they are part of the warp and weft of every day. We might be tempted to say this is just ‘getting on with things’ or ‘ being a good Christian’ but it means we are in the blessed position of the Gospel teaching being second nature to us – and that is what we call holiness of life! So what difference will the Holy Year make? If we have hearts and eyes and ears open to learn and then put into practice, then all the difference in the world.

Mgr John Devine OBE

Psychologists speak of delayed gratification. Advent was delayed gratification with a vengeance. The Christmas tree only went up on Christmas Eve. But Christmas, when it came, lasted 12 days, ending on the Epiphany. Carols were happily sung up to that point. The liturgy obliged by extending the Christmas season until 2 February, the Feast of the Purification. Are there any Christmas parties in January these days? I doubt it. If we followed that pattern today, we would be out of sync with the rest of society. The cycle of Christmas parties begins before Advent itself. I go with the flow but cling to a few acts of defiance: I avoid eating turkey before Christmas Day and try to celebrate the Epiphany as if it were Christmas Day itself. And I leave my crib out until 2 February.

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

Catholic Pictorial

That we might live free from fear Many years ago I was working in Dublin with some kids who lived on the streets. They were tough, hard and uncompromisingly honest. I was 18 and had had a difficult upbringing but it was still nothing like what these kids had experienced. I realised pretty soon that I was afraid of them and that because of my fear I judged myself as superior to them Sadly we all judge others usually on the most superficial criteria – the colour of our skin, our economic standing, the creed we profess. The categories we use to separate ourselves from others are endless. I guess this is because it is easier to judge somebody else rather than face our own fear. Our fear is too great, too strong. Our hearts are too small to accept otherness. I believe that within me the miracle has to take place where I no longer feel the need to divide and separate. Somehow the spirit has to set me free of my own fear. Deep within, the spirit has to plant the seed of love that can grow and enlarge my heart. What does conversion mean if not that our hearts are to become bigger and we are able to accept one another with all our differences and to love? You might ask what this has to do with Advent. All of the scriptural stories around Advent invite us to reflect and focus on our own need for freedom from fear. Mary is an example of someone whose heart was wide enough to overcome her fear. Zechariah was struck dumb because of his fear. Elizabeth was able to trust rather than be afraid. The Christ child comes that we might live free from fear. Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas with all that means – eating, drinking, parties, present-buying, cardwriting. It is a time to open our hearts to the ever-coming Christ and to allow him to free us from our fear, though first we have to name those fears and face them. That is never easy but it is life-giving. Father Chris Thomas

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 15

nugent news

Celebrations at James Nugent Court

James Nugent Court celebrated its second anniversary last month with a party organised by staff attended by over 80 residents and family members. Nugent Care’s Chief Executive, Normandie Wragg, was joined by Mark Roche and Liz Jackson at the celebration together with many of James Nugent Court’s off duty staff. A large buffet was prepared by staff, with decorations, balloons and a special banner on show. A selection of hats were brought out to help break the ice and encourage people to have more fun with residents joining in. Moira Wilson, a relative of one of the residents, said, ‘I can’t wait for the next event my dad loved today and looked brilliant in the sailor hat’. The wonderful Stevee Squeeze provided some entertainment as he sang and played some old local songs on his accordion. He said ‘I’ve performed at many homes and there’s hardly any where the carers get involved and get the residents involved too. It would be amazing to come back here again.’ Everyone enjoyed themselves and many had aching dancing feet at the end of the celebration with one relative, Pauline Milliagan, saying ‘My mum has had a ball. She’s been non-stop smiling and dancing’. The day left

everyone involved with happy and enjoyable memories. The celebration lasted for a good couple of hours but many said that the event ended far too soon. ‘Today has been brilliant the residents have all been dancing and singing and the staff have been wonderful and encouraging everyone to join in’. Kevin Wilson, another relative, told us. ‘My mum likes to stay in her room but she’s come out today and I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time.’ There’s now a Christmas celebration planned for 23rd December at 5.00 pm. Stevee Squeeze will be joining us again and there will also be another special guest from the North Pole. A great big thank you to all who helped make the day so wonderful.

Recently within Nugent Care we have been working very hard to raise the profile of some of the issues that are affecting the most vulnerable people in our communities. Nugent Care works closely with the Catholic Social Action Network (CSAN), to highlight these issues. CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for domestic social action. In addition to the report that Nugent Care contributed to within CSAN back in July, we have once again collaborated with CSAN. This document focuses on an increased reliance on third sector organisations as a reduction of public sector funding cuts, highlighting that issues of food poverty have particularly affected asylum seekers and migrants and those in our communities relying on benefits. Further it discussed the challenges with asking vulnerable people to rent in the private sector as well as child food poverty, particularly during school holidays. Our Epsom Street project, for example, was providing lunch for a reported 40 children on a daily basis during the school holiday. The need is great. Primed with this knowledge I travelled to London with Father Michael Fitzsimons, our Chair of Trustees and our Director of Operations, Liz Jackson to attend a CSAN Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords in November. Speeches were made by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Baroness Williams of Trafford, Lord Touhig and Helen O’Brien, retiring CEO of CSAN. We spoke to many in attendance about these issues and it was heartening to see so many people in close proximity that were so interested in contributing to making a positive difference in our communities. There was also concern noted about unaccompanied minors in Europe as a result of those individuals, fleeing from conflict and migrating to other parts of Europe. The Cardinal said ‘the plight of refugees cannot wait. People’s generosity, in my view, far outstrips the response of our Government’. It is humbling to know the breadth of issues that are affecting people all over the UK and the rest of the world. I am grateful to be surrounded on a daily basis by people who have chosen to focus their interest on improving lives. Normandie Wragg Chief Executive – Nugent Care

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 16

what’s on Thursday 3 December Thanksgiving Service on the Feast of St Francis Xavier 7.00 pm at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, L3 8DR. Friday 4 December Nugent Care Christmas Homeless Appeal Carol Concert 7.30 pm at St Peter and St Paul Church, Crosby, L23 5TE. Tickets Tel: 0151 261 2000. Saturday 5 December ‘Responding to the Call.’ A Day of Recollection to support those exploring vocations to the Priesthood. Discover more about diocesan priesthood; talk with and hear from priests of the archdiocese and spend time in prayer and discussion. 10.00 am at St Charles’ Presbytery, 224 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG. Further information from Father James Preston Tel: 0151 727 2493 or email: frjamespreston@gmail.com. Also on Facebook at /liverpoolvocations and on Twitter @LVocations Sunday 6 December Mass for the opening of the Year of Mercy 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP Advent Devotions and Benediction 3.30 pm at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Monday 7 December ‘The story of Christmas’ by children of Our Lady’s School 6.30 pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. Tuesday 8 December Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Prayer for the Year of Mercy 9.00 am-6.00 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ. Ministry Day 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. A day for anyone involved in ministry or the service of

World of Atherton

others, with time for silence and personal reflection. Offering £10 per person. For further details contact: Sister Winnie Morley. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com ‘The story of Christmas’ by children of Our Lady’s School 6.30 pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Vicarage Place, Prescot, L34 1LE. Service of Reconciliation for the Year of Mercy 7.00 pm at St Teresa of Avila, Devon Street, St Helens, WA10 4HX. ‘Your Word is near.’ An Advent evening of reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.00 pm at the Sisters of St Mary of Namur, 25 Newsham Drive Liverpool L6 7UG Wednesday 9 December Holy Hour to pray for the people of Iraq and Syria 12.00 noon at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. ‘Your Word is near.’ An Advent evening of reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.00 pm at St James’ Orrell, St James’ Road Orrell WN 5 7AA. Thursday 10 December Loyola-metro Silence in the City: Preparing for Christmas 5.00 pm at Pauline Books, Bold Street, L1 4HR. A one off evening of prayer, reflection and silence, an opportunity for those living and working in the city to enjoy a time of reflective guided prayer during Advent. Advent Mass of Reconciliation 7.00 pm at St Luke the Evangelist, Shaw Lane, Whiston, L35 5AT. Saturday 12 December Nugent Care Christmas Homeless Appeal Carol Concert 7.30 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. Tickets Tel: 0151 261 2000.

Concert for Advent with Jo Boyce and Friends St Margaret Mary's church, Pilch Lane, Huyton, L14 0JG, at 7:00 pm. Tickets: £5 for adults and £2.50 children 16 and under. To order tickets, please send a stamped addressed envelope to David Cotterill, 3 Zander Grove, West Derby, Liverpool L12 0QP. Cheques made payable to 'St Margaret Mary's church'. Details Tel: 07599 425014. Sunday 13 December Advent Devotions and Benediction 3.30 pm at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Jospice ‘Light up a Life’ Service led by Bishop John Rawsthorne 4.00 pm at St Joseph’s Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, L23 4UE. Dedicate a light online at www.Jospice.org.uk or Tel: 0151 924 3812. Christmas Festival A celebration of Christmas with choral music, readings, and well-known congregational carols. 4.00 pm at St Mary’s, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA12NS. Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 62: ‘Nun komm der Heiden Heiland.’ (‘Come now, O Saviour of the Gentiles.’) 6.30 pm at Holy Family Church, Back O’ Th’ Town Lane, Ince Blundell, L38 0JJ. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. Monday 14 December Service of Reconciliation 2.00 pm at St Mark's, Penmann Crescent, Halewood, Liverpool, L26 0UG. Service of Reconciliation 7.30 pm at Most Holy Redeemer and St Kentigern, Waddicar Lane, Melling, L31 1BS. Service of Reconciliation 7.30 pm at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. Tuesday 15 December Bethlehem Peace Light Ecumenical Service 6.30pm at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, Monastery Lane, Sutton WA9 2LS Joint Schools Community Carol Service 6.30 pm at Holy Family Church, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 5LL. ‘Your Word is near.’ An Advent evening of reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.00 pm at the Sisters of St Mary of Namur, 25 Newsham Drive Liverpool L6 7UG Cursillo Ultreya celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP 7.30 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Penitential service 7.30 pm at St Anne, Prescot Road, Ormskirk, L39 4TG. Cafod Carol Concert 7.30 pm at St Theresa’s Church, College Road, Upholland, WN8 0PY, followed by mince pies

Catholic Pictorial

p01-17_covers 27/11/2015 09:08 Page 17

december and wine. All welcome, proceeds to support Cafod’s work overseas. Wednesday 16 December Holy Hour to pray for the people of Iraq and Syria 12.00 noon at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Bethlehem Peace Light Ecumenical Service 6.30 pm at Sutton Village Church, Herbert St, Sutton, WA9 3LE. Mass of Reconciliation 7.00 pm at Saint Benedict’s Church, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3AA. ‘Your Word is near.’ An Advent evening of reflection led by the Irenaeus Team. 7.00 pm at St James’ Orrell, St James’ Road Orrell WN 5 7AA. Penance Service 7.30 pm at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Service of Reconciliation 7.30 pm at St John the Evangelist, Chapel Lane, Lathom, Burscough, L40 7RA. Service of Reconciliation 7.30 pm at St Mary, Prescot Road, Aughton, Ormskirk, L39 6TA. Thursday 17 December Bethlehem Peace Light Ecumenical Service 6.30 pm at St Marys Lowe House, North Road, St Helens, WA10 6SE.

Service of Reconciliation 7.00 pm at St Marie on the Sands, Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EJ. Healing Mass 7.30 pm at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Saturday 19 December ‘Don’t miss the meaning of Christmas’ with Father Daniel O’Leary Day Retreat at Sandymount Retreat Centre, 16 Burbo Bank Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TH. Details at www.sandymountretreats.org.uk Tel: 0151 924 4850 Email: info@sandymountretreats.org.uk SVP Mass of Healing 12.00 noon at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. Carol Concert An evening of Festive Music and Readings followed by mince pies and mulled wine. 7.30 pm at St Catherine Laboure, Stanifield Lane, Farington, Leyland, PR25 4QG. An Evening of Christmas Music and Carols with the Waterloo-based St Edmund’s Choir 7.30 pm in the Concert Room at St. George's Hall. The choir will be accompanied by the Skelmersdale Prize Band. Tickets £12 from www.stedmundschoir.com or Tel: 0151 928 3629 (weekdays 9.00 am-5.00 pm). Proceeds to: Age Concern Crosby, Aiming High and Emmaus.

Sunday 20 December Advent Devotions and Benediction 3.30 pm at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Christingle Celebration of Christmas with blessing of Cribs and Candles 4.00 pm at St Elizabeth, Hall Road, Scarisbrick, L40 9QE. Joint Carol Service for Our Lady’s and St Mary’s Parish Church, Prescot 6.30 pm in St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34 3LA. Tuesday 22 December Service of Reconciliation 7.00 pm at St Mark's, Penmann Crescent, Halewood, Liverpool, L26 0UG. Wednesday 23 December Holy Hour to pray for the people of Iraq and Syria 12.00 noon at St George, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF. Sunday 27 December 31st Cafod Fun Run 12.30 pm start for walkers, families and toddlers. 1.15 pm start for joggers and runners. Wavertree Park (The Mystery), Wellington Road, Liverpool, L15. Fancy dress prizes, jazz band, food and drink. All proceeds to support Cafod’s work with refugees. To register, call the Liverpool Office Tel: 0151 228 4028.

Advent and Christmas at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Saturday 5 December 7.30 pm Two Cathedrals’ Messiah (Liverpool Anglican Cathedral) The Choirs of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Liverpool Cathedral join together to sing Handel’s ‘Messiah’. Conductor: Professor Ian Tracey. Tickets £10.00 from www.lpoolmetmusic.ticketsource.co.uk or the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel:0151 707 3525. 7.30 pm Concert Society Christmas Celebration Concert (Cathedral) Traditional Carols for choirs and audience with the Cathedral Cantata Choir, Carleton House School Choir and Cathedral Orchestra. Tickets £10.00 from the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel: 0151 707 3525. Friday 11 December 7.30 pm BBC Radio Merseyside Christmas Carol Service Tickets £5.00 from the BBC Shop in Hanover Street. The Carol Service will be recorded for broadcast on Christmas Eve at 5.30 pm. Saturday 12 December 7.00 pm A Dickensian Christmas Carol Concert An evening of readings, familiar carols and seasonal music. Tickets are £5 or £10 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Tickets from www.lpoolmetmusic.ticketsource.co.uk or the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel: 0151 707 3525. Sunday 13 December 3.00pm Shorter Evening Prayer and Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’

Wednesday 16 December 12.30pm Nugent Care ‘Light up a Life Service’ Dedicate a light on the ‘Tree of Light’ to celebrate the life of a loved one, past or present. Details Tel: 0151 261 4498. Sunday 20 December 5.00 pm Festival Carol Service A mix of seasonal music and readings and congregational carols. Refreshments will be served after the Service. Christmas Eve: Thursday 24 December 3.00 pm First Vespers of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib Christmas Day: Friday 25 December Midnight Midnight Mass of Christmas Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP 8.30 am Mass (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 10.00 am Family Mass (Crypt) 11.00 am Solemn Mass (Cathedral) NB There will be no 7.00 pm Mass in the Crypt on Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day: Saturday 26 December 6.30 pm First Mass of Sunday (Crypt) NB There will be no morning Mass at 9.00 am Sunday 27 December Masses at 8.30 am (Blessed sacrament Chapel), 10.00 am (Family Mass – Crypt), 11.00 am (Solemn), 7.00 pm (Crypt).

Archdiocesan website www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:18 Page 18

St. Julie s Catholic High School

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 All of the staff and students of St. Julie s Catholic High School would like to wish you peace and joy for the Christmas season. www.stjulies.org.uk

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:18 Page 19

profile

Elisabeth Hachmöller

Adopted Scouser promoting ecumenical cause By Simon Hart ‘Hello love.’ It is not a greeting that Elisabeth Hachmöller found in any of her English textbooks as a schoolgirl in her native Germany but it is certainly one that helps this adopted Scouser feel at home in Liverpool. ‘I love Liverpool,’ she says. ‘I think the people are just fantastic. I love the sense of humour and the way you get called “Love”. It is so warm. There is a warmth here that is exceptional.’ Elisabeth has been in Liverpool for 10 years now, living with the Focolare community in Wavertree and working as an administrator for Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR). And in the city she is happy to call home, she has just embarked on a new challenge to further the cause of ecumenism here. Since 30 November she has been working as the ecumenical co-ordinator for CTMR, charged with bringing different church groups together, organising meetings and ensuring the success of two forthcoming projects. ‘For this year the two main projects are the ‘Christmas starts with Christ’ campaign and the Pentecost event at

the two cathedrals,” she says. ‘I feel it is really important the churches work together,’ she continues. ‘I think our Christian credibility depends on the way we work together and the way we show we are united.’ CTMR celebrated its 30th anniversary this year and Elisabeth’s wish is to help build on the strong connections already in place between different churches on Merseyside. ‘Church leaders have forged so many friendships. In Liverpool, for instance, I have got to know a group where people from various denominations work together for justice and peace, and how they relate to one another and respect one another is edifying. I wish that each Catholic would have an experience and appreciation of the gifts there are in the other churches on Merseyside.’ Her own first experience of the ecumenical movement came in the early 1970s when as a 17-year-old living in the small village of Sevelten close to Bremen in northern Germany, her parish priest ‘invited me to a dawn service with the Lutherans’. Soon after she embarked on

a theology degree at the University of Munster, after which her travels began. ‘I spent a year in Italy and a year in Switzerland and then I came to Great Britain. I lived in Scotland for seven years and worked for Motherwell diocese in the pastoral office for the various diocesan agencies. Later on I did retreat work for primary schools at the pastoral centre. Then I moved to Welwyn Garden City where I worked at the Focolare Centre for Unity. The centre is used by different groups for educational purposes.’ In February 2005, she arrived in Liverpool where, aside from her CTMR and Focolare commitments, she also fulfills a consultancy role at Liverpool Hope University. This involves helping students volunteering for Global Hope, the university’s international education charity. Factor in the challenge of her new job, and Elisabeth could not be happier with her lot – well, apart from missing the taste of German coffee. ‘I really love living here, living in a different culture is so enriching,’ she adds. ‘I realise there are many ways of reaching a goal – there is not only one way.’ It is a lesson that will hopefully serve her well in her new job.

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:18 Page 20

Inspiring Companionship, Dignity, Excellence, Justice, Gentleness and Hope.

“Bellerive FCJ is an outstanding Catholic College committed to its vision of ‘personal and academic excellence’. Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils are outstanding.” Archdiocese of Liverpool Inspection 2012

Proudly providing Catholic education in Liverpool since 1844

Bellerive FCJ Catholic College Windermere Terrace Sefton Park Liverpool L8 3SB Tel: 0151 727 2064 www.bellerivefcj.org Specialisms in Sciences, Applied Learning and Maths & Computing

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:18 Page 21

youth ministry

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This humble place still felt pureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; In the last week of October, a group of 11 young pilgrims from Liverpool Archdiocese travelled to the Holy Land. James Lawry from the Animate team describes a week to remember. In our hands we held a full itinerary which allowed us to occupy every minute of daylight, a journey that allowed us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and see the sites of many pivotal moments in the Gospels. There are two significant thoughts which I retain from the very first moment we began our tour, the first of which was that very few things felt authentic to me. In approaching this time of pilgrimage I had disregarded the fact that 2,000 years of history had taken place: wars had threatened to erase any memory of Christian heritage in the area, even if individuals and groups had done their best to salvage these sites

amid the rubble they often found. Even with a Bible in hand this would not serve as a map to us: cities and locations had expanded, moved and many had even been razed over time. It was because of this process of history that I would come to realise the significance of tradition and how much we owe to our predecessors for living a life of faith, their act of service to us. My other main impression concerned the terrain of the Holy Land, something I commented on often while we were travelling. Many locations were bunched together, which allowed us to visit lots of landmarks as they were within walking distance of each other. This

made it possible too to better understand the context of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words, as He would have been speaking to the crowds who gathered of things that were familiar to them. At the same time, there were other places we had to travel far to get to. During these long drives you could see mountains and picturesque views and gain a sense of a time long ago when people travelled far and wide on foot. Galilee was a place we reached by long, winding roads and our destination was a boat and, with it, an opportunity to sit on the calm and quiet waters beneath storm clouds and be still in a time of prayer. For the second part of the pilgrimage we travelled by coach down to Bethlehem, which is situated on the edge of Jerusalem. Bethlehem has grown over the years and rests unevenly on many steep slopes. It seemed that not one building sat level with the next and when we got to the Church of the Nativity at the top of a hill, it was possible to picture an exhausted Mary and Joseph pleading with the locals for a place to rest. Only after they had got to the top of this town would somebody empathise. What they found was a house built of stone where they would have likely stepped over many sleeping bodies, to be placed eventually in a place of animals, a place that was unclean. Here is where we, as a pilgrimage group, would share a Mass, in a site which for over 2,000 years has been an anomaly, the only structure in the area which defied war and was kept secure. Despite the many crowds of people, this one humble place has been kept safe within a church and it still felt pure. This is the joy which we celebrate at Christmas, a joy which is offered to all people.

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:18 Page 22

Leisure Time Travel ❆

❆

Liverpool’s Own Pilgrimage Specialists

❆

Happy❆Christmas ❆ to all our Pilgrims

❆

ROME by AIR From Manchester 8-11 February 2016 Half Board - Three Star Hotel The body of St Padre Pio is on view in the Vatican Only £455 14-17 March 2016 Half Board - Three Star Hotel Only £479

LOURDES by AIR From Manchester Full Board in Lourdes Includes New City Taxes 9-13 May 6-10 June 4-8 July 25-29 July 5-9 September 19-23 September Prices from £559 per person

LOURDES Coach Pilgrimages No overnight driving 28 March 6 days £415 28 May 8 days £549 22 July 8 days £549 Full Board in Lourdes

manufacturers of all types of blinds

FATIMA by AIR

Kirkby Blinds Direct Ltd

From Liverpool 11-15 May 2016 Full Board in Fatima ONLY £599

SHRINES OF FRANCE By Executive Coach An 8 day Pilgrimage 3 September 2016 ONLY £599

• Industrial / Commercial / Domestic • Free Quotations • Vertical / Venetian / Roller • Free Measure & Fitting

Call 0151 547 3570 or 0151 547 3677

www.kirkbyblindsdirectltd.co.uk

SHRINES OF NORTHERN FRANCE Lisieux, Nevers, Rue du Bac 24-28 October £449

GROUPS and INDIVIDUALS contact is for LOURDES ROME FATIMA HOLY LAND MALTA POLAND MEDJUGORJE KNOCK SHRINES

For a copy of our 2016 brochure email: info@lourdes-pilgrim.com Facebook: leisure time travel pilgrimages www.lourdes-pilgrim.com

0151 287 8000 The North West’s Leading Pilgrimage Company 22

Catholic Pictorial

HOME IMPROVEMENTS & EXTENSION SPECIALISTS Let us do all the work from planning & design to completion. All time served tradesmen. Work guaranteed by Insurance Bond.

Tel. 0151 427 1325 Mob. 07807 557 723 Email. office@pbs-northwest.co.uk

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:19 Page 23

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:19 Page 24

Enjoy 3 festive course with Christmas crackers and novelties for ÂŁ .50

PER PERSON Chilled melon with winter berries and orange syrup or Freshly made vegetable soup Served with artisan bread Traditional roast turkey or Roast vegetable strudel Served with all the trimmings of hot butter roast SRWDWRHV VHDVRQDO YHJHWDEOHV DQG FKHVWQXW VWXĚ&#x2021; QJ

Come home to 5 Star home insurance

Individual Christmas pudding with crĂ¨me anglaise or Chocolate and raspberry brandy snaps )UHVKO\ EUHZHG WHD RU FRĚ&#x2020; HH DQG PLQFH SLHV

10% of new customers paid ÂŁ147 or less*

TO BOOK:

Pop in for a quote at:

bookings@rcaol.co.uk 0151 522 1002 Croxteth Drvie, Sefton Park, L17 1AA

Age UK Merseyside Trading Limited 5 Bold Street Liverpool L1 4DJ

You can also call your local Age UK ofďŹ ce: â&#x20AC;

0800 032 0438

A unique gift for your loved one this Christmas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which could save their life!

www.ageukinsurance.com

Chocolates, socks or perfume might be easy Christmas presents to buy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but a Lifeline alarm to keep your loved one safe, is a much more thoughtful choice! For just ÂŁ2.99 a week (with a one-off set-up cost), give someone a gift with a difference this year.

Buying through the Age UK Group helps us make later life a better life

Age UK Home Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited *10% of all new customers buying a new Age UK Home Insurance Buildings & Contents policy between November 2014 and April 2015 paid ÂŁ147 or less. The premium you pay will depend on individual circumstances, the cover chosen and optional extras selected. â&#x20AC; If you call the 0800 number and your local office is not available, your call will be answered by Age UK Enterprises or Ageas Insurance Limited. Age UK Enterprises Limited is a commercial services arm of Age UK (registered charity number 1128267) and donates its net profits to Age UK. Age UK Enterprises Limited is registered in England and Wales no.3156159. Registered address: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. H5214V1APR15 JP010292_15

Catholic Pictorial

Lifeline allows people to stay living safely at home knowing that they can press for help, 24 hours a day! Call us on 0151 298 2440 now for details, and to arrange a Lifeline for your loved one. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll send you a Lifeline gift receipt to present to them in time for Christmas Day!

Save

ÂŁ38.87!

Annual Plan Offer

12 months for the price of 9!

When you pay for your Lifeline upfront for the year, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get three months free rental, so you pay ÂŁ116.61 Visit www.vnclifeline.co.uk for more details. instead of ÂŁ155.48*. Call us now * Lifeline is also subject to a set-up fee of ÂŁ10 (for self-connection). to arrange. Or call us for details for an engineer to fit your Lifeline within Merseyside.

VNC Lifeline Tel: 0151 298 2440 Web: www.vnclifeline.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @vnclifeline or on Facebook (facebook.com/vnclifeline)

lifeline

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:19 Page 25

cathedral

Christmas at the Cathedral by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music If most of the year is busy, in December the Cathedral music department’s feet barely touch the ground. Masses, concerts, carol singing and rehearsals both at the Cathedral and beyond come thick and fast. December is a month in which the cathedral musicians exist in parallel spheres. In liturgies in the Cathedral we are very much focussed on the season of Advent, keeping watch and awaiting the second coming. But in rehearsals and concerts the focus is on Christmas music. By the time we reach Christmas Day there is a danger of being all ‘caroled out’. Perhaps the most famous choral masterpiece ever written, ‘Messiah’ by G.F. Handel is an evergreen favourite. In an ecumenical gesture each year the two Cathedral choirs join together to perform the work with soloists and orchestra. This year's performance takes place in the Anglican Cathedral on Saturday 5 December, and if the performance of two years ago is anything to go by, is likely to be a full house. Saturday 12 December sees the Cathedral host its own Christmas Concert, entitled ‘A Dickensian Christmas.’ Suitable for all the family, the concerted is hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips and

features all of the Cathedral choirs and musicians. This year we are once again joined by the Liverpool Suzuki violin group who will perform music by Vivaldi and selections from the Snowman. This is very much a concert for all the family, with plenty of audience participation required. Tickets (£5 or £10 family ticket) available from lpoolmetmusic.ticketsource.co.uk As one of liturgical highlights of the year, the feast of the Nativity of the Lord is celebrated with three choral liturgies. On Christmas Eve at 3.00 pm we celebrate the First Vespers of Christmas, a beautiful service away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations at which the Cathedral crib is blessed. Then, at Midnight, we welcome a large congregation, led by Archbishop Malcolm, to celebrate the Mass of the night. On Christmas morning (providing the choir wake up on time) we celebrate the Saviour's birth at the Solemn Mass at 11.00 am. Full details of all the Advent and Christmas liturgies can be found on the Cathedral website. There isn’t space to mention the various other liturgies (the choir sings seven choral services a week) concerts (eg. Action for Children, Whitechapel Centre concert), carol singing events (eg. Port of Liverpool, Speke retail park) and Christmas parties. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and holy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Cathedral Car Boot Sale: have a clear out for Christmas Following our plea for good quality second hand furniture a few months ago we were inundated with people ringing up donating their unwanted chairs, sofas, tables, bookcases, TV’s, dressing tables and wardrobes and washing machines for us to sell at the Cathedral Car Boot Sale writes Claire Hanlon. To all those that donated their unwanted items we want to say a big ‘Thank You’. It was very successful and your unwanted furniture went to really good homes, and at the same time made plenty of money for the Cathedral. However, we do need more furniture to sell, so please have a good look through your homes. If you can’t get to the Cathedral with your delivery we can arrange for collection. The only items we don’t take are books and clothes. Why not come along to our Car Boot Sales in the Cathedral Car Park on the second Saturday of each month (except August and January). If you would like to have a pitch and sell your own valuables you need to book in advance and pay £10 on arrival from 7.00 am. Browsing is from 8.00 am, and why not stop at the Dean’s Cafe for one his famous bacon butties and a cup of tea. For further information and collection requests please contact Claire Hanlon in Cathedral House on 0151 709 9222, extension 201 or c.hanlon@metcatherdal.org.uk

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean December at the Cathedral is a very special time of the year and there is hardly a day throughout the month that doesn’t have a major service or event taking place. Here are a few of the highlights from the month. On Saturday 5th December all the choirs of both Cathedrals will be performing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Then on the following day, the Second Sunday of Advent, there will be the Solemn Archdiocesan Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon at 3.00 pm, to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Marie Curie service ‘Lights to Remember’ has been moved to the later time of 5.30 pm that Sunday to allow enough time for both services to take place. The Schools Advent Services are on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th December. The following weekend is a Carol Fest with Radio Merseyside on Friday 11th, our Dickensian Christmas Concert hosted by Roger Phillips on 12th and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at 3.00 pm on Sunday 13th December. The Cathedral Festival Carol Service is at 5.00 pm on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our Christmas celebrations begin with the First Vespers of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib at 3.00 pm on Christmas Eve. Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate the first Mass of Christmas at Midnight. Also on Christmas Eve we have an earlier Christmas Mass at 8.00 pm at St Vincent’s Church in Liverpool 1. Our Masses on Christmas morning are at 8.30 am, 10.00 am in the Crypt and the final Solemn Mass for Christmas Daytime at 11.00 am. I wish you all a prayerful Advent and Joyful Christmas and hope we are all able to pace ourselves so that we can approach the season of Christmas well prepared and in the right spirit.

Catholic Pictorial

p18-26:covers 27/11/2015 08:19 Page 26

Pic extras

Mums the Word Happy New Year to Father David and to all our UCM mums! Yes, I know that we haven’t celebrated Christmas yet but the First Sunday in Advent is New Year’s Day in the Church’s liturgical calendar. I think this shows how important the season is in preparing us for the birth of Jesus Christ. Last Christmas, I read a lovely verse titled ‘The true meaning of Christmas’, which begins: ‘Jesus Christ was born this day so many years before He came as a servant to the lost, though he was Lord of Lords’ According to the poem, Jesus came to us with a plan which ‘reconciles us back to our loving Father God’, and so there is one thing above all to remember and to celebrate at this time of year. As the poem ends: ‘So let’s arise with joy in our hearts and share it with everyone The meaning of Christmas will always be the birth of Jesus – God’s son’ • Congratulations to our Archdiocesan president-elect, Maria Bruns. Maria will be the fourth Archdiocesan president from St Paul’s foundation and we should thank also Anne Woods, president of St George’s foundation, who was another nominee. I pray that the committee will have received applications for the role of Archdiocesan secretary – the closing date was 27 November. • The Year of Mercy begins on 8 December and Father David has kindly arranged for us to have a penitential service at the Metropolitan Cathedral after our business meeting there on Saturday 20 February. Please do your best to attend. • I look forward to seeing you before then at our Mass on 20 January where our charity cheques will be presented. In the meantime, a peaceful and Happy Christmas to you all and may 2016 be a blessed and healthy year for you and your families. Angela Moore, Archdiocesan president

Catholic Pictorial

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Lydiate welcomes new members

St Gregory the Great parish church in Lydiate was the setting for the ceremony of full knighthood for Liverpool province’s latest intake of new members. The 13 new members of the Order progressed to full knighthood during the 11am Mass on Sunday 8 November in a ceremony led by our provincial chaplain Father Thomas Wood, parish priest of St Gregory’s, together with members of the installation team. The new members pictured wearing their new purple collarettes are Charles Williams, Anthony Thompson, Colin Robinson, Philip Broughan, John McQuade, George Whelan, Steven Jacobson, John McDonald, Jim Kendall, John Boyle, Phil Woods, Tony Hogan and Paul Larkin. We are grateful to Father Tom for arranging and taking part in the ceremony and also to the parishioners of St Gregory’s for the warm welcome and hospitality received. • Our congratulations go to Father Malcolm Prince, parish priest of St John Fisher, Widnes, who was installed as a Member of Honour of the Order during the annual chaplains’ dinner given by Liverpool Province at Liverpool Cricket Club on Tuesday 3 November. Father Malcolm, who is also an Honorary Member of the Knights of Columbus (USA), received his certificate from provincial grand knight Pat Foley

(pictured) in the presence of Bishop Tom Williams and other members of the clergy and knights from across the province. • A brief update on the Sponsored Walk for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice. The response has been extremely generous and the amount raised so far has been over £5,000. This together with match funding of £4,000 from Barclays Bank brings the total to over £9,000. Our grateful thanks go to all who gave so generously. We will be giving a further update in a future edition following the presentation of the cheque. Websites: www.ksc.org.uk www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 27

“An Outstanding Catholic School” Liverpool Archdiocese

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 28

PIC Life Coincidence or the guiding hand of God? By Moira Billinge Things happen often in our lives which we simply dismiss as coincidence and think no more about, but there are times when an incident occurs which is so astounding that we know there is so much more than a mere coincidence involved. It is on such occasions that, as Christians, we can clearly ‘see’ the love, compassion, understanding and mercy of God at work in enabling that situation; a ‘God-incidence’. Having met over four decades ago, and been very happily married for more than 30 of the intervening years, Paula and Dave had a discussion in which they included their two beloved daughters, Katie and Amy, about their end-of-life wishes. After much deliberation, they reached the unanimous decision for burial, rather than cremation. They both decided to do their research and went to a cemetery to seek out a site for their eventual interment. Dave joked that one area in particular would be ideal because it was in a sunny spot and very close to a road which meant that the family could wave to him as they drove past. Dave was an avid football supporter, and he loved nature. He relished the outdoors and always took huge delight in the robins that frequented their garden. Not long after their visit to the graveyard, Dave developed Motor Neurone Disease and was lovingly cared for at home over the next few years by his totally devoted family, aided by a selection of wonderful nurses. He was able to continue to watch and enjoy the changing seasons because the family adapted the sitting room to accommodate the vast amount of

Catholic Pictorial

equipment now needed as his condition worsened. Dave’s bed was placed alongside the wall-to-wall patio windows, so he missed nothing of what was going on beyond the glass panes – and the robins continued to visit. One day, fully lucid and in a matter-offact way, Dave announced to Paula that he was going to see Cissy, Paula’s late mother. Paula told him he wasn’t going anywhere and that it was perhaps his low oxygen levels which were making him think that way. However, just three days later – two days before Christmas – the end came very peacefully, gently and quickly. During Dave’s Requiem Mass, the parish priest held the packed congregation absolutely spellbound during his homily. He told them that while organising the funeral, Paula, Katie and Amy revisited the graveyard section that she and Dave had previously considered, to select a plot for him. The area they had looked at was still available, but Paula could not remember the exact spot that Dave had pointed out. They stood at one plot in particular and after a while Paula looked up and said: ‘Dave, if this is the right one, please, send us a sign. I know … send us a butterfly.’ Her daughters looked at her as if to ask: ‘A butterfly, in the middle of winter?’ Quickly taking the hint, Paula changed her request. ‘OK Dave,’ she said, ‘send us a robin so we will know if we have the right plot.’ Yet no bird obliged. Eventually, a man and woman arrived to tend the nearby grave of a family member. After chatting to the couple and explaining her quandary, Paula told them how she had asked Dave to send them a robin to help sort the problem. ‘Well then,’ remarked the gentleman, ‘you have come to the right place. My name is Robin.’

Our Christmas Prayer Dear Jesus We ask you this Christmas to grant peace in our families and throughout the world. May people think before they speak - or fight or shoot - place bombs - or do anything which causes harm to others. Amen Catholic Pic sends peace and joy to all our readers at this special time.

Worth a visit

In this season of Advent, prepare for the festivities ahead with a visit to a Christmas market in a picturesque North Yorkshire market town, writes Lucy Oliver. Lying in the gorge of the River Nidd, Knaresborough’s charmingly cobbled streets were once home to a thriving textile industry. On 5 and 6 December they will welcome visitors to an Edwardian-themed market offering fresh local fare – from bread to game pies – along with stalls selling seasonal gifts and crafts. Away from the market, take a walk to St Robert’s Cave on the outskirts of town where pilgrims once flocked to seek counsel and healing. Today the home of this medieval hermit, who died in 1218, is a place of peace found carved into a limestone cliff, set apart from the hustle and bustle of the town. A short distance away in neighbouring Harrogate, meanwhile, the Royal Pump Room is hosting an exhibition, ‘Wonderful Women’, featuring costumes worn by actresses portraying some of the nation’s most celebrated women from the past five centuries – including one of Cate Blanchett’s dresses from ‘Elizabeth’, Renee Zellweger’s costume as Beatrix Potter in ‘Miss Potter’ and Nicole Kidman’s dress and overcoat when playing Virginia Woolf in ‘The Hours’. For more information, call 01423 556188.

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 29

join in Eating Out

Children’s word search We shall soon be celebrating the great feast of Christmas. Take a look through our word-search for our Holy Family’s special time.

MARY

JOSEPH

BIRTH

BABY

JESUS

DONKEY BETHLEHEM STABLE

KING ADORATION

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy Father Mullarkey was asked to present the prizes at a modern art competition at a little art gallery in Bootle, and he was telling the young curate all about it over a cup of tea and a chocolate digestive. “This modern art lark is beyond me. There was a pile of bricks with a welly stuck in the middle and they were all raving about it.” “It’s you,” said the YC. “You’re not in tune with modern artistic trends.” “Is that so?” said Father Mullarkey. “Well, how do you account for the fact that when I put me flask and sausage roll down on the table, they won first prize in the novices’ competition!”

Eating out is a great way to celebrate the wonderful event of Christmas later this month - try one or more of our listed restaurants. Don’t forget to book in advance. The Cricketers Chapel Street, Ormskirk 01695 571123 Deli Saborosa Railway Road, Ormskirk 01695 570330 Saracens Head Summerwood Lane, Halsall 01704 840204 Farmers Arms New Lane, Burscough 01704 896021 Deli Fonseca Brunswick Dockside, Liverpool 0151 255 0808 Armadillo Bebington Road, Wirral 0151 645 5878

2016 Calendars 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, Helen Molyneux, at All Hallows RC High School, Penwortham Anyone interested in receiving the audio copy should contact Kevin Lonergan Tel: 01772 744148 or 01772 655433 (home).

The Carmelite Monastery has produced a special glossy A3 calendar for the Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016 with verses from Scripture and photography from the monastery garden. Quality cards for Christmas and most occasions are also on sale at: Carmelite Monastery, Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, L18 3NU. Email: marytoncards@outlook.com Phone: 0151 724 7102

Catholic Pictorial

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 30

justice & peace

Our response to the refugee crisis – an update Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker, offers a progress report focusing on six main developments: 1) Work with local authorities As the diocesan response to the vast movements of people into Europe has been slowly developing, it has become increasingly clear that any action must involve partnerships between churches and local authorities. Neither group can manage on its own. The government is liaising with local authorities and asking them to specify how many families or individuals they can offer places to under the VPRS (Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme), while the churches have groups of compassionate people who are looking for ways to get involved. The local authorities are delighted to find that the churches are eager to help. There is still an almost total lack of information about who is coming, when they are arriving, how they will be placed, how they will be matched with local hosts, and what ‘vulnerable’ means in practice. The same lack of clarity applies to the Private Sponsorship model that allows groups to invite individuals or families into the country. 2) Work ecumenically Liverpool has a great tradition of working ecumenically and the Archdiocese, the Diocese and the Free Churches are learning all over again that we are ‘Better Together’. The Liverpool response is being framed as a project of CTMR (Churches Together in the Merseyside Region)

Catholic Pictorial

3) Work locally So far we are working together with local authorities in Sefton, Liverpool, St Helens, Southport, West Lancashire and Knowsley; we have begun in Warrington, Widnes, Leyland and Ashton-in-Makerfield, and expect to begin soon in Wigan. There is much to do before we reach the goal of a series of local organisations responding to local situations while staying in touch with each other and learning from each other’s experiences. 4) Don’t overlook the longstanding problems Pope Francis’s appeal for the Church to show compassion was in the context of refugees crossing the Mediterranean or seeking safety on the streets of continental Europe. In the United Kingdom we have a separate set of circumstances that demand our compassion. In Liverpool, Wigan and Leigh there are well-established organisations that have been helping asylum seekers and refugees for 15 years. This has become an increasingly important focus of our diocesan approach and the organisations are delighted that the churches are increasing their response to the terrible problems that already existed here before the current exodus from the Middle East.

5) Don’t forget our local people Amid this welcome increase in compassion for refugees, we have tried to keep a clear focus on the needs of our local people, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet in the face of the economic situation in the UK. To this end both the Archdiocese and the diocese have maintained their involvement in anti-poverty work, specifically with heavy involvement in the Feeding Liverpool initiative. 6) Keep in touch with what’s happening nationally There is no sense in re-inventing the wheel so we are trying to speak to people who are doing similar work across the country, including JRS (Jesuit Refugee Services), Citizens UK, and the dioceses of Plymouth, Southwark, and Arundel and Brighton. If you wish to become more involved in the response in your local area, please ring 0151 522 1080 or send your contact details to s.atherton@rcaol.co.uk. In the light of the terrible events in Paris, it is important to remember that IS has a deliberate policy of using terror to spread fear and confusion. They believe that the West is corrupt and inferior to the ideology they offer. IS will only be reduced to silence by the counter model that we can offer of unfailing kindness and Christian charity. Bombs will make things worse.

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 31

p27-32:covers 27/11/2015 08:13 Page 32