Our Canterbury Family Issue 2: Autumn 2016
Rome Pilgrimage
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
A Community United Also inside this edition:
Free Donations Welcome
Lourdes and Hungarian pilgrimages Innovation triumph for young person in parish Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) update Kate Brazier’s October pudding recipe And, farewell to a household name…
Next edition in Early 2017
Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
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Preface by Canon Anthony Charlton
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utumn is upon us, and it is a good
time for us to look back at all the blessings that we have received from God as a parish since Eastertide. At the Easter Vigil it was wonderful to baptise two young people and receive two other adults into full Communion with the Catholic Church as well as help several young adults to complete their initiation by receiving the Eucharist for the first time and being confirmed.
Snapshot of a few recent events in the parish (clockwise from top left): Parish pilgrimage to Minster Abbey and Ramsgate, Canon Anthony and Robert Emereju look on as firefighters put out a sudden fire outside the church, the Browne family support the bike ride in aid of dba uk, wedding of David and Jo Ann Taylor
Easter time is a great season for celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist. It was good to see 28 of our young people confirmed by Fr Paul Mason, Episcopal vicar for Kent in May. Fr Paul is now Bishop Paul and his Ordination as bishop took place on 31st of May at St George’s Cathedral. We look forward to him visiting us again for Confirmations in January 2017. 38 young people received Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time the same month. I would like to thank all catechists who worked on the Confirmation and First Communion programmes
I went with a group from the parish to Lourdes and stayed at Hosanna House in Bartrès, a village near the pilgrim town of Lourdes. It is an oasis of calm and we all had an spiritual and uplifting time. Thanks especially go to Becky Judge who was our leader. There is another pilgrimage to Lourdes planned for next year. While I was away in Lourdes the relic of St Thomas a Becket which had been brought from Hungary was brought from Address: St Thomas Presybetry, London and processed into the Cathedral here. Mass was celebrated on the Sunday in the crypt. At the beginning 59 Burgate CT1 2HJ of July in a daring move we cancelled all Masses on Tel: 01227 462896 Sunday in the church and celebrated Mass in Dane John Website: Gardens. This was only possible with the help of so many volunteers co-ordinated by Father Valentine. The http://stthomasofcanterbury.com/stthomas/ common consensus is that we should do it again next Parish Photos: https://flic.kr/ps/3bt2yp year. Later that week we celebrated the Translation of the Body of St Thomas a Becket at the High Altar of the ----------------------------------------------------- Cathedral Cathedral. This month will see the inside of our church filled Our Canterbury Family with scaffolding as we tackle the dry rot that is in the Email: familianostra@outlook.com roof of the church. For this task we have had to borrow a substantial amount of money from another parish. This means we are in debt and we will have to be rigorous in finding ways to raise extra money to finance this debt.
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church
Finally we have to face an ending and a beginning. We have to say goodbye to Fr Valentine Erhahon who has been with us for three years. We thank him for his service to this community as a priest, especially for his 2 creativity and energy. We welcome Fr Daniel Weatherley who was ordained on 16th July this year and assure him of warm welcome and our prayers.
Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Looking ahead…
Editorial:
Thomas Cole The Pilgrim of the World on His Journey
A 7 year journey The month of September is a very special one in my opinion. It is of course loathed by other students who see it as marking the end of care-free summer days playing in the sun and a return to a world of getting up early, doing your homework and a whole day of lessons. But instead, realise that September is a new beginning. All the mistakes and errors of the previous year are left firmly in the past, and now is the opportunity to change and learn from these mistakes. Do not decide to turn over a new leaf later on in the year, definitely not in January when the rest of mankind are busy (failing) trying to do their new year’s resolutions, it is all too tempting to leave for later than immediately ‘switching on’ as soon as the new year starts. But realise that as students you follow a different calendar to everyone, and that your new year is celebrated in September not January. So start making your new year’s resolutions now! Also this month is the same time that many primary school kids will be making the leap to secondary school, I remember myself being at that same stage many, many years ago and I know how daunting it is. So, having myself completed the 7 year journey that is also known as secondary higher education, allow me to impart some advice (anyone in the later years may also find this useful): Use your time wisely! Do not waste time on the computer or on video games consoles, they do not benefit you at all in any way. I used to play a fair few video games but instead later on I replaced the time I spent playing video games with playing the piano instead, the more I practiced piano the more fun it became, and after putting the hours in piano I have something to show for it. I am part of the youth band and I have achieved grade 5 merit in electronic keyboard, compare with the hours
Submit an article? We all have stories to tell and experiences to share, so make them heard and let people appreciate them. Email to familianostra@outlook.com or send them to the presybetry.
Hello reader, I cordially invite you to the newest edition of Our Canterbury Family and I also introduce myself as the new editor. With assistant priest and previous editor Fr. Valentine Erhahon leaving us in September after 3 great years serving this parish I am now relieving him of his duties as editor. There is no doubt a great deal of sadness about Fr. Valentine’s departure, we as a parish benefitted so much from his dedication and new ideas he brought to so many aspects of parish life. He was also such an inspiration to the young people in the parish with the young mentors award scheme and in his sermons he was always trying to make us think bolder and brighter. Like when recently he set the challenge to young people in the parish to design a new type of scaffolding for the 21st century. Fr Valentine has also been of great inspiration to me, without him I would not be in this position I am now in playing an active role in the church and have benefitted so much from the new experiences and lessons learnt as a result. In this edition we look forward and backwards, we look back at events that have taken place recently in the church and we also look forward to early 2017 when we will reopen submissions from parishioners and relaunch the full version of the magazine with input from you the parishioners. God bless. Alex John (Editor of Our Canterbury Family)
How you can help Our Canterbury Family
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(clockwise from top left): Wedding of Joe and Chloe Murphy in Belfast, young people of the parish decorating the Murphy wedding car, Canon Anthony celebrates the Parish Mass for St. Thomas Becket held at Canterbury Cathedral, Helen Natrass’ harpsichord recital with Mark Bateson and Phillippa Jevons.
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
wasted on video games and having nothing to show for that. Using your time effectively is very important, it is central to everything. It is particularly more difficult in today’s society as there are many more distractions these days. Always do your homework on the first day, and if you have to do it on computer do it on the school computer and finish it before you come home to stop getting distracted. Time is very precious and you must use it very effectively and in the future you will reap the benefits. For example, use your time on volunteering or on hobbies. Instead of meaninglessly playing on the phone, why not try and build something and nurture design skills, later on in this edition you will hear about a brilliant mind who did this and how it has helped him in the future. Also last but not the least don’t forget about your parish… For me it's weird looking back on the first four years I spent at this parish, do you know I cannot remember a single memorable moment from this time at all.
Literally, nothing worth saying, and why should I. There was nothing to remember, because I never did anything apart from going to Mass of course, but what happens at Mass, that of course is worth remembering, the only thing that would have changed each time is the sermons, and I do remember a few particularly funny ones from Canon David Caine the previous parish priest. Including the one where he had gotten on a plane and suddenly and unexpectedly had his ticket ripped up by the stewardess and upgraded to first class, in his own words: ‘I thought I had died and gone to heaven', ah the perks of being a priest… I also particularly remember the morning that some poor woman had an epileptic fit during mass and the ambulance had to be called, luckily I think she was okay in the end. But back then, church was merely a duty, done every Sunday and then forgotten about as I returned to school life and progressed with the rest of the week ahead. Now compare it with the last three years in which so much has gone on in the parish and I have taken part in so much, and I have more memorable moments than I can count. It gives me an awful feeling to think that if I had not gotten involved I would have left this place still having absolutely no memories of this place, leaving behind only a meaningless, cold grey building. But thankfully that is not the case, instead I leave with memories that will last a lifetime and not simply a building but a living, breathing community filled with friendship and love. It is difficult to describe fully, it has been such a profound transformation and my faith has been immeasurably strengthened and I feel like a different person now. So look out for opportunity to help the parish and look out for them in the magazine and of Good luck! course I wish you the very best for your journey ahead. Alex John (Editor of Our Canterbury Family) Good luck! Alex John (Editor of Our Canterbury Family)
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
CM
The Union of Catholic Mothers Canterbury are united with prayer, love and care ensuring that a UCM member never stands alone.
We have the following objectives: 1. To help Catholic women appreciate the Sacramental character, responsibilities and permanence of marriage, and to live in unselfish love observing the laws of God and His Church. 2. To assist Catholic women bring up their children as practising Catholics and public-spirited citizens 3. To teach and defend Christian values in family life and to ensure a Catholic education for their children
4. To offer love, sympathy and practical help to any family in difficulty 5. To foster vocations in life especially in Christian Marriage and Family Life
Can you find the 10 words hidden in this wordsearch? Why not enter our competition for under 9’s, the winners get prizes Email the completed solutions to familianostra@outlook.com
Our events aim to help our spiritual life grow in a meaningful manner. Each celebration and gathering is full of joy, camaraderie and memorable moments! Below are just a few of our recent activities. We went on a pilgrimage to the Vatican in Rome with our family and other parishioners of St.Thomas' church led by Father Valentine. We were so blessed to have met Pope Francis. We had a pilgrimage through the Holy Doors of Mercy in St.Peter's Basilica and attended mass officiated by Fr. Sameer Advani. Reverends Alfred and Casimir were incredibly helpful and supportive during the entire pilgrimage. We had great time with the priests & seminarians at the Pontifical International
College Mary Mother of the Church. It was a very well organised and successful event. We also helped in the preparation and celebration of the children who recently had their First Communion and young adults that accepted the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our cakes and other food were very well received and appreciated! We hold regular cake and bake sales as a fund raising event. UCM members bring their cakes and pastries baked with love. The success of these sales are due to the strong support and help of the parishioners of St. Thomas'!
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
We had a well attended and successful celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday in our parish. Each UCM member and their family contributed generously in terms of pretty decorations, yummy food and cool refreshments for the parishioners to share and enjoy. We had a day to pray the Rosary in the church in celebration for the month of May for our Dear Mother Mary. Dory and Nieves had the opportunity to attend the UCM Annual General Meeting in Southwark, London. It was a day of information, acquaintance and reflection. These are the upcoming Activities - please feel free to get in touch or attend: -a day in Minster Abbey with our family on the 15th October, Saturday 2pm We have a monthly meeting usually the last Sunday of each month after the 9:30am Mass in the Parish hall. Everyone is welcome. For anyone wishing to contact us for more information, our email address: ucmcanterbury@gmail.com or visit our UCM Facebook page.
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Dear Valentine,
Letters from readers Email us at familianostra@outlook.com
“Congratulations to Canon Anthony, Father Valentine and everyone involved in producing Issue1 of ‘Our Canterbury Family’. Beautiful layout, presentation and quality writing . You should all be very proud.”
WOW! Not exactly sitting on your hands then?? I am totally in AWE of what you are doing and how many plates you have spinning at the moment. Your wonderful package turned up here on Friday (loved the sealing wax!) and I have so enjoyed your new Parish magazine. What struck me was the vibrancy of your parish and the very obvious mix of age and generation.....so often I am disappointed in the bias that is given to groups...children/teenagers/OAPS etc and the awfulness of things having to be "relevant" to each particular group...could rant for England on this topic! My understanding of church families is that we are ALL one and all of equal relevance to the whole and your magazine beams that! I have so enjoyed reading it. Please do shout out if I can help you in any way Valentine.....and keep me posted with your progress with it. With love, Emma
Kind Regards Mary McGreary
rDear Fr Valentine, Just a few lines to congratulate you on the Parish Magazine which is excellent. A great deal of hard work has obviously gone into its production and you must be very pleased with it. Please pass on my sincere congratulations to the rest of the editorial team.
I have been looking through the first edition of "Our Canterbury Family" congratulations! It is a very good and comprehensive magazine. I had no idea there was so much going on, and every picture looks so happy. A triumph! God bless, John Coverdale
With good wishes,
Sister Margaret McGrath FMSJ
Dear Father, I just picked up a copy of the magazine after Mass tonight. Are you still looking donations for the Altar Servers' robes? I would like to make a donation. Daniel Crowley (We thank Daniel who went on to make a donation for the Altar Servers Robes. The servers are so grateful to you)
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Parish Life In Pictures
Left to right, top to bottom: Canon Anthony, Fr. Valentine and Fr. Binoy stand with nuns at the open-air mass, parish pilgrimage to Lourdes, some of the young mentors at Fr. Valentine’s farewell party, view from the hostel at Lourdes, Vatican Cricket team visits St Thomas’, Mary McGillie 70th birthday, opening procession at the Open-air mass
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Review of the past few months in the parish
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
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2000 years ago soldiers set sail from Rome to conquer new kingdoms. The logistics of sending all these men so far away was no easy feat, and it was with some of the same degree of planning that a group of 120 people from St. Thomas’s were led on a pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome by Fr. Valentine Erhahon. The objective was to enable a group of young people currently preparing for Confirmation and those having been confirmed in the last five years to get close to Pope Francis and be inspired by this Holy Year of Mercy. In all 57 families accompanied
their young members on the journey to Rome. The core of the Pilgrimage was from 5th-7th April and included attending the General Audience with Pope Francis, a private Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and passing through the Holy Door of Mercy. In preparation for the Pilgrimage, Fr Valentine and parishioner Charlotte Galt prepared a painting to present to the Holy Father. The painting depicts the Pope watering a garden made up of the signatures of many people including 300 children and young people, individuals from the parish, seminarians, priests, Muslims and
non-Catholics. From the signatures grows a parish family mercy tree, producing the 14 works of mercy shown as fruits of the tree. The young people also prepared a book of drawings for presentation as a gift to the Pope in anticipation of his birthday later in the year. The book was compiled by Nieves Castro. Attending the General Audience on Wednesday, the group was seated in St. Peter’s Square. Clever positioning meant that many people came very close to the Pope during his perambulation in
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
CONGRATULATIONS TO TRAVIS TASKER 'GIFT AND BLESSING FROM POPE FRANCIS' On his 11th Birthday, 6 April 2016, Travis, one of the pilgrims of our parish to Rome, bought a Zucchetto (Pope Skullcap) to present to Pope Francis during the Papal Audience exchange of gifts Travis tried to present the Zucchetto to the Holy Father on the day but was unable to do so. On 2 May, Travis wrote a heartfelt letter to his Holiness explaining his intentions and asked for his blessings. Monsignor Paolo Borgia, Assessor for General Affairs, Secretariat of State, Vatican City, wrote a very beautiful letter to Travis on behalf of Pope Francis, expressing that the Holy Father was most grateful for Travis’ thoughtfulness and kindness. Pope Francis blessed the Zucchetto for Travis and would like him to have it. In addition, the Holy Father will continue to keep Travis in his prayers.
A group of 120 people from St. Thomas’s A
T
he
Pope-Mobile. Father Valentine was privileged to sit on the podium with some of the Diplomats, close the Holy Father, during Audience. Father Valentine had the opportunity to present the painting and the book personally to Pope Francis. The Holy Father was greatly interested in the work and sent his warmest thanks to all those who signed the painting and to all the children who made special drawings for him and told Father Valentine to ask the people to pray for him. The next day saw an early start at 5am for the private Mass at St. Joseph’s altar in the Basilica. After this the Pilgrims went through the Holy Door of Mercy. It was not serious for the whole time. The pilgrimage also contained a measure of fun. The group stayed in guest accommodation at the Seminary ‘The Pontifical College of Maria Mater Ecclesiae’ and were able to enjoy each-other’s company in the spacious grounds and at meal-times. The Pilgrims challenged the Seminarians to a football match. The Canterbury side captained by Joe Murphy, who scored the team’s only goal, suffered a catastrophic defeat against a polished and coherent seminary side. However there was plenty of amusement in the game and all took it in good part. Parents had time to play other sports with their children; so many families came together as they have never done before. During the ensuing formal dinner, Joe handed the trophy over to the Captain of the Seminary Team. At the dinner, gifts were also exchanged with the Senior Staff at the Seminary. Robert Emejuru leader of the young mentors programme thrilled all the seminarians when he presented his speech in English and Italian to thank the seminary community for hosting us.
Press-release by Helen Nattrass)
The Feedback from the people was that the pilgrimage was a huge success and much enjoyed by all those who attended it. (cf:
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
From top to bottom, left to right: at the basketball court in the seminary, outside St. Paul’s Basillica, on the coach to St. Paul’s Basilica, Fr. Oscar Turrion, LC, Rector of Maria Mater Ecclesiae Seminary hands out rosaries to the young people of the parish, Fr. Valentine showing the Pope Francis the Mercy Tree painting, Fr Oscar’s address to the pilgrims, mother, daughter and friend
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St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Future of the Young Mentors Award Scheme by Robert Emejuru
Main: At Nicholas Rodger’s home. Top: Young Mentors play cards at a party. Bottom: Robert Emereju receives his Young Mentor’s certificate from Julian Brazier MP for Canterbury
When I asked Professor Nicholas Rodger of All Soul’s College, Oxford how I could become a great writer like him: his answers were simple: ‘read a lot and write a lot’. Those simple words amongst others inspired me to cultivate the habit of reading a new book every week; this was something I never did before. What was really fascinating is that I could never have met Professor Rodger and had the opportunity of spending the day with him if I was not part of the Young Mentors Award Scheme. I pray and hope that every young person in our parish get to meet with good role models that could change their lives forever. In today’s world due to various reasons, a greatnumber of young people usually lack the willingness to actively participate in their
churches’ activities. The Young Mentors Award Scheme is there to ensure this does not happen in our great Parish. The programme is designed to provide a friendly and comfortable environment for all young people, especially those who have been Confirmed to use their talents in service of the Parish and Canterbury community. I give thanks to Fr. Valentine Erhahon who started this programme last year, and to Christian de Vitry who inspired him to begin the programme and finally to George Redman, the first leader of this programme. Prior to the Parish Rome Pilgrimage, Fr. Valentine offered me to take up leadership of the group which I gladly accepted even though I knew little about anything at the time or what was even expected of me. Nonetheless, I
was able to help in certain aspects of the pilgrimage as an Italian translator and organiser, most remarkably by delivering a speech on behalf of the Canterbury pilgrims in Rome. Ever since then Fr. Valentine and I, alongside others, have worked together on a number of occasions to see what shape the Young Mentors Awards Scheme could take in the future. On 15 May this year, 36 young people of the parish received certificates from Mr. Julian Brazier, MP for their services to the Parish and the Canterbury Community as role models. Every one had been involved in different areas: from helping in the liturgy to teaching catechism, running for charity, helping in parish events and lots more. The new editor of the parish 12
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magazine, Alex John was one of such recipient. Over the Summer holiday, two of the young people: Ryes Scott and Anand Vinod went on to help out in the parish office to update the parish database; Fiona Galt organised a pilgrimage to Minster Abbey and a number of other social events of prayer, house cards playing and many lunches and dinners. And some of the younger people took part by in a language competition organised by Fr. Valentine. Alvin Reji, age 13: Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Anand Vinod, age 12: Archbishops school and Carlos Emmanuel Ignacio age 16 : School: Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys came out triumphant, as they wrote articles of how they spent their summer holiday in
French, German and Spanish. I am told the whole idea of the competition was to get them to use their summer holiday to learn a new language instead of the usual teenagers past time of seated in front of a computer all day playing video games or watching a film non-stop on TV. Like I mentioned earlier, I think it is fair to say my most inspiring moment this year and also the most memorable event was when Joseph
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Murphy - who sponsored the trip for us all; Ivan Galt, Fr. Valentine and me, travelled to Oxford to visit the Rodger family. Professor Nicholas Rodger, his wife Susan and Son Christopher (who is training for the Priesthood in France) made us welcome and we talked through the evening at dinner and after dinner about how young people can be inspired to go do great things and inspire others. In the morning Fr. Valentine celebrated Mass in the garden and we enjoyed a nice breakfast. We were all most grateful to Professor Nicholas for showing us around his College later in the day. We all wanted to be like him. He was smart and clever and knew about everything. He wanted us to become great and was very kind to us. We hope to visit again. Now that the summer holidays are over, some back to school, others to university, the young mentors programme seem a bit quiet but it is not dead. I would like to encourage all young people in the parish to give their time and talent to helping out in the parish community. It is simple: all you have to do is think of a way you feel
In the new year we have many exciting programmes to follow and we are planning another award ceremony in June 2017. Keep an eye on the parish newsletter for more information. Every young person should always bear in mind: Your parish needs you.
comfortable to help out and let the priests or Confirmation/young people’s leaders know. 13
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This pilgrimage from Hungary to Canterbury On the 29th, May 2016, (on the same day 34 years ago: 29th, May 1982 where Saint Pope John Paul II and the then Archbishop of Canterbury: Robert Runcie prayed together in the place of Thomas Beckets Martyrdom) The Dean of Canterbury: The Very Reverend Robert Wills and Bishop László Kiss-Rigó, Catholic Bishop of Szeged prayed at the same spot of
history. Earlier in the day, Catholic Mass had been celebrated in the Crypt Chapel of Our Lady Undercroft in Canterbury Cathedral to bring the Hungarian Pilgrimage to an end. The Principal Celebrant Rev. Father Valentine Erhahon, in his homily describe the relic of St. Thomas as an invitation to us all to be involved in a new form of witnessing, evangelisation and civilisation: … “We may never have to go through the same sort of martyrdom that St. Thomas
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Becket experienced but we are called to a new form of witnessing that is done with love and mercy but without fear; a new form of evangelisation that is not afraid to speak the truth about our faith with clarity; and a new form of civilisation that is done with love and peace.” This historical Mass was concelebrated by Bishop László Kiss-Rigó of Szeged-Csanád and Rev. Canon John O’Toole, National Ecumenical Officer and Secretary for Dialogue and Unity at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The Mass was attended by many of the parishioners of St. Thomas and around the Canterbury deanery. The Mayor and Mayoress of Canterbury, the MP for Canterbury and Whitstable: Julian Brazier and a large delegation from Hungary led by Mr Péter Szabadhegy, Ambassador of Hungary in the UK and Madam Ambassador. With them were Ms. Etelka Romanek, Mayor of Esztergom; Mr. István Mikola, Secretary of state; Mr László KissRigó, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Bishop László Kiss-Rigó of SzegedCsanád; Ms. Maria Vass-Salazar, Deputy to the Ambassador, Ms. Eszter Pataki, Director of the Hungarian Cultural Centre, László Gonda, Head of Department for Religious Affairs; Mr. László Engelbrecht, PA to the Mayor of Esztergom, Diána Fehér, Counsellor, Press Officer, Emb. of Hungary, Mr György Balogh, Counsellor, Embassy of Hungary; Ms. Szilvia Cserni, representative of the Rudnai Foundation and Ms. Gyöngyi Végh: Head of Programming and
ecumenical group led by Helen Nattrass, sang an antiphon and psalm to set the pilgrimage procession on its way. The words ‘Happy the place, happy the church which cherishes the memory of Thomas’ were particularly meaningful. The journey concluded at the Cathedral with a Service of welcome from the Dean Robert Willis. In his address encouraged us to reflect on the sacrifice of St. Thomas and to remember the martyrs of our own time such as St. Oscar Romero and St. Maximillian Kolbe. After the service the relic was taken to the altar of St. Mary Undercroft in the crypt where it was placed for veneration.
Communications.
On Saturday 28th May, a historical procession through the streets of Canterbury from Harbledown to Canterbury Cathedral had taken place. The members of St. Thomas’s Parish were present to welcome Esztergom’s relic of St. Thomas on the last leg of its visit, culminating at the Cathedral. The Canterbury Gregorian Music Society, an
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Liam Galt is a young person in the parish who recently came up with an ingenious idea to create a new type of bike-lock to keep bikes more securely than any other type of bike lock. He submitted his design to the Triumph design awards and won several awards for his work. Interviewed by Alex John
How does it work? So someone will come along with their bike and will roll it in to bikestand and push it in. The ratchet mechanism will then lock the bike firmly in place. This is kind of where it gets a bit beyond what the model can show, because it does need some technology to stop other people from coming and taking your bike. Because to unlock it you push this rack forward and it releases the mechanism. What were the problems with ordinary bikelocks that inspired you want to create this instead? Well at the end of the day, you can always cut a bike lock. The
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
professional bike thieves use an angle grinder. Even the very expensive locks can just as easily be cut through. So I wanted to create somehting that would be an absolute solution to this problem. There is an issue with financing however because this could be quite expensive. So if this were to be made, how much would it cost? Well you would have to factor in the way the mechanism would have to work in a realworld situation , you wouldn't have this wooden stick which releases the bike on the prototype. It would be moved by a linear actuator under the ground it would have to be elctronically controlled. You'd have to have a system that, for instance would have an NFC (near field communication) chip that would detect the bike and charge the user for however many hours they used it for and when they come back they can release the bike with their smartphone. I didn't really design any of that, i just designed the mechanical part for my coursework. So to tell you the truth, I don’t know how much it would cost as an offthe-shelf model. Oh, I see so you did this for your DT coursework, so How did you end up submitting this for the competition? For the competition , I just sent in a couple pictures from my brief and they said they liked the idea.
From start to finish, how long this this take? I didn't really commit the idea from the very beginning, because I wasn’t exactly an avid cycler, I didnt really cycle a lot. But it was interesting because when I did decide to commit to the idea it was something I did have to put in a lot of research, it was a good experience from a designer’s point of view.
Did you do a lot of research? Yeah, I even went in to town one night and just basically looked at how the bikes were locked and my conclusion ws that there was only one that was locked up properly, where the front wheel and the back wheel are protected properly. That was out of more than 50 I looked at. So what is the correct way of locking your bike? You should have 2 locks or have one that interlocks with the other, because the front wheel can be taken off quite easily on some bikes. …and the back wheel? The back wheel is connected with the chain, so it is more difficult to take off although there is a specialised tool that can be used to unlink the chain. But when people are doing this [locking their bike] they are probably thinking 15
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about they're going to do next, so they don't do it properly. When I was designing it I wanted it to be quick. Once they put the bike in they can pretty much leave it there and have the NFC chip do its work and then that's it , its probably the quickest way to lock a bike. What are you planning to do at university? Well I want to do either design or something with graphic design. So either product design or instead go down a more artistic route. Was it difficult to then complete all the requirements of the competition? Yeah, so I had to make a big presentation page , I had to put all my information down and present everything and it was tough because obviously I had my A-levels, it was the week after that. I think I finished on the Wednesday and it was on the Saturday I had the competition so I had a couple days to properly prepare for it. What were the requirements in terms of the project itself? There were different requirements that you had to have, one of the key ones was how ready it was to reach the next stage in industry. So what people would be bringing were prototypes and you'd need to know about the costs. I had a lot of trouble answering questions about the costs
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
because I had no idea how to cost this thing, for example take the outer coating. They'd be great for protecting the bike but it’d be very expensive. What I had considered that if it was made out of concrete, which would be amazing, could blend in quite well with the street and would quite strong and cheap. If you used plastic it would get scraped down the sides and get dirty.
model, if you tug the bike hard enough[in the model] then it will release, and there's also a lot of ‘give’, because not all the parts are the same size. But I'd like to think that these are issues I could solve in the future.
How did you learn about the ratchet mechanism, did you already know about them or did you learn it in DT lessons? I'd kind of known about that sort of stuff because I’d play around with Lego and cars and for instance this based off a rack and pinion which is like a very simple mechanism for what cars would use as a steering mechanism, so I was inspired by that. Did you get taught any mechanics design in DT lessons? Not really, they have tools for it. You have the tools to learn about this stuff in the workshop but really for me this was like a hobby, so I brought over my knowledge from that. Finally, are you going to develop this further? Yes I would like to develop further as there are some unresolved issues. For example if leaves and dirt get into this mechanism that can probably stop it from working, or also maybe there's something on the bike that gets stuck there. Also there are some mechanical issues with the 16
Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
Review of the past few months in the parish
On Sunday 3rd July, Following the tradition in 1953, Saint Thomas' Parish in Canterbury celebrated Mass in the city centre park, Dane John Gardens. As in the past, the sanctuary was installed on the bandstand, resplendent in its new paint. Parish priest Canon Anthony Charlton presided with Frs Valentine Erhahon and Binoy Thomas; and Deacons Rev. Alfred Ngalim Wirbir and Casimir Agbenuawor from Rome. Fr. George Marsden was in attendance hearing confessions. The Catholic community from Catholic Christians from many countries and cultures across Europe and the wider world, reflected in the ten languages used to lead the prayers of the
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
(right) Andre the parish-caretaker (left) Hugh Connolly with the peace cross he designed for the event
many countries and cultures across Europe and the wider world, reflected in the ten languages used to lead the prayers of the faithful. In his homily Fr Anthony reminded the congregation that we are all like the 72 disciples, sent to the towns where Jesus was to visit. We have to prepare the way for him, and we do not work alone, but in community; just as the disciples who went two by two, in community. Although we were celebrating the Sunday Mass, it was the feast of one of Jesus's disciples, Thomas, who had evangelised India, where Fr Binoy and other members of the community came from; a direct link to today's reading. The event came about through the hard work of some 180 people volunteers coordinated by Fr Valentine. There was plenty to eat and drink and so many people were very happy and celebrated. Canon Anthony has announced that next year’s Open Air Mass will take place on Sunday 2nd of July 2017.
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
By Mrs. Kate Brazier This is an update on the classic Key Lime Pie, with a delicious twist of basil. Very simple to make, it’s a firm favourite with my family, friends and also at the Stour Festival, where it is always one of the first to be finished. What my father would describe as “the accolade of the empty plate”! This serves about 8. Lime and Basil Crunch Pie 8oz/230g Gingernuts or Hobnobs, crushed (use gluten free biscuits if wished) 4oz/110 g butter, melted Juice and zest of 4 limes 1 can condensed milk (full fat) ½ pint/300ml double cream Small handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped, but not too fine 1 lime for decoration Grease a 9” springclip tin and put baking parchment in the base. Mix the crushed biscuits with the melted butter and spread into the tin, levelling out. Put in the fridge to allow the butter to harden.
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Whisk the condensed milk, cream and lime zest and juice together for about 5 minutes or so until it has thickened. This is best done with a Kenwood/Kitchen Aid mixer, or at least a deep bowl so you don’t redecorate the kitchen! Lastly, add the basil leaves and stir in. Pour the mixture onto the biscuit base, level the top and chill for at least half an hour so that it sets. Cut the last lime into thin pieces and arrange over the top. When you remove this from the tin, remember that it has paper underneath… For more sumptuous recipes, check my blog: blog katespuddings.blogspot.co.uk
NOTICES >We thank Sir Innocent and Lady Blessing Onuh for sponsoring the publication of our Autumn Edition as a birthday gift to their daughter: Meggie Onuh of The Kings School, Canterbury. >We thank all those who contributed to this edition, especially to Mary McGillie for proofreading the articles. We also thank Karl Hemingway-Thompson for supporting our parish magazine. >In November: Charles Edward McMenemy, Senior Catholic student of The Kings School is giving a Recital based on a Poem written by Fr. Valentine Erhahon entitled: A Recital for a Rough Sleeper. Charlie’s recital is a prayer for the rough sleepers in Canterbury and to create an awareness of a very different kind of homelessness on the streets of Burgate. LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE: The pilgrimage from Hungary to Canterbury remains a blessed friendship and the members of the Young Mentors Award Scheme are hoping they can build upon it. So far the young people are working on a project on International Relations and role models they hope to present to the Ambassador Szabadhegy and the Bishop Kiss-Rigó when they visit the Embassy and Hungary sometime in 2016/2017.
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Rev. Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury and Mr. Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable unveiled the painting of Fr. Valentine Erhahon. Art Historian David Felton and now curator of the painting explained the significance of the painting to the parish
Fr. VALENTINE ERHAHON: FAREWELL by Alex John On Sunday 18th September, St. Thomas parish and the Canterbury Community bid farewell to their much loved priest with a thanksgiving Mass for his ministry and a parish party which included an unveiling of a painting commission by the Galt family and a gift from the young people of the parish. Fr. Valentine worked in Canterbury for the past three years and during that time he became a household name in many homes in Canterbury. As Carrah Wright
Wright puts it: Father Valentine is commended for ‘growing the youth involvement in the church, encouraging vocation to the priesthood, reorganising the Confirmation programme, creating the Young Mentors Award Scheme, building bridges between the Anglican community, especially through The Kings Schools, working hard to bring the various parish communities together; working to help the homeless in Canterbury get housing and showing that a priest can also be a poet’. He is also known for organising the much talked about pilgrimage to Rome and the first Parish Open Air Mass after 50 years.
(above) Fr. Valentine looks at a painting of himself painted by Fiona Galt for his farewell party.
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016] the much talked about pilgrimage to Rome and the first Parish Open Air Mass after 50 years. Outside the parish, he is known to have created a course on self-care for doctors through art, music and poetry and taught the course programme to junior doctors in Canterbury, Margate and Ashford hospitals for the past two years. He is also said to have celebrated the first Catholic Masses in The Kings Schools since the Reformation and revived the Parish Magazine. So many people attended his Thanksgiving Farewell Mass at 11am, with many people standing outside. The Day was particularly graced by Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable; Jabob Rees-Mogg, MP for Somerset; Head Masters Peter Roberts and Peter Wells of The King Schools Canterbury (who both slept rough the night before to raise money for Porchlight homelessness charity), Father Martin Robbins, Chaplain at Kings and the Dean of Canterbury: Rev Robert Willis. For some he is a role model, especially to the young people; some consider him a seasoned political diplomat, for others he is a bright intellectual or a priest who preaches the best sermons and for others he is just a friend who is easily approachable and genuinely cares about the people entrusted to his care. He is known for going the extra mile to better the lives of anyone that needs his help. Most of the great things he has done in the lives of many in Canterbury will never be known or celebrated and I think this is what makes him really special. I meet with Fr. Valentine a number of times to come up with an interview. This is the interview between Alex John and Fr. Valentine:
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Will you miss leaving Canterbury and be sad to go? Yes I will miss Canterbury and feel very sad, but I guess it is the normal sadness that comes from the parting of friends. Will you cry during your farewell Mass? Nah, I don’t cry outwardly, I cry inwardly. What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I am ambidextrous. (meaning that he can write with both his left and right hand) That I don’t know how to ride the bicycle and I don’t know how to swim. Well I hope to learn how to do both, not sure when. I also do not think I am as confident in public speaking as most people think I am. Where the Vestment helps no one can see if I am terrified. I guess: smiling all the time is a good mask when you are nervous. What are some of your hobbies? Painting, writing, creating a poem, gym, reading, travelling and I guess spending time with friends. Well I like thinking - I don’t know if that counts as a hobby. Let us go to your past: How did you end up becoming a priest? I felt called to the priesthood when I was about 9 years old. I was an Altar server then. I did not really understand what it meant, or what the process would require, but I was quite sure this was the life I was going to lead. I guess from then until I was ordained a priest by Archbishop Peter Smith in 2013, I grew to understand this is what God wants me to do and I thank him for calling me to serve him in this way I greatly love. Did you have any other idea of doing something else if not priesthood? Yes I love Medicine and I guess it
was either to become a doctor who cares for the body or a doctor who cares for the soul: I think I chose priesthood and made the other one my interest of research. Is it true that you are learning Arabic? How many other languages are you good at? This is a tricky one. Yes; I am learning Arabic now, but I am also trying to relearn Russian and French because I noticed I am not as good in them as I use to be. I have a reading knowledge of some other languages. I think for now, I only think in English and Bini. You are quite well known for going late to bed and rising very early; and your energy and ideas when it came to improving aspects of our Church, where do you think this came from? I believe I get my inspiration from the Holy Spirit and I gain my strength from Jesus Christ. I had a very strict programmed upbringing and I have lived in many different parts of the world so I guess those experiences tend to influence me. What do you think? Humm. I guess when I see any great idea elsewhere I try to bring it to our parish community so we can be greater. What have been some of the greatest joys for you as a priest? To make a significant difference in a person’s life. How? Well, it’s confidential. Tell me one memory you will always remember? A thank you card I received from a rough sleeper yesterday. He heard I was leaving Canterbury and decided to write. The words in it filled me with so much joy. What have been your greatest moments for you as a priest?
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016] It is the experience I guess a lot of priests have had. It is going through in 48hours what people go through in a life time: I can remember in 48 hours doing a wedding, a baptism, anointing someone just before she died, receiving another body into the Church, doing a funeral, hearing confession and going to a birthday party. You move from one emotion to another and have a unique experience of life that is so special that only priests I think can really understand. This must be hard, how do you deal with these feelings? Self-care is very important I guess and having a good support network is key. I have a good and wise spiritual director who gives me counsel, I also have many good friends who although I may not be able to share content, they are always there for me unconditionally. Also I don’t take pain and frustrations into room, I engage honestly with them and sometimes think through them over and over again to be sure I don’t leave anything out or miss anything, sometimes I even write it down - but in the end I leave whatever vex my mind at the foot of Christ’s cross and move on from it. What have been your most cherished moments during your three years spent at St. Thomas'? Two things really: First is the relationship we have with the Anglican community just across the road. It fills me with so much joy and hope for the future. I recognise we will always have our difference, but I find joy in the fact that we never forget we are brothers and sisters first and above all else: we are friends. Second: To see a number of young
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
people move from the edge of life to make great strides in life that surprises everyone. May I just add: When Dean Robert Willis gave me his office at Cathedral house to use in the meantime during my move from the parish to my next posting, I felt so humbled and I will continually thank him for this great service of kindness he has taught me. I really want to thank him for his kindness. About the Young Mentor's Award Scheme which you initially set up, do you have any advice for the young people in this parish? Pray and keep close to God, work hard, read often and never feel you are losing out if you are not falling on the streets getting drunk at night or feel there is something wrong with you if you do not give in to peer pressure there is nothing to regret in not doing something wrong. Rather spend your late nights helping the rough sleepers; spend your mind dreaming big. Know that it is a duty for you to succeed and flourish in whatever you put your minds to. Don’t be afraid to fail, but ensure that you see your failure as a tool of success. Think in decades and not in days. Always do the good and run far from what is evil. Identify those who believe in you and your dreams and work with them to achieve it. Also you have it as a duty to recognise and never give in to those who do not believe in you or may frustrate you either due to their inability to support others, prejudices, deep cynicism or just because they struggle to see the good in others. Learn to believe in yourself and always see Jesus as your best friend. Say the
rosary at least once a week and always be grateful for the little things in life. What may be the greatest obstacles that may affect young people from flourishing? I think it is bad role models and those who do not believe in the ability of young people. It is very important that those who support young people are aware that a 10 year old, or 19 or 27 will in a decade or two be a full grown woman or man and they will remember those who were their heroes and gave them good opportunities and also remember those who frustrated them and were their obstacles. And when those days come, and it will come - they will either celebrate and bless their good role models or curse the bad ones that frustrated them. In time, history always turn towards the truth and all will be revealed.What I firmly, firmly believe is that when you mentor young people, you should mentor them in such a way that they can be far better than you – this is my guiding principe when working with young people. Did you ever have bad role models? I have lived in many different parts of the world so I have seen and experienced the best of human nature and the worse of human cruelty. So yes, I have experienced bad role models in every stage of my life. This has made me very aware. How I respond to it is to see it as my duty not to be like that when I am in the same position and to use whatever frustration I may have experienced as my inspiration to do great things.
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016] How did you interact with the Church as a young person? Very well. Oh very well. I am so lucky to have many good role models who believed in me. They offered me so many opportunities and they always made me see the Church as a place where I can feel at home and can flourish. I think I am what I am today because good role models believed in me and did all they could to ensure I succeed - from my family to my siblings to friends in different part of the world: I have been really blessed to have those who care for me, sometimes more than I care for myself. I guess when you have good friends who really want the best for you, you just continue to flourish. Je Pense. By the way: did you manage to finish your first book? Ahh you mean Portraits in a Mirror? Yes. I did. I gifted the original approved manuscript in a Dinner Ceremony on 15th May to Head Master Peter Roberts of the Kings School, Canterbury as a gift to his school. The book will be published someday for charitable purpose to help rough sleepers . I am writing a second book now called: Solitude de la Pensée: cette Merveilleuse experience (Loneliness of the thought what a beautiful experience) it will be ready in 2020 and I hope to write a third of it in french since half of the novella will be set in Versailles and the other half in Puy-l'évêque Midi-Pyrenees. Are there any things you wish you could have done? What I would have really loved to see is a system where the Confirmation programme is a school of formation, where young people learn the authentic deposit of our faith and are able to model their lives around it; but during the programme or after it through the young mentors programme they are able to learn skills in leadership and have tutorials on the basics of a
St Thomas of Canterbury Parish second or third language - like Mandarin, Russian or Arabic. I would like to see that one day, one of those confirmed in our parish, and moved on to become a young mentor becomes the Prime Minster in Britain - I think Grace Francis could be so. What about the idea of the Scaffolding? You preached about it for 3 weeks. Haha, that was a funny one I guess, but I do believe it will happen. I believe the way scaffoldings are built now cannot be the same in say five decades from now. So I felt it was a good idea to encourage everyone in our parish to come up with a design of how a new type of scaffolding can be created for this century and beyond. Would it not be a great honour if the person who designed it came from our parish? It could be you. Why not make that one of your project for your engineering studies? What are your thoughts on your next ministry as the Catholic Chaplain to Young Offenders? (what are your plans for the prison service, and what else will you be doing there in your free time e.g. studying, writing) I am excited about the appointment but filled with trepidation. The Archbishop has asked me to serve in this way and I am happy to say yes. I believe in redemption and people have told me they judge I will be good in the job. I remember the faces of some young offenders I have already met and those faces seem to remind me that I have a duty to support them though this difficult time in their lives. I am not there to judge them but for them to experience the love of Jesus that is full of mercy and compassion. I guess the greatest gift I can give to them is to help them never to return to prison when they finish their time and inspire them to rebuild their lives again. I am waiting for the process with the Ministry of Justice now, so when that is completed I can’t wait to
start work. It will be a new experience so most of my free time will be spent reading and learning about how best I can serve in this new role. I really want to do it. I don’t know what to expect, but I think God will see me through. I must ask this: What were the challenges of Canterbury? Did you ever experience frustrations or felt that Canterbury was not very welcoming? I came to Canterbury not knowing anyone. I was welcomed warmly by most. I think it would be so unfair to say Canterbury is not welcoming or snobbish because of a small group that seek validation to their prejudices or inability to see the good in others and then shamefully try to justify it with erroneous religious ideas that could be quite annoying. Rather, I would celebrate the many good people in this city : these are the real people who I use to judge how a city is like. I am not saying everyone is good and welcoming, of course you have people who may not always be kind and are taken by deep seated prejudices. All you can do is pray for them and gently seek for new ways of reaching out. I do love Canterbury a lot, but it is still a city that is unfolding in my history so I can’t call it my best. Paris and Benin are my favourite cities. But I owe a great deal to Oxford, all my main inspiration and foundations of my success in the past years came and comes from there. There are many reasons, you will know someday, why Oxford remains my best city and I am not sure any other city in the world can ever take its place in my heart. What will be your last words: I thank everyone in our parish and in the city of Canterbury for their kindness to me over these past three years. Our Parish, or rather, your parish of Canterbury is very special. It has so many opportunities for everyone: seniors as well as young people and it welcomes everyone from whatever background. I give thanks that Canterbury was part of my history and I will always be eternally grateful for having this opportunity to serve you all.
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Issue 2: [Autumn 2016]
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Letter to Mrs PE Boyd from Grandson Karl HemingwayThompson, Pilot (1st officer) Dear Grandma, At the anniversary of your passing, the void is as much there today as it was a year ago. I am getting used to you not being there to visit or talk to but the sadness I feel at those times is still just as vivid as when you passed. I am realising that there are very few people in life that are as precious to me as you and that every time one leaves, that I will feel more lonely. I find it harder to remember the lovely times we spent together because of the overriding thought of your struggle towards the end but I am comforted that you were not alone and that you had Father Valentine with you in your final moments to help you find peace. For that, I will always be grateful. We are keeping our promise and looking after your house and garden and hope that you are happy that we laid you to rest there so that you can enjoy every new bloom that spring brings. Thank you for everything you have ever done for us and for being a truly wonderful character in my life and throughout my childhood. Always supportive, always loving and never judging. We hope that you have found peace and that you can see your grandchildren developing into amazing characters whom you would have been proud of and who would have loved you as much as we do. I believe that you led a full and happy life for the best part and believe that looking back you would be happy with the time you had. You were a little scamp at times and that was why I loved you so much. Affectionately know as my cheeky monkey, I still tell stories about your playful sense of humour and it always makes people laugh.
I will always miss you, never forget you and will always be grateful that I had you in my life. Thank You.
Rest Now, I love you my wonderful Grandma.
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