Jesuits and Friends A faith that does justice Winter 2010 Issue 77
God’s love in the midst of bloody conflict page 8
Friends and Angels in Liverpool
page 16
PL EA gr A SE
Evolution or Creation? No contradiction!
at ll TA ef d K ul on E ly a A re tio C ce ns OP iv Y ed
page 10
Have you or someone you know considered life as a Jesuit priest or brother? For more information, contact:
“May the Virgin Mary, who promptly answered the call of the Father saying, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord’ (Luke 1: 38), intercede so that the Christian people will not lack servants of divine joy: priests who, in communion with their Bishops, announce the Gospel faithfully and celebrate the sacraments, take care of the people of God, and are ready to evangelize all humanity.”
BRITAIN – Fr Matthew Power SJ Loyola Hall, Warrington Road, Prescot L35 6NZ Tel: + 44 (0)151 426 4137, matthew.power@jesuits.net GUYANA – Fr Edwin Thadheu SJ Jesuit Residence, PO Box 10720, Georgetown, Guyana Tel: + 592 22 67461, getedwinsj@gmail.com SOUTH AFRICA – Fr Russell Pollitt SJ Holy Trinity, PO Box 31087, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa, Tel: + 27 (0)11 339 2826, rp@sj.org.za
Pope Benedict XVI
Or visit www.jesuitvocations.org.uk
“I had some problems and you listened to me and helped me. I like JRS because when I was sick you gave me a bus pass for my hospital appointment and gave me some food”. An Ethiopian woman
Hope and sharing at Christmas JRS provides support for completely destitute asylum seekers left in the UK with no status, no benefits and no permission to work. Many have not seen their families for years. Please help us show that someone cares and help us provide hope along with the grants we give for food, bus tickets, or other essential items like spectacles and medicine. Please send your donation to JRS, 6 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP or or email uk@jrs.net for more information about its work.
Contents
Winter 2010 Issue 77
Jesuits and Friends is published three times a year by the British Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), in association with JM. Cover photo: Children from St Paul’s Primary School, Musami wearing football kit supplied free of charge by Kit Aid (a registered charity in the UK). JM collected the kit and forwarded it to Zimbabwe. Over the last couple of years we have been able to distribute many sets of kit in this way.
Tim Curtis SJ Executive Editor Ged Clapson Editor Editorial group: Denis Blackledge SJ James Conway SJ Alan Fernandes
New members of the London Formation Centre include Jesuits from Germany, Peru, Zimbabwe, Spain, Rwanda-Burundi, East Africa, Korea, Vietnam, Poland, Belgium and Sri Lanka. Nine are starting the BD at Heythrop this year – believed to be the largest starting group for more than a decade. Photo: Andrew CameronMowat SJ. Editorial Tim Curtis SJ
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Fr Ted Moves on A new director at the Jesuit Aids Project in Harare
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A Universal Thirst Ged Clapson on the BBC TV series ‘The Big Silence’ and viewers’ responses 15
James Potter Siobhan Totman
Evolution or Creation? No contradiction! Raymond Perrier explains the link between the Jesuit Institute of South Africa and the Wits University Origins Centre 16
Graphic Design:
Ian Curtis
Stopping the Traffic Sarah Broscombe writes about the work being done among vulnerable, powerless and illiterate people in Guyana 6
A letter from the Zambian Frontier Teaching, debating and broadcasting: all part of Matthew Charlesworth’s regency 17
www.firstsightgraphics.com Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company
Zimbabwe Central Prison Revisited Response to prisoners’ needs by St George’s pupils 7
Bits and Pieces News and events from around the province 18
www.magprint.co.uk To protect our environment papers used in this publication are produced by mills that promote sustainably managed forests and utilise Elementary Chlorine Free process to produce fully recyclable
Hope in War Torn Kyrgyzstan Brother Damian Wojciechowski SJ on the Jesuits’ work among the the Uzbeks Deeper Spiritual Proximity Sr Rosemary Howarth SSND reflects on JRS-UK’s new programme of spiritual accompaniment among refugees
Heaven here and hereafter The Apostleship of Prayer intentions for the coming months: Fr Michael Beattie SJ 20
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material in accordance with an Environmental Management System conforming with BS EN ISO 14001:2004.
Editorial office: 11 Edge Hill London SW19 4LR Tel: 020 8946 0466 Email: director@gbjm.org
Friends and Angels in Liverpool Supporters of St Francis Xavier’s celebrate their church and their new garden 10 Blessings from the Papal Visit British Jesuits and associates recall Pope Benedict’s historic visit to Britain
Back cover photo: A mother and her child at KouKou, near Goz Amer, a camp for Internally Displaced People in Chad. JRS supports three schools there and also provides teacher training. Credit: Don Doll SJ
Recent publications Just Faith: A Jesuit Striving for Social Justice (Fr Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ), Theology in the Irish Public Square (Fr Gerry O’Hanlon SJ), Faith Matters – Living the Catholic faith in today’s world (various) 21
Obituaries and deceased benefactors The Apostleship of Prayer intentions for the 22 12 coming months: Fr Michael Beattie SJ
Getting involved and how to donate Learning from Ignatius and his companions Judith Callaghan explores what it means to live The Apostleship of Prayer intentions for the 23 and work in an Ignatian way 14 coming months: Fr Michael Beattie SJ www.jesuitsandfriends.org.uk Winter 2010 Jesuits & Friends
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JM
From the Editor... have recently returned from the meeting of European Mission Office and NGO directors, which this year took place in Vienna. The principal item on the agenda was to reflect on the relationship between the Jesuits of Europe and the Jesuits of Africa. Certainly, the amount of help we are able to send to Africa has increased over the years, both as an actual figure, but also as a proportion of the total help our combined offices have been able to give. In particular, the readers of Jesuits and Friends have been incredibly generous to a multitude of projects principally in Zimbabwe, but also in South Africa, Zambia and beyond. The provincial of Zimbabwe, Fr Stephan Buckland SJ, is always very thankful for the support we are able to give him. However, at our meeting in Vienna, we saw the need to move from a relationship of dependency to a relationship of reciprocity. Africa still has need of our material help and is so grateful that we are partners in her initiatives and projects, but we have much to learn from her rich culture and deep faith. In more and more ways, Africa is beginning to share her riches with a spiritually impoverished and de-
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The Mission Directors in Vienna
Christianised Europe. A few weeks ago I went to do the mission appeal at Corpus Christi in Boscombe, a parish that is twinned with Our Lady of the Wayside in Harare. Of course, as usual, my first task was to thank the parishioners for their generosity over so many years. It was wonderful that the altar servers were able to wear a set of vestments supplied by their partner parish (photo below). These were sent to say thank you for the well that was dug to provide the parish with water, which makes a great deal of difference to everyday parish life. Over the months ahead, the two respective parish councils will see in what other ways they can learn from each other. Maybe the respective choirs can exchange music, Eucharistic Ministers can learn from each other about their ministry, the
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two youth groups could come up with a common project. The possibilities are endless. What both parishes are discovering is that a Jesuit parish is not simply a means whereby the sacraments are made available to the parishioners. Jesuit parishes inculcate an atmosphere of generosity and provide an opportunity for parishioners to grow into people who are men and women for others. When one Jesuit parish sees how another Jesuit parish does this under very different circumstances, both can grow in their understanding of the faith. As we prepare to accept the gracious gift of salvation in the Christmas season, let us be aware of how so many others have in turn received this gift and responded in love to the giver. Have a fruitful Advent and a happy and holy Christmas.
JM
Fr Ted moves on Fr Stephan Buckland, the Provincial of the Zimbabwe Province, has written to announce a new director of the Jesuit Aids Project in Harare. The project was founded by Fr Ted Rogers and, over the years, it has enjoyed great acclaim.
The project is unique in that it seeks to prevent the spread of Aids through behavioural change using peer education. The aim is to let young people educate and support each other in “Youth Against Aids Clubs”, which have sprung up in parishes and schools all across the country. Through discussion in forums, young people can take control over their lives by deciding for themselves what is appropriate behaviour if one wishes to remain HIV negative. The new director will be Mrs Susan Chibika, the mother of a young family and a long time supporter of the project. Mrs Chibika says: “I am very proud to be associated with the Jesuit Aids Project, which as you know, was founded by Fr Rogers. I am a psychologist by profession and have over eight years experience in working with young people.” “I would like to thank you all for the great support and help you have given Fr Rogers and the Jesuit Aids Project over so many years. You have
certainly touched the lives of thousands of young people.” Mrs Chibika has plans to further expand the project, so that it can reach even more young people. She wants to use the well tested methodology on youngsters who have fallen outside the usual catchment area, especially those in influential leadership positions. While thanking Fr Ted for his pioneering work, Fr Buckland also asked his supporters to continue to be as supportive to Mrs Chibika as she takes up the mantle of director of the project. He stressed that the project remains part of the work of the Jesuits in Zimbabwe.
Fr Ted will maintain close links with the project and will serve as a member of the board. Fr Buckland thanked Fr Ted for his “brilliant ideas and practical initiative which address the real needs of young people in Zimbabwe”. When Fr Ted was asked about his retirement, he simply smiled and said “Oh, I will still be busy with many things”. He hopes that his supporters will continue to help Mrs Chibika realise the dream of helping young people live without fear of HIV and Aids.
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Stopping the Traffik Nothing you can do can protect someone from trafficking, writes Sarah Broscombe in Guyana. Only the person themselves can do that. So perhaps the greatest gift you can give them is the strength that comes from enhanced self-esteem, and a greater belief in their own skills and abilities.
Human trafficking is widely agreed to be the modern-day form of slavery. Over the last few years, particularly since the excellent “Stop the Traffik” campaign started up in 2006 to coincide with the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, public awareness has been rising steadily. But trafficking is very hard to combat: first, because traffickers target the most vulnerable, powerless and illiterate populations, which are by their nature difficult to protect. Second, because traffickers move across borders, work as loose ‘teams’ which are hard to trace, and operate in the shadows cast by each society’s inevitable underbelly. And third, because even excellent antitrafficking legislation is extremely
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difficult to realise: victims may be reluctant to testify, language barriers shield traffickers and isolate victims, and there is little incentive for lawyers to involve themselves in a field with so little clarity, so little profit and such slim chances of success. For all of these reasons, therefore, it is vital for organisations to work at least as hard at preventing trafficking from occurring as they do at finding and supporting victims. This is the rationale for a new initiative that is funded by Catholic Relief Services and is being run by the Aishalton Jesuit team in the southern savannahs of Guyana. The funding arrived with few strings attached except this: “Train young adults so they don’t get trafficked”. The aim is that over two years at least 90 young adults from Guyana’s Deep South, mainly Wapishana Amerindians, will gain skills and awareness that will improve their prospects so that they
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are not trafficked, and are more resilient in the face of the labour exploitation which is so rife in this vulnerable area on the Brazilian border. In a sense it is a daunting task, because jobs are rarer than hens’ teeth here. In Aishalton itself, amongst the population of 1200 there are about 70 people who work in what recognizably constitutes a job, and this includes mud-brick snackettes as well as the few teaching and government posts available. Subsistence farming is the basis of life here, but fewer and fewer of the younger generation are content with this traditional lifestyle. Most young adults will get involved with smallscale mining, logging, ranching or farming, or domestic work. You can’t choose only reputable employers to work for. If these young adults insisted on clear terms and conditions or a written contract, refusing anything that smacks of labour exploitation, they would be unlikely to find work at all. Most of the opportunities they will ever get teeter somewhere on the edge of the labour exploitation spectrum. So when we asked ourselves, “How can we prevent these young people from being trafficked?”, we recognized that what we needed to do was inform them of the kinds of trafficking that exist here, give them greater confidence and new skills, and educate them about their human and labour rights. Taking into consideration that there are so few formal employment opportunities for them, we must content ourselves with what can be done: helping them not to be tricked into sex work, or into virtual imprisonment in remote
JM areas, and giving them skills that will transfer well if they migrate to the coast. And one of our key hopes for sustainability is in employing a local woman, Renata James, as Training Coordinator, supported by volunteers (both Jesuit and Peace Corps). The first course ran from July to September, with a 100% pass rate, and the second course is going extremely well. In fact, our first 12 young adults were a committed, punctual, thoughtful, increasingly skilful group of valuable people, future leaders that the village can be proud of. They are so modest, and for the most part their burgeoning skills are so undeveloped that they have no idea how vastly capable they are. Here (and I think this is partly due to globalization), there is a disempowering culture of unentitlement: Amerindians so often seem to accept and internalise the judgment that they are ‘backward’. Changing this perception, increasing people’s belief in their own value and
potential, underlies all of the course’s content. At the heart of the Aishalton training lies this understanding: nothing you can do can protect someone from trafficking. Only the person themselves can do that. So
perhaps the greatest gift you can give them is the strength that comes from enhanced self-esteem, a greater belief in their own skills and abilities, and a greater value placed on the culture and traditional livelihoods that have nurtured them.
Zimbabwe Central Prison revisited n the summer 2009 issue of Jesuits and Friends we reported on the plight of the prisoners at the Harare Central Prison, who were on the brink of starvation, and how their plight was taken on as a special project by the staff and pupils of St George’s College, our Jesuit High School in Harare. We have received this update from Harare. St George’s College has now been involved in helping at Harare Central Prison for almost 18 months. The school has formed a prison committee, made up of six members of staff. On a weekly basis Father Freyer, the resident priest at the school, and Mrs Theresa Wilson, a teacher at the school, visit the prison with the all important goods for the 1300 inmates imprisoned there. There is no section which we have not visited now and the conditions, although not as desperate as early last year, are still subhuman. The prison was built to house 700, but now has a population nearly twice that size.
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A ‘single’ cell, of about a metre and a half wide, houses three men all sleeping on the floor. Oddly enough, those with the so called biggest individual space are those in death row who have a cell to themselves. The condemned prisoners stay in this tiny space for 23 hours a day, with one hour to shower, exercise and receive their food. There has not been a hanging, the method of execution in Zimbabwe, for three years now, but on each door is the prisoner’s name, his weight and height, details to be used when the time comes. Many of them have lived like this for over ten years. It is polite not to ask the prisoner’s crime. The International Red Cross continues to provide soap, oil and beans for the prisoners and the Prison Service provides mealie meal, their staple diet. St George’s has been supplementing this with fruit, whatever is in season, usually apples, oranges or bananas. Boiled eggs are a popular alternative, given in the holidays when the College kitchen can boil the 1300 required to
give them all one each. When we provide the food for the prison, we make sure that we take it to each and every inmate, a process that usually takes about two and a half hours. This is to ensure that all the prisoners get their fair share and goods are not stolen in the process. An important area in which we have helped is the Education Centre. Last year the local Zimbabwean O level and A level fees were paid for by us for 50 prisoners and this year, again, we have paid these fees for 60 prisoners. One prisoner, who had his tertiary education fees paid was able to attend his graduation in a local hotel together with three of the prison guards in attendance. Two wheelchairs have been sourced by Father Freyer for two prisoners who have back injuries. In these ways we try to make life for the prison population a little more tolerable. We would like to thank all of those who have helped us to carry on this important work.
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Hope In War Torn Kyrgyzstan In the midst of a bloody conflict in Kyrgyzstan, two nations have lived for years beside each other, harbouring grudges and victims of government structures that failed after the April revolution. Brother Damian Wojciechowski SJ, whose work is supported by JM, says the most important thing the Church can do there is to bring the good news about God’s love and forgiveness.
When I go and visit the Uzbeks (whose homes were burned down and who lost family members) I always introduce myself as follows: I’m Brother Damian, I work for the Catholic Church. We obtain our financial help from Europe, from people who heard about your tragedy. In one home the widow, whose husband was shot, interrupted me and said “I’ve met you before; I work for the Home for the disabled”. Since they cover their heads with scarves, it took me a while to recognise her. Walking around from one burned out home to another and having had contact with poverty for many years, you start to withdraw emotionally and only when you meet a familiar person who has met with tragedy, does your heart recognise the scale of the suffering that people are living through. The other thing that I noticed was
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that there were thousands of SOS signs written on the streets of Osh. The S was written in reverse, because the the Uzbeks don’t know the Roman Alphabet. They believed that if they wrote SOS some helicopters would come and evacuate them. The hatred and tragedy touched everyone across all social strata and wealth. The attackers did not differentiate between anyone; invalids, widows or children. In one village a woman with six children rushed out to protect her small shop. The bandits shot her, then they raided the shop and torched it to the ground. The kids were left with just the clothes they were wearing. Whilst I was visiting them some representatives from the bank were there informing them that they could no longer have the loan they had requested because their house was burned down. We gave them some aid
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in terms of money, clothing, food and mattresses for the kids to sleep on. This type of raid by bandits was typical of what was happening to everyone. They saw an opportunity for gains and so they took it. Our possibilities of helping are limited, but whatever we received we donated. The most beautiful work was carried out by the Sisters of Charity, together with Fr Krzsysztof, our parish priest. They visited over 1100 families during the week and gave assistance to over 5500 people. It wasn’t so much the aid that was important, but the fact that someone had time for the people. They felt that someone remembers them and that God cares for them in this way. Surprisingly, I noticed that most of the people who were touched by tragedy are not filled with thoughts of revenge. The Uzbeks, who were often a proud people who looked down on others, now have to realize they need help, that they are weak, that the high walls did not protect them and at the moment God is their only hope. What were the causes of such a bloody conflict? Two nations living for years beside each other, however always harbouring some grudges; to this was added the total failure of government structures after the April revolution, including the police and army. Of course, you needed some agitators, who managed to create arguments between the two groups and to start a spark which created a fire.
JM Violence and immorality are the longterm aftermath of ethnic conflicts. After the conflict, one of our parishioners was mugged and died. A couple of days later a neighbour hit another parishioner with a rock because he was collecting nuts from his tree. And some children took our car to pieces. What else can we do? I think that the most important thing we can do is to bring the Good news about God’s love
and forgiveness. The upbringing of young people is so important. Despite the difficult situation in our country, we managed to organise several camps for children: for disabled children and widows. We were able to do this work because of the newly built Spirituality and Rehabilitation Centre on the shores of Lake Issy Kul. It is progress, but we still have some work to complete on this centre once we obtain more funds.
++stop press++ Brother Damian Wojciechowski SJ will be visiting the UK in the New Year. He will be speaking at all Masses at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London W1 on Sunday 16 January and will be showing slides of the work in the Parish of St Klara, near Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.
Deeper Spiritual Proximity Sr Rosemary Howarth, SSND n an address to the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said “Taking up one of the latest intuitions of Father Arrupe (right), your Society continues to engage in a meritorious way in the service of refugees, who are often the poorest among the poor and need not only material help but also the deeper spiritual, human and psychological proximity especially proper to your service.” As Sister Rosemary Howarth SSND explains, it is this deeper spiritual proximity that JRS-UK wishes to address. At this time of tremendous migration of people globally and the unpredictable, unstable political decisions that affect the lives of those caught in the labyrinth of asylum seeking in the UK, JRS strives to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of more than 1000 men, women and children in the greater London area. Our clients reflect 31 different nationalities and a variety of faith traditions (several Christian, Muslims of various traditions, a few Jews, animists and a few who profess to have no religion at all). Listening to refugees, their stories and their needs, has always been a vital dimension of JRS. While each programme in JRS-UK seeks to enflesh specific objectives related to service, accompaniment and advocacy,
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a new programme of spiritual accompaniment is being inaugurated this autumn. Attention to the faith dimension and the spiritual growth of a human being is as essential as providing nutritious food, appropriate clothing, safe housing and on-going education, as well as just political decisions that affect people’s lives. Faith in God and an intimate relationship with God are examples of the rich inner resources that refugees bring with them from their country of origin and frequently carry them through the times of chaos and confusion. The programme aims to help them view life from a spiritual perspective that rarely is even referred to in the midst of interviews, filling out forms and adapting to the laws and customs of a new cultural reality. SPIRITUAL GUIDES Being able to do this in a safe environment with a spiritual guide allows displaced persons not only to tell their stories, but to share their pain and also their guilt over leaving their homeland or family, or their disappointment that life did not turn out for them as they had hoped. Only then can they move on. (Mark Raper SJ) Men and women who avail themselves of this service would be met by a spiritual guide with whom they can share the unfolding of their lives and perhaps be more attentive to
the presence and voice of God in a time of exile. With this conviction in mind, this new project attempts to expand the JRS service of accompaniment to include specifically the opportunity for spiritual companioning. It will provide an opportunity for refugees who come to JRS to give expression to the rich spirituality underlying the journey in exile. (God in Exile, toward a shared spirituality with refugees, JRS Publication 2005) While respecting the main-line faith traditions, this ministry of companioning, consoling and encouraging seeks to meet the deeper spiritual needs of refugees who come to JRS ... facilitating God’s grace of healing and reconciliation and frequently opening up new ways of understanding their life experiences in a faith context. It can bring new energies to help them face the on-going challenges of insertion into a new culture and help to gather the courage and strength needed to fully engage in their new reality. Jesus called disciples to extend his mission to contribute to the building of God’s Reign ... one loving gesture at a time, one word of encouragement at a time! Participants and companions alike stand at the threshold of being mutually enriched and transformed, one encounter at a time. JRS celebrated its 30th anniversary on 14 November. Migrants Day is on 3 December 2010 – the Feast of St Francis Xavier SJ.
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FRIENDS... n the 1970s, St Francis Xavier’s Church in Liverpool - a Grade II* building - was threatened with demolition in the wake of housing clearances which decimated parishioner numbers. The church, which opened in 1848 with sponsorship from local businessmen, quickly expanded to be one of the largest parishes in the country as a result of Irish immigration. A band of activists – the original Friends of SFX - felt passionately, therefore, that the building should be saved and waged a nationwide campaign. Their hard work and commitment paid off and today the parish is going from strength to strength in a regenerating area of the city. The newly launched Friends of SFX, celebrated with a party on the Feast of St Francis Xavier (3 December), is a symbol of their new confidence and commitment to the future. The new Friends will be operating within a
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more positive environment than in the 1970s. In 2008, when Liverpool buzzed as European City of Culture, SFX mounted a two month exhibition, ‘Held in Trust’. Over 12,000 visitors from all over the UK and abroad viewed an historic and eclectic collection of artefacts cared for over centuries at Stonyhurst College. Exhibits ranged from Mary Queen of Scots’ prayer book to the eye of Blessed Edward Oldcorne SJ. Apart from the excitement of hosting a nationally important exhibition, the team of parishioners who acted as greeters were overwhelmed by visitors’ enthusiasm for the building itself. Each of them seemed to have a story to tell of their family connections - quite often tearfully. And there were frequent exclamations of ‘Oh, it’s so beautiful!’ It became clear that this 160-year-old church at the heart of a vibrant and rapidly changing city had a widespread and affectionate group of fans. Although the parish is now comparatively small, the wider family is huge. And so the idea of a new Friends group which would recognise and cater for this wider family was born.
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There are other positive factors. The number of weddings and baptisms is rising steadily. More nonparishioners want to return to celebrate their family roots. The church is increasingly used for concerts, conferences and courses as the acoustics are excellent and the space flexible. Parishioners have now become famous for their warm welcome and catering expertise! With all that in mind a small group began work earlier this year on setting up the Friends of SFX. They have mailed membership invitations to hundreds of contacts and are advertising more widely via the media. Afterwards, work will begin on a 2011 programme. It’s already decided that there will be a members’ newsletter and a visit to Stonyhurst College. It will be for members to make suggestions and give ideas for other events, some of which will be fundraising in support of a continuing programme of church improvements. Thus begins the next chapter in the roller coaster history of SFX! Judith Callaghan
… AND ANGELS hen a small group of Catholic businessmen decided to build a church in Liverpool dedicated to St Francis Xavier and staffed by Jesuits they chose a piece of farmland on the side of Everton hill called the Angel Field. Over the years this original designation was all but forgotten and it took a professor of theology from Liverpool’s Hope University to re-discover the name and to use it as the theme of a new garden which has recently been unveiled next to the church. Over 12 years ago Liverpool Hope were looking for a city-centre campus to house their Drama, Fine Art and Music departments and the abandoned school surrounding SFX church was considered an ideal location. The derelict buildings, long closed because of the depopulation of the area in the 1970s, were bought for a peppercorn rent and in the intervening years almost £20 million has been spent to provide a suitable campus for the only ecumenical university in Europe. The new Angel Field garden is the final piece of the jigsaw. The three sections of the garden provide a link between the original Victorian schools consisting of the former SFX College and the parish’s primary schools with a new concert hall and teaching block. The entrance to the garden is from Shaw Street and opens out into the orchard section. Two banks of wild flowers are sheltered by sharply trimmed walls of beech trees. Scattered amongst the flowers are stone letters spelling out quotations from the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins who spent two years at SFX as a curate. He was appalled at the poverty and misery of the city and considered only Sheffield as a more desolate place. His stay is now remembered by these quotations and the adjacent student accommodation block, Hopkins Hall. Moving past the quotations a bubbling primal pool is surrounded
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by a stone bench etched with a quotation from St Thomas Aquinas: ‘Nihil est in intellectu quod non prius in sensu (Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses). Further into the garden are quotations by T.S.Eliot and Shakespeare contained in the area designated as the Theatre Garden, whose central feature is a long water tank containing a row of fountain jets and a line of lime trees. Creamy limestone and Pugin tiles provide a walkway to the final section of the garden, the heavens. A large acrylic angel by Lucy Glendinning hovers over this section from the top of a high pole providing the climax to the garden’s narrative. The figure, which is illuminated at night, is situated close to the entrance of the Cornerstone building (the former SFX College), with the gothic splendour of St Francis
IN LIVERPOOL
Xavier’s church and its high steeple providing a dramatic backdrop to the whole ensemble. The angels - with their field - have certainly worked their charm in helping to regenerate this deprived part of Liverpool
A recent article in Country Life described the Angel Field as ‘one of the best examples of conceptual landscape design in the country.’ The opening of the new garden was marked by a musical concert day on Midsummer’s Day - the same day on which SFX celebrated the 150th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the church’s Sodality Chapel. To mark these joint festivities an outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament was held in the gardens on the following Sunday. Such processions used to be common place in the life of SFX, but the practice had fallen into disuse; the last one was held decades ago. For many young people this was the first time they had witnessed such an act of devotion and have asked for this to become a regular event.
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Blessings of the papal visit “Coming together in community reminds us of the importance of faith in our lives, especially in a modern society which is constantly subject to criticism” Pupil from St Aloysius College who took part in the assembly at Twickenham
“Communion time was especially memorable for me, when I was guided to the appointed spot. I felt extremely privileged to help with the distribution to such a large congregation” Fr Paul Hackett, SJ at the Mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
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“My day started early. I was one of the 850 volunteer stewards at the beatification Mass who started work at 1am, welcoming people to the Mass that was to start at 10am” One of the novices from Birmingham.
“When the pope appeared he seemed just like an ordinary man dressed in white. As soon as he began to speak though, the significance of his presence began to sink in.” Philip Harrison, Jesuit Scholastic at Twickenham.
“It was an unforgettable event and a grace-filled experience in my life time. We took part in the banner procession with a large number of participants from various UK parishes and Catholic/Christian organisations, for nearly three hours before the vigil Mass. I felt nervous and excited as I took my seat in the midst of the massive audience on the stage.” Alfredeen Diluckshun Joseph, part of the JRS contingent
”I remember giving thanks to God for my own parents who had me baptised Catholic. I am happy to say I have made Blessed John Newman one of my heavenly prayer-partners.” Kath Riley, a parishioner of Saint Francis Xavier’s Church and Eucharistic Minister.
“It was a brilliant experience to be with so many young people who were singing and shouting and very excited to see the Pope.” Kieran Riley, Head Altar Server at St Francis Xavier’s Church in Liverpool.
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LEARNING FROM IGNATIUS and his Companions E arlier this year, 13 people attended a course at Loyola Hall, Merseyside. Entitled ‘Living and Working in an Ignatian Way’, it was led by Frs Matthew Power SJ and Ian Tomlinson SJ. The ‘trainees’ were involved in Jesuit life in schools and universities, parishes, Jesuit Missions and the Jesuit Refugee Service. The course was an introduction to - or a reminder of - St Ignatius’ life, reflections and teachings, and the ethos and activities of the Jesuits. Through reflections, prayer, information sessions, exercises, and a parish visit, individuals were invited to consider their lives and ventures against the Ignatian model. St Ignatius’ dramatic and varied life was reviewed using a set of pictures and captions. Three groups vied with each other to match and order them. Potential embarrassment was overcome by capitalising on the expert knowledge of colleagues. In another session the lives of three Jesuits, Ignatius himself, St Francis Xavier and Pierre Fabre were contrasted. Three men dedicated to the same spiritual vision, but who lived it in starkly different ways visionary, missionary and carer. The differences reinforced awareness that, as a Jesuit co-worker, one could live, act and contribute in 1001 ways. The group visited SFX parish in inner city Liverpool, where Brother Ken Vance SJ, Parish Administrator,
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Front Row (L to R) Elaine Whalley (Stonyhurst), Judith Callaghan (SFX Parish), Declan Linnane (St. Ignatius College, Enfield), David Hurst (Jesuit Missions). Middle Row: Anne Flanagan (Pastoral Sector), Jan Graffius (Stonyhurst), Dominique Dubois (Sacred Heart Parish, Wimbledon), Ken Vance SJ, Ian Tomlinson SJ. Back Row: Breeda Fitzpatrick (Sacred Heart Parish, Wimbledon), Kath Matchett (SFX Parish), Wessell DuRandt (Mount St. Mary’s College), Alex Harrod (Oxford University Chaplaincy), Ed McKillop (St.Aloysius College, Glasgow), Jonathan Parr (Jesuit Refugee Service)
and Debbie Reynolds, Pastoral Assistant, explained how a small parish - in numeric terms - was viable, using vivid examples of local life and the generosity of supporters. (See pages 10 and 11). The days at Loyola Hall were full but unhurried, mixing action and reflection, plus evening networking opportunities. Each day started and ended with a short prayer session
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designed to set and reflect on the daily theme. And there was Mass with the whole community each evening. During a final exercise trainees looked in detail at a selection of St Ignatius’s letters, deciding key points, what they liked about them, and modern applications. The general consensus was how much of the advice was still relevant, with a comment that if Ignatius was alive today he could make good money as a management consultant! At each stage there was time to reflect on how the Ignatian way could influence and guide trainees - both generally and within their Jesuit community life. It was clear from the closing comments that everyone was leaving with an enhanced awareness of their own potential, plans for future ventures, and their faith journey. Judith Callaghan from St Francis Xavier’s Liverpool
A UNIVERSAL THIRST Ged Clapson he conversation that launched The Big Silence did not take place, as you might expect, at a place of stillness, a retreat centre or a tranquil garden, but at Heathrow Airport. “What Abbot Jamison and I hoped these programmes would provide was an introduction to a way of being in the world that helps us remain true to what is most central in our lives; one that does not depend on the structures of a monastery, but can be used by busy 21st Century men and women,” recalls Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ, one of the spiritual guides in the series. Judging by the response to The Big Silence, it certainly achieved that. “The five participants discovered that using simple tools of imaginative contemplation and reflection on how they had responded to the events of the day, they were able to recognise what they valued
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most, and to reshape their lives in the light of this,” says Fr Callaghan, adding that he hoped that viewers, too, would find encouragement to live their own lives with greater integrity and depth. Many have expressed precisely those sentiments. Loneliness and bereavement have been common experiences of many of the viewers who have contacted the team associated with The Big Silence. Others are seeking to rediscover their faith – in God and in the Church. And many want to go the extra step and explore what retreat opportunities there might be for
them personally. Enquiries have been received from all over the world – from the United States to New Zealand, from Japan to South Africa – which is rather intriguing, since the series has only been broadcast in the UK. BBC iPlayer cannot be accessed overseas, and the BBC has no plans to show the programmes abroad or release them on DVD, which is a disappointment to many who cannot watch it live. But the resources produced by
the British Jesuits to accompany The Big Silence are undoubtedly providing a valuable asset for many who are seeking stillness in the midst of hectic lives. The web site can, of course, be accessed worldwide and has received thousands of hits. Not only does it address some of the issues raised in the TV series, it also directs visitors to a comprehensive selection of retreat centres and contacts for people who have questions about faith. The booklet written by Paul Nicholson SJ – Growing into Silence – is also proving to be very popular, with thousands of copies bought either through The Way Books (www.theway.org.uk) or from various church bookshops throughout Britain. With sections written by the four spiritual directors who took part in The Big Silence, as well as a foreword by Fr Jamison, the booklet offers reflections not only on silence, but also on how to reflect on the activities of the day, one’s life journey, listening, prayer, dealing with pain and bereavement and more. “The term ‘spiritual direction’ can be misleading,” writes Ruth Holgate in Growing into Silence. “A spiritual director does not direct but accompany – they listen to the person, they may ask questions that help the person talk about their religious or spiritual experience, they may suggest exercises if that is helpful, but primarily they are looking for the ways in which the person themselves experiences God or the spiritually significant and how they can be encouraged.” For more information, visit www.growingintosilence.com where you can also order the Growing into Silence booklet. It costs £6 and is available from The Way Books: Campion Hall, Oxford OX1 1QS Tel. and Fax: 44/0 1865 286117. Email: the.way@campion.ox.ac.uk
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Evolution or Creation? No contradiction! Pupils examine a juvenile hominid skeleton at Wits University.
n South Africa, many people look for an answer to our origins in the Bible, in the first chapters of the book of Genesis. There they read about Adam and Eve, the first human beings from whom all people have descended. But South Africans can also visit the Origins Centre at Wits University (www.origins.org.za), one of the world’s leading centres for study into fossils. There they would learn about the idea of Evolution: that all creatures have developed from the earliest and simplest forms of life, changing over generations in order to be better adapted to their environments. Thus, for example, one strand of creatures has adapted to live on land by developing lungs; another to live in the sea by developing gills. One strand has stayed in the trees in order to avoid attack and so moves with all four limbs; another has learnt to defend itself on the ground and so moves on two legs. The Origins Centre is round the corner from the Jesuit Institute and they asked if we could help them. School children were coming to the museum and were fascinated to hear about Evolution. But then their teachers or their parents were telling them that Evolution was sinful. Creation and Evolution were being presented as rival alternatives that they had to choose between. But that is not the Catholic tradition. In fact, the book that first
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introduced the idea of evolution by natural selection, written by Charles Darwin in 1859, was never condemned by the Church in an age when many other books were. Moreover, the history of evolutionary science includes priests who were famous experts: the concept of the ‘Big Bang’ was proposed by a Belgian priest, Fr Georges Lemaitre; one of the most famous palaeontologists (or fossil hunters) was a French Jesuit called Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. And Darwin himself did not see his work as contradicting the value of Genesis or undermining belief in God. Thus, in partnership with the Origins Centre, the Jesuit Institute has been making presentations on Creation and Evolution over the past few months to almost 1,000 school children. It is hard to reconcile these two versions if we think of them as answers to the same question: “Where did we come from?” But we challenge the young people instead to try thinking of two
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different questions. Darwin is answering the question: “How did we get here?” The writer of Genesis is answering the question: “Why are we here?” And what we read in answer to this is that we are here to be in relationship with God (in whose image we are formed), to be in relationship with other human beings (which is why Adam and Eve need each other) and to be in relationship with the rest of creation (for which human beings have a special responsibility as stewards). Some might fear that if we do not regard Genesis as a literal story about the first days of the planet we weaken its value. We think the opposite is true. If Creation is something that was done to us 6,000 years ago we can just treat it as history, like the Second World War or the Pyramids. If instead we recognise that God’s act of creation is something which took place 6,000 years ago and 13.7 billion years ago and indeed today, that requires a much deeper response from us: a response to God’s threefold invitation – to be in relationship with the planet, with each other and with God. Raymond Perrier, Director of the Jesuit Institute – South Africa
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A letter from the Zambian frontier Matthew Charlesworth SJ is serving his Regency in Canisius Secondary School in Chikuni, Zambia. Regency is a two to three year period between a Jesuit’s studies in Philosophy and Theology in which he is engaged in apostolic work. Matthew has been a House Master for the junior boarders and a Grade 8 Teacher, teaching Mathematics and Computer Science from Grade 8 to Grade 12. He writes:
I see this work as creating a more just society because without Mathematics no tertiary level education is possible (read: no escape from poverty). Whilst I certainly do not succeed in every case, I do try to give the children a sense that Mathematics is not impossible, and in fact is rather useful and can on occasion be rather fun; and my work with computers helps bridge the digital divide as even a basic introduction to Microsoft Word enables the children to seek some sort of office work as a typist after school. (Due to our frequent power-cuts we often spend the first few weeks practising how to type on a piece of paper which has the keyboard drawn onto it). The children all study with a passion and literally ‘soak’ up any input. But they are not selfish! Some of them learn skills at the Radio Station by anchoring a radio show for children every Saturday morning; others demonstrate a great commitment to community service by spending their afternoons teaching younger children in neighbouring Basic Schools subjects such as English and Mathematics. One exciting highlight of my time here in Zambia has been my work with the Debating Society where last holidays we were invited to participate in the African Schools Debating Championships in Johannesburg. We were unable to afford to fly so we opted to take a 27-hour bus journey. This was a notable trip because it was the first time that many of the boys had been outside Zambia.The trip was a huge success – we came fourth overall and one of our speakers was ranked in the top 10. Chibwe Mbanga, the Deputy
Head-boy and Chair of the Debating Society commented that he “would like to acknowledge the experience at the Apartheid Museum and the South African Constitutional Court which has taught me how important freedom is in one's life and how all humans should be treated equally.” One of the amazing Matthew Charlesworth with the Debating Team in Johannesburg works in the Mission, apart from the schools, is the Radio these children have out-performed their Station which – in addition to the counter-parts in other “proper” schools encouragement and broadcast of local in the Grade 7 exams which precede talk shows, news and music – also entrance into the Secondary School. broadcasts lessons to children and adults Some classes are simply a circle of who are unable to attend normal children gathered under a tree listening schooling due either to the family to the radio; other communities have situation, remoteness of their location, managed to work together to build a lack of funding or needs at home. building for the school and where Mentors in the outstations assist the textbooks can be safely stored. This work children in the ‘class’ as they listen to the of the Society and the enthusiasm and daily lesson on the radio. Such is the dedication of the children to doing thirst for knowledge in Africa by children everything they can to receive an that despite the very difficult conditions education is awe-inspiring.
In addition to the initiatives mentioned by Matthew, mention should also be made of the incredible work done by the staff at the hospital (where they have had to cope with 4,370 malaria cases in the last quarter and 1,800 people living with HIV, of which 1,200 currently receive anti-retrovirals) – and of their joint programmes with the Radio and Home-Based Care to offer holistic health-care; the volunteers at the Home-Based Care for people living with AIDS who help more than 1,725 clients in 180 of the villages in the three major surrounding districts; the 1,500 orphans who are sponsored and supported in surrounding schools; the work of the Mukanzubo Kalinda Institute and Museum who pass on the culture and protect the Tonga linguistic heritage through their research and publication of dictionaries and literature; and the work of the 180 small Christian communities scattered throughout the parish that meet, pray and serve together.
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BITS’n’PIECES Provincial appointed Heythrop Principal he Governors of Heythrop College, University of London, have appointed Fr Michael Holman SJ as Principal of Heythrop College to succeed Dr John McDade SJ on his retirement after 13 years of
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distinguished service. In making the appointment the Governors consulted the Superior General of the Society of Jesus who has given his support for Fr Holman's appointment. Fr Holman, who was Headmaster of Fr Holman during a recent visit to Guyana Wimbledon College from 1995 to 2004, is at present the Provincial Superior of the British Jesuits. He will take up his appointment at Heythrop after the end of his six-year term of office as Provincial in July next year. In making the announcement, Michael Malone-Lee, Chairman of the Governing Body, said: “The Governors of
the College are delighted to appoint Fr Holman as Principal. He will bring with him wide experience and his appointment demonstrates the commitment of the Society of Jesus to Heythrop College. Fr Holman will lead the College, which begins this year with 1000 students, towards the 400th anniversary of its foundation in 2014.” Fr Holman said he was “pleased and proud” to be able to serve Heythrop College in this way. “Heythrop has a long and distinguished record of service to the Church and wider society in this country and around the world, providing as it does excellent resources for the study of philosophy, theology and psychology and for the formation of future priests and ministers. Together with all associated with the College, it is that Jesuit tradition of excellence which I plan to maintain and develop in the years ahead.”
Wimbledon Head to step down ather Adrian Porter SJ has announced that he will be stepping down as Head Master of Wimbledon College at the end of this school year. He has been asked by the Jesuit Provincial to make himself available for another job in the province after seven years as Head Master of Wimbledon College and nine years as Head Master of St Aloysius' College in Glasgow before that. Writing to parents, the Chair of Governors, Dr Patrick Stone, said that Fr Porter will be greatly missed. “He has been an outstanding servant of Wimbledon College. Under Fr Porter's stewardship the school has gone from strength to strength. He has provided dynamic leadership and vision. The governors wish to express their thanks for his hard work and commitment to the school and the
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local community over the last seven years.” In his letter to parents, Fr Porter described his headship of Wimbledon College as 'a great privilege ... Working in schools can be very demanding but it is also immensely rewarding to see the young people entrusted to our care growing in maturity and wisdom (well, most of the time!). I have been fortunate to work with outstanding and generous colleagues, supported by parents committed to the Jesuit style of education. This has been especially so at Wimbledon College.' The Governors have begun the process of finding a new Head for the College.
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BITS’n’PIECES Brothers celebrate feast day esuit brothers from Britain and overseas gathered at Corpus Christi Jesuit Community in Boscombe on 30 October to celebrate the feast of St Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533 – 1617). After the death of his wife and son, Alphonsus applied to join the Society of Jesus and in 1571, the Jesuit provincial accepted him as a lay brother. He was sent to Montesion College on Majorca, where he served as doorkeeper for 45 years. His post allowed him to minister to many visitors. And he became the spiritual
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adviser to many students, exerting wide-reaching influence, most notably in guiding St Peter Claver into his mission to the slaves. Alphonsus died on 30 October 1617 and was canonised in 1887. He is celebrated as the patron saint of Jesuit brothers. Pictured here – back row, left to right - are Andrew Omondi, Geoffrey Te Braake, Michael O’Connor, Alan Harrison, Ken Vance, Bill Jordan and Jack Parsons, (front row), Bernard Elliott, Godfrey Masereka,
New Priests
Norman Smith, James Hodkinson and James Harkess. Photo: Chris Dyckhoff SJ.
Eco Awards for Edinburgh
ongratulations to two men who have been ordained to the priesthood recently: Leonard Michael SJ was ordained by Bishop Alan Hopes on 9 October at St Anselm’s Church, Southall. In the photo here, the Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, places his hands on Leonard’s head as part of the ordination ceremony. Leonard will continue to work in the parish until he is missioned to Pakistan. Justin Prabhu SJ from Madurai
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acred Heart parish and the Lauriston Jesuit Centre in Edinburgh have been presented with two 'Eco Congregation' awards. The parish was the first Catholic parish in the Edinburgh Archdiocese to receive an eco congregation award, and only the second Catholic church in Scotland to do so, while the Lauriston Jesuit Centre is the first church centre of any denomination to be given an award in its own right, separate from the church of which it is a part. The parish has been registered as an eco-congregation church for two years. The award was made by Eco Congregations Scotland in recognition of Sacred Heart's work in conservation and the environment.
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was ordained in Chennai, India, on 9 October. Justin studied at Heythrop and worked in Guyana during his formation. He will return to the Region when he has completed his studies in Colombia. He is pictured left with with the Regional Superior of Guyana, Fr Dermot Preston SJ.
Mike Lewis appointed to JESAM ather General has appointed Fr Michael Lewis SJ as the new President of the Conference of the Jesuit Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (JESAM). He is expected to take up the office sometime in January 2011,
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depending on the availability of a Minister/Administrator for Hekima College. David Smolira, Regional Superior in South Africa says: 'I am sure we all wish Mike well in this new and difficult assignment. Please keep him in your prayers.'
Fr James Crampsey SJ, parish pries t of Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, with Angela Camp bell from the Lauriston Jesuit Centre.
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Heaven here and hereafter “And know that I am with you always: yes, to the end of time (Mt28.20) If Jesus is with us, here and now, there is a real sense in which we have heaven here on earth. The Kingdom of heaven is authentically here, in embryo, as it were, and it will wonderfully come to birth and full realisation at the Second Coming of Christ, at the end of time. This should show us how important our Apostleship of Prayer really is. The Holy Father proposes month by month that we should offer each day for the pressing needs of our world, of the Kingdom here on earth and that all peoples will come to realise that, here and now, “in him we live and move and have our being”.(Acts 17.28) Jesus tells us that each day we must take up our crosses and follow in his footsteps.(cf Mt 16.24). We have the example of Mary the Mother of the Lord who had such a measure of compassion that she stood at the foot of his cross on that Good Friday afternoon. Human nature is such that we know for sure
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that at any moment there are always those who suffer one way or another. Suffering and compassion are very much in the mind of the Holy Father in the prayer intention for December. Global warming, carbon footprints, ecological crises, respecting and using wisely the natural resources of our planet are phrases that are very much in vogue. In January the Holy Father asks us to commit our daily prayer to these issues. Pope Benedict speaks very clearly: “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation……Christians have their own contribution to make. They contemplate the cosmos and its marvels in the light of the creative work of the Father and the redemptive work of Christ, who by his death and resurrection has reconciled with God all things, whether on earth or in heaven”(Col 1.20) (Benedict XVI World Day of Peace 2009) We plan for the hereafter here and now! In February we turn our prayerful thoughts and intentions towards the cell of society, the human family. The Holy Father addressed this issue directly when he spoke about family life in Mexico City. The family is “a true school of humanity and perennial values. No one has given life to himself. From others we received life, which develops and matures with the truths and values that we learn in our relationship and communion with others”. (January 2009) All families need our prayers. Let us remember especially those families that are dysfunctional or broken and the children that suffer as a consequence. It is just over 500 years since the first conquerors and missionaries from Spain and Portugal arrived on the American continent. The gospel message was preached and the Faith was given to Latin America. The Faith still
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flourishes but as in so many modern day societies the principles of gospel peace and justice are very much needed . We pray that all the peoples on this great continent will find heaven on earth as they wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Michael Beattie SJ
December
That the experience of personal suffering may help us to be caring, generous and sympathetic to so many people who have heavy crosses to bear. That all peoples of the earth “may hear the word of God and keep it”
January’11 That the riches of the created world may be preserved, valued and made available as God’s precious gift to all. For the unity of Christendom acknowledging God as Father of all.
February Respect for family life and its vital role for the good of human society. For the sick especially in mission territories. May Christians offer the loving and healing care of Christ.
March
For Gospel values, for justice and peace for Latin America. May The Holy Spirit give strength to those who suffer because they believe in the Gospel.
Theology in the Public Square: Fr Gerry O’Hanlon SJ, reviewed by Anthony Egan SJ, the Jesuit Institute South Africa, Johannesburg or historical reasons the Church battles with its public function in secular liberal democracies. In the age of Christendom, the Church exercised considerable political influence. In Ireland this extended well into the 20th Century. This is no more, however, and, particularly given the recent scandals (in Ireland among other countries), if anything church-state relations are likely to be tense. How then does one respond as church in such a complex situation? Jesuit theologian Gerry O’Hanlon has over the years written extensively on the problem. This book is a collection of some of his essays on how one does theology in the new public square. It is divided into four areas: public theology in Ireland; dealing with Islam; Catholic ethical foundations for public theology; and the role of popular piety. He starts with what he calls ‘the recession of God’ from the public realm: secularisation and democratisation. Perhaps this was
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inevitable, it certainly seems irreversible. The question is how to engage constructively with reality. The Church must become one voice among many – but it must still speak. It needs to address issues of crime, punishment, health care, and even the intricacies of an integrated Europe. Nor can the Church ignore the reality and challenge of Islam in Europe, including Ireland. Here one has to distinguish between an accommodation of the legitimate demands of mainstream Islam and the risks posed by the hard-line Islamist minority. In all these cases one can no longer presume that all dialogue partners in Ireland are Christians, even ‘believers’. The how of public theology needs to dig deep into the deeply rational tradition of Catholic Social Teaching but also to focus on a method that presumes dialogue rather than fiat from on high. Despite the secular atmosphere,
O’Hanlon also notices many signs of public piety – a suggestion that faith is still a part of the public imagination. It is difficult to summarise the themes of this book adequately in a short review. O’Hanlon is a highly perceptive observer of the Irish (and European) political-cultural scene, as well as a skilled interpreter of Catholic social ethics. To this one must add his delightful use of literature, particularly poetry, which adds a touch of lyricism to this collection. It is also well-written and accessible to the average reader, a major ‘plus’ in an area – political theology – than can be a minefield of highly technical (and some philistines might even say pretentious) language. Theology in the Irish Public Square, by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ; Blackrock: The Columba Press, 2010; paperback, 231pp; ISBN 9781-85607-685-2; €14.99 / £12.99.
Just Faith: A Jesuit Striving for Social Justice, by Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ, reviewed Tim Curtis SJ r Michael CampbellJohnston’s 60 years in the Society of Jesus span a time of great change in the Church and in the World. In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, the Society has completely rethought its mission - the way in which it is called to respond to the needs of those who surround us. Nowhere has the change been more marked than in the sphere of the social apostolate of the Society. Fr Michael, or C-J to his friends, was in key positions to shape this new thinking and this book is important, not just as the story of one Jesuit, but as a story which reflects the history of the whole Society. The book is based on 24 annual letters that C-J sent to a wide circle of friends, so that they could catch
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up with his activities each Christmas. However, he has supplemented these extracts with a narrative that tells a larger story. C-J’s journey from Barbados and Guyana, where he set up a centre for social reflection, to El Salvador, where he was given the opportunity to see life from the perspective of the poor, to Rome, where he was a key adviser to Fr General Arrupe in the sphere of social ministries, to Mount Street, where he became the Provincial of the British Province, set him on a course which was to radically challenge our way of thinking and proceeding. C-J is able to draw on his many rich life experiences to transform
the book from being a dull litany of places and meetings into an exciting reliving of the transformation that has brought us to where we are now. He seems to be equally at home in the slums of El Salvador learning from the poor, as he was in our sumptuous parish in Barbados where he had to preach to Tony Blair. I not only enjoyed the book, but it has inspired me to reflect on my own small part in the mission of the Society. Just Faith: A Jesuit Striving for Social Justice, by Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ Published by the Way Books price £10.00
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DEATHS & OBITUARIES Fr Joe Raybould SJ 12 December 1923 – 14 July 2010 Joseph Leo Raybould SJ was born on 12 December 1923 in Hanley, Staffordshire, the only son in a family of six children. He was awarded an Inter BSc in Physics, Maths and Radio from Manchester University in 1943, and when the course was curtailed, he was directed by the Ministry of Labour to work as an Experimental Assistant at the Signals Research and Development Establishment of the Ministry of Supply. In October 1946, Joe was called up for Service with the RAF and stayed there until he was accepted into the Society of Jesus in March 1948. Joe’s noviceship was spent at Roehampton. His first two years’ philosophy studies were at Heythrop College, Oxfordshire; he completed them at Roehampton in 1953. He taught for a time at Stonyhurst and Mount St Mary’s College, before returning to Heythrop in 1956 to study for his theology degree. He was ordained in 1959. Further studies included a teaching course at Roehampton in 1952/53, and a BSc
degree in 1959/60. Having made his tertianship at St Beuno’s, Joe spent three years teaching at Mount St Mary’s and a further three at Craighead Retreat House where he directed the Spiritual Exercises and was Acting Superior between 1967 and 1968. He then moved to Heythrop College, where he was the Co-ordinator of the province’s Social Survey. He continued this work when he moved to Osterley in 1970, where he also taught for a year. From 1972 till 1989, Joe was the editor of ‘Crusade Messenger’ and was based at Edge Hill in Wimbledon. When he moved to Roselands in Enfield in 1996, he undertook a course in Business Administration at Redhill College, Surrey. The early 1990s were characterised for Joe by ill health, which continued after he moved to Mount Street in 1997. He joined the Jesuit Community at St Wilfrid’s, Preston, in June 2009, and died at the Royal Preston Hospital on 14 July 2010. May he rest in peace.
Fr Grumitt Memorial A Memorial Mass has been held at Mount St Mary's College to remember Fr John Grumitt SJ, who was headmaster at the Jesuit boarding and day school from 1976-1990. Members of his family attended the Mass, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque outside the school's Memorial Chapel. His sister-in-law Marie, and her children, John Grumitt, Anne Hoskins and Jane Feasey, who all remembered visiting their uncle in Derbyshire during his time as Headmaster, represented the Grumitt family. Fr Kevin Fox SJ celebrated the Mass and dedicated the commemorative plaque. Fr Grumitt was a popular headmaster at Mount St Mary's, and his memory was toasted at the Mount Association reunion the following day. Fr Grumitt died in October 2009.
Please pray for those who have died recently. May they rest in peace. Mr T Grogan Mrs Winifred Covey Mrs Mary Waszak Dr Leslie Richards Mr Brian Divers Mr John Gillham Mrs Kathleen Miller Mr L Battams Mrs Mary Smethurst Mr and Mrs D W Barker Mr Desmond Mathews Mrs Gladys Harrison Mr Geoffrey Elleray Rabone Mrs Anne Teresa Sloper Mrs Barbara Adnitt Mrs Eileen Moore
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Mr A R Smith Mr George Hunter Mrs Dolly Clare Bywater Mrs Marie Celine Harrisson Mr Stan Yates Mrs Elizabeth Barry Mrs Eileen Moore Ms Roberta Routledge Miss Vera Ainsworth Ms Monica Palmer-Smith Sr Pia Buxton CJ Mrs Enid Petela Mr Hugh Anthony Murray Rev Fr Terence J Makings MBE Bishop Mervyn Alexander Fr Paul Leo Locatelli SJ
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Fr Joseph Raybould SJ Fr L van der Drift SJ Fr William Wizeman SJ Fr Reihard Zinkann SJ Fr Bill Johnston SJ Mr Stefan Markl – Brother of Dominik Markl SJ Mr John Hamill – Uncle of Fr Paul Hamill SJ Mr John Rodrigues - Brother of Francis Rodrigues SJ Mrs Margaret Phiri – Mother of Fr Ugenio Phiri SJ Mr Thomas O’Neill – Brother of the late Frs Charles and James O’Neill SJ
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And you little child, you shall be called a prophet of the most high. (Luke 1,76)