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I am the Light of the World Sacred Heart Sisters bid farewell to the Diocese Page 2

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Orkney Page 6

North Is s u e 35, S u m m er, 2017 Clare Benedict and the problem of evil and a good God Page 20

Each copy of the Light of the North costs over £1.00 to produce and we would ask you to consider this if you wish to make a donation.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ORKNEY R.C. Diocese of Aberdeen Charitable Trust, a registered Scottish Charity no. SC005122

When Our Lady of Częstochowa came to Woodside Michael Olizar Page 28

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End of an era as Sacred Heart Sisters leave Aberdeen Diocese

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n Saturday 1st July Bishop Hugh Gilbert celebrated a special Farewell Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen for the Religious of the Sacred Heart who are leaving Aberdeen.

The Society of the Sacred Heart have had a presence in Aberdeen since 1895 when Bishop Hugh MacDonald welcomed the Religious of the Sacred Heart to the City.

The Farewell Mass, which was followed by a reception in the Cathedral Hall, was attended by well-wishers and Sacred Heart Sisters from far and wide including Sr Barbara Duffy, the Sacred Heart Provincial of Ireland and Scotland who gave the opening address.

In his homily Bishop Hugh recalled how Bishop Hugh MacDonald who was bishop for eight years had once remarked that inviting the Sisters to Aberdeen was the best thing he ever did.

Bishop Hugh went on to say, “Eucharistically, we first remember and give thanks for all that the Religious of the Sacred Heart have contributed to the diocese (and beyond).

It has been much. This was their first foundation in Scotland and surely opened the way to others. They greatly aided and abetted – perhaps a lesser-known affair – the reviving devotion to our Lady of Aberdeen here. It’s to them we owe the first reproduction of our Lady of Good Success in Brussels, and to Mother Forbes the well-known hymn. There is, as Sr Barbara Duffy mentioned, the now flourishing St Joseph’s School, and until 1971 the memorable Secondary School for Girls, the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Then in the following years, came a diversity of apostolates: spiritual direction, prayerful reading of Scripture, retreats in daily life, ecumenical connections, work with students especially through the University, English teaching, the support of the Former Pupils Association – many forms of discreet, intelligent and gracious presence. And many things that go beyond human notice.”

The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1800.

Madeleine Sophie Barat, a young girl from Burgundy and three Sr Margaret Pope rscj

Pictured on the steps of the old Convent at Queen’s Cross, Aberdeen are RSCJ Sisters from all over Scotland who attended the Farewell Mass companions consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart on the 21st November in Amiens. They also dedicated themselves to the education of youth. The Society grew rapidly and spread throughout Europe and to North America.

The first convent in Scotland was founded in 1895 in Aberdeen by Mother Anne Walsh at Queen’s Cross. The convent school began as a day school with six pupils but as time passed the school took boarders from as far afield as Orkney and the Hebrides. It was St. Madeleine Sophie’s wish that, wherever a fee-paying school was founded, there should also be a free school and this began on 13th ]anuary 1895 in St Swithin’s Street with one pupil. The numbers soon grew and on 5th November 1897 the school took possession of a new building in Queen’s Lane South. A year later the school was recognised by the Education Authority and a grant was provided. When the boarding school closed in 1971, St ]oseph’s School moved into more spacious accommodation where it is flourishing today.

The last of the sisters to leave Aberdeen are Sr Margaret Pope, Sr Alda Civiera and Sr Catherine Laughlin. In the order of service which was produced for the Farewell Mass the sisters included a short poem by Jan Richardson which probably best summed up their feelings as their long association with the City came to an end.

In the Leaving

Sr Alda Civiera rscj

Sr Catherine Laughlin rscj Page 2

The last Sacred Heart Sisters to be leaving the Diocese of Aberdeen

In the leaving, in the letting go, let there be this to hold onto at the last:

the enduring of love, the persisting of hope, the remembering of joy, the oflering of gratitude, the receiving of grace, the blessing of peace.

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contents diocese 1

witness 17 liturgy 18 educationandformation 19 faithandculture 23 humour 34 crossword 35

Light of the North Managing Editor Deacon Tony Schmitz

Editor Cowan Watson 07816344241 editor@lightofthenorth.org

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Advertising Manager Jim Skwarek 01233 658611  jim.skwarek@geeringsprint.co.uk Light of the North St Mary’s Cathedral 20 Huntly Street Aberdeen AB10 1SH

www.lightofthenorth.org

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n the light of the recent Diocesan Pilgrimage to Orkney to mark the 900th anniversary of St Magnus’ martyrdom, Bishop Hugh asks the question in his letter (page 4), “So, what is it to be holy?” The answer is to be Christ-like but unfortunately, for some, the call to be a saint conjures up a vision of very serious, sombre, indeed miserable looking individuals, albeit with haloes.

Not an appealing picture. Of course the reality is often very different.

St Philip Neri, for example, a 16th-century Italian priest used to say that “Christian joy is a gift from God, flowing from a good conscience” and “A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad”.

En route to a ceremony in his honour, he once shaved off half his beard, as a way of poking fun at himself. In the same vein he sometimes wore a cushion on his head like a turban. St. Philip much preferred spiritual mortification to physical mortification and humility was the most important virtue he tried to teach others and to learn himself. When one priest gave a beautiful sermon, Philip ordered him to give the same sermon six times in a row so people would think he only had one and, when one man asked him if he could wear a hair shirt, Philip gave him permission, that is, if he wore the hair shirt outside his clothes! The man obeyed and found humility in the jokes and name-calling he received.

And in more recent times we have only to look at the life of Saint Pope John XXlll. Once he found himself a patient in a Roman hospital called the Hospital of the Holy Spirit. Shortly after entering, he was introduced to the sister who ran the hospital.

“Holy Father,” she exclaimed, “I am the superior of the Holy Spirit.”

“Well, I must say, you’re lucky,” said the pope, delighted. “I’m only the Vicar of Christ!”

Padre Pio was also known to have a lively sense of humour. Once, when giving an interview, a reporter told him that he believed that the Padre meditated too much on Our Lord’s Passion and that the stigmata was a biological reaction in sympathy of it. Padre Pio told him that he should go out into the fields and meditate on the cows, and see if he grew horns!

We are all of us called to be saints and joy has to be part of any saint’s make-up.

Not surprising then that our ‘Humour from the Vestry’ is one of the magazine’s most popular pages but we’d like to know what other features in the Light of the North you like to read or, indeed, would prefer to read less of. After all it’s your magazine and so your feedback is crucial to the magazine’s ongoing success. In order to find out what you really think we’ve enclosed in this issue a simple prizewinning questionaire. Please fill it in and send it back to us. If you prefer you can complete it online at www.lightofthenorth.org. I can guarantee it will only take a few minutes of your time and your thoughts will be invaluable to us.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Cowan

up front

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ur cover for this issue features an atmospheric photograph of Kirkwall Cathedral at sunset ( R. Macphail), the final resting place for the relics of St. Magnus whose saintly memory has been honoured by the recent Diocesan Pilgrimage to Orkney.

Work on the Cathedral’s construction started in 1137. The founder was Earl Rognvald who supervised the earliest stages of the building during the bishopric of William the Old of Orkney (1102 - 1168).

Parts of this impressive building have stood for more than 850 years and its attractive appearance owes much to the polychromatic effect of the alternating stonework, comprising red and yellow sandstone. Much of the original external stonework was fashioned by medieval master masons who, it is generally believed, were trained at Durham Cathedral.

The Reformation brought ruin to many cathedrals but St. Magnus Cathedral seems to have emerged relatively unscathed and, thanks to the skill of modern day masons and the devotion of countless others who look after this magnificent building on a day-to-day basis, St. Magnus Cathedral remains a lasting testament to the glory of God. Page 3

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A Letter from Bishop Hugh Gilbert O.S.B.

Dear Friends in Christ, ‘This is the will of God: your sanctification’, says St Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Or as the New Jerusalem Bible has it: ‘God wills you all to be holy.’ This is the true goal of our life. We may be young or old, poor or rich, happy or unhappy, in work and health or out of them. Whatever, God calls us to be saints.

So, what is it to be holy? There are plenty of caricatures around. The simplest answer is: holiness is to be Christ-like, and the fullness of holiness is to be completely Christ-like. ‘For you alone are the Holy One; you alone are the Lord; you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.’ ‘I give you a new commandment: love one another...just as I have loved you’ (John 13:34), said Jesus. A ‘saint’ is simply one who, Christ-like, loves God with all their heart, their soul, their mind and their strength, and their neighbour as themselves.

Examples, though, speak louder than words. A great help in the endeavour to respond to God here is simply to look at and get to know those who reached this goal. First of all, Jesus himself, the Holy One of God. If we read the Gospels, we have begun.

Then, Mary, the complete disciple. Then, the great figures of the Bible, not forgetting the Old Testament. How much inspiration there is for us in the figures of Abraham, Moses, David and in many a minor character too, and, when, we pass to the New, in the apostles and disciples. How human they are! It’s always to these ‘founding saints’ the Church gives pride of place in the liturgy. As we know, recently the name of St Joseph has been added to every Eucharistic Prayer. Then comes another circle of inspiration, in the great saints, ancient and modern, of Church history. Many of these are named and celebrated in the General Calendar of the Roman liturgy. And then yet another circle: that of local saints, those linked to a particular country or place.

They are often not widely known but are cherished by those who do know them. They can stake out a special place in our hearts. They often live on in place-names or the dedication of churches and in local customs, or are all but forgotten. They are feted in local national or regional or diocesan calendars.

Recently, Deacon John Woodside put together an excellent booklet giving short biographies, with a prayer, of the saints of our diocese: Together in Christ, Following the Northern Saints. If you do not have a copy, I recommend you purchase one. Only £7, and available from the Diocesan Office or directly from Deacon John Woodside himself. Recently, too, as you will see in this edition of the Light of the North, the 900th anniversary of his martyrdom gave us the opportunity to celebrate the martyrdom of St Magnus, Earl of Orkney, in 1117. The highlight was a Mass in the Cathedral dedicated to him in the centre of Kirkwall. The Cathedral was full, with civic and ecumenical guests, as well as the local parishioners and the Page 4

pilgrims. Twelve bishops were present, including – for the sake of the Scandinavian connection – the bishops of Copenhagen and Oslo. There is much about all this on the diocesan website.

Do have a look!

St Magnus died in an effort to make peace in an Orkney riven by civil war. This fits well with a recent initiative of Pope Francis. Recently, he has introduced a new ‘path’ to beatification and canonisation. He put this forward in a document issued on 11 July this year, the feast of St Benedict. The Latin title is Maiorem hac Dilectionem. These words are from John 15:13: ‘No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.’ Traditionally, the martyr who is put to death ‘out of hatred for the faith’ has been the prime ‘type’ of candidate for canonisation. Then come those who practise what is called ‘heroic virtue’, who have shown, often over many years and through much difficulty, a consistent faith, hope and love – not to death, but often at great cost to themselves, bearing much fruit. But at the same time there has been a growing number of Christians who have ‘laid down their life for their friends’.

They have often gone to the painful and dangerous places of the world, to serve those suffering at personal risk to themselves, and pay the ultimate price for this. St Damian Veuster of Molokai died of the disease of those he served. Others have protested against oppression and exploitation, like Bl. Oscar Romero. Or offered themselves in place of others, like St Maximilian Kolbe.

They are best thought of, perhaps, as ‘martyrs of charity’. The Pope has simply recognised to a category long there in reality. St Magnus, too, belongs here.

It was good in 2015 to honour St John Ogilvie in Keith, and the process of giving formal recognition to the ‘birthplace shrine’ there is underway. It has been good to honour St Magnus in Orkney this year. We sense the closeness of our Lady of Aberdeen. We don’t make our journey through life alone. We are part of a great communion embracing heaven and earth, the living and the dead, the past and the present. There can be much healing for us here. We don’t have to be canonised to get to heaven. But we are called – each and all, every day and in every way – to ‘the holiness – the Christlikeness - without which no one can ever see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14).

Yours devotedly in Christ, + Hugh OSB

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The Vocation of a Pluscarden Monk

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A Pluscarden Monk

esire for God. Longing to respond to Jesus Christ; fully, authentically, adequately; to his goodness, his love, his self gift. Desire to serve the Church; not just a bit, but with total commitment; even to the giving up of life itself.

Desire to live the life of the Church; to live the Eucharist; to participate to the fullest extent possible in the mystery of the Church. Yearning for prayer: for more prayer; for deeper prayer; for prayer without ceasing.

The gnawing sense that nothing “out there” can ever be enough; nothing can ever fully satisfy: because only God suffices. An ever deepening and worsening sense of personal sinfulness; and along with that, a corresponding desire for holiness: for real conversion, even transformation, in order actually to become a Saint. At least a suspicion that there could be a divine personal call there somewhere: He looked at him and he loved him. Go, sell everything you have, and give the money to the poor, then come, follow me. Also: having encountered the monastery in some way, whether as a guest, or perhaps only at second hand, a certain delighted sense of recognition. At last: this fits! This, surely, is what I’ve been looking for all this time, if only I’d realised! Simply: this is for me.

How can anyone know that? Especially since, often enough, the person who experiences it actually knows almost nothing about the place, or the community, or its daily life? People commonly struggle to explain, or identify, where such an instinct, or attraction, comes from. But at least they can be confident that here, obviously, is prayer.

Here is total dedication to God, to the Christian life, to the Church. Here is radical community without compromise.

Here is good liturgy, which goes on all the time, filling every day: and is beautiful, and satisfying, and nourishing. Here

too is wholesome work; and a simple life style; and wise governance; and nothing extreme or silly: because this is Benedictine, and St. Benedict knew human nature, and had common sense, and hard experience, and sound wisdom; and he has been leading souls to God through many many centuries. Here, finally, is a complete culture, clearly rooted in ancient tradition. That might seem anachronistic to some, but actually it remains completely relevant and alive today, and is needed by our Church and world now, surely more than ever before. Here, then, says the prospective monk, or at least maybe, I can feel at home, and breathe, and grow.

Often a young man considering a monastic vocation will have thought also of parish ministry, or missionary work, or religious life in one of the active and Apostolic Orders.

Usually his friends and family, after urging him to forget the whole idea of vocation as ridiculous in his case, will have tried to push him along such lines. Anything, they say, other than monastic life! Such a waste! And so selfish! And also, as they say without quite noticing the contradiction here: so very hard; so penitential, so humanly unendurable! But our man doesn’t want to be a parish priest, or anything else actually. He just wants to be a monk. The only real reason he can give for this crazy idea, apart from the fact that he wants it, is that it must be God’s will for him. After many years in the monastery, this will remain the reason why he stays: because he believes, he knows, that this is God’s will for him.

No one could ever predict who will discern this call, this vocation. As no two monks are the same, so no two vocation stories are the same. People come to the monastery, seeking God, from the most varying backgrounds; varying also, increasingly nowadays, in nationality, ethnic origin, and age. Sometimes it’s perfectly obvious from the beginning that an applicant is quite unsuitable, and must be sent away. Sometimes a person thinks he is called by God to this way of life, but when he tries it, he finds that he was mistaken, so he leaves. Sometimes also a person seems the opposite of what one would imagine a monk should be: yet he is truly called. He enters, perhaps after a difficult process of discernment. Probably he has quite a hard time during his novitiate. But he stays, and he finds himself happy in his vocation, and he would rather die than renounce it.

Every monastic vocation is always ultimately a work of the Holy Spirit. Openness to the Holy Spirit, then, is necessary

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both for the candidate, and for the monastic authorities, whose task is to decide whether or not to receive him.

Benedictine monks have three vows, all of them highly counter-cultural. The vows may only be taken after long years of preparation, during which the door for departure is left always open. First is the vow of stability. The monk vows to belong to this community, and to live its life, looking nowhere else for his fulfilment or happiness, until he dies. Then there is the vow simply to live the monastic life, for which the Latin term, from St. Benedict’s Holy Rule, is “Conversatio morum”. Implicit in this vow are the usual religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Finally there is a special vow of obedience. Perhaps this is the hardest of all for the outsider to understand. But obedience

was the way of Christ Jesus our Lord. According to St. Benedict, it is above all by this way of obedience that we truly come to God. If you are drawn to this vision and to our way of life at Pluscarden, please write to the Novice Master: The Novice Master Pluscarden Abbey Elgin, Moray IV 30 8UA. (Or use our web contact form - please note we can only reply if you include your postal address)

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ORKNEY

Bishop Hugh leads landmark diocesan pilgrimage to Orkney

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ishops from Scotland, England and Scandinavia joined pilgrims in Orkney for the first time as they marked the 900th anniversary of the death of St Magnus with a landmark pilgrimage which took place from the 28th to 30th July.

The pilgrimage was part of the Magnus900 celebrations taking place this year in the Diocese of Aberdeen, set up to commemorate St Magnus’life and work.

The faithful travelled from all corners of Scotland and beyond to celebrate the monumental occasion. In honour of this, three archbishops and nine bishops congregated on the northern Scottish island to take part in the two pilgrimages to churches in Egilsay and Birsay, as well as at a number of halfhour talks about St Magnus and his legacy.

The prominent clergymen were from all of Scotland’s Catholic dioceses, as well as from Westminster, Oslo and Copenhagen and probably the biggest gathering of bishops and archbishops in Orkney’s history.

The pilgrimage began on Friday evening in the St Magnus Centre beside Kirkwall’s Cathedral with a presentation of the person and influence of Magnus himself in a series of talks by Dr Ben Whitworth (Celebrating St Magnus in Music), Dr Alison Gray (A Light Still Burns) and Fran Flett-Hollinrake (The history of St Magnus Cathedral). Rev. Fraser Macnaughton from the Orkney Pilgrimage Group also provided an update on the recent development of the St Magnus Way, a 55 mile pilgrimage route through Mainland Orkney inspired by the life and death of Orkney’s patron saint.

The second part of the pilgrimage took place on the Saturday with two celebrations. Pilgrims were able to choose either to take a boat to the island of Egilsay where St Magnus was

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St Magnus depicted in stained glass in Kirkwall Cathedral Sancta Familia Media martyred during Easter week of 1117 or to travel overland to Birsay where St Magnus’ remains were first interred and where rumours of miracles through his intercession first surfaced.

Sunday afternoon marked the culmination of the pilgrimage with a Mass celebrated in Kirkwall Cathedral, the jewel of the city of Kirkwall. The cathedral was raised in honour of the saint by his nephew Earl Rognvald some 20 years after his death and it was in a pillar here that, in 1919, a casket containing what are generally thought to be the bones of St Magnus himself was discovered.

The service included the playing of Ivan Drever’s “Rose of St Magnus” inspired by the rose window of the cathedral, and the singing of the medieval hymn to Magnus “Nobilis humilis”.

Afterwards the minister of the cathedral, the Rev Fraser Macnaughton, told BBC Radio Orkney that the service gave a flavour of what life would have been like in the building before

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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ORKNEY the Reformation because it had been a Catholic cathedral for more than 500 years.

In his homily Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB who led the pilgrimage drew a parallel between Jesus’s teaching that a grain has to fall into the ground and die before it can produce sheaves of wheat to harvest, and the murder of Magnus. “The whole pilgrimage has been blessed,” said Bishop Hugh, “The weather has harmonised with it, and the hearts of all the participants have been uplifted.

“After Friday’s talks and Saturday’s pilgrimages to Egilsay and Birsay, the highlight was Sunday’s Mass in Kirkwall Cathedral, by kind permission of Orkney Islands Council and the Minister, Kirk Session and Congregation of St Magnus’s Cathedral.

“The occasion was historic, with bishops from Scotland, Denmark, Norway and England – the first time there had been such a gathering of bishops in Orkney.

“The Cathedral was full, with the Lord Lieutenant, representatives of the Council and of several Christian denominations, as well as pilgrims and visitors in attendance.

“The music, words and movement of the liturgy conspired with the Norman setting of Kirkwall’s Cathedral to lift spirits, recall St Magnus’ noble offering of his life for peace, and the life-giving fruits of peace, healing and creativity that have flowed from it.

“It was good to be reminded of the Christian inspiration of our culture.”

Pilgrims walk to Birsay where St Magnus’ remains were interred

These hardy pilgrims made the five mile trek to Birsay Church

The long and winding road!

Sabrina Maguire

Sabrina Maguire

Birsay church - beautifully decorated

Sabrina Maguire Page 7

Sancta Familia Media

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Sancta Familia Media

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ORKNEY Pilgrims travel by boat to Egilsay where St Magnus was martyred

Pilgrims keep the banner flying

Pilgrims arrive at Egilsay

Sancta Familia Media

Birds- eye view of Egilsay Mass

Sancta Familia Media

Sancta Familia Media

Pilgrim harpist, Fearghal McCarten

Bishop Hugh keeps one or two life-jackets to hand just in case!

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Pilgrim Mass in the ruins of St Magnus church

SF Media

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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ORKNEY Pilgrimage culminated with Mass celebrated at Kirkwall Cathedral

Probably the biggest gathering of bishops in Orkney’s history outside Kirkwall Cathedral

Thanksgiving Mass in a packed Kirkwall Cathedral

Schoolchildren process to the altar with the gifts

SF Media Diocesan choir in full voice

Sancta Familia Media

Sabrina Maguire

SF Media

A light-hearted moment shared with Joyce Webster Bishop Brian McGee Page 9

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Papal award for ex commando

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n Sunday 4th June, on the final Sunday Mass celebrated by Fr Mark Impson at St Mary's Peterhead, (prior to him taking up the role of Parish Priest of priest in Stonehaven and Blairs), Tom Cairns stepped up to say a few words of gratitude on behalf of parishioners and the pastoral council. Much to his surprise, Fr Mark interrupted him and asked him to take a seat. Tom said afterwards: “And here was I thinking I was saying goodbye to my parish priest!”

There are not many times that ex Marine Commando Tom Cairns has been caught out by events but he was on that day! He was about to receive the award of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal from Father Mark on behalf of Pope Francis, for his voluntary work in the parish of St Mary's Peterhead, and his Chairmanship of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group. It was indeed an absolute shock and a best kept family secret for Tom. Born in Greenock in 1950, Tom served in both 40 and 45 Royal Marine Commando from 1968 to 1973 and continued in the Reserves in Greenock from 1975 to 1983. What followed was a career as a prison officer including at Governor grade until 2005. Appointed as Parish Pastoral Council Chairman in St Mary's Peterhead in 2001, the various roles Tom has undertaken are a fitting testimony to his service to the church, not least as Parish safeguarding coordinator from 2005 and in various roles for the Diocese including sitting on the Diocesan Fabric Sub-Committee 2005, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Team 2007 and Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Team Chairman since 2008.

When asked about his award Tom said, "I’m extremely grateful to Fr Mark and Bishop Hugh for their nomination of me for this award. It is an immense honour to have received it."

Father Mark Impson said, "I was very pleased to be able to present the Papal award to Tom, and it is a much deserved honour. He has been a great source of support to me, in parish and diocesan roles. I consider him both a colleague and a friend.

I would also like to say thank you to his wife, Georgette, who supports Tom in the various roles he undertakes."

Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB commented, "I was delighted that Mr Tom Cairns has been honoured by the Holy Father in this way. His contribution to the life of his parish and of the diocese as a whole has been constantly generous, sensible, sensitive, reliable, effective and always combined with humour and humility. Our debt to him is great. This honour is more than deserved. We are all enriched by the presence of Tom."

Free Prayer App for Light of the North readers If you have an Android phone you can download our free Catholic prayer app from our website at www.lightofthenorth.org The app includes Mass prayers and responses, Marian prayers, Marian antiphons, the Rosary, prayers of the Saints, Litanies, Stations of the Cross and a useful facility for recording prayer intentions.

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Tom Cairns with his wife and family and Fr Mark Impson who presented the award

Community issue is smoothed over!

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he St Andrew Community at St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen run a youth group every Friday when they help to prepare young folk for Confirmation.

There are at least 40 young people who attend weekly and all enjoy outdoor sports and activities. But there was a problem! They had no suitable outdoor area which could be used for sports and other activities.

However, the Community reached out to local businesses who assisted in transforming the stony surface of the Cathedral’s rear car park into a flat, allweather tarmac area. In addition, the Health Board awarded them a grant to purchase games and sports equipment.

Charlene Morgan of the St Andrew Community said, “It’s great to have this new facility which has allowed us to increase the range of activities we can offer. We have already seen an increase in the number of young people attending our groups since we got the car park sorted out!”

The photographs show a happy Community with Bill Shepherd from Hunter Construction, Kevin Fraser from Leiths and Michael Skoczykloda from KMS Construction Aberdeen Ltd.

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Revival of traditional Eucharistic procession at St Sylvester’s, Elgin

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t Sylvester’s Parish in Elgin celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on 18 June with a Eucharistic procession.

Sunday Mass in the parish church concluded with a procession from the church through the neighbourhood and grounds of St Sylvester’s School and ended at Greyfriars Convent with Benediction in the convent chapel. It has been over thirty years since similar processions were held in Elgin when the Sisters of Mercy resided at Greyfriars and directed the school. But when parish priest, Fr Colin Stewart, found the baldacchino in the attic of the parish house last autumn and brought it to the Dominican Sisters at Greyfriars, plans for a revival of this parish tradition began to develop.

Children who had celebrated their First Communion the previous day returned in their dresses, suits and kilts, carrying baskets of flower petals to strew before the Blessed Sacrament. Some of the recently confirmed children accompanied the Blessed Sacrament as torch bearers – although wind proved stronger than flame on Sunday. Fr Isaac Yaw Nsiah, who will soon be returning to Ghana after two

By leaving a will or legacy to

‘A joyful celebration in honour of our Lord’ years in Elgin, carried the Blessed Sacrament, escorted by four men carrying the processional baldacchino overhead, while Fr Colin Stewart led the congregation in singing traditional hymns in honour of the Eucharist.

The event depended on the assistance of volunteers of all ages. Some young people expertly assisted as altar servers and others beautifully led the music for Mass and Benediction.

Adult parishioners helped prepare the route and convent garden ahead of time and assisted with traffic control and safety during the procession. And a team of volunteers extended St Sylvester’s well-known hospitality to all who stayed to enjoy a cup of tea at the convent following Benediction. It was a joyful celebration in honour of our Lord, which many hope will again become a parish tradition.

Sister Imelda Ann OP

Registered Charity Number: SCO14858

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First Holy Communions, St Margaret's, Shetland

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Five young people from St Margaret's Parish celebrated their First Holy Communion on Sunday 21st May. Pictured from left: Laura Zsarnai, Zalan Gabor, Boglarka Gabor, Elliot Johnston and Martin Kovacs, with parish priest Fr Anil Gonsalves.

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Inverurie Confirmations and First Holy Communions

Seven young parishioners from the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Inverurie were confirmed by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB on Sunday 14th May and a further 14 children received holy communion for the first time the following Sunday.

First Permanent Deacons in Lithuania Five years on, the men had completed their formation and a youthful Archbishop Lionginas Virbalas, also a Jesuit, had succeeded Archbishop Tamkevičius in Kaunas.

Deacon Tony was invited to the joyous celebration of the first five men to be ordained to the permanent diaconate in Lithuania on the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist in the magnificent baroque Cathedral in Kaunas.

The first five men to be ordained to the permanent diaconate in Lithuania uring his apostolic trip to the Baltic States in 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Archdiocese of Kaunas and Šiluva, the famous Marian sanctuary of the archdiocese. The visit of the Holy Father provided important impulses that inspired the life of Lithuanian faithful. In 1996 Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius SJ was appointed the head of the Archdiocese of Kaunas.

Archbishop Tamkevičius managed to integrate his experience of spiritual resistance and underground activities during the Soviet regime into the post-Vatican II process of Church renewal.

He was the first bishop in Lithuania to propose the restoration of the diaconate in 2012. That year he invited Deacon Tony Schmitz, Director of Studies for the Scottish Permanent Diaconate, to come to Lithuania to help and advise on setting up a formation programme for the first five candidates for the diaconate in his country. The Faculty of Catholic Theology in the University of Vytautas Magnus, established in 1990 after the fall of communism, was to provide the academic dimension of the formation of these six men. In fact the dean of the faculty was himself amongst the five.

D

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diocese

St Margaret’s parishioners wish Fr Anil a fond farewell

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he parishioners of St Margaret’s Catholic Church held a bring and share reception on Sunday 14th May to say a warm, although reluctant, cheerio to their priest, Fr Anil, who has been the parish priest in Shetland since October 2010. Fr Anil is moving to the parishes of Peterhead and Fraserburgh and he will be replaced in Shetland by Fr Ambrose Flavell, who is a Benedictine monk.

During his time in Shetland, Fr Anil was responsible for making a new Chapel in the Parish Rooms, dedicated to Our Lady of Częstochowa, with a beautiful icon and a serene and prayerful atmosphere.

St Columba’s golfers win Bishop’s trophy

St Margaret’s parishioners give Fr Anil a rousing send-off Fr Anil will be warmly remembered in Shetland for his hospitality, his kindness and gentle sense of humour, his inclusive attitude, sincerity, and hard work. He was presented with gifts including a ‘Kindle’, and ‘all-ower’ Fair Isle gansey.

The parishioners at St Margaret’s would like to express their gratitude, fondness, best wishes, and prayers for his future. Fr Anil will be leaving Shetland on 6th June and he has said that he would like to thank all parishioners and many other folk in Shetland, for their kindness and support during his time here.

Marie Anne Raikes

Our Ron wins Dutch travel journalist of the year award!

St Columba’s team with, at right, team supporters Doug Duncan, Apostleship of the Sea Chaplain and Parish Priest Fr Gábor Czakó.

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eams from Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Buckie and Huntly competed for the Bishop’s Golden Jubilee Trophy at Duff House Royal Golf Club on 30th June.

In a competition for teams of three players organised

by Joyce Webster of the Diocesan Office, St Columba’s team from the Bridge of Don, Aberdeen won the coveted trophy and team member Maureen McFarlane also picked up the prize for the best Lady player as well as the Longest Drive prize.

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Jurriaan de Mol, Sandra Ishmael and Ron Smith

on Smith, Light of the North’s roving correspondent from Keith, has been named Journalist of the Year for travel journalists focusing on Holland.

As well as a trophy Ron was presented with a Delft plate commemorating 200 years of the Netherlands being an independent kingdom.

Making the presentations at the Holland Press Awards in London were Jurriaan de Mol, director of Holland marketing, from the Hague and Sandra Ishmael, director for UK and Ireland.

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AOS in struggle to help stranded crew of Malaviya Seven

Bishop Hugh Gilbert and Douglas Duncan, AOS seafarers chaplain, with the Malaviya Seven crew

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he Apostleship of the Sea is providing practical, pastoral and emotional support to the crew of the Malaviya Seven, currently detained in Aberdeen Harbour.

The Malaviya Seven has remained in Aberdeen since being detained due to unpaid wages of more than US$800,000. The crew have not been paid since June 2016 and have stayed with the ship in the hope that, upon sale of the vessel, they will be compensated.

The Apostleship of the Sea have already been providing fuel for a small generator currently on board for electricity. They have also provided grants to the seafarers’ families in India to pay for school fees – one of the biggest concerns of the sailors.

The local community is resolved to help the seafarers but their ability to support their needs is now beyond what they can do without additional help. The owners of the vessel have been placed in receivership, meaning the crew are no-longer receiving money for food and fuel to keep them warm or cook with. Please give what you can to help the crew while they wait for the ship to be sold so they can finally return to their families.

Fuel for the vessel costs £4,000 a month and food for the 12 crew members £1,800. All monies given will be used to directly provide the crew with practical and emotional support. If any money remains after the crew return home, we will use this to support other seafarers in similar circumstances across the world.

To make a donation go to https://www.justgiving.com/ campaigns/charity/aots/malaviya-seven

Lebanese delighted with transplant from Tombae organ donor

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he closure of a church is inevitably a sad affair.

The disposal of artefacts seems terribly final.

The alternative is worse - that good resources are wasted. So, the organ at Tombae has, with the bishop's permission, been taken to the residential Johann Ludwig Schneller School for underprivileged children in Lebanon.

Fr Colin Stewart who has supervised the whole operation had originally hoped that the organ might be relocated within Scotland, but there was no interest and an independent adviser concluded that the organ had no commercial value.

In order that at least the instrument could remain intact, the decision was reluctantly taken to arrange for Gerhard Walcker-Mayer (Organ Builder) of Germany the company responsible for the restoration of the pipe organ in Tomintoul Church of Scotland – to dismantle the organ which will soon be rebuilt in the Schneller School chapel which is used daily.

A final organ concert was given in June when, despite the organ having already been dismantled in parts, Alan

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The Tombae organ in all its splendour Buchan presented a wonderful selection of organ music of different timbres.

The school in Lebanon where the organ is destined was founded after the Second World War and has 300 students.

It is an ecumenical school with a religious education programme that aims to build on the denomination or faith of students to teach them to be peace-loving and tolerant.

Fr Colin Stewart is much relieved that the Tombae organ now has a future that should make us all proud.

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Sr Mary MacDonald RIP

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In March of this year Bishop Hugh Gilbert celebrated a special dedication Mass to bless the new outdoor altar at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The shrine is half a mile from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Stratherrick Parish, which lies above the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness, in the Highlands.

r Jim Pirie, a parishioner of St Francis of Assisi, Aberdeen, would like to bring to mind the memory of Sr Mary MacDonald of the Sisters of St Mary who died 25 years ago on the 3rd September, 1992.

Mr Pirie has fond memories of Sr Mary whom he descibes as a “kind, loving and caring person who always had a reassuring word for anyone who met her.”

Here’s how ........... to avoid the pitfalls of not having a Power of Attorney

A se r look ies whi c s prac at som h t and ical iss e ue co eve ncerns s ryda y life of .

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Ruth Lussier

ontemplating a time when you are no longer able to make your own decisions is a daunting prospect. Sadly, however, this does become a reality for many people. It is estimated that around ninety thousand people in Scotland have dementia1 and that this figure is set to rise rapidly in the coming decades. It is thought that by 2025, one million people in the UK will be suffering from the illness2. These are not issues that should only be considered by the elderly though. Your ability to deal with your own affairs can be impaired at any time due to an accident or other unforeseen circumstances. Having a Power of Attorney in place can make things easier for both you and your family at what is already a difficult time.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a document you can sign, which appoints another person (your Attorney) to make decisions on your behalf and help to manage your affairs. There are two strands to a Power of Attorney - Continuing (financial) 1 http://www.alzscot.org/campaigning/statistics 2 https://www.dementiastatistics.org/statistics-about-dementia/ prevalence/

and Welfare. It is usually recommended that both are put in place at the same time in order to ensure all eventualities are covered.

The Continuing part provides the Attorney with a range of powers allowing them to deal with your finances. For example, they are empowered to manage your bank accounts, sell any property you may own, make decisions regarding your investments and undertake tax planning on your behalf. If you own a business, the Attorney can also be appointed to oversee its running in your place.

The second strand essentially allows your Attorney to deal with your day-to-day welfare and healthcare. Powers to consent to or refuse medical treatment for you, put in place care arrangements and decide where you will live, are given.

These welfare powers could only be used if a medical professional were to certify that you no longer have the capacity (capability) to make these decisions for yourself.

On the other hand, the financial powers can be used by the Attorney, with your authority, any time after the document is in place. It therefore allows them to assist you with your finances should physical frailty or a stay in hospital prevent you from dealing with these matters alone. The Page 15

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powers would then continue to have effect should you lose capacity in the future.

Whom should you appoint?

The main point to stress is that you must have absolute trust in those appointed as they will have the power to make many important decisions and act as if they were you for a number of purposes. It is recommended that you consider appointing more than one Attorney, so they can all assume the role, or with someone appointed as a substitute who can step in should the first named person be unable to act.

Are safeguards in place?

The law provides a number of safeguards to help protect the granter of a Power of Attorney. When putting in place the document, a Solicitor or medical professional requires to meet with you to certify that he or she is satisfied you have the requisite capacity to sign the deed and are not under any undue influence to do so. There is also a Code of Practice and guiding principles which an Attorney must follow including that any decisions made should be for your benefit and your past and present wishes should be taken into account. You should also be encouraged to exercise and develop whatever skills you do have concerning financial, property or welfare matters.

Before it can be used, a Power of Attorney requires to be registered with a body called the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) (OPG). They can supervise Attorneys and investigate complaints made regarding their actions. If they have concerns, the OPG can, for example, request that the Attorney provides a full accounting of their dealings with your finances.

What happens if there is no Power of Attorney?

If an adult loses capacity, it can be impossible for the family to manage his or her affairs, and they do not automatically have the authority to do this without a Power of Attorney in place. Someone would require to apply to the Court to be appointed as your Guardian, which is a far more expensive and time-consuming process. It is also more invasive, with medical professionals and social workers being required to interview you and submit reports to the Court. It would then be for the Sheriff to decide who should act as your Guardian, whereas with a Power of Attorney you are the one deciding who will assume the role and can appoint someone you trust. Moreover, without a Welfare Attorney appointed, the Local Authority have the power under legislation to take steps relating to an incapable adult’s care, including placing him or her in a residential home.

If a Power of Attorney is already in place, the Attorney of your choosing can assist you as a matter of convenience whilst you still have capacity, but can also intervene quickly should capacity be lost.

Conclusion Although it is not an easy prospect to consider, there may come a time when you are rendered incapable of dealing with your own finances or welfare. It is never too early to put in place a Power of Attorney and doing so can give you and your family piece of mind that your affairs are in order should illness or injury strike.

Ruth Lussier is a Solicitor in Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace’s Private Client Department.

Understanding Practical Planning for the future takes experience andWallace 1/2 page Raeburn Christie Clark & sensitivity, and when it comes to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other aspects of law that can affect loved ones later in life, our private client team has helped generations of families achieve the best solutions and outcomes.

Call Douglas Crombie today on: 01224 332 400 or visit raeburns.co.uk Private Client Services Page 16

witness

Six decades in the Carmel light Tina Harris brings to a close her personal journey of faith which highlights her association with the Carmelite tradition, an association dating from primary school and leading to her current work with the Apostleship of the Sea.

Tina Harris THE FIFTH DECADE – of homecoming After eleven years of being an itinerant Catholic over three city parishes; Sacred Heart, St Peters and St Marys, I bought a boat and a cottage retreat in a small port on the Moray Firth, and retired into a life of peace and contemplation. At least, that was the plan! The children were grown up and on the flight path to freedom and rapidly producing an abundance of healthy grandchildren.

Led once more by the Holy Spirit, I fetched up as a permanent parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff, in 2006, with all its ancient local and ecclesial history.

Carmelite friars had a presence for more than 200 years in Banff, with a monastery, church and leper hospital. This is no coincidence. I began researching Carmelite history in earnest, in spirit and in practice, after the opportunity arose to write a short résumé of the church for its 140th anniversary.

My interest in archaeology and pilgrimage stepped up. I visited different Carmel sites in Aberdeen, Northumberland and Perth. History and faith must stand together. And then by divine guidance I found the Dolgellau Carmel in Wales.

My connection with Wales is through my birth mother, with whom, by God’s grace, I was reunited in 2007.

She lives in the shadow of this tiny monastery. I have prayed for her lost soul, that she might find her way back to the church. Here is a holy place, the Convent of the Holy Spirit and of Peace. Full of ageing Carmelite sisters, in a setting of outstanding natural beauty.

My mother has never recovered from the trauma of unplanned pregnancy and the subsequent loss of her only child. She says she excommunicated herself from the church, but she has always prayed I would come back one day. Contemplation is the experience of God in all dimensions of life.

Now her prayers and mine are answered. Her life is now fulfilled, and mine explained. The Carmel nuns hold her in their prayers. She is their neighbour.

THE SIXTH DECADE – of pilgrimage My visit to Auschwitz in 2012 was not a chance pilgrimage.

It took a conscious effort, and it was something I had to do alone. I stayed in a monastery outside Krakow and made the journey to Ozweicim by train, on All Souls Day. The mood was silence. Individuals wandered round, and after a while I realised that most of them were not tourists but relatives. I felt privileged, but at the same time, deeply intrusive. I felt their pain, and shared their grief. St John

The main entrance to Auschwitz II (Birkenau)to Paul had walked these paths wearing the brown scapular of Carmel. Edith Stein had died here; Jew and Catholic in one body.

It would seem, to the naked eye, that the holocaust had united Jews and Catholics, but wider study uncovers deeper wounds. In an attempt at reconciliation, a convent of barefoot Carmelite nuns was proposed within the camp, but they did not stay. It was not their place, and it took great courage to say so.

In the north of Scotland, Carmelites are few, but by the grace of God we can be united in virtual community, and after my return from Poland I put out some feelers on the worldwide web.

Social media is an invaluable resource; a global dimension, to which Pope Francis aspires wholeheartedly.

Just last year I was in Germany with my granddaughter and her parents. On the way to catch a night flight home from Munich we were to visit the Carmel monastery, built in 1963, within the camp at Dachau. It is a closed order, and so a silent pilgrimage. Space to think and reflect.

Pondering the world day and night and keeping watch in prayer. A key sentence in the original rule of Carmel.

Karmel zum Heilig Blut sits at the far end of the camp.

A place of prayer and contemplation, founded in 1964.

The life of the community is one of stillness, silence, and atonement.

The candles in the monastery church are red. It is called the chapel of the Mortal Agony of Christ. Blessed Titus Brandsma, (prisoner no.30492), shared his life and death here not only with a fellow Carmelite, but with Jesus.

Carmelites are the only religious family whose beginnings were in the land where Jesus lived! The hill that is Carmel.

There appears to be little supporting evidence of the source of the six-decade rosary, so any forthcoming information would be useful and gratefully received

by Tina: harrislink44@gmail.com Page 17

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MY F A V O U R I T E HYM N S Fr Domenico Zanrè, Parish Priest of St Columba’s Culloden, reveals some of his favourite hymns to Dr Roger Williams MBE, former Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music at the University of Aberdeen.

Desert Island Hymns: Fr Domenico Zanrè

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grew up in the north-east town of Peterhead, and one of the hymns that I remember from my childhood is “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, based on Psalm 23. My Mother would often sing this piece to me, in order to get me to sleep at night! The customary tune for this hymn is ‘Crimond’, written by Jessie Seymour Irvine (1836 – 1887), the daughter of a Church of Scotland Minister who served in Peterhead, Dunottar, and – of course – in Crimond itself. Jessie was laid to rest in St Machar’s Cathedral, in Aberdeen.

I embarked on a study pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January of this year, with some two dozen other priests. On our very first morning, we celebrated Mass together outdoors, by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, near the Church of the Primacy of Peter at Tabgha. It was a poignant moment to be able to sing ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’, with these very appropriate lines: “In simple trust like theirs who heard beside the Syrian Sea, / The gracious calling of the Lord..”.

Here we were, literally a stone's throw from that same 'Syrian Sea', glimpsing it from between the palm trees! The hymn has always had a special association for me, as I remember singing it in the mid-1970s at St Mary’s, Peterhead, where I served as an Altar Boy. The hymn is usually sung to the tune of ‘Repton’, written by Hubert H. Parry (1848-1918).

Parry is best known for the famous anthem “Jerusalem”, based on a short poem by William Blake. My fellow choristers and I would always sing this work with gusto in the school chapel, during my time at Glenalmond College, in Perthshire.

Another great hymn from this period of my life, which I recall with affection, is “Guide me, O thou Great Redeemer”, sung to the tune of ‘Cwm Rhondda’, written by John Hughes (18731932). Hughes worked for over 40 years at the Great Western Page 18

Fr Domenico Zanrè Colliery in Pontypridd, and served as a deacon and leader of the congregational singing in the Salem Baptist Church in Llanilltud Faerdref. It is ironic that he became famous as a hymntune composer, since composing was very much a hobby for Hughes.

My seminary formation was spent in Rome – living at the Pontifical Scots College seminary, and studying in the Pontifical Gregorian University with the Jesuit Fathers, and then later with the Dominicans at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (the ‘Angelicum’). I developed a deep devotion and love for Eucharistic Adoration, which was nourished by many profoundly beautiful hymns. One of the most powerful for me is the “Adoro te devote” of St Thomas Aquinas, translated into English by the great Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins as “Godhead here in hiding”. “Adoro te devote” was originally composed by Aquinas as a private devotional prayer, to be recited between the Consecration and Holy Communion.

We have a wonderful treasury of hymns in our Catholic tradition, and many of these are written to the Holy Spirit. I never fail to be moved at an Ordination Mass upon hearing the words of the “Veni Creator Spiritus”, the powerfully resonant hymn of the Benedictine monk and theologian Rabanus Maurus (c. 780-856), who later became the Archbishop of Mainz in Germany. Maurus was a true polymath, and his literary output included the encyclopedia De rerum naturis (“On the Nature of Things”), together with treatises on education and grammar, and commentaries on Holy Scripture.

The “Veni Creator Spiritus” is a wonderful invocation to the Holy Spirit, and is sung during the liturgical celebrations for the feast of Pentecost.

Another great hymn to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity is “Come down O Love Divine”, by the Tuscan mystic poet, Bianco da Siena (1350-1399). Living and writing in the generation subsequent to Dante Alighieri, Bianco was also the author of numerous religiously-inspired poems. The hymn has been set to the tune ‘Down Ampney’, by Ralph Vaughn Williams.

My concluding ‘desert island hymns’ would have to be “Abide with me”, and “Lead kindly light”, which I frequently

educationandformation use for my own meditation during the Office of Compline (Night Prayer). The first of these was written and set to music in 1847 by a Scotsman, Henry Francis Lyte, whilst he lay dying of tuberculosis; in fact, Lyte survived only another three weeks after its completion. The hymn is a prayer for God to remain present with the speaker throughout life, through trials, and through death. It is perhaps no coincidence that in the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic, survivors reported that musicians played “Abide with me” as the ship was sinking.

When the rescue ship Carpathia was sighted the following morning, survivors aboard one of the lifeboats were heard singing another hymn, “Lead kindly light” - “Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom, | Lead Thou me on! | The night is dark, and I am far from home, | Lead Thou me on!” This hymn was written by a young Anglican priest, who was ill, and travelling from Palermo in Sicily to the port of Marseilles, in a boat carrying a cargo of oranges. This young man would later

Calling on the Holy Name The Holy Name of Jesus refers to the theological and devotional use of the name of Jesus. In the fifth instalment of this series of articles Eileen Grant examines the influence of St John Climacus, Abbot of St Catherine’s at Mt Sinai in the 7th century, and author of the guide to achieving stillness in the presence of God, ‘The Ladder of Divine Ascent’.

Eileen Grant

The Jesus Prayer Tradition for Today

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hat benefits are there for us, in the 21st century, from the tradition of the Jesus Prayer, of calling on the Holy Name of God? We may find inspiration in the strangest places! The American writer, J.D. Salinger, who became a cult figure in the 1960s with his novel about adolescent angst, The Catcher in the Rye, wrote also several short stories about an unconventional, nominally Catholic Christian family of siblings, each of whom seeks God in his/her own fashion. The only daughter, Franny, while a student, discovers and becomes obsessed with the ideas contained in a small pea-green clothbound book, which not only changes her life but threatens to destroy it and disrupts the lives of those close to her. She is eventually set

convert to Catholicism, and after his ordination to the Catholic priesthood, he eventually went on to become a Cardinal of the Church. In 2010, he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, during the Holy Father’s visit to the UK. That young cleric and author of the hymn was John Henry Newman.

Three years before the Titanic disaster, “Lead kindly light” was also sung by a group of 26 miners who were trapped underground after an explosion at the Durham coalfield. Over thirty years later, the same hymn was sung by a group of Christian women as they were led by S.S. Guards to the concentration camp at Ravensbruck during the Holocaust.

What is it about hymns such as ‘”Abide by me” and “Lead kindly light”? These hymns have a real depth of character, and they stand the test of time. Perhaps this is because they express eternal truths that transcend time, and capture different aspects of the human condition - of human emotions, and of the human spirit.

to rights by her brother Zooey, who also has read the peagreen book, but who understands its implications more clearly. The tale presents us with an excellent example of the perils of trying to “train” oneself in a new programme – of prayer, of doctrine, of living – without recourse to established teaching or wisdom, or outside the protection of a believing community.

The small pea-green book which captures Franny’s imagination so completely is The Way of a Pilgrim, his own account by that anonymous Russian seeker, who hears one day, as if for the first time, St Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing, and who sets out to discover how this is possible in the midst of a normal daily life. Unlike Franny turns out to be, our Russian pilgrim does not prove to be greedy for spiritual goodies, looking for a quick escape from worldly life into an easy, instant relationship with God; instead, he sets out to discover the accumulated wisdom of the Fathers who will act as his guides as he journeys towards that inner communion with the Lord, repetition of the Jesus Prayer a constant aid and reminder of Whom he is seeking.

In the 19th century, another Russian, Theophan the Recluse, spent much of his time giving his disciples practical instructions on effective use of the Jesus Prayer, along with warnings of the dangers of misinterpreting its purpose or using it wrongly: “People say: attain the Jesus Prayer, for that is inner prayer. This is not correct. The Jesus Prayer is a good means to arrive at inner prayer, but in itself it is not inner but outer prayer. Those who attain the habit of the Jesus Prayer do very well. But if they stop only at this and go no further, they stop half way. … The Jesus Prayer is not some talisman. Its power comes from faith in the Lord, and from a deep union of the mind and heart with Him. With such a disposition, the invocation of the Lord’s Name becomes very effective in many ways. But a mere repetition of the words does not signify anything.”

This is the mistake that our 20th century student, Franny, makes when, bored with her own quasi-intellectual generation and sickened by the materialism around her, she flees life and reality, thinking that the Jesus Prayer is a mechanical, sure way of escape into the interior world of the spirit. She stops eating, studying, thinking; she is ready to give up on human relationships, becoming totally self-centred rather than Christcentred, reaching a state of apathy rather than apatheia. Her Page 19

educationandformation brother helps her to understand that the Jesus Prayer cannot be used as an escape from God’s world; nor can it be effectively used by someone who has not encountered Jesus in a personal, experiential knowledge of who he really is. Like many people who adopt a kind of pick-n-mix, DIY spirituality without adequate teaching and outside the discipline of an organised faith system, Franny has picked up an idea, set it alongside the selected bits and pieces of Christianity and other religions she has acquired along the way and thereby produced a recipe for spiritual chaos. Her brother sets her right in no uncertain terms: “I don’t think you understood Jesus when you were a child [Franny had fallen out with Jesus when he overturned the tables in the Temple!] and I don’t think you understand him now. I think you’ve got him confused in your mind with about five or ten other religious personages, and I don’t see how you can go ahead with the Prayer until you know who’s who and what’s what … If you’re going to say the Jesus Prayer, at least say it to Jesus, and not to St Francis and Seymour [their brother] and Heidi’s grandfather all wrapped up in one. Keep him in mind if you say it, and him only, and him as he was and not as you’d like him to have been. Who besides Jesus really knew which end was up? Jesus realised there is no separation from God … who besides Jesus knew – knew – that we’re carrying the Kingdom of God around with us, inside, where we’re all too stupid and sentimental and unimaginative to look? You have to be a son of God to know that kind of stuff … When you don’t see Jesus for exactly what he was, you miss the whole point of the Jesus

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Clare Benedict

hy does a Good God allow Evil and Suffering to Exist?

This is a question which has been asked probably by almost everyone at some time, even the saints. Bewilderment over this difficult question can turn people away from God; they may see Him as uncaring, malicious, detached, or indifferent to our sufferings. It may give vent to anti-God rantings and ravings, such as those of a certain television celebrity, recently reported. This is not the Catholic view of God. After personal tragedy, or when we see the innocent in pain or despair, we are all capable of becoming angry with God (and God accepts our anger as He accepts all Page 20

Prayer. If you don’t understand Jesus, you can’t understand his prayer – you don’t get the prayer at all, you just get some kind of organised cant. The Jesus Prayer has one aim, and one aim only.

To endow the person who says it with Christ-consciousness.

Not to set up some cosy, holier-than-thou trysting place with some sticky adorable personage who’ll take you in his arms and relieve you of all your duties.”

Prayer itself does not work miracles; it disposes us to be more open to God’s grace. Union with God, through prayer, is what we are made for, but we must desire this intimacy with all our being; we must surrender willingly to God’s love, letting go of our own lives and selves with childlike trust. We must learn to see with the eyes of the spirit. We get it wrong if our prayer leads to selfishness or to a total cutting-off of ourselves from others.

The Jesus Prayer is not a mantra that is helpful in itself, but a word, a cry, to Someone, the expression of a relationship. In this prayer of the heart we move closer to God, we hear Him in silence, and we enter into that stillness in the presence of God which is God’s own gift to us.

“Do you mark how the silence of afflicted lovers speaks by the apple of their eye, and by tears? Truly the chief exercise in mystical theology is to speak to God and to hear God speak in the bottom of the heart; and because this discourse passes in most secret aspirations and inspirations, we term it a silent conversing. Eyes speak to eyes, and heart to heart, and none understand what passes save the sacred lovers who speak” (St Francis de Sales).

our other weaknesses); we can have moments when it’s difficult to trust Him. It’s easy to love God when everything is going well; unhappiness or pain can make us lash out: a lot of our negative feeling may be because we simply don’t understand.

Sometimes even the most learned theologian has to say in all honesty that he just doesn’t know.

What Christians should know for certain is that God loves us and always has our best interests at heart; He asks us simply to trust Him. Think of Job who trusted up to and beyond the most terrible sufferings (though he did get pretty annoyed with God!); he is happy in the end because he is sure again of his God’s love for him. Think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41-46): despite everything, he trusted his Father.

“Here I was taught by the grace of God that I should steadfastly keep me in the faith … and earnestly believe in what

educationandformation our Lord showed in this time – that ‘all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well’” (Julian of Norwich).

God never wills suffering or evil; pain is not God’s punishment for our sins. We punish ourselves when we sin, while suffering and pain arise from all kinds of causes. God did not create evil; we managed to produce some of that by ourselves, aided by the devil. Evil acts are committed by human beings; God is there to pick up the pieces and to be with us in our pain. Imagine a world where nothing bad / hurtful / upsetting ever happened, but was stopped by God before it could happen; He is all-powerful, allseeing, all-knowing, so He could do it if He chose. What kind of creatures would that make us? Free, thinking individuals, with the ability to learn from our experiences? Or passive, contented, unthinking puppets, rather like well-fed pets in a cushioned cage? A wise parent doesn’t wrap her child up in cotton wool, shielding him from every possibility of experience or feeling; she protects her child, of course, but gradually allows him to venture out alone, to learn from experience, and is always there to offer comfort or simply wait at the foot of his cross. God is a very wise Parent.

“Jesus did not come to explain suffering but to fill it with his presence” (Paul Claudel).

What about the suffering of a child, of someone really helpless and vulnerable? That can be well nigh unbearable. I can’t imagine how anyone could cope with such personal tragedy without a deep faith in God’s love and in His promises. Anyone who dies has reached the end for which we are all intended – we can rejoice for him/her, but grieve for our own pain. He/she is not lost to us, has just “gone on ahead” to the home that awaits us all. AND the Lord is always with us, to comfort us, to listen to our pain, our grief, even our anger. C. S. Lewis once said (and he never changed his mind even after great personal sorrow): “God whispers to us in our pleasure; He shouts at us in our pain. Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It’s easy to forget God when things are going well; we need Him, and can discover Him again, in suffering.

“Often it seems almost impossible to accept God’s will. But one who yields to this rebellion poisons his whole life. The

poison of saying No, of being angry with God and with the world, corrodes the individual from within. But what God asks of us is, as it were, an advance of confidence. He says to us: ‘I know you don’t understand me yet. But trust me anyway, believe that I am good, and dare to live by this trust’” (Joseph Ratzinger).

God always works to bring good out of evil.

What about so-called “natural” disasters? Well, for a start, many are actually caused, or at least aggravated, by human error, carelessness or wanton destructiveness: for example deforestation, leading to drought, erosion, land-slips etc; building homes in the paths of volcanoes or on a flood plain; pollution from industry etc. Also, our world is in what St Paul called a “state of journeying”, of giving birth; belief in God is not inconsistent with belief in some kind of evolution. Just as man has gradually developed, physically and spiritually, so too our world is still developing or evolving. We live in a fallen world, “poor banished children of Eve, mourning and weeping”, longing for a return to Paradise. The first human disobedience brought about disharmony throughout the whole of Creation; that original harmony will one day be completely restored with the coming of the Kingdom. There will, however, be times when all we can do is cling to our faith that God will, in the end, make all things well. Tragedy and disaster can bring out the best in humanity: think of the outpouring of love and support that follows any major disaster.

We do have a guaranteed future if we choose to accept the free gift of love God offers us; I reckon the offer of eternal joy is worth absolutely anything.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God … We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8: 18-21, 28).

The Last Sleep of the Virgin

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A. Philokalos

n August 15th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The belief that the Mother of God truly died but was then “assumed”, raised incorrupt into heaven, had been held by the faithful since earliest times, but was made official dogma in 1950 by Pius XII in Munificentissimus Deus, when it was declared that “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.

On the same date, the Orthodox Churches celebrate the “Dormition of the Blessed Virgin”, that is, her koimesis or “falling asleep”. Not mentioned in scripture, the belief had nonetheless been a part of Christian

Tradition in both East and West since at least the 4th century, with homilies preached on it by many of the Early Church Fathers, including SS John Damascene and Gregory of Tours. The same story, first recorded in the 4th century, was retold in the 13th century Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine. It formed the basis for the earliest images of the “falling asleep” of the Mother of God in both icons and paintings. Some accounts tell of Mary spending her last days Page 21

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Hugo van der Goes, ‘The Death of the Virgin’ c1470 in Ephesus, in the home of John, the Beloved Disciple; others that she moved back to Jerusalem with John. Wherever her death actually took place, the story relates how towards the end of her earthly life, Mary yearned to be united with her son. The Archangel Michael visited her and foretold her death in three days, whereupon she asked to see her kin and the apostles before she died. The apostles who, by this time, were mainly scattered throughout the world, were caught up by angels and transported in clouds to her side. While they were gathered around her bed, Jesus appeared, haloed in gold, and received her soul.

Icons and the earliest images of the Dormition show Mary lying on a bier, surrounded by the Apostles, with Christ above her, holding in his arms her soul, depicted as a swaddled infant, a reversal of the iconic Nativity image. Our painting here displayed, The Death of the Virgin, shows a slight departure from early tradition. It is a oil-on-oak panel painted by the Flemish painter Hugo van der Goes for the Cistercian Abbey of the Dunes on the Belgian coast in the 1470s. At the same time, artists were beginning to depict the more familiar (to us) theme of Mary’s bodily Assumption into Heaven. This is, I think, one of the most beautiful images I have encountered of the eternal and indestructible love between Son and Mother.

The scene is set in a small enclosed room with a crowd of supporting characters grouped around the still figure on the bed. The twelve elderly apostles are grouped around the Virgin Mary as she breathes her last earthly breaths. A soft blue light permeates the picture, enhanced by the varying shades of blue worn by several of those present. The Virgin’s deep blue robe (painters tended to use an expensive blue pigment only for the Virgin’s clothing) contrasts not only with the darker, almost purple, sheets that cover the bed, but with the paler and darker blue tones of the robes of three apostles, Jesus himself, and an angel. Her face, already touched with the livid pallor of death, Page 22

is contrasted with the immaculate whiteness of her wimple, and of the pillow on which her head rests. Her hands are joined in an attitude of prayer; her eyes, still partially open, gaze up towards heaven from whence her beloved son appears to her in glory, with arms outstretched to receive her soul. Jesus displays the wounds in his hands, the emblems of his sacrifice to redeem the fallen children of God, a sacrifice in which his Mother cooperated. This is the moment when life has already all but slipped gently away, and actual death is but a breath away.

The faces of the apostles vividly illustrate different attitudes of grief – stunned, disbelieving, tearful, prayerful, meditative, silent and introspective – and their profound, obviously heartfelt sadness contrasts with the detachment and serenity of the Virgin. Great artistic care has been taken with the many shifting folds in their robes of varied colours, which help to make each stand out before us as an individual, each enveloped in his own sorrow. In similar ways, the gestures of their hands indicate the state of their emotions. Several of the apostles have been identified: Peter, robed as a priest, lights the candle of the dying, handed to him by Thomas; he will then place it between the folded hands of the Virgin. John sits on the other side, leaning on the bed, his left hand possibly indicating a medieval devotional practice. Next to him is James the Less, often said to resemble Christ.

Above the deathbed hovers Jesus, surrounded by angels waiting to bear his Mother’s body into heaven. He is shown in his transcendent, transfigured glory, dressed in a blue robe and the red/purple cloak of his Kingship, held up by two angels.

His arms are raised in an attitude of blessing, but also open and ready to embrace his Mother. It is a truly beautiful moment of anticipation, looking forward to the moment of joyful reunion when the Blessed Virgin, who last held her Son in death beneath the Cross, will once more hold him in her arms, in glorious Life.

In this painting, Van der Goes reveals his talent as a penetrating exponent of intense religious feeling, of grief and devotion, and of hope and a love that is stronger than death. It is a painting to comfort the grieving bereaved; which offers hope to the faithful

The House in Ephesus, said by some to be where Mary spent the last years of her life Christian who meditates upon it, just as the doctrine of the Dormition or Assumption offers hope to us all: that where the Mother of God has gone, we all may one day follow.

Today the universe dances with joy at your glorious memorial, And cries out to you, O Mother of God: “Rejoice, O Virgin, pride of Christians!” (Byzantine Liturgy)

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Our Lady’s Psalter in‘plain braid Galilee’ Inspired by William Laughton Lorimer (1885-1967), the Greek scholar who translated the New Testament from Greek into Scots, Lesley J. Findlay, a parishioner from Lochuanagan near Fort Augustus, has devoted himself to translating the mysteries of the Rosary, or what was once known as Our Lady’s Psalter, in ‘plain braid Galilee’! The following extract gives a flavour of his work: Our Faither in heiven hallowt be thy name: thy Kingdom come: thy will be dune on the yird, as in heiven.

Gie us our breid for this incomin day: forgie us the wrangs we hae wrocht, as we hae forgien the wrangs we hae dree'd; an sey-us-na sairlie, but sauf us frae the ill ane. Amen.

Gin ye forgie ither fowk their fauts, your heivenlie Faither will een forgie ye your fauts; but gin ye forgiena ithers, God winna forgie ye your fauts naitherins. ***** Hail Mary, at hes faund favour wi God, The Lord is wi ye.

Blissed are ye amang weimen, an blissed is the fruit o thy wame Jesus.

Holy Mary, mither o God, pray for us nou an at the hour o our daith. Amen.

First Sorraful Mystery The Agony In The Gairden Our Faither Jesus tuik his disciples out athort the Kedron Cleuch an gaed wi them intil a gairden on the faur side a dail caa’d Gethsemanie ... Syne he gaed out an fuir awa, as he wunt tae dae, till the Hill o Olives, an the disciples gaed wi him.

Whan he had come tae the place, he said tae them, “Pray nou tae be hained a sair seyin.” (John 18, Matt 26, Lk 22) Hail Mary “Lean ye doun here, till I gang yont an pray." But he tuik Peter an the twa sons o Zebedee wi him. An nou an unco dule an dridder cam owre him, an he said tae them, "My saul is liken tae dee for dule; bide ye here wi me, an haud ye waukin." (Matt 26) Hail Mary Syne he drew aff frae them about a stane-clod, kneeled doun, an prayed.

Hail Mary He cuist himsel on the grund an prayed at, gin it coud be, the hour o dree micht ging by him. "Abba, Faither," he prayed, "Nocht is abuin thy pouer, hain me this caup: yit no as my will, but as thy will is."(Lk 22) Hail Mary Syne he cam back an faund them asleep, an he said til Peter, "Asleep, Simon, asleep? Docht-ye-na bide wauken ane hour ? Bide ye aa wauken, an haud at the prayin, at ye haena tae dree nae sair seyal. The spirit be fain, the flesh is feckless."

Hail Mary

Again he gaed awa an prayed. "My Faither, gin it canna gae by me, this caup, but I maun een drink it, thy will be dune."

(Matt 26) Hail Mary Syne he cam back aince mair an faund them asleep, for their een wis hiwie wi tire ; an they kentna what answer tae gie him. Sae he quat them an gaed awa an prayed the third time, pitten up the same prayer as afore. (Mk 14) Hail Mary An nou an angel frae heiven kythed til his een an put pith in him. (Lk 22) Hail Mary In sair distress o saul he prayed the mair ferventlie.

Hail Mary The blabs o sweit wis heilen aff him on tae the grund in blowts o blood.

Hail Mary Whan he wis dune prayin, he wan up on his feet an gaed back tae the disciples. They had faan owre, forfauchelt for verra dule. An nou he said til them,"Lang eneuch hae ye sleepit. The hour is comed: see, the Son o Man is eenou tae be betrayed intil the haunds o sinners.” (Mk14) Hail Mary Second Sorraful Mystery The Leashing At The Pellar Our Faither He was wounded for our iniquities and bruised for our sins; and by his bruises we are healed. (Is 53) Hail Mary Christ buir our sins in his bodie on the dule-tree, at we micht dee tae sin an live for richteousness; an it is his welts at hes made ye haill. (1 Peter 2) Hail Mary The Son o Man will be haundit owre tae the haithen, geckit, ill—gydit, spitten on, leashed, pitten tae daith, an synerise again the third day. (Lk 18) Hail Mary The sodgers o the garrison, wi their Cornel, and the Jewish Temple Gairds, nou grippit Jesus, siccart his haunds, an tuik him. (John 18) Hail Mary Than them at wis gairdin Jesus begoud geckin an paikin him an blinfauldin him.

Hail Mary Pilate nou said tae them, "Ye brocht this man afore me, chairgin him wi eggin up the fowk tae rebel. Atweill, I exemint him masel in your praisence an coud finnd nae found ava for your chairges against him.” (Lk 23) Hail Mary “Nor coud Herod naither, for he has sent him back til us.

Manifestlie, than, he has dune naething deservin a capital sentence. “ Hail Mary

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Ivoryone can learn life lessons from an elephant family!

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Sr Janet Fearns FMDM

t was a very new baby. The herd of elephants began to move away from the waterhole, raising clouds of dust in the still evening air. Squeals from uplifted maternal trunks summoned youngsters from their games.

However the baby was so new it hadn’t learned to keep up with its mother’s lumbering stride. It tried. It really tried, but what does a very new baby elephant do with its trunk?

Within an instant, the tiny elephant tripped over its trunk and fell heavily to the ground, not far away from where we sat watching in the Hwange Game Reserve, Zimbabwe. The little one’s problems weren’t over. It had forgotten how to stand! After a great deal of effort, the back legs straightened and one small bottom with its rope-like tail was, more or less, where it ought to be. But what next? It was wonderful to watch the baby elephant work out the next stage in the process. The little trunk waved backwards and forwards, but that did nothing to straighten its front legs, stretched out on the ground. The youngster was completely stuck for ideas.

Not for long. A big cow moved heavily away from the herd and turned back towards the stranded baby. With infinite tenderness, her massive trunk caressed the baby’s back and then, gently, so gently, inserted its tip underneath the little one’s abdomen. It was only the work of a couple of seconds to lift the calf so that it was standing on all four legs again, but its look of utter confusion was wonderful. Suddenly, two little ears began flapping. The tail waved from side to side. A small trunk rose into the air and one baby elephant chased after the disappearing herd.

A few minutes later another herd approached the waterhole, one of the few remaining in the drought-stricken area. One thirsty youngster discovered that it had a different problem. As we watched, it stretched its trunk an impossible distance towards the water, and promptly fell over the edges of the waterhole, landing unceremoniously in the pool. Initially that wasn’t a problem. It obviously enjoyed drinking and playing, squirting water over its back and rolling in the mud, but then came the difficulty of working out how to climb out of the steep-sided waterhole.

Probably twenty large cows watched as the young elephant, still only a baby, first tried one slope and then another. Each attempt failed miserably and led to another muddy bath.

Eventually three large females climbed into the hole and stood around the youngster. Suddenly one young elephant slipped between the adults’ legs and raced up the pool’s only shallow slope. Free at last!

The herd, once it finished drinking and bathing, ponderously returned to the bush, allowing another large herd to approach the waterhole. Once again, youngsters played with each other, racing towards the muddy water where they could splash to their hearts’ content… except for one very young baby. Too inquisitive for its own good, it followed an egret until the white bird gracefully flapped its wings and soared out of reach. It was then that the little one realised it had lost its mother, a very young elephant

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and so probably a first-time mum who had not yet learned the full range of her responsibilities.

For the first few seconds, the baby ran backwards and forwards, squealing for attention – which did not appear. Panic set in. Suddenly the squeals increased in intensity and pitch to become a terrified scream, a sound which could be heard above the grunts and other noises from the rest of the herd. A young female recognised her infant’s cries and emerged from the water, ambling towards the little one which was now beyond fear. A soothing trunk stroked the small, trembling back as the baby leaned against her huge legs. A tiny trunk moved upwards, searching for a drink as the mother stood, patiently waiting for the baby’s fear to subside. A few minutes later, together, they joined the other animals, the calf still huddled so close to its mother that she almost tripped and fell. Once in the waterhole, despite encouragement from other youngsters, for a while, it refused to leave maternal safety.

So why bother talking about “the elephant in the room”? It’s strange, isn’t it, that we think of these animals in terms of “an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss, or a condition of groupthink no one wants to challenge”. Of course, nobody in their right senses wants to have a huge pachyderm in their lliving room or kitchen. There might be even bigger difficulties in squeezing a six-ton, ten foot high, trunk-waving elephant in their house, especially not in the vicinity of fragile family heirlooms. However, watching a herd of elephants in the wild, or on television, offers many lessons about life, human relationships and, surprisingly, gentleness, empathy and understanding.

Mind you, I did once see a group of crazy tourists stand beside a wild elephant at the roadside, taking photographs and celebrating their success in being so close to the tusker. They hadn’t noticed that the animal’s ears flapped in a sure sign of irritation. They had definitely outstayed their welcome and their newfound friend was rapidly losing patience. Did they escape unhurt? I have no idea: we accelerated and quickly drove out of the elephant’s reach. Elephants have a great deal to teach us, but some people are not prepared to learn.

Yet, watching mothers and babies showed that it doesn’t matter how big we are: we all need help from time to time. Without the wisdom of the years, we all end up in impossible situations.

Thank God there are people around who are willing and able to help!

faithandculture

Shelagh Noden’s Musical Memories

John Gordon’s Music Book Shelagh Noden

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ne of the manuscripts held in the library of the Scots College in Salamanca, Spain, is a handwritten book of music, dated 1795, which belonged to Rev. John Gordon, rector of the college from 1797 until his death in 1810. He seems to have been a quiet, unassuming man, quite unlike his predecessors, the self-assured Alexander Cameron, or the gregarious John Geddes. In fact John Gordon himself admitted that ‘my great study is to live quiet….without being taken notice of by those in power’.

On the evidence of this book he drew great solace from music, and appears to have been a competent performer on both violin and flute. It also seems that he continued the work begun by John Geddes in promoting the study of church music in the college, which moved from Madrid to Valladolid in 1771.

Under John Geddes the Spanish college was the only one of the four Scots colleges abroad to offer its students tuition in church music.

The first part of John Gordon’s manuscript is taken up with violin music, chiefly duets in a variety of handwriting. Some of these pieces may have been used for teaching purposes by the Spanish musicians employed by the college, the teacher playing one part, the student the second, simpler one.. One piece includes parts for two horns, which may suggest that the college boasted a small orchestra, a supposition borne out by the presence of other instrumental pieces elsewhere in the college library. A traditional Scottish melody, which appears in John Gordon’s handwriting, The braes of Ballochmyle, shows that the students appreciated hearing or playing familiar melodies from home.

The second half of the book is almost entirely made up of church music, most of it written out by John Gordon himself.

As one would expect, most of the music is Spanish in origin.

The college chapel, Valladolid. Some of the Masses in John Gordon’s book may have been sung here.

There are eight complete Masses, two of which were composed

by Don José Myr y Llusá, the Director of Music at the cathedral in Valladolid, the city where the Scots college was situated at this date, Another one appears to have been written by a nun (una Monja), as it bears the inscription Misa compuesta por una Monja Mercedaria de Marquina. These Masses are relatively modest compositions, mostly written for one voice only, and suitable for use in small parish churches rather than Valladolid Cathedral. Some of these compositions were taken home by returning Scots students, and these include the much-loved Misa de Trompas, or ‘Trumpet Mass’ which was frequently performed in nineteenth-century Scotland. One student entrusted with copies of Masses to take home was John Bremner. He took some to the priest at Glenlivet, Rev. James Gordon, who was told that ‘The Masses I have sent you, as they are intended for the use of your Choir, are not the best, but the easiest and simplest I could find. Notwithstanding, I think some of them do not want merit.’

John Gordon also copied into his book several pieces connected with the feast of Corpus Christi, which is celebrated in Spain with elaborate and exuberant street processions. Most of these hymns, such as Sacris solemniis and Pange lingua, are in a form of plainchant exclusive to Spain, featuring a lilting triple metre which sounds very unlike the plainchant familiar to most of us today. When these melodies were introduced to Scottish Page 25

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Catholic congregations in the early nineteenth century, the original lively Spanish chant was slowed down and performed in a more stately fashion in order to meet people’s expectations of what was suitable to be used in a liturgical setting.

In addition to these Spanish works, John Gordon also chose to include several pieces of church music by Samuel Webbe, who was a very popular Catholic composer in Britain at that time. All the pieces are taken from Webbe’s collection, Motetts and Antiphons, Calculated for the more Solemn parts of Divine Worship which had been published in 1792 only three years before the date of the manuscript. The Scots College was therefore very much up-to-date in its choice of repertoire. No copy of Webbe’s collection of motets can be found in the college

library, so these pieces may have been obtained in manuscript form, perhaps via the English College in Valladolid.

On the evidence of John Gordon’s Music Book, both sacred and secular music was clearly important and taken seriously by staff and students at the Royal Scots College in Spain; a tradition begun by John Geddes as Rector. This was of considerable importance in that the college produced priests who were welldisposed towards music and some who were accomplished practitioners, such as Rev George Gordon in Dufftown. It is not surprising therefore that many of the priests who were at the forefront of the revival of Catholic Church music in Scotland were Valladolid graduates.

Oot ‘an’ Aboot with Ron Smith Amsterdam’s Silent Walk In this issue Ron Smith, the Light of the North's roving correspondent, explores Amsterdam, a city well known for its beautiful canals and the cultural treasures to be found in the Rijksmuseum. However, on this trip it is an ancient gin distillery which catches Ron’s attention and where he first comes to hear about the Stille Omgang or Silent Walk.

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t all started with a gin distillery.

One of the least known places in Amsterdam is a wonderful, Dickensian, gin distillery. The Van Wees distillery has been here since 1782. It is situated in a very quiet corner of Amsterdam, where there used to be lots of storks nesting, so one of their trade names is “De Ooievar” (Dutch for stork).

If you look at a map of Amsterdam, you will see that there are several canals that form loops around the Central Station. Up in the top left hand corner, there is a street that looks like a letter ‘Y’. This is Driehoekstraat (Three corners street) and here is the distillery, tucked away in this quiet backwater. It is not open to the public. Inside it is all steps, corners, slopes, low ceilings, pipes, cables, barrels, huge earthenware pots, and clutter. To homogenise this to make it health & safety acceptable for tourists would be impossible, and ruin the place. It is a unique antique working distillery that produces the most wonderful drinks imaginable.

They make around 20 different types of Genever, three gins, and over 70 liqueurs. Now I am not a gin drinker. Mrs. Van Wees explained that gin tends to be made to suit tonic water, so has lemon in it, and is rather harsh. I tried some, and agreed.

Genever, although similar, is much smoother. She gave me a 15 year old one to try – pure nectar.

We chatted in the office. Then I noticed a brown earthenware bottle, with a handle, about 30 cms high, labelled Mirakel. This is Page 26

The Silent Walk starts at midnight and finishes at four o’clock in the morning. another delicious Genever, made to celebrate one of Amsterdam’s annual events that do not get any publicity. This was interesting – of all the many things that go on in Amsterdam, this Mirakel is one that is unknown, at least to me! I had to investigate.

On the 15th of March 1345, a man lay dying in the Kalverstraat. The priest was called, and he administered the last rites to the man. Unfortunately the poor man then vomited, and the vomit was thrown into the fire. However, the Host was intact, and a man there put his hand into the fire, and retrieved the Host intact, unburnt, as was the hand and arm of the man who retrieved it. The Host was put into a box and taken by a priest to the Oude Kerk, but on two occasions the Host somehow made its way back to the house on Kalverstraat. This was taken as a sign that the Amsterdamers should spread the word of this miracle, and the tradition of the walk began.

In some versions of the story, the Host was discovered amongst the ashes the next morning, still intact, and other versions say it floated above the flames.

It was quickly officially recognised by the Amsterdam city fathers, and the Bishop of Utrecht. Some years later a large chapel (Heilige Stede or Holy Site) was erected on the site of the house where the miracle took place. This became a pilgrimage destination. A Heiligeweg (Holy Way) pilgrimage route was established leading to the chapel. This was the start of the annual walk, on the anniversary of the event, retracing the route.

In 1452 there was a great fire that destroyed much of old Amsterdam, including the chapel, and once again the sacred Host was saved from the flames. However, the chapel was rebuilt and continued to attract the faithful.

In 1578 the Reformation came to Amsterdam, and Catholic

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The original site of the miraculous events is today marked by a small monument, in the shape of a fireplace, built into the wall services were banned. Mass was still celebrated in secret, and the walk was still carried on, but secretly, during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was not until 1881 that the walk could be openly carried out.

The chapel had become a Protestant church by then. By

1908, low attendance at this church, and years of neglect to the building forced its closure and demolition. The Catholic faithful would have liked to purchase and renovate this special chapel, but this was not acceptable to the owning parish.

The Reformation suppression of Catholicism was quite severe in the Netherlands. This did not stop the faithful, but now they marched along the route at night, and silently. As it was, for so many years, not allowed to hold any Catholic services, or show any signs of the old Faith, like hymn singing chanting or wearing vestments, or even carrying banners, the walk had to be silent, with no show of anything to indicate that it was Catholic.

This is the Stille Omgang (Silent Walk in Dutch) that continues to this day. It is still called a “walk”, not a procession, as processions were banned. This year it was on March 18th. It starts at midnight, and is so popular that over 5,000 people walk the route. One circuit of the route takes about an hour, and the churches are open, and there are people walking, right through to four o’clock in the morning – and always silent.

The original site is today marked by a small monument built into the wall of the current shop standing there, on Kalverstraat, now a busy shopping thoroughfare. The Church of the Begijnhof, always faithful to the tradition, is also part of the walk, as are the Oude Kerk and St. Nicolas’ church by the main railway station.

As in so many countries, the Faith of our Fathers could not be wiped out by Reformation, or Communism, or Fascists, and the Silent Walk is another testament to the memory of the Faithful over the centuries.

For more information on the walk see www.stille-omgang.nl.

It is in Dutch, but shows many photos of the walkers, the Mass at the Begijnhof Kirk where the event starts, and gives a vivid impression of this great event.

Half Page – Society of the Little Flower.

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Church. Through Through prayers prayers and and donations, friends of St.Thérèse enable Carmelites to continue her “Shower of donations, Roses” donations, friends friends of of St.Thérèse St.Thérèse enable enable Carmelites Carmelites to to continue continue her her “Shower “Shower of ofRoses” Roses” inin their ministries throughout the world and in their education of young Carmelites. their ministries throughout the world and in their education of young Carmelites. in their ministries throughout the world and in their education of young Carmelites.

Carmelite Carmelite priests, nuns, brothers and sisters serve people parishes, medical clinics, Carmelitepriests, priests,nuns, nuns,brothers brothersand andsisters sistersserve servepeople peopleinin inparishes, parishes,medical medicalclinics, clinics, women’s centres, schools, retreat houses, hospitals, catechetical centres, prisons, women’s centres, schools, retreat houses, hospitals, catechetical centres, prisons, women’s centres, schools, retreat houses, hospitals, catechetical centres, prisons, housing, housing, job and skills development programmes and sacramental celebrations housing,job joband andskills skillsdevelopment developmentprogrammes programmesand andsacramental sacramentalcelebrations celebrations around the world. around the world. around the world.

Society Flower Society the Little Flower Societyofof ofthe theLittle Little Flower Barclays House Barclays House Barclays House 51 51 Bishopric 51Bishopric Bishopric Horsham Horsham RH12 1QJ HorshamRH12 RH121QJ 1QJ

Charity No. 1123034 Charity Charity No. No. 1123034 1123034

0345 0345 602 9884 (local rate) 0345602 6029884 9884(local (localrate) rate) ukweb@littleflower.org ukweb@littleflower.org ukweb@littleflower.org www.littleflower.eu www.littleflower.eu www.littleflower.eu Page 27

faithandculture

Wartime gift to St Joseph’s still occupies pride of place Michael Olizar

W

hen Poland was partitioned between Germany and the USSR in September 1939 the Polish Government reformed in France as did remnants of its armed forces. When in June 1940 France capitulated to Germany some twenty thousand Polish troops were rescued from the coasts of France and made it to Britain, the last bastion of freedom holding out against Hitler. These troops were then sent to Scotland to reform once again under General Sikorski, the commander-in-chief of the Polish Army and Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile.

The Poles were first given the coast of Fife to defend against any major or diversionary German invasion along its low lying beaches. It was here that two Polish sapper officers invented the mine detector whose form has not changed in seventy five years. They were also to man armoured trains which were to provide a first line of defence against a German incursion. One such train was to be based in Aberdeen from October 1940 with its complement of some fifty men.

Polish soldiers present the painting to St Joseph’s [ Photograph courtesy of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, London]

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The painting of the icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa hangs over the entrance door at St Joseph’s, Woodside, Aberdeen Their faith meant much to these men torn from their families of which they had no news. They would attend Mass at Saint Joseph’s where its parish priest Fr Mc Laughlin gave them a warm welcome. He strived to bring these men and his Scots parishioners together. He was much loved by the Poles even giving them his own piano which became the pride of their mess. He had already organised a musical evening in the parish hall with Scottish dances and songs performed by school children with a Scots soldier playing the violin and a friend of his enthralling all with magical tricks.

As a mark of their gratitude the soldiers presented Saint Joseph’s on 24th May 1940 with a copy of the icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Poland's patroness, painted in

Bishop George Bennett arrives at St Joseph’s to bless the painting [Photograph courtesy of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, London]

faithandculture

pastels by 2nd Lieutenant Mazur. On the evening of 30th May the Bishop of Aberdeen, the Right Reverend George Bennett, came to bless the icon. The Bishop spoke most movingly of the martyrdom of Poland under Soviet and German occupation. It would not be until June 21st that Hitler would turn on his erstwhile ally Stalin.

The Bishop also spoke of the importance of the occasion for the whole parish community. All the Polish crew were present apart from a few on guard duty. In a way, representing their families in occupied Poland the wife of one of the officers Captain Skrzynski was present.

After the blessing the Bishop gave those present small crucifixes as a memorial of the event.

At the end of the ceremony Father McLaughlin invited the Poles to a modest reception.

With Germany's attack on the USSR the threat of invasion of these shores receded. Armoured trains were disbanded and the Aberdeen train crew were posted to units of the Polish 1st Armoured Division training in Scotland. The Division would in the summer of 1944 and up to May 1945 take part in the liberation of North West Europe.

Priest Gordon - a man small of stature but with a big heart It was a ‘small and comfortless chapel’ at the end of the eighteenth century, typical of worship under the penal laws. By stages, though still in a hidden corner of the city, it became grand. ot many Aberdeen citizens have a statue in their As Shelagh Noden has told readers, a great singing tradition memory. Priest Gordon, as everyone knew him, developed out of the first High Mass since the Reformation. was also painted in oils and the photograph shown Until very recently there had been none due to concern about here was taken in the early years of that art. Two further anti-papist rioting. The new organ proved a success, and books celebrate his life. The Rev. Charles Gordon (1772-1855) the priest recorded the fact in clear language: ‘The task will be came from the Enzie near Fochabers, renowned nursery of easy indeed to those who follow and sensible people will take priests for Scotland. After Scalan he and his fellow students every opportunity of expressing their goodwill to our young were driven from the Scots College Douai by terrorists of the friends.’ Thereafter ‘our friends in the choir’, some exercising a French Revolution. Bishop John Geddes was his uncle, and the new role for women, were formally asked to ‘intone a Te Deum‘ young priest cared for him in the Castlegate during final years in thanks for the end of each year. of paralysis.

It was a packed congregation which heard the singers. Priest Gordon was bilingual. When up to 1,200 in the pews was questioned he compared the number to coppers in the plate, ‘and verra few pits in twa.’ His life covered a time when Scots speech was yielding to English among the better educated. Gentrified critics asked his superior (who had attended elocution lessons) to demand more dignity. Gordon replied: ‘Weel Bishop, jist you speir at ony o’ my bairns ony o’ the questions o’ their catechis.’

But when an altar boy was asked how many Gods there were he gave the answer - Three: ‘Sit doon, ye gowk, ye ken naething aboot it.’ Another time the question was whether Catholics adored images, the wrong answer ‘Aye div we!’

Priest Gordon could be couthy and comical, but he had a sharp mind. A formidable opponent when drawn into controversy with city clergymen, he had numerous exchanges with Dr James Kidd of the Gilcomston chapel. Marischal A delightful pen and watercolour painting by Ann Dean of St Peter’s Court which College students were among those who remains much the same as in Priest Gordon’s day attended Sunday evening talks: ‘Martin

Alasdair Roberts and Ann Dean

N

Page 29

faithandculture

Luther and John Knox were held up to universal execration in the most delightful broad Scotch, and with a vehemence that might have satisfied the Grand Inquisitor. Occasionally these attacks produced bursts of merriment from his Protestant hearers. If these became audible the author was ejected by the sexton.’

But Gordon was also known as an example of religious toleration. From William Skene’s East Neuk Chronicles we learn that ‘for more than half a century he performed more charitable ‘Martin Luther and John Knox were held up to universal execration in the most delightful broad Scotch, and with a vehemence that might have satisfied the Grand Inquisitor.

Occasionally these attacks produced bursts of merriment from his Protestant hearers. If these became audible the author was ejected by the sexton.’ acts than any other individual in the city. Every Monday morning Chapel Court used to be crowded with poor people from far and near, when there was a bounteous distribution of “cloddies”. The gifts were awarded not merely to Roman Catholics but to the poor of every denomination.’ Inevitably the city fathers gave Priest Gordon the charge of their Loch Street soup kitchen. This man of small stature was a familiar figure in the old wynds and closes, (west end suburbs and housing estates lying far in the future). A biographer wrote: ‘His days began before the dawn, for five o’clock, winter and summer, found him on his knees before the altar. And those hours of prayer, which ended with daily Mass, sanctified his whole day and life.’

Vatican authorities questioned bulls and encyclicals being

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The Reverend Charles Gordon addressed to Preshome at the tiny hamlet of Clochan. Bishops lived in cities. But the Northern District’s James Kyle was wise enough to leave Priest Gordon in charge of Aberdeen, along with Blairs College and the Constitution Street school where he spent more time in the declining years. His prayers before the altar were not curtailed, but there were curates to carry on.

Bishop Kyle was there for Requiem Mass. Priest Gordon’s passing was marked by the city. Here is Canon Sandy MacWilliam who served St Peter’s in modern times: ‘An eye witness tells of the scene – the hushed crowds, the closed shops, the long line of the procession down King Street from the Castlegate, the Lord Provost and several of the magistrates following the coffin which was carried by relays of members of the congregation, the double line of red-coated soldiers of the 19th Highlanders on either side. As the cortege was entering the Snow Churchyard in Old Aberdeen, the last of the mourners Inns:Layout wasJericho leaving Castle Street.’ 1 11/11/15 08:58 Page 1

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faithandculture

Poetic Licence

T

Canon Bill Anderson delves into some of his favourite inspirational verse

here are two compositions - one musical, the other a poem - which regularly bring me peace of soul. The first is the closing section of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony (entitled "Thanksgiving after the Storm"), and the second consists of lines from a short but major work, an autumnal rumination by Robert Bridges. Educated at Eton and Oxford, he studied medicine and remained a practitioner for quite some time. He grew friendly as an undergraduate with Gerard Manley Hopkins, whose complete poems he eventually published in 1918.

He became a prolific author of drama, prose and poetry, and was Poet Laureate for a number of years in the early 20th century. Two of his longer philosophical pieces, "The Spirit of Man" and "The Testament of Beauty" proved popular with the public. However, in the words of one reviewer "his writing suffered the singular and ironic misfortune of winning broad favour at the expense of understanding."

A devout Christian, he had a good ear for setting words to music and edited several editions of the "Yattendon Hymnal". His translations from Latin and other originals is skilful; indeed John Betjeman greatly admired "All my hope on God is founded", from the German of Joachim Neander.

The lines below should benefit from being read aloud.

Their three sections, post-storm scene setting, destructive consequence and peaceful resolution are masterfully linked. Bridges' delicacy of touch and and eye for detail remind one of Tennyson at his descriptive best. What an insight to name the fallen leaves of summer "the laughing timbrels1 of June", or to compress into a single line their coloration: "green-golden,orange,vermilion, golden and brown." Again, only a wordsmith confident in his craft could weave the notion of sleep four times into the last three lines and still perfectly evoke the atmosphere.

1 tambourines

The storm is over The storm is over, the land hushes to rest: The tyrannous wind, its strength fordone, Is fallen back in the west To couch with the sinking sun.

The last clouds fare With fainting speed, and their thin streamers fly In melting drifts of the sky.

Already the birds in the air Appear again ; the rooks return to their haunt, And one by one, Proclaiming aloud their care, Renew their peaceful chant.

Torn and shattered trees their branches again reset,

They trim afresh the fair Few green and golden leaves withheld from the storm, And awhile will be handsome yet.

To-morrow's sun shall caress Their remnant of loveliness: In quiet days for a time Sad Autumn lingering warm Shall humour their faded prime.

But ah ! the leaves of summer that lie on the ground !

What havoc! The laughing timbrels of June, That curtained the birds' cradles, and screened their song, That sheltered the cooing doves at noon, Of airy fans the delicate throng, Torn and scattered around: Far out afield they lie, In the watery furrows die, In grassy pools of the flood they sink and drown, Green-golden, orange, vermilion, golden and brown, The high year's flaunting crown Shattered and trampled down.

The day is done: the tired land looks for night: She prays to the night to keep In peace her nerves of delight: While silver mist upstealeth silently, And the broad cloud-driving moon in the clear sky Lifts o'er the firs her shining shield, And in her tranquil light Sleep falls on forest and field.

See! sleep hath fallen: the trees are asleep: The night is come. The land is wrapt in sleep.

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faithandculture

On a Wing and a Prayer with Father Peter Barry

I

t’s 4.30am and my guide is knocking on the cabin door. Joseph is a local Papuan, educated by Missionary Priests, and he has prepared a small canoe to take us down-river to a site where the Twelve-wired Bird-of Paradise displays every morning.

Our lodge for three nights is a simple structure on the Sewik river in Karawari, Papua New Guinea. After a quick coffee, and a paddle down-stream, we reach the site and settle ourselves under the forest canopy, waiting in total silence.

Birds of Paradise are the most gaudy of all birds. When skins were sent to the British Museum, the feet of these birds had been cut off, to pack them more densely into their boxes. On arrival in the U.K., curators mused that these glorious creatures, lacking feet, could not have rested on any earthly perch, and must therefore have originated in some mystical realm. Hence the generic name: Birds of Paradise.

With such beauty, there is little need for a song like a nightingale. As the dawn breaks, we hear the male bird announce his presence with a strange trumpeting sound, calling the female to observe his display. At around 6.00am the action starts: dancing along the branches,

Fr Peter with some new-found friends in Papua New Guinea hanging upside down, feathers a–flutter, we see one of the great sights of nature.

The female watches, looking, quite frankly, a little bored.

She has seen it so many times. The birds pair for life. After several years of the same dance-routine, she is completely disinterested, and is busy picking a few berries from a

A stunning photograph of the Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise

The next issue of the Light of the North will be published in the autumn. If you would like to sponsor a page of the next issue, perhaps in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate a special occasion, please contact our advertising manager Jim Skwarek.

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fruiting tree.

The purpose of these displays is very simple: to reinforce the pair-bond. After 15 minutes it’s all over, and she gets on with the more serious business of finding fruit for breakfast.

Along the river bank local tribes adorn their bodies with feathers from the many different species of birds of paradise, and their tribal dances mimic the bird displays.

Back in the lodge, Joseph praises the Missionary Priests who educated him and gave him a love of nature. He tells me he is a Catechist, and occasionally leads Sunday services with other Catholics. The arrival of a Priest is a rarity. We say some prayers together on my i-phone, and the humble man kneels to receive a blessing.

I f you enjoy reading Fr Peter’s ‘On a Wing and a Prayer’ then watch out for his new book, ‘Whats in a Name’ which will shortly be available, published by ‘New Holland ‘.

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faithandculture

Margaret Bradley’s Food and Faith

T

o coincide with the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Magnus, Orkney’s patron saint, a new pilgrimage route called the St Magnus Way has been established and will be opened in stages throughout the year.

St Magnus was of Norse descent and an important figure in the Christianisation of northern Europe. He met his death c1117 on the island of Egilsay by order of his cousin Haakon. About 20 years after his death he was declared a saint and his nephew, St Rognvald, began the construction of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall in 1137 to his memory.

The St Magnus Way will follow a route round the main islands of Orkney connecting places which are significant points in the life and death of St Magnus. These will include Birsay where St Magnus’s body was first taken for Christian burial at his mother’s request and Kirkwall where his bones were taken about twenty years later.

The pilgrimage route will also pass numerous ancient historical sites including Skara Brae, the Neolithic fishing and farming village which was discovered in 1850 when a storm removed the sand dune which was covering it, as well as Scapa Flow which was of major importance during WW1 and WW2 and whose shipwrecks now create an internationally renowned diving location.

Orkney’s pilgrim fare would undoubtedly have to include fish. Orkney was well known in the past in connection with the Scottish herring fleets and today for its sea and river angling and its farmed and smoked trout, salmon and haddock. It’s no surprise to learn that Orkney’s food and

Poached Haddock with Orkney Cheddar Cheese

500gms haddock fillets (smoked or unsmoked) 100ml fish stock 150ml milk 150ml double cream 50gms butter 50gms flour

drink producers regularly win awards at both national and international level, further enhancing the reputation of the islands as a place of excellence. Local produce also includes halibut, sole, monkfish, ling, crabs, lobsters and scallops, as well as razor fish, whelks and cockles which are hand gathered at low tide from the rocks with a knife. All of these are delicious on their own but why not try cooking them with another of Orkney’s specialities, Orkney Cheddar Cheese.

All this plus the peace and tranquillity of Orkney’s unique setting with its vast skies and spacious land and seascapes, providing endless opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual growth. The St Magnus Way it seems will offer a cultural, historical and spiritual experience not to be missed.

See www.stmagnusway.com for more information about the St Magnus Way 230gms Orkney Cheddar Cheese Salt and white pepper Pour the fish stock, milk and cream into a pan, bring to the boil and poach the fish in it for about five minutes or until cooked. (You can also use just milk.) Then remove the fish and place in a buttered oven-proof dish. Save the liquid for making the cheese sauce. In another pan melt the butter, mix in the flour and cook for a few minutes.

Then gradually add the milk / stock liquid to the flour and butter mixture stirring continuously until it thickens.

Add most of the grated cheese (save some for later) and season with the salt and white pepper. Pour the cheese sauce over the fish, top with the remaining grated cheese and grill until golden. Serve with potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

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humour

Humour from the Vestry “You can defeat fear through humour, through pain, through honesty, bravery, intuition, and through love in the truest sense.” John Cassavetes Cutting the Grass Billy was waiting at the bus stop with his friend, Jim, when a lorry went by loaded up with rolls of turf.

Billy opined, 'I'm going to do that when I win the lottery, Jim.' 'What's that, Billy?' responds his mate.

'Send my lawn away to be cut,' concludes Billy.

Organic, or Inorganic?

Pete and Harry were talking one day. "My wife asked me to buy ORGANIC vegetables from the market garden," said Pete.

"So were you able to find some?" Harry asked.

"Well when I got to the market, I asked the gardener, 'These vegetables are for my wife. Have they been sprayed with any poisonous chemicals?'"

"The gardener answered: 'No, you'll have to do that yourself.'"

A man walks into a chemists and asks for a bar of soap. The chemist says, ‘Do you want it scented?’

And the man says, ‘No, I’ll take it with me now.’

Gate crasher An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?"

The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll just run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, 'For Heaven's sake, Jimmy, come in or stay out!'"

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?"

He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

Why do dogs always race to the door when the doorbell rings? It’s hardly ever for them. Harry Hill Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: 'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?' the reporter asked.

She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'

Friendly pig Andy was on a walking holiday in the Peak District of England. He became thirsty so decided to ask at a home for something to drink.

The lady of the house invited him in and served him a bowl of soup by the fire. There was a little pig running around the kitchen, running up to Andy and giving him a great deal of attention. Andy observed and commented that he had never seen a pig this friendly.

The housewife replied, 'Ah, he's not that friendly. That's his bowl you're using.'

A lovely service The Grim Reaper came for me last night, and I beat him off with a vacuum cleaner. Talk about Dyson with death.

Floral Tribute Man to florist: 'I'd like a bunch of flowers, please.'

Florist: 'Certainly, sir. What flowers would you like?'

Man: 'Er.. I'm not sure...Ummm..'

Florist: 'Let me help you, sir - what exactly have you done?'

Just got back from his friend’s wake. He died after being hit on the head with a tennis ball. It was a lovely service.

Fishy party trick An aunt was visiting her young nephew. After dinner, the little boy asked: “Aunt when are you going to do your party trick?”

“What party trick?” inquired the aunt. “Well” said the little boy, “Dad says you can drink like a fish.”

A narrow escape The Reverend Johnston was not the best of drivers. One Sunday he was driving home from church when unfortunately, he had a minor bump with a cyclist. The poor man was knocked off his bike into the ditch. The priest naturally stopped his car, got out and profusely apologised and gave the cyclist his calling card saying that if he could ever be of help, then the man should not hesitate to ask.

As the man rode home he looked at the card which said, 'Fr Johnston is sorry he missed you today.'

‘I thought I’d begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.’ Spike Milligan Page 34

Weight watcher A woman noticed her husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his stomach. “Ha! That’s not going to help,” she said.

“Of course, it does,” he said. “It’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

A woman goes to her doctors and he asks her, “What’s wrong?” She replies, “I feel like a wigwam and a tepee.” And he says, “The problem with you is you’re two tense.”

crossword

WORD No.35

This issue’s competition winner will receive a copy of “A Beautiful Fragrance”, a biography of Scotland’s Venerable Margaret Sinclair. Just send your completed entry by the 1st October to: Light of the North, 20 Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1SH. First correct entry drawn out of the hat is the winner.

5. Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect and poet.

(13) 6. To search or examine thoroughly. To search carefully for plunder; pillage. (7) 7. “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to ----- to it.”

Oscar Wilde (5) 13. A church reading desk, usually with a slanted top. (7)

15. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where ------ moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (7) 17. A member of a group of peoples inhabiting the Arctic.

(5) 19. “Thou ----- have no other gods before me.” King James Bible (5)

Answers to crossword No. 34 Across 1. Cherub 5. Italic 8. Esau 9. Puffball 10. Windmill 11. OHMS 12. Shalom 14. Iberia 16. Epic 18.

Frighten 20. Graffiti 21. Pray 22. Decree 23. Yeomen Down 2. Hashish 3. Round 4. Baptism of Fire 5. Infallibility 6. Ambrose 7. Islam 13. Lucifer 15. Iterate 17. Purge 19. Hippo

Little Horror Sudoku No. 22 If you prefer sudoku to crosswords then you still have a chance to be a prize winner with our super tough sudoku puzzle.

Name .............................................................................

Address ......................................................................... ..........................................................................................

Telephone ......................................................................

Across 1. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaulteth not ------.” (6) 5. Term for an individual who sacrifices his life, derived from the Greek word for witness.

(6) 8. “----, joy of man's desiring” Bach chorale. (4) 9. “Risen, --------, glorified!” from the hymn “Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour” (8) 10. Illness causing loss of hair.

(8) 11. A military assistant. (4) 12. Old Testament book between Job and Proverbs. (6) 14. “Lullay my ------, my dear Son, my Sweeting; Lullay my dear Heart, mine own dear Darling.” Carol (6) 16. Metal with atomic number 30 used in the making of

brass, but not mentioned in the Bible. (4) 18. One who is sceptical about the existence of God. (8) 20. Winter festival historically celebrated to coincide with the Winter Solstice. (8) 21. “Open thine eyes, for meek St. Agnes' sake, Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ----.” The Eve of St. Agnes, Keats (4) 22. One who make amends, as for a sin. (6) 23. A loud clamor.; a strong protest or objection. (6) Down 2. A structure of open latticework, especially one used as a plant support. (7) 3. To kit out. (5) 4. Missionary to Asia and considered to be the first Jesuit missionary. (7,6)

Name .............................................................................

Address ......................................................................... ..........................................................................................

Telephone ......................................................................

Congratulations to our last competition winner, Sr Maureen Barry from Perth Page 35