Light of the North

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Issue 38, Summer 2018

Light of the North: the magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen

Diocese celebrates triple ordination p3 Pluscarden Abbey Pilgrimage p5 Christian Joy p22 The Arctic Mission p25

RC Diocese of Aberdeen Charitable Trust. A registered Scottish charity no. SC005122

Contents DIOCESE News ............................................................................................3 FAITH IN ACTION Action-packed year in Mongolia .....................................18 LITURGY Father Stephen G, McGrattan’s favourite hymns .......20 EDUCATION AND FORMATION Christian Joy ...........................................................................22 Credo, I believe ......................................................................23 FAITH AND CULTURE The Arctic Mission ................................................................25 Respect .....................................................................................26 Uplifting Walks .......................................................................28 Hidden Christians of Japan ...............................................29 Crown of Jesus Music ...........................................................31 Food and Faith - Portuguese Black Iberian Pig...............33 Humour ...................................................................................34 Crossword and Sudoku .......................................................35

Our front cover for this issue features a work called The Madonnina, commonly known as the Madonna of the Street which was created by the self-taught Italian artist, Roberto Ferruzzi (1854-1934) and first publicly exhibited in 1897 at an art exhibition in Venice. Although not originally painted as a religious picture, this painting became popularized as an image of the Virgin Mary holding her infant son, and the most renowned of Ferruzzi’s works. The original image has disappeared. Some claim that it was lost at sea on a voyage from Europe to the United States though it does bear a striking resemblance to a painting which was bequeathed to the Sisters of St Casimir in 1950. Copies of the original are frequently featured on holy cards, portraits, and greeting cards and members of the Sisters of Life receive a medal of the Madonna of the Streets at their first profession.

up front

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here are reckoned to be about 1.2 billion Catholics in the world and on Wednesday 15th August millions of us will gather together for Mass to celebrate the life and assumption of the world’s most famous and powerful woman.

Unfortunately, there are some who still believe that Catholics worship Mary as a sort of goddess. To explain why we pray to Mary and the saints, you need first to understand the connection there is between the Body of Christ that is already in heaven and those who are still on earth; that we have a relationship with those who are living in heaven, and that Mary’s soul, like every other soul ever made, is very much alive.

Mary said that her soul “magnifies the Lord”, and just as a magnifying glass increases the object it is focused on, so our relationship with Mary’s eternal soul does not draw focus away from our Lord, rather, it does the opposite. It can help to make Jesus clearer, more in focus, amplified.

Praying to Mary or the saints is like asking a friend here on earth to pray for you. In other words we, as Catholics, are fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds!

Not only on this day do we honour the Virgin Mary but we also gain comfort from her assumption; it’s an assurance that we too will experience a resurrection of our bodies, following Mary into heaven.

Christ wasn’t the exception for the human race in this sense. Rather, He points the way forward to a greater future in which we are all invited to share.

From the Feast of the Assumption to a feast prepared for us by this issue’s contributors which includes Madeleine Picozzi’s account of her action-packed year in Mongolia (p18), Fr Gile’s Conacher’s summary of St John Paul II’s Exhortation on Christian Joy (p22) and Eileen Grant’s new series on the Creed (p23).

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Cowan

Managing Editor Deacon Tony Schmitz Editor Cowan Watson  07816344241 editor@lightofthenorth.org Editorial Advisor Dr Glen Reynolds

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Advertising Manager Jim Skwarek  01233 658611 j im.skwarek@geeringsprint.co.uk The Light of the North St Mary’s Cathedral 20 Huntly Street Aberdeen AB10 1SH  www.lightofthenorth.org

DIOCESE

Diocese celebrates triple ordination

Douglas Duncan was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate and Deacons Emmet O’Dowd and Rafał Szweda to the Priesthood

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or the first time in many years a triple ordination was celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral on July 6.

The celebration, led by Bishop Hugh Gilbert along with Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran, proved to be a truly wonderful occasion as the three men were ordained to their priestly and diaconal ministries. Douglas Duncan was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate, and Deacons Emmet O’Dowd and Rafał Szweda were ordained to the Priesthood. Douglas is based in Aberdeen, Emmet has a connection with Inverness and Rafał with Elgin; so the three cities of the Diocese were well represented.

Bishop Hugh spoke for everyone present when he said: “This is a moment of joy: for you, for us deacons, priests and bishops, for all of us, not to mention the angels and beyond. Here is a trinity of persons and a unity in service.”

The three ordinands expressed their gratitude on the special occasion to both God and the many others who helped them along the way on their journey to living out their vocation.

Deacon Duncan thanked ‘all those who have helped me down the path God has prepared for me,’ including his late wife Denise, adding that he was ‘sure she will be smiling down on proceedings today.’

He thanked his mother Jane. Also, his son Daniel, his daughter-in-law Victoria and their three children Grace, Ivy and Findlay. “Without their loving support and the many sacrifices made on my behalf, I would never have made it,” he said.

He also spoke of the Apostleship of the Sea for whom he is a chaplain, the seafarers who have given him ‘the encouragement and inspiration’ to realise his vocation, to Fr Gábor, his spiritual director, those involved in the diaconal programme, Deacon Tony, and his fellow students.

“Finally, I thank God Almighty, for calling me to the Catholic Faith, for marking out my path as an ordained minister, to serve

His people,” he added. “He is my guiding light, and without Him I can do nothing on my own.”

The new Fr O’Dowd thanked Bishop Gilbert for ordaining him and Bishop Moran who first accepted him as a seminarian for the diocese, the priests and deacons who gathered on the evening, and extended a special thanks to the new Fr Rafał, ‘who has shared this journey to ordination with me from beginning to end.’

“I would like to thank my family, especially my parents Seamus and Fiona, for the love, support, and prayers which I have received from them over the years, and for all the sacrifices they have made for me along the way,” he said. “I am grateful too to my friends, especially those who were able to be here this evening, for their support and friendship along the way.

“The support, prayers and encouragement I have received from my parish priest Fr James and from my parish have also been an enormous source of strength. Finally, I would like to thank those I have come to know during these past seven years in Rome. Thank you for your friendship, your fraternity and your prayers.”

Fr Szweda too gave ‘thanks to God for bringing me to this day of ordination, recognising the many signs of his providence that he has shown to me,’ and remembering in a particular way those who have helped him on the road to ordination, especially his mother, grandparents, all family members and friends.

“I thank Bishop Hugh Gilbert for ordaining me today and for the trust and confidence that he has had in me, and the many fatherly kindnesses he has shown me,” he said. “Much of my formation in preparation for priesthood took place at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome and I am appreciative of all that the formation staff and the whole college community gave to me during the past seven years.”

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DIOCESE All ordination photographs by and copyright of Paul Mc Sherry Doug Duncan:

Douglas Duncan receives the ‘laying on of hands’ from Bishop Hugh Rafał Szweda: “I give thanks to God for the gift of my vocation to the priesthood. It took me some time to discover and understand that gift - I approach ordination at the age of 38. Since childhood I had the feeling that God was calling me to serve Him in a special way but it was in Elgin, that I understood that God is not only calling me to be a priest but specifically to be a priest in Scotland.

Some time ago someone asked me why I wanted to be a priest. The answer was actually very simple.

It was because I have discovered that this is what God wants me to do. I just cannot do anything else and still be truly happy. I simply understood that my happiness lies in doing the will of God and serving His people.

As a priest I will be sent to serve the people of God and my only desire is to bring them closer to God and to bring God’s mercy to everyone I meet.”

“As we neared the day of ordination, I looked back at the last five year of studies with satisfaction having achieved with the help of God more than originally expected. The journey has taken several interesting turnings due to work and family commitments, and what at one stage seemed a lifetime away has come round very quickly. There have been highs and lows and during the Malaviya Seven saga, here in the Aberdeen port, it meant burning the midnight oil, although it helped me focus on my vocation which is to serve, particularly those in need.”

Ordination of Rafał Szweda Emmet O’Dowd:

Clergy share a light-hearted moment after the ordinations Page 4

During the rite of ordination, the Bishop prays: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfilment.” These words capture my journey so far, as it didn’t begin with me, nor did I begin it intentionally.

God’s call has taken me from Ireland to Aberdeen, and Inverness, and Rome, and now finally back to Aberdeen to be ordained a priest. This encounter with Christ and the ‘good work’ it has begun has brought me a sense of interior freedom, peace, and joy. Ordination is not the end of the journey, just the beginning of the next chapter, which God will ‘bring to fulfilment’ as only He knows how.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Pluscarden Abbey

BY DAVID MEIKLEJOHN

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t was a bright sunny day for the Feast of St John the Baptist and the annual Aberdeen Diocesan Pilgrimage to Pluscarden, on the last Sunday of June. The focus on the theme of education was timely in the wake of the statement by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who recently said the government was an “unequivocal supporter” of Catholic schools and committed a further £100,000 of funding to the Catholic Teacher Education programme.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert said: "This year's diocesan pilgrimage was an occasion for the diocese to see itself in its rich diversity: of age, ethnic background, parishes, groups and schools, and spiritual gifts.

It was an occasion too, in the Centenary year of the Education Act, to reflect more widely on our responsibilities towards our children. It was a joyful event, blessed by sunshine and grace."

With so many children in attendance, John Horton (who was appointed last year to the role of Diocesan Choral Director for Catholic Schools) made a special contribution with pupils from many Catholic Primary Schools, as well as other youngsters, combining their efforts, to sing the parts of the Mass and more, reminding us of the joyous sound of young voices singing so beautifully, including Latin texts.

This extraordinary celebration allowed the packed Abbey to reflect on one hundred years of Scottish Catholic education, working in partnership with the State.

The young people had the opportunity to join in harmony with the monks of Pluscarden Abbey, the Cathedral organist, the Aberdeen Diocesan Choir, the African Choir and 'Kids

for Jesus', all singing to great effect while venerating Our Blessed Lady on the Feast of St John the Baptist. All were very appreciative of the hard work which made it such a memorable event.

Bishop Hugh set his homily for the Feast of St John the Baptist firmly in the educational context of this joyful occasion. He said: “There’s something else remarkable in today’s Gospel. It doesn’t just mention John’s birth. The story goes on: ‘The child grew and his spirit matured.’ It’s a further stage. Here we are surrounded by children and young people. Here six of our seven Primary schools are represented. Here are the Kids for Jesus, children from Aberdeen’s Polish St Stanislaus school. Here are youth groups from Aberdeen and Elgin and elsewhere, led by the St Andrew Community and the Dominican Sisters. And, together in Christ, the one, holy catholic and apostolic Church gathered in this place, we recall the centenary year of the Education (Scotland) Act, a hundred years of partnership between the Catholic community and local government. How good to be here! How right and just to thank all those who keep our schools afloat and make them the bright communities of faith and learning and good values that they are! And how good too to hear the value of that 1918 Act, and of the 350+ Schools we enjoy as a result, recently so ringingly reaffirmed by the First Minister. Let’s not forget that until the Catholic Relief Act of 1778 to open a Catholic School in England, Wales or Scotland was a crime, and the punishment life imprisonment. Yes, praise the Lord.

And to us, like a shooting star and a guiding star, comes this simple word of the Lord: ‘The child grew and his spirit matured.’ On one occasion, Jesus took a child and set him in the middle of his disciples. That’s what’s happening today.”

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Pluscarden photographs courtesy of Michał Wachucik

St Mary’s Cathedral choir The Abbey transepts packed for the celebration of Mass

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Mass was relayed to a marquee so no one would miss out

A relaxed yet attentive congregation

Choral Director John Horton leads a combined schools’ choir

Pluscarden’s Abbot Anselm Atkinson

The Marian Procession following the celebration of Mass

Diocesan African Choir in joyful mood

Childrens groups included K4J (Kids for Jesus)

Plenty of willing helpers were on hand to help Bishop Hugh Gilbert cut the cake

Cake to mark centenary of the Education (Scotland) Act Page 7

Choir of Angels!

First Holy Communicants at the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Inverurie.

St Columba’s golfers win at sunny Kintore

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berdeen diocesan golfers competed for the Bishop’s Golden Jubilee Trophy on Friday 29th June at Kintore.

The winning Team were from St Columba’s, Bridge of Don: Duncan Taylor, Josie Henn and Richard Goodall.

A jubilant Josie Henn said: “Kintore is a beautiful golf venue, very tricky and not easy to play especially if you do not know the course!

“There were just too many long par threes and one particular ladies tee was curiously far behind the men’s tee for my liking! But that was where the lady’s committee from Kintore decided the tee should be!

“Joking aside, the whole day was absolutely fantastic with beautiful sunny weather and no wind, so no excuse for everyone not to play well. Our team contributed a very good score when needed and even though we moaned all the way round that we could do better, we found ourselves completing the course in an unexpected winning position.

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The winning Team from St Columba’s, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen from left to right: Duncan Taylor, Josie Henn and Richard Goodall.

“The organizer, Joyce Webster did very well as she does every year, and the scorer, Andrew Westwood, a parishioner from Inverurie. deserves a big thank you.

“Most of all we must express our gratitude to the Kintore kitchen caterer for the yummy food served to all. A wonderful day enjoyed by one and all.”

DIOCESE

Bishop welcomes expansion of provision for Catholic teachers in the North East

Pictured with University Catholic Chaplain Fr Agnellus Murphy are some of the CTC students with their guests.

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atholic students in Aberdeen recently received their Post Graduate Diploma in Education and were, (along with their guests) happy to meet Bishop Hugh Gilbert on their Graduation day on 21 June, at the University Catholic Chaplaincy.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert commented: "I am delighted that PGDE students at Aberdeen University can now access the Catholic Teachers Certificate course (provided by the St Andrew Foundation of Glasgow University). I am grateful to the Scottish Government for its funding of this development and to the authorities of Aberdeen and Glasgow Universities. It was a joy to greet this year's group of graduates."

This is the first time that any prospective teachers have had the chance to study for the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate

(CTC) along with the Post Graduate Diploma in Education at the Aberdeen University campus. This development is largely thanks to the staff of The St Andrew Foundation, University of Glasgow, in facilitating this new arrangement.

Bishop Hugh also remarked that he was extremely pleased to support this new expansion of provision for Catholic teachers in the North East of Scotland: “It is important to have teachers who are qualified to teach Religious Education in our Catholic schools. While many of today’s graduates will be teaching in other parts of Scotland, it has been a pleasure to welcome them to our diocese where we have, hopefully, provided caring pastoral support as an integral part of their experience. We wish all our newly qualified teachers every blessing wherever they decide to serve the Church in this important vocation”.

Six parishioners confirmed at St Thomas’ Pentecost Vigil

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ishop Hugh Gilbert joined the parish of St. Thomas’, Keith, to celebrate the confirmation of six young parishioners at the Pentecost Vigil Mass.

Pictured left to right are Fr. Max Mckeown, Kate Porter, Mary Rettie (Catechist), Edyta Drodzd, Bishop Hugh, Kate Rettie, Vincent Greenhalgh, John Greenhalgh, Graeme Morrison (Catechist) and Logan Simpson.

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DIOCESE

Aberdeen Synagogue celebrates reopening

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inally, months after a disastrous flood left the historic Aberdeen Synagogue in Dee Street unuseable, the synagogue opened its doors again and celebrated with a number of events including a “Rededication and Open Day” which took place on the weekend of 25th May. Bishop Hugh Gilbert, who attended the rededication, said: “There has been a small Jewish community worshipping in Aberdeen since 1893, and since 1945 in a proper synagogue or shul, in Dee Street. It was a privilege to be part of a series of events marking the rededication of the synagogue. The welcome was warm and I was able to take part with other guests in the Shabbat Morning Service, the good meal that followed, and the shorter Afternoon Service.”

Bishop Hugh added: “A moving element in the liturgy was the official return of the Torah scrolls to the ‘Ark’ where they are kept. To a Catholic, the parallels with the Tabernacle in our churches are striking, all the way to a red lamp indicating the presence of the Word. Invited to speak, I was able to recall the strong Jewish element in my own secondary school (which freed us from classes on Saturday morning) as well as the vital presence of the Psalms in our respective liturgies. I also mentioned the comment of a prominent North American Rabbi that, after so many centuries of hostility, Christians are now becoming

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Aberdeen is home to Britain’s most northerly synagogue the Jews’ best friends. A proven gesture to that effect was the contribution of new seating in the refurbished synagogue by a Church of Scotland parish. It was, once again, a privilege to be granted a little insight into the life of this small, lively, praying community.”

Aberdeen Cathedral administrator Father Keith Herrera, who attended a service the previous day, commented: “It was amazing to witness a celebration that Jesus would have been familiar with two thousand years ago! I felt very privileged to be there.”

K4J is all about combining Faith with Fun! It’s an exciting youth group for primary school children from age 4 to 10 held at St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen and run by the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy.

The children have enjoyed some outstanding events this year including a visit to the Bishop’s new residence in Old Aberdeen in the first week of Lent. The children were enthralled by Bishop Hugh’s stories, particularly when he related how, when a child and on holiday in Germany, he became separated from his family and got lost!

Later, in May the children took part in a special rosary procession and crowning of the Virgin Mary, at the Cathedral.

Bishop Hugh’s stories give the children lots to think about When the Bishop got Lost!

Kayima Okoye: ‘I think I am like the Bishop because, when someone has given me a part of the answer/ solution, I can work from that.’

Nathan Fernandes: ‘I see myself as a curious child like the Bishop was when he was young and went on his own adventure alone.’

Chimmy Onuh: ‘I liked the Bishop’s childhood story because it’s nice to be kind to people that you don’t know.’

Lamsi Ezeogu: ‘It’s important that we should always turn to God for help when things aren’t going well.’

Frances Ezeogu: ‘I may not quote scripture like Jesus but I always have something to say that explains why I don’t have to do something that I know is dangerous and harmful.’

Bishop Hugh answers more of the children’s questions while they picnic in the Bishop’s garden

Crowning of the statue of Mary in St Mary’s Cathedral

Rosary procession in St Mary’s Cathedral

Crowning of the Virgin Mary Emmanuel Ofili: ‘Carrying the crucifix of Jesus makes me feel the incredible love that the Saviour has for us because of what he was willing to endure. My advice to other children out there is to always look up to God and love and care for one another.’

Chibugo Orji: ‘When I went to crown Mother Mary’s statue during the rosary procession I felt amazing because I got to crown the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

I felt humbled. I will try to be kind and humble like the Blessed Mother Mary in my everyday life. The advice that I would give to other children is that they should be nice to people and to show respect to their elders.’

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DIOCESE

Monastic Experience Weekend 2018

“What can be sweeter to us than the voice of the Lord inviting us, dearest brothers? Behold, in his loving kindness he shows us the way of life. Having therefore girded our loins with faith and the performance of good works, with the Gospel as our guide, let us walk in his paths, that we may deserve to see him who has called us into his Kingdom.”

Rule of St Benedict, Prologue, 19-21

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he Benedictine monks of Pluscarden Abbey each year offer a special opportunity to see at firsthand what monastic life is about, this year during the weekend Friday 3rd to Monday 6th August 2018. The invitation is

extended to single Catholic young men, aged 18-35, who practise their faith. There will be no charge for the weekend.

They will participate in the liturgy (the Work of God) and in the community’s everyday work in church, house and garden. There will also be opportunity to learn and to ask questions.

All meals are provided in the monastic refectory, except for breakfast which is self-served in the guest house, where tea and coffee are always available. If participants have any important dietary requirements, please let us know in advance. Bedding and towels are provided, and each of the individual rooms has a wash basin. Showers and toilets are on each corridor. Participants should bring with them whatever they need for a weekend stay.

It would also be useful to bring clothes suitable for outdoor work, as this will feature in the programme.

As far as possible, an environment of quiet and recollection should be maintained; so it would be a good idea if participants are prepared to forego their internet and social media contacts for the duration of the weekend. After the final prayer service of each day, silence should be maintained and all conversation avoided if possible.

Arrival is best timed between 3pm and 4pm on Friday 3rd August, to allow for allocation of rooms and settling in. An introduction to the weekend programme is scheduled for 4.30 pm.

Anyone interested in taking part, or obtaining further information, is invited to contact Fr Benedict Hardy OSB: novicemaster@pluscardenabbey.org

Deacon Woodside goes round in circles

Deacon Woodside handing out orders of service to pilgrims at Reay old graveyard with local parish priest Fr Colin Davies

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n Saturday 9th June a group of 15 pilgrims from several churches in Thurso, Caithness took an afternoon drive around a recently-created local pilgrimage route.

The group met at St Anne’s RC church, where we shared a short prayer service. Then we visited Old St Peter’s church in

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the town, whose history goes back to the 12th century and includes a spell as the county jail and court room. Then we went West to Crosskirk and viewed from afar (access to the site itself not being suitable for those with mobility problems) the ruins of St Mary’s Chapel, also dating to the 12th century.

From there we went to Reay old churchyard, site of a carved stone and a building that had been the transept of an ancient church. Reay is associated with the 7th century St Colman, a follower of St Donan who had a centre at Kildonan, NW of Helmsdale.

At each of these stops, the group said parts of the psalms of that day’s Office of None, led by Deacon Woodside. The group then returned to St Anne’s by a back road that passed two more sites – St Magnus Chapel at Shebster and St Trostan’s (or Drostan’s) chapel at Westfield. While some of the group attended vigil Mass, others prepared a light meal. This was followed by a talk from Deacon Woodside on his book ‘Together in Christ: Following the Northern Saints’.

The event had been organised by the Caithness Book Club, who, inspired by Deacon Woodside’s book, have researched the early saints of Caithness and devised six circular routes linking the 32 sites associated with the 33 names that they found.

Details of the routes and the background information on the saints and sites can be found at www.wickstferguschurch.org. uk/page16.html Jane Coll

Ogilvie Centre preaching the Gospel in 2018

For New Evangelisation & Catechism RC Diocese of Aberdeen

“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” St. Paul observed (1 Cor 9:16). The Gospel burned in his heart as a fire and preaching it gave relief to his desire that all persons should know Christ Jesus. Here at the Ogilvie Centre for New Evangelisation and Catechesis, this spring of 2018 has hosted many initiatives to do just that.

Events

Following on from the Youth Ministry Gatherings in January, the Ogilvie Centre ran the Power of Grace PostConfirmation Youth Rally on 9 June 2018. Many parishes from the diocese participated in a Spirit-filled day centred on the theme, “Run so as to win!” (1 Cor 9:24). The seventyfive young people and adults who attended the day heard from a Catholic athlete, NET Ministers, the Dominican Sisters, and a Franciscan friar about prayer, Christian friendship and the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, all of which aid life’s race to our ultimate goal of Heaven.

Team-building games, lively Christian music, and fun workshops couched the message in a joyful setting. We thank everyone who took part in this great event!

The first Men’s Retreat run by the Ogilvie Centre 25-27 May was another powerful event of grace for participants and

Participants of the first Men's Retreat at Kilcoy Castle result as men discover others with whom to walk their journey of faith.

Catechist recommissioning

Youth before the Blessed Sacrament at the Power of Grace 2018 event at Greyfriars Convent. leaders alike. Men from the diocese and further afield came together to hear and share the Gospel, to build Christian community, to enjoy the amazing setting and grounds of Kilcoy Castle, and to be refreshed in their commitment to Christ. Initiatives to begin a men’s group in the Moray area are in their planning stages following the retreat, a desired

The Ogilvie Centre is asking all catechists to update their contact details by emailing ogilvie@rcda.scot. This autumn, all catechists who were commissioned in 2013 are asked to apply for re-commissioning with the Diocese of Aberdeen. Please go to the www.ogilvie.rcda.scot web site to access information about doing so. There will be a special commissioning blessing in each of the parishes during the autumn for all catechists. The work of catechists is vital in the promotion and development of the Faith in our diocese.

Many catechists are retiring from active ministry this year and we wish to thank them for their years of tireless service. The parishes need a new generation to rise up to the joys and challenges of catechetical ministry. If you feel a call from the Holy Spirit to do this, we urge you to contact your local parish priest and the Ogilvie Centre for training and support in your vocation.

Online Seminars

The diocese continues its partnership with Catholic Page 13

DIOCESE Distance University in the training and formation of catechists and other adults. Excellent online seminars for all adults will be available this summer and autumn. Why Would a Loving God Allow Evil, Pain, and Suffering will be offered July 23rd to August 13th. Proclaiming the Reality of God: Compelling Evidence of God’s Existence will be held from October 22nd to November 12th. The instructor for both seminars will be Steven Hemler, president of the Catholic Apologetics Institute of North America. Those wishing to enrol should do so at cdu.catalog.instructure.

com. The significant discount for the diocese will apply to those who use the diocese’s code CDU17ABERDEEN to enrol. We hope many adults across the diocese will take advantage of these seminars and other CDU classes!

Future Events

Stay tuned to the diocesan and Ogilvie Centre web site for dates regarding this autumn’s catechists’, mothers’, and men’s retreats to be hosted by the Ogilvie Centre.

Here’s how to..............

A serie looks s which at practic some a and co l issues nc everyd erns of ay life.

What are my Legal Rights of Inheritance

BY MICHAEL KUSZNIR

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egal rights are a right of inheritance for spouses and children to a proportion of the Estate of a deceased person. They can be claimed up to 20 years from date of death and were established by the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964.

The claim is currently only to your net moveable Estate, i.e your moveable Estate after the deduction of debts and liabilities. Moveable Estate means assets such as bank accounts, shares, premium bonds etc. Heritable assets such as houses and land are not included in this ‘claim’.

Debts and liabilities, including funeral expenses, are deducted from the moveable Estate when calculating legal rights.

Contrary to popular misconception legal rights are an entitlement. If someone does not want to take them then they should explicitly say so.

Generally children and spouses will hope to inherit their parent or partner’s Estate although they have no absolute entitlement to inherit. Legal Rights go some way to protecting a spouse and children from being disinherited, although the claim is rather limited.

By and large the loved ones able to take legal rights will expect to inherit in full through the deceased’s Will without the necessity to rely on legal rights. However situations can arise, especially where there is a second marriage or relationship, where Legal Rights may require to be relied on.

A claimant (spouse and/or child) can only claim what they are entitled to in a Will OR their Legal Rights – they cannot claim both!

The proportion a spouse or child of the deceased are presently entitled to are either:

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1.

One third of the net moveable Estate if the deceased is survived by a spouse; or 2.

One half of the net moveable Estate if there is no surviving spouse/civil partner.

For example, Jimmy is survived by his wife and two children. His wife would be entitled to one third of his net moveable Estate and collectively his two children would share in a one third share. If a child chooses not to take their legal rights then this does not increase the pot for others.

Intestate v Testate Legal rights play a role both where there is a Will (testate succession) and where there isn’t a Will (intestate). Where there is a Will and legal rights are taken this can really distort the provisions of a Will as the legal rights are payable

before all other legacies.

Where there is no Will then there are specific rules in force as who is to inherit and generally – unless it is a very large Estate – the husband or wife will take the whole Estate.

Consequences of taking Legal Rights If you choose to take your legal rights then you are not entitled to any legacy in a Will. You need to choose the legacy or legal rights. Sometimes taking legal rights can be more beneficial in that it is worth more than the legacy left in the Will.

Second marriage or relationship?

Second marriages and relationships are significantly more common than they were 50 years ago. Legal Rights can be especially important in these situations to protect children’s inheritance.

The issue arising is that people will often want to leave their whole Estate to their spouse and trust that ultimately it will go to their children on a second death. However it may well be that the surviving spouse will change their Will to benefit only their own children. This leaves the children of the spouse to die first in a weak position. They are however able to rely on Legal Rights as a protection from total disinheritance.

It is best for children to make these claims early on.

Although they would have up to 20 years to make a claim there can be problems with obtaining financial information if you leave matters too late and there has been no need to lodge an Estate inventory with the court.

Reform of legal rights – a new legal share?

Currently legal rights do not extend to heritable property such as houses but The Scottish Government does have proposals before them to alter this.

The Scottish Law Commission has proposed that the moveable property limitation on legal rights be removed to allow for legal rights to be taken from both moveable and heritable property. This proposal would have a significant impact on the value of legal rights claims and could cause specific problems for many families – especially those in business and farming families.

It has been proposed that a “legal share of the Estate” (amounting to 25%) would be payable to children where they have been ‘disinherited’. This would be based on what the child(ren) would have received if the deceased had died intestate, i.e without a Will.

Mitigation of legal rights Mitigating legal rights is not an easy process. Limiting Legal Rights could take the form of a range of options such as investing in property, transferring your whole Estate to someone in life or having those entitled to legal rights claims discharge their claims during lifetime.

Michael Kusznir is a Solicitor at Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace. For more information on how the firm can help you, please contact the head of our Private Client Department, Douglas Crombie, in the first instance at: douglas.crombie@ raeburns.co.uk or phone 01224 332 400

Understanding Practical

Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace Solicitors Half Page Planning for the future takes experience and 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 15

Fr Peter Macdonald 1946 - 2018

BY JONATHAN HEBDITCH

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Requiem Mass took place at St Mary’s, Blairs on the 3rd July for Fr Peter Macdonald, much loved Priest of Our Lady and St John the Baptist church in Ellon.

Fr Peter was born in Edinburgh in December 1946 and was baptised and received into the Catholic church in 1972.

Just a month later, he married his beloved wife Bernadette and the couple went on to have four children and six grandchildren.

For 25 years between 1978 and 2003, he worked as an accountant and tax adviser for numerous firms including Shell and eventually moved to the North-East.

In the late 1990s, Peter felt a calling to the ordained ministry and began studying for the Permanent Diaconate in 1997. In 2000 he was ordained as a Deacon.

He later furthered his studies, graduating with a master’s in theology from the University of Aberdeen in 2006.

As a Deacon, Peter was a humble servant. He administered the Parish of Blairs, was also a chaplain, notably to the children’s hospital, and to both Craiginches and Peterhead prisons. He used his professional accounting skills, honed over many years at Shell, as Diocesan Treasurer.

His beloved wife Bernadette died in 2011 and 18 months later Peter began studying for the priesthood at Beda College, Rome, and Allen Hall Seminary, London, from 2013 to 2015.

In his homily for the Requiem Mass Bishop Hugh Gilbert said: “Peter was one of those rare birds in our Western Catholicism who received all seven of the sacraments, and that as an adult, all the way to his final anointing by Fr Gábor. “‘One of the best of our students’, said his tutor for the diaconal course. But I liked the tribute from a Rector of Allen Hall, where he did most of his studies for the priesthood. There he was, thrown among younger men, back at essay writing after years away. ‘But he was like a grandfather to the young seminarians’. In his discreet, no nonsense way he encouraged many of them. It was typical of his practical kindness. He was just such a doggedly decent man.”

In June 2016 Peter was ordained priest at Aberdeen’s St

Fr Peter Macdonald on the occasion of his first Mass after being ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral Mary’s Cathedral and became parish priest in Ellon.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert commented that it was also in St Mary’s, Blairs that the funeral of Bernadette had taken place with the same hymns and readings: “She was, I think, everything to him. It was surely thanks to her that he was baptised and received into the church on 21 September 1972, a month before their marriage.

“It was she who said: ‘Should I die before you, I think you should go on to the priesthood.’

“She was part of every major decision in his life, and probably most of the minor ones too.

“As priest, he had charge of our Lady and St John the Baptist, Ellon. He loved that parish and its people and was loved by them.

“Peter, thank you for all God gave through you.”

Father Macdonald is survived by Peter, Alice, Lucy and Hannah and six grandchildren.

This obituary first appeared in the Aberdeen Press and Journal

Bishop blesses Italian Chapel crucifix

BY GLEN REYNOLDS

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t was no ‘ordinary’ Mass that was celebrated in the Italian Chapel on Lambholm in Orkney on the 28th April. There was a ‘guest of honour’, none other than Letizia Chiocchetti, daughter of Domenico Chiocchetti, who was accompanied by her husband Elio Fonti.

Domenico Chiocchetti was one of the Italian prisoners of war who, when a prisoner on the island, played a major role in creating the beautiful chapel which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Letizia presented to the chapel a new figure of Christ for the Page 16

crucifix, which stands outside, in memory of her father. After Mass concelebrated by Fr Peter Kelly and Bishop Hugh Gilbert, the crucifix was blessed by Bishop Hugh.

The chapel held 30 people who were specially invited to the Mass and Blessing, along with a similar number of local parishioners. The guests included Letizia and her husband Elio, members of the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee with their spouses/partners and the Orkney Islands Council convener, Harvey Johnson. The other guests with an Italian connection were Carmela Riccio and her sister Paolina Morra

DIOCESE (Their father Vincenzo Collella was on Lambholm with Domenico Chiocchetti) and they were accompanied by two nieces Elda Antonelli and Anna Baldwin.

Fr Peter Kelly explained that during the winter the original cross and canopy were badly damaged so the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee had arranged for a new cross and canopy to be made by a local joiner while the new figure of Christ was made in Moena, Italy, the home town of Letizia’s father, Domenico. This, together with the figure of Christ from Moena were blessed in a very special ceremony.

John Muir, one of the founding members of the Committee, now in his 80's, has over the years kept in touch with Letizia and others with links to the chapel and has visited them many times in Italy as well as hosting them on their visits to Orkney.

He only recently resigned as Secretary of the Committee but is still very active, and as an honorary member of the Committee, continues to be involved.

Bishop Hugh commented: "The Italian Chapel is one of the several unexpected jewels in the crown of the Orkney isles.

Finished in 1944, it is a lasting monument to the faith and artistic prowess of the Italian prisoners of war sent there by the British to help construct the Churchill Barriers protecting the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow from enemy incursions.

“After the departure of the prisoners, the exquisite chapel, built out of two Nissen huts, using among other things car exhausts and used bully beef tins, began to deteriorate. Thanks to a local landowner and to John Muir and others who came together to form the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee, not only was the chapel 'rescued' but Domenico Chiocchetti, the principal artist, was invited back to Orkney. During his visit he was only too happy to carry out further restoration work on the chapel that he and his fellow countrymen had built as

Letizia Chiocchetti with Fr Peter Kelly and Bishop Hugh Gilbert prisoners of war in Camp 60.

“In many ways, the Chapel - where Mass is celebrated monthly from April to September - is now in its prime, a symbol of faith, prayer and reconciliation.”

In his homily, Bishop Hugh also highlighted the timeliness of the prayer carried in his pocket by Domenico throughout the war: ‘May people, overcoming individual and national egoisms, recognise themselves as brothers and sisters, refrain from discord, love and help one another and form one heart with Your heart, O Jesus, in loving, praising and blessing the common Father who is in heaven.’

Our Lady of the Rosary and St John Paul II celebration in Beauly

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bout 40 young people, parents and parishioners from the Highland and Elgin parishes gathered to celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary and Pope St. John Paul II in St Mary’s, Beauly on the 7th of October last year.

The programme was organised by the priests and parishioners of St. Mary’s Beauly and the Polish community in Inverness. The day started with a Rosary procession followed by Mass and ended with Benediction and praises. In between there were talks by Sr Grace Ogbaje (Order of the Daughters of Divine Love) on the Rosary and Sr Anna Christi (Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia) on Divine Mercy.

The young people expressed their various gifts in music and also inspired with their testimonies.

Fr. James Anyaegbu Page 17

FAITH IN ACTION

New full-time priest to serve Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff

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r. Francis Okoro has been appointed priest-in-charge of the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff.

Fr. Francis arrived in Aberdeen diocese in 2016 and since then he has served in different parishes before his assignment to Banff on May 4th 2018, following the absence of a resident priest for three years.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB said: “In the 19th century many heroic Europeans, Scots included, gave their lives bringing Christianity to Africa. In the 21st century, here in the diocese of Aberdeen, we are now benefiting from their sacrifices and are blessed with the presence of many energetic, faith-filled and warm-hearted African 'missionaries' working for us. Fr Francis Okoro is one such. As the Bishop of Aberdeen I wish him well in his ministry in Banff."

Father Francis said it was a joy to find himself as a full time priest in residence at Banff and for the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel after having already been in post on a temporary basis in nearby Fraserburgh: “I have grown to love the people and the distinctive communities of the region, including people like myself from various parts of the world, who have made this area their home.

“This church has an open door and an open heart to all. We all have a hidden seed within us and my ambition is to cultivate

Francis Okoro giving witness to the glory of God that, so that it blossoms to give witness to the glory of God in Banff and the surrounding towns and villages where our parishioners may live. I should also like to pay enormous tribute to all those who have kept the church going in recent times.”

Aberdeen Diocesan Communications Director and parishioner, local Councillor Dr Glen Reynolds said: “This is wonderful news for the church community in Banff and nearby communities including Aberchirder and Turriff. Fr Francis is a real grass roots community-driven priest who will be a welcoming voice to all who walk through the door. The Holy Spirit has brought him to us and it is now up to us, to respond.”

Action-packed year in Mongolia

BY MADELEINE PICOZZI

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nce upon a time, in a pre-globalised world, people joked about being banished to Outer Mongolia. Hearing this, as a child, of course, I never dreamed that it would happen to me but that was precisely where I spent a year from July 2016 to June 2017.

OK, so banished is a slight exaggeration. I arranged to go there to teach English with the Salesians of Don Bosco for a year, in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Well that’s just a tad random, I hear you say. How do you get yourself into that?

It’s a long story. To cut it very, very short, I began by helping at an English summer school in Mongolia in 2014. I enjoyed it and wanted to repeat it the following year. While I was there in the summer of 2015, I made arrangements to come for the academic session of 16/17 and spent the next year preparing for this.

The Salesian Community in the capital run a technical school, where students can learn a trade as well as gain academic qualifications. We teach Auto Mechanics, Building and Interior Decoration, Plumbing, Welding, Fashion & Textiles and Secretarial Studies. In an industrial city like UB, these professions are in high demand and our students

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generally find it easier to get jobs than those who have not had this training.

I teach English to both staff and students. It’s challenging, since the level of English in Mongolia is generally poor and

because my own Mongolian is limited. I’m learning but the language barrier can make life somewhat – interesting, shall we say.

When I arrived, the Salesians were still living in the school, so I slept in a classroom for the first eight months. Now I live with them in their new house, for which they waited over a decade. It’s full of laughter and friendship, especially around the dinner table. It’s very much an open house and there are always people coming and going, whether for a few days, an overnight on their way to the airport or popping in for an impromptu cup of coffee or suutei tsai (the famous Mongolian milk tea). It’s quite a multicultural community, with confrères coming from many Asian countries, with myself and one Polish brother being the token Europeans.

There are many missionary congregations in Mongolia,

Students at the technical school can learn a trade as well as gain academic qualifications with people of many nationalities, with the strongest representations being Korean, Indian, Filipino and various African nationalities. I wonder what they all did to deserve banishment!

It has been an action-packed year, with many celebrations, not least of which was the ordination of the first ever Mongolian priest, Fr Enkh Baatar Joseph. It was a huge event, with visitors from all over the country and beyond, and many dignitaries. We also had the first ever visit of a Rector Major (Don Bosco’s successor, the head of the Salesians) to Mongolia. There are many “firsts” in the church here, so a big deal is made of them. We had numerous smaller gatherings too. A number of the congregations renovated or built new properties, so there were many openings and blessings, which generally began with Mass and ended with a good tuck-in.

At just 25 years in its most recent incarnation, it is one of the youngest churches in the world. Like everywhere, it faces many challenges, primarily cultural and from governmental opposition. For some people, however, faith has become central to their being, which is beautiful to witness in a land where the dominant religions are Buddhism and Shamanism.

Another important event was the handover to the Salesians of a small community, an hour away from the city, called Shuwuu (The Bird). It is in a ger district or slum, being a kind of transition point for people who have lived in the country, usually as herders, but who want to move to the city. The children there are adorable. They’re not like children in the UK, even in Moray. These children are

Madeleine with staff and students much more innocent and eager and to a much higher age.

They’re unpolluted, as our Fr. Rector termed them.

I also ended up in Hong Kong for three weeks. The issue of visas over here is a very complex one, part of the aforementioned governmental opposition. After much effort to get a yellow card, my tourist visa extensions ran out and I had to make a quick getaway. They arranged for me to stay with the Salesian community there, until the paperwork was processed. It’s somewhere I had no intention of visiting but I had no choice. I’m very glad; it is a fantastic place, to which I’d go back at the drop of a hat.

Things are very slow here. Mongolian time is as much a reality as its more famous cousin, African time.

Unfortunately, the progress in the teachers’ English fell prey to this phenomenon and was far from what I had expected.

On the plus side, it was a good excuse to come back to Mongolia, so I’ve returned for a second year. OK, so I really can’t say, this time, that I’ve been banished, if I’ve chosen to come back again. Sometimes it feels very far away though, not so much physically as in terms of predictability and systems. It’s very, very different from even the more relaxed

Ordination of the first Mongolian priest, Fr Enkh Baatar Joseph pace of the North of Scotland, compared to the central belt, where I grew up. Flexibility is not my strength and it’s a challenge to me every day but, by God’s grace, I survived.

The good wishes, thoughts and prayers of my family and friends, especially those in St Sylvester’s parish, in Elgin, are of immense value and help to keep me going through my exile. I’ll update you on my second year of antics on my return, if I manage to escape!

Madeleine is a parishioner of St Sylvester’s in Elgin.

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LITURGY

MY F A VO UR I T E H YMN S Father Stephen G. McGrattan, Secretary of the Scottish National Liturgy Commission and Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock, reveals some of his best loved hymns.

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lthough the words are very ancient, my first favourite hymn was not sung in English before the early twentieth century. Be thou my vision was translated from an eighth century Irish manuscript and is a prayer asking that we may see as Christ sees and know his protection and his joy. He is for us strength in the images of breastplate, sword, armour, shelter, tower; and joy in the images of wisdom, treasure, light. The hymn was a favourite of my late grandmother and also of my childhood parish priest, and I never tire singing and praying the words which give me confidence that Christ embraces us with his divine fortitude and riches.

It is not long since we celebrated the great Feast of the Birth of the Church at Pentecost. There are many beautiful hymns to honour the Holy Spirit and to help open our hearts to receive his gifts. Banco da Siena’s 15th century earnest prayer of petition to the Spirit, Come down, O love divine, translated by R.F.Littledale (1833-90) is craftfully set to Vaughan Williams’ rich melody, “Down Ampney”, in a way that leads the singer to pray the words unhurriedly and give full attention to every phrase. The concluding words express the searching quest to be surprised by the Spirit: “for none can guess its grace, till he become the place wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling”. The aspiration to life in the Spirit is both lofty and freely given to us: that’s why I sing and pray these lovely words.

The celebration of Pentecost and the singing of Come, Holy Ghost, Creator come at the beginning of Mass seem to go hand in hand. The power of the Spirit in our Christian lives is richly expressed, and don’t the faithful raise the roof with this hymn and make it a powerful prayer? Not a surprise really when singing a hymn to petition the Holy Spirit! (I know someone who, when she was seven, thought the Holy Spirit was a finger – see verse 3!) The original Rabanus Maurus’ 9th century Latin text from which we derive the translation is often sung to the Page 20

rich plainchant tone when, at his ordination, a deacon, priest or bishop is vested with stole and chasuble. This is a particularly reflective moment of the ordination Mass for me when mainly the clergy (who are more familiar with the chant) sing in tuneful unison to the Spirit to infuse the ordinand with multiple gifts.

A rousing hymn sung on the Solemnity of Christ the King and also at liturgies of the Stations of the Cross is Matthew Bridges’ Crown him with many crowns. The words, especially when accompanied by the tune Diademata, by George J. Elvey (1816-93), are stirring and triumphal. It is a hymn of praise to Christ who was glorified through his passion and death.

The second verse “Crown him, the Virgin’s Son…” poetically identifies Christ as both “fruit of the mystic Rose (the Blessed Virgin Mary) and as the “stem” of that Rose while also being the “root” of mercy. The “Lord of years” of the final verse is crowned “the Potentate of time”! A rarely used word in these days, the “Potentate” or overlord of the fourth dimension for human beings raises us up to meet, face-to-face, God, for whom a thousand years are but a day.

Local saints are a family treasure, a source of pride and an extant example for us to follow. In Galloway Diocese where I live, St Ninian is fondly venerated as the son of a Pictish Roman chieftain who, having studied and been ordained in Rome, returned as Bishop to found the ancient see of Candida Casa, named after the shining white stone church built with the help of monks who returned with him from St Martin’s monastery in Tours. It was fitting that Galloway diocesan priest Mgr Joseph McHardy would compose lyrics to blend with Mgr Francis Duffy’s rousing tune in honour of our diocesan founder. The hymn Ninian of Galloway is sung every year at the diocesan pilgrimage Mass at the cave at the end of the long beach south of Whithorn where St Ninian is said to have retired for prayer. On that pilgrimage we have experienced, through the gifts of nature and the community of faith, the gentle anointing of Christ’s approach as expressed in the third verse: “Softly the Christian morn dawned o’er the lone Whithorn like kindly sun”.

The same Mgr Duffy also set the words of the Marian hymn Of one that is so fair and bright to music published in the St Andrew Hymnal. The medieval macaronic poem juxtaposes Latin titles for Our Lady with an English narrative which speaks of the faithful’s devotion to the Mother of God and their

petition for her intercession. Mgr Duffy’s melody is haunting, exalted and profoundly prayerful. Hymn 152 of the St Andrew Hymnal is not immediately intuitive for a congregation to sing but very much worth the effort learning. Look it up!

In the parish of St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock where I have been pastor for the last year and a half we enjoy a long-standing musical tradition of able organists and a choir of some 25 or so parishioners who rehearse and sing the Christmas and Easter liturgies. The robust, melodic and congregationally well-sung Mass of St Luke the Evangelist by Philip Stopford has become part of our parish prayer. Stopford, English sacred music choral composer and choir director, and now musical director at Christ Church, Bronxville, New York, has also composed a number of choral motets which are both beautiful and accessible for enthusiastic parish choirs. Highlights in this parish have been Lully Lulla Lullay at Christmas, and Ubi caritas during Holy Week. The choir is soon to learn Stopford’s Do not be afraid.

If permitted to mention a more indulgent favourite, it would be the Advent (children’s) hymn We long to see Thee so! The words, penned by a Sister of Notre Dame, are set to a French Melody harmonised in the St Andrew Hymnal by Harry McFarlane. The lyrics present a simple catechesis about the human longing for Christ who was born among us. I know little about the melody, but find it to be enchanting and simple – as French folkloric melodies often are. The words and music glue together well, in an earnest and simple way, to open our hearts to welcome the Baby Jesus at Christmas. And the faithful really sing this hymn of their childhood with gusto!

Few hymns are as translated into the world’s many languages as Pescador de hombres, sung in Scotland as Lord, you have come to the seashore. The author and composer Cesário Gabaráin (1935-1991) was a Spanish priest who tried to write music that was easy to learn and be sung by the entire congregation.

During my seminary years in Salamanca, Spain, Pescador was the first hymn I learned in Spanish and I can still sing it off by heart! The Lord who tenderly looks into our eyes and calls us by name to follow him is the eternal yearning of hope-filled souls.

The same Lord needs our hands, our ardent love and even our tiredness to be present to others in the world.

I find it difficult to limit myself to a short list of favourite hymns because so much textual and musical beauty and prayer has been handed to us and is also being created afresh in our own day. The seasonal Marian anthems for Night Prayer are more often sung in a monastic or seminary setting and are a source of inspirational chant and sound Mariology. The great congregational hymns of the Wesley brothers – with their substantial content – rightly survive the test of time. The Marian hymnody sung lustily in our parishes on Our Lady’s feasts, and often as a recessional at Mass during May and October, are an indication of the devotion in Scotland to the Mother of God. The Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on Scriptural hymns has, after a period of teething, produced great hymns now well known by congregations. For example, Take and eat, with verses by Father James Quinn, S.J. and a refrain and melody by Michael Joncas, was introduced to Scotland at Pope Benedict’s 2010 visit, and invites a Eucharistic people to know and love the many titles and attributes of Our Lord given to us at Mass.

ICEL – the International Committee for English in the Liturgy – is a mixed commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conference in countries where English is used in the celebration of the liturgy.

Among their work to revise the translations of the (Latin)

typical editions of texts for the Mass and the celebrations of the Sacraments and other acts of worship of the Roman Rite, they are translating afresh the Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office).

The fruits of this work will be offered to Bishops’ Conferences of English-speaking countries. Around 270 hymns, many of them Patristic texts, are included in the Latin version of the Liturgy of the Hours. For the first time, a translation to English of not just some but all of them has been made. Melodies have been composed to sing each text and a metrical hymn tune for each is also indicated. This project is an excavation of the Church’s rich and ancient belief freshly presented in the vernacular. The work is yet unpublished and awaits the consideration of Bishops’ Conferences and the Holy See. Most people can, on request, sing a song dear and memorable to them! The Church has a near boundless treasury of dear and memorable music, past and present, which voices her faith and prayer and deepens her hold on us. Sung music makes a unique contribution to the effectiveness of the Church’s worship and to her evangelising mission. He (she) who sings well prays twice over!

Helping each another to sing together is part of the Church’s mission. Leonardo da Vinci said “An arch consists of two weaknesses, which, on leaning on each other, become a strength”.

When we gather as a community to pray in song, weak, modest and powerful voices lean on each other… and God, who listens to our collective prayer, blesses us and makes us stronger.

Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer

Craig Lodge Quarter Page

Retreat Yourself!

3-7 September - St Igna us’ Spiritual Exercises 28-30 September - Family Weekend Retreat 12-14 October - Luisa Piccarreta - Tony Hickey 15-19 October - Family Week Retreat 26-28 October - Spanish Mys cs - Bishop Brian McGee 2-4 November - Come & Adore Him 9-11 November - Divine Mercy - Fr Andrzej Gowkielewicz Advent Youth Retreats 16-18 November - Young Teens P7-S1 23-24 November - Mid Teens S2-S4 30 November-2 December - Young Adults 16-21 Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer Dalmally, Argyll, PA33 1AR T: 01838200 216 E: mail@craiglodge.org Full details at: www.craiglodge.org

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EDUCATION AND FORMATION

CHRISTIAN JOY We need to learn to savour the many joys God gives us: life, love, nature, silence, work and duty well done, service, “The great Pope Paul VI”, as St. John Paul II used sacrifice. Jesus often used these natural joys of ours as to call him, will be canonised this year. He wrote starting-points in his teaching.

But joy is a spiritual matter. We find it by being more much – including seven encyclicals and eleven present to God, turning away from sin, in the sources of Apostolic exhortations: the woods hide many Christian joy, the Good News of his love. fine trees. One is his Exhortation on Christian Christian joy is a sharing in the depthless divine-human Joy, Gaudete in Domino, an unusual subject, but joy of the heart of Jesus Christ glorified. The trials of the Joy is something we all desire. Here’s a summary Patriarchs and Chosen People always threaten their joy, but to whet your appetite. it springs up again. The Passover shows the joy of being set “Rejoice in the Lord always, the Lord is near to all who free by Jesus, the psalms repeatedly hymn the joy of living call upon him in truth!” This is a call to interior renewal by and for God, the glorious and supernatural joy of the and reconciliation in Christ; it’s about salvation, complete new Jerusalem. happiness, an invitation to implore the Holy Spirit’s gift of No-one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord, Joy. “Abounding joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. This is my the “joy for all the people” of Christmas night, the joyful hymn to divine joy, first of all in the Church, mysteries of the rosary, John the We can experience Christian Baptist joyfully leaping in his mother’s then to awaken a world-wide echo: may through experiencing womb at Christ’s presence. joy, together with the love of which it is the joy fruit, be poured out in our hearts by the the beauty and goodness of As man, Christ experienced, creation; there we find fulfilment appreciated and celebrated the whole Holy Spirit given to us.”

St. Paul, overjoyed with an abounding joy, and happiness. Real joy and range of human joys. There are joys in invites us too to share the gift of the Holy happiness comes from peace the parables, especially of recovery – Spirit; he taught the Corinthians that joy and satisfaction at possessing lost sheep, prodigal sons, drachmas, a known and loved good. health – signs of the spiritual joys of and affliction can go together.

We can experience Christian joy through Happiness comes from harmony the Kingdom. Christ’s joy was based experiencing the beauty and goodness with nature (cf. Lodato si’) and on knowing that he was loved by the of creation; there we find fulfilment and with other people. Spiritual joy Father – as we are, too. The Holy Trinity happiness. Real joy and happiness comes comes from possessing God, the is joyful giving in love, generosity and from peace and satisfaction at possessing supreme and unchanging good. gratitude. a known and loved good. Happiness comes All believers are called to share this from harmony with nature (cf. Lodato si’) and with other joy, which begins here and now, and have it fully. Jesus’ people. Spiritual joy comes from possessing God, the message, though demanding, above all promises joy. It supreme and unchanging good. begins with the Beatitudes – “Happy, happy, happy.” The But our experience shows that joy is always imperfect, disciples were filled with joy at the resurrection. fragile and threatened. We know what would make us Given us as the inexhaustible principle of the Church’s joy, perfectly happy, but also know that here is no perfect the Holy Spirit leads to prayer from the depth of the soul, happiness: it is finite, limited, cannot satisfy. to joy, fruit of the Holy Spirit, transfiguring the humble joys Our technological society offers multiple pleasures, but of our lives to become seeds of a higher reality. Sadness is cannot generate joy, because joy is spiritual. There are so mixed with our joy, yes, but the disciples’ sadness turns to a many sadnesses today, but they cannot stop us speaking joy no-one can take from them. of and hoping for joy, because in distress people need to Joy is shown in the lives of the saints, especially Mary, know joy, to hear its song – but we need to show love of Cause of ourJoy, and in the martyrs, but in the Father’s house neighbours by relieving their need and distress, before we there are many other ways of dying to self and coming to talk of joy. resurrection joy. The spiritual masters and mistresses leave

BY Fr GILES CONACHER OSB

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a disciple of Jesus, a child of the Church, to the Spirit’s call. a message of joy.

In the Mass, we have the first-fruits of heavenly joy, the Everything that follows is just a sign of our response or a result of divine-human communion, giving the heart a way of responding. catholic, universal openness to people and a longing for Joy is a fruit of unity of belief, accepting the whole of the heaven. faith taught by the apostles, a gift of the Spirit of unity and We should not worry if, though called to joy, our hearts love, shared joy. The Holy Spirit, Pope Paul VI says, inspired are divided. Our only way is to trust fully in Him. God’s him to ask Christians to return to the sources of joy.

If we think about the reasons we have invitation to the joyful Wedding Feast of the Lamb is universal, for all of us. for joy, we will always be joyful. God’s Though many The Holy Spirit wants to help the overlove for the world, his gift of his Son, doubt our ability to his presence through his Spirit, our busy, the over-burdened, to rediscover, discover permanent and lives transfigured in the resurrection, purify and share joy. God’s joy knocks on our door in physical and moral suffering, life-giving truth, the joy of the the Good News which makes us sing, truth, recognised in the Church, Alleluia. The joy of being Christian, in on the door of old age, to transfigure us. is profound and liberating, the Church, in grace with God – JOY! Conversion is the road forward to and we are offered this Joy comes from seeing man and God true freedom and joy. God’s invitation rightly – “if your eye is sound, your whole is loving, respects our freedom, but pressing – demanding our response. body is filled with light.” This is not just opinion, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy “There is more joy in heaven over one comes from sharing. In God himself, all repentant sinner” – and which of us is not a sinner? Frequent confession is a is joy because all is giving. The Sunday Eucharist, preparing for the eternal great source of holiness, peace and joy.

Though many doubt our ability to discover permanent feast, brings joy at meeting Christ, the sign and source of and life-giving truth, the joy of the truth, recognised in the Christian joy.

Church, is profound and liberating, and we are offered this You can download the text of Gaudete in Domino from the joy.

Pilgrimage is joyful, as the pilgrim psalm tells, “I rejoiced Vatican website: https://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/ when they said, let us go up to Jerusalem”; the kernel of apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19750509_ pilgrimage is the inner decision to respond personally, as gaudete-in-domino.html

“

Credo, I believe…

BY EILEEN GRANT

I

believe in God the Father … in Jesus Christ … in the Holy Spirit. Each Sunday and Solemnity, we proclaim our faith, our belief contained in the Creed, formulated over several centuries, but with its foundation in the Holy Gospel. More frequently now, the celebrant may ask us to proclaim either the longer Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed. It is the latter to which we are asked to respond when renewing our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil or when making a profession of faith on behalf of an infant at his/her baptism. The Apostles Creed is used also as the baptismal Creed in all mainstream Christian denominations and, as such, is an important factor in ecumenical discussions. Whichever Creed we are proclaiming, it is worthwhile pausing to think about the words and ask ourselves, Do I really and truly believe this?

Why do we have Creeds? Why should we learn these two by heart? Where do they come from? We don’t find them in Scripture, being recited by the first Christians – or do we? In fact, the act of proclaiming our faith has been around for a very

long time, not just from the time of the infant Church, but from the time of our fathers in faith, the Hebrew people.

Jews today still recite the Sh’ma three times a day, as did Jesus from an early age; the words of this ancient creed, written on tiny scrolls, may be placed on the arm and forehead while at prayer, and on the doorpost of the house, to be touched on leaving and entering, not unlike the Catholic custom of having a holy water stoup by the doorway. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise… (Deut 6: 4-7). When asked by a Pharisee lawyer, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?, Jesus answered him with these Old Testament words, before adding a second great commandment, You shall love you neighbour as yourself.

In Christian prayer, that little verse from Deuteronomy is read each Saturday during Night Prayer (Compline), on the eve of the Christian Sabbath.

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Also in the Old Testament, we find the word Amen frequently used as an affirmation of faith in God and his promises and commands. A very brief creed, but surely a creed nonetheless?

All the people shall respond, saying, Amen! (Deut 27: 15ff) Then all the people said Amen! and praised the Lord (1Chron 16:36); Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground (Neh 8:6); Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, Amen. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 106: 48).

When the Hebrew Scriptures were read aloud, the name of God was not uttered; instead the Hebrew word adonai (a plural noun) was substituted; this, in turn, was translated in the Greek OT as kyrios and, when this word was applied to Jesus in the New Testament, it affirmed that Jesus is Lord, is in fact God. We preserve this Greek word in the Kyrie eleison chant of the Mass as it links us with the first Christians. Thus, after Jesus’s command to his Apostles – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” – Jesus is Lord (Greek: kyrios Iesous) is the shortest (and the earliest) statement of belief of the Early Church, in the name of the Lord Jesus already mentioned as a possible formula for baptism in

A Scattering of Seeds This little book is one that the late Canon Bill Anderson had always hoped might be published. It is a collection of little sermons: short, sweet, simple pieces he wrote for the Saturday Sermon column in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in the early years of this century. He deals with a wide-ranging set of topics, with his customary blend of seriousness, humour and reminiscence. It may be dipped into, according to the season and one’s mood. It had almost reached the stage of going to print when he died and its publication now is our tribute to a very dear friend. Included also are four articles he wrote for his poetry column in earlier issues of this magazine. Each is around 500 words.

The topics are wide-ranging, covering the main seasons of the Church’s year, but also reflecting on many aspects of the human condition from birth to death (and after). Canon Bill is renowned for making extensive and appropriate use of literary (especially poetic) quotations in his sermons.

Because of their brevity, these passages will provide readers with “bite-sized” pieces of spiritual uplift and, hopefully, will also inspire them to follow up the literary references.

Canon Bill’s idea is, as in his larger book, Words and the Word, that inspiration may be derived from both “sacred

Page 24

the Acts (e.g 8:16; 19:5); repeated several times by the Apostle Paul: if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9). No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:11).

Paul added more, already giving us a foundation for what was to become, in the fourth century, the Creed we proclaim today: yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Cor 8: 6).

And, for I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4).

Incidentally, Jesus is Lord is the motto of the World Council of Churches, suggesting that this credal statement is the foundation of all Christians’ faith. Short and simple, it might appear to express all we need to believe; alas, it wasn’t long before individuals began to question that statement and so the Early Church had to explain it in greater detail over the next few centuries until, finally, we arrived at the Council of Nicaea and a Creed for all times.

To be continued and secular scriptures”.

It would provide also, I believe a little collection of spiritual counsel akin to that provided by great confessors of the past.

So far as we are aware, there is not a publication around quite like this one. Through these short pieces one can hear the voice of a fine preacher who understood the human condition and was able to convey his own great love of language and literature, as well as a lifelong love affair with the Lord.

“Here was a man of gracious words and who inspired them in others. I don’t think I’ve ever known any priest, any person even, of whom people speak so uniformly well … There was a reflection of Christ. There was something imbibed from the Crucified.” (Bishop Hugh Gilbert at Fr Bill’s Funeral Mass) 116 pages £7 (+ p&p) For further information or to order copies, please contact Eileen Grant eclareg@btinternet.com Canon Bill’s book is also being offered as our prize for this issue’s crossword winner.

FAITH AND CULTURE

The Arctic Mission

BY ALASDAIR ROBERTS & ANN DEAN

Torshavn in the Faeroes.

Finding it difficult to supply priests for Caithness, to say uring much of the nineteenth century the nothing of the Northern Isles, Bishop Kyle welcomed the Northern District was under Bishop James proposal that the area should become part of the Arctic Mission.

Kyle at Preshome near Buckie. That herring Prefect Djunkowski reported progress in Shetland, a series of port flourished along with others further 1860 letters to Kyle ending: ‘I left a chapel in Lerwick. It north at Wick and Thurso, and Catholic missions were also is a beautiful building for beginning . . . I left a priest who established in the islands of Orkney and Shetland. Linked understands all languages spoken there: English, Dutch, to that, the most dramatic development for these latitudes Norwegian and French. Portative chapel left in Lerwick to my priest. Expecting decision of Rome in respect of Orkney and and beyond was the Arctic Mission.

The initiative came from Count Stefan Marie Djunkowski, Shetland.’

The first Mass had been held in the Zetland Hotel which was a Russian Pole who, as a young man, chose Rome over the Orthodox Church. He studied with Jesuits at Paris and was run by two Irish brothers. This first chapel was on the lowest ordained a secular priest. With the backing of Pope Pius IX, level of a lodberry for loading boats. The priest who arrived from he took charge of the Apostolic Prefecture of the North Pole the Faeroes was a young Belgian, Theophilus Maria Verstraeten. in 1855. His base was at Alta near the North Cape of Norway. He served Shetland’s Catholics and a greater number who passed There had been a medieval archdiocese of Nidaros linking through, coming to be known as ‘the tall dignified gentleman Trondheim with Iceland, but Djunkowski aimed to serve all with the gold-rimmed spectacles and the kindly heart.’

While Djunkowski wore out his health on voyages between indigenous people from Lapland to Hudson’s Bay. Lack of money made that dream impossible, but a chapel was opened at Trondheim and Reykjavik, often seasick, his vicar general Abbé Bernard took up residence at Wick. A Keith-based priest called Walter Lovi had built a chapel and house there while helping the fishing community during a cholera epidemic. According to the artist and historian Peter Anson ‘It was used for only a few weeks during the summer, and was closed for the rest of the year. Massive iron gates protected the chapel from the assaults of drunkards and juvenile marauders.’ Also at Wick, which became the Scottish headquarters of the Arctic Mission, Fr Philip Capron raised its profile as reported in the press. He also raised money in Ireland for an Orkney chapel.

This was opened ten years after his departure when the preReformation hierarchy of bishops Ann Dean, “Lerwick Harbour circa 1880”

D

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FAITH AND CULTURE in Scotland was about to be restored. See Alison Gray’s Circle of Light: The Catholic Church in Orkney Since 1560.

With the Pope’s encouragement Belgians played a leading part in the Arctic Mission. One of them, Abbé Ciamberiani, provided a report to Rome which was published (in French) at Brussels: ‘The situation of this most remote area at the extreme edge of the world with such a harsh climate and very scattered population is extremely difficult.’ In addition to eight priests, two of them in Iceland, there were six well motivated students in seminaries. An Icelander called Olaf Gunlogsen shared journeys with the Prefect before quailing at the prospect of loneliness.

Working with ‘lost women’ at Wick and Kirkwall caused him to seek occupation with Cardinal Wiseman in London. Ill health led Djunkowski to take the spa waters at Hamburg, where he met and married an English woman in the local Anglican church.

As well as this nobleman whose father had moved in St

Petersburg circles, Mike Loynd and his wife have discovered other colourful Catholics and converts. They produced a centenary booklet in 2011 for St Margaret’s, Lerwick which takes us back to Fr Verstraeten. The workings of the Mission appear in a letter he wrote to Bishop Kyle from Wick about Protestant tracts and his ‘solitude’, lacking advice: ‘Our Prefect the R. Rev Abbé Bernard has gone to Faeroe and Iceland. . . I will return for a short time to Orkney and afterwards to Shetland.’

A year after the Mission was wound up the life of this priest came to a tragic end. Minutes of the Sheriff’s Committee for 23 June 1871 record the Belgian smack ‘Le Mare’ with smallpox aboard. The master was persuaded by the priest to anchor in Gremista Bay. Father Verstraeten fell sick and died back on shore. His remains were conveyed to Ostend in a lead-lined coffin. A noble enterprise ended, but it had brought Mass to the utmost limits of Scotland.

If I believe that I deserve respect and consideration, then I must respect and consider others, however difficult or inconvenient that might be!

BY SR JANET FEARNS FMDM

N

o wonder prisoners in Guantanamo Bay complained of music torture in 2008! One report declared that the same five pieces of music blared relentlessly through the loudspeakers strategically placed around the detention facility. Apparently it was not the volume which caused the problem as much as the unending monotony of the selection which nearly drove inmates crazy.

One August Bank Holiday weekend perhaps the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay had little cause for objecting that outsiders couldn’t understand their plight. When two local Councils did not consult with each other, it meant that a music festival run by one company and a fairground owned by another set up less than 100 yards apart. Both ignored the obligation to keep their sound levels within legal limits. To residents, the noise from one music festival plus one fairground meant double the overall Page 26

volume of disturbance.

Three days of a constant rhythmical pounding of drums (no music could be heard above them), from 11.00am until 10.00pm quickly had more than nuisance value. Windows rattled. Doors shook – and still the seemingly endless din continued. Double glazed windows offered no protection. Earplugs did not work.

Complaints had little effect. As a result of raising neighbourhood grievances, music festival event organisers sent a technician to measure their own sound levels. “It’s not us. It’s them”... and he left, happily justified that he had done his job. The fairground? A group of men shrugged their shoulders. They could not see what the trouble was: without loud music, who would know that there was a fair as well as a music festival?

Meanwhile local residents felt trapped, the sick and the housebound more so than the mobile, some of whom, driven from their homes, became refugees beyond their local boundaries and the constant noise. Others, their weekend spoiled by others’ thoughtlessness, waited longingly for that blissful moment when, at 10.00pm, blaring loudspeakers at last became silent.

(How did their frazzled nerves cope with Monday morning and might divert emergency services from a genuine emergency the prospect of work?) when a rapid response means the difference between life and Yet the thoughtlessness of the few against the many affects death. On one occasion, an emergency control room received a more than local residents and their aching eardrums. Elsewhere trivial 999 call about poor restaurant service at the same time as a the lack of consideration and thinking ahead annually leads to witness reported a hit and run accident involving a young child. generous individuals risking their lives to rescue unnecessary National Rail and the London Underground regularly handle victims. Every year the Royal National Lifeboat Institution tragedies where someone has committed suicide in front of a (RNLI) finds its members called out to rescue foolhardy moving train: how many were facilitated by the thoughtlessness, people who ignored warnings and advice only to create entirely selfishness and perhaps undisguised cruelty of others? avoidable emergencies. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

A policeman complained as he returned from a major road A fisherman who worked on trawlers in the North Sea once accident with multiple fatalities, “People enjoy the speed and the remarked, “We know the sea and are afraid of it.” added danger of swerving around corners and between lines of A man called upon the services of a North People always find it traffic. They forget that I am the one who has to Wales Mountain Rescue team because, by way easier to point the finger at deal with the immediate consequences. I am the of a change, he wanted to climb a mountain in someone else rather than one who helps to pick body parts off the road.

Snowdonia by night. Close to the summit, he to accept responsibility for I am the one who has to go to the family and discovered that he carried the wrong map of the wrongdoing. All of us can break the news. I am the one to go home to my area and felt vulnerable on finding that he did make excuses. Children are family and cannot let the traumas of my day not know his way in the dark. On a mild, starry experts. Somehow all sorts overflow onto my wife and children. People see night and in no immediate danger, why did he of things happen “just like that I am a policeman, but they forget that I am not simply wait until dawn, when he would see a that”. The difficulty is that also a human being, a husband and a father.” well-marked path, trodden annually by countless some people do not grow In The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley, Mrs thousands of visitors? Why summon the search up. What happens when Be-Done-By-As-You-Did was a stern, inflexible the matter is serious and woman who taught the babies that if they did and rescue helicopter?

Some genuine emergencies happen because many lives are at stake? not like someone’s behaviour, then it is best not ill-equipped and inexperienced individuals suddenly become to imitate it and inflict those same actions on someone else. If selectively deaf, ignoring expert advice not to climb, walk the fells I believe that I deserve respect and consideration, then I must or sail in the prevailing weather conditions. There are those who respect and consider others, however difficult or inconvenient always carry an umbrella “in case it rains”, yet, as soon as they that might be. see a blade of grass and the open countryside, appear ignorant of Spare a thought for the emergency service personnel who risk suitable footwear and clothing. Sooner or later, they are surprised their own lives to save the thoughtless. to find themselves stranded, perhaps seriously injured or in a lifethreatening situation and call for help. Many rescuers must have thought, “If you had listened to my warning, this never would have happened”.

People always find it easier to point the finger at someone else rather than to accept responsibility for wrongdoing. All of us can make excuses. Children are experts. Somehow all sorts of things happen “just like that”. The difficulty is that some people do not Fertility Care Scotland has just completed their Billings Ovulation Method® Teacher Training Course, training four new Billings Teachers grow up. What happens when the matter is serious and many and re-accrediting two Senior Teachers. This will enable the charity lives are at stake? to continue to bring knowledge of The Billings Ovulation Method® to women and couples throughout Scotland.

It is easy to see the horrors perpetrated at a distance and to Fertility Care Scotland invites women and couples having difficulty conceiving, to attend one of their centres in Scotland to learn about their fertility and optimise their be unaware of those closer to home. The time-wasting 999 call

“

Train to Teach Fertility Care Scotland

Jericho Inns:Layout 1

11/11/15

08:58

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The Jericho JERICHO BENEDICTINES Benedictines Eighth Page

Combine the Spiritual Life with the running of ‘Jericho Inns’ for those being passed by on the other side’ The Drug & Alcohol Addicted Victims of Domestic Violence Homeless Men & Women Holidays for those on low income Enquiries & donations gratefully received Fr. James Monastery of Jesus, Harelaw Farm KILBARCHAN Renfrewshire PA10 2PY

Fertility Care Scotland Quarter Page

chances of achieving a pregnancy naturally. Their trained medical and accredited voluntary teachers teach The Billings Ovulation Method® which is based on a woman’s natural signs of fertility and infertility. 99% effective also in postponing pregnancy it is applicable at all stages of a woman’s reproductive life including during breastfeeding and approaching the menopause. It is highly effective in helping couples conceive a pregnancy.

Clinics are held mostly in the evenings, in some NHS hospitals, health centres and local premises. The service is provided free of charge.

Millions of women around the world use this Method to achieve or avoid pregnancy and to monitor and safeguard their reproductive health. Developed by Drs John and Evelyn Billings, the Billings Ovulation Method® has been verified by international scientists and approved by the World Health Organisation. More information about the Method can be found at billings.life.

For a tutor in your area, contact Margaret Hammond in Aberdeen on 07891 358114 or Jane Green in Keith on 01542 870641.

Alternatively call Elaine McGill at Fertility Care Scotland’s Head Office on 0141 221 0858, or email info@fertilitycare.org.uk Photos – Teacher Training Course held 31 May – 3 June 2018.

Trainers Dr Angela McCallum, Gina McFadden, Toni Cameron and Dr Anna Fletcher.

Please Contact: Fertility Care Scotland, 196 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 4JY 0141 221 0858 info@fertilitycare.org.uk

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FAITH AND CULTURE

Uplifting Walks

BY SABRINA MAGUIRE

The spiritual highlight of the year is the Annual Open-Air Mass

ou may have seen our posters and adverts in your parish church, on Facebook or on the diocesan website, but what is “Uplifting Walks”?

Simply put: “Uplifting Walks is a diocese-wide, multi aged and multi ability walking group which meets one Saturday per month for a mixture of social and religious walks.”

We welcome EVERYONE, all ages from children/families to 80 +, and all fitness levels and we are extremely proud of our friendly multinational identity. You may feel that you're not “religious enough” for this type of walking group… don’t be silly! Firstly, not every walk is religious, our main focus is bringing people together from across the diocese and having fun! Secondly, this is your own personal spiritual experience. Another worry we often get is “I’m not Catholic” - that doesn’t matter either! All are welcome to opt in or out of any religious element, all we just ask is for walkers to respect each other’s decision.

Feel like your fitness level isn’t great? Don’t worry! We provide a detailed description of each walk and try to offer multiple mileage options. Also our team are happy to provide help and support when needed.

We are grateful to be supported by Bishop Hugh, the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia and Fr Tad Turski who regularly attend or help at walks. We are particularly grateful to Fr Tad, who celebrates Mass for us and helps to lead on pilgrimages.

The spiritual highlight of the year is our Annual OpenAir Mass. Combining a beautiful natural location with the celebration of this special Mass truly recharges your soul. Some of our most memorable moments have been toasting marshmallows in the pouring rain, celebrating with champagne on our 3rd birthday, hiking through knee deep snow on the St John Ogilvie pilgrimage, visiting some of the most historic churches in Moray… We have walked through forests, along coastlines, up hills, across the countryside in glorious sunshine, pouring rain, high winds and snow/ice. We run completely social walks, coffee and cake meets, pilgrimages, passion walks, open air Masses… hopefully something for everyone!

One of the highlights at every walk is our lunch stop… our multinational identity really shows and besides our own packed lunches, people often take extras so we can sample

foods from all across Europe - just like one large family! We usually follow this with our traditional dessert of toasting marshmallows over a fire, which always goes down a treat!

Don’t take my word for it, here is what some of our walkers say: One walker says: "With Uplifting Walks we are given an opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of God's creation in the excellent company of our brothers and sisters in faith. These treks are a truly healthy way to foster a spirit of fellowship and fraternity among the faithful and are highly recommended. One especially memorable experience was when Bishop Hugh celebrated Mass for us near the Mither Tap peak of Bennachie: this open air Eucharist gave a powerful sense of the universality of Christ's redeeming sacrifice and of God's bountiful gifts to us."

Another walker says “Walking with Uplifting Walks group gives me the chance to recharge my batteries with plenty of positive energy, visit places in amazing Scotland, meet

Y

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Toasting marshmallows.

Pouring rain doesn’t dampen these walkers’ spirits!

Oot an Aboot with Ron Smith In the previous issue of the Light of the North Ron Smith gave an account of the heroic martyrdom of 26 Christians in Nagasaki, and briefly touched on the amazing history of the hidden Christians of Japan. This is their story:

T

he first Christian missionary, St. Francis Xavier, arrived in Japan in August of 1549. Christianity flourished rapidly but then came oppression, as the Shogun, fearing for the security of his reign, and facing the threat of an invasion from Spain (as had happened in the Philippines) and a perceived new threat of a Christian insurgency, banned Christianity in 1587. Enforcement of his edict was not severe at first. Later, however, he decided to crack down harder on Christianity, a crackdown which resulted in the martyrdom of 26 Christians in Nagasaki in 1597.

The ban on Christianity continued, intensifying in 1614 when it was extended throughout Japan and rigorously enforced.

The growth of Catholicism had been tremendous. The the first church was built in 1567, “Todos Os Santos” (“All Saints” in Portuguese). Between 1601 and 1614 at least 13 churches were built in the Nagasaki area, to be subsequently destroyed in the periodic purges. Between 1633 and 1637, on the same hill where the 26 martyrs had died, many more

new people, have fun and finally feel some kind of Spiritual Resurrection!”

A first time walker says “The walk was a comfortable distance with a nice focus and an impromptu social aspect. I was nervous as I didn’t know anybody, but I was made very welcome and by the end I felt very much part of the group. It was nice to have a link to scripture and to appreciate God's natural world with like-minded people.

Looking forward to my next walk!”

Interested or questions?

If you wish to keep up to date with our walks and events, you can find us on the Diocesan website and Facebook page or visit our own website: www.upliftingwalks.wordpress. com, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ upliftingwalks/ or drop an email to Sabrina Maguire, our administrator at sabrina@rcda.scot - Honestly, come and join us - you won't be disappointed!

The Hidden Christians of Japan people were killed for their faith, including another group of 16 saints, fourteen of whom were Dominican priests or religious, and two laymen.

Christianity carried on in secret though thousands were killed. Estimates vary, but it is thought that around 5,000 people died for their faith.

Japan is a country made up of thousands of islands and many Christians were voluntarily or forcibly exiled to the outer islands, especially the Goto islands off Nagasaki. The last secret priest was found and killed in 1644. The Christians were now completely isolated, and were to live in fear for generations. But - they kept the faith alive. They formed Christian organisations, baptised their children and prayed.

Religious matters, such as calendars to enable them to keep all the Christian days like Easter, Christmas and saints days, were passed on by means of a secret communication network.

In 1862 Japan began to open up to the outside world, and two French missionaries were allowed to build a church in Nagasaki, Oura Cathedral, completed in December of 1864.

However, the church was only for the use of foreigners, and proselytising was forbidden. It was still illegal for Japanese to be Christians but several brave Japanese Christians from Urakami came to see the priests of the Cathedral, Fathers Petitjean and Furet, in March of1865. They cautiously enquired if the two priests were really Catholic clerics and if priests were once again being allowed into Japan. The Cathedral priests were amazed to find out that there were still thousands of Catholics in Japan. They had kept the faith alive without priests for over 200 years, seven generations, just waiting for the day when they could practise their faith openly.

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FAITH AND CULTURE the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki destroying their church, and killing 8,500 of the 12,000 parishioners. In the early 1900s, the Spanish ambassador to Japan had given a wooden statue of Mary Immaculate to the church, which had been placed over the main altar.

Days after the bombing, a priest was searching through the rubble and ashes of what had been Urakami Cathedral.

Only one item had survived, the scorched and severed head of the statue which has been carefully preserved and is kept as a symbol of the foolishness of war. The Cathedral was rebuilt by 1959.

Oura Cathedral was also obliterated by the atom bomb, but has been faithfully rebuilt, and today it is a major

Oura Church [Photo credit: Travel Oriented] Unfortunately, their joy was short lived. The ban still existed and in 1867 3,384 Catholics from Urakami were exiled to over 20 different Japanese regions, and all their belongings confiscated.

However, in 1873, the ban on Christianity was lifted, and the people of Urakami returned to their home town but tragically, not before 613 had died for their faith. The former exiles had nothing, and had to till the ground using broken bits of pottery. Over a period of 30 years and with scant resources they built a church, bit by bit, finally completing it in 1925. The church only survived 20 years, until 1945, when

This monument outside Oura Cathedral documents the delight of “Hidden Christians” learning of the return of priests to Japan [Photo credit: Ron Smith] Page 30

Urakami Cathedral [Photo credit: Ron Smith destination for tourists and Christians. The Urakami parishioners built another church, Oura Church, about 100 yards from the Cathedral and this is the centre of parish life today.

There are around 440,000 Catholics in Japan, with Nagasaki still being the main centre of the Faith. It is worth while going there if you can. There is just so much to see and learn about and you are sure to be stirred by the dedication of those generations of secret Catholics.

For more information: “Guide to Pilgrimage Sites and Churches In Nagasaki” (ISBN 4-88851-093-8) which includes maps and photographs of all the churches, published by the Diocese of Nagasaki.

“Nagasaki Pilgrimage: A Guide to the Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki”, published by the Nagasaki Prefecture (see www.visit-nagasaki.com).

Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki Information Centre: www.kyoukaigun.jp/en Nagasaki Pilgrimage Centre: www.nagasaki-junrei-centre.jp Japanese Tourism Office: www.seejapan.co.uk

plain and quite untrammelled with musical technicalities, so as to come within the reach of all, even the unskilled.’

Despite this worthy aim, the collection is surprisingly unuser-friendly, having no index or logical order, and Dr Thomas Muir, writing in 2004, has criticised the ‘atrocious presentation and slovenly editorial work’.

Originally Crown of Jesus Music was available both as a single volume and also as three, later four, separate parts.

The first two parts contain hymns for various occasions, arranged loosely into sections such as ‘Hymns chiefly for Children’ ‘Crown of Jesus Rosary’ ‘Hymns to the B. Sacrament’ amongst others, plus litanies and devotions such as the Stations of the Cross. The third part is devoted more or less equally to Vespers and Benediction music, showing how the latter service was growing in popularity during the nineteenth century. There are twenty ‘Benediction services’ all devoted to saints, several of whom are distinctly obscure. The fourth part contains Masses, including a Requiem. It has to be said that there is a slightly gloomy tone to the collection, with what has been described as its ‘preoccupation with sin and death’ and the number of hymns with such markings as ‘Slow and Devoutly’ or ‘Very slow and plaintive’.

The collection includes plainchant and over 170 vernacular hymns. Several of the tunes for these were written by Hémy himself. Examples are ‘Hail Queen of Heaven’, ‘I’ll sing a hymn to Mary’, and one of his best tunes,

BY DR SHELAGH NODEN

A

few years ago I came across an old hymn book in a plastic bag behind the organ in St Mary’s, Fochabers. Perhaps it is still there. It was a very battered copy of Crown of Jesus Music, published in 1864, and it had clearly been well used. Described by its publishers as a ‘rare and valuable collection’, the hymnal remained popular well into the twentieth century, but in 1931 Sir Richard Terry, the first Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral, dismissed it as ‘terrible’. Originally it was a companion to the Crown of Jesus: a complete Catholic Manual of devotion, doctrine and instruction which appeared in 1862 and sold a staggering 98,000 copies in the space of two years. The hymn book, one of the first aimed at a nationwide market, still appears to have a following, as copies can even now be found on Amazon and similar websites at startlingly high prices.

The book was compiled by Henri Frederick Hémy (18181888), a musician of Flemish ancestry, based in Newcastle, who had converted to Catholicism in 1849. For a time he was Professor of Music at Ushaw College, the seminary situated near Durham, and two of his thirteen children, Oswin and Bede, also taught there. Hémy intended the collection of hymns for the use of a musically unsophisticated audience, stating reassuringly in the preface that ‘Most [of the music] will be found simple,

“Church Choir 1875” - Illustration by Randolph Caldecott for an 1875 edition of “Old Christmas” by Washington Irving Page 31

FAITH AND CULTURE written for a hymn to St Catherine, but nowadays sung to 1844, was used for ‘Holy Mary, we implore thee’, and ‘O bread of heaven’. Despite attempts by Richard Terry and Cecil Frances Alexander, wife of the Protestant bishop others to substitute what they saw as more worthy tunes, of Armagh is represented by the carol ‘Once in David’s these simple melodies have persisted and many can still Royal City’, (nowadays known as ‘Royal David’s City’).

There is another female contributor; the be found in modern hymnals.

An examination of the enigmatic ‘Sr Agnes’, who is the author of However, most of the hymn tunes in content of Crown of Jesus ‘Hail, glorious St Patrick’, one of only six Crown of Jesus Music are adapted from Music shows what a debt is texts of Irish origin in the collection. The melodies by well-known composers: Beethoven, Farrant, Handel, Haydn, Mehul, owed by modern hymnals tune to this hymn is another by Hémy this ground-breaking and I am grateful to Stephen Bradley for Mendelssohn, Mozart, Purcell, Rossini and to Weber. This was a common practice at the publication. Familiar hymns pointing out that this version, like that of time and often works well, but occasionally such as ‘O Sacred Heart’, ‘Daily, several other tunes, differs in places from one has to smile, as when the hymn ‘I am daily sing to Mary’, ‘I’ll sing a the versions we use today. a faithful Catholic’ is incongruously set hymn to Mary’, ‘Hail glorious An examination of the content of to Papageno’s aria, Ein Mädchen oder St Patrick’ ,’Faith of our Fathers’ Crown of Jesus Music shows what a Weibchen from the Magic Flute. (set to a ‘Swiss air’) first became debt is owed by modern hymnals to this ground-breaking publication. Familiar Some melodies were supplied by clergy: popular in this collection. hymns such as ‘O Sacred Heart’, ‘Daily, Charles Newsham, President of Ushaw College and a keen musician, is represented by eight daily sing to Mary’, ‘I’ll sing a hymn to Mary’, ‘Hail glorious hymn tunes and a Mass. Richard Gillow and Thomas St Patrick’ ,’Faith of our Fathers’ (set to a ‘Swiss air’) first Youens, who both taught at the college, provided one became popular in this collection. Despite Terry’s efforts tune each. Interestingly some music by Youens and other to eliminate such hymns, these and others like them, first Ushaw composers including Dr Newsham, can be found in found in Crown of Jesus Music, still survive. One wonders a music manuscript associated with the Scottish seminary if contemporary ‘folk’ hymns, which can attract similar at Lismore, demonstrating a definite connection between scorn from academic musicians, will be as long-lasting. the two colleges. A melody by Matthew Camidge, the And finally: if you possess a copy of this hymnal it might Anglican organist at York Minster up to his death in be worth your while to advertise it on eBay!

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Society of the Little Flower Half Page

The mission of the Society of the Little Flower is to promote devotion to St.Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Carmelite Nun and Doctor of the Church. Through prayers and donations, friends of St.Thérèse enable Carmelites to continue her “Shower of Roses” in their ministries throughout the world and in their education of young Carmelites.

Carmelite priests, nuns, brothers and sisters serve people in parishes, medical clinics, women’s centres, schools, retreat houses, hospitals, catechetical centres, prisons, housing, job and skills development programmes and sacramental celebrations around the world.

Society of the Little Flower Barclays House 51 Bishopric Horsham RH12 1QJ

0345 602 9884 (local rate) ukweb@littleflower.org www.littleflower.eu Charity No. 1123034

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Food and Faith

with Margaret Bradley

The Diocese of Aberdeen is home to Catholics from all over the world. Maria Salome Tavares, originally from Lisbon, Portugal is a parishioner of St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen. In the following article she shares her recipe for the traditional Portuguese dish “ Carne de Porco à Alentejana” with our resident food columnist, Margaret Bradley.

P

ork is one of the most popular meats in Portugal especially that of the Black Iberian Pig which is native to central and southern Portugal and Spain. These pigs can be black, dark red or dark grey, have little or no hair, thin robust legs and long snouts. They are believed to be traceable back to Neolithic times and to be a cross between domestic pigs and wild boars.

The pigs are raised free range in oak forests where they feed largely on acorns and herbs. They have a good appetite and tend to develop fat easily which accumulates under their skin and also in their muscles forming layers of intramuscular fat which makes their meat unusually highly marbled.

Genetics, free grazing and natural feeding on acorns result in a nutty, sweetly flavoured pork with a higher than usual fat content. During cooking, the fat melts, Carne de Porco à Alentejana 2lbs pork loin 1 onion 2 cloves garlic Salt and pepper Bay leaf 2 cups white wine 1tsp paprika 2 tsp Tabasco hot sauce 2/3 large potatoes 2lbs small fresh clams 1 cup chicken stock Black olives Coriander Cooking oil

leaving the meat moist and supremely tender.

The pork can be roasted, grilled or barbecued, although barbecuing directly over coals may result in the fat melting and catching fire! Meat from the legs produces an excellent well marbled ham, thin slices of which can be wrapped round a small bread stick and eaten accompanied by a dry sherry. Throughout Portugal pork from the Black Iberian pig is used in the traditional Portuguese dish called “Carne de Porco à Alentejana” which combines chunks of pork with clams and black olives. The name Alentejana identifies the pork as being from Alentejo, the area where the Black Iberian pigs are raised.

To follow this dish, the Portuguese, being very sweet toothed, serve one of the very sweet cakes, custards or pastries for which they are renowned.

Their specialities include egg custard tarts made

Chop the pork into small cubes and place in a large bowl with the salt, pepper, chopped garlic, bay leaf, paprika, Tabasco sauce and a cup of white wine. Stir well and leave to marinate for a few hours. Chop the potatoes into cubes, fry in hot oil until golden brown, season and set aside. Place the clams in a bowl of cold salted water and leave in the fridge for one hour until all the sand has settled out. Chop the onions and fry in some oil for about one minute. Drain the

The Black Iberian Pig with crisp puff pastry and filled with a mixture of egg yolks flavoured with vanilla and cinnamon, a fluffy egg white mousse which is immersed in caramel sauce and sugary baked apples. Lots of calories but a must for anyone with a sweet tooth, accompanied by a strong Portuguese espresso.

pork, saving the liquid, and add to the onions. Brown the pork and cook for about five minutes.

Rinse the clams and add to the pork with a cup of wine, chicken stock and the left over liquid from the marinade. Cover and cook on a medium heat until the clams open. Discard any clams that do not open. Add more Tabasco, salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the potatoes, add the olives and sprinkle with chopped coriander.

Serve at once.

If you know somebody who is unable to get to church to pick up a copy of the Light of the North please let them know that for just £10.00 they can be put on our subscribers’ mailing list, and we will send them a year’s issues of the magazine by post. All cheques should be made out to: “RC Diocese of Aberdeen” Page 33

FAITH AND CULTURE

Humour from the Vestry “He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.“ (Epictetus) From The Times A young girl who was blown out to sea on a set of inflatable teeth was rescued by a man on an inflatable lobster. A coastguard spokesman commented, “This sort of thing is all too common.”

GOD CREATES MAN AND WOMAN God and Adam are walking through the Garden of Eden, discussing various things. At one point, Adam says, "Wow, God, you sure made Eve awfully beautiful, just amazingly beautiful!"

Spoke the Lord: "Yes, my son, that is so you would love her very, very deeply." After a brief moment, Adam hesitatingly commented, "But Lord, you made Eve not too smart." "Ah, yes," said God, "that is so she would love you very, very deeply."

Misadventures in headline writing from around the world: City Unsure Why the Sewer Smells —The Herald-Palladium (St. Joseph, Michigan) Case of Innocent Man Freed After Spending 18 Years in Prison Proves Texas System Works — Lubbock AvalancheJournal (Texas) At Last Singer Etta James Dies —dailymail.co.uk Woman with Arms Held — Times of India Self-Proclaimed Invisible Man No-Show at Court Hearing — The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah) Red Cross in Search of Donors with Low Blood Supply — Sandusky Register Police Charge One-Armed Man with Unarmed Robbery — Masslive.com Pair Banned from All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant for Eating Too Much— Telegraph Motorcyle Deaths Drop, but Trend Is Worrisome — Yahoo. com Police Arrest Naked Man with Concealed Weapon — MSNBC.com Spay/Neuter Clinic for Low-Income Residents — (Lewiston, Maine) Sun Journal

I’m not lion!

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was astonished that the hungry lions had not eaten Daniel. He summoned Daniel and promised him that if he would reveal his secret, the king would give him his freedom.

"It was easy, your excellency," Daniel said. "I went around and whispered in each lion's ear — 'After dinner, there will be speeches.'"

Schoolboy Howlers The spinal column is a long bunch of bones.

The head sits on the top, and you sit on the bottom.

Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun, but I never have been able to make out the numbers.

The word "trousers" is an uncommon noun because it is singular at the top and plural at the bottom.

Writing at the same time as Shakespeare was Miguel Cervantes. He wrote Donkey Hote. The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote Paradise Lost.

Then his wife died and he wrote Paradise Regained.

Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The Ids of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out: ‘Tee hee, Brutus’ Homer wrote the Oddity. Actually, Homer was not written by Homer but another man of that name.

Henry VIII couldn’t walk because he had an abbess on each knee.

Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert and travelled by Camelot. The climate of the Sarah is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere.

The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we wouldn’t have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a female moth.

Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. Socrates died from an overdose of wedlock. After his death, his career suffered a dramatic decline.

It was an age of great inventions and discoveries.

Gutenberg invented removable type and the Bible.

Another important invention was the circulation of blood.

Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was canonized by Bernard Shaw for reasons I don’t really understand.

The English and French still have problems.

A Mathematical Limerick An old geometrical guy Watched his waistline increase by and by He blamed the affronts To circumference On having an excess of pi

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WORD No.38

This issue’s competition winner will receive a copy of A Scattering of Seeds a collection of little sermons written by the late Canon Bill Anderson for the Saturday Sermon column in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in the early years of this century. 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.

separates the sanctuary from the body of the church where the Holy Sacrament is administered. (9,4) 5. A self-contained Christian community: a Christian religious community whose members remain physically within it (8,5) 6. “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the ------ a nest for herself, where she

may lay her young” Psalms (7) 7. Enforced removal from one's native country (5) 13. Leading the life of a person without a fixed domicile; moving from place to place. (7) 15. Beaming; emitting light or heat. (7) 17. Seaport of Jordan. (5) 19. Another name for the triple crown formerly worn by the Pope. (5)

Answers to Crossword No. 37 Across 1. Bishop 5. Becket 8. Ahab 9. Spacious 10. Crotchet 11. Told 12. Stroll 14. Eunuch 16. Amos 18. Anointed 20.

Unburden 21. Grew 22. Cyrene 23. Smooth Down 2. Inherit 3. Habit 4. Paschal Candle 5. Beat The Bounds 6. Clifton 7. Equal 13. Obscure 15. Clement 17.

Money 19. Negro

Little Horror Sudoku No. 25 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. Writer of “cautionary tales” e.g “Matilda who told lies”.(6) 5. Major feast of the Christian calendar. (6) 8. “---- Dei”; Roman Catholic organisation. (4) 9. Footwear worn by native Americans. (8) 10. Italian musical term meaning “hold back”. (8) 11. Emblem of St David and Wales. (4) 12. “O come, O come, -------, Who in thy glorious majesty, From that high mountain clothed in awe, Gavest thy folk the elder Law.” hymn (6) 14. Martyr whose relics are kept at Brookwood cemetery near Woking. (6) 16. “Is there no ---- in Gilead; is there no physician there?”

Jeremiah (4)

18. The middle of the day. (8) 20. “And Mary said, Behold the -------- of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.” (8) 21. “Cast me not ---- from thy Presence” Church Anthem by SS Wesley. (4) 22. “The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to ------ half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it” Edward Fitzgerald (6) 23. Bridge in Venice over the Grand Canal. (6) Down 2. Having been made devoid of contents. (7) 3. A fine, smooth, tightly twisted thread of spun cotton, used especially for hosiery.(5) 4. The partition which

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

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

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

Congratulations to our last competition winner, Bruce Howe from Aviemore.

Page 35