Light of the North

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Issue 39, Advent 2018

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

Letter from Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB p3  Youth Pilgrimage to France p8  Suicide in the Highlands p12  Meditation for Advent p30

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

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Contents DIOCESE News ............................................................................................3 FAITH IN ACTION Godly Play ..............................................................................19 WITNESS God loves a cheerful giver ................................................20 EDUCATION AND FORMATION From Catechized to Catechist ..........................................21 Credo - I believe .....................................................................23 FAITH AND CULTURE Book talk .................................................................................24 The Lives of St Duthac of Tain ............................................26 On a Wing and a Prayer .......................................................27 Oot an Aboot ........................................................................28 Thinking out Loud ................................................................29 The musical monk from Scone Abbey ............................31 Food and Faith - King or Queen for the day ...............33 Humour ...................................................................................34 Crossword and Sudoku .......................................................35

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his depiction of the Adoration of the Magi is an altarpiece by Florentine sculptor Andrea della Robbia (1435–1525) which is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Andrea inherited the family workshop from his famous uncle, Luca della Robbia, who had developed the technique of applying tin glazes, similar to those used by potters, to terracotta (fired clay) to produce sculptures that were colourful, durable and relatively cheap.

The scene is set in a landscape, showing the Three Kings with attendants, offering their gifts to the Holy Family.

Andrea’s sculpture was similar in style to contemporary painting, but certain colours, such as red, could not be produced in tin-glaze. The relief was probably commissioned by the Albizzi, a prominent Florentine family, for a church not far from Florence. The shiny surface of the altarpiece would have reflected the candlelight in the chapel, bringing the image to life

up front

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

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dvent is considered to be a time of reflection and preparation for Christmas, but what if we had nothing to prepare for? What if Jesus Christ had not revealed himself to us more than 2,000 years ago?

It’s not easy to imagine living in a world which has not been transformed by that momentous event. Just consider, for example, that the concept of human rights and equality, which we take as a given, comes exclusively from the biblical idea that all people are created in the image of God. And what of our education system? The earliest universities were founded in order to teach Canon law and then theology and the humanities. Almost every University College founded in Europe until the mid-19th century was established by some religious organisation or other.

In most countries, relief of the poor was a responsibility of the church; the idea of religious charity lay at the heart of the medieval and early modern hospital and all our modern welfare legislation is based on the sense of moral responsibility which grew out of Christian social teaching.

Jesus’ emphasis on helping the neediest and lowliest in society is why we rush to help when there is famine or flood. Modern science is based on the notion that God is the source of knowable, rational truth, hence the existence of scientific laws, not surprising then that nearly all the founders of modern science were Christians: Keppler, Boyle, Pascal, Pasteur and Newton.

Amazing to think that much of the world, as we know it, and our world view, has largely been framed by one man who was born in a stable in Bethlehem, whose active ministry lasted only three years, and whose life was gloriously cut short at the age of thirty-three. Just that one short life has given the lives of millions upon millions of others meaning, purpose and hope.

Something to reflect on in Advent; something to celebrate at Christmas!

Cowan

The Light of the North is free of charge but a suggested donation of £1.00 will be gratefully received and will be used directly to benefit your own parish.

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

A Letter from Bishop Hugh Gilbert O.S.B. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICHAEL MCGRATH Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I wanted to share with you some impressions from my recent visit to Rome and the Holy Father. This was at the end of September and the beginning of October – a pleasant time to be in the Eternal City! I was there with my seven fellowbishops from Scotland, and our two assistants, one a priest, the other a layman. It felt like the Fellowship of the Ring! We were together for what is called an Ad Limina visit. The full form of this Latin phrase is Ad Limina Apostolorum – to the threshold of the apostles. The apostles concerned are Sts Peter and Paul, the founding fathers of the Church of Rome, and the “thresholds” are their basilicas in which they are buried: the famous St Peter’s and also the great church known as St Paul’s-outside-the-Walls.

An Ad Limina visit is a visit to Rome of the bishops of a country or a region. In theory, it takes place every five years.

In fact, this was the first from Scotland since 2010, and so a new experience for six out of eight of us. The purpose is, like St Paul after his conversion, to go and “see Peter” (Gal 1:18), that is, to meet the Pope. We go to “render an account of our stewardship” (Lk 16:2), having sent in earlier a lengthy report on our dioceses. There are meetings with the various departments of the Holy See, discussions about the state of Church and society in Scotland, and Mass is celebrated together at the four great basilicas. It is both pilgrimage and business.

We stayed at the Scots College, where the majority of seminarians for Scotland are trained. The Rector and all at the College were most hospitable, even if the hot water gave out for some days! There are nine new seminarians this year, bringing the total well above twenty. The atmosphere was full of energy, the liturgical singing lusty, the food good. I was able to have an excursion with our two seminarians there, Christopher Doig and Aidan Matheson. The seminarians accompanied us to the Masses before the Tabernacle of the Confession of St Peter and at St Paul’s outside the Walls. The Holy Father greeted them all individually before we went in to audience with him. They were enthused by this. Now they will be embarked on their studies.

During our visit, the College also hosted a reception for Scots in Rome and the Rectors of other English-speaking Colleges. For many, it was a chance both to renew old contacts and greet new faces: some of the future priests of Scotland, please God. The Ad Limina took place in a turbulent time, with distressing news of abuse and allegations of abuse and their mishandling by those in authority filling headlines. While this was in people’s minds, and a rightful source of heart-searching and dismay, it did not dominate. What could have been a dispiriting visit proved to be uplifting. We went to several departments of the Vatican, each of which is responsible for different areas of the Church’s life: the liturgy, for example, Catholic education, integral human development, Christian Unity and much more, including the

The Scottish bishops prepare for day two of their Ad Limina, with visits to various Dicasteries and Congregations Commission for the Protection of Minors. We were met with unfailing courtesy and attention. The reports and presentations we had sent in beforehand had clearly been studied. It was possible to raise both larger issues and specific problems. It was hard not to feel that we were meeting people - mainly clerical but also lay, mainly male but also female - who were hard-working and dedicated servants of the Church. It cannot be easy for them, with much self-abnegation involved. They were unflaggingly encouraging and keen to offer what help they could. We were not harangued. We were not made to feel we were merely ‘branch managers’ of a Roman firm. We were warmly commended for our work on Safeguarding and the new Manual, In God’s Image.

I was also able to spend some time at the small Curia of my own Monastic Congregation, the Subiaco-Cassinese, and so catch up on monastic matters and meet again brethren I have known for many years. The monks also kindly welcomed some of the

Bishop Hugh with Christopher Doig and Aidan Matheson, two of our seminarians from the Diocese of Aberdeen.

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DIOCESE bishops and our own Aberdeen seminarians.

Unsurprisingly, the meeting with the Pope was a highlight.

Pope Francis followed a pattern inaugurated in the last years of his pontificate by Benedict XVI: meeting the bishops as a group rather than one by one. This worked, especially for a small number like ours. We met in the papal library. The Pope spoke in Italian, but understands English if spoken clearly. There was a translator available. The Holy Father gave us one hour and 40 minutes. The conversation was free and flowing, not without humour. There was no sense of rush. Topics included abuse, holiness, evangelising in a secular culture, affirmation of human values, nuclear weaponry and much else. The Pope answered questions with clarity, always speaking gently. The tone was fraternal, pastoral, spiritual, encouraging. His love for the Church and her mission came across. He emphasised the need for closeness – vicinanza: with God in prayer, with one another as bishops, between bishops and clergy, and with the people we serve. “How much time do you give to praying for your diocese?”

He deplored “gossip” – a favourite theme. “How wonderful it would be if the Church were free of it!” I was struck by his comments on the current attacks on the Church. For all the baneful things or pain or errors or sometimes misinformation that occasion them, for him they exceed the “normal”. Surely, he said, they spring from the one who “accuses the brethren” day and night before God (cf. Revelation ch. 12). Hence his call to the faithful during this October to pray the Rosary, the Sub tuum praesidium, and to invoke the help of St Michael the Archangel.

This came from the heart. To diabolical “accusation”, the best response is “intercession”. His last word as we each shook hands was his familiar “pray for me”.

We went in apprehensive and emerged uplifted.

This being my first Ad Limina, I did not know what to expect.

The Bishops waiting in the Apostolic Palace ahead of their meeting with Pope Francis But the upshot proved reassuring and helpful, a confirmation of our mission and of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Theologically and emotionally, it was an experience of the famous communio / koinonia. In a homily, one bishop pointed to the description of St Paul’s arrival in Rome as given in the Acts of the Apostles: “And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage” (Acts 28:14-15). This was our experience too meeting our brothers and sisters in Rome.

More than once, the Holy Father said to us: “Avanti!” – “Keep it up…go on…move ahead!”

Devotedly in Christ, + Hugh OSB

Trainee deacons Summer School

Bishop Joseph Toal with deacons, students and tutors after celebrating Mass for the Diaconal Summer School at Kinnoull, Perth, Sunday 29th July (Photo courtesy Paul McSherry) Page 4

DIOCESE

Dominic Nwaigwe ordained deacon at St Mary’s, Inverness

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oyous celebrations took place at St. Mary’s Church in Inverness on the Feast of the Holy Cross on Friday 14th September as seminarian, Dominic Nwaigwe, 38, was ordained a deacon.

Dominic arrived in the Highland capital five years ago, having served as a Capuchin-Franciscan friar in his native Nigeria. He came to the Highlands to see where his vocation might lie, and soon began living at St. Mary’s Presbytery on Huntly Street, Inverness. He became involved in parish duties, assisting the parish priest, Fr. James Bell, who soon became his mentor.

Dominic was a popular and always cheerful young man

Fr Benedict Hardy OSB, Fr James Bell, Deacon Dominic Nwaigwe and Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB who really enjoyed helping around the church, at functions and events, assisting at weddings, baptisms, funerals and burials, and also visiting the elderly and the sick. He would assist the prison chaplain in his duties, and help with interfaith church groups, and he enjoyed attending the regular multi-faith groups for breakfast at the Salvation Army in Inverness. He volunteered to join the Inverness Street

Pluscarden’s monks release new album

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he monks of Pluscarden Abbey present a new CD album of Gregorian Chant: Tempus per annum.

The album explores music used in ‘Ordinary Time’ – that is, all the weeks that fall outside the Seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, and apart from the many Feasts of the Church’s Year. The repertoire of Gregorian Chant offers a great wealth of music for Ordinary Time, and the Chants recorded on this album were selected to illustrate some of this rich variety. The album is in four main sections – firstly joyous

Clergy from across the diocese celebrate the happy occasion of Dominic’s ordination to the diaconate Pastors, and helped the busy team of volunteers, listening, caring and helping to make the city centre a safer place at night at the weekends.

Dominic was delighted to be selected for training to the priesthood. He completed his training at Oscott Seminary in Birmingham.

Many Nigerians now live and work in Inverness and the Highlands including the Nigerian Daughters of Divine Love who attended Dominic’s ordination to the diaconate, together with seminarian colleagues from Oscott and wellwishers from across the country.

The Right Reverend Hugh Gilbert OSB, Bishop of Aberdeen, was the chief celebrant and in attendance were Emeritus Bishop of Aberdeen, Peter Moran and over twenty priests and deacons.

Dominic said, “I thank all of you for making me so welcome in the Highlands and being like a second family to me. I thank also those who have travelled from other parishes in the Deanery and from throughout the Diocese of Aberdeen and beyond. I am especially grateful to the parishioners of St Mary’s Inverness for their prayers and continuous support.”

Members of Dominic’s family back home in Imo State, South East Nigeria, are looking forward to coming to Scotland for his priestly ordination next year.

For the present, Dominic will support the Inverness priests in his new role as a deacon, and he will then be ordained to the priesthood during the summer of 2019. and dynamic, then meditative and slow, then bold and confident, and finally adoring and glorifying, with a brief closing section dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus.

The album was programmed, performed and recorded by the monks of Pluscarden Abbey, and produced by Ffin Records.

Accompanying the album is a 32-page booklet of detailed notes written by the monks of Pluscarden about the interpretation, context and history of each track, together with the complete Latin texts and English translations for all the music heard.

The printed booklet is included with the CD, and available to download as a free PDF from the Abbey shop.

The music was released on 12th October 2018, and is available from the Pluscarden Abbey website, direct from the Pluscarden Shop (https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/shop/tempus-perannum), and from iTunes, Amazon digital and direct from Ffin Records.

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DIOCESE

Silver Jubilee of Profession of Sr Mary Grace Ogbaje DDL at St. Mary’s, Inverness

Clergy, Religious and Altar Servers give thanks for Sr Mary Grace Ogbaje’s 25 years of service Emeritus Bishop of Aberdeen, Peter Moran with Fr James Bell, Sr Mary Grace Ogbaje and her brother Fr Godwin

There are plenty of willing hands to help cut the cake!

Beauly couple. Mr and Mrs Donald Shaw, celebrated their 39th Wedding Anniversary at the same Silver Jubilee Celebrations

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FR GILES CONACHER OSB

Commissioning of AoS ship visitor at Cathedral

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postleship of the Sea (AoS) ship visitor Pam Millar was commissioned at a Mass held in St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen on September 11.

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Stephen Robson, AoS Bishop Promoter for Scotland, who was assisted by priests from the Cathedral.

AoS Aberdeen Port Chaplain Deacon Doug Duncan and AoS Senior Regional Port Chaplain for Scotland Deacon Joe O’Donnell also assisted in the celebration.

The Mass, held to commemorate the feast of Stella Maris, Our Lady Star of the Sea, was attended by AoS West Coast Scotland Port Chaplain Deacon Tom Wynne, AoS Scotland Development Officer Euan McArthur, ship visitors, volunteers, supporters, head office staff and local parishioners.

In his homily, Bishop Robson spoke of how often the sea features in the Gospels and how boats and ships are often used as a metaphor for the Church - a place where we find Jesus, a place of safety.

He spoke about the life of St Peter Claver, patron saint for Page 6

seafarers, drawing a parallel between his work and the ministry of AoS’ port chaplains and ship visitors, who care for seafarers and bring Christ to them.

Bishop Robson said through prayer, AoS chaplains and ship visitors are able to bring seafarers comfort in their religion, as well as provide them with practical support.

DIOCESE

Papal award for stalwarts of the Diocese

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n two occasions recently, Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB presented the Papal Award, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. They were to David McLaughlin for his work as Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Sub Committee and Dave Blackwood for his work as Chairman of the Diocesan Fabric Sub Committee.

Both men have given many years of voluntary work for the Diocese and their respective parishes.

Bishop Hugh said: “The Church, like its Lord, is not something disembodied. It has buildings and it needs money. And so, like many dioceses and parishes, the diocese of Aberdeen has Fabric and Finance Committees. These are areas where lay expertise is precious and often given with great generosity. It is only right to acknowledge the superlative voluntary contribution of two people, Dave Blackwood and David McLaughlin, to these aspects of diocesan life over some five years. Their competence, energy and patience have been of immense benefit to the whole diocese. I was delighted to confer upon each of them recently the highest papal award for the laity: the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. We are now looking for worthy successors.”

David McLaughlin said:“For the last 36 years when I have lived in the Aberdeen Diocese, it has been my pleasure to assist priests whenever and however I could, but mainly in Parish financial matters. In the Early 1990’s and in the last 10 years, I have also given my support to the Diocese; in the first instance to Bishop Mario and the second, to Bishop Hugh.

“However, in early June when Bishop Hugh presented me with the papal award it came as a complete shock. A mixture of emotions – stunned, surprise, happiness, pride, joy, unworthiness and humility- all came at once. I feel I have had a lot of reward already, and that, for simply using the talents God gave me to help my church. I pray that the parishes can continue to use the talents of many of their parishioners to support the Church in

the future.”

Dave Blackwood commented: “I was completely surprised and humbled to have received this award. I was invited to St. Mary’s House for dinner by the Bishop as a thank you for the time I spent as Chairman of the Diocesan Fabric Committee.

David McLaughlin and David Blackwood (left to right) wearing the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medals After a bit of diary juggling a date was set for July 4th and my wife and I arrived to find a reasonably large gathering of people involved in the Diocese. After a lovely dinner Bishop Hugh then emerged and presented me with the Papal Award, much to my surprise. It is an award which I am very fortunate and very grateful to receive.”

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Youth Pilgrimage to France, 2018 By all accounts the Youth Pilgrimage to France this year organised by the St Andrew Community was an amazing success. The pilgrims visited La Salette in the French Alps, The Cave of Mary Magdalene at La Sainte-Baume and Lourdes in the foothills of the Pyrenees The following letter from one of the pilgrims together with the accompanying photographs help to give a flavour of what was for many a truly life-changing experience.

September 2, 2018 Dear Saint Andrew Community, Thank you for an incredible trip! Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime. We are very grateful. A summer filled with laughter, the love of God and many difficult challenges awaited us on the 1st of August 2018, although looking back on it now, we wouldn't have changed it for the world.

France: the heat, the rain, the thunderstorms, we were mostly prepared for but the fire that was kindled in our hearts, the burning desire of adoration, that, we were not prepared for. By the end of this trip you could say every single pilgrim, leader, religious had increased their faith no matter what sort of background they came from and no matter what they'd end up going back to, and that is what brought us together, not just as individuals but as a family.

We experienced tears of joy, love and sadness as we welcomed the Holy Spirit into our lives at Mass, seeing our good friends and unfortunately parting our ways at the end to go back home and to show our family and friends what goodness and what happiness had come into our lives since we gave ourselves to the Saviour of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.

All this happened over the three week duration of the trip and it was not easy, climbing up mountains in La Salette and kneeling on hard gravel in St Mary Magdalene’s cave. All these struggles of everyday life were what helped us forge a deeper relationship with God. We learnt so much: new life skills; learning from different people how their relationship with God grew; how to “offer up” difficult situations that we found ourselves in and most of all to never use mini- buses up the Alps again!

What I found astounding was that with every new day the love of God in each of us grew from strength to strength and that made us a better family. When Lourdes came around it was pouring with rain, and entering the youth village on our trusty mini bus we embarked on a massive adaption to French life. Like every other difficulty we offered it up to God. We branched out into the grotto and to the baths where Our Lady told St. Bernadette to dig a hole in the ground and where spring water burst out.

Praying the rosary and daily Mass was something that was not familiar to some of the attendees of the pilgrimage, although it rapidly became a regular source of joy. We also enjoyed the dramas and skits that the wonderful teams Page 8

presented to such a high quality. The talents and gifts which were discovered among the pilgrims, leaders and religious was something to thank God for. We also made time for games and sports; a massive water fight was an event never to be forgotten. We greatly admired the prudence and leadership of the St Andrew Community, especially when things didn’t work to plan, in particular how they overcame the problems which beset our hired minibuses!

At times it looked like we wouldn't make it to Lourdes but something that we learned quickly was that the will of God never fails and how blessed we are to be with an amazing community. The friends we've made, the fun we've had, the family we've built! All of this will continue to dwell in our hearts along with a fire that the Holy Spirit bestowed on us. We’ve gained so many graces and blessings from such a worthwhile trip to say nothing of the unconditional love and mercy of God. So thank you SAC, thank you for helping us get closer to heaven. We have to try now to go out and bring what we have learnt to bear on the troubled and materialistic world that we live in, but we will never forget that God’s presence will always be with us.

God bless you all, until next year, (Pilgrim - aged 16) “I consider the sufferings of this present life are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed!” Romans 8:18

At La Salette in the French Alps

Youth Pilgrimage to France, 2018

Girls’ day out

An outdoor music practice

Hill climbers

Outside the CathĂŠdrale Saint-Gatien in Tours

The Grotto at Lourdes

Last day at Minster Abbey in England - Time to pack and head home.

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DIOCESE

Polish seminarians are enchanted with Moray

BY LUCYNA BEDNAREK ELLIOT AND GLEN REYNOLDS PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF TOMASZ KAPLON

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ive seminarians from the Higher Seminary of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines), near Warsaw, spent a week in July exploring the delights of Moray. The aim of the visit was to allow them to improve their English language and to learn about the history, geography and culture of the area. They stayed with local hosts in Forres and had attended an English Summer School at the Seminary in 2017, where the classes were taught by Lucyna Bednarek Elliot, from Forres. This was the second group of seminarians to stay in Forres, with the first in 2015.

Lucyna’s acquaintance with the Pallottines stems from 1975,

The hosts and the seminarians at their farewell party when Fr Marian Łękawa, SAC, came to Glasgow to serve the Polish diaspora. Currently, of all the Polish priests in Scotland, there are eight Pallottines.

Lucyna said: “It was Fr Marian who suggested that I teach the Pallottines at the English Summer School at their Provincial Centre in Warsaw. I agreed, and 2012 saw me spend my first month in the marble halls of the Centre. The “pupils” were

The seminarians get kitted out for dolphin watching lecturers and academics and the lessons were one-to-one. Then, in 2013, the Dean of Studies from the seminary in Ołtarzew, persuaded me to move to the seminary to teach the student priests.

“The groups which I teach have completed their first year of the noviciate. Some have had English at school and some are from the Ukraine, or Belarus, and have had to learn Polish to attend the seminary. English is taught in the first two years at the seminary (thereafter optional). Given that all academic articles in Polish are required to have a summary in English and that so much research Page 10

The seminarians sing their thanks with flowers for their hosts is in English or translated into English, it’s obviously helpful to them to have at least a working knowledge of the language.

“But what a wonderful thing when my class come to visit me in Moray. It’s difficult to understand just how much this means to them. Most have never flown before, which also means they haven’t a wide experience of different cultures. None have spoken English to native speakers, apart from me, but since I am bilingual, that doesn’t count! This year, some of them were inspired to install and use an English language app with daily exercises for months before they came over.

“And what a great time they (we) had! From the 10th to the 17th July, they stayed with my wonderful friends in Forres (who had previously hosted other groups). I just can’t thank all those who hosted and entertained the lads enough, as well as the many friendly strangers they met.

“In Moray, there wasn’t a day they didn’t enjoy to the utmost.

Cassocks are not a usual sight on Forres High Street, or in Elgin, Inverness, or Tain - and yet people stopped to chat with a “Hello Father”. They were very impressed by the kindness of everyone they met. Moreover, they took to Scottish food with gusto!

Cullen Skink, Arbroath Smokies, Haggis, not to mention Fish and Chips…..(Poles and Scots do have a lot in common!).

Apart from the food the student priests also enjoyed: a trip on Loch Ness and to Fort Augustus; looking for dolphins with North 58 Sea Adventures in Findhorn; attending the Tain Gathering and visiting Glen Moray distillery. However, their most emotional experience was the day they attended Mass at Pluscarden (alongside the monks, singing with them), followed by a visit to Scalan, where they learnt about the Reformation and

Lucyna with Krzys, one of the student priests the “Heather Priests” and prayed for all those who are persecuted for their faith.

The seminarians also spent a day and a half in Edinburgh and, on their way to Forres from Edinburgh, they made a stop at Blairs Museum, outside Aberdeen, where Dr Alison Burke kindly opened “after hours” for them.

As reported by Lucyna, “the seminarians had a brilliant time and loved Scotland, its people, history, geography and food.”

DIOCESE his long hair and ponytail, his motorbikes and scooters, and for a serious expertise as a “radio ham”. But he was certainly no textbook “trendy”. He served in a variety of parishes throughout an extensive diocese: Aberdeen, Portsoy, Dornie, Braemar and Ballater, Dufftown.

From 1986 he was back in Aberdeen and in 2005 moved

“

... Liturgy, indeed, was at the heart of his priesthood.

He studied the books of the post-Conciliar Liturgy closely, knew their contents thoroughly and unfolded their riches and practical aspects to many.

Canon Charles Stanley 1933-2018

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anon Charles Stanley was born in Birmingham on 6 August 1933 and died at Northcote Lodge Care Home, Aberdeen, aged 84, on 21 July 2018.

Charles’ father died when he was very young, his mother later remarrying, and he was brought up mainly in Southport, Lancashire. He was educated at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton. It was during National Service in the RAF in the 1950s that he discovered the north of Scotland. Convinced of a call to the priesthood, he applied to the Diocese of Aberdeen, studied at St Andrew’s College, Drygrange and was ordained by Bishop Francis Walsh, in his home parish of Southport, on 2 April 1960.

He would become a priest with a difference, known for

to Nazareth House and subsequently to Northcote Lodge.

He had been made an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in January 2000. It was his wide experience of the diocese and eye for detail that led him to drawing up the parish boundaries with a precision hitherto lacking.

At different times he assumed a variety of diocesan and national roles, as Chancellor, Press Officer, Master of Ceremonies, as diocesan representative on the Scottish National Communications Committee and on the National Liturgy Commission.

Liturgy, indeed, was at the heart of his priesthood. He studied the books of the post-Conciliar Liturgy closely, knew their contents thoroughly and unfolded their riches and practical aspects to many. He trained altar servers, guided lectors, initiated Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. He wrote pamphlets and gave lectures. He produced the Calendar of Diocesan Saints, approved by the Holy See and still in use in the Diocese of Aberdeen.

It was said that when he was responsible for the national Ordo, it was free of all mistakes! Even in the weakness of old age, he could be roused to animation on liturgical topics, and celebrated the Liturgy with style and dignity for as long as he could. Depression sometimes mastered him and he was something of a loner, but his heart was always in his priesthood and he inspired much affection.

Bishop Hugh, with many clergy and a good number of the faithful, celebrated his Requiem in St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday 27 July. He was buried later the same day at St Ninian’s Cemetery, Tynet

Congratulations to these children from St. Columba’s Church in Aberdeen who completed the Pope Francis Faith Award which encouraged them to learn about and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Well done!

Clergy in the background from left to right: Deacon Doug, Father Donatus (Visiting Priest) and Father Gábor Page 11

DIOCESE

Suicide in the Highlands - A hidden darkness

BY FR JAMES BELL

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nverness is the fastest growing city in Europe, and one of the most beautiful. The riverside, with its Churches, restaurants, bars and bistros is enchanting so tourists and locals promenade on its pavements. St Mary’s, Inverness is a lovely Church which attracts many visitors.

Masses resonate with Catholic voices and pilgrims who come to see the Stained Glass windows - St Columba who preached on a grassy knoll across the river; St John Ogilvie, born in Keith, is a Diocesan martyr; then there are the windows of the Australian St Mary MacKillop whose grandparents came from Inverness-shire. There is much to see and celebrate.

There is another dimension to the mission of the Church at St Mary’s, apart from sacramental ministries — making space available for groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and other self-help fellowships where people gather to support each other in the journey to recovery. Drug addictions are part of the hidden darkness of the Highlands, quite apart from the endemic alcoholism that is part of every Scottish city. Children are easy targets so that there is hardly a secondary school where drugs are not available.

Recently the grandson of parishioners, aged twenty-one, died by himself the victim of his own drug misuse. There are many such stories -the young father, the victim of a drugsrelated murder, and many funerals of victims of alcohol and drug abuse, and more than a few suicides. This is the shadow side of a lovely city that is otherwise so vibrant.

Last year at this time the SCO (Scottish Catholic Observer) carried a report of the funeral of a young mother of three who killed herself, and the parish priest’s appeal that politicians and others should do more to tackle the scourge of suicide. In the Highlands of Scotland the suicide rate is one of the highest in Scotland.

The publicity that arose from press coverage of this tragic funeral brought him into contact with clinicians, local politicians and others involved in suicide prevention.

It became clear to him that the failures of the NHS to deal with the large number of suicides is more systemic than clinical. Doctors, nurses and psychiatric social workers are overstretched and poorly resourced. Until there is a strong political will it is likely that the NHS will be impeded in its therapeutic aims.

Fortunately in Inverness there has been the growth of a strong voluntary sector. Recently the Inverness Common Good Fund gave funds to Mikeysline, and its associated Hive Drop-in Centre. Mikeysline began in 2015 as the initiative of Ron Williamson, the uncle of Mikey who killed himself after the death of his friend. Mr Williamson speaking about his project said, ‘there is no quick fix — it took two years before young people in Inverness started trusting us.’ This programme is now rolling out into other Highland towns as a consequence of charitable donations.

To support young people at risk from suicide it is necessary to catch the attention of the public and to create

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a new consciousness. An enormous boost to this was the decision of the Inverness born actress, Karen Gillan, to make a film when she read that ‘the suicide rate in the Highlands of Scotland was higher among young men than anywhere else in Scotland….why, when it’s such an idyllic place to live? It’s beautiful and we get tourists all the time, so the film was an exploration of that.’ The ‘Party’s Just Beginning‘ was released earlier this year, and it explores the grief of a young woman over the suicide of a friend who was gay and in relationship with a ‘closeted Christian’. A film like this not only invites us to examine our attitudes to why people feel so isolated as to kill themselves, but also we are invited to ask ourselves if we are sufficiently caring to those who have same sex attraction.

The reasons for suicide are multifarious, and trying to grapple with the problem will always need sensitive awareness of the burdens that people carry — many of them not self-imposed.

The addictive nature of the electronic media, the isolation of so many young people trapped in a virtual world of fantasy, and the easy opportunities for destructive relationships are all very modern challenges. ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’, which lasts from the 14th to 20th May next year is an opportunity for all of us to examine our life-styles, our emotions, our bodily and spiritual health. Catholics have a rich culture of self-awareness, of celebrating life and caring for others. If we can live our Faith authentically and with integrity perhaps there is just a hope that others will find us attractive, and want to share with us that deep communion with God that gives not only purpose but joy in living.

DIOCESE

Re-Sourcing at Ogilvie Centre

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s we look to renew and transmit the Faith in our diocese, we realise the necessity of drawing again from the Source of all catechesis: Jesus Christ.

The encounter with Him renews our own faith as we become aware of how much we are loved. This realisation impels us to share the Good News with others.

The Ogilvie Centre is focusing on the theme “Re-Source” this year as we provide opportunities to encounter Christ and support catechists in their work.

Re-Source Catechist Retreat Day Catechists from across the diocese met on Saturday 29 September for a "Re-Source Catechist Retreat Day" at Pluscarden Abbey. The day began with Mass, followed by an interactive workshop on the use of sacred art in catechesis delivered by Sr. Imelda Ann, OP. Afternoon workshops included a time of Adoration and Scripture reflection in Pluscarden Abbey's Lady Chapel and an interactive workshop on technological resources provided by the Ogilvie Centre. Catechists enjoyed the grounds

The “Re-Source Catechist Retreat Day” at Pluscarden Abbey of the Abbey and lunch together. "This kind of day is so needed for us!" exclaimed one participant. Another added, "I have only one complaint: that the retreat wasn't longer!"

Thanks to Joe McCann of Inverurie, the diocese now has a new free, accessible, and interactive resource for Confirmation preparation. The resource, along with many other catechetical and children’s liturgy resources can be found on: www.ogilvie. rcda.scot.

In November and in the spring, the Ogilvie Centre will also provide adult formation retreats at Kilcoy Castle. These retreats for men and women separately are held twice a year, for a total of four retreats. Contact the Ogilvie Centre at ogilvie@rcda.scot for more information.

We are also pleased to announce that David Wells, a popular Catholic speaker from England, will be coming to the diocese in September 2019. More information about dates and locations will be available in the Spring.

A reminder that excellent adult online formation is available to

For New Evangelisation & Catechism RC Diocese of Aberdeen

the adults of the diocese through Catholic Distance University.

Independent study topics include: Sacred Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Vatican Council II, Spirituality, Morality and Ethics, Sacraments and the Mass, and Mary.

For more information, go to www.cdu.edu/group-subsidy or contact Sr. Anna Christi at ogilvie@rcda.scot.

May each of us experience the joy of re-sourcing from the Source, Jesus the Lord.

Elgin Youth Group Pilgrimage to Lourdes October 2018 “I will give you a new heart,” was the theme of the Elgin Youth Group Pilgrimage to Lourdes 6-11 October. Twenty-four teenagers and adults had the opportunity to travel from the diocese to experience the peace and joy of this holy pilgrimage site. Participants experienced a balance of talks on the dignity of the human person, the meaning of suffering, and the Christian response to suffering and were challenged to put these topics into practice both in Lourdes and back at home. The group was able to sing to and serve the sick at Hospital St. Frai as part of their experience. The full prayerful experience of Lourdes was also highlighted as the youth prayed in the grotto, at the baths, and in the nightly processions; they were also given the opportunity to be leaders in singing, praying, and guiding the procession one evening. The beauty of the Pyrenees was also experienced in a walk in the national park and a canoeing adventure on two afternoons. “This was the best experience of my life,” reflected one of the young people. “I will now look at the heart and soul of a person with a disability, rather than just seeing what they look like on the outside,” said another. “There were so many people from different countries; it was great to be a part of it. Our church is so big!” said another. “I am definitely coming back to be part of the young volunteers as soon as I am old enough,” exclaimed several of the teens. “I will give you a new heart” well expresses the experience for these young people and adults.

Lourdes pilgrimage group fly the flag for Scotland Page 13

DIOCESE

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Poland

This summer’s diocesan pilgrimage, led by Bishop Hugh Gilbert, was to Poland. The pilgrims were based in Kraków from where the pilgrims visited Wieliczka, Częstochowa and Wadowice. One of their most memorable trips was to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa and the shrine of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, one of Jasna Góra’s most precious treasures.

Clachan Comar Mass to honour Catholics from the glens of Strathglass

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trathglass is the flat land that runs north eastwards from Fasnakyle at the mouth of Glen Affric, with the River Glass at its centre, heading seawards to the Beauly Firth. Early history of this area is scarce but it would seem that during the period between 1580 and 1600 Jesuits worked among the people. By the 1630s, some 9095% of Scots belonged to the kirk. The area of Strathglass was protected on three sides by mountainous land, with no through road to the west coast, and this created a pocket of Catholicism. However, the Reformists hounded the Jesuits from the district. Yet tradition has it that between 1660 and 1680 there was a revival of the Catholic Faith in Strathglass. Around that time, missionaries were working further south in Glengarry. Two of them ventured north via Loch Ness then west along Glen Urquhart to Strathglass where upon arrival in the area they were welcomed by Colin Chisholm of Knockfin (a convert to the faith and son of Chisholm of Strathglass). The missionaries opened two stations – the term used for meeting places for celebrating Mass, prior to a church or chapel being built. One was in a remote locality near Knockfin, the other at a place called Clachan Comar which to this day contains the ruins of a

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chapel and the ancient graves of priests and parishioners.

On 22 September 2018, an outdoor Mass was celebrated in Clachan Comar. This was organised by parishioners from the nearby Marydale church of Our Lady & St Bean, who try to organise this event on an annual basis. The men and women of our ‘One True Faith’ who lived and worked in the glen are still remembered and honoured. Principal celebrant was Father James Bell, Dean of St Joseph’s Highland Deanery (St Mary’s, Inverness), assisted by Vicar General Father Domenico Zanrè (St Columba’s, Culloden), and Rev. Father Maximilian Nwosu and Rev. Father James Anyaegbu, the two Nigerian priests serving St Mary’s in Beauly and Our Lady & St Bean in Marydale, Cannich (not to mention the West Coast Parishes of Ullapool, Gairloch & Poolewe, and Lochinver).

The melodic sounds from a lone piper (Mr Donald Shaw) welcomed the congregation of hardy individuals, and though the sun shone, the chance of a rain shower was always present. But we were all prepared. Father James Bell gave a truly wonderful homily and reminded us of our heritage, and of those in this and the nearby glens who kept the faith in the truly troublesome times after the Reformation and after Culloden. We have a lot to be grateful for and to learn from our ancestors.

While the piper played the Piobaireachd ‘Lament for Duncan

DIOCESE MacRae of Kintail’ in memory of the MacRae’s interred therein, there was time for a look at the remains of the old chapel and the headstones in the cemetery, before departing to the Marydale church hall whereupon a veritable feast awaited everyone. A sincere thank you to Mr Peter MacDonald and his team of

parishioners for their generosity and welcome.

A fascinating account of the priests who ministered to the people of Strathglass can be found in ‘The Catholic Highlands of Scotland’, Vol. 1, Chapter ‘Strathglass’, written by Dom. Odo Blundell, OSB., FSA,Scot. Published 1909.

Donald Shaw

Wall to wall challenge for diocesan photographer

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rofessional photographer Michal Wachucik, who has volunteered his services at numerous diocesan events, took part in a trek along the Great Wall of China in September to raise money for the Archie Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

Michal, who lives in Schivas near Ellon with his wife and two children, joined 16 other hardy folk from the north east walking from Huangyaguan to Mutianyu, a six day march, and raised over £30,000 for the charity.

The fund-raising trek was a way for Michael to thank the Archie Foundation and its partner organisation, The Friends of the Neonatal Unit, for the support they provided when his daughter Maja, now four years old, was born prematurely and spent a number of days in the unit.

Michal told the Aberdeen Press and Jornal: “ Walking the Great Wall was really a life-changing experience and I’m so happy we’ve managed to raise so much for this charity because they really do help to make a huge difference for so many babies and small children.”

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he present St Mary’s Cathedral Justice and Peace Group in Aberdeen traces its origins to initiatives that blossomed around the close of the Year of Mercy in late 2016. These initiatives were based on the themes of putting our Catholic faith into action and contributing towards the building of a civilisation of love in the world. This impetus was also strengthened by the profound impact of the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You) on the care of creation, our common home, in June the previous year.

The Cathedral Justice and Peace Group has been meeting regularly, usually monthly, since April 2017. The Group’s members are united by a desire to understand the principles and demands of Catholic Social Teaching and to work among themselves, and with people of goodwill, to foster charity and justice, especially with regard to poverty and the environment.

Each meeting of the Group begins and ends with prayer and includes discussion of and reflection on a relevant Church document, such as Laudato Si’ or Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation, the programmatic Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).

Members of the Justice and Peace Group have been active in supporting the work of SCIAF and the environmental coalition Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. The Group helped organise the display at St Mary’s Cathedral of the powerful photographic exhibition ‘The Journey’, which highlighted the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who had escaped unimaginable persecution in Myanmar. A recurring aspect of the Group’s activity is attending and assisting at the Cathedral Community

Meal for those in need.

Currently, the St Mary’s Cathedral Justice and Peace Group has relatively few members and has limited resources; however, we are part of the Justice and Peace Scotland network and as such we are linked to likeminded people across the country. We recognise that we are at the start of our journey, but we are convinced that serving in this way is a valuable and authentic means of living out our faith, which we aim to do in loving fidelity to Christ and his Church.

Kenneth Sadler, Coordinator, St Mary’s Cathedral Justice and Peace Group If you’d like to find out more about Justice and Peace, Scotland and how to get involved then visit their website at: www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/justiceandpeacescotland/ Page 15

DIOCESE

Celebration to mark 40th anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II’s election as pope

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he 40th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s election as pope was celebrated by the Polish/ Scottish community at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen on the 16th October.

The anniversary event began with a special Mass celebrated by the Cathedral Administrator Fr. Keith, who was assisted by Deacon Tony Schmitz. After Mass followed an evening of poetry and music to honour the legacy of the saint. Irma Allan and Parish Secretary Cowan Watson acted as narrators and the readers were Deacon Tony Schmitz, Maciej Kamiński, Kenneth Sadler, Marek Bogaczewicz, Katarzyna Wesołowska, Patrycja Iwaszkiewicz, Karol Vrba, Sister Magdalena Okoye and Iwona Pruchnicka.

The performances included a humorous poem for the “twentieth” anniversary of the Pope, written by the famous Polish priest/poet Jan Twardowski and recited by Janis Meļčenko and Agnieszka Pawlak. Paweł Łubiarz recited “Stream” by Lidia Konar, who was also the main organiser of the event.

Lidia Konar had set three poems of Pope St John Paul II to music and also performed her own song “Your words are Important Forever” which she had composed especially for the event. Lidia was accompanied by musicians: Paweł Fujcik (guitar); Katarzyna Wesołowska (flute) and Robert Książek (piano).

Those who attended the event had the opportunity to learn much about the life of the Pope, not least about his pilgrimage to the United Kingdom in 1982 when he visited seven venues in Scotland.

The evening ended with the singing of “Lord, You have come to the seashore”, beloved of Pope Saint John Paul II, and then a chance to enjoy some delicious pastries prepared by ladies from the Polish community which included the Saint’s favourite – a delicious cream cake called ‘Kremówka”.

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Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Diocesan Choir Singers of all denominations are most welcome (especially Tenors and Basses!)

The ability to read music is not essential We specialise in the singing of Sacred Music for Diocesan events

Quarter Page - Aberdeen Please come along to rehearsals Diocesan Choir Tuesday evenings 7.30pm Upper Hall St Mary’s RC Cathedral Huntly Street Aberdeen, AB10 1SH For further information contact enquiriesADC@hotmail.com www.aberdeendiocesanchoir.com

DIOCESE

Deacon Doug appointed new Chair of Chaplains Pastoral Committee

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eacon Doug Duncan, Apostleship of the Sea port chaplain in Northeast Scotland has been appointed the new Chair of the national Chaplains Pastoral Committee. Doug takes over from AoS trustee Louise Carter who has stepped down as Chair after many years of service.

DeaconDoug is seen here presenting Louise with flowers to thank her on behalf of the committee and all at AoS.

Here’s how to be.........

A serie s whic h looks at som e practic a and co l issues ncerns of everyd ay life.

Pensions Aware

BY JIM GUYAN, KEITH McINTOSH & DOUGLAS CROMBIE

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he Pensions Awareness Campaign is an initiative launched in 2014. The aim of the campaign is to alert the nation that it is not saving enough for retirement and to unite the financial services industry, businesses, employers and the government to share innovative ideas and to work together in driving engagement with retirement saving.

It must be said that there has been much more awareness in the pension market since April 2015 when ‘Pension Freedoms’ were introduced to the mass market. This was a radical change to how individuals can access their pension pots in retirement. This effectively allows you to transfer existing pension schemes into a drawdown pot, which you can access flexibly. Generally, up to 25% of the fund can be taken as a tax free lump sum, with the balance available to draw down as and when required, albeit subject to income tax at the plan holder’s marginal rate. In addition to its flexibility, this option can provide excellent death benefits, with the option of passing funds to surviving family members, in some cases free of tax. It is not all plain sailing though, as drawdown needs to be managed carefully as it is subject to certain risks. Typically these are investment risk as the funds remain invested, and longevity risk as the UK population is living longer and it is possible funds could run out. This new flexibility around retirement funds

has obviously made more people aware of pensions, but there are other significant benefits to pension savings that shouldn’t be overlooked and these mainly revolve around tax. Firstly, pension contributions receive income tax relief which is generally provided at source at the basic rate of 20%. This means that if you wish to save £100 per month into a pension, you will only pay £80. In addition, if you are an intermediate, higher or top rate tax payer you can claim additional relief via self-assessment. This tax relief is available on contributions of up to 100% of your earnings and is capped at the annual allowance (£40,000 for 201819). It should be noted that high earners with income in excess of £150,000 are subject to a reduction in this allowance. Whilst your funds are invested, pension funds allow your money to grow tax free. In other words, they can increase in value at a higher rate than many other types of investment. One of the other main tax benefits of pension planning relates to inheritance tax. Generally speaking pension plans are held under trust arrangements meaning they are outwith your estate for inheritance tax purposes, therefore tax savings of 40% can potentially be achieved by having your funds in a pension scheme.

As previously stated, existing pension schemes can now be transferred to obtain the full flexibility of all the options available under a personal pension arrangement. Due consideration however must be used and appropriate financial advice obtained if you are a member of a final salary arrangement or, indeed, any pension where there are Page 17

DIOCESE guaranteed benefits. This is important due to the fact that, when the pension funds are transferred out of a Final Salary Scheme, they can never be transferred back in. You may recall that Final Salary Schemes were classed as the “Gold Plated� standard of pension arrangements.

In relation to Inheritance Tax there are, however, various other options available to you to alleviate its impact. For example, you may wish to consider gifting your assets in order to reduce the overall value of your estate. In order for the gift to be wholly outwith your estate in the event of your death, you would have to survive seven years from the date of the gift.

There are other investments which you can make through the alternative investment market (AIM) using the business property relief. Investments into the AIM only have a two year term after which the investment would be outwith your estate in the event of your death. These investments are on a higher risk level and, again, full financial advice must be taken prior to considering these types of inheritance tax mitigation investment vehicles.

Clients who still wish to remain in control of all their assets during their lifetime may consider utilising a Whole of Life policy written in Trust for their beneficiaries with a sum assured estimated to be the amount of inheritance tax due in the event of your death. Obviously the younger you are when you take out these policies, the lower the cost involved.

Some people also wish to try and mitigate their liability

regarding care home fees or indeed funds for care costs. For those who would like the bulk of their wealth to pass down to their beneficiaries there are various options available for consideration. Options for investing for those who wish to save for fees are also available and it is imperative that Independent Financial Advice is sought whichever option is selected.

We would also recommend that you have a valid Will in place and that this is up-dated on a regular basis to make sure that, in the event of your death, your assets go to whom you would intend to inherit. If you are considering making withdrawals from a pension fund, the nature and value of your personal estate will increase as a result and your testamentary wishes may therefore change. Our Private Client Department can arrange or up-date a Will for you and would be happy to discuss your options in more detail.

Overall there are many tax advantages to pension and estate planning but, as with any investment, the value of your investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. For further information on how pension planning could benefit you please contact our Financial Services Department to discuss further.

Jim Guyan is Head of Financial Services, Keith McIntosh is a Financial Consultant and Douglas Crombie is Head of the Private Client Department at Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace.

Asset protection your Raeburn Christie Clark & family Wallace Solicitors Half Page We can help protect your assets from inheritance tax and care costs, but you need to act now. These things need to be considered as far as 10 years in advance so it’s never too early.

Private Client Services from RCC W Call Douglas Crombie on 01224 332 400 or visit www.raeburns.co.uk Page 18

WITNESS

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9:7 for tomorrow, next week, next month, year, 10 years…

Indeed, we’ve heard of those who are working to secure the future of their grandchildren. In reality, while it’s possible emember the ten lepers that were cured on their to store money for generations to come, it is impossible to way to show themselves to the priests (Luke 17:11- guarantee peace, happiness or even sound health. Only 19)? Only one of them went back to thank Jesus and God can guarantee that. When we are connected to God on seeing this, Jesus noted, “Were not all ten cleansed? and trust Him implicitly, we are at peace, yes, even when we Where are the other nine?” Jesus then turned to the leper are dying, we are at peace because the presence of Christ in and said, “…go, your faith has healed you”. There were ten our lives does not permit anything else. God is light and it’s lepers, they were all cured, but the grateful one received physically impossible for darkness to abide in the presence more than a cleansing of his skin. He had a real encounter of light; the light consumes all the darkness. That is a physical with Jesus Christ; what a gift! phenomenon that has nothing to Then, on the other hand, I have this God gives all manner of gifts and do with faith; it’s the way things blessings to His children (Christians friend, called Jesus, The Christ, who are. and everybody else), out of His love, deemed me to be worth EVERYTHING I recently had less work than and in accordance with His will. Some and so willingly and lovingly, gave up usual and so had time and space of His children don’t notice and some His very life, so I could live. This thought to learn a few things. Of course are downright ungrateful! Sometimes makes me feel so loved, so worthy, and I I did not do it all on my own; no we notice but are so busy chasing the find that even knowing this, is in itself a way! Although I had heard it said next thing that we forget to thank gift and that also fills me with gratitude. countless times, I have now learnt God for the blessings, but sometimes, This is my principal reason for giving to at first hand that God never breaks we take time to show our gratitude. the Church because it gives those that His promises. Those who trust in We do this by saying, “Thank you”, by have not found Christ yet, a chance to do God will never be ashamed and sharing and hence being a blessing so, through the Church’s work.

Christ promised to never leave us to others, and by supporting the work of God’s kingdom on and He never does. earth. Like the grateful leper, when we give glory to God for I have learnt that we don’t really own anything but are these blessings, God is pleased and blesses us even more. custodians of what we hold. If we don’t even own our very This is what I have experienced; God looks at our hearts and bodies, what do we have really? We work hard, get paid sees the love with which we are giving. God’s hand is much and feel good about that. Do we deserve that money any bigger than ours so when we give, in love, God gives back more than the next person? Have we done anything special to us and says, “Keep the change”! I was able to live on that to deserve what we’ve got? Did we choose our parents, pay “change” for months when times were supposed to be hard. our fees, make ourselves smart enough to pass exams and Our God is truly awesome! get good grades, grant ourselves the wisdom to pass the Showing gratitude is a way of acknowledging that what interview that secured us that good job, that gave us that we have received has come from our Father, and we know salary? We say, “I taught myself this skill and that skill”. Really? where to go if we want more, or want something else. It All the wisdom and knowledge required to grasp the subject builds confidence, knowing that we have a solid connection and attain the skill, came from us? We simply conjured it all to the source of abundance. This confidence, and trust that up, and voilà! Really? I think not. Christ never leaves us and our God provides, removes all fear. When we are free of fear, so it makes perfect sense that His spirit would very much be we have the space to focus on creating, doing our jobs, a part of our lives (the alternative would be to assume that perfecting our skills, improving as human beings, growing. Christ would move around without His Spirit, a notion that Fear paralyses us, it freezes us and we get stuck in one place, makes zero sense). In truth, many of us are blind to the work too scared to take another step, dreading what we think of Christ’s Spirit in us. We come up with a good idea at work, tomorrow may bring. home or church and go, “hmm… I wonder where that came Our limiting thoughts may tell us we don’t have enough, from…”, completely oblivious of the Holy Spirit guiding us

BY STELLA MARIS

R

“

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EDUCATION AND FORMATION and teaching us. A few months ago, during adoration, I found this beautiful hymn whose tune I didn’t know. The lyrics were perfect for adoration and communion. As I read the words, I realised that I could sing the hymn to the tune of “Godhead here in hiding”. I was so thrilled that I “taught” the hymn to the Saturday Vigil congregation and we sang it several times over the next few months. Three months or so after “discovering” this wonderful hymn, I had gone for adoration and thought to quietly sing the hymn. On looking it up in the index, I found, in small words below the hymn title, “see Godhead here in hiding for alternative version”. So, all this time, I was feeling pretty clever, and all along it was me that didn’t know that my “discovery” was already an established way of singing that hymn! This has happened to me so many times, at work, home and Church, that now I have learnt to say, “Thank you God for teaching me”. Now I am more conscious of the gift of Christ’s Spirit that empowers me to work and get paid for it! I am very grateful but I can’t help but wonder if I and the Holy Spirit were to share the salary fairly, each according to their contribution, how much would I get?

I don’t even own the hands that type and write the software for which I am paid…

Then, on the other hand, I have this friend called Jesus, The Christ, who deemed me to be worth EVERYTHING and so willingly and lovingly gave up His very life so I could live. This thought makes me feel so loved, so worthy, and I find that even knowing this is in itself a gift and that also fills me with gratitude. This is my principle reason for giving to the Church because it gives those that have not found Christ yet a chance to do so, through the Church’s work. That is a gift that I wish for everyone and I will always support avenues that make that gift reachable. At the heart of the Church’s work

is the Eucharist without which we as Christians would wither away and die spiritually. I need the Eucharist; I do not want to contemplate a situation where I couldn’t find a church. So, even from a completely selfish perspective, I give so that the Church survives, in order to provide for my spiritual needs.

The Church’s teaching about giving is in Canon Law: Canon 222 1. The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for apostolic works and works of charity and for the decent sustenance of ministers.

2. They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.

In view of the above, it is common sense to contribute to the bills that the Church will have to pay in the execution of its duties. We need heating, or worship will be almost impossible in the cold months; we need a cleaner to keep the toilets sanitary or we’ll all get some horrid infection from using the facilities; the clergy have to eat and have some basic needs like the rest of us.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” What better way is there of doing good than as a community of worshippers? So again, it makes perfect sense to contribute, in love, out of love, to the Church’s charitable initiatives, knowing how much good can come out of them. Sometimes the good is intangible, it may not necessarily lead to the filling of the church pews but still, the recipients are reminded of God’s love for them, if only momentarily. This is seed sown on good soil. It multiplies in ways that are mind-boggling to imagine so I don’t even try.

From Catechised to Catechist Jesus Christ was to become the greatest and most inspiring catechist of all time but he would first have been catechised himself as a little child. Clare Benedict tells us what Jesus’ early education might have been like.

BY CLARE BENEDICT

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arents are the first and most important teachers or catechists of their children. A catechist is one who hands on what he (or she) has himself received – nothing more and nothing less. Indeed, all the faithful are called upon to pass on the faith they have themselves received as a precious gift from God. In this, we are called to imitate Jesus Christ, the greatest and most inspiring catechist of all. Jesus himself, before he became a renowned and much sought after teacher, was catechised himself, as a little child, first by his mother and Joseph, then by a teacher in the local synagogue. Not much is recorded by the Evangelists about this stage of Jesus’s life, but what little is recorded tells us what kind of pupil he must have been; and we do know something of a Palestinian boy’s education at that time. There are marked similarities between the early religious education of a little Hebrew boy and our own children’s religious formation today.

What are we actually told about Jesus’s education in the Gospels?

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Pieter de Grebber, “ Jesus learning on his Mother's knee”

EDUCATION AND FORMATION We learn that he could read, an ability that until not much more than a century ago was not taken for granted in our own country: “And he went into the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day; And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the Prophet Isaiah…” (Luke 4:16-17). It is possible that he could also write – “Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground” (John 8:6) – although what he wrote has always remained obscure. Unless it was absolutely necessary for certain scholars, the ability to write was considered less necessary than being able to read and recite the Scriptures. Above all, since written documents were rare and not readily accessible, training the memory was in many ways more important than being able to read.

Responsibility for a child’s education belonged to the father, who had to ensure that his son went through the various stages until he reached official maturity. He had also to teach him a trade. When being taught first in the home, the mother might also be involved, and a popular image of the Madonna and Child is of Mary teaching her child his first lessons. As soon as the child began to speak coherently, he would be taught simple prayers and Bible verses. At three years old, he would begin to learn the Hebrew alphabet. In the Holy Family’s home, as in other households in Nazareth, the family would have spoken Aramaic amongst themselves, with Hebrew reserved for the Scriptures.

Just as children in this country used to learn their ABC and commit it to memory, so the little Palestinian boy would have committed the sounds of the aleph-bet to memory, as well as those first prayers and stories, imitating his mother or father. This way of rote learning continued and is why many of Jesus’s sayings sounded similar to other teachers’ words at the time.

At the age of five, he would begin to recognize the appearance of the letters so that he could begin rudimentary studies of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. A year or two later, he would begin attending formal school, attached to the local synagogue, and usually run by the hazzan or precentor. Over the next few years, all the books of the Torah and the Prophets would be studied, along with many of the traditions of his people.

He would learn to recite the Sh’ma Ysrael (“Hear, O Israel…), the grace before and after meals, and traditional blessings – there are many prayers of blessing in Judaism. Already, we can see many parallels to the way Catholic children are taught today, when they learn to make the Sign of the Cross, to say the Glory be, the Our Father and the Hail Mary; to pray grace before and after meals, to offer little prayers on rising and before going to sleep.

Then, as now, good moral habits would be emphasized, that sin is always to be avoided because it is ugly, not just something that is to be punished. Physical punishment was given out, but never too harshly.

The responsibility of his father to ensure formal education continued until age 13 when a Hebrew boy was considered to be “of age” and would make his bar mitzvah, becoming “subject to the law” and taking responsibility himself from now on for his studies. We know from the Gospels that Jesus’s parents were obedient Jews, faithful in their observance of the Law, from having him circumcised at 8 days old, to presenting him in the Temple 40 days after his birth, to making the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, including the year after his twelfth birthday. This time would have formed part of the boy’s preparation for his bar mitzvah, the time when Jesus would have officially become an adult; and it was, of course, the time of the famous episode when Jesus remained behind in the Temple, presumably continuing his own preparations, and causing his

“Jesus sitting in the midst of the Doctors” by James Tissot parents such consternation.

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2: 46-7).

Most paintings illustrating this incident tend to depict the boy Jesus as lording it over the teachers, sitting above them as they hang on his every word. In fact, that is not what the Evangelist records. True, the teachers are amazed at his understanding, but we should note that he not only asked them (sensible) questions but also listened, in an utterly respectful manner, as befitted a student at the feet of his masters. One hopes that our own children behave in a similar fashion before their catechists! And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour (Luke 2:52).

At the age of 30, Jesus embarked upon his mission from the Father, at the age when a young Jewish man would be considered ready to enter the priesthood. Jesus was not of the priestly tribe of Levi, but three years later, he was to re-enter Heaven as what the Letter to the Hebrews describes as our great High Priest. During those final three years, he revealed himself to be an exemplary teacher or catechist whom we are all called to follow.

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EDUCATION AND FORMATION

Credo, I believe…

In this fascinating account Eileen Grant relates how the simple profession of faith, “Jesus is Lord” developed into the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed which we use today.

BY EILEEN GRANT

J

esus is Lord, that shortest, and earliest, Profession of Faith of the first Christians, seemed sufficient at the time. And the baptismal formula, as instructed by Jesus himself, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, was readily adopted by the Apostles and their disciples. Up into the 3rd century, they and the Early Church Fathers would centre their instruction to converts around this formula and the Gospels. Catechesis has always been meant teaching that which has been handed on to us and so, at first, those catechising spoke with the authority of those first followers who had known Jesus personally, or of those whom they had instructed in turn; and so on. What more was necessary? Catechetical manuals from the first centuries have been left to us – the Didache, the Apostolic Instructions, writings of such as Tertullian, Saints Polycarp, Irenaeus and Hippolytus, all centring around the essential truth contained in that baptismal formula.

“These (the Gospels) have all declared to us that there is one God, Creator of heaven and earth, announced by the law and the prophets; and one Christ, the Son of God” (St Irenaeus).

At some point between the late 2nd and early 3rd century, the Apostles’ Creed was gradually fleshed out, so called because it was popularly believed that an individual Apostle was responsible for the wording of each article of faith. Around 180, the Christians in Rome were using it as a Profession of Faith.

Though a slightly shorter version than what we know today, we find it first mentioned as Symbolum Apostolicum, Symbol or Creed of the Apostles, possibly originating in a letter from St Ambrose, in 390, at a Synod in Milan (where he was bishop).

This type of baptismal formula was now firmly established. The version we profess today may have been written as early as the 5th century but was definitely included in the writings of St Perminius in the early 8th century, thereafter being imposed

by Emperor Charlemagne throughout his lands, and eventually being accepted in Rome.

However, theological and Christological issues not addressed in detail in this Creed began to be apparent, especially when various heresies were becoming widely believed. Heresy, we remember, means “choosing”, in this case choosing what to believe about Jesus Christ as God and Man. It became necessary to address these issues and add even more flesh to the bones of the Creed. And so the First Ecumenical Council was called at Nicaea (now Iznik in Turkey), to deal with the “Arian heresy”, Page 22

promulgated by an Alexandrian priest, Arius, who insisted that Christ was merely the first among God’s creatures, not fully divine, and that there was a time when “he was not”.

This heresy threatened to split the Church and was, in fact, a very real threat to peace in Christian society. He gathered quite a significant following and not only from lay Christians.

People were, apparently, hotly debating the subject in the streets and often coming to blows. The main topic centred around one tiny letter of the Greek alphabet – the letter i, the Greek iota. We have recently heard not totally dissimilar arguments regarding the revised translation of the Creed, in particular the Greek word homoiousios, now translated as “consubstantial”: literally, “of the same substance”, as opposed to homoiusios, of

Tradition has it that an individual Apostle was responsible for the wording of each article of faith. similar substance. (Hence, the expression we have to this day of something making, or not making, an iota of a difference.)

Blessed John Henry Newman was struck by the significance of the Arian controversy and the Church’s struggles to refute it.

He was particularly impressed by the enduring faith of the laity: “The body of the faithful is one of the witnesses to the fact of

EDUCATION AND FORMATION the tradition of revealed doctrine … their consensus through Christendom is the voice of the Infallible Church … in that very day [the 4th century, referring to the Arian heresy] the divine tradition committed to the infallible Church was proclaimed and maintained far more by the faithful than by the Episcopate … the body of the episcopate was unfaithful to its commission, while the body of the laity was faithful to its baptism” (On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine).

At the end of this Council, the upholders of Christ’s true divinity were successful and the Creed, in particular the article dealing with Jesus Christ, was extensively lengthened, the intention being to leave no doubt as to the Church’s belief in Jesus as eternally begotten of the Father, truly God and truly Man, consubstantial with the Father. Thus, the Nicene Creed.

Unfortunately, this did not see an end to heresy, once again certain individuals picking and choosing what to believe. There were those who could not accept that Jesus was fully human; others who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit; and so, in 381 another Council was convened in Constantinople and declared the divinity of the Holy Spirit and the full humanity of

Christ. Thus, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the Creed we profess on Sundays and Solemnities. (As it’s such a tonguetwister, we tend simply to refer to it as the Nicene Creed!)

One other phrase was added, at a synod in Spain in 675: “and from the Son” (filioque), which, though never accepted by the Greek Orthodox Church, indicated Catholic belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and that therefore all three Persons of the Holy Trinity are perfectly equal.

The Apostles’ Creed remains the basis for the baptismal formula used by all mainstream Christian denominations and gives us, therefore, a firm foundation for ecumenical debate.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also uses the articles of the Apostles’ Creed in Part One, The Profession of Faith.

And since the revision of the Roman Missal, it is permitted for priests to call the faithful to say the Apostles’ Creed in place of the Nicene Creed on occasion, especially during Lent and Eastertide. It is good to know both and offers us continuity with the earliest Christians and the Faith they handed down to us.

Greyfriars Convent along with Pluscarden Abbey and other ecclesiastical buildings in our diocese, stands testament to the fortitude of our Catholic forebears.

I learned a lot: poverty, desperation, fear, secrecy, hope, love and yes, faith and fortitude, were all there. It was a privilege to be able to put it into words.

Greyfriars Convent: An Enduring Story of Faith and Fortitude Anne Oliver, the author of a new book about the history of Greyfriars Convent in Elgin, reflects on her journey in writing her book

A

s a parishioner of St Sylvester’s Pastoral Area, I was inspired to write this book following an Open Day at the Greyfriars Convent, Elgin, in 2014. The Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia, who had been in Elgin for a year, were already making their mark in the Diocese. Many people, Catholic and non-Catholic, flocked to look round the building, reminiscing as they walked, about the previous occupants, the Sisters of Mercy, and about the commercial and music schools that they had attended.

Listening to these stories I knew that they needed to be recorded.

And so I started my investigation into the history of the building and the lives of the people who inhabited it. It turned out to be a fascinating and touching journey through several centuries and several countries. There was a great deal of hardship in post Reformation years.

All profits from the book will be shared between the indomitable Dominican Sisters who work throughout the Diocese and Elgin’s Madeleine Picozzi for her work in Mongolia with the Salesians in their fledgling schools. Her work reminds me of the Sisters of Mercy in their early days in Elgin.

The book is available to order from the Diocesan website at: https://www.rcda.scot/archives/12264. The author suggests a donation of £10.00 and payment methods will be provided upon ordering.

You Must be Joking - AGAIN!!!

Raising money for your church/charity? Why not take take advantage of Tim’s side-splittingly hilarious offer?

F

ollowing the success of their first joke book for charity, You Must Be Joking!!!, Tim and Rick were persuaded to publish a second book of hilarious jokes, one-liners and exam howlers. As with their first book Tim, a parishioner at St. Joseph's in Aberdeen, is again offering to donate copies of his book to any church or Christian charity in the diocese to support their fund raising.

The way the scheme works is simple: contact Tim at Tim@ stapenhurst.co.uk and let him know how many copies you would like. Tim will send you the books, you sell the books at £4.99 and keep the money for your church/charity.

The 160 page book, You Must Be Joking AGAIN, includes Page 23

EDUCATION AND FORMATION a humorous look at international affairs and traveller's tales. For the home there are priceless quotes, comical stories and jokes about kids, parenting and pets, as well as a side-splitting look at the lighter side of the battle of the sexes. All this topped off with brain teasers, puzzles and fascinating weird facts.

Tim says that many people are buying the book as a stocking filler or Christmas present and some are selling copies to friends and work colleagues - with all the proceeds going back to their Charity.

If your church or charity wants to take advantage of Tim's side-splittingly hilarious offer email him on Tim@ stapenhurst.co.uk ....and remember: he who laughs last thinks slowest!

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.

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

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.

The mission of the Society of the Little Flower is to promote devotion to St.Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Carmelite Nun andand Doctor of the Church. prayers and clinics, Carmelite priests, nuns, brothers sisters serve peopleThrough in parishes, medical donations, friends schools, of St.Thérèse enable Carmelites to catechetical continue hercentres, “Showerprisons, of Roses” women’s centres, retreat houses, hospitals, in their ministries throughout the world and in their education of young Carmelites. housing, job and skills development programmes and sacramental celebrations

Half Page - Society of the little Flower around the world.

Carmelite priests, nuns, brothers and sisters serve people in parishes, medical clinics, Society of the schools, Little Flower women’s centres, retreat houses, hospitals, catechetical centres, prisons, 0345 602 9884 (local rate) Barclays House housing, job and skills development programmes and sacramental celebrations ukweb@littleflower.org 51 Bishopric around the world. www.littleflower.eu www.littleflower.org.uk Horsham RH12 1QJ Charity No. 1123034 Society of the Little Flower 0345 602 9884 (local rate) Barclays House Page 24 ukweb@littleflower.org 51 Bishopric

EDUCATION AND FORMATION

GODLY PLAY

BY STEPHANIE SCOTT have been sharing Godly play stories once a month at St. Mary’s Cathedral for the past five years. We have a range of ages from 5 years to 11 years attending, and numbers can vary between 15 and 40 children. But Godly play reaches each child wherever they are at, and children wonder at their own level. Each time a child hears a story, they hear something new, or realise something that they missed before, as their wondering deepens with age and experience.

Godly Play is a creative and imaginative way to teach children and prepare them to join in the worship and life of our faith community. It uses symbols and objects, as well as words, to help develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites. Children are asked wondering questions, to which there are no right or wrong answers; it’s what the children think and feel. They are encouraged to find meaning for themselves, and to connect the stories to personal experience.

I also deliver Godly Play at St. Joseph’s primary school in Aberdeen, where I teach Primary 1, and take the sacramental preparation classes for Holy Communion. By telling weekly Godly Play stories at school, I am able to follow the cycle of the core texts. We start with Creation, then move on to Noah, the People of God in the desert and the prophets.

This points us to Advent, Christmas, the Epiphany, and Jesus’ Baptism, before we look at Jesus’ parables, and his

I

life as we head towards Easter. After Easter I tell the stories about ‘Seeing Jesus in a new way’ up to Pentecost, and finish with Paul and the Trinity. There are also enrichment stories about saints that I share.

Sophie, a pupil at school, commented: “I like how I can look at the story, as well as listen to the story. My favourite stories are the People of God stories in the desert”.

The creator of Godly Play, Jerome Berryman, based Godly Play on the Montessori principles of responding to the child’s request to ‘help me do it by myself.’ This puts the teacher in the role of spiritual supporter who fully accepts that each child has his or her own relationship with God already. We don’t tell the children who God is, we let them discover Him for themselves.

Godly Play gives children the opportunity to learn religious language, and use it to make meaning. It encourages children to make connections. With the wondering, there is no attempt to manipulate responses to reach a premature ‘teaching point’ or to explain what the story ‘really means’. This non-coercive pedagogy ensures that children experience and learn the most vital lesson of all: that scripture holds never ending layers of meaning for each of us, rather than a collection of finite answers or recipes for Christian life.

I really enjoy telling Godly Play stories to children, and hearing their wondering responses.

You can find out more information about Godly Play and Godly Play Scotland by visiting their websites. www.godlyplay.uk/ www.godlyplayscotland.co.uk/

The Story of Abraham

The Advent Story

The Ten Commandments

The St. Joseph Story

The Good Shepherd and World Communion Page 25

FAITH AND CULTURE

The Lives of St Duthac of Tain

has pointed out, in the late Middle Ages devotion to St Duthac outstripped that of these more familiar celebrities and his shrine at Tain in Easter Ross drew pilgrims in great numbers, “kings, princes and the common people”.

Who was he? The cult of St Duthac is perhaps a good place to begin. Saints might almost be defined as people who have more than one life. Beyond their historical existence, they seem to enjoy a second posthumous life in the minds and hearts of others – no less real, if we think about it. The creedal doctrine of the Communion of Saints theologically underpins these further human possibilities. So it certainly was with St Duthac. That the firth-side royal burgh of Tain housed a shrine of St Duthac, with relics, from at least the mid-13th c. seems certain. That devotion to him spread locally, then in Aberdeen and finally nationally is clear from a whole range of evidence: place-names, personal names, dedications of churches, chapels and altars, mention in liturgical documents, literary references. Placenames include Arduthie, Belmaduthie, Kilduthie, Loch Duich – though we cannot always be certain of the ‘Duthac’ involved.

An alternative derivation for the name ‘Black Isle (‘dubh’ being Gaelic for ‘black’) is ‘Duthac’s Isle’. Dedications ranged from the Northern Isles to the Borders, and in the current diocese of Aberdeen included St Nicholas’ Kirk in Aberdeen, Elgin Cathedral, Forres, Croy on the Moray Firth, Kintail, Inverness, Wick and Kirkwall. It seems that the burgesses of Aberdeen warmed to the figure of Duthac. So, more spectacularly, did the royal house of Stewart. James II, James III, most famously James IV, and James V all made pilgrimages there. This would

“

His miracles show a command of birds, a capacity to retrieve the lost, a gift of providing nourishment and protection from wild weather. They are kindly gestures.

BY BISHOP HUGH GILBERT OSB

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n St Stephen’s Chapel in Cologne Cathedral there are remains of a small wall-painting of St Duthac of Tain, alongside another of St Kentigern or Mungo.

They are dated to around 1320. Cologne Cathedral housed relics of the biblical Magi, the “three Kings” and would have been visited by many Scottish pilgrims. It was presumably for their sake that these two Scottish saints were commemorated. But the presence of Duthac might surprise us. He also features in the Martyrology of Cologne printed in 1490. In contemporary Scotland, St Duthac is no household name. If people care to think of the ancient Scottish saints, it is Ninian, Columba, Mungo or Margaret who come to mind, and via his relics, the Apostle Andrew – hardly Duthac. But, as Dr Tom Turpie of Stirling University,

Page 26

have heightened significantly the status and wealth of the shrine and the cult of the saint. From 1457 Tain boasted a new church housing the saint’s relics, which included his head, a breastbone and a ‘hairy shirt’. In 1492, the church’s collegiate status was confirmed by Pope Innocent VIII. There were political reasons for a Stewart interest in Tain and demonstrations of presence and power were effective means of cementing control, not least when enhanced – as in 1504 - by a band of Italian minstrels and an African drummer! But the devotion to St Duthac that one finds in rural, urban and royal circles in the late Middle Ages - among the Gaels of the west, in the northern isles, among the townsfolk of mercantile centres like Aberdeen, and further south in the royal family and in the Lothians – go beyond the political or national agendas. They are responding to traditions of a saint who showed a closeness to ordinary life, proved himself a ‘kind neighbour’ by his miracles, blending asceticism and benevolence. Much of this finds its definitive medieval expression in the inspiring Aberdeen Breviary of 1510, Scotland’s first full-scale printed book and a monument to the high liturgical culture that prevailed in Aberdeen in the days of Bishop William Elphinstone (d. 1514). There, under 8 March, we find an oration for St Duthac and the nine readings used at Matins. He is designated as ‘bishop and confessor’, said to be of noble birth, partly educated in Ireland, learned in the Old and New Testaments and, after his episcopal ordination, a kind of spiritual father to other bishops. His sphere of action was around the Dornoch Firth. His miracles show a command of birds, a capacity to retrieve the lost, a gift of providing nourishment

FAITH AND CULTURE and protection from wild weather. They are kindly gestures. the seashore. Are these signs of an emerging Duthac 3? In any His shrine, says the Breviary, has become a place of healing for case, the Communion of Saints remains, and our need for that the sick and diseased. He ‘migrated to Christ’ on 8 March and ‘health and wholeness of life’ the Aberdeen Breviary hailed him his body was found incorrupt seven years later. ‘A very great as dispensing also remains. Perhaps he still has another life to crowd of Christian people flock to him constantly and he shines live. In memory of the Kintail connection, our church at Dornie ceaselessly with the brightest miracles.’

Clearly, in the late medieval on the west coast is dedicated to him. He All this was blown away by the constellation of holy Scots, St features in John Woodside’s ‘Together in Reformation. It’s left for us to pick our way Duthac shone out. Doing so, Christ: Following the Northern Saints’ through the fragments left behind, trying to he can remind us of the faith (2016). When first a monk at Pluscarden form meaningful patterns. If a connection of our forebears, their passion Abbey in the 1970s, I had the privilege with Easter Ross, the Dornoch Firth and for pilgrimage, their sense of of knowing Brother Duthac. He, like his Tain itself seems sure, it is impossible to belonging to a fellowship uniting patron saint, had an unusual history: he give St Duthac a definite date or to sift the past and present, heaven and had shovelled coal on the express steamreliable from the fantastic in the traditions earth, the ordinary and the divine. trains between Edinburgh and Newcastle, regarding him as an historical figure. Many argue for the 11th and became a monk seven years after his wife mysteriously c., but some demur. Let us call this elusive figure Duthac 1. disappeared from home, never to be found again. When, a few With Duthac 2, as explained above, we are on somewhat surer days before his death, he told me he felt too weak to carry some ground. Clearly, in the late medieval constellation of holy Scots, newly-laundered handkerchiefs to his cell, he taught me the St Duthac shone out. Doing so, he can remind us of the faith physical frailty of the old. He died a simple, prayerful death and of our forebears, their passion for pilgrimage, their sense of rests in the monastic cemetery. belonging to a fellowship uniting past and present, heaven and In the diocesan calendar of Aberdeen St Duthac is duly earth, the ordinary and the divine. remembered on 8 March, with the prayer: And what of now? ‘St Duthac’s Fair’ is no longer held, but ‘Almighty God, who chose St Duthac to be a true shepherd Tain – in Gaelic Baile Dubhthaich,‘Duthac’s Town’ - still of your people, listen to his earnest prayer so that we may attain remembers him. Historians, local and otherwise, are researching the goal of our earthly pilgrimage in the eternal abode of heaven. him afresh. The papal bull of 1492, confirming the status of Through Christ our Lord. Amen.’ the collegiate church in Tain and the town’s most precious possession, was recently restored and commemorated. There I am indebted for much in the above to Tom Turpie’s article: are pilgrims who take the modern versions of the old routes Our Friend in the North: The Origin, Evolution and Appeal of to the remaining choir of that collegiate church, to the ruins the Cult of St Duthac in the Later Middle Ages, published in of the old parish church and those of a medieval chapel near the Scottish Historical Review, Vol. XCIII, 1: No. 236, April 2014, pp. 1-28, kindly forwarded to me by the author.

“

On a Wing and a Prayer with Father Peter Barry

“In my Father’s house are many mansions”

I

got a sick call from the hospital during the week. A tiny man lay curled up in bed like a sleeping infant. It was clear he had little time to live, so I administered the Sacrament of the Sick, brushing aside long white hair to make a conduit for the sacramental oil, and anointed the five senses. I then bent down and whispered in his ear, “ Robert, you have nothing to fear. You are now as innocent as a new born baby”.

Only later did I learn something of his life. He was one

“Robert” , a study in pen and ink by Jane Barry Page 27

FAITH AND CULTURE step above a “Gentleman of the Road”. These were not rough sleepers like the homeless we see bedded in the doorways of Union Street. These were true gentlemen who asked the farmer’s permission to sleep in the barn, or among the haystacks. They would walk mile after mile, restless in their hearts and unable to settle their minds.

Somewhere in his journey, Robert had found Pluscarden Abbey, where he saw a community of white-robed monks, walking in silent prayer, busy in the garden. They gave him food and simple tasks. Eventually he asked to become a Catholic, and received instruction in the faith.

Robert was then received into the church at the Easter Vigil, a ceremony lasting three hours (Recent converts at St Francis’ Easter Vigil can count themselves fortunate! ) I find the words spoken by Jesus, “ In my Father’s house there are many mansions”, very comforting. It’s not a case of “One size fits all” . It means that Robert is there with Mother Teresa , with John Paul the Second, and with the child who was conceived, but never saw the light of day, with the child whose experience of life was momentary as a shooting star. They lit up our horizon for a second, then sped back to God. Going into eternity is a bit like presenting our lives to God, in the form of a book. A few scattered fragments might make a page or two for Robert. Other lives may run into volumes, telling of great achievements.

All of our prayer books contain three little Latin tags, to assure us that the contents are praiseworthy. You can see

Oot an Aboot with Ron Smith Saints of the Ardennes

T

he word “Spa” is widespread these days – but the original Spa is the eponymous town in Belgium.

This is a lovely place in the Ardennes. For many of us tourists, Belgium is that flat land of Bruges, Ghent and Brussels, but continue eastwards and you will soon be in delightfully hilly, wooded, and very rural Ardennes.

We travelled to Spa from Dinant, by train. It is going back into another world, and a good one at that. The train is a two-coach elderly electric train that follows a river, cutting through the frequent hills in short tunnels, stopping at small stations serving small villages. This wee train is actually an international service! It runs from Spa to Aachen Page 28

them on page four of our missalettes.

Nihil Obstat. . nothing in Robert’s biography can bar his entry into heaven. Imprimatur. . his life is worthy to be recorded. And look at the last tag: Concordat cum Originali . . In a real sense Robert’s life mirrored the original promise he made at the Easter Vigil, to reject Satan and his empty promises.

For many of us, there are pages still being written, with a line each day recording an incident, a triumph or a disappointment. Much of our choosing may be unwise.

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul? Jesus liked to ask rhetorical questions.

The answer is embedded in the question: it Jericho Inns:Layout 1 11/11/15 08:58 Page 1 profits us nothing, absolutely nothing!

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in Germany every hour, and must be the most modest international train in Europe.

Spa is a bonny town, with a resident population of just 10,500 people, is easy to explore, in its wooded valley. The famous health springs are everywhere, and have drawn tourists for centuries. It was known in the time of Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 AD). The 18th and 19th centuries were its golden age, when tourists, artists, authors, kings and presidents flocked here from all over Europe. As we Brits invented tourism, we naturally brought the name back with us and applied it to any place with a “ferruginous” spring, and so the name spread.

Although the town may have passed its apogee, it is certainly not living in the past. There are no empty shops, and there are many modern hotels and an air of prosperity – and also the Francorchamps Formula 1 race track with events throughout the summer, to attract thousands of car fans.

Unfortunately, Spa and the Ardennes were right in the path of just about every invading army for many centuries, and the area has suffered greatly. However, it has always clung to its Catholic faith and traditions. Exploring the town is a pleasure, lots of very attractive buildings, lots of history, and it is dominated by the twin spires of the Parish Church, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Spa, St. Remaclus.

The present church, a grand building in grey granite, was built in 1885, on the site of many previous churches. Spa used to be in the Parish of Le Sart, but following the Council of Trent, and representations from local people concerned

FAITH AND CULTURE at the corrosive influence of Protestants coming to the town for the “cure” and the waters, it became a separate Parish in December 1573.

Opening on to the street are four entrance doorways.

Over them are tympana. The centre two depict the resurrected Christ, and Mary on the throne of wisdom.

These are flanked by the Saints of the Ardennes. One is of St. Remaclus, with a wolf carrying saddle bags, and the other shows St. Hubert with a stag that has a crucifix on its head between its antlers.

St. Remaclus was a Benedictine Bishop. He was born in Aquitaine and became a monk in around 625 and subsequently was ordained as a priest. In 648 he was persuaded to build two abbeys, at Stavelot and Malmedy.

These two towns are not far apart in the Ardennes forest and one Abbot/Bishop would cover both of them. The Abbeys were opened in 651. Whilst working on the construction, St. Remaclus had a donkey, which carried saddle bags, to go and collect stones to use for the walls. One day a wolf attacked and killed the donkey. St. Remaclus talked to the wolf and persuaded it to behave itself and to start acting more like a dog! The wolf agreed and, fitted with the saddle bags, carried the stones to help with the construction.

In time both abbeys were destroyed, but the shrine of St. Remaclus is in Stavelot today, and he is the patron saint of Spa and Stavelot. St. Remaclus’ feast day is September 3rd.

St Hubert is confronted with the stag which changed his life instructed him. He relinquished his titles and wealth, studied for the priesthood and was ordained. In 708 Bishop Lambert sent him to visit Rome. While he was away, Lambert was murdered. Hubert was promptly made Bishop of Liège. He went on to live a holy life and the parishes of the Ardennes prospered. He died in May, 727.

Today Hubert is remembered as the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, opticians and metal workers. He is credited with being the originator of ethical hunting. He is also known as the Apostle of the Ardennes. His feast day is November 3rd.

The church of Our Lady and St Remaclus in Spa is an attractive church to explore with lots of interesting statues (including a 16th century one of St. Remaclus), paintings and stained glass.

Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer

St Remaclus with his wolf helper The other tympanum, of St. Hubert, embodies another story. Hubert was born sometime around 656, probably in Toulouse, the son of a Duke. He was sent to court where he shone, and was a keen hunter. He married Floribanne, the daughter of the Count of Louvain. Unfortunately, she died giving birth to their son. This devastated Hubert, who took to the woods and hunting. One Good Friday he decided to go hunting instead of going to church. He was stalking a great stag, and had it cornered, but before he could kill the beast it turned to face him. He was astonished to see a great crucifix on its head between its antlers. Then a great voice told him to turn to the Lord and lead a holy life.

Hubert went to Maastricht where Bishop Lambert

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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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FAITH AND CULTURE

Thinking out loud

A short meditation for Advent

BY CANON ALISTAIR M. DOYLE

I

t seems to me that Advent is something of a poor relation to Lent. Both are seasons of preparation for one of the major feasts of the Church. However, Lent with its emphasis on penance seems to be more clear cut. Advent, although with the Baptist's call to conversion, does not have the same urgency. We are distracted by clarion calls to buy gifts for friends and family, to prepare for parties and the traditional Dickensian feasting, and end-of-year celebrations.

How are we to prepare spiritually?

Seeing Millet’s painting of farmworkers in Normandy saying the Angelus put me in mind of that ancient devotion (On a personal note it also reminded me of my duty in one parish as a junior priest to ring the Angelus bell before the 7 am Mass. The neighbours were not too happy but it woke the Sisters in a nearby convent.). As far as I know, not many people say the Angelus now yet it is a reminder of the Incarnation. l) ‘The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived by the Holy Spirit".

St. Luke gives us no details of where this happened or what Mary was doing. Artists have speculated freely, some that she was praying for the coming of the Messiah, others that she was scrubbing the floor or preparing a meal. We are given the simple fact that at a given moment of history, God intervened in Mary‘s life and sent His angel to change it with a request. God still intervenes, not usually with an angel but with other people or events in our lives. What is our reaction to such intervention?

Mary's was to ask how she could fulfil His request. ”How can that be? l am a virgin." God's explanation led to Mary's response of humble acquiescence.

2) “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.”

3) “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

In his greeting the angel told Mary" she was "full of grace".

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Millet’s L’Angélus What does that mean? A modern translation of the Greek says “highly favoured", another translates it as "greatly blessed". My Scripture professor translated the Greek as "full (of grace) to overflowing". Mary was completely overwhelmed for God and by God. Her response was immediate “Fiat-let it be done.”

In his Light of Christ, Archbishop Goodier S.J. remarks that, ideally, all human life is a result of a Fiat. Because of her love for her husband, a wife gives her Fiat for the act of love which results in a human life. Of course we know that sinful human nature does not always live up to the ideal. But God is perfect and the Incarnation is God's ideal act of love for the human race.

The Fathers of the Church are prone to point out that it was an act of selfish love that brought about the Fall, and an act of selfless love that brought about the Incarnation and Redemption.

For example, lrenaeus writes: "Just as Eve seduced by an angel's message turned away from God in betraying His word, so Mary welcoming an angel's message bore God within her obeying His word. Eve had been led to disobey God, but Mary consented to obey Him and so the Virgin Mary became the advocate for the virgin Eve." (Irenaeus, Against Herecies, V, 19, 1) The Fathers term Mary “the second Eve”. Her trust in God enabled her to give her consent to whatever God's will meant in her life. In doing so she became an accomplice in the work of Redemption.

It is usual to intersperse each of the three verses of the Angelus with the “Hail Mary”. We acknowledge Mary's special place among women "Blessed are you among women".

It has been claimed by some historians such as Hilaire Belloc that devotion to the Virgin Mary revolutionised the place of women in Dark Ages Europe. In blessing Mary, men leamed to respect women more than they had done in the militaristic Roman Empire. The tales of Romance e.g. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” may have originated in devotion to Mary and many of the magnificent Gothic cathedrals are dedicated to her.

In my opinion the recitation of the Angelus is a good preparation for Christmas by reminding us why we rejoice.

“Mother of Christ hear thou thy people's cry, By that joy which Gabriel brought to thee Thou virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see."

FAITH AND CULTURE

Robert Carver - the musical monk from Scone Abbey

BY DR SHELAGH NODEN

T

he musical memories for this issue go back rather further than usual, to the early sixteenth century and the work of a Scottish monk and musician called Robert Carver (c.1484-c.1568). He spent most of his life at Scone Abbey near Perth, and composed music for the Chapel Royal of King James IV in Stirling.

Much of his output has survived in a remarkable document, which for many years was preserved in the Advocates’ Library in Edinburgh but is now in the care of the National Library of Scotland. This beautifully written manuscript is decorated with fanciful characters, such as the one illustrated here, which may have been cartoons of other monks or even Carver himself. One scholar has described it as having the appearance of ‘a well-kept scrapbook’.

King James IV took a great interest in music, and is known to have played the clarsach or Celtic harp. He was also the last known King of Scots to have been a Gaelic speaker. The king maintained a highly trained choir at the Chapel Royal, which in 1501 is known to have consisted of six boy choristers and sixteen men; later it increased in size to thirty-six singers.. Robert Carver supplied them with liturgical music of astonishing complexity, including a ten part Mass based on the plainchant Dum sacrum mysterium, and a beautiful motet, O bone Jesu, which is in no fewer than nineteen parts. This motet exploits the contrast between sections for all nineteen parts singing together and more frequent interludes for fewer parts, possibly sung by soloists, providing an astonishing variety of textures. A notable feature of the piece is the way in which all voices combine for the solemn invocations of the name of Jesus, for which Carver provides some massive and awe-inspiring sonorities. It is thought that this motet was written for the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, which originated in the later part of the fifteenth century.

Other cathedrals in Scotland at this time boasted excellent choirs — as at Dunkeld, Glasgow, St Andrews, Dunblane, Elgin, Aberdeen — and it is entirely possible that Carver’s music was sung elsewhere. By the 1540s St Magnus’ Cathedral in Orkney had a Sang Schule and could have sung some of the less complicated works.

The Carver manuscript shows that Scottish church musicians had a wide knowledge of music, reaching well beyond their borders. As well as Carver’s own compositions, the manuscript includes several pieces from the Eton Choirbook, a roughly contemporary English collection, and a Mass by the Flemish master, Guillaume Dufay. There is some evidence that Carver himself studied in Louvain, where he would have had access to the work of composers such as Josquin and Heinrich Isaac.

However, scholars have detected a distinct Scottish character in Carver’s compositions, notably the ‘double tonic’ which is a

The Carver manuscript is decorated with fanciful characters, such as the one illustrated here, which might even have been a cartoon of Carver himself feature of Scottish folk music.

How was this music performed? Amazingly it appears that many of the choristers would have relied on memory. This seems impossible to us, but in mediaeval and early Renaissance times memorising lengthy texts and music was a widespread practice, owing to the scarcity of printed or handwritten copies. In fact a contemporary Scottish theoretical treatise The Art of Musick makes a distinction between ordinary singers and ‘lectoris’— those who could read music. These would probably have read from a centrally-placed copy, and given a lead to the others. The Carver choirbook does show signs of use, with down-beats marked in

“

In 1561 in the Chapel Royal itself, as Mass was about to be said with Queen Mary present, a band of armed men broke in and ‘so disturbed the quire, that some … left their places, with broken heads and bloody ears’.

Poignantly Robert Carver himself may well have been one of the singers, and seen the ruin of everything he had tried to achieve.

some cases, suggesting that a member of the choir could have conducted. The illustration below shows this in practice, with the Flemish monastic composer Johannes Ockeghem (wearing glasses) singing, and possibly directing his choir.

In 1560 the Scottish Reformation meant the end of choral Church music. Unlike Martin Luther, who encouraged choirs, John Calvin and his disciple John Knox promoted a religion that was musically almost silent. Psalms sung in unison were all that was permitted at this period. Catholic church buildings and property were attacked and destroyed, books were burnt. In 1561 in the Chapel Royal itself, as Mass was about to be said with Queen Mary present, a band of armed men broke in and ‘so disturbed the quire, that some … left their places, with broken heads and bloody ears’. Poignantly Robert Carver himself may well have been one of the singers, and seen the ruin of everything he had tried to achieve.

Which makes it all the more remarkable that somehow his choirbook survived. It is possible that many of his other compositions were lost— there is a thirty-year gap in his output which can probably be explained by the destruction by the Reformers of copies of Carver’s music. Today there is increasing interest in his work, and recordings have been made by groups such as the Taverner Consort and the Sixteen. There are also examples available on Youtube; try googling ‘Carver, O bone Jesu’ and you can hear some of this wonderful music for yourself.

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FAITH AND CULTURE

It is beautiful… and sacred

BY SR JANET FEARNS FMDM

I

t is not irreverent. It is beautiful. The churches made with bricks that the villagers had themselves fashioned with wooden moulds, dried in the sun and placed, one by one, to construct the walls, during the rest of the week, are the only community centre in the villages. Too poor to construct rooms and offices when their own homes might only be one room, the villagers find wood and cut it into rough (and uncomfortable) benches. Where there is no wood, there are long mounds of even more uncomfortable concrete that serve the same purpose. Grass is carried in long bundles, perhaps over huge distances, carefully balanced on the head, a wheelbarrow or a bicycle before it is cut into vaguely similar lengths and used as thatch. A tiled roof is a sign of affluence: a thatched roof, often the norm, a witness to the lack of the material resources within the village.

Many priests might have 40 or more outstations in their parish, catering for perhaps hundreds of small and often isolated villages.

That is why the church is strategically placed to allow as many people as possible to make use of it, even if they must walk considerable distances to reach it. Someone who is elderly or sick, perhaps even too young to manage the journey, might sit on the crossbar of a bicycle, or inside a wheelbarrow, which serves as the local taxi service, and is pushed to church. Many of the people in these rural parishes, because of their isolation, will only have the opportunity to attend Mass on a couple of occasions during the year. After all, how can a priest divide himself amongst so many?

It is not irreverent. It is beautiful. The church made by human hands is also the venue for the mothers and babies, born and unborn, as the Under-5 and ante-natal clinic when the outreach team arrives. There is nowhere else able to offer shelter to perhaps a couple of hundred mothers and their little ones. If there are no trees, what shade is there from the beating midday sun? Where can a woman sit to feed her hungry infant? How can she, heavily pregnant, stand waiting her turn for her ante-natal examination?

The church is a shelter and a home in more ways than one. If God is truly interested in the lives and welfare of his people, then his home is their home. It is their right, as children of God, to rest in his presence.

That is why I never had a problem with using the churches for the under-5 and ante-natal clinics. There was always something so right about it. In some of the churches, the only privacy for an ante-natal clinic was behind the altar. What could be more lovely than to hear and feel an unborn new life stirring in the very place that the priest would stand to celebrate the Eucharist on his next visit to the outstation?

Because of the isolation of these churches, the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved. There is no tabernacle…but there is the tabernacle of a woman’s womb wherein is held an infant whom she is prepared to protect and nurture with her own life.

In the very spot where, even if irregularly, people gather in prayer, there is the tacit acceptance of the fact that, even unborn, the baby is part of the community. During the ante-natal examination, when the attention of the mother and the midwife turns towards that tiny life, is that not also a moment of Eucharist, of total absorption in an as yet unseen mystery of love? Within Page 32

the tabernacle of the mother’s uterus, is a growing, developing, tangible, proof of God’s love.

That is why Advent is also a celebration of Motherhood, not just of Mary, but also of all mothers. That is why the Church is also Woman, bearing and loving the life within her. It is not irreverent. It is beautiful…and sacred.

Fertility Care 1/4

FAITH AND CULTURE

Food and Faith

with Margaret Bradley

The Diocese of Aberdeen is home to Catholics from all over the world. Alice and Jean Pierre Van Frank, parishioners of St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, share a special seasonal French recipe for Galette des Rois with our resident food columnist, Margaret Bradley.

King or Queen for the Day!

I

n France on the sixth of January, the Feast of the Epiphany, a special cake is shared to celebrate the visit of the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. The name of the cake is Galette des Rois, Kings’ Cake.

The cake traditionally consists of two circles of puff pastry, with patterns incised across it, which are sandwiched together with a frangipane filling, a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar. French pastry chefs compete each year to invent new exotic versions with chocolate, apple or candied fruits. In the south of France, an orange flavoured fruit brioche pastry is used, which is shaped as a crown and topped with fruit and sugar. Each cake comes with a cardboard crown and has a fève (originally a bean but now, more often than not, a plastic trinket) baked into it.

The tradition is for the family to gather together to cut the cake, the youngest child selecting which guest gets each portion. The guest who finds the fève in their slice becomes king or queen for the day and is crowned with the cardboard crown. A slice used to be reserved as the poor man’s share, for the first poor visitor to the house. The tradition was popular in the court of Louis XIV. Any lady of court finding the fève, became Queen of France for the day. At that time the fève was usually a porcelain nativity figurine.

The Galette des Rois can be bought ready-made from any French patisserie throughout January or you can make your own.

Ingredients 750g ready-made puff pastry chilled 1 egg beaten for glazing For the Filling: 100g softened unsalted butter 100g caster sugar 1 egg + 1 yolk lighly beaten 100g ground almond 50g flaked almonds 1 tsp almond extract Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Divide the ready-made puff pastry in half, roll out each piece and cut into a 25cm round. Put one round on the prepared baking tray and cover with cling film. Place the other round on top and cover with cling film. Place in the fridge to chill.

To make the filling, beat together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and egg yolk mixture. Stir in the ground almonds, flaked almonds and almond extract. Remove the pastry from the

fridge. Lift off the top layer and leave the bottom layer on the tray. Remove all the cling film. Spread the filling on to the bottom layer to within 2cm of the edges. Pop a bean or whole almond into the filling. Brush the edges

with a little egg and place the other layer on top. Press the edges to seal the pastry. Score the top with a zig-zag or criss-cross pattern and brush with the beaten egg. Make a couple of small steam holes in the top. Preheat the oven to 200⁰C/fan180⁰C/gas 6 and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden. Serve warm or cold.

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FAITH AND CULTURE

“He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.“ (Epictetus)

Doctor Makes a Pig’s Ear of Operation Earlier this year Winston lost his ear. Luck would have it that it was replaced, with a pigs ear, by doctors. They cut it to size and made it look more human before sewing it, invisibly, in place.

Several weeks passed before Winston felt it necessary to return to his surgeons.

When he did, Winston complained bitterly, ‘Doctor, I keep hearing this noise and its doing my head in. ‘The doctor, totally unconcerned answered, ‘Don’t worry, its just a bit of crackling.’

These Vicars of Christ kept a sense of humour while shepherding the Church

Did you hear about the two peanuts that went walking around the Bronx in the middle of the night? One of them was assaulted.

Humour from the Vestry

Leo XIII: One day the pope had an audience with a Spanish gentleman, who, filled with gratitude for his chance to speak with the pope, told him, “I thank you Your Holiness for this great opportunity. Just think, days before Pius IX died, he also granted me an audience.” And Pope Leo responded, “If I had known that you were so dangerous for popes, I would have postponed our meeting for a few years!”

St John XXIII: During one discourse he recounted, “It often happens to me that I wake up at night and start thinking about a whole list of grave problems.

So then I make the brave decision to go in the morning and speak with the pope about these things.

Then I wake up completely and remember that I’m the pope!”

Not long after he was elected pope, Blessed John

was walking in the streets of Rome. A woman passed him and said to her friend, “My God, he’s so fat!”

Overhearing what she said, he turned around and replied, “But madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave is not exactly a beauty contest.”

John Paul I: “If someone had told me I would be Pope one day, I would have studied harder.”

St John Paul II: When Timothy Cardinal Dolan was Archbishop of Milwaukee, he told Pope John Paul II in a papal audience, “Holy Father, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is growing and expanding!” To which JPII responded, “And so is its new archbishop!”

We are not amused!

The Queen hosts a garden party in Scotland. When the Scottish waiter arrives with a tray of cakes, she asks, “Is that a scone, or a meringue?” The waiter replies: “Naw, yer quite right, that’s a scone.”

Smart Move Stanley decided to lookup his friend Alf, who was a tight-fisted Yorkshireman. He found Alf at his bungalow in Huddersfield stripping the wallpaper from the dining room. Rather obviously, he remarked, “You’re decorating, I see.” To which Alf replied, “Nay Stanley lad, I’m moving ‘ouse to Bradford.”

En route to church to make his first confession, a nervous seven-year-old asked his mum what he could expect.

"Confession is where you tell all the bad things you've done to the priest," she told him. He looked relieved. "Good. I haven't done anything bad to the priest."

Missing IQ “Daddy, I inherited my intelligence from you, didn’t I?” “That’s right my clever girl!”

“That makes sense, because mummy’s still got hers.”

What a twit!

A Twitter exchange between an angry customer and an apologetic Domino’s Pizza: Customer: I ordered a pizza and it came with no toppings on it or anything. It’s just bread!

Domino’s: We’re sorry to hear about this!

Customer (minutes later): Never mind, I opened the pizza upside down. Source: Twitter Job Interview Job interviewer: “And where would you see yourself in five years’ time Mr. Jeffries?"

Mr. Jeffries: "Personally I believe my biggest weakness is in listening."

Francis I: A call he made as a newly elected pope: “Good morning. I am Pope Francis and I would like Mind - Blowing to speak to the Father General,” he said to the Why was Goliath so surprised when David hit him with receptionist of the Jesuits. And the young religious a stone?

Because nothing like this had ever entered his replied, “Yes, and I’m Napoleon!” head before.

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FAITH AND CULTURE

WORD No.39

This issue’s competition winner will receive a copy of Greyfriars Convent: An Enduring Story of Faith and Fortitude by Anne Oliver, a parishioner of St Sylvester’s Parish, Elgin.

Just send your completed entry by the 1st February to: Light of the North, 20 Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1SH. First correct entry drawn out of the hat is the winner.

14. In this year of King NebuchadNezzar reign, Nebuzaradan arrived in Jerusalem (10) 17. Ancient city of Og, King of Bashan (9) 18. Stringed instrument (8) 20. Joseph, perhaps? (7)

21. Tiny amount (6) 22. Jesus did this with authority (6) 24. Last letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 26. Province of the Roman Empire (4)

Answers to Crossword No. 38 Across 1. Belloc 5. Easter 8. Opus 9. Moccasin 10.

Ritenuto 11. Leek 12. Adonai 14. Edward 16. Balm 18. Noontide 20. Handmaid 21. Away 22. Cancel 23.

Rialto Down 2. Emptied 3. Lisle 4. Communion Rail 5.

Enclosed Order 6. Swallow 7. Exile 13. Nomadic 15.

Radiant 17. Aqaba 19. Tiara

Little Horror Sudoku No. 26 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. An ancient weight (6) 4. Seemed (8) 10. New Testament book (9) 11. Unit of length (5) 12. ‘...it is a ____ thing the king requireth’ (Dan 2:11) (4) 13. Contemplation (10) 15. Abigail supplied David with one hundred clusters of these (7) 16. A son of King David (6) 19. Concurred (6) 21. Light sources (7) 23. Propitiations (10) 25. A false god (4) 27. Gather (5)

28. Abimelech was hit by this (9) 29. Instructors (8) 30. Hastily (6) Down 1. Skilled animal workers (8) 2. Inspiring (9) 3. Compass point (4) 5. Intense emotion (7) 6. Jeremiah said not to listen to these (10) 7. Jewish leader (5) 8. ‘He is proud, knowing nothing, but ______ about questions and strifes of words...’

(1 Tim 6:4) (6) 9. Bread makers (6)

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

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

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

Congratulations to our last competition winner, Jane Coll from Thurso Page 35