Catholic Pic December 2019

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Issue 183 December 2019

Our Advent preparation INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Monsignor Peter Cookson 16 July 1939 – 8 November 2019

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contents Welcome

Issue 183 December 2019

Today is the First Sunday of Advent marking the start of our preparation for the Feast of the Nativity at Christmas. The season has so much in it as our thoughts turn to the second coming of Christ, to his coming to us daily in the Eucharist, and then at Christmas to his coming among us in history. It is a season which, leaving aside the commercial preparations for Christmas, can brighten the dark days with hope. May we have a prayerful Advent and a blessed Christmas.

This month we pay tribute to Monsignor Peter Cookson, the longest serving Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Monsignor Peter died on Friday 8 November aged 80 and during these last weeks many have shared fond memories. His work at the Cathedral will be remembered as will his time as President of St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw where he oversaw the formation of students for the priesthood. He also served as Parish Priest of St Mary’s, and Dean of Chorley; people there, and those he met throughout his ministry, will remember with gratitude the pastoral care he offered. May he rest in peace.

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Contents

From the Archbishop’s Desk As I am writing this the country is in the last weeks before the General Election. Many promises are being made on all sides which are meeting with rebuttals and comments. It can be quite confusing for everyone because we are trying to build our future. We want the best for our children, for the poor and for the future prosperity of our country. It is very important that we make a responsible decision when we come to vote as our security and the future of our world may depend on it. Please do your duty and vote. Don’t leave it to someone else to decide for you.

In all the excitement of the election, as Christians we look forward to another kind of future and that is a future that comes to us, not one that we make for ourselves. This month, whatever the outcome of the election, we celebrate Christmas, the feast where our future in God comes to us as his Son, an infant in a manger. In him all the values of world will be turned around. Jesus’ enables us to see the world with his eyes. This will be a world where the meek will inherit the earth, where the merciful will obtain mercy and where the peacemakers will be called children of God. The Christ-child will speak this message from the manger and through his life, death and resurrection. Ultimately, he is the one who cuts through the confusion. He is the one I follow, and he has my vote.

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Main Feature The transformation of St Bernard’s church

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News From around the Archdiocese

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 15 Nugent Join our Christmas events 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 20 Animate Advent Reflections with Animate 25 Cathedral Record A busy Advent 26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 28 Pic Life Keeping sight of the truth amid the Advent frenzy

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

30 Justice and Peace Christmas Cards to the Holy Land Editor Peter Heneghan

Copy deadline January 2020 Wednesday 4 December 2019

Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

Publisher CPMM Suite 4 Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ

Advertising Sales team 0151 709 7567 Pictures: Main Feature Lois Brown

CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Catholic Pictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

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The transformation of St Bernard’s church St Bernard’s Church in Toxteth has been turned into 16 new affordable homes thanks to the vision of a Liverpool housing charity.

By Simon Hart

around one-eighth of that price.

‘The big rose window in the top bedroom.’ So responds Colette Byrne when asked to name her favourite feature in her new home.

The development of the 1901 church building cost around £2.2m and has yielded 16 units – 11 of them within the church itself. A new-build house stands on the site of the parish hall, which could not be saved, and there are additionally four two-bedroom apartments.

It is a home within St Bernard’s Church in Toxteth, one of 16 created by the housing charity Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC), and – as a tour of the development reveals – this rose window, with its panoramic view taking in both of Liverpool’s cathedrals, is far from the only eye-catching feature.

‘They’re very, very quirky houses,’ says Liza Parry, the chief executive of HPBC, pointing out archways and high ceilings and even a segment of spiral staircase positioned in the corner of another bedroom in Colette’s four-storey townhouse. It is a turret-like space from which St Bernard’s parishioners used to step out onto a viewing gallery; today it could serve as a particularly striking walk-in wardrobe.

The quirks continue: the townhouse at the opposite end of the building has a stoup in the entrance way and a stainedglass window in one of the bedrooms.

Small wonder that when the BBC filmed at St Bernard’s recently, Liza heard one crew member comment that ‘if these houses were in London they’d be worth over a million pounds’. Instead, thanks to HPBC’s commitment to providing affordable housing, these homes are 4

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The St Bernard’s project is the latest impressive undertaking by HPBC which had already built 32 homes on neighbouring Alt Street and Kingsley Road, taking full use of a 2.2-acre swathe of land bequeathed it by the Archdiocese of Liverpool back in 2002.

Adding the 16 homes now built in and beside St Bernard’s Church, some 140 people of 16 different nationalities have benefited from the vision of the awardwinning, Liverpool-based charity.

‘Put simply, sweat equity involves gaining £10,000 towards a deposit in return for 500 hours of labour on the building site’ the portion of the house not yet purchased.

According to HPBC’s estimate, a home owner with a 50% share in a house costing £125,000 will pay £370 each month – a considerable reduction on the £730 average cost of renting a three-bedroom house in Liverpool.

‘I feel really proud and blessed to have been given this opportunity,’ says Colette Byrne, who made a successful application for a home in early 2018. She is grateful for the support and encouragement received from both Liza and Rev Shannon Ledbetter, the founder and chair of HPBC. ‘They have made sure there have been plenty of opportunities to do different types of tasks too to utilise our individual skills,’ explains Colette, who works at Cafod.

As Liza observes, these residents would be either renting or still living with parents but for a model that comprises a combination of shared ownership and sweat equity. Put simply, sweat equity involves gaining £10,000 towards a deposit in return for 500 hours of labour on the building site.

Her details of the work done underline that ‘sweat equity’ is no misnomer. She elaborates: ‘I joined the project at the very beginning when the church still had everything in, so I was part of the process of clearing the site, which entailed working in all weather, on a muddy building site, shovelling rubble and filling a heavy wheelbarrow to take across wooden planks to empty it into the skip. I’ve scrubbed filthy windows, filled the foundations of the apartments next door, carried heavy breezeblock bricks up four flights of stairs and sat in the loft piling them up. My legs and arms were like jelly afterwards.’

Meanwhile, HPBC has partnered with the housing association Onward which shares ownership with the buyers – otherwise known as home partners. In addition to their mortgage repayments, the home partners pay to the housing association 2.75% in rent each month on

Thankfully, continues Colette, her father, Michael Byrne, has been on hand to help out. ‘He’s worked really hard in winter weather, outside in the freezing cold and high up on the scaffolding in strong winds doing all kinds of heavy lifting, pointing

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feature brickwork and fitting kitchens.’

It is here that Liza explains another positive aspect of her charity’s endeavours – that they are, as their name suggests, building communities.

A sense of fellow feeling grows as home partners work together. In Colette’s case, Liza notes, ‘she completed her hours weeks and weeks ago but carried on coming. She and her dad donated their hours to the neighbours and that’s happened with quite a few people.’

On Saturday 9 November, a shared celebration took place to mark the final home partners’ ‘team build’. The spirit of goodwill extends beyond this small patch of Toxteth. Wienerberger, the world’s largest brick manufacturer, donated all the bricks and block paving used. Ainsley Gorman, the architect involved, provided the initial drawings free of cost.

Liza praises the latter’s efforts.

‘Because we tried to utilise the space as much as possible and retain the architectural features there’s been a lot more work that’s gone into the design.

A surveyor from the archdiocese came around last week and said it is best church conversion he’s ever seen.

With the archdiocese we’ve now identified a couple of others they want us to have a look at.’

As an illustration of the meticulous approach taken, she explains how the 15,000 original tiles on the church roof – ‘really good quality Welsh slate’ – Colette Byrne with dad, Michael

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feature

Above: Father Peter Morgan and parishioners with Liza Parry Below: Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Anna Rothery (centre)

were taken off to allow the roof to be insulated before being then put back in place.

‘An extraordinary and imaginative design’ was the verdict of Father Peter Morgan, who was parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernard’s until the church was closed in 2012. Now responsible for the realigned parish of St Anne and St Bernard, Overbury Street, Fr Peter was a visitor with some former parishioners in the second week of November.

Liza explains: ‘I was really pleased by the reaction from Fr Peter and the parishioners as they walked around – they absolutely loved it. We understand this building holds really treasured

‘An extraordinary and imaginative design’ was the verdict of Father Peter Morgan’ 6

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memories for so many people.’ One visitor in particular, she adds, ‘had been an altar boy here and he was christened here, his mum and dad had got married at St Bernard’s, and his mum was the cleaner there too.’

It is a place with more than a century of history, a place which has witnessed countless personal milestones. Fresh memories will now be made. Colette Byrne, for one, can barely wait for her move-in date of 30 November. ‘It's been really exciting to be part of this process and to see such a magnificent building be used and turned into beautiful homes,’ she says. ‘I just can't wait to move in now.’

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SHORT TERM VOLUNTEERING FOR STUDENTS, CAREER BREAK PROFESSIONALS AND RETIREES Volunteer Missionary Movment (VMM) have been placing volunteers to serve, learn and share with marginalised communities overseas for 50 years, having just recently dispatched our 111th volunteer group. We have both skilled and unskilled volunteers from 18 – 75+ Whether you are a student, professional, retiree or just want to help, we will work with you to find a placement with one of our partners who will be more than happy to have you to help them. Additionally, these placements are ideal for individuals looking to improve skills and gain specific experience in volunteering and development work for four weeks or longer.

Please contact our programme manager, on shortterm@vmminternational.org for more information.

Our main office is located at Liverpool Hope University and we have offices locations in Glasgow and Kenya. You can also contact our office on 0151 291 3438.

Matching the right volunteer with the right one of our 40 partner organisations, the VMM Short Term Volunteering Programme offers the exciting opportunity to immerse yourself with a new community in Africa.

Learning, sharing and working together to empower marginalised communities in the Global South.

Margaret Fitzpatrick volunteered with VMM

on our short term programme in late 2018 as a nursery nurse in Uganda. Here is a fragment from her story that can be found on the VMM website.

Becoming a Short Term Volunteer with Volunteer Mission Movement “Joining VMM was very straightforward and after several emails and an interview I was accepted.

However, the application process was fairly time consuming, as VMM have high standards. Their staff encouraged and supported me through the process and before I knew it, I was in Uganda! I was terrified but needn’t have worried because as soon as I landed I was picked up at the airport and supported for the six weeks I was there.

The Warmth of the Welcome in Uganda With such a young population in Uganda, almost 50% being under 14 years old, I was struck by the need for services in the communities. However, despite the common daily struggles, what also struck me was the contentment of the people.

They were among the friendliest and most welcoming people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

With twenty years’ worth of experience to share, I was allocated a placement as a nursery nurse in a primary school where the children were an absolute joy and the staff very welcoming.

In my school there were 70 children in the

Volunteers of all ages in training break in Liverpool (Margaret second from left)

class, hardly any room to move and not enough seats for all. Classrooms in Uganda can have up to 100 students.

Every day was a new experience.

Things weren’t all work and no play though. I had someone help cook for me during my stay and also arranged a wonderful weekend safari. We stayed in a lodge and saw loads of animals, including rhino and a herd of elephants with wee baby ones trotting alongside their mum.

I think short term volunteering is a great way to get your feet wet and I feel that maybe I’m almost ready to go as a long term volunteer, taking on a project from beginning to end, as now, having been properly introduced, I have fallen in love with Africa!

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News diary If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featured e-mail us with the details at: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

Father Conor’s mental health programme shortlisted for award For the last seven years Father Conor Stainton-Polland, parish priest of St Cecilia’s and St Matthew’s in Liverpool, has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio Merseyside’s Sunday morning Daybreak programme.

One of his 2019 broadcasts has been shortlisted for one of the prestigious Gillard Awards for BBC Local Radio As well as broadcasting, Father Conor is a sought-after speaker and trainer on mental health issues from his own unique perspective living with a diagnosis of BiPolar.

Daybreak presenter Helen Jones suggested that he combine his

and that the show has indeed touched others.’

The Gillard Awards are named in honour of Frank Gillard, the pioneering war reporter who went on to be the BBC's first head of Local Radio. The award ceremony will take place in Sheffield in February 2020.

Daybreak can be heard each Sunday morning from 6.00 am to 9.00 am on BBC Radio Merseyside and on BBC Sounds.

broadcasting and advocacy work in a special Act of Worship. But Father Conor says the time had to be just right. ‘It’s quite a leap from speaking to a conference hall about mental health to broadcasting into many more people’s homes about it,’ he said. The programme was broadcast in May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.

‘Helen's encouragement was just that, it gave me courage to speak and trust the wider audience,’ said Father Conor. ‘I hope it has helped some to know they are not alone.

I’m really pleased with the shortlisting as it indicates how seriously the subject is being taken

St Patrick’s Rosary Procession

Bishop Tom leads Benediction at St Patrick’s church

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In October, over four hundred people attended a special Rosary Sunday celebration at St Patrick’s Church, Wigan. A Marian Procession and a service in church were organised by the Wigan and District Catholic Men’s Society.

Bishop Tom Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, led the celebrations assisted by Parish Priest, Father Ian O’Shea, and Father Paul Grady, who has close ties to the Parish.

During the procession, a statue of Our Lady, large banners and art work produced by the children were carried from the nearby school into church, where the Rosary was recited and Bishop Williams gave a Homily reminding the congregation of the importance, value and graces received as a result of faithful recitation of the rosary. After Benediction, there were refreshments in the school hall and a hugely successful raffle to support the continued refurbishment of the church. It was a truly wonderful day enjoyed by all.

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news diary Obituary of Rev George Leo Lynch Father Leo Lynch, former Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Blundellsands died on Tuesday 29 October, aged 90 and in the 65th year of priesthood.

George Leo Lynch, together with his twin brother, John Michael, was born in Southport on 10 April 1929, to James and Mary Lynch. Leo received his early education at Strathleigh, Ainsdale and Bishop’s Court, Freshfield before studying at St Cuthbert’s College Ushaw, from 1942 until 1955. On 17 July 1955, Bishop Joseph Halsall, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, ordained him priest in his family’s parish, Sacred Heart, Ainsdale.

As an assistant priest, Leo served in St Helen’s, Crosby (September 1955), St George’s, Maghull (1963) and Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Croxteth (1971). The following year 1972, he was appointed as one of the defenders of the bond, in the Metropolitan Tribunal, a role that he fulfilled faithfully until 2005.

In October 1978, he became parish priest of Our Lady of Walsingham, Netherton. This was a particularly appropriate appointment since he had a special devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham. The newly-ordained Father Chris Fallon became his curate and, subsequently, life-long friend.

Image: Ray Farley

He also served as a parish priest in Holy Redeemer, Melling (1985), Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and St Maughold, Ramsey (1986), with the addition of St Patrick, Peel (1988), St Jerome, Formby (1991) and St Joseph, Blundellsands (2000).

Prior to the premature death of his brother, James (Fr Jim), the Lynch priests, for holiday, would travel by air, bicycle, boat, motor-bike or train across and beyond Europe, visiting many ancient sites and shrines. The Holy Land, Lourdes and Walsingham had a special place in Leo’s heart, and to which he led parish groups.

Liam’s Scovil Scholarship Former Chorister at the Metropolitan Cathedral and old boy of St. Matthew’s Catholic Primary, Runnymede and St Edward's College, Liam McDonnell, has become the first recipient of the Scovil Scholarship at Blackfriars, Oxford.

Liam, who is also a parishioner of St Teresa’s, Norris Green, has been studying for an MSt in Medieval Studies. From 2014-2018 he studied Medieval History and Theological Studies at the University of St Andrews, graduating with First Class honours and winning the Gray prize for the best theological essay of the year and the Hope Trust award for Church History.

The Scovil scholarship was endowed recently through the generosity of a donor who auctioned an Old Master painting in his possession. In addition to his studies Liam has now taken up a position at Oxford as Junior Dean at Blackfriars, with responsibility for welcoming new students to the College and helping them to settle in.

For the best part of 50 years, he was a trustee of the Sherburne Hartley Trust, a small charity set up in 1845 to support mainly ecclesiastical education for those coming from within the boundaries of the old Lancashire Vicariate. He was a deeply committed chaplain to the Walshingham Association and participant in the Healing Ministry set up by Canon Jimmy Collins.

In September 2007, Leo retired to Formby until in 2015 increasing frailty entailed his final move to Ince Blundell Hall. There, with patience and hope, he continued, as always, to accept the Lord’s will and died peacefully on Tuesday 29 October.

The Vigil Mass celebrated by Canon Chris Fallon on 6 November and the Funeral Mass by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP on 7 November at St Joseph’s Blundellsands, prior to burial at Sacred Heart, Ainsdale.

Canon Chris Fallon writes: ‘In all the parishes in which he served, Leo’s first priority was visiting the homes of the parishioners. That was not unusual when he was first ordained but he continued systematic visitation throughout his ministry, often visiting twenty homes in an evening, developing not only a great memory but also highly sensitive pastoral antennae that enabled him to breeze quickly in and out of most houses but to sense immediately where more time was needed. Leo’s gentleness and patience will be remembered by many who sought a listening ear and his love of prayer, Scripture and the Eucharist sustained him and fed his parishioners.

His infectious laugh, self-deprecating humour and practical generosity inspired great affection and helped many people in their struggles along the paths of life and faith’.

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news diary Obituary of Monsignor Provost Peter Cookson Monsignor Provost Peter Cookson, former President of Ushaw College, Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Chorley and Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, died on the morning of Friday 8 November. He was 80 years of age and in the 57th year of his priesthood.

Peter Michael Cookson was born in Liverpool on 16 July 1939, the son of Robert and Nellie Cookson. He received his early education at St Edward’s College, Liverpool, and St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw. He remained at Ushaw for his studies in philosophy, but then transferred to the Venerable English College in Rome for his theological studies. He was ordained priest in Rome on 27 October 1963.

The first five years of his priestly ministry were taken up with the completion of further studies to equip him for the teaching role that he was to assume at Ushaw. Studying at both the Gregorian University and the Biblical Commission in Rome he pursued the studies that would lead to a doctorate in dogmatic theology and a licentiate in Sacred Scripture. He had hoped to spend some time in Jerusalem as part of his course, but the political situation in 1967 meant that he chose instead to spend time at the University of Würzburg in Germany and with it the opportunity to study under Professor Rudolf Schnackenburg.

At the end of January 1969, he was able to write to Archbishop Beck, ‘I am very happy to have all these examinations behind me, and am now back at Ushaw, busily teaching Old Testament theology and preparing two New Testament courses for the second semester. He continued happily in his teaching role until May 1977 when he was appointed President of the College, assuming the challenging leadership role soon after the amalgamation of the senior seminary with that of Upholland. The following December he was named as a Prelate of Honour by Pope Paul VI. He was only able to continue teaching Scripture for one more year before the demands of his role as President took him away from the joy of enlightening his students from his great knowledge of the Scriptures. He was famous for turning his hand to whatever was needed, so that he could just as easily be seen atop a tractor as in the chapel or in the precincts of the college.

When his term of office as President came to an end in 1984, he took a sabbatical before succeeding Monsignor Charles 10

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Jackson as parish priest of St Mary’s, Chorley, and dean of Chorley. During his four years at St Mary’s (1985-1989) he oversaw major building work on the site adjoining the church. A new presbytery, some sheltered accommodation and a new parish club were all constructed during his tenure. He is remembered with great affection and respect by the people of Chorley.

In August 1989 he was asked to succeed Bishop Vincent Malone as Administrator of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool - a job title that later became Dean. He was named as a Canon of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter in November 1989 and became Provost in 2000.

As Ushaw had been the dominant feature of his early life, so the Cathedral was to become so in his more mature years. In an interview with the ‘Catholic Pictorial’ he once said that, ‘You’re a parish priest administering the sacraments day by day and taking part in the public working of the cathedral, but at the same time you’re dealing with the multiple practical problems which a building of this size brings up. This meant that he was at the helm during a major programme of repairs. As he observed, ‘Virtually every external surface needed to be replaced or restored.’ Repairs and maintenance were not just things he left to others to do. He was frequently spotted wearing his boiler suit and attending to one problem or another. One of his assistant priests discovered him one New Year’s Day up a ladder in the crypt dealing with some electrical problem, having been there since about 7.00 am.

There were a number of highlights during his tenure as Dean. In October 2003 the grand entrance and steps were opened,

together with a new visitors centre and the piazza restaurant. The completion of the steps brought to fruition Gibberd’s original concept of a processional entrance looking on to Hope Street. Another highlight was the inauguration of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland in 1990, when both Cardinal Basil Hume and Archbishop Robert Runcie signed a covenant to work together for Christian Unity.

Peter fostered good relations between the Metropolitan Cathedral and its Anglican counterpart. At the time of Peter’s resignation as Dean in 2006, Rupert Hoare, the former Dean of Liverpool, described him as ‘a tremendous friend of Liverpool Cathedral and a first-class colleague.’ He added, ‘Peter has participated very loyally and with conviction, in many ecumenical services in our Cathedral often coming straight on from something at the Metropolitan, and, it has to be said, arriving rather at the last minute, but always there and completely dependable.’ They worked jointly on enterprises such as the Conference of Northern European Cathedrals. Dean Hoare further remarked that, ‘Peter has a readiness to do whatever is needed: no standing on his dignity. At a Merseyside Council of Faiths walk of faith one year we were short of two people to carry the Buddhist banner, so Peter came to the rescue and took one side of it.’

After recovering from major surgery in 2006, Peter continued to live at Cathedral House, blessing the Cathedral and its community with his quiet and prayerful presence, and continuing to exercise his priestly ministry insofar as his health permitted.

Monsignor Cookson’s Requiem Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Monday 25 November, prior to burial at Lytham St Annes.

With Archbishop Kelly and Bishop Malone before his Golden Jubilee Mass

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news diary

T

he following interview with Monsignor Peter Cookson appeared in the special June 2017 edition of the ‘Catholic Pic’ marking the Golden Jubilee of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

‘You’re a parish priest who also has to deal with multiple practical problems’ Monsignor Peter Cookson recalls the significant renovation work overseen during 16 years as administrator and dean of a place he holds dear.

‘You’re a parish priest administering the sacraments day by day and taking part in the public working of the cathedral, but at the same time you’re dealing with the multiple practical problems which a building of this size brings up.’ So Monsignor Peter Cookson sums up the challenges he faced after arriving at the Metropolitan Cathedral as administrator – a job title that later became dean – in 1989.

The one-time President of Ushaw College came to Liverpool from St Mary’s Parish, Chorley and soon discovered the scale of the cathedral’s problems. ‘Virtually every external surface needed to be replaced or restored,’ he explains. What followed was an extensive programme of repairs – from new drains to a new roof (of stainless steel instead of the original aluminium) –

carried out at an overall cost, he suggests, of £8m and that renovation work was not the only major project of his tenure.

He explains that Gibberd’s concept of a processional entrance looking on to Hope Street had not initially been possible ‘because there was a building in the way called the Innovation Centre which was leased to the university on a long lease’.

The longest-serving administrator/dean in the cathedral’s history, Monsignor Cookson went on to play a prominent role too in the refurbishment of the crypt, whose deep purple brickwork and vaulted ceilings provide a permanent reminder of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ original 1930s designs.

Although ill health had led to his retirement as dean in 2006, he still played

an active part by identifying objects for the treasury ahead of the crypt’s 2009 reopening. ‘Part of the crypt is given over to the treasury which is a collection mainly of sacred silver and gold vessels and also embroidered vestments,’ he explains. ‘The opening of the restored crypt was a big occasion. We had a choir concert in the cathedral and then went down into the crypt for a reception and dinner.’

If that was one highlight, another was the 1990 inauguration of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland. ‘We had all the church leaders signing a covenant to work together for Christian Unity, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Basil Hume,’ remembers Monsignor Cookson, who still lives in Cathedral House and says Mass daily in the crypt.

His attachment to the cathedral is strong.

‘I appreciate its atmosphere of calm and prayer. The light from the windows makes it a very ethereal space, very calming and contemplative. It changes through the day, with different moods, and is a place which says something to all kinds of people, some who are Catholics and come to pray and take part in the liturgy and others who perhaps just come out of interest and are very moved by it. It has a very calming effect on people.’

Penwortham and Longton in Lourdes

By Anna-Marie Pennington When I saw that a pilgrimage to Lourdes had been arranged from my parish, I jumped at the chance to go.

Being the mum of three children who have, between them, been to Lourdes eleven times with the Liverpool Archdiocese Youth Pilgrimage, I wanted to find out what is that makes them want to keep going back each year.

During the pilgrimage we had Mass every day, a tour of Lourdes, visited the grotto several times, including Mass one morning at the grotto celebrated by our Parish Priest Father Roy Cooper. Some of the group went in the baths, we visited Bartres, took part in the Torchlight Procession and the Blessed Sacrament Procession. I was struck by the number of young people taking part in the processions and I feel that, as part of Synod 2020, there must be something we can bring back from Lourdes to encourage our youth in their journey of faith.

The presence of Mary in Lourdes definitely brings you closer to God whether it be in prayer, silent reflection or sharing time with other pilgrims. The

feeling you get is hard to put into words.

Different members of the group commented; ‘It’s like spending time with your brothers and sisters’, ‘The people on the pilgrimage have made the trip’ and ‘I

have learnt so much more about my faith’.

Leaving Lourdes was very emotional. I made sure I said my three Hail Mary’s, more than once, so that I go back. What a very special place Lourdes is.

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20 years of Friday Mass at Liverpool Parish Church The parish of St Mary, Highfield Street, was for many years a well-known Liverpool City Catholic parish serving a large inner-city congregation, but also serving a number of local office workers with daily Mass at 1.05 pm. However, with a falling congregation as a result of re-housing and the retirement of the then Parish Priest, Father Michael Gaine, the church was closed in 2000, leaving the office workers without their lunchtime Mass.

Saint Mary’s had, some years previously, formed an ecumenical covenant with the nearby Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas - Liverpool Parish Church – and the Bishop of Liverpool kindly gave permission for a Catholic Mass to be celebrated there every Friday at 1.05 pm.

The first Mass was held in 2000, celebrated by Father Stephen Pritchard, who was to be the celebrant for the next six years. Bishop Tom Williams then gathered together a number of priests to celebrate the Mass on a rota basis.

Chris Dobbin, Secretary of the Friday Mass Group says, ‘Father Stephen Pritchard will again be the celebrant when the twentieth anniversary is celebrated on Friday 6 December. We would like to thank all the priests who have volunteered to celebrate the Mass over the years. A special word of thanks to Father Stephen for his help in establishing the Mass and to Maureen Cooney, Bishop Tom’s secretary, for finding the celebrants and compiling the rota.

‘Our grateful thanks go to the successive Rectors of the Parish Church and its congregation for the kindness and hospitality shown to us over twenty years. There can be no greater example of ecumenism in the City of Liverpool.’

A Christmas message

by Neil Sayer Archdiocesan Archivist What do our Christmas cards say about us? Do you choose a cheery robin, a religious scene in stained glass or a snowy winter’s landscape? And do you vary your choice depending on the intended recipient? These days, many people have taken to sending e-cards, or no cards at all. To me, that’s a sad illustration of the decline of one of the great Christmas traditions for which, as with crackers and decorated trees, we must thank the Victorians.

Our Archbishops of the past may not have sent out a humorous Father Christmas cartoon, but what do their Christmas cards say about them? In the Archdiocesan Archives there is a selection of cards sent by Archbishop Downey in the 1930s. He was surprisingly modern in his use of mass media for communicating his message, and his message in the 1930s was principally about building a Cathedral. So, it should come as no surprise to find that his cards were co-opted for precisely that purpose. The first, from 1931, is a charcoal sketch by P J Bond based on a well-known painting of the originally conceived massive structure.

Archbishop Downey hadn’t needed to work very hard to persuade Edwin Lutyens to come up with a grandiose vision for a new Cathedral to replace the pro Cathedral of St Nicholas, a darkly Gothic Victorian creation. And it was the architect himself who designed the other Christmas cards that survive in the archives. These both exhibit architectural draughtsmanship of elegance and simplicity. In 1936 a Nativity scene adorns an altar-piece. The design incorporates the Cathedral flag (also designed by Lutyens), and because that involved printing in blue and gold, the blue to represent to waves that associate the archdiocese with Liverpool, the gold for the ‘Christ the King’ 12

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monogram, these colours were used in other details to present a satisfying harmony in the image. Perhaps that also made it an expensive production, as the following year’s card uses no colours. The Archbishop’s coat of arms is more prominent, above a swaddled baby Jesus inside a decorated circle.

The accompanying messages are conventional, wishing the recipient a ‘holy and happy Christmas’; the ‘prosperous New Year’ seems to have been dropped as the Great Depression began to bite. But the cards of course say much more than that, as all our cards do: the medium is the message, for those of us who still send them.

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news diary Hospice Christmas cards on sale St Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton is calling on people across Merseyside to buy their 2019 charity Christmas cards.

There are 12 designs to choose from in a mixture of styles and they are available to buy directly from the hospice as well as from all of its charity shops in Liverpool and the surrounding region. The Christmas cards cost £4 for a pack of 10 and all proceeds will go towards providing vital end-of-life nursing care for hospice patients and support for their families.

Hospice volunteer Mary Stanley is organising the Christmas 2019 cards and she said: ‘We have a lovely selection of Christmas cards this year and, by popular demand, we have included some more traditional designs which we expect to be really popular.

Ordering hospice Christmas cards really does make a big difference to our annual fundraising income and we hope our local community will consider supporting the hospice this year when buying their Christmas cards.”

To buy cards, just download an order form from www.jospice.org.uk and send it with your payment to St Joseph’s Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UE. Your cards will be posted out to you. For further information, please call: 0151 924 3812 or email: Christmas@jospice.org.uk.

Penwortham remembers

On a crisp, cold, dry Remembrance Sunday morning, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Parishioners of St Teresa’s, Penwortham, together with pupils from All Hallows’ Catholic High School, held a two minutes silence in memory of the fallen before celebrating 9:30 am Mass.

After which, 120 of those present, led by the flags of the Scouts, followed Father Roy Cooper in procession to the Cenotaph on Penwortham Hill.

The Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph was ecumenical with the names of 120 local men who died, being read out by pupils from local High Schools. It was at times, emotional and moving, with many hundreds of people from so many walks of life, coming together for the same purpose, to pray for and remember those who had given their lives in War for us.

Father Roy thought it so important that our children are actively involved with Remembrance Sunday and the Act or Remembrance as they are the ones who will be required to ensure the service is carried on into the future…lest we forget.

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note ‘In my beginning is my end’ This line opens ‘East Coker’, the second section of TS Eliot’s poetic masterpiece, Four Quartets. It is followed by a haunting reflection on the fragile and transitory nature of life as seen in the cycle of life and death in nature. What is the meaning of our short lives? What hope are we given in this passing world? In whom shall we trust for our salvation?

The month of November with its remembrance of the Fallen, the glorious dead, and ‘those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith’ has made us echo in our hearts the autumnal decay around us, and yet also to experience the autumnal fruitfulness. The Liturgy of the month concludes with the Sunday Solemnity of Christ the King, as we echo the cry of the Easter Vigil: Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to him and all the ages; to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. Amen

Sunday thoughts Gordon Brown during his time as Prime Minister was frequently referred to as ‘a Son of the Manse’. Theresa May was the daughter of a vicar. John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, was a priest. Discuss!

Zechariah and Elizabeth, both Levites, had no children. Some of their joy at John’s birth must have been in the presumption that he would one day be a priest; the hereditary line would not be broken. But against his family’s wishes he was given a new name for a new role. There was little priest-like about John when he grew up. In his camel-hair tunic he appears to have reacted against expectations of how a priest should be; more of a prophet than a priest.

Throughout the Hebrew Bible prophets emerge rather than inheriting their role.

When the time is right, the Holy Spirit intervenes with a fresh voice to challenge the complacency and injustice of the status quo. And so it appears with John – a voice crying in

Canon Philip Gillespie

As December arrives the season of Advent opens, a time of waiting and expectation – with a perspective in the first weeks not so much of stars and stable and shepherds, but of the fulfillment of all things and the coming of Jesus at the end of all time. As we look around our society today, look to the events in our communities and in our world, we can easily think that the old order of things is indeed passing away and the song of the angels on Christmas night may be slightly mistaken – ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those who enjoy God’s favour.’

And yet that is the very promise and expectation and hope which we as disciples of Christ treasure in our hearts and which gives direction and purpose to our daily living. Christmas and Easter may seem at the opposite ends of the Liturgical year but in fact they both celebrate the faithfulness of God in the self-same person, Jesus.

May the Light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Mgr John Devine OBE

the wilderness.

But John the prophet retains a priestly role.

Just as Samuel the prophet chose David to be king. Samuel, also a Levite, performed the priestly task of anointing him. Joshua had led the wandering followers of Moses across the Jordan to new life in the Promised Land. John the prophet identifies Jesus as the new David but at the insistence of Jesus, John performs the priestly task of baptising Him in the same River Jordan. Jesus was a prophet who ‘did not shout aloud’ but his baptism establishes Him as the new David.

Jesus wasn’t a Levite. He was more at home on the hillside or in people’s homes than in the temple. Like us at our baptism, however, He was anointed priest, prophet and king.

Thanks to John the Baptist.

Weekly Reflections are on the Archdiocesan website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/reflection

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God cannot be tamed As Advent has approached this year I have found myself musing on mystery and otherness. I have found myself trying to grasp the dark, wild, otherness of the God who cannot be tamed, and yet who became flesh and lived among us.

I have found myself opening up to a God who will not be trapped, confined, caged or domesticated, a God that the prophets understood.

I guess that’s why during these days of Advent we will hear the prophets and Isaiah, primarily, pointing us beyond. We will hear them condemn much of our religious practice which can stop us entering into mystery. This to lead us into a way of life where we are encountering a God who wants to overwhelm us with the power of love which always leads us to desire justice and truth.

Yet sadly most of us prefer unthreatening religion to the living God who breaks into our lives, shatters our understandings and turns us upside down. It's easier to go to church and live by a particular moral code than to let God into our lives. Of course, that, in its worst extremes, can lead to selfrighteousness and condemnation of others. So, Advent reminds us to open up to God who is always more than we can imagine.

One of the great characters of this season is John the Baptist who immersed people into the real, wild, purposeful presence of the God of the prophets. He challenged those who came to him to meet the God who leads people out of captivity and slavery by the wild route. Look at the story of the Book of Exodus. God leads the people in the dead of night across the Red Sea into the desert. It's wild and unexpected. That's our God. Sadly, we have tamed God so much, this God who wants to break into our lives in unexpected ways!

John offered the God who can't be tamed, only followed. He offered the God who can fill the empty space within us that we try to fill with the new car, the new kitchen and the pension plan. John offers us the God who is always unexpected and indeed is the God of surprises.

Fr Chris Thomas

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Join our Christmas events

As the Christmas season comes round it’s time to find it in our hearts to help those in our communities who may not be looking forward to the festive period as we might. At Nugent we provide a safety net for vulnerable communities working with local partners to find ways of supporting families in crisis and our Christmas appeal this year focuses on raising funds to continue the work that our services do across our communities.

You can help support this work and help families have a better Christmas by

joining us at one of our events.

This year we have two ‘Light up a Life’ remembrance services, a chance to celebrate and remember the lives of those close to us. For a suggested donation of £5.00 per name, a light can be dedicated on Nugent’s Tree of Light in memory of a loved one.

On Wednesday 4 December Bishop Tom Williams will lead the service at 12.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, and on Sunday 8 December Father Philip Kehoe FDP will lead the service at 3.00 pm in St Teresa’s church, College

Road, Upholland, WN8 0PY. Both services will be followed by refreshments.

A new festive event for Nugent this year, is our Tinsel Tea Dance being held at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel City Centre on the Monday 2 December. Don your festive costumes, pop your dancing shoes on and join us for an afternoon of dancing and Christmas cheer from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel, Queens Square, Liverpool. Tickets are £10 per person and include: turkey sandwich, tea/coffee, mince pie and a Christmas cracker.

To book for these events please call our Fundraising team Tel: 0151 261 2000 or post a cheque or postal order with your name and contact details to Nugent, 99 Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 2PE. Thank you for your continued support, by working together we can make a difference for families in Crisis. More information is at www.wearenugent.org

Strictly Nugent rides high at Anfield Nugent held its fourth annual dance competition and gala fundraiser, Strictly Nugent 2019, at the iconic Anfield Stadium, Liverpool last month.

The event was a resounding success with the 12 dancers and their professional partners receiving standing ovations from the 200 guests with three couples getting perfect 10’s from the judges.

The Judges’ trophy went to Klare Rufo who danced the American Smooth with James Wilson. Klare is the lead for the Archdiocese of Liverpool Primary School Improvement Trust.

Vicky Komrower, Dancing the tango with Anton Du Cooke was the Audience winner, Vicky a first-time dancer, is a consultant in acute medicine at Liverpool Royal Hospital.

Normandie Wragg Nugent’s CEO said: ‘It was an amazing night, celebrating dance whilst supporting our children’s services, we are so grateful to all our guests for their support and the dancers who worked so hard. The support we receive helps us go the extra mile for those in our care to help them reach their full potential’.

The event was sponsored for the fourth year running by Lynbrook IT and print technology providers, Director Ian Morgan

said: ‘Every year we are overwhelmed by the hard work the dancers put in and are very proud to be part of this excellent evening to support such an important charity’.

The funds raised will help to support Nugent’s children’s services, Clumber Care, St Catherine’s Secure Centre, Nugent House School and Nugent House Residential.

(L-R) Nugent SEO Normandie Wragg, Strictly Nugent 2019 winners Vicky Komrower, Anton Du Cooke, Klare Rufo and James Wilson, Sponsor Lynbrook Director Ian Morgan.)

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what’s on Sunday 1 December – First Sunday of Advent Tuesday 3 December Day of Prayer for Migrants.

Wednesday 4 December Film on the life of Saint John Henry Newman 7.30 pm at St Albert the Great (Youth Centre), Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Thursday 5 December ‘Prepare a Way for the Lord.’

Reflections on the Advent Scriptures led by Sister Moira Meeghan. 10.30 am at Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Friday 6 December Roman Catholic Mass Celebrated at 1.05 pm in the Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Old Churchyard, Chapel Street, Liverpool, L2 8TZ. First Friday Mass 7.30 pm at St Joseph’s Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, Formby, L37 1PH. Saturday 7 December Paul’s Place BCT Christmas Fair Between 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm at St Matthew’s Church, Clubmoor, L13 9DL. Christmas decorations and gifts for sale as well as a tombola and raffle. Refreshments will also be available.

Shine Dance Academy Christmas Concert 7.00 pm at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA.

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Sunday 8 December – Second Sunday of Advent Bible Sunday Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 132: ‘Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn’. (‘Prepare the paths, prepare the road.’)

6.30 pm at St Margaret's Church, Rocky Lane, Anfield, L6 4AD. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com Monday 9 December Synod 2020 Talk: Complex Catholicism: Discovering the Reality of Young Catholics in England and Wales Stephen Davies. 7.30 pm in Hope Chapel at Liverpool Hope University (entrance by Chapel or Gateway Building). Tea and coffee available from 7.00 pm and optional Night prayer follows at 9.00 pm.

Tuesday 10 December Time Out on Tuesdays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. An opportunity for quiet time, away from the daily rush of life.

Offering £10 per person (bring your own lunch). For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Cafod Carol Concert 7.30 pm at St.Teresa’s Church, 23 College Road, Upholland, WN8 0PY. Details Tel: 0151 228 4028.

Wednesday 11 December ‘Songs we Remember.’

Singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers. 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: m.knight@rcaol.co.uk

Thursday 12 December ‘Prepare a Way for the Lord.’

Reflections on the Advent Scriptures led by Sister Moira Meeghan. 10.30 am at Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Friday 13 December Roman Catholic Mass Celebrated at 1.05 pm in the Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Old Churchyard, Chapel Street, Liverpool, L2 8TZ. Carol Concert with the Liverpool Male Voice Choir 7.30 pm at St William of York Church, 74 Edge Lane, L23 4TG. Tickets £6 from St. William of York Parish Office Tel: 0151 931 4993 or St. Helen’s Church Parish Office Tel: 0151 924 3417 or Joe Ward Tel: 0151 924 5761.

Light refreshments available. Proceeds in aid of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).

A Holy Night amidst the Christmas Chaos At Theodore House, Stonyhurst, College, Clitheroe, BB7 9PT. A short, overnight Advent recollection aimed at anyone with a busy schedule and a need to get a moment of prayer and reflection into their calendar before Christmas. 8.00 pm (earlier arrivals welcome), for talks, prayer, social, finishing with Mass on Saturday at noon in St Peter’s church. Information and bookings: https://christianheritagecentre.com/eve nt/advent-recollection/ ‘Manor Disco’ A place where people with various learning and physical needs and their carers can come together. 7.30 pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Club, Stand Park Avenue, Netherton, L30 3SA. Entrance: £1.50.

Saturday 14 December Five lessons from the Way of the Cross

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december A Talk about the Santiago de Compostela Walk by Edward Gibbons at St. Helen’s Church, 112, Alexandra Road, L23 7TQ (following Mass at 12.00 noon). Light refreshments available. Donations in aid of the Society for the protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).

Sunday 15 December Gaudete Sunday Wednesday 18 December Advent Schools Mass 10.00 am at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Advent Penitential Service. 7.30 pm at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Friday 20 December Roman Catholic Mass Celebrated at 1.05 pm in the Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Old Churchyard, Chapel Street, Liverpool, L2 8TZ. Mersey Wave Music Christmas Concert 7.30 pm at St Ambrose Church, Heathgate Avenue, Speke, L24 7RS with the Mersey Wave Choir, Jason Ellis, Owen Roberts. Soloist: Kathryn Rudge. (7.00 pm Young singers Christmas performances.)

Tickets: Tel: 0151 588 1255 or www.merseywavemusic.com Sunday 22 December – Fourth Sunday of Advent Day of Prayer for expectant mothers Advent Rosary and Benediction 3.00 pm at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA. Wednesday 25 December Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Sunday 29 December Feast of the Holy Family

Advent and Christmas at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Sunday 1 December 5.00 pm Advent Sequence Sung by the Cathedral Choir in procession to mark the beginning of Advent, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

Wednesday 4 December 12.00 noon ‘Light up a Life’ Service led by Bishop Tom Williams Dedicate a light and receive a star at the service to write a personal message.

The star will be placed on the tree in memory of your loved one and their name will be entered in a Book of Remembrance. Details Tel: 0151 261 2023.

7.30 pm SAMM Service This annual service is organised by SAMM (Support after Murder and Manslaughter) Merseyside and is intended for families and individuals who have suffered a traumatic loss to come together to remember loved ones with dignity and respect.

Thursday 5 December 7.00 pm Carols by Candlelight A festive concert of carols and choir performances in aid of the NSPCC. Tickets Tel: 0113 887 1120.

Saturday 7 December 7.30pm Concert Society Christmas Concert Traditional Carols for choirs and audience. Taking part are the Cathedral Cantata Choir, Carleton House School Choir, Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Westhoughton Choir and the Cathedral Orchestra. Tickets available from the Cathedral Gift Shop 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Sunday 8 December 3.00 pm Evening Prayer with J S Bach’s cantata ‘Wachet auf’ (‘Sleepers Wake’) 6.00 pm Marie Curie ‘Lights to Remember’ Service Light a candle, take part in an evening of carols and readings and see the volunteer’s daffodil procession, followed by refreshments and mince pies. Details Tel: 0151 801 1412.

Wednesday 11 December and Thursday 12 December 1.30 pm Schools Advent Services

For schools throughout the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The Christmas story is told by staff and clergy from the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Friday 13 December 7.30 pm BBC Radio Merseyside Christmas Carol Service Tickets from the BBC Radio Merseyside, Hanover Street, Liverpool. The Carol Service will be recorded for broadcast on Christmas Eve. Details Tel: 0151 708 5500.

Saturday 14 December 7.00 pm Celebration of Christmas A magical evening of Christmas carols and seasonal favourites for all the family featuring the BBC’s Roger Phillips as compere. Tickets £5 or £10 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children -no concessions). Tickets available from www.lpoolmetmusic.ticketsource.co.uk or the Cathedral Gift Shop Tel: 0151 707 3525 Sunday 15 December 3.00 pm Evening Prayer with Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’ Thursday 19 December 2.00 pm Dementia Friendly Christmas Carol Concert ‘Songs we remember.’ Featuring the students from Great Crosby and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary Schools along with the ‘Songs we Remember’ Choir. Details: Pastoral Formation Department Tel: 0151 522 1046 or m.knight@rcaol.co.uk Sunday 22 December 5.00 pm Festival Carol Service A mix of seasonal music and readings and congregational carols. Refreshments will be served after the Service.

Christmas Eve: Tuesday 24 December 3.00 pm First Vespers of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib 12.00 am Midnight Mass of Christmas Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP Please be seated by 11.45 pm. Mass will begin at midnight.

Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December 8.30 am Mass (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 10.00 am Family Mass (Crypt) 11.00 amSolemn Mass (Cathedral)

Website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Catholic Pictorial

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St Anthony’s stages double jubilee celebration

SURVIVE-MIVA (Missionary Vehicle Association) The only UK-based Catholic charity founded to provide essential transport for those engaged in the Church’s health outreach programmes in the developing world.

Thanks to the generosity of Massgoers across the land, we have provided over 6,000 pickups, motorbikes, outboard motors and bicycles in our 45 year history. From Brazil to Bangladesh, and from Tanzania to Tamil Nadu, your support is vital to the pastoral and medical work of our missionaries worldwide.

SURVIVE-MIVA

5 Park Vale Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 2DG Tel: 0151 523 3878

www.survive-miva.org Email: info@survive-miva.org (Registered Charity No. 268745)

A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at St Anthony of Padua in Mossley Hill, Liverpool to mark the anniversaries of the ordination to priesthood of two Franciscan priests.

The Feast of St Francis of Assisi, 4 October, was the date for the Mass marking the diamond jubilee of Father David Young and the 40 years as a priest of Father Vincent Kennedy.

Fr David was ordained in St Clare’s, Manchester, on 19 July 1959 by Bishop George Andrew Beck of Salford, who later became Archbishop of Liverpool. Fr Vincent, born in Liverpool and raised in Norris Green, was ordained in St Anthony of Padua on 16 December 1979 by Bishop Kevin O’Connor. At the conclusion of the Mass, the parish priest, Fr Kevin Hanley, presented each of the jubilarians with an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis.

Concelebrating at the Mass was Fr Gerald Hicks, the former parish priest who this year celebrated 35 years of priesthood.

A reception was held for the friars in the parish centre following the Mass. Both Fr David and Fr Vincent live at St Anthony’s Friary and are semi-retired from active ministry.

Fr Vincent cooks for the friars and also produces the weekly parish bulletin while Fr David meets and greets parishioners attending Mass on Sunday mornings and as Confessor, takes care of the spiritual needs of those who attend St Anthony’s for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Both are much loved and respected by the community and parishioners.

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youth ministry

Advent reflections with Animate

is ignoring us, or wonder why He hasn’t done something to help us in a certain situation. What we must remember is that the Lord does things in His own way, in His own time, and we should put our faith and trust in Him, confident that there’s a plan for each of us.

The Animate team provide a Gospel reflection for each Sunday in Advent.

4th Sunday – Matthew 1:18-24 Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and plans to divorce her quietly. Then an angel appears to him in a dream and tells him the truth. Joseph accepts what the angel says and takes Mary home as his wife. Joseph could have easily ignored the angel and divorced Mary while remaining faithful to the law, but he didn’t.

He, like Mary, put his trust in the Lord. Do we follow Joseph’s example? Or do we choose to go our own way, ignoring God’s wishes and thinking we know best? As we approach Christmas, let’s try to emulate the Holy Family’s willingness to welcome Jesus into our lives.

1st Sunday – Matthew 24:37-44 We hear Jesus talk about his second coming at the end of time. Jesus says that it will be similar to the time before ‘the flood’. Back then, people were so focused on worldly matters – ‘eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage’ – that when the flood came it was too late and they were swept away. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.

Jesus is warning us to not let our worldly concerns distract us from God. And when His call comes, we must be ready. So as we begin this season of Advent, let’s remember to be ever vigilant and prepared for the coming of the Lord.

2nd Sunday – Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist calls the people to repent, to turn away from their sinful ways ‘for the kingdom of heaven has come near’. They have a choice: they can repent, and move towards God’s kingdom, or they can continue to be set in their ways and be condemned. John then accuses the Pharisees and Sadducees of being ‘vipers’ who seek to escape judgement without repenting. They believe they’ll be saved through their ‘pedigree’ as children of Abraham.

This is a warning for us too. Sometimes we may believe we’re better than others and have done enough to merit salvation, but we mustn’t let ourselves fall into that way of thinking.

3rd Sunday – Matthew 11:2-11 Jesus has already begun His ministry and John has 20

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been arrested and imprisoned. John hears about Jesus’ miracles and tells his disciples to ask Jesus whether or not He is the Messiah. John has been preaching about the Messiah’s coming for a long time, yet now feels the need to ask if He really is the one. Why? Clearly John had a different image in his mind of who Jesus would actually be; He’s not behaving as John would have expected. Jesus says there is none greater than John the Baptist, yet John still seems to harbour doubts.

Perhaps he wonders why, if Jesus really is the Christ, He hasn’t saved John from prison, or delivered Israel from the Romans. Sometimes we can think in a similar way, that God

Animate+ Animate+ is a new initiative to help develop young leaders in our schools and parishes. We are inviting any young person from Year 10 up to the age of 21 to apply to be part of the Animate+ team. Suitable applicants would be keen to grow in their faith through interacting with the full Animate team and Animate+ colleagues as well as to develop new skills such as public speaking or working with small groups. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about youth ministry. Animate+ members will be expected to attend monthly meetings, where Animate’s work will be discussed and opportunities will arise to get involved. The application deadline is Thursday 28 November.

For more information, visit www.animateyouth.org.

Dates for the diary 1 December – Advent Youth Alive at St Anne’s, Ormskirk 7 December – Eucharistic Minister Training at Lowe House

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education news Catholic schools recognised at the Educate Awards 2019!

Catholics schools from all over the region were honoured at the prestigious Educate Awards ceremony on Friday 15 November.

The awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, is now in its eighth year and is the largest education awards in the North West.

Over 700 guests gathered for the Educate Awards ceremony held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, hosted by broadcaster Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.

On the night, 21 awards were handed out to schools in the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

St Julie’s Catholic High School won Outstanding Arts in Secondary School for its ArtSchool 2018 festival. The festival was open to all secondary schools across the Liverpool City Region, allowing them to showcase their students’ talent and celebrate performing arts as a whole. The event saw over 10 other schools take part with a renowned judging panel awarding performances and providing expert feedback.

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi won Most Inspirational Secondary School.

The academy is a catalyst for social change. For cultural and racial acceptance with a clear ambition to ensure every child reaches the limits of their capability, despite previous experiences, to shine in their own way. This year Ofsted praised the academy for creating ‘a culture where students are at the heart of every decision and action’.

Speaking about the award win, Kevin Maddocks, Head of School at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won the Most Inspirational Secondary School Award at the Educate Awards.

“Since joining in September, I have been overwhelmed by the entire school community and its mission statement ‘Success for All’, is certainly what ASFA strives to achieve.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of this fantastic school!”

Cardinal Langley RC High School, from Middleton in Rochdale, impressed judges because of its recent representation of the North West at the ‘Race for the Line’ national rocket car competition.

Three year 7 students travelled to RAF Wittering to compete against the other regional finalists to design and build a

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rocket car to travel over 60 mph. They achieved second place out of all schools across the UK. Cardinal Langley is proudly preparing students to enter the science, technology, engineering and maths industries as they develop the right skills for the future.

During the evening there was a number of incredible performances by schools

including a tribute to The Beatles by Riverside Primary School and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, a surprise flash mob from LIPA Sixth Form, a Mary Poppins recital by The Belvedere Academy, whilst Wirral Grammar School for Boys & Wirral Grammar School for Girls sang hits from the musical Chicago and over 60 students from St Julie’s Catholic High School’s

St Julie’s Catholic High School won Outstanding Arts in Secondary School

St The Academy of St Francis of Assisi won Most Inspirational Secondary School

Cardinal Langley RC High School, from Middleton in Rochdale

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education news performed a medley from its own original production called ‘This is Liverpool’.

Runners up on the night included, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School for the Innovative and Creative Literacy Award and Carmel College for the Most Inspirational 16-18 Education Provider Award. Carmel College was reinspected by Ofsted at the end of April 2019 and retained its Outstanding status.

This makes Carmel the only Outstanding Sixth Form College nationally, that has retained its outstanding grade over the last ten years.

Also shortlisted were: • All Saints Catholic Primary School, Liverpool - Eco School Project of the Year • St Damian’s RC Science College, Tameside - Spirit of Enterprise Award • The Barlow RC High School, Manchester - SEND Provision Award • St Bede’s Catholic High School, Ormskirk - Career Aspiration Award • St Teresa of Lisiuex Catholic Primary School, Liverpool - Innovation in Education Award • St Mary’s RC Primary School, Manchester - Outstanding Commitment

A tribute to The Beatles by Riverside Primary School and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School

to Sport in a Primary School • Adam Sirett, The Barlow RC High School, Manchester - Teacher of the Year • Stephen Hill, St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Oldham - Teacher of the Year Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, says: “A huge well done to all the Catholic schools on their fantastic award wins.

“We are so proud to host an event which champions the creativity, diversity and dedication of teachers, school support stars, schools and colleges from across the North West.

“This year we have been inundated with exceptional entries and so congratulations to all the winners, runners-up and finalists for 2019.”

Associate sponsors include: All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER, CPMM Media Group, DMR David M Robinson Jewellery & Watches, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, Liverpool Learning Partnership, LSSP, Progress To Excellence Group, Satis Education, School Improvement Liverpool, Signature Living and Winstanley College.

Bugsy Malone is a sellout success A spectacular production of a legendary musical proved to be a sellout success at St Mary’s College in Crosby recently.

Families and friends packed the school’s O’Halloran Hall to the rafters for the threenight run of Bugsy Malone, originally made famous by the 1976 film musical directed by Alan Parker.

A large cast of more than 40 pupils succeeded in transforming the normally studious atmosphere of St. Mary’s into 1920s Prohibition era Chicago as they presented the comic story of gangsters and their molls.

The plot, which involves the manufacture of a brand of killer custard used in socalled splurge guns, features a host of colourful characters including gangster

rivals Fat Sam and Dandy Dan, as well as the eponymous hero Bugsy and his love interest Blousey Brown.

Despite its tongue-in-cheek approach, Bugsy Malone regularly punches above its weight in musical league tables. In a Channel 4 poll it was voted 19th on a list of the 100 greatest musicals, above The King and I, Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

In the St Mary’s production 17-year-old Joe Houghton from Blundellsands played the lead role of Bugsy Malone with Tilly Doyle, aged 18 from Bootle, as shy but ambitious Blousey Brown.

Other leading parts were played by Luis Hewitt (Fat Sam), Niall Martindale (Dandy Dan), Georgina Duncan (Tallulah), Joshua Nayagam (Fizzy and Cagey Joe), Xavier

Cottrell-Boyce (Captain Smolsky), Dara Merriman (O’Dreary), and Tom Davis (Leroy Smith).

And there was a special credit in the programme for the St Mary’s Year 10 design and technology students who assisted by Head of DT Mark Ireland created the very effective splurge guns!

Bugsy Malone was directed by Head of English Peter Ravenscroft and produced

by English Teacher Anna Smith, with choreography by Sally Townsley (Head of Girls’ PE) and musical direction by Andrew Byers (Director of Music).

The production continued the St Mary’s tradition of presenting a major musical every couple of years, following on from previous successes including Oliver, Grease and West Side Story.

Principal Mike Kennedy commented: “Productions like this only come together because of a huge amount of hard work and commitment from the talented cast, musicians and backstage crew.

“The result in this case was a well acted, well sung and very funny show that deservedly brought the house down at the end of each performance.

“The energy and enjoyment of the performers was visible for everyone to see, and it’s certainly a production that everyone at St Mary’s will remember for a very long time,” added Mr Kennedy.

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education news

School for Superheroes The children at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Birkdale, proved that they are superheroes not only by dressing up as their favourite superhero but by raising a total of £3,411.96 for the NSPCC. A spokeswoman from the charity said ‘it is the most money raised at any school I have ever visited’.

Dressing up, coming to school with crazy hair or wearing NSPCC green colour instead of uniform were some of the many activities to raise money following a week in school where all the children had lessons and workshops delivered by the NSPCC. The week, organised by teacher Lucy Flynn, included instructions to Years 5 and 6 about speaking out in order to stay safe as well as a safety workshop for parents to help them to understand how to keep their children safe online.

All of the input provided by the NSPCC is voluntary so the fabulous total raised by the school helps with the cost of materials and staff to deliver the assemblies, lessons and workshops.

ASFA students create war memorial for Armistice Day Armistice Day 2019 brought the community of the Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) together to remember all who had given so much for the country’s freedom.

Around the Kensington school, students and staff remembered those who have lost their lives in war, with year 11s coming together for a special assembly and form time reflections on the 11 November were dedicated to remembrance.

Students also took part in making a film which included placing a wreath and crosses on the school’s new remembrance table. On the crosses are the names of local men and women who lost their lives in conflict.

Included within the poignant film were war poems which were read by students with images of soldiers from WWI and WWII. The respect and sincerity was tangible in helping the community to reflect. A two minute silence was also observed and Mr Austin, using a WWI bugle, played the last post which resonated throughout the classrooms.

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Diane Roscetti, a history teacher at ASFA, who led the project said: “As a school, it is incredibly important we remember those who gave up everything for our country. By looking into the history of the community and the local people who lost their lives, it

helps students build a detailed understanding as to what that period of time was like and what these wonderful people sacrificed for us.”

If you'd like to listen to the poem, visit www.asfaonline.org/ww1

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cathedral

by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

A busy Advent The beginning of a new liturgical year is perhaps the most beautiful time of year in the Cathedral. The liturgical season of Advent, one of expectation for the coming of the Christ child, is intertwined with the many carol services and concerts that take place in the Cathedral.

The first Sunday of Advent occurs this year on December 1st. At the Solemn Mass on this day the choir will sing the motet ‘Vigilate’ (‘Keep watch’) by the English recusant composer, William Byrd. The choir sings this motet from the East Gallery in the Cathedral as Scriptures teach that the Son of Man will return from the East.

The use of the entire Cathedral space in worship is taken to a whole new level at the Advent Sequence, which takes place later that day at 5.00 pm. Every piece of music is sung from a different part of the Cathedral, east and west, high and low. In between each item the choir processes round the Cathedral to the next station.

We do this to capture the journeying nature of our Christian faith, something that is particularly prevalent during the season of Advent. The choir will sing motets by Orlando Gibbons, Palestrina, Charles Wood and John Tavener.

Saturday 7 December sees our choristers and Youth Choir members singing Christmas Carols in the John Lewis store in Liverpool One. It is always wonderful to see the delight on shoppers faces as they hear the carols beginning sung, and nice that so many stop to listen for a while. The following day back up at the Cathedral the choir will lead a special Advent performance of J S Bach’s cantata ‘Wachet auf’ (‘Sleepers Wake.’) Bach wrote these cantatas to illuminate the Gospel of the day, and to try and capture in music its message. The cantata, which lasts around 30 minutes features the choir, soloists and small orchestra.

The 11-15 December look slightly exhausting on paper. We have two Schools’ Advent Carol Services, a Carol Service at St Teresa’s Church in Norris Green, two performances of Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ (one in Liverpool Parish Church, one in the Cathedral), the very popular Radio Merseyside Carol Concert (which is

recorded for broadcast on Christmas Eve) and the Celebration of Christmas Concert.

I think after all that we will definitely be ready for Christmas!

Last year the ‘Celebration of Christmas’ concert attracted an audience in excess of one thousand people. We are hoping to go even bigger this year. It is a concert for all the family with popular music sung by the Cathedral Choirs, carols for all to sing all pulled together by the one and only Roger Phillips of BBC Radio Merseyside fame. Tickets are already selling very well for this year’s performance on Saturday 14 December at 7.00 pm. If you have not yet got yours, you can buy tickets (£5 for adults, £10 for a family ticket) from www.ticketsource.co.uk/metcathedral or by phoning 0151 707 3525.

The final stretch of December leads us to Christmas day via the Festival Carol Service and the choristers Christmas parties. The feast of the Nativity is celebrated with three choral liturgies. First Vespers of Christmas, which takes place at 3.00 pm on Christmas Eve; Midnight Mass (which starts at Midnight in the Cathedral) and the Solemn Mass of Christmas morning. After this the Cathedral musicians enjoy a well-earned break to recharge the batteries before returning (along with the wise men) to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany early in January 2020.

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean The Season of Advent begins on Sunday 1st December and we mark the start of the new season in the Cathedral with Advent Masses and an evening Sequence Service of Readings and Advent music at 5.00 pm. Just three days later we have our first Charity Christmas Concert and there are carol services and concerts and charity events from then on in both the Cathedral and Crypt every day until Christmas Eve. Below are just a few of the main Cathedral and archdiocesan Events.

The Schools Advent Services take place on 11th and 12th December which gives an opportunity to offer reflections on the Christmas story at a children’s level with music, drama and even some props and settings. Radio Merseyside have their Christmas Carol Concert on 13th followed by our own Celebration of Christmas Concert presented by Roger Philips at 7.00 pm on 14th December.

At 3.00 pm on the Third Sunday of Advent there will be a short evening prayer followed by a performance of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’ for boy choristers accompanied on the harp. The archdiocesan Dementia Carol Service is at 2.00 pm on 19th December and our own Cathedral Festival Carol Service is at 5.00 pm on the evening of the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

First Vespers of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib is at 3.00 pm on Christmas Eve marking the beginning of the celebrations for the Feast of Christmas.

Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate the First Mass of Christmas at Midnight. We have a number of Masses on Christmas morning, my own favourite celebration of the Feast is the Christmas Day Mass at 11.00 am with lots of families in attendance, the beautiful Prologue from St John as the Gospel Reading and the choir in full voice before their Christmas break. I hope you all have a happy and blessed Christmas.

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Pic extras

Mums the Word During Advent we prepare for the Christmas season and we think of peace, joy, love, thanksgiving and spending time with our loved ones. It is the season for exchanging gifts and eating too much and, for some, drinking too much as well.

When we go to Mass we picture the scene over 2,000 years ago when the Prince of Peace was born in a stable in Bethlehem. We look into the crib and it reflects a beautiful tableau of a starry night with a new-born baby surrounded by his parents, shepherds and kings. This year I was privileged to go to the Holy Land and stayed in Bethlehem. It was so different to that tableau. Bethlehem was walled in by the Israelis and it was a very poor town. There was poverty and unrest.

The people were very friendly but oppressed.

Jesus said in John’s Gospel (12:8) that ‘you will always have the poor among you’. This is very true, as we only have to look around us to see homeless people on the streets of Liverpool, food banks in most churches and centres for the poor and homeless. This year, Pope Francis made 17 November a World Day for the Poor and encouraged us to feed the poor.

Working with Nugent Care, volunteers from our UCM raised money and invited 50 poor people for a meal at the Cathedral. It was very humbling for us and a great success.

As this is my first year as Archdiocesan President I wasn’t sure what to write and then I asked myself what would I say to you if I met you today at this special time of year and I knew I would want to wish you a happy and holy Christmas.

May the gift of God-with-us, Emmanuel, be born anew in us this Christmas. May God bless you and your families and as we gather around the crib this Christmas, and please say a prayer for the people of Bethlehem.

Maureen Finnegan Liverpool Archdiocesan President

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A century of service News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Southport knights boost local charities with £6,000 donation

Eight local charities have benefitted from the fundraising efforts of the Knights of St Columba in Southport.

At the annual presentation evening of council 146 at St John Stone parish centre in Ainsdale in October, the charities each received a cheque for £750 in support of the excellent services they provide for their local communities.

Our photo shows the charity representatives with their cheques (left to right): Tony McCabe, Southport Soup Kitchen; Keith Mountain, Elim Pentecostal Church, Bootle; Ann Saltrees, Across (Jumbulance); Neil Frackleton, Sefton Women and Children’s Aid; John McCarthy, KSC grand knight; Rebecca Gomersal, Ainsdale Lunch and Leisure; Elizabeth Wallbank, Southport Street Pastors; Charles O’Hara, Southport Talking Newspaper; Angela Williams, St Vincent de Paul Society.

After presenting the cheques, John McCarthy, the Southport grand knight, added that council 146 was able to offer support to the two food banks operating locally, at Lakeside Church (The Trussel Trust) and at Shoreline Church, both of which received groceries and essentials worth £300. The KSC offers special

thanks to Morrisons for donating an additional £100 on top of the £500 initially raised.

• Wirral council held their annual Day of Recollection at the Bridgettine Convent, Holywell. The main speaker was the Rev Paul Walker, permanent deacon at St Werburgh's Church in Birkenhead. Paul, a former Anglican, outlined his journey to the Catholic Church and later the diaconate. We then moved to the beautiful chapel where there was an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation followed by Mass, before an excellent lunch served by the Sisters. In the afternoon Paul resumed his reflections on our relationship with God, offering the chance for group participation, before the day ended with a brief visit to St Winifride's Well and Shrine.

• The recent KSC annual sponsored walk, which this year was in support of Zoe’s Place and a Sisters of Mercy project in Kenya, has so far raised £7,000 with donations still coming in.

We hope to report the final amount and an account of the presentations in the next edition. Thanks again to all who supported these two worthy causes.

Websites: www.ksc.org.uk and www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com

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PIC Life Keeping sight of the truth amid the Advent frenzy

By Moira Billinge Each year, despite my best intentions, as Christmas Day approaches I am far from ready.

I invariably resort to posting my cards through letterboxes on Christmas Eve, and my decorations have, on occasion, been put up on Christmas Day itself. My presents and food shopping are equally disorganised.

My lack of organisation in the whole process is mainly because – as is the case for most of us – ordinary life is busy enough and the very idea of the shedload of extra tasks on the horizon sends my brain into lockdown.

One of my friends is way ahead of the game. Each year she shops for her decorations, cards and presents in the January sales and completes the giftwrapping, card-writing and envelopestamping before February even gets its boots on. By the time September has arrived, she has finished her festive baking and put it in the freezer!

If, by some stretch of the imagination I attempted to copy her, it would end in disaster for me. With my legendary bad luck, the freezer would defrost, I would have lost the cards and plundered the stash of presents during the year for lastminute birthday gifts.

I would love to approach the season in a less haphazard way, but, in reality that is probably not going to happen. Even as I write this, an advert for ‘living Christmas trees’ has just popped up on my screen which reminded me that last year I didn’t even get around to erecting a tree, living or otherwise!

Preparing our hearts and souls to await the Nativity should be much higher up our long list of priorities than it often is, yet, amid the frenetic activity of the season our thoughts can so easily become distracted from those four precious weeks of Advent which pass by so rapidly.

A few years ago I was with a group who take food to the homeless on the streets of Liverpool, and, just before Christmas on a bitterly cold day, we came across a

Greeting Cards from Carmel Do try to visit Maryton Carmel in Allerton and buy some of their beautful Christmas cards as well as cards for all occasions - you won’t be disappointed.

Contact the Sisters at Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, L18 3NU. Telephone the card office on 0151 724 7102 or Email the Sisters at marytoncards@outlook.com

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young man, without any head covering, dozing in a doorway in a sleeping bag.

The homeless can often be seen sleeping during the day, which adds to the erroneous perception that they are just lazy, when the real reason is that they must stay awake at night in case they are attacked, and sleep in the daylight hours when they are marginally safer.

Even in cold weather they can be reluctant to wear hats in case they muffle the approach of an assailant, as was the case for this young man who was wide awake in an instant as we put his food and coffee down beside him. As we chatted, one of my colleagues, noting the stark contrast between his poverty and the comparative affluence of the giftladen shoppers, asked gently, ‘Son, what do you think of Christmas?’.

None of us could have anticipated his response. He didn’t answer immediately, but was silent. Amid the sounds of hurried footsteps on the pavements and the weary strains of a nearby street busker’s music, he slowly turned his head, looked around at the lights, the decorations, the people and finally his gaze returned to us.

‘Jesus was born on Christmas Day so it can’t all be bad,’ he replied.

Amazingly, despite his dire situation, he had managed to cut through all the fripperies, the commercialism, materialism and the hype and recognise the real reason for the season. Jesus.

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Catholic PIC retreats and away days 2020 Catholic Pic Away Days 2020 During 2020 we are planning to visit: • Stoneyhurst College Chapel and Museum • Arley Hall • Chorley Shopping Village • Chatsworth House • Llandudno • Grasmere When dates are confirmed we will let you know with an advert in the Catholic Pic. Meanwhile if you would like any information regarding our retreats and away days please call 0151 733 5492.

Worth a visit Prepare to celebrate Christmas by attending a recitation of Charles Dickens’ most famous novella, writes Lucy Oliver.

The Victorian author’s popular penny readings have been revived to a positive reception in a number of historic venues. In April 1866, Dickens visited St George’s Hall, Liverpool on a reading tour and declared the city to be his favourite outside of London. In the Concert Room at that same venue on 18 December, his great-great-grandson, Gerald Dickens, will perform the much-loved tale of one man’s journey to redemption (call 0344 8000 410 for tickets).

A little further afield, Capesthorne Hall in Siddington, Macclesfield is also welcoming visitors for a festive reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in the drawing room on 8 December.

This Jacobean-style hall sits on a large estate amid picturesque parkland, and is renowned for a large collection of fine art, marble and tapestries. The hall, gardens and chapel are open to the public on Sundays and Mondays

between March and October, but ticketholders for the recitation can enjoy the hall decked in its Christmas finery from approximately 2-5pm, with the recitation starting at 3pm. Book tickets in advance on 01625 861 221.

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Letter from Oscott

by Peter Ross After a restful half-term break, I arrived back at college conscious of how little time is left before Christmas. Exams are only around the corner, so the pace is picking up.

At Oscott, a wide variety of assessment methods are employed. Aside from the usual written exams, we also have oral exams, which serve as an opportunity to verbally communicate those things which we have been taught. For my Christian Spiritual Tradition course, neither method is used. Instead, my task is to produce a portfolio exploring how Church buildings reflect the needs of the communities that built them and how each reflects something of the time in which it was built. I am starting with the Romans and finishing by looking at my own parish church in Knotty Ash. We recently held our First Year Concert which takes place at the beginning of the year, serving as an opportunity for new seminarians to show off their talents. After the concert finishes, the Rector formally welcomes them into the community and acknowledges them as Oscotians. This tradition has been going for at least 100 years and rumour has it that St John Henry Newman might have attended back in the day.

On Monday evenings, after the house talk, the community breaks into Pastoral Groups. There are six of these groups, which meet for social time and prayer. Once a month, on a Sunday, each group helps at a parish in Birmingham. My parish this year is in the Northfield area of the city. Northfield recently saw its two parish communities merged into one. To bring everyone together, a special mission programme is taking place in the week running up to Christ the King Sunday. Our house group has been busy planning some of the events that will take place each day in the week. The mission will end with an International Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Finally, our college charity, Oscott Action for Justice and Peace, is supporting Across, an organisation that helps people with additional needs to get to Lourdes. We’ve been busy fundraising for them by holding a virtual bike race from Oscott to Lourdes, an incredible 798 miles!

We’ve been taking shifts using exercise bikes to cycle the equivalent distance. If you would like to support our efforts, please use the following link to donate on our Just Giving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/cyclingseminarians

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justice & peace Sending Christmas cards to the Holy Land

By Steve Atherton, Justice & Peace fieldworker The Roman Catholic diocese in the Holy Land is known as the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It includes Israel, Jordan and Palestine. We’ve been sending Christmas cards to parishes there for more than 10 years and the people really appreciate receiving them. One of their priests said: ‘This is a beautiful act of solidarity.’

I was surprised that Jordan is part of the Holy Land until I remembered that ‘the Holy Land’ includes the lands of the Bible.

Jordan has 19 Catholic parishes which offer welcome to Christians fleeing war in Syria and Iraq.

During a recent meeting with clergy in the Latin patriarchate, Fr Mark Madden was told that while some parishes receive hundreds of cards others don’t receive any and he was asked if we could arrange for all the parishes to get some. In response, we’ve changed the way we organise them.

Instead of every parish deciding who to write to, we’ve asked the parishes which regularly send cards to be paired with a parish in the Holy Land. This means that each parish will only send cards to one specific parish in the Latin Patriarchate. Ideally, all of our parishes would be part of this scheme. If you’d like your parish to be involved, contact the J&P office on 0151 522 1080 or email s.atherton@rcaol.co.uk.

In addition, our schools send cards to LPJ schools and by Easter 2020 we hope to have the same pairing arrangement in place for

schools. Because it takes a while for cards to reach their destination, it’s good to get organised as early as possible. It really is a case of ‘post early for Christmas’.

Endorsements ‘I wholeheartedly endorse the Diocesan Holy Land Christmas Card campaign and I would encourage our parishes and Justice and Peace groups to send Christmas cards to our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. On my visits to the Holy Land people often remark how supported they feel when they receive a Christmas card from our diocese, and I believe it to be a real sign of our solidarity with those who live there. It’s also a promise of our prayers for them at Christmas, and this means so much to them.’

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP ‘Thank you for your concern about the situation here. Believe me, it is a really difficult situation. About the Christmas cards, I must confess to you that it is a personal joy for me and for my parish to receive every year your cards. It is a joy to know that many people are concerned about our situation. So I ask you, if it is possible, to continue to send the cards.’

Fr Mario da Silva IVE, parish priest at Holy Family, Gaza

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