Catholic Pic March 2022

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Issue 210 March 2022

FREE

INSIDE THIS MONTH

‘Better Together’ Joint Bishops Meeting in Liverpool

Praying For Peace in Ukraine

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Keeping you up­to­date with all the news from around the Archdiocese online at:

www.catholicpic.co.uk You can follow us on social media at: @PicCatholic Plus you can subscribe to the Pic Postal subscriptions are available as follows: • £9.50 for 3 issues (3 month subscription) • £19 for 6 issues (6 month subscription) • £37.50 for 12 issues (annual subscription)

POSTAL: To take out a postal subscription please email enquiries@cpmmmedia.com or call 0151 709 7567 DIGITAL: You can also subscribe to a digital version on the Pic by emailing enquiries@cpmmmedia.com or call 0151 709 7567

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contents Welcome

Issue 210 March 2022

This year we celebrate sixty years of the ‘Catholic Pictorial’ which was first published on 7 January 1962. Over those years there have been many changes, sixty years ago the world was a different place: it would be five years before our Metropolitan Cathedral opened and three years before the end of the Second Vatican Council. We have seen changes in technology, in everyday life and within the Church, yet one thing does not change and that is our faith. Our loving and living God is still as constant and faithful as He has always been and always will be. We give thanks to Him for our story and entrust our future to Him.

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In 1962 the world was in the grip of the Cold War dividing east from west as I write today Russia has just invaded Ukraine and there is talk of a new Cold War. In our news pages Father Terry Madden reflects on a Vigil for Peace held last month. Pope Francis asked for Ash Wednesday to be a ‘Day of Fasting for Peace’. As we begin the season of Lent let us pray for peace in our world, in the words of the Holy Father, ‘May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war’.

INSIDE THIS MONTH

From the Archbishop’s Desk

Contents

‘Better Together’ Joint Bishops Meeting in Liverpool

Praying For Peace in Ukraine

There are two days in the year when I rarely preach. These are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days I let the liturgy speak for itself and allow the signs of the ashes or the cross to speak for themselves. Receiving ashes or venerating the cross are two moments in the liturgy of the Church which are truly open to everyone.

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Main Feature Something to be proud of Marking the Pic’s 60th birthday

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News From around the Archdiocese

To receive ashes, you don’t have to be a Catholic or even baptised, you don’t have to be in a regular marriage or relationship, you don’t have to ask anyone for permission to take part – the door is open, and you come in just as you are dressed in your faults and flaws. Ash Wednesday is a day when I can truly say, ‘Welcome’ to anyone who cares to attend, and there are no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’.

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life

As the mark of ashes wear off our foreheads or we have combed out the ashes sprinkled over us, the change continues quietly. The traditional Lenten practices of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting change us from within. We realise how small and vulnerable we are when we pray before God our creator and Father. Pondering on the greatness of God who is calling us to him can be hard to take in. Fasting can help us feel our vulnerability and bodily weakness when the common attitude is to be assertive and forceful.

Sharing our goods with those who have less brings us closer to the poor and we gain a glimpse of their suffering and vulnerability. And so, the mercy of God comes into our heart.

15 Nugent Respecting our colleagues 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 21 Animate Youth Ministry A trip to stir the soul 25 Cathedral Record Music for Lent at the Metropolitan Cathedral 26 Pic Extras Mums the Word News from the KSC

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

28 Pic Life Turning to God in our hour of need Editor Peter Heneghan

Copy deadline April 2022 Tuesday 8 March 2022

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

Subscriptions To take out a subscription please email Kim O’Brien at kim.obrien@cpmmmedia.com or call 0151 709 7567 or contact Barbara on 0151 733 5492

Picture credits: Tom Murphy, www.nickfairhurstphotographer.com, Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

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

Advertising Sales team 0151 709 7567 sales@cpmmmedia.com Website: www.catholicpic.co.uk Twitter: @PicCatholic Youtube: CPMM Media

30 Dialogue and Unity My accidental life

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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‘Something to be proud of’ To mark the Pic’s 60th birthday, we explore its origins – and discover how it is still going strong today.

By Simon Hart As the Catholic Pic’s snapper, to use newspaper parlance, for more than three decades, Tom Murphy photographed some of the most highprofile figures of the late 20th century – from Pope John Paul II to Princess Diana to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Yet, as he ponders the enduring significance of the Pic on its 60th birthday, he summons the memory of a less glamorous but deeply moving assignment.

It was a visit to a 16-year-old girl, terminally ill with cancer yet chosen to feature in the Pic to shine a light on her fundraising activities. ‘She was a terrific fundraiser for Cancer Relief and had raised a whole lot of money,’ recalls Tom. ‘She had a growth on her face, though, and didn’t want to be photographed. I said, “If you trust me, take your bandage off and I’ll photograph you like a model”, and she did and I did. The growth on her face 4

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was hidden by her leaning on her hand.

‘I got a letter three or four months later from her mum to say she had died but what I’d done made her so happy,’ adds Tom. ‘After that I came home and I sat down on the settee and cried.’

As we look back on the Pic’s contribution to life in the Archdiocese, 60 years after its founding, this is a tale told to underline what Tom and others who have worked for the publication consider both its central purpose – and its appeal. ‘For a journalist, good news isn’t news, but good news was the news that the Pic thrived on to boost people,’ he explains. ‘It was rarely bad news in the Pic – it was people doing things for others who were in even worse circumstances and my job was to keep that in the public awareness.’

The business of providing news for the Archdiocese of Liverpool began with the inaugural issue on 7 January 1962. It featured on its cover the then Archbishop of Liverpool, John Carmel

‘Subsequent milestone events included the 1980 National Pastoral Congress when delegates converged on Liverpool from across England and Wales’

Heenan, being greeted by a young boy on his visit to bless the offices of the new publication. The price on the cover was 6d and there was the promise of ‘27 packed pages of local news’, including a message from Pope John XXIII. This was five days after building operations had begun on the Metropolitan Cathedral (which would open five years later). Inside there was news that the number of Catholics in the diocese was now over half a million. Alongside the news stories was an interview with Tommy Steele, appearing in Humpty Dumpty at the Liverpool Empire.

There was a Junior Pic section and three pages of sport. Among the ads, the new Hillman Super Minx was on sale at the Airport Garage on Speke Hall Road for the price of £727.

Sixty years ago, Harold Macmillan was prime minister and Queen Elizabeth II was approaching the 10th anniversary of her accession to the throne. The Cuban Missile Crisis was 10 months away and so too, coincidentally, was the Second Vatican Council. It would not conclude until 1965. For the Pic’s first three years, Mass was still universally said in Latin.

‘A new friend’ The Pic’s first editor was Norman Cresswell who wrote in his maiden editorial: ‘We intend that the majority of people will recognise a new friend in the Catholic Pictorial.’ The 31-yearold Cathedral Record had been

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feature Two Cathedrals Pentecost Pageant 2016

incorporated into the diocese’s new weekly and the Record’s last editor, Father Bernard Dickinson, duly became associate editor of the Pic. Bob Azurdia, the future BBC Radio Merseyside presenter, was chief reporter.

Cresswell, who split his time between editing the Pic and working for the BBC in the Midlands, promised that the Pic would be ‘an action paper, above all else. Make no mistake about it, the Pictorial believes in Catholic action, not flimsy criticism, not subtle digs – you will hate us a little from time to time – but creative action.’

According to Tom Murphy, who worked with the Wirral-born Cresswell between his own arrival at the Pic in 1977 and the older man’s retirement in 1988, here was ‘an intellectual and deeply faithful man’ who was also later the first editor of the revived Catholic Times. He recalls how every Thursday Cresswell would travel down to Shrewsbury, where the paper was printed, to review the first edition.

Distribution reached Wrexham in north Wales. For a period in the early years, there was even a Westminster edition.

Remembering some of the highlights of his long career at the Pic, Tom notes wryly that his first job was ‘photographing

hundreds of schoolkids in red, white and blue hats and what seemed like hundreds of street parties all over the diocese’ to mark the Queen’s silver jubilee. His portfolio would include images of the Queen along with prime ministers from Harold Wilson to Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair.

Subsequent milestone events included the 1980 National Pastoral Congress when delegates converged on Liverpool from across England and Wales, and ‘15 or 16-hour days was the norm’ for Pic staff. A year later came the Toxteth riots after which Tom witnessed the leadership provided by Archbishop Derek Worlock and his Anglican counterpart, Bishop David Sheppard. ‘They were at the forefront of trying to get the rest of the country to believe Liverpool is not a bad place,’ he says. ‘The Pic was one of the ways they used to help with that message.’

He saw the pair play a prominent role again in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster of 15 April 1989. There was a service at the Metropolitan Cathedral the following day which drew huge numbers, both inside and outside. ‘It was testament to the work of Worlock and Sheppard that

both cathedrals were filled the day after the tragedy, with around 10,000 surrounding the Metropolitan Cathedral,’ Tom relates.

He has fond memories of Archbishop Worlock and offers the following insight into their working relationship: ‘I took a picture of him in a school one day and he couldn’t understand why because he wasn’t doing anything, he was just walking out of a door. He looked at me as if to say, “Why did you take that picture?” and then he turned round and above the door was the sign ‘The chosen one’. He thought that was hilarious. He didn’t make any attempt to stop me publishing pictures like that but next time he’d look across the door to see what was there before he came out!’

Memorably, Pope John Paul II would affirm the work of Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard during his visit to Liverpool in 1982, when the Pontiff visited the Anglican Cathedral before then celebrating Mass for the Feast of Pentecost at the other end of Hope Street.

The Pic would later report on further ecumenical advances including the

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feature Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage

‘‘Liverpool’s year as the European Capital of Culture in 2008 was reflected by a major conference of Bishops from Europe and Africa’ 6

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creation of the Merseyside and Region Churches Ecumenical Assembly (MARCEA) and the signing of the Covenant of Unity by Merseyside’s Church Leaders. Tom highlights the importance of these efforts to bring people together and cites as one final example the response of the Archbishop and the Bishop to the IRA’s 1993 Warrington bombing, which claimed two young lives. He says: ‘They were very quick and loud to stand together and say, “This is wrong.

Stop.”’

Changing times Back in the present, the longestserving member of the Pic team is

Alan Birkett, now 60 but only 17 when he first walked into the old offices of CPMM Ltd (formerly Mersey Mirror), the publishers of the paper, on Prescot Road in Kensington in 1979. ‘It seems like it has always been part of my life,’ says Alan, and with good reason: after all, he was born just seven days after the first issue came out in January 1962.

Over the years Alan has witnessed much change. There have been office moves to Stafford Street, then Mann Island and, most recently, to Victoria Street in Liverpool City Centre. The permanent editors he has worked with comprise Norman Cresswell, Father Paul Thompson, David Mahon and now Peter Heneghan. Different places and faces yet he believes that the spirit instilled by Cresswell lives on. ‘It is one of those places where you enjoy your job and that’s why you stay. He instilled that in people because a lot of people stayed for a long time – you enjoyed going to work.’

Alan’s role today is to design the Pic, which entails ‘every month trying to complete a jigsaw, putting all the news and pictures together and making them look attractive to people so they want to pick it up and read the magazine.’ The fact we are talking about a monthly magazine points to

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the changes carried out in response to the challenges posed by falling Mass attendances and a shrinking newspaper industry. It was in September 2004 that the Pic morphed into a monthly, fullcolour magazine, a necessary adaptation to the changing demand for print publications – as well as the diminishing advertising revenues available in the face of the digital revolution.

Archbishop Worlock with Archbishop Beck

Kim O’Brien, who has been managing director of CPMM Ltd since 1991, explains: ‘Had it stayed as a weekly, paidfor title, the paper would have folded.

Financially it wouldn’t have survived as sales revenue declined and we were up against falling numbers going to church.

If, at the point of sale, there are less people there, how are we going to sell it?’

Kim has the Pic in her blood. Her father, Ken Till, worked for Mersey Mirror for two decades and was managing director from 1988 until his sudden death three years later. She sees the bigger picture. For the Pic, challenges are nothing new. ‘I have records going way back and it’s interesting reading them as you’d almost think you were reading things from the present day,’ she reflects. ‘If it’s not a reference to a recession, it’s the reduction in Mass attendances and the challenges of the religious press and publishing as a whole.

Cathedral Golden Jubilee 2017

‘There were already reductions in Mass attendances back in the 70s,’ Kim continues. ‘That continual, gradual decline of people going to church meant that selling a newspaper in church, had its challenges. Looking back through our records, I found that in 1986, weekly sales seemed to be around 12,000. In 1988 sales were no more than 10,000. At the point we changed to become a monthly, free publication, we were selling 6,000 copies.’

With today’s mix of print and digital, the Pic can reach many more people. Indeed during the pandemic it was the only diocesan publication in England and Wales to come out each month in both print and online formats. ‘We now print around 13,500 to 14,000 copies,’ says Kim. ‘It’s a really strong print circulation to still have.

‘It’s also available digitally and it goes out in an e-newsletter. Since the pandemic we’ve increased engagement with parishes in terms of making sure the digital edition is circulated as widely as possibly, especially when people couldn’t go to churches.

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feature ‘It is a publication that has stood firm against everything that has happened in publishing. The Catholic Pic today is probably the largest-circulated Catholic publication of its type in the whole of the UK. There’s not really many other dioceses that still have a printed publication with the pagination, quality and circulation of the Catholic Pic. Looking to the future The Pic can no longer call on a small team of reporters. Tom Murphy’s darkroom closed almost two decades ago. The photos on its pages now come from smartphones more often than not. Yet it has continued to follow the evolving fortunes of the Church locally through the first two decades of this century. As the new millennium began, the question of church closures resulted in the ‘Leaving Safe Harbours’ programme on pastoral provision. In 2001 the new Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation opened.

Liverpool’s year as the European Capital of Culture in 2008 was reflected by a major conference of Bishops from Europe and Africa, held that November. In 2014, following the retirement of Archbishop Patrick Kelly, the installation of Archbishop Malcolm McMahon made him the fifth archbishop to serve the diocese in the

Reflecting the history of the archdiocese

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Pic’s lifetime. There have been eight auxiliary bishops ordained within the same timeframe, most recently Bishop Thomas Neylon.

The recent focus has been on the future with the Archdiocesan Synod and publishing of a new Pastoral Plan.

As for the Pic’s future, those who hold it dear are optimistic. Kim O’Brien, who has helped steer its fortunes for 30 years, sees an enduring appetite among readers. ‘The need for local and community news has increased’ she says. ‘people want to know what’s going on in their own community.

‘I know from speaking to Catholic schools that they absolutely love being featured in the Catholic Pic. Head teachers often say to me, “I love picking it up at the back of church and finding our children in it and reading about our school”. They value belonging to that family of the Archdiocese.’

And it is not just schools. ‘Among Catholic families in Liverpool, there’ll be few that don’t know the Catholic Pic,’ adds Kim. ‘There’s something special about it, there’s a lot of history there. I still believe it has an important place and role and I hope in 10 years time it is still going strong. There is something to be proud of for

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Meeting of European and African Bishops 2008

Liverpool’s Catholic community and the Archdiocese still having a printed publication in 2022.

Alan Birkett holds a similar hope. His involvement with the Pic stretches back 43 years and, as he jokes, he hopes he is ‘not the last man standing’. He concludes: ‘Hopefully, it is always there.

It’s something that I think will always have a place in the Archdiocese. I think it has kept its ethos, it brings good news and that’s what people want to read.’

The world in 1962 The original cover price of the Catholic Pictorial was 6d (sixpence or 2.5p), which – when adjusted to inflation – is around 47p in today’s money. It was just under half what a Pic reader would have paid on average for a loaf of white bread (11.5d) in 1962. This was a year when the average annual pay was £799 and the average house price £2,670.

In the first month of the Pic’s existence, an evening out in Liverpool could have involved seeing South Pacific at the Odeon or The Young Ones at the Liverpool Forum, or going dancing at the Locarno Ballroom in West Derby or ice-skating at the Silver Blades Ice Rink on Prescot Road.

That same month of January witnessed the release of the Beatles’ first recording, My Bonnie, though their first song to make an impact on the top 20 arrived in the autumn with Love Me Do. It was the year too of Marilyn Monroe’s death, the launch of the first commercial communications satellite, Telstar, and the release of the first Bond film, Dr No. In the world of football, Brazil won the World Cup in Chile, Everton finished fourth in the First Division and Liverpool won promotion from the Second Division.

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News diary

Catholic and Anglican Bishops met in Liverpool for a two-day joint meeting that began on Tuesday 1 February with a Service of Midday Prayer in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

The bishops then took part in a ‘Fraternal Pilgrimage Walk’ along Hope Street to If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featured Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral pausing at the e-mail us with the details at: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk Sheppard-Worlock memorial which commemorates the work of Archbishop Derek Worlock and his Anglican counterpart Bishop David Sheppard.

The Bishops returned to the Metropolitan Cathedral for Mass at 7.00 am on Wednesday 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, before concluding their discussions and returning to their dioceses later in the day.

The meeting was the first between the Catholic Bishops of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Church of England Below: Bishop Paul Bayes and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Justin Welby at the Sheppard- House of Bishops since they gathered in Leicester back in January 2019.

Worlock memorial in Hope Street. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Joint Bishops Meeting held in Liverpool

Thank you from the Patriarch As we reported last December the money raised by readers of the Catholic Pic for Gaza was transferred to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a few days before Christmas. He writes: ‘May the Lord grant you peace!

‘I acknowledge receipt of 11,670.00 NIS (£2,786.00) by bank transfer sent to the Latin Patriarchate for the Rosary Sisters School in Gaza to help with some of the repairs and other needs at the sisters discretion. Please thank Father Mark Madden for this recent appeal that he facilitated in Liverpool. We are grateful to you and the Friends of the Holy Land for your generosity and every initiative that you take to help the local Church in the Holy Land.

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Please be assured of our prayers for you, especially as we enter the most joyful and festive season of our Christian faith.’

Sincerely yours in Christ, + Pierbattista Pizzaballa Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem A further donation of £300 was added to the total shortly afterwards.

Father Mark Madden writes, ‘Sr Nabila has contacted me to express her joy and thanks. Sadly, the Holy Land Co-ordination meeting has been postponed from January to the end of May as Israel has restricted foreign travellers entering the country. I’ll certainly miss my Gaza visit, but I know the contribution made by the archdiocese through the Catholic Pic will be greatly appreciated.’

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news diary

Mrs Brown’s church

by Neil Sayer Archdiocesan Archivist March is Women’s History Month, a celebration of half of humankind’s contributions to culture and society that takes in International Women’s Day on 8 March. To commemorate it this year, we’re looking at the only church in the entire archdiocese that was designed by a woman.

The baby-boom that followed the Second World War combined with a general relocation of the population to suburbs and countryside to create a need for new churches in the hinterlands of Lancashire. Lowton, a village between Wigan and Warrington, already had a chapel of ease, a building dedicated to St Catherine of Siena at the request of one of the donors of the land on which it stood, Mrs Catherine Sinar. When it became a parish in 1957, its first Parish Priest, Father John Connolly, came up with the idea for a new church that was a radical proposal.

Some years before the Second Vatican Council began its sessions that led to changes in the layout of churches, Father Connolly’s idea of a polygonal church was ‘so that people can group themselves more intimately round the altar.’

Patricia Brown had graduated from the Liverpool University School of Architecture and, together with her

husband David, was working for a local firm of architects. Weightman and Bullen had been undertaking surveying work for the archdiocese since the 1920s, and also designed many churches and schools. Pat Brown was appointed architect for the new church of St Catherine of Siena, and her interpretation of Father Connolly’s idea was groundbreaking, all the more remarkable as it was her first church design. As a student, she had absorbed the theories of modernism, and it seems she was allowed a fair amount of latitude in experimenting with new forms and methods of building.

What she created was the first hexagonal church to be built in the archdiocese, the roof layout giving it the shape, it was said, of a cardinal’s hat.

There were no columns to obscure the view of the sanctuary, the pews were raked for a similar purpose, and a notable feature was the tall, latticed tower, topped by a neon-lit copper cross intended to be visible for miles along the nearby East Lancashire Road.

Press reports dubbed the finished church ‘ultra-modern’ and ‘futuristic’, and as its congregation would include scientists and other workers from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Risley, it was also described as ‘an atomic-age church’ when it opened in 1959. It isn’t clear whether it was Mrs Brown’s female insights that led her to

include another ‘up-to-the-minute’ feature, a sound-proof room providing accommodation for about 20 mothers and babies. ‘Personally’, said Father Connolly, ‘I don’t mind the children wailing’, but priests at many subsequent churches also provided with a’“crying room’ may well have been grateful to have their words audible to all.

Sadly, after 50 years the church became uneconomical for use by a dwindling congregation. By 2011 the projected cost for repairs had become too much for the archdiocese to support, and the parish was closed in the following year. A bid to put the church on the listed building register was unsuccessful. It was eventually demolished in 2017 and replaced by housing. Patricia Brown’s legacy is in the churches that followed her design, which turned out not to be ‘the last word in futurism’.

Weightman and Bullen designed several more modernist churches for the archdiocese, including St Ambrose in Speke and St William of York in Thornton. (It was in fact to York that Pat Brown went with her husband to establish an outpost for the firm across the Pennines.) And Archbishop Heenan, shortly after he had opened the church in June 1959, led the team that chose Frederick Gibberd’s design for the new Cathedral of Christ the King that was built during the 1960s. Was Mrs Brown’s modernism an influence?

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news diary

The Art of Accompaniment – An Invitation

by M.C. Benitan Director of pastoral development If you sing or play a musical instrument, the idea of accompaniment will not be new to you. You know that while someone performs the main melody, the accompanier supports it and provides the background. This helps the soloist fill the space with even more feeling. In short, this combination not only carries the music forward, but it also creates depth and interest. Undoubtedly, a sensitive collaboration between the soloist and the accompanier is vital: they must be on the same page at least metaphorically for the music to work. But the result is worth it because it has the power to open new dimensions and carry us beyond the bounds of a single melody.

There is also another way to break open the word ‘accompaniment’. If we look at how this word is formed, Eucharistic links are inevitable. In Latin panis means bread and com means together. Those of us who break bread together in the great Eucharistic mystery are, by definition, a com-pany: bread fellows or messmates. On the other hand, any time we share a meal (or time) with somebody, there is a vast potential for it to become a moment of accompaniment as well. The Eucharist is not replaced by these ordinary moments of companionship, but it serves as a blueprint to help us recognise Christ in our midst whenever two or three are gathered in his name (Mt 18:20).

Such seemingly ordinary moments of companionship can therefore happen anywhere: on a pilgrimage as much as at the bedside of a sick friend or relative, at a workplace as much as in a shopping centre. They fill our lives in chance encounters as well as through intentional moments where we go out of our way to be with somebody. In short, there is a vast scope for accompaniment inside and outside of the Church because it can happen through breaking and sharing the sustenance of our lives, which is our daily bread.

We often do it lovingly and without thinking, but we sometimes do it grudgingly and rather unhelpfully. No wonder the Pope calls this process an art (Evangelii Gaudium 169-70). It requires courage to keep trying, humility to accept errors and failures, patience to be able to learn from them, and wisdom and skill that comes only from experience. In short, a virtuoso of accompaniment will have spent many days practising and learning from any and every helpful source.

In the light of all this, there is no wonder that the Archdiocese of Liverpool decided to approach the first Synod recommendation on evangelisation through the lens of accompaniment. This may look like replacing one difficult four-syllable word with another, but perhaps there is more to it than a switch to a currently fashionable buzz word. The word evangelisation comes from Greek, where eu means good and angelion is a message. This goodness comes solely from God and the message is encapsulated in the living bread that is blessed, broken and 12

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shared. And as the Church teaches, thanks to our relationship with Christ, we are all together a sacramental sign and an instrument of union with God (Gaudium et Spes 42).

In short, the Church has always been an accompanier, going out of her way just like Christ to share the good news and the lifegiving bread especially with the poor, the dejected and the marginalised. Maybe now is the opportune time to reclaim this ancient practice with even more intentionality and scope.

Imagine the beautiful symphony across our land if we got even better at accompaniment than we already are.

If you wish to find out more, share your experiences or pick up handy tips and tools, the Archdiocese is organising two identical in-person events on accompaniment with the Archbishop and the Proximity project. These will take place on 19th and 20th March at St Margaret Clitherow Centre (former LACE).

Come along with a friend and see what it can offer you and what you can share from your own knapsack of experiences. Food to accompany this journey will be provided too. (For more information and to sign up, please go to http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/side-by-side )

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news diary Fight global hunger this Lent

The Liverpool Irish Rovers running group taking part in the Cafod Walk against Hunger Walk against Hunger is a 200k 40-day Lent challenge championed by Cafod starting on Ash Wednesday, 2 March and running until Maundy Thursday,14 April.

It’s a chance to do something practical to tackle hunger, by raising money to support food projects, as well campaigning work on investigating the food system policies and structures that leaves globally 810 million people going to bed hungry – that’s 1 in 9 people living with hunger or undernourished.

Cover 200k any way you wish: 5k every day for 40 days, or in one go with a group, on your own, or as part of a team. Track

your distance using Strava or any other step counting app – and add your distance to your Just Giving page each day.

Once you’ve got your Just Giving fundraising page up and running, you need to spread the word to your family and friends and get sponsored, so that Cafod can help communities around the world have enough to eat and can give hunger its marching orders.

Among those taking part from the archdiocese will be the Liverpool Irish Rovers running group, to join them and to sign up go to: walk.cafod.org.uk

SVP – a network of charity

by Kathy Riley St Vincent (our patron) and Blessed Frederic Ozanam (our founder) both realised the importance of organisation, kindness and of the little heart that says yes to service. We have an amazing team of members in our archdiocese, but the present need is huge. Thousands of hours of SVP voluntary work reach back to the1840s, when our first conference opened in Liverpool. We must celebrate this service and thank our current sisters and brothers.

Visiting is the backbone of our work. Members visit people in hospital, care homes, and their own homes. Visits to vulnerable prisoners help them with basic necessities. We deliver goods to food banks, homeless shelters and families in need. Asylum seekers and refugees are given practical assistance, and we work alongside other organisations to help anyone in need. Food, fuel and friendship are provided where we can locally, but we also twin with a large number of conferences in India and Sudan. An annual holiday is organised for local children who greatly benefit from one.

We visit people with mental health issues, the lonely, the dying, and all without judgement, irrespective of religion or lifestyle. We have a new university conference and active mini-vinnie groups in schools.

Each conference works in its own way to alleviate need and build a more just society, based on Gospel values.

The future of the SVP depends on how present and future members respond to needs around them in the Archdiocese and beyond. The society was founded for the alleviation of poverty, and

modern poverty takes many forms: isolation, mental health issues, addiction in various ways, lack of basic human needs. In our meetings, we pray that we will ‘never pass by anyone who is in need or in distress’ and that pledge may be realised in various ways.

Elsewhere, the SVP run advice centres, hostels and cafes/shops. Our aim is to seek what is the best way forward in the archdoicese. It would be an ultimate aim to have an active SVP conference in every parish, giving service to its locality and establishing what our founder called a ‘network of charity’ across the world.

Most people who become members say they wish they had joined earlier, and the work brings with it personal spiritual development and an assurance that every act of charity brings the Kingdom a little closer.

The St Vincent de Paul Society in England and Wales is a registered charity, complying with all the Charity Commission’s legal requirements. We have 10,000 members providing 800,000 visits across the UK, but recruitment for membership is needed in our archdiocese.

To enquire about the SVP, contact Kathy Riley, Membership Support Officer for Liverpool and South West Lancs. at kathyr@svp.co.uk Tel 07917 303155.

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news diary

Vigil for Peace in Liverpool

by Fr Terry Madden MAfr ‘That was good. We should do it more often’ is what the Imam said to me at the end of prayer. Others said the same, reiterating the same feeling I had, despite the cold, biting wind and rain, on Friday 4 February, as we prayed for peace on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Our prayer was especially for a peaceful outcome from the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine. But we also put up a banner with the names of more than 10 countries who are presently being torn apart by violent and mortal conflict.

A small group of some 40 or 50 people

gathered. Hindu, Anglican, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic Church: we all prayed to our God of Peace. A number of our parishes were represented. Pax Christi were there, as were Archbishop Malcolm, who gave the Blessing, and Bishop Tom Williams, the Sisters from Seel Street, the Sacred Heart Sisters, the FCJ, and our own Cardinal, Michael Fitzgerald.

It was proof that religion is not always divisive but can unite, can bring together for the good of all. It reminded me of Psalm 133; ‘How good and pleasant it is

when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.’

This is, indeed, something we should do, together and more often. In this age of secularism and individualism, it was good to see Faith in God bringing people together to build a world of Peace and Justice. This is surely the Kingdom of God that we all seek. And it begins here on earth.

(Picture Rev Miranda Threlfall-Holmes)

Nugent’s St Helens based secure children’s home Marydale receives outstanding Ofsted report Independent charity, Nugent has today announced that its St Helens based secure children’s home Marydale, has received an outstanding Ofsted report, with the premises labeled as a place where ‘children benefit from a range of stimulating and purposeful activities that enable them to spend their time constructively.’

With Marydale now the only secure home in the country run by a charity to receive an outstanding Ofsted report, the home was also visited by Josh MacAlister, chair of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and Will Quince, the Government’s children and families minister.

While on his visit, Mr MacAlister was able to meet staff and residents at Marydale, seeing first-hand the highly effective services provided at the premises, with all of these consistently exceeding the ‘standards of good’ in the eyes of Ofsted.

Normandie Wragg, Nugent CEO, said: "We take great pride in Marydale and for the children’s home to be held in such high regard by Ofsted is fantastic, after months of dedicated work, compassion and trauma informed training behind the scenes.

“Welcoming Minister Quince and Josh MacAlister through our doors and showcasing Marydale as best practice throughout the sector is a glowing testament to Nugent, Dr Kate Herod and her deputies, our staff members and the children that live and learn inside these premises.

“Throughout our 140 year history, our volunteers and employees have continued to be the beating heart of Nugent, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them, with this statement just as true today as it was in 1881.”

Josh MacAlister, chair of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, said: “I’ve really enjoyed today’s visit and have particularly appreciated the chance to talk to children living here at Marydale.

“Where secure children’s homes are offering quality care I’m 14

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always keen to learn as much as I can and think about how we can make this the norm rather than the exception.”

Will Quince, children and families minister, said: “It was great to be able to visit St Helens with Josh MacAlister to see what an outstanding children’s home looks like. All young people deserve to be supported and protected and I want every looked-after child across the country to have access to the same high-quality care.

“From 2023, all providers of accommodation for children in care up to the age of 18 will be regulated by Ofsted and will be subject to new mandatory national standards. We are also investing in the largest package of children’s social care placements since 2010, backed by £259 million.”

Kate Herod, head of secure children’s care at Nugent, said: “We are over the moon to have been rated as an outstanding home, primarily because the most vulnerable children in our country deserve nothing less than outstanding care.

“Marydale prioritises relationships in our work; we understand the importance of forming meaningful and authentic relationships, in order to support children to overcome their challenges and transition into adulthood, in order to achieve their full potential.”

L-R Josh MacAlister, Normandie Wragg, Kate Herod and Will Quince

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what’s on Saturday 5 March Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Sunday 6 March First Sunday of Lent Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 9.00 am (Cathedral); 10.00 am (Crypt); 11.00 am (Solemn – Cathedral); 7.00 pm (Crypt). 3.00 pm Rite of Election (Cathedral).

Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Monday 7 March Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Lent Monday Reflection: ‘Building Welcoming Communities’ 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm online, organised by the Pastoral Development Department of the archdiocese using the Café resource: ‘Belong and Believe. An opportunity to reflect and discuss and although the course will be run online, it is possible to join and interact as a parish group. If you would like to lead the course in your

parish and need more information, contact the pastoral development department email: pd@rcaol.org.uk Register for the zoom reflections at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register /tZ0ldO6oqD0sE9GOs3Eewqn1hNhwIxP PFpG6 or on the website: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/pastoraldevelopment ‘For such a time as this.’

Exploring the Book of Esther led by Father Chris Thomas. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm on zoom. Bookings email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tuesday 8 March Time out on Tuesday – enjoy some personal quiet time to deepen your relationship with God 10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Wednesday 9 March Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Thursday 10 March Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk

Friday 11 March Cafod Family Fast Day Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass with reflections on ‘becoming the Church we are called to be’. Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Saturday, 12 March Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier at St Francis Xavier church, Salisbury Street, Everton, Liverpool, L3 8DR 12.00 noon Mass to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Francis Xavier with an exhibition exploring his life open from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.

Details from St Francis Xavier church office Tel: 0151 298 1911 email : sfxchurch@rcaol.org.uk Sunday 13 March Second Sunday of Lent Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 9.00 am (Cathedral); 10.00 am (Crypt); 11.00 am (Solemn – Cathedral) Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP; 7.00 pm (Crypt).

3.00 pm Music for Lent with the Cathedral Choir. ‘Crucifixus pro nobis’ by Leighton.

Parish Mission at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA John Pridmore, former East End gangster turned world-renowned evangelist will speak at the 10.00 am and 5.00 pm Masses.

Monday 14 March Parish Mission at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA 9.15 am Mission Mass. 7.30 pm ‘God’s Love’ The amazing story of John Pridmore.

Lent Monday Reflection: ‘Growing in Faith together’ 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm online, organised by the Pastoral Development Department of the archdiocese using the Café resource: ‘Belong and Believe. An opportunity to reflect and discuss and although the course will be run online, it is possible to join and interact as a parish group. If you would like to lead the course in your parish and need more information,

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march contact the pastoral development department email: pd@rcaol.org.uk Register for the zoom reflections at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register /tZ0ldO6oqD0sE9GOs3Eewqn1hNhwIxPP FpG6 or on the website: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/pastoraldevelopment ‘For such a time as this.’

Exploring the Book of Esther led by Father Chris Thomas. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm on zoom. Bookings email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tuesday 15 March Parish Mission at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA 9.15 am Mission Mass. 7.30 pm ‘God’s Mercy’ A chance to meet Jesus personally.

Wednesday 16 March St Oscar Romero Parish Week of Prayer 7.00 pm in St Edmund of Canterbury church, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Opening Mass and reflection Celebrant: Bishop Tom Neylon.

Parish Mission at St Albert the Great, Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 4EA 9.15 am Mission Mass. 7.30 pm ‘God’s Healing’ Healing Service.

Thursday 17 March Newman Circle Talk ‘Gerard Manley Hopkins’ by Will Daunt.

7.30 pm at St Helen’s Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby, L23 7TQ. Saturday 19 March and Sunday 20 March ‘Side by Side.’

An immersive event exploring the art of accompaniment. Saturday 19 March from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm or Sunday 20 March 12.00 noon to 6.00 pm (Sunday – optional Mass at 11.00 am celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP) at St Margaret Clitherow Centre, Liverpool Archdiocesan Office, Croxteth Drive, L17 1AA. Join us for this interactive event, exploring the vision of a Church that walks together and accompanies people in life and faith.

We’ll consider how deepening our existing practice of accompaniment will help our Catholic community be recognised as relevant and impactful, and how it will offer us all hope for growth.

Give it a try in a carousel of enriching workshops. Everyone will be given a resource pack to take away and use in schools, parishes, local communities and families.

We invite you to attend with a partner, to accompany one another throughout the day (if you are coming alone, let us know and we’ll pair you up with someone).

Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided.

Details: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/sideby-side Registration: email your name, parish and which event you will be attending to registration@rcaol.org.uk by 6 March.

Sunday 20 March Third Sunday of Lent Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 9.00 am (Cathedral); 10.00 am (Crypt); 11.00 am (Solemn – Cathedral) Celebrant: Bishop Tom Neylon; 7.00 pm (Crypt). 3.00 pm Music for Lent with the Cathedral Choir. ‘Les Sept Paroles du Christ en Croix’ by Franck.

St Oscar Romero Parish Week of Prayer 7.30 pm in St Edmund of Canterbury church, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Saint Oscar Romero Evensong.

Monday 21 March Lent Monday Reflection: ‘Renewed in the Holy Spirit’ 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm online, organised by the Pastoral Development Department of the archdiocese using the Café resource: ‘Belong and Believe. An opportunity to reflect and discuss and although the course will be run online, it is possible to join and interact as a parish group. If you would like to lead the course in your parish and need more information, contact the pastoral development department email: pd@rcaol.org.uk Register for the zoom reflections at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register /tZ0ldO6oqD0sE9GOs3Eewqn1hNhwIxPP FpG6 or on the website: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/pastoraldevelopment ‘For such a time as this.’

Exploring the Book of Esther led by Father Chris Thomas. 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm on zoom. Bookings email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Wednesday 23 March St Oscar Romero Parish Week of

Prayer 7.00 pm in Our Lady, Star of the Sea church, Crescent Road, Seaforth, L21 4LJ. Vigil Mass for the Feast of St Oscar Romero with Blessing of Parish Romero Crosses. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. This is also the Annual Archdiocesan Romero Mass including contributions from local Justice and Peace, the Justice and Peace Commission and Cafod.

Saturday 26 March ‘Come apart and rest awhile’ Quiet Day 10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com Evangelisation ‘Kerygma Day’ Formation training for evangelisation. A step through the Kerygma (Core Gospel Message) as proclaimed by St Peter (Acts 5:29-31) and integrating with personal testimony (1 Peter 3:15) as a vehicle to proclaim the Good news of Jesus Christ 10.00 am to 4.00 pm (9.30 am Mass) at Holy Family parish hall and church, Hall Lane, Cronton, Widnes, WA8 5DP. Speakers include Gary Stephens (Leader Prince of Peace Community and Chairman of the New Dawn Conference Walsingham); Derek Williams (Walsingham) and Daniella Stephens (Manchester). Music by the Prince of Peace Music Ministry. Donation to cover costs – bring your own lunch, refreshments provided.

Sunday 27 March Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 9.00 am (Cathedral); 10.00 am (Crypt); 11.00 am (Solemn – Cathedral) Celebrant: Bishop Tom Williams; 7.00 pm (Crypt). 3.00 pm Music for Lent with the Cathedral Choir.

‘Stabat Mater’ by Pergolesi.

Monday 28 March Lent Monday Reflection: ‘Caring for God’s Creation’.

7.00 pm to 8.00 pm online, organised by the Pastoral Development Department of the archdiocese. Register on the website: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/pastoraldevelopment

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Nugent signs up to Dying to Worker Charter Normandie Wragg Chief Executive Nugent

Respecting our colleagues with better conditions

Normandie Wragg, Paul Rochford, and Hetal Mainwaring

The Dying to Work Charter was set up by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to ensure employers respond to the needs of terminally ill employees, recognising that these are people who require support and understanding, not additional and avoidable stress and worry. The Charter also recognises if staff want to continue working in safe and reasonable work, this can help maintain dignity and offer a therapeutic distraction.

It aims to provide employees with security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves during challenging times, with dignity and without undue financial loss. This includes being able to have time off, having adequate employment protection, and having their death in service benefits protected for any loved ones they leave behind.

Hetal Mainwaring, Nugent’s Head of People said, ‘I am delighted that Nugent has signed up to the Dying to Work Charter. I have championed Nugent signing up to the charter as I believe our employees are our most valuable resource. Showing our commitment to supporting any colleague who is in the unfortunate position of having a terminal illness is of paramount importance to us. The charter and supporting individuals is in alignment with our organisational values and demonstrates our commitment to being a valued based caring organisation. I am pleased to have worked in partnership with UNISON to signing up to the Dying to Work Charter.’

Nugent’s UNISON Branch Secretary 18

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Paul Rochford led the campaign for Nugent to sign up to the Charter and was present at the signing. He said, ‘I am delighted that Nugent has signed up to the Dying to Work Charter.

Nugent staff are incredibly dedicated and work within a challenging environment. They deserve the peace of mind that if they are diagnosed with a terminal condition, they will be treated with respect in a supportive work environment. Every person battling terminal conditions deserves the choice of how to spend their final months.

‘My fellow UNISON Branch Secretary Jean Blevin worked with The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust who signed up to this before she sadly passed away from a terminal illness in August 2020. It is an honour to continue Jean’s legacy who wanted to make sure that no one who receives a terminal diagnosis would suffer additional strife at work or financial concerns.’

UNISON North West regional organiser Vicky Knight said, ‘We are thrilled that recent partnership working between Nugent and UNISON has delivered a multitude of positive outcomes for service users, staff members and the whole organisation.

‘Signing the Dying to Work charter today builds on vital steps which have ensured that all Nugent staff will be paid at least the Foundation Living Wage, receive a 2% pay rise and many will also receive payment for time spent during shift handovers and breaks. By giving staff a voice through their trade union UNISON, Nugent has created a healthy environment leading to improved working conditions and service quality.’

Looking after the best interests of our beneficiaries and our colleagues is of the upmost importance to myself and the wider executive leadership team here at Nugent.

In February we announced that we have signed up to the Dying to Work Charter (see main article). It is right that we recognise our staff for helping give people a dignified end to their life and we will continue to take great pride in this approach.

In addition to signing up to the Dying to Work Charter, another development in improving conditions for our dedicated colleagues is our commitment to signing up to the Real Living Wage.

The Real Living Wage is an hourly rate independently calculated each year based on the real cost of living and is voluntarily paid by thousands of UK employers. We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that we will be a Living Wage Employer from 1st April 2022, meaning Nugent colleagues will be on a minimum rate of £9.90 per hour (and subject to Trustee approval this is likely to be increased to a minimum of £10/hr). Paying the real living wage has been a key priority for Nugent over many years and we have worked extremely hard to be able to achieve this and maintain financial stability for our charity.

Paying a real living wage is an essential objective for our alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The importance of individuals earning enough money to meet the needs of themselves, and their families underpins several of the goals, especially those that focus on reducing inequalities and poverty.

We are also extremely proud to be part of ‘Show the Salary’ - campaign to tackle pay gaps in the charity sector. The act is simple, that we always show the salary for the roles we advertise.

We believe that signing up to the ‘Show the Salary’ campaign demonstrates our commitment to fairness and equity.

Finally, this month sees us mark International Women’s Day (8 March). I and my all-female executive leadership team would like to take this opportunity to thank our many female colleagues at Nugent. Their courage and dedication, especially over the last couple of challenging years in the care sector, is a beacon of hope and something to aspire to and take comfort from.

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youth ministry

A trip to stir the soul Animate Youth Ministries team member Lauren describes the restorative effects of a February half-term visit to Krakow.

It had been more than two years since I had last travelled abroad – in fact, not since Lourdes 2019, which seems such a long time ago now.

Having the opportunity to fly again without so many documents and PCR tests to worry about was an opportunity I decided I just could not pass up.

Why Krakow? I had been there twice before – for World Youth Day 2016 and for our own team pilgrimage which took place in 2018 – so being familiar with a place is never a bad thing. Especially for me. I did not just want a holiday. I wanted to almost have my own retreat planned.

Faith has been difficult for me over the past couple of years and I am sure that many of you might feel the same. Having the opportunity to be in silence and pray, and also for some adventure, seemed to me like a great way to heal yourself. So, Krakow it was!

I was accompanied by another team member, Ellie, and I had a whole itinerary planned for the both of us. I do like being spontaneous but not when I am abroad! I am a woman who likes a good deal and booking things beforehand.

So, what did we get up to? When you go to Krakow it is easy to think that the city is small, but in fact it is the second largest in Poland. You might recognise the famous sights but then you go down the side streets and realise there are areas you have never seen before. We certainly saw a few attractions that I had not experienced previously, like the salt mines and the spa (known to be largest in Poland) and, of course, many religious sights.

These included St Mary’s Basilica, situated in the main Market Square, which is known for its Gothic

architecture – as well as the ‘trumpet man’ who plays at the top of the taller of its two towers. But the beauty within the basilica is unbelievable as you can see from the picture I have attached (below). The most memorable – and powerful – thing about being there was that I was given the chance to venerate the relics of St Pope John Paul II. Down the many side streets of Krakow you see so many shrines and churches that do not appear on Google Maps.

This is where I was in my element.

Going into these places, you see so many relics of saints that you did not even realise existed ... at least I didn’t.

These were the times when I found my faith growing, following the slumbers of the last two years. Of course, you can go to the famous places in Krakow but it was the hidden places that really spoke to me. And there, in those sacred places, I prayed for each and every one of you.

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education news

St Mary’s students show how valuable they can be in school production

Talented students from St Mary’s Catholic College, Wallasey, recently blew audiences away at the Floral Pavilion in a whole school production of Legally Blonde.

Due to the pandemic, this was the first time in two years that the college was able to put on a show for the local community.

Students from Year 7 to 13 all played a part in the sold-out performance which took place across two nights. The hardworking, talented and energetic cast put every ounce of their being into each and every number they sang.

Legally Blonde: The Musical follows bubbly, blonde aspiring law student Elle Woods and her journey through Harvard Law School to become a lawyer.

The cast shone in their roles both on and off stage, with many assisting with rehearsals and production. On the night, a number of staff and students offered their support by working front of house selling raffle tickets and programmes.

Elle Woods was played by Georgina Benson, who will be going on to study musical theatre at university in September.

Georgina said: “Over the past few months, everyone has worked tirelessly and incredibly hard to create this production. Our love for theatre and musicals has made this whole process even more exciting, especially as this will be my last show at St Mary’s.”

Miss McCallion, head of Drama at St Mary’s said: “It has been a pleasure to work with students on this over the past four months.

They have shown resilience to the many challenges we have been faced with, commitment and passion to the production and, most importantly, kindness to each other throughout the entire process.”

Year 8 student Hope Corkish said: “This was my first production at St Mary’s and I enjoyed every second of it. I can’t wait for the next one.”

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More than 100 Year 5 students from across a number of local primary schools also took part in the production.

John McDonald, headteacher of St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, said: “It was a fabulous, professional production and a great opportunity to work with our feeder secondary school.

“These experiences, which we have missed for so long, have such a powerful, formative effect on the children. We feel really privileged and pleased to be a part of it.

“From our school perspective, it’s made us want to do more stuff like this as children have missed a lot due to the pandemic. We look forward to collaborating with St Mary’s again over the next few years.”

Many students past and present were also in the audience to offer their support. Those who were unable to perform two years ago in the college’s production of ‘School of Rock’ returned to applaud their former peers.

Headteacher of St Mary’s, Mr Kevin Maddocks, ensured these former students had their time to shine and received a round of applause for their hard work.

Mr Maddocks said: “St Mary’s Catholic College has the highest ambition for all its students. Relationships are at the heart of everything at St Mary’s and this year really epitomised this with former students showing up to give support to their former schoolmates.

“Pupils and staff have worked so hard to make Legally Blonde a production to remember. It was brilliant to see every seat filled in the Floral Pavilion!

Mr Maddocks added: “As one more in a long line of successful performances, I think it’s safe to say that the performing arts department and the wonderful students of St Mary’s Catholic College really do know how to put on a show!”

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education news

St Cuthbert’s Cares In the lead up to Children's Mental Health Week, St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School’s KS3 students enjoyed Mental Health and Wellbeing workshops, as part of their extra-curricular clubs with Rugby League Cares.

The St Helens students from the school’s Year 7, 8 and 9 Football and Netball teams were invited to sessions with Damian Gibson, from Rugby League Cares, to speak about all things wellbeing and mental health awareness whilst also combining fun Rugby League activities.

As a school, St Cuthbert’s believes that using sport as a vehicle to care for others, in their community, as well as looking after our own physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is what helps everyone recognise how important it is to look after themselves.

Rugby League Cares is an independent charity that has always put mental health at the forefront of its vision, by not only supporting players at the end of their careers but by providing education and training that equips young people with the skills and qualifications they need for the next stage of their lives.

Damian Gibson, Rugby League Cares Ambassador, said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed by the maturity, engagement and fantastic attitude that each of these young people showed during these vital sessions.

“I have never worked with such a wonderful group.”

Mrs Jackson, Curriculum Leader of Physical Education, said: “Having these sessions is so important and we are grateful to

Rugby League Cares for their support and the work they do with our young people.

“The last two years has been so tough for everybody and it shows the important role sports can play and how we must look out for our own and each other's mental health.”

St Mary’s College students to represent Merseyside in national table tennis championships Talented table tennis players from St Mary’s College and Preparatory School in Crosby are to represent Merseyside in the English schools’ national championship in the spring.

Luke Govier and Isabella Hamer from the senior school – both aged 12 – became individual under 13 county champions at the recent Merseyside finals, with ten-year-old Isla Graham from the Preparatory School enjoying similar success in the under 11 event.

Now all three will head to Wolverhampton in April to compete in the 2022 Butterfly Schools’ Individual Table Tennis National Finals at the Aldersley Leisure Village.

More than 350 players representing 50 counties will take part in this event, making it the biggest one-day table tennis competition in the country.

And following these championships the English Schools’ Table Tennis Committee will select representative teams to play in an international event against the other home nations in June.

Table tennis is certainly going through a purple patch at St Mary’s. Apart from the achievements of this trio – including Isabella who is ranked number four in England – two other pupils have enjoyed similar success.

Ten-year-old Isabella Travis – also from the Preparatory School – and 15-year-old Jack Savage from the senior school were runners-up in the Merseyside under 11 and under 16 events respectively.

However, in a busy weekend for table tennis action, Jack still managed to win the Under 18 Junior Southport and District Open Singles Competition on the following day.

All these players attended St Mary’s Preparatory School where they honed their skills under visiting table tennis coach Dave Graham.

Dave said: “It has been a pleasure to work with these young people and to see them develop into such high-quality players.

“I am extremely proud of them and look forward to witnessing their future achievements over the coming years.”

St Mary’s College principal, Mike Kennedy, added: “Despite the problems caused by the pandemic over the last couple of years St Mary’s has enjoyed some exceptional sporting successes recently, in particular in football and netball.

“It’s great to see our table tennis players reaching similar heights and all our students and staff will be wishing them well when they compete in the national schools event in April.”

Under 13 Merseyside county champions Luke Govier and Isabella Hamer.

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education news

St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School team up with The Oliver King Foundation and 23 Foundation

St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School have teamed up with leading defibrillator awareness charity, The Oliver King Foundation, and North-west based private medical provider, Pall Mall to heart screen its Year 6 pupils.

The campaign is being piloted on Merseyside to increase awareness of undetected heart problems, and was launched in conjunction with Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation with St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School being the first school to be offered the testing on the programme.

As part of the programme, children were offered the opportunity to have an electrocardiogram (ECG) in order to detect any irregularities in their heartbeat.

This was the first time an ECG testing day had taken place in a school in the NorthWest.

The Oliver King Foundation was founded

by Mark King, whose son died following a sudden cardiac arrest whilst swimming at

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King David High School.

The foundation has been campaigning around defibrillator accessibility since 2011, saving the lives of 56 lives in the process and installing 5,500 new defibrillators across the country.

Mark’s campaign has centred around securing government legislation to ensure that defibrillator access is available in all schools throughout the UK. Mark King of The Oliver King Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be partnering up with Pall Mall and the 23 Foundation to be able to offer heart screenings for young school children on Merseyside.

Early detection of heart problems is the key to ensuring people are able to be treated and can live with the problems safely. The biggest challenge we face with heart problems is that we may only find out we have an issue when a serious incident occurs which can seriously limit an individual's chances of survival.

We hope that with the help of Pall Mall we are able to roll this programme out so that all young people in Merseyside will be able to be screened to detect issues early.”

Private consultant cardiologist Doctor Ayyaz Sultan said: “This pilot is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of checking your heart health.

Any child or adult who is actively involved in sports should be tested regularly for any potential heart conditions.

“An ECG can also help investigate the cause of chest pains, palpitations, or symptoms such as difficulty in breathing.

“During an ECG the heart’s electrical activity is measured through electrodes, which are attached to the skin with adhesive pads. These electrodes measure the electrical signals of the heart. These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor or nurse to see if they're unusual.”

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education news New York – the teacher’s view First, a confession. I am at that stage of my career as a teacher where I turn up to trips with my passport and suitcase. I am the ‘experienced’ member of Maricourt Catholic High School staff. I’ve done my fair share of organising in earlier days with London, Brussels, Barcelona and Paris in the brochure.

My organising was pre the creation of paperwork and then COVID-19 restrictions. I looked on with great admiration as Mr Daly and Miss Holden made calls, responded to emails and kept the government travel website traffic numbers ticking along.

So, the ‘will it, won’t it be cancelled’ trip of a lifetime was all go.

I say all go, provided we all completed ESTAs, downloaded the passenger locator form, the US attestation form, the NHS app, the NYC COVID app, completed a fit to fly test then packed the masks.

Getting 63 negative fit to fly tests videoed with the return emails received in an hour was like taking part in a strange Netflix reality TV documentary where a group of spies watch on CCTV as you struggle to fuflil the exact requirements of the process in the hope of getting the all important email containing the all-important QR code.

Against all odds we all made it to the end and with all relevant documentation gathered we left school to pack cases and, for once, looked forward to the alarm going off and arriving at school to negotiate the roadworks and rush hour traffic that was the journey to Manchester Airport.

The new Terminal Two had an eerie quietness to it. I got the feeling that we were among the first group to be venturing abroad on a school trip. This was backed up by the staff at the check in desk who, besides commenting on the madness of taking 58 students across the Atlantic, also told us that we were the biggest and first school group they’d had since COVID-19 – a real gang of Christopher Columbuses!

The seven hour plane journey ‘flew by’ (sorry) with excited chatter, a bit of sleep but on the whole the beginning of a short, sharp adventure that will make memories that will last forever.

There is something magical about any school trip where you have the privilege of spending time with students, sometimes watching on as before your eyes they are learning about themselves, experiencing time with each other, and

developing necessary life skills as they venture into life without the reassurance of parents. Yes, passports were temporarily misplaced, they had to make their own decisions and solve issues for themselves, but you know what? They all did it.

Some were even known to have to deal with other adults they have never met before and make complex decisions for themselves – chicken pasta or vegetarian dish with rice, madam?

We had a fabulous four days, the sights and sounds of New York are well documented and we did them all. The weather was bizarre, from a balmy nine degrees one day to freezing and snow the next. Herding 58 young people around a busy city is no mean feat, but we managed to get everyone to all the right places at the right times with no real issues – well we counted them all out and we counted them all in again.

The laugh out loud moments are too many to mention, they were happening on an hourly basis. Some of my stand out memories (with no names to protect the parties involved) include going to the Statue of Liberty in an outfit that matched hers, no-one in America having heard of the football team some students support, the ability of staff to catch 40 winks in the

middle of a musical, wondering if this actually is the street our hotel is on (again!), getting into groups – again, buying enough M&Ms to feed the entire school, celebrating an 18th birthday in New York, me being the mad one for not spending a fortune on Wi-Fi for the plane so I could Snapchat, being serenaded in Ellen’s Diner, ‘Friesgate’, trying to sort out the seating in the theatre, shoes of different sizes, blisters, the list is endless, and I am still catching myself giggling as things pop into my head.

Teenagers continue to get a bad press, unfairly so in lots of cases. Being able to speak to people on the subway, in shops and restaurants who ask the obvious question when you see five adults try to herd 58 of them around one of the world’s busiest cities. Then being able to accept their compliments about the students’ behaviour, manners and personalities will always stay with me.

If you are reading this as the parent of one of the students, we took with us then you should be very proud of them, we are and we thank each one of them for their company, conversation and laughs during the trip.

Unfortunately, it’s back to reality but rest assured the New York cohort of 2022 will live long in the memory.

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education news

Oxbridge offers are in for Carmel’s high achievers The application process to study at Oxford and Cambridge is a rigorous one. As well as stringent entry requirements, the process itself is tough, requiring lots of dedication and preparation.

At Carmel we offer the High Achievers+ Programme which encourages and supports students who are applying to Oxbridge and other competitive institutions, as well as for highly competitive degrees such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. Delivered by our specialist High Achievers+ Coordinators, the Programme offers students activities, events and support throughout the year.

Students who have received offers to study at Oxford include former Cowley International student, Faith Wild who will read English at Lady Margaret Hall; Elisha Ainsworth from Rainhill High who will read Human Sciences at Keble College; Joseph Lester, formally of St Francis Xavier’s College who will read Engineering at Hertford College and Rachel Christensen from Deyes High School who will read Law at University College.

Faith Wild said: “I really enjoyed my interviews, talking to expert academics about the subject I’m passionate about. They asked such interesting questions and we had some really interesting discussions. They were really approachable and overall it was a

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great experience. In the future I’d like to teach English abroad.”

Cambridge offers were received by former Sts Peter & Paul Catholic College student, Ryan Smith who will read Engineering at Trinity College; Jacob Walsh from De La Salle who will read Medicine at Magdalene College; former Cowley International student, Lauren Welsby-Riley who will read Human, Social & Political Science at Homerton College and Claudio Mecklenburgh from Wade Deacon High School who will read Natural Sciences at Pembroke College.

Rachel Christensen said: “Carmel provided excellent support throughout the application process. The High Achievers+ Coordinator for Law, Dan Saunders, was always happy to read through my personal statement and gave me really helpful comments to make it stronger. I was also able to do multiple mock interviews to allow me to gain the experience of answering the style of questions I would be asked. My future career ambition is to hopefully become a criminal defence barrister.”

Head of the High Achievers+ Programme, Dan Saunders said: “The HA+ team are all really proud of the success of our 8 students who will be progressing onto Oxbridge. This is the result of months of hard work and practice with the guidance of our fantastic HA+ coordinators and subject staff. Congratulations!”

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cathedral Music for Lent at the Metropolitan Cathedral

by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean

For the season of Lent this year we are offering musical reflections on various aspects of the passion narrative on Sunday afternoons in place of Choral Evening Prayer.

On the Second Sunday of Lent (13th March) our girl choristers and Lay Clerks will sing Kenneth Leighton’s ‘Crucifixus pro nobis’. This cantata was written in 1961 and explores three important aspects of Jesus’ life: ‘Christ in the Cradle’, ‘Christ in the Garden’ and ‘Christ in His Passion.’ The first movement, reflecting on Jesus’ childhood is sung by a solo voice, contrasting sharply with the choir alone in ‘Christ in the Garden’. It is not until the passion movement that both the soloist and choir combine. The music here captures the theological essence of Jesus’ purpose in a way in which it is very difficult for us humans to put into words.

On the Third Sunday of Lent (20th March) our boy choristers and Lay Clerks will sing ‘The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross’ by César Franck. The composer César Franck is best known in Catholic parishes today for his ‘Panis Angelicus’.

The Seven last words is a devotional work written in 1859, but never performed until the work was discovered in 1977. Franck was not the only composer to set the seven last words of Jesus (actually, sentences not words.) but Franck was unusual in that he sought to expand on the brief text by supplementing other biblical and liturgical texts reflecting the fact that Franck was a parish church organist steeped in the Catholic liturgical tradition. Of interest to Franck was not so much the suffering of Christ on the Cross, but what lay beneath and what the crucifixion symbolised.

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent (27th March) the focus shifts to Mary, appropriately so as we celebrate Mothering Sunday. As is traditional at the Cathedral, our girl choristers will sing Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater Dolorosa’. The text of the Stabat Mater is a 13th century hymn reflecting on Mary’s suffering during the crucifixion of her son.

The powerful words have inspired many composers to set the text to music, including the 18th century Italian composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Pergolesi’s musical setting alternates movements sung by the full choir, and sections sung by soloists. The singing will be accompanied by two violins and chamber organ.

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent (3rd April) our Lay Clerks will sing a setting of the ‘Lamentations of Jeremiah’ by Thomas Tallis. The biblical text (drawn from the first five verses of the book of Lamentations) was originally set for the holy week office of Tenebrae. Tallis’ composition is extraordinarily impassioned music for a 15th century composer, capturing the longing of the text alongside the hope inspired by its concluding statement: ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord your God.’ Our Lenten series finishes on Palm Sunday (10th April) with the sung office of Tenebrae at 7.30 pm with the responsories sung to a musical setting by Tomás Luis de Victoria, and Psalm 50, ‘Miserere Mei’, being sung to the famous setting by Gregorio Allegri.

More about this service in next month’s column.

All of these Lenten offerings take place at 3.00 pm on Sunday afternoons (with the exception of Palm Sunday when the sung office of Tenebrae will be at 7.30 pm) in Lent and are free to attend.

We began the season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday on 2nd March. Ashes were distributed at our three Masses at 8.00 am, 12.15 pm and 5.00 pm and also at a later evening Service of the Word at 7.00 pm.

The Rite of Election, to enrol those for baptism and reception into the Church at Easter, will be celebrated at 3.00 pm on Sunday 6th March the First Sunday of Lent.

One of the early traditions of the Church during Lent was the celebration of Stational Masses by the Bishop. These Masses changed in character from the early Church practice of gathering at the martyrs tombs for prayer and the celebration of Mass to uniting around the table of the Lord with the Bishop as the sign our unity and common witness to Christ. This Lent instead of the Bishops just visiting parishes around the archdiocese it has been arranged that each of them will celebrate the Sunday Mass at 11.00 am on one of the Sundays in Lent.

Archbishop Malcolm will preside on the Second Sunday of Lent and Palm Sunday, Bishop Tom Neylon on the Third Sunday, 20th March; on the Fourth, 27th March, Bishop Tom Williams and on the Fifth Sunday, 3rd April, I’m hoping that Cardinal Fitzgerald will be available.

The postponed Winter Graduations Ceremonies for Hope University have now been scheduled to take place at our Cathedral on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. There will be a Foundation Service in the Cathedral at 10.30 am and the Graduation Ceremonies take place later in the day from 1.30 pm.

May this Lent be a time of renewal and encouragement and may we use the opportunities offered to us in this season to grow in faith.

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Pic extras

Mums the Word Children’s Mental Health Week 2022 took place on 7-13 February and this year's theme was Growing Together.

The purpose of the week was to encourage children (and adults) to consider how they have grown and how they can help others to grow.

‘Growing Together’ is about growing emotionally and finding ways to help each other grow. The message issued was that challenges and setbacks can help us to grow and adapt, and trying new things can help us to move beyond our comfort zones into new realms of possibility and potential. However, emotional growth is often a gradual process that happens over time, and sometimes we might feel a bit ‘stuck’. At these times, we are reminded of how much we need others in our lives to help us to keep growing. Being kind to each and every person we meet can also help us to grow together – and so too including others in our thoughts and the games we play.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults. The majority of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental-health disorder, usually depression. Among younger children, suicide attempts are often impulsive. These impulsive behaviours often leave those behind devastated and asking, ‘Why did they not talk or reach out for help?’. The aim of such awareness weeks, therefore, is to get more people talking about mental health, their thoughts and their feelings.

If you or anyone you know may be suffering with mental-health problems then please seek help. In Liverpool, you can access self-referral talking therapy and there is a crisis team at the Alder Hey and Royal Liverpool Hospitals where anyone can call or drop in to get help. For more information, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health.

Help each other, be kind and let's make sure no more children, adolescents or young adults feel that they need to end their precious lives.

• Our next bi-monthly Mass will be held on Wednesday 9 March at St Anne's, Ormskirk, at 7.30pm.

Maria Pimblett, media officer

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

KSC donation means green light for school garden plan

A Widnes primary school has the local Knights of St Columba to thank for its pupils going wild – in a good way.

Staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour have been able to embark on a project to rewild some of the school grounds and grow their own produce thanks to a generous donation from members of the Widnes KSC. Brother Peter Dundon, the secretary for council 18 in Widnes, explained that they had received a request from Our Lady’s for a small donation towards an intended target of £1,000 in order to buy gardening equipment for the scheme. The council’s response was to meet the full target – with past grand knight John Hamilton and chancellor Mike Naughton presenting the £1,000 sum to the school just before Christmas (see photo).

Mrs Helena Donnelly, the deputy head, offered her thanks to the Widnes Knights for their support for a plan which will also involve the creation of a sensory garden.

Crucially, it will enable more learning outside the classroom for pupils – something that teachers consider highly important for children who have faced the impact of the Covid lockdown.

Bro Peter said: ‘The donation will help them to achieve all this, for which they

are very grateful. The Widnes Knights are extremely pleased that we were able to assist the school and its staff to realise their ambition to enhance the school facilities.’

• It is with much sadness we report the passing of Bro Tony Gill of council 64, Ormskirk. Bro Tony died on 31 December 2021 and his funeral took place at St Anne's, Ormskirk, on 12 January. His brother knights provided a guard of honour, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Irene and family: Eternal rest grant unto Bro Tony, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

• The Bishops’ Conference has agreed to accept the Relics of St Bernadette for a tour of the England, Wales and Scotland in September and October of this year. The aim of the visit is twofold: to promote pilgrimage to Lourdes and to reignite practice of the Catholic faith. The initial draft of the itinerary includes a visit to every diocese in the country and to many of the university Catholic chaplaincies, and there has been contact made with other Catholic organisations, including the KSC, to ask how they might assist with the tour.

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

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McCallum & Tritton & Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors

0151 931 2002

www.mccallumandtritton.co.uk Catholic Pictorial

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PIC Life Turning to God in our hour of need

By Moira Billinge It had been a hectic, upside-down week; the house looked like a refuse centre and although it was very late in the evening, I decided that I would bring the vacuum cleaner out of its hibernation.

Despite the challenge, the machine laboured its way noisily through the detritus of my post-Christmas neglect of all things to do with housework. Alone in the darkened house , except for the company of the vacuum cleaner, to my horror the door of one of the unlit bedrooms slowly started to close.

Paralysed with fear, I watched as,

silently, the door shut with no hand visible to turn the handle, and no sign of human intervention.

Heroic deeds will not rank high in my obituary, but, with one hand still firmly glued to the machine, I tried to push the door open. However, an unseen and seemingly determined counter- force pushed against me, and during that time the worst moments of every ghost story and murder mystery which I had ever read or seen replayed their gruesome scenarios in my mind. I feared the worst, not knowing what ‘the worst’ might be.

According to the experts, fear triggers a surge of adrenalin through the blood stream, its purpose being, supposedly,

to prepare us for ‘fight or flight’. It did neither for me; glued to the spot and scared witless, not knowing who or what was in there, the words ‘Jesus, help me’ repeated themselves again and again in my brain.

How many terrified seconds passed?

They seemed like an eternity. For some reason, I looked down and saw the looped coils of flex jammed between the carpet and the door frame. In reality, as I had pulled the vacuum cleaner along the floor, its cable had quietly and invisibly been the villain that closed the door. My own hard work had, as it turned out, been the sole cause of the evening’s scary events. Plucking up courage, I switched on the light and flung open the door with such force (the adrenalin must have kicked in at last) that it is actually a good thing that there was nothing behind it, human, or otherwise!

Being a Christian does not exclude us from fear, or necessarily lessen the gut-wrenching terror which can unexpectedly confront us. It does not create an automatic immunity from the very real worries about pain, illness, family and financial problems, or concerns relating to global conflict or environmental disasters. Being a Christian, however, does provide us with a loving God to call upon in the depths of that distress and ‘connects’ us to the One whom we believe will rescue us, and will be there for us no matter how seemingly hopeless or desperate the situation. Or as St Peter asked: ‘Lord, to whom would we go?’

Worth a visit - Stoke-on-Trent Witness spring unfold with a trip to Stoke-on-Trent, where nature’s beauty and humankind’s fine works can be found side by side, writes Lucy Oliver. The gardens and ancient woodlands of Trentham Estate on Stoke’s southern fringes lure walkers to appreciate rare species of flora and fauna on nature trails. There are more orderly treats too, such as the landscaped gardens and a circular, Capability Browndesigned lake.

Just a 15-minute drive away is Middleport Pottery where you can learn about the traditional pottery-making methods that were pivotal to the city’s great industrial heritage.

Originally named after the partners Burgess and Leigh, who took over the running of an earthenware business in Burslem in 1851, the business later became known as Burleigh and is renowned for retaining unique methods in shaping pottery.

Today, its visitor centre houses the largest collection of ceramic moulds in Europe, and the site also boasts a steam engine and a Grade 2-listed kiln. A one-hour factory tour offers a chance to learn about production from a lump

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of clay to a finished pottery item, while traditional oatcakes are served on the company’s pottery ware in the café.

Middleport Pottery is open from 10am-4pm. Call 01782 499766 to book or visit: https://www.burleigh.co.uk/pages/visit-middleport-pottery

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note ‘Listen carefully, my child, to your Master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart.’

(Prov. 4:20) This is how the great Monastic Rule written by Saint Benedict over 1,500 years ago begins and it seems to sum up well the attitude of the Christian for this Season of Lent – we are to listen ‘with the ears of the heart’.

To what should we listen? To the world around us which clamours for our attention about the next ‘musthave, must-do, must-be’? To the wars and rumours of wars and the increasingly alarming tales of our inhumanity to brothers and sisters near and far? To the catalogue of failed promises, abuses of position and authority, and the scant regard for the precious yet fragile gift of human life? Solely to do this is to run the risk of being so overwhelmed by the darkness of sin as to be unable to muster the confidence to light the one candle which can dispel that darkness.

In this Season of Lent we are to listen rather to some ‘Good News’,

Sunday thoughts We’ve lived through the wilderness of lockdown. Many have also experienced the wilderness of self-isolation. Until recently, every obituary included a person’s war service along with details of their childhood and education. Will books be written and films made about Covid-19? ‘What did you do in the pandemic, grandma?’

The wilderness does funny things with your mind. We forget what day of the week it is. We get up late. We stay up late. We eat meals at crazy times. And we learn that daily structures and habits only give an illusion of control. Like war, the desert can make us or break us. We come to recognise that life, with me ‘in the driving seat’, is a fantasy.

The First Sunday of Lent is ‘Temptation Sunday’. The gospel tells the story of Jesus in the wilderness.

Stripped bare of the routines and distractions of daily living, the desert allows both Satan and the Holy Spirit to emerge. Jesus sees through the

Canon Philip Gillespie

the fundamental and perennial proclamation of the desire of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – to draw us into greater and deeper relationship and communion.

It is the proclamation of a dignity founded not on what we can do or earn or own but on the once-andfor-all offering made by Jesus, a self-giving love which is renewed for us each and every day in and through the celebration of the Sacraments. The Lord’s own invitation to us is that we play our own unique part in this ‘Good News’ for the world: Do this in Memory of Me. And that one candle which can set about dispelling the darkness? You will hear of it when you gather in your parish for the Easter Vigil. As the Paschal Candle is lit, we proclaim the Risen Christ as ‘the Light, rising in glory, which dispels the darkness of our hearts and minds’.

Mgr John Devine OBE

devil’s sleight of hand.

Choices, previously blurred and complicated, are seen in sharper focus. ‘Grey areas’, fudge and compromise can’t survive the clarity of the wilderness.

Led by Moses, the people of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness after their deliverance from slavery.

Some longed for a return to slavery.

The regular meals provided by Egyptian overseers seemed preferable to freedom and starvation in the desert. God answered their prayers with the gift of mana.

What about us? We can run away from this Lent’s call into the wilderness. But there are other forms of wilderness that we can’t run away from: bereavement, serious illness, marriage breakdown, redundancy or addiction. But God will give us what we need, even if it’s not what we want.

Weekly Reflections are on the Archdiocesan website at www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com

The cross and the promise of new life Right at the centre of our Lenten observance looms the cross of Christ. It both fascinates and repels us as we wrestle with what it means and what it invites us to reflect on. Who in our modern sophisticated age would think of such a barbaric form of torture? Yet in some parts of our world it is again becoming a reality.

For the ancient peoples, crucifixion was the most horrendous death. The law of Moses stated that anyone who was crucified was cursed by God. Jesus was crucified on Golgotha, a rubbish dump, smelly and full of vermin. Very few would go there because of disease. What Jesus was doing by dying on the cross was identifying with everyone who seemed to be beyond redemption and showing us, if we have eyes to see, that God is perfectly at home with mess and suffering and will bring life out of any death.

You see what the cross shows us is that no-one is outside the realm of God’s mercy. God’s love is limitless and available to anyone – even those who seem to be on the outside; even those we categorise and label and judge.

Messy, broken lives can lead us to a deep and vibrant inner life if we hand over our mess to Christ. God does not work by human standards. It is not the powerful, clever or strong way that God chooses. It is the wisdom of God that life comes through death, that brokenness is the way to wholeness, that the cross is the way to life.

The image of God that most people seem to have is of a God who is in control and has the whole world held, charting its way through history. It is why so many people are unable to get beyond the 'why' question: why does God allow pain and suffering? Why does God allow violence and pain? Why, why, why?

There is another image of God, though. It is the image of the incarnate God who hangs on a cross – vulnerable, broken and bleeding. This is the God who enters into, and suffers with, humanity in order to show us that God is with us. God as well as being omnipotent is vulnerable and broken for us and leads us to life.

This Lent, pray about the cross. Let it horrify you and fascinate you. See in it your own mess and brokenness, and – as Jesus cried out to God – do the same and allow God to do what God has always wanted to do for us: allow God to raise you to life.

Father Chris Thomas

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Dialogue and Unity My accidental life Harry Kessler was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List like our own Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald who got the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Harry is a lively ninety-one year old Jew originally from Vienna who came here in 1939.

Harry has been active by giving hundreds of talks to schools, Universities, and clubs on his early life – Holocaust Memorial Day was 27th January and Harry’s story was featured in Granada Reports that day.

In 1934 by chance the Kessler family met an English couple (Mr and Mrs Jones) who were visiting Vienna – coffee, cake and chats were appreciated by them and Mrs Jones sent a kind note (in her poor German) thanking the Kesslers on their return. Miraculously the Kesslers kept the note written on headed paper from Mr Jones’s Dental Practice in Chester – no one could realise the act of grace that letter treasured by the Kesslers would mean.

In the mid-1930s anti-Semitism increased in Austria and heightened after Hitler’s annexation. The Kesslers had moved to Brno in present day Czech Republic (then part of Czechoslovakia) which then sadly was occupied by the Nazis. Jews again were persecuted with Jewish men likely to be picked up at random in the street. The Kesslers realised their only option was to flee but they would need proof that they had someone to support them probably in the UK or the USA.

their sons had attended, and that opportunity enabled Harry to go to a private school in Yorkshire later).

The Kesslers lived with the Jones’ for a year. The Jones’ priceless reward was saving a family from a despotic regime.

Harry still speaks movingly of the Jones’s amazing act of kindness.

Frank Kessler joined the Free Czech Army; Annie found somewhere to live and got an office job. At the end of the war while still in the Army, Frank found his mother alive in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp.

The Kesslers left their comfortable home and got a one-way ticket to England having gained permission to leave – however the train journey was traumatic fearing that they could be arrested every time they submitted their passports for examination.

Harry settled in England doing National Service, working in the Far East and then in the UK and and is now happily retired.

Today Harry is married to Mary an Anglican who was for over a decade the volunteer adviser of elderly persons Issues and active in the Christian Council on Ageing. A devoted couple living in Southport known for their hospitality they celebrate every Jewish and Christian Festival - luckily, they are very active otherwise it would have a terrible effect on their waistlines.

The Jones family meanwhile were preparing with great efficiency and generosity – getting bedrooms ready, arranging for the Kesslers to be met at Harwich and arranging for a place for Harry at the local school (subsequently they got him a place at the Prep School

Harry says kindness to strangers can produce such good things. The kindness of the Jones’ is replicated in the work so many churches, synagogues, and mosques do here in NW England to support refugees and asylum seekers.

Today Catholic Schools and parishes mark

Mrs Jones’ letter was their only lifeline and a thin one but Frank Kessler wrote and received a heart-warming reply ‘Come to England. We will do whatever you need.’

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Catholic Pictorial

Holocaust Memorial Day and we thanked God that the Christian Churches now reach out to Jewish Brothers and Sisters and those of other living faiths with warmth and friendship working together for a just society.

Here is a prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day but suitable for us on other occasions: Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust.

In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides which followed, we recognise destructive prejudices that drive people apart.

Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us.

In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine and can know the courage to face the darkness.

Through our prayers and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil.

Amen

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