March 2014 153 by EuropeAxess Media

JOY TO ALL MEN AND PEACE TO MANKIND

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Fr. Stuart explains about Lent.

Prayer Dear Friends

hy did Jesus single out prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for his disciples? The Jews considered these three as the cardinal works of the religious life. These were seen as the key signs of a pious person, the three great pillars on which the good life was based. Jesus pointed to the heart of the matter. Why do you pray, fast, and give alms? To draw attention to yourself so that others may notice and think highly of you? Or to give glory to God? The Lord warns his disciples of selfseeking glory – the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).

hat is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his

disciples? It is communion with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life, happiness, and truth. May the prayer of Augustine of Hippo, recorded in his Confessions, be our prayer this Lent, “When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows

Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. S. Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.gi Production Editor: A. Sargent angela@europeaxess.com Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is hand-delivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: +350 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess.com. Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar. Neither of these parties is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views and opinions of either party. Advertisers are not endorsed by virtue of advertising in this magazine. EuropeAxess Media Ltd. reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements. Efforts have been made to establish copyright owners of images, but if we have used your material, and have not credited you, please contact us to discuss restoration.

Cover Art: Guido Reni’s ‘Michael’ in Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome. Reni shows the Archangel trampling Satan.

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Almsgiving Fasting Fr Stuart speaks to retreatants in Fatima during Lent 2013.

Each day begins and ends with prayer on the Lenten retreat. Time is spent listening to teachings and in silent meditation in the Chapel of the Apparitions. While the meals served by the sisters who run the retreat house there could hardly be called

or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete.” The Lord wants to renew us each day and give us new hearts of love and compassion. Do you want to grow in your love for God and for your neighbour? Seek him expectantly in prayer, with fasting, and in generous giving to those in need. The forty days of Lent is the annual retreat of the people of God in imitation of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. We are called to journey with the Lord in a special season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penitence as we prepare

‘fasting’ many do go without the usual treats from home.

Portugal, like the rest of the Iberian peninsula, has suffered during the economic downturn, and by purchasing memorabilia, candles and other religious objects, pilgrims help the people there to be able to eke out a living in these difficult times.

to celebrate the feast of Easter, the Christian Passover. The Lord gives us spiritual food and supernatural strength to seek his face and to prepare ourselves for spiritual combat and testing. We, too, must follow in the way of the cross in order to share in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. As we begin this holy season of testing and preparation, let’s ask the Lord for a fresh outpouring of his Holy Spirit that we may grow in faith, hope, and love and embrace his will more fully in our lives. Have a blessed Lent, Fr. Stuart A Note on the illustration:

The Temptation In The Wilderness by Briton Rivière. Briton Rivière was a British artist of Huguenot descent working around 150 years ago. He has shown Jesus as a tiny figure in a huge landscape, looking utterly dejected and alone with His bare feet highlighted against the inhospitable, black, rock face. A solitary eagle glides across the horizon heightening the impression of wilderness. The sun, dimly seen behind Christ’s head seems to be sinking into the fires of Hell.

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A Journey in Five Fridays with Bishop Ralph

Lenten Homecoming A

couple of years or so before his death in 1996, Henri Nouwen wrote a book entitled, “The Return of the Prodigal Son - A Story of Homecoming” after a chance encounter with a poster of Rembrandt’s ‘The Prodigal Son’ and a visit to the original painting in the Hermitage, in St. Petersburg. It was an encounter that was to change his life. Bishop Ralph invites you to join him for five Fridays during Lent at 12.25 Mass in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned and journey with him in the company of Henri Nouwen to hear his story told through the painting.

The Lenten Homecoming Talks Programme: Friday, 14th March Beginning the Journey Friday, 21st March The Younger Son Friday, 28th March The Elder Son Friday, 4th April The Father Friday, 11 April Becoming the Father ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ is on order at the Cornerstone Bookshop for those who would like to own a copy too.

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Lenten Talks

The Hidden Treasure L

ater this month there will be a series of five talks to deepen our understanding of the Easter Triduum. The focus will be on the Paschal Mystery with the four dimensions of the Faith as described in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 verse 42. “They remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.” The main speaker will be Joseph Duarte who explains “Our response to God’s love awakens in us a sense of search which grows deeper and deeper in our hearts and we want to know more about God. The only way to know more is to study

the church and historical origins of our Faith, that has always been my way, I have always wanted to know the fullness of the Truth. Once you have that relationship with God he keeps on revealing himself to you in many ways through his Church and his doctrine. The church is the hidden treasure which Jesus talked about, and we have to show others.” Joseph has completed the third year of the Maryvale Institute B.A. in Applied Theology. This is mostly concerned with Catechismal work which will lead to being able to transmit the Faith in a formal and accurate way. His studies have focussed on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the documents of the Second Vatican Council. The event will take place at the Catholic Community Centre from 8.30pm - 10.30 on Friday 21st and 10.00am - 3.00pm on Saturday 22nd March.

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Expectant Mothers Family and Friends to a

MASS

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Inspirational Speaker and Women of Grace

Johnnette’s ®

founder

“She blew me away, I was transfixed. Johnnette has so much to offer Gibraltar...”

bout a year ago a group of ladies began working on the ‘Women of Grace’ course in Gibraltar. This is a powerful Catholic study for the ‘imperfect woman seeking holiness in an imperfect world’. Meeting each week at the Catholic Community Centre, the group’s activities included a video presentation by Johnnette Benkovic and the ladies came to see this as the highlight of the evening, so talented is she at

presenting the great call and gift of femininity. Now we learn that Johnnette is to come to Gibraltar to give a retreat here. The ladies of that first intake greeted this news with huge excitement, that this world renowned speaker, as seen on her own programme on ETWN, should be coming to little Gibraltar, and the new students in the 2014 course which began last month are also very enthusiastic. Johnnette S. Benkovic

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is Founder and President of Living His Life Abundantly® International Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate with outreaches in television, radio, print, and internet communications. She is also Founder of Women of Grace®, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women that features a number of outreaches including conferences, curricula, study groups and more. After years of being a nonpracticing Catholic, Johnnette experienced a deep conversion back to her Catholic faith in

Louisa Aguilera o.v.

1981 and discerned a call to share the Gospel message through the media. She has been a consistent presence in Catholic radio since 1987 and in Catholic television since 1988. Johnnette is Executive Producer of the Women of Grace television program, which is aired on EWTN internationally, Monday through Friday. The program discusses contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective. Johnnette is also host of Women of Grace Live, a one hour call-in radio talk show that airs five

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has a message for

Gibraltar

News from Dr. Monique Risso

giving a Retreat in Gib! times a week. She is heard in the US on AM/FM stations and internationally via short wave, and satellite radio. For additional information about Living His Life Abundantly® International Inc., and Women of Grace®. In addition, Johnnette is a popular conference speaker, retreat conductor, and seminar presenter, and has been published in major Catholic magazines. She is the author of several books including Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life (St. Anthony Messenger Press), Grace-Filled Moments (Our Sunday Visitor), Living Life Abundantly: Stories of People Who Have Encountered God (St. Anthony Messenger Press), Experience Grace in Abundance: Strategies for Your Spiritual Life (Simon Peter Press) and The New Age Counterfeit (Queenship).

Dr. Monique Riso and the

cordially invite you to the Women of Grace Retreat with

Johnnette Benkovic on

Saturday 5th April 2014 08:5 - 13:45 With Adoration and Confe ssion and

Sunday 6th April 2014 08:45 - 13:45 With Holy Mass at the

Catholic Community Ce ntre, Gibraltar

Johnnette was married to her husband, Anthony, for nearly 34 years and became widowed in 2007. She is the mother of three adult children, two living.

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Defend Sponsored by

Whether our demons are personal this Lent, shared with the community: pitting neighbour against neighbour, or global: blighting the environment, we could all do with some powerful help. Lisa Schmidt was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write the following piece in 2010. Today, September 29, is the Feast of the Archangels: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Angels appear frequently in Scripture, but these big three deliver messages of supreme importance and are the only named angels. A friend got in touch with me yesterday and she shared how St. Michael interceded big time over some ‘spiritual battle’ that’s recently plagued her.

Her testimony serves as a reminder that as we grow closer to Christ and His Church, we will be tested and tempted by evil. St. Michael can provide a defense. A Word (or two) on St. Michael: St. Michael, the Archangel, appears in the Bible in the book of Revelation where he leads the armies of God in battle against the forces of evil. “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was

Our Lady in Medeira Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Presentation of the Statue of Our Lady of Europe to the Diocese of Madeira 2004 11-18 July 2014 Bishop Ralph Heskett and Msgr. Charles Azzopardi will concelebrate a special ceremony in the Cathedral in Funchal.

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Lisa Schmidt

us in the hour of Battle no longer any place for them in heaven.” Revelation 12:7-8 With his name being Hebrew for ‘Who is like unto God’, Michael is typically depicted with a sword, scales, banner, and a dragon. The Archangel is a symbol of victory over evil; a reminder that we Christians will always struggle with the forces of evil in the world.

H istory of the Prayer The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel is an abbreviated version of a prayer written by Pope Leo XIII (1810 -1903). He composed it after a frightening vision of the attacks on the Church. Prior to Vatican II, the prayer was commonly said at the conclusion of all daily Masses. In 1994, Blessed John Paul II recommended we bring the prayer back into regular practice to strengthen the Church. Attacks on the Church, a need to strengthen the Church, sound at all familiar? From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, Satan knew he had a new enemy and has since organized and prepared his

troops for 2000 years in attempt to destroy Christ’s Church. The powers of Satan’s destruction are manifest everywhere. But Jesus Christ promises victory over evil, His power, mercy, and grace will overcome. But we must do our part. Our Church needs strengthening. St. Michael the Archangel was the random saint selected for me through the 2012 ‘Saint’s Name Generator’. After a few repetitions I found I had memorised the prayer. When I’m feeling so overcome with fear about Satan’s attacks to our Church and religious freedom across the globe, this prayer reminds me that Chris’s power will prevail. Now that the Year of Faith is ended, perhaps we should turn to St. Michael the Archangel as our first line of defence whenever we feel afraid, or see our Faith being challenged. Let us pray... Lisa Schmidt and her husband write a blog at www.thepracticingcatholic. com This article was adapted from the 27th September entry.

t. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the hour of battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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Maria Louisa Dali

Our Vatican Visit M

Photos: In front of the Trevi Fountain. Meeting Fr. Mark. Wednesday Audience, 4th row right hand side of the altar, “It was really a great privilege to be seated so close to the Holy Father.”

embers of the CYC; Maria Louisa Dali, Joe Berliaque and Jerry Chiappe were just happy to be in Rome on pilgrimage last month, but Fr. Mark Miles had some surprises in store for them! “We had help form Fr. Stuart to organize tickets for the Wednesday audience, explained” Maria Louisa, “the surprise was that once we were there and collecting the tickets, Father Mark, who is related to Jerry Chiappe, had arranged some special tickets for us!” The small

group were delighted to learn that Fr. Mark had also arranged a Vatican Tour and Vespers in St. Paul’s Cathedral on the Feast of St Paul’s. “When we went on the Vatican tour we entered through St. Annes Gate, and he took us to a waiting room, we saw many Swiss Guards inside and we were impressed that we were actually in the Vatican offices, Fr. Mark took us out on the terrace where we could see the whole of Rome, the windows of the Pope’s office and the chimney of the Sistine Chapel which is used to

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announce a new Pope with white smoke. From there he led us to a small corridor which is known as the Room of Tears because of the reaction of the successful cardinal when he hears he has been elected Pope, this is where he exchanges his robes. From there he walks to the balcony and is presented to the world for the fist time. Then we went in again through a long corridor and met a lot of priests, cardinals and bishops who were also on a tour, it was clear that our guide was well respected and in a privileged

position. Fr. Mark took us into the Sistine Chapel and explained the logistics of the papal election. From there we went to a small chapel where I knelt and prayed for my friends and family in Gibraltar. He gave us an explanation of the paintings on the walls of the corridors, and how the paintings could inspire the faith of the priests that live there in community. We then went down a long flight of steps which leads to the entrance to the basilica and we left Fr. Mark there. It was really great to meet him and he sends his love and prayers for all of Gibraltar and asked especially that we should pray for the Holy Father. Our short pilgrimage was a very beautiful experience as well as a great holiday, we all felt very blessed, and greatly privileged thanks to Fr. Mark and Fr. Stuart.

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Maria Louisa Aguilera o.v.

God’s gift to his people

Consecrated Life The Vocation Tree

experience and talk about God as their sole Love (this is chastity), their sole treasure (poverty), and their sole meaning of life (obedience). They are called to be a sign of God’s presence, who offers new life, in the midst of the world. By witnessing with their lives, they seek to embody, in the midst of the world, the spirit of a life devoted to preparing for the Kingdom of God. It is very important for our society to recognize the immense contribution of those leading a

Dedicated Singles

Bishops

But what is ‘consecrated life’?

For many this means just ‘nuns and monks’. Yet we’ve to realise that consecrated life includes secular institutes and consecrated men and women. Unlike religious men and women who live in communities, Secular Institutes and Consecrated men or women live separately, in their own family or even in a fraternal association. Yet all of them have something in common - they have dedicated their ‘lives’ to God. They have professed to follow the evangelical counsels: they

Monastic Life in the East and West

Married

Diocesan Hermits Contemplative Institutes Secular Institutes

Priests

Apostolic Religious Life

Deacons

Ordained

Consecrated Virgins Living in the World

Laity Consecrated

State in Life Vocation

Psalm 0ne verse three... That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Baptismal Vocation

consecrated life in our world. Think of how many help the homeless, care for the sick, contribute towards good education, or the dedication of those helping marginalized people, these are just a few of their services: we must care for one another. For those who feel called but have not responded yet, we are here to serve one another, to create a better world. To

see God in those who need us. I hope and pray that many will respond to this special Call, be it Priesthood, Religious, Consecrated Persons or Secular Institutes. This total abandonment arouses both fascination and fear. Don’t be afraid, He is with us always. Maria Louisa Aguilera [Ordo Virginum]

Collage of original drawings and graphics by A. Sargent after the illustration on‘www.thevocationtree.com

In 1997, Pope John Paul II established a ‘Day for Consecrated Life’ on 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord. In doing so, he gave the entire Church a special opportunity each year, to thank the Lord for the great gift of consecrated life.

The Spirituality of THE FOUNDER OF

LORETO ‘In the Presence of God’ Mary Ward’s Spirituality KINDLE edition £4.84 Available online from uponthisrock.gi Proceeds to the IBVM Ireland.

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Diocesan Life

St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Our Lady of Lourdes Procession Photos: Horatio Bossano CFM Anniversary Celebrations.

Top Mr & Mrs Llammas, Below Nancy & Tony Garcia with Manuel and Lilian Gomez, CFM Wedding Anniversary Photos are available to download or order as prints from the Upon This Rock web shop, or call T:20079335

Rhnk LZm^eebm^ <Z[e^ MO Ikhob]^k Ngbm *+; PZm^k`Zk]^gl !$,.)" +)).*.21 `b[lZm9`b[kZemZk'`b

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Fr. Devlin H

Anne Mesilio writes

eritage, as I understand it, is a meeting of past and present to protect something from the past. On the 10th of this month Fr. Devlin would have celebrated his 93rd birthday. When he died in December 2010, Gibraltar sincerely mourned the passing of this beloved figure who had become known affectionately as “The Irish Gibraltarian”. His story started in a seaside town in Youghal (Yew trees) in Co. Cork in Ireland. This 13th century medieval walled town has been designated as a heritage site and through history played host to the likes of the dynamic and colourful character of one Walter Raleigh. He is said to have planted the first potatoes in Ireland in 1585. This three times Mayor of Youghal could never have envisaged the part they would play in Ireland’s history when An Gorta Mhor, the great hunger or famine ravaged the land and population from

1846-52. Youghal was once one of the busiest seaports and shipping played a large part in the welfare of the town. The film Moby Dick was partly made there in 1954. The recent spell of tumultuous stormy weather which has battered most of Europe did not spare Youghal, as huge waves chased by relentless strong winds caused much flooding and distress. In 1921 in this renowned sea side town, one Bernard Patrick Devlin was born to Richard Devlin and Mary Hill, an only son and child. He arrived at a rather turbulent time in Ireland, caught as she was in the throes of giving birth to nationhood. Preceding Bernard by some eight years, also born in Youghal was one John Aher, whose nephew John has been in touch with me and I felt the new biographical information should be recorded as it is part of Gibraltar’s heritage too.

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Despite their age difference, Bernard and John were pals growing up in Youghal where they attended the same schools, Loreto Convent and the Christian Brothers, but went on to separate establishments to study for the Priesthood. John set out for Carthage near Tunis, once centre of the Carthaginian Empire

Revisited

(814BC) but the outbreak of World War II saw him return to Ireland. Bernard in the meantime undertook his ecclesiastical studies in Liverpool and was ordained a priest at Portsmouth Cathedral in 1945. John was ordained in Liverpool also in 1945. The two friends had overlapped but kept in touch.

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Yougal 2014 They had a mutual friend in another Cork man, Bishop Richard Fitzgerald, (1881-1956) from Middleton, 26kms from Youghal. As a young man and before he started to train for the Priesthood, Bernard had met him when he was on holiday from Gibraltar where he had been appointed Bishop in 1927. They had met on the lovely sweep of Redbarn beach and a result of this meeting, Bernard’s decision to come to the Rock, and later that of John, had been influenced by the Bishop. Both newly ordained priests arrived here in 1946. Gibraltar at that time was witnessing the return of families who had been evacuated to London, Northern Ireland, Jamaica and Madeira during WWII. It was a time of upheaval and re-settlement and the two friends rose to the challenge of looking after their returning parishioners. Europe had suffered a terrible blitz causing untold suffering and the evacuees had endured the deprivation of being separated from their families and homeland. I once asked Fr. Devlin about this time and his answer was simple “We did what we could”, and I feel this typifies how the two friends set about, with a cheerfulness which endeared them to their communities, helping those returning from the chaos of Europe. They devoted the rest of their lives to Gibraltar. Fr Devlin went on to become Parish Priest of St Theresa’s, and during his time in the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, before being transferred to St Joseph’s, Fr. Aher completed the mammoth task of indexing the register back to 1704. I thank him for that! Despite their many duties the

two shared a lasting friendship. Fr. Aher was to suffer a long and painful illness which he refused to let interfere with his priestly duties and on the day he became fatally ill in 1975 he was with his friend Fr. Devlin who loved to drive his red mini car. In an act of friendship Fr. Devlin had his friend buried with his own mother Mary who had come to be with her only son and died here in 1965. Their shared grave is just behind St. Theresa’s and John told me when he used to come visit Gibraltar “it was first to visit the grave, and then find ‘Ben’ for a chat”. Fr. Devlin went on to be appointed Bishop of Gibraltar in 1985 and for twenty five years he led his flock with unassuming grace and humility, forever endearing himself to a community who took him to their hearts and dubbed him, as I said earlier, “the Irish Gibraltarian”. He had retired and become Bishop Emeritus when he passed away one early morning on Wednesday December 15th 2010 aged eighty nine years. The depth of mourning was palpable as crowds stood quietly by, to bid their last farewells as with solemn dignity he was laid to rest at the Cathedral, inside the crypt beneath the statue of Our Lady of Europe. During his lifetime Fr Devlin often expressed the wish to be buried with his mother. This was accomplished later in a private ceremony where her bones were exhumed and buried with her son, thus fulfilling his wish. Just an afterthought; this leaves his father Richard alone in Youghal where John Aher looks after the grave, and Fr. John alone here now that Mary has been moved.

Yougal 1945

I can only offer the Irish prayer “Ar dheis De go raibh a anam”. May their souls sit at God’s right hand. Photo Credits:

Landscape picture: Stormy Youghal (taken during the bad weather last month) Dave O’Brien Photography. Bishop Devlin’s Funeral: ©DM Parody www.dotcom.gi/ photos

Young Fr. Devlin & Fr. Aher 1045: Courtesy John Aher

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