Dear Friends... what
Editorial selected by Fr. Stuart Chipolina
hen celebrating W the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Pope Francis spoke about the Gospel of the day...
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“In life, we constantly need to be fed: nourished not only with food, but also with plans and affection, hopes and desires. We hunger to be loved. But the most pleasing compliments, the finest
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gifts and the most advanced technologies are not enough; they never completely satisfy us. “The Eucharist is simple food, like bread, yet it is the only food that satisfies, for there is no
did Jesus prepare for us?
greater love,” he added. “There we encounter Jesus really; we share his life and we feel his love. “Let us choose this food of life! Let us make Mass our priority! Let us rediscover Eucharistic adoration in our communities! Let us implore the grace to hunger for God, with an insatiable desire to receive what he has prepared for us,” In his homily, the pope referenced the day’s Gospel passage, with the account of the Last Supper. Throughout the Gospels, the word “prepare,” is repeated, Francis pointed out, like when the disciples ask Jesus where they should prepare to eat the Passover. Later, during Jesus’s third appearance to his disciples after the resurrection, he tells them: “I go to prepare a place for you…”
Jesus’ words to his disciples are also for us. He prepares a place for us and asks us to be prepared, the pope said. “What does he prepare for us? A place and a meal,” said Pope Francis. “Jesus prepares a place for us here below, because the Eucharist is the beating heart of the Church. It gives her birth and rebirth; it gathers her together and gives her strength. But the Eucharist also prepares for us a place on high, in eternity, for it is the Bread of heaven.” Francis explained that the Eucharist is God’s concrete promise of what awaits his followers in heaven. “The Eucharist is our reservation for the heavenly banquet,” he said. “It is Jesus himself, as food for our journey towards eternal life and happiness.
“When Catholics worship Jesus in the Eucharist, they receive the Holy Spirit and find peace and joy,” he said. Jesus is asking Christians today to go and prepare a place, but he does not prefer
“exclusive, selective places,” the pope continued. “He looks for places untouched by love, untouched by hope...” Everyone knows people who are lonely, troubled, or in need: “they are abandoned tabernacles,” Francis said. Those who receive Jesus in the Eucharist, “are here to prepare a place and a meal for these, our brothers and sisters in need. “Jesus became bread broken for our sake; in turn, he asks us to give ourselves to others, to live no longer for ourselves but for one another. In this way, we live ‘eucharistically,’ pouring out upon the world the love we draw from the Lord’s flesh.” Concluding his homily, the pope recited a short prayer, asking the Lord to enter into the hearts of those present, thanking him for preparing the food of life, and asking him to help Catholics to be active and joyous in bringing Christ to others.
Photos: Corpus Christi, Gibraltar 31.5.2018 ©Grace Torres
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 handdelivered 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. The magazine is online at uponthisrock.gi. Cover Photos: Cursillo Movement Team Leaders, A. Sargent, Grace Torres, Ildogesto | Dreamstime.com
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Gibraltar’s Secular Franciscan Community News
A Jubilee Year
marking the 40th Anniversar y of the approval of OFS Rule.
T
his year is the 40th anniversary since the approval of the OFS Rule by Pope Paul VI in 1978. Secular Franciscans worldwide are celebrating this Jubilee year which started on June 6th 2018. The Rule is prefaced by a word from St. Francis himself. This text, a new version of the “Letter to All the Faithful,” which was the first Rule observed by lay people in Francis’ time, is both a summary of Franciscan Gospel living and an introduction to our model and inspiration for observing the Gospel. Throughout these 800 years we have had 4 versions of the Rule: The earliest Rule is the Earlier Version, of “The Letter to All the Faithful” and was likely composed before 1215. An expanded version, was completed by about 1220. Both believed to have been composed by Francis. Both documents call the lay faithful
to a life of penance (Conversion) i.e. of turning away from sin and toward God. The “primitive rule” was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1221, The Memoriale Propositi. Then, the rule was revised in 1289 by the Franciscan Pope Nicholas IV, The Supra Montem. Pope Leo XIII approving in 1883, Misericors Dei Filius. The current rule was given by Pope Paul VI in 1978 with the Apostolic letter Seraphicus Patriarcha. It is designed to adapt the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and expectations of the Church in the conditions of changing times. Earlier this year, on 13th of May, we visited the Loreto Convent in Espartinas, Seville and joined the
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OFS Andalucia in their Jubilee celebration. [see Upon This Rock issue 204] Friar Joaquin, the Guardian of the Convent, said that we look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and look to the future with hope. Our Fraternity comes under London Region of the UK, so we will celebrate with them as well. The National Executive of the UK will take place in June next year, towards the end of the Jubilee Celebration.
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Bishop Carmel Zammit’s Appeal
Returners to Homs
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C
atholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which supports persecuted Christians, is helping to fund the renovation of 97 homes in Homs. The project, which adds to the 110 homes ACN has already helped to repair, is due for completion by the end of the summer. Marking this milestone, Homs’ Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop, Jean-Abdo Arbach and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop, Selvanos Boutros Al-Nemeh, presided at a ceremony in which families benefitting from the scheme each received a commemorative piece of rock. The stone denotes the project’s theme of ‘Jesus is my rock’. The scheme helps both Catholic and Orthodox families. After the ceremony, ‘Jesus is my rock’ stone recipient Aziz Al Houri told ACN: “We thank you for what you are doing. We are
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Abdel Masih Carah and his wife at ‘Jesus is my Rock’ ceremony, Homs ©ACN
HUNDREDS of displaced people in Syria will soon be going back to their homes. Work is set to begin on a long-awaited building repair project in an ancient city devastated by bomb damage.
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John Pontifex writes...
need Homes
Fr. Andrzej Halemba, ACN Middle East projects’ coordinator © Aid to the Church in Need
War torn homes undergoing reconstruction in Homs ©ACN
The world is largely silent in the face of Christian persecution. The scale of the problem is so great, silence is no longer acceptable. Persecuted Christians need YOU - and all of us! Together our prayers and actions can make a difference. You can PLEDGE YOUR SOLIDARITY by: • Praying ACN’s Prayer found in leaflets in your local Church, or your own prayers for Persecuted Christians in danger. • Sharing this article and Christian Persecution facts with others so that all understand the need.
Donation Details:
Bishop Carmel Zammit Lenten Appeal for‘Aid to the Church in Need’, Gibraltar International Bank, Account Name: ‘Trustees RCC/CAN’ Account Number: 00812022, Sort Code: 60-83-14.
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so happy for us and our children, for we are going to return to our own home.” Another beneficiary, a young pregnant woman, said she hoped to have moved into her repaired home in time for the birth of her child. Structural engineers have been evaluating damaged houses due for repair, case by case. Hala Mashhour, a young volunteer architect working on the scheme, said: “This project fills me with enthusiasm because I would love to see Homs with a new face and her former beauty restored.” Her own family is still renting a small flat costing £37 (25,000 Syrian Pounds) per month. ACN’s Middle East projects coordinator Fr. Andrzej Halemba stressed the importance of building with faith, quoting Psalm 126 (127): “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour.” With its house repair project, the charity is prioritising the poorest and neediest families struggling to pay for rented accommodation. Fr. Halemba stressed the vast number of people still waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. Homs saw some of the first protests of the Syrian conflict back in spring 2011 and in the years that followed, much of the city was obliterated, forcing vast numbers of people to flee. Aid to the Church in Need is a Pontifical Foundation directly under the Holy See. As a Catholic charity, ACN supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in need through information, prayer, and action.
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The Cursillo Team Leaders write...
Prayer and Fasting T
The Cursillo Movement is generally known for weekend retreats but over the last few years we have held a number of one day retreats focusing on specific themes.
his year we decided to help the community prepare for lent with a retreat focusing on the importance of prayer and fasting during this period. The event was held at the Catholic Community Centre on Saturday 17th February, starting at 10am in the morning and it was open to everyone. The agenda for the day included talks by the Clergy and Cursillo Team Leaders, personal testimonies, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and loads of singing. The event ended with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr. Jonathan. We were fortunate in having the presence of both Mgr. Pardo and Fr. Jonathan who both addressed the well attended event. Mgr. Pardo spoke about the meaning and importance of lent and Fr. Jonathan spoke about how prayer and fasting are an important element within this
period of the Roman Catholic calendar. Our Music Ministry, as always, delighted those present with beautiful and emotional songs that everyone could join in on. Refreshments were provided throughout and everyone was asked to bring a packed lunch with them. During the course of the day we heard how the Lenten period, which lasts from Ash Wednesday to Easter, is a time for prayer and self analysis, to consider our values as a result of which we live our daily lives. During lent we should consider some fasting, not only from food but also from those things that attach us to the materialistic values of this world. Lent is a period for more prayer. Not just reading prayers but talking personally to God, not only in Church but also at home or work, wherever you are since
God is everywhere. The real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare us for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ, the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. We can only effectively relive the mystery with a purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning us away from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer. By creating in us the desire to do God’s will and make his kingdom come by making it come first of all in our hearts. We should not think of Lent and fasting as what we must give up and rules we must follow but as a means for gaining increased spiritual growth and wellbeing. The highlights of the day were definitely the Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Mass. The Eucharistic Adoration involves the contemplation of the mystery of Christ truly present before us. During the session those present were able to open themselves to the Lord’s graces which flow from the Eucharist. There was definitely
he Gibraltar T Senior Citizens Association
(GSCA) has been in existence for over 18 years. During that time it has heard the concerns and the anxieties of hundreds of senior citizens. Unquestionably, loneliness is the most common and most aggravating situation which widows and widowers face and dread each day. The vast majority agree that mornings are not so bad. Most go out in the mornings for a cup of coffee with others or simply meeting them in Main Street, the hours seem to fade quicker and life is somewhat more tolerable. There is no doubt that ladies organise themselves much better than men and
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a general crescendo during the day leading us to the Holy Mass, as Pope Paul VI said “The Mass is the most perfect form of Prayer” and this certainly proved to be the case. The Lord promised us “For where to our three gather in my name, there am I with
them.” (Matthew 18:20) and he certainly delivered on his promise as his loving presence was felt throughout the day. We now revert to our usual function of organising weekend retreats, we have three coming up this year. From the 10th
till the 13th May we have a Cursillo weekend for men and then later on in the year we have a Cursillo weekend for women from the 11th till the 14th October and another one for men from the 15th till the 18th November. If you would like to attend please contact
Can You Help?
we know of groups of ladies who meet to enjoy each other’s company at regular coffee mornings. They tell us that its the afternoons and evenings that become endless, spent in complete solitude, no one to speak to, exchange ideas with or reminisce of days gone by. Some tell us they dread going to bed early, as they wake up in the middle of the night regretting having retired so early as the silent hours seem without end, as they constantly look at the clock wishing the hours away. On Channel 5 TV recently we learnt that in the UK, someone had
the marvellous idea of organising low key tea parties for the elderly. Twelve volunteers take it in turn to provide tea and biscuits each month, so while the elderly have a get together once a month the hostess holds a tea event only once a year. No great sacrifice involved and a number of senior citizens all looking forward to their tea and biscuits with people their own age. Can we organise something similar for our elderly? Or maybe something totally different, so long as they can get together on a regular basis? The Care Agency does a fantastic job, but
they cannot cope with the growing number of elderly persons in our community and these lonely people need extra support. The GSCA organised an exercise group years back and originally only a small number of ladies attended and a sprinkling of men who soon withdrew. In next to no time the group grew and grew until eventually the association was pleased to hand the venture to a committee which the ladies formed themselves and are still active years later. Similarly the association felt the need for a prostate cancer support group and, asked for volunteers to
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us on 58008885 or send us an email on cursillogibraltar@ gmail.com and we shall send you an enrolment form, we look forward to seeing you there. God Bless, Cursillo Team Leaders form a committee which we chaired. A few meetings later, the association left the Group in the very capable hands of their own committee, who are very successfully looking after patients, organising awareness events and offering advice. Can this association look optimistically into interesting any group or individuals to phone us on 20078282 to get the ball rolling? We have successfully organised and founded two very important groups in our community, there is no reason why we cannot do it again and organise another.
Give us a call, together we can and shall look after our elderly!!
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Manolo Galliano chats to Angela Sargent
Manolo Galliano ©UTR
Of Monks
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Victor Hermida’s photos and illustrations bring Manolo’s narrative to life.
o sooner am I seated in the Heritage Trust’s offices than Manolo Galliano is excusing his book, which is four books in one, in his charming, selfeffacing manner...
“The intention was to write one book on the different religious establishments that were in Gibraltar before the time of the British occupation, but I received so much material that I ended up with about a quarter of a million words, that includes material for the next book which will hopefully be published before Christmas. There is such emphasis today, on the British military history of Gibraltar, I wanted to make known the time before that – when Gibraltar was taken over by the Castillians, Spain didn't exist at that time, Gibraltar was then not Spanish as such, it was the private property of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. When we study English history we learn about the time of Cromwell and Charles the Second, so I find it important to uncover some of the events of these years in our local history, through these four religious buildings. The monastery of San Juan de Dios was originally set up as a hospital in 1567 (in what later became known as the 'Blue Barracks', on account of the walls being painted blue by
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the Governor of the time. He believed the strong glare of white walls would damage the soldiers eyes!) This hospital was taken over by the Order of St. John of God, and I found out that San Juan de Dios visited Gibraltar. The second book ‘Monastery of La Merced’, set up in 1583 and situated in Irish Town in a building that now encompasses an area from near the back of the Post Office, Corks Restaurant, Newton Systems, the hairdressers shop and the corner where Blands and M.H. Blands stand. It was then a power house of prayer and the strategic base for the ransoming of Christian captives imprisoned in North Africa. The third book is on the convent of ‘Las Clarisas’ which stretches through Sacarello’s Restaurant, through Trends to Jyske Bank. Sadly it was very badly ruined during the attack on the city with bomb damage leaving a gaping hole in the roof and water ingress ruining paintings and artefacts. After the Anglo-Dutch force took over they started selling off sections of the property. What was the main corridor and staircase of the convent, is now Bedlam Court, next to Jyske Bank, it became a barracks. It was known as Bethlehem Barracks, and 'Bedlem' is a corruption of Bethlehem, now when I pass I imagine the nuns going up and down, in my thoughts these people take on a new life.
Victor M. Hermida ©UTR
and Nuns
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I decided to include the Hermitage de Nuestra Señora de Europa as the fourth book, by that I mean the Shrine but the word Shrine did not come out in print until the Queen's visit, or there abouts, and I found so much interesting material that has not been published before. I found an account of a miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary to a shepherd in connection with the setting up of a Hermitage, and that Our Lady asked for a Little Oratory to be built there.” Manolo explained that this is presented in the Appendix of the book. When coming up with the title, a conversation meandered via Shakespeare’s turn of phrase ‘Of mice and men’ which Manolo
has borrowed, and recycled for his title, and keeping with this theme, he has borrowed from the bard at the beginning of each chapter, entwining our Iberian heritage, with the best of British in a very Gibraltarian manner. The book is richly illustrated by Victor Hermida, who has brought ancient plans, models and artefacts back to life with high tech wizardry, placing them right next to the pertinent text in the layout. What a team! We are truly blessed to have them working so diligently on digging through the archives and collating our lost heritage to so enlighten us. I for one have found I can’t put the book down, and I am sure you will enjoy it too.
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Edited text from worldpriest.com
O
ver a twenty-four hour period on 8 June, the feast of the Sacred Heart, groups of people at designated prayer locations around the world prayed the rosary and then handed over to another group until the entire globe was encircled by a spiritual prayer relay.
The event is all about praying for an allocated period of time and then spiritually passing on the prayer to the next location. In this way millions of people add their unique voice to what becomes a tsunami of prayerfulness circumnavigating the world in a strong voice for the sanctification of our priests. In Gibraltar the event
takes place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe and was led by Mgr. Charles Azzopardi this year. At worldpriest.com you can find a list of all the participating locations around the world. There were new prayer locations this year and worldpriest.com were grateful to all who have been working so diligently to achieve a meaningful and powerful prayer outreach for their priests on the special day. Everyone who prayed has made a vital contribution to this amazing and inspiring, unique event that grows bigger every year. Last year it touched the lives of some ten million people worldwide. The event this year was broadcast by the Eternal Word Television
FUNDING AVAILABLE
The Christian Mission Trust provides local Christians with donations for evangelistic initiatives and outreaches. The Trust is ecumenical and has provided money to many groups, individuals and churches during the last 12 years. It is run by a Board of Trustees.
We invite applications for funding from anyone who wishes to launch an evangelistic initiative or who needs support for an existing Christian missionary activity. Please write to: The Chairman, Christian Mission Trust, 4 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar. 12
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Increased Participation
in the 2018 Gibraltar
worldpriest.com
Rosar y Relay
Network (EWTN) and other radio networks. There was a huge following via Facebook Live, YouTube Live and live streaming from various prayer locations – all which may be viewed online. This is an annual opportunity to support our dear bishops and priests - they await and greatly appreciate the prayers of the faithful for their sanctification in a very powerful way as they unite and help encircle the world in prayer.
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Feature photo and article by Anne Mesilio
All the water in the
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© GibMissionAfrica
W
andering around Europa Point I was aware of the sparkling sea, especially as I had just attended the fascinating lecture by Manuel Perez ‘The History of the Water Catchments’ . The Rock, surrounded by sea, had no fresh water source; ‘water, water everywhere, nor a drop to drink’ once lamented by the Ancient Mariner of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Gibraltar
rise to killer diseases like cholera and yellow fever in the 18th/19th centuries. Today we have a desalination plant controlled by the Government. Fresh drinking water is indispensable for human and animal life as well as agriculture and industry. Dramatic consequences where demands exceed supply, for example drought, leading to lack of crops and basic hygiene, are becoming all to familiar. Ever wondered how much of your body consists of water? Maybe not, for why would you, but it is interesting to know that the amount of water in the human body ranges from 50/77%. Water is the primary building block of cells, acting as an insulator, regulating bodily temperature. It carries oxygen and nutrients to cells, insulates the brain and major organs as well as the foetus. Toxins are flushed from the body via the urine and water helps in the swallowing of food. Lack of fresh safe water is a catastrophe. This is a stark reality which reminds me very much of my talks with the late Fr. George Grima, a Maltese priest who devoted his life to the poor of Ethiopia. His annual visits to the Rock were to raise awareness and funds for projects like a borehole, a narrow shaft
lacked natural sources of fresh water and in 1898 waterworks construction began. Before that, earlier efforts to provide a water supply can be traced to the moors of North Africa. Water was precious to these sons of the desert and Nuns Well at Europa Point was an artificial well/reservoir comprising an underground chamber which allowed water to drain for future use. Later came aqueducts, wells, cisterns, barrels, water tankers, even earthenware pots to collect rain water. There are no rivers or streams on the Rock or any other body of fresh water. As the population expanded over the years the water supply became inadequate, giving
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bored into the ground for the extraction of water. The lack of safe fresh water made life very difficult for the poorest people scattered in isolated villages and it invariably fell to the women and children to roam far to collect water, any water, no matter how contaminated. They were at risk from attack by wild animals as well as kidnapping and sexual assault. Heartbreaking when you think all they seek is a container of contaminated water in order to try and survive. Diseases flourished and diarrhoea is the biggest killer of the children. My water comes to me at the turn of a tap, no need to think about it, it is plentiful and safe for things like cooking, drinking, showering and in the words of Auden ‘thousands have lived without love, not one without water’, a very sobering thought indeed. I was really touched recently on learning that parents of a couple of newly weds in Ethiopia gave them the gift of safe water! Another struggling country is Sudan, where the majority of families have no access to safe water or sanitation and a staggering number defecate in the open. The price of conflict is too high and since ancient times this hot country with a low rainfall has been torn by
world wars, famines and droughts. Access to safe drinking water is a human right. It is at the centre of economic and social development, vital in many areas, like maintaining health and growing crops, and despite this need, some 663 million people in the world lack access to safe sources of water. Of the earths surface, 70% is water and yes, while many rely on desalination of sea water, there is a real shortage of safe drinking water. Zero day has been declared in Cape Town, South Africa as the time when this supply runs out due to ongoing drought conditions. The taps are set to be turned off in this thriving city by mid July for a city of 4 million people. They are not alone, Mexico city, Melbourne, Jakarta and Sao Paulo stand in line to face the same crisis. The banks of the worlds longest river, the Nile, flowing 6,650kms to the sea in Egypt, unite some one hundred and sixty million people in dependency upon its life giving waters. Sustaining crops and human life since ancient times, it is the only reason Egypt has even existed. Today, three nations, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia are at loggerheads about a vast dam being constructed across the Blue Nile in Ethiopia which is the source of 85% of Egypt’s water. There is no doubt to the benefits to Ethiopia as the dam will be Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant. Further down, the dry desert area that would be Egypt without the Nile and its almost 100 million people face
uncertainty, tensions and threat. Pope Francis; “We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it”. Recently I spent a weekend away from the Rock and meandering by the ever flowing river I was thrilled by the sights and sounds. The splash and gurgle of water and bird song, where nature was its own music maker and the banks luxuriated in an abundant and amazing variety of local flora. This was a veritable oasis of natures bounty, not too far from a busy world, but a world away too. It put me in mind, now that Summer is here, of the joy and fun to be had on the water, swimming, fishing, boating, frolicking by the seaside, stone skimming, walking barefoot in the sand, rock pool fishing, building sand castles, picnics, collecting pearly seashells, scurrying crabs, the list goes on. For those of us privileged to enjoy these delights without even thinking about them, spare a thought for the many whose lives are degraded by poverty. We must connect the dots between this real threat of global lack of safe water and saving our planet. As I write this (8th June) it is World Oceans Day, a reminder to everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. A sad reality today is that oxygen is being depleted by the 8 million tonnes of plastic a year which ends up in our oceans.
There is unacceptable stress being put on our safe water systems and as the quality of safe water diminishes globally
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let us not lament, despite all the water in the world, the cry of the Ancient Mariner, “nor a drop to drink”.
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