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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Dear Friends...
How good are you at reading signs? continued from page 3 Epiphany reminds us that we are a pilgrim people, aliens and exiles in this age who long for our true home with God in heaven, and who wait with joyful hope for the return of the Lord Jesus. When will all these promises take place? No one knows the day when Christ will return. But it is a certain fact that we are living in the end times, the close of this present age! The end times begin with the first coming of Christ (his Incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas) and culminate in his final return on the Day of Judgment. Jesus’ prophetic
Heaven
description of the end of time and the day of judgment was not new to the people of Israel. The prophets had foretold these events many centuries before. “Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it” (Isaiah 13:9-13; see also Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:1820; Zephaniah 1:14-18). Jesus speaks of the second coming as a known fact, a certain event we can expect to take place. This coming will be marked by signs that all will recognize; signs which will strike terror in those unprepared and wonder in those who are ready to meet the Lord. When the Lord returns he will establish final justice and righteousness over the earth by overthrowing his enemies and by vindicating those who have been faithful to him. The anticipation of his final judgment is a sign of
hope for all who trust in him. What can keep us from recognizing the signs which await the coming of the Lord? Indifference and the temptation to slacken off – to become passive and lethargic or to fall asleep spiritually. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with troubles. The Lord knows our shortcomings and struggles and he gives us the grace to bear our burdens and to walk in his way of holiness. But there is one thing he doesn’t tolerate: an attitude of indifference, being passive, not caring, and doing nothing when we could be actively seeking God and his
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kingdom! God is ready to give us fresh vision, hope, and grace to walk in his ways. He wants to work in and through us for His glory. That is why He expects more of us than we can do by ourselves. His grace enables us to actively watch for his action in our lives, and to actively pray for perseverance and endurance when we face trials and difficulties. The Lord gives us strength to overcome temptation, especially from apostasy – the denial of Christ out of fear or pride. God is ever ready to fill us with his grace, strength, and power. Is your heart hungry for God or is it weighed down by other things? Happy Christmas, Fr Stuart
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Coming Home for Christmas A
A Family is not just for
Anne Mesilio considers the essence of family and the joy and tensions we can expect over Christmas.
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e have become familiar with the slogan at this time of year: “A puppy is not just for Christmas, but for always”, exhorting people to exercise responsibility in purchasing pets as Christmas presents. All too soon the excitement and novelty wears off and the responsibility becomes irksome. I would borrow that slogan and say “a family is not just for Christmas, but for always”. At this festive time much emphasis is put on family gatherings, visits and the buying of presents in celebration of what is considered the most sacred Christian family time of the year. In other religions this may vary but the senti-
traditional) a husband, wife and dependent children as a fundamental unit in the organisation of society. This collective body of persons live under one roof, under one head. Such a one was St. Joseph, and, as head of his family, he is today the patron saint of fathers, workers, carpenters, the family and travellers. Travellers; this made me consider his journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with his heavily pregnant wife on a donkey. Two thousand years ago this eighty mile journey over rough trails and rocky terrain with the danger of being attacked by bandits would have taken at least a week. It was cold winter and Joseph would have walked, arriving footsore and weary. Then the desperate flight into Egypt, this time with a new born baby to care for with the echoes of Herod’s slaughter of the Innocents following them. (This is also remembered on 28th December). In the years of exile, traversing desert country before bringing his family safely home
ments remain the same. What troubles me about these, (often enforced gatherings) is the stress generated as well as the novelty which wears off and instead of a residue of excitement and joy remaining, there is often a sour taste left behind. This is not the essence of family, and if more of an effort to keep in touch was maintained throughout the year these occasions could be more enjoyable. That’s why I feel a family is not just for Christmas. In the midst of this rejoicing is the feast day of the Holy Family, a liturgical celebration in honour of Jesus, Mary and Joseph which takes place on 28th December. Just like the Holy Family our family units consist of (I’m being
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
he never wavered in his duty. For me this certainly qualifies him as a saint of travellers. Life at home in Nazareth revolved around their mud brick home where he settled down to life as a carpenter and with Mary, raised Jesus in their simple family values. If more importance was attached to this feast day maybe we would reflect a little on the values and virtues we bring to our own families. Life and people are always changing but the main values should remain present. In the 50’s and 60’s families spent the majority of their time together. Yes, times were different, technology had not advanced to what it is today, and interaction was necessary and profitable. Families ate together, played together, prayed together, talked, exchanged ideas, shared pastimes and were all the richer for it. Love, support, friendship and guidance were bonds that held families together. This should hold true today even in much changed lifestyles. Both
Anne Mesilio
Christmas... parents may have to work, rules become lenient as parents come home weary after a hard day’s work; this leads to a loosening of family ties and makes it difficult to lead by example in the teaching of family values which are what allow our children to make healthy choices for themselves as they grow up. Communication is the key with which a strong family sustains supports and nourishes its members. The home is the heart of the nation wherein should dwell the virtues which are the essence of the human spirit. These include friendliness, humanity, courtesy, loyalty, love, trust, respect, to name but a few. (I’m sure you could add to this list and have some family time doing so! ) St. Joseph is often portrayed holding carpenters tools and a lily. This shows his dual sides of strength and gentleness and in 1889 Pope Leo XIII declared him a model for families. I feel he gets left to one side as indeed is the feast day of the Holy Fami-
ly itself. A happy family is a benefit to society. If we let it, this feast day allows us to re-focus on our families and perhaps it could be a New Year’s resolution to make an effort to spend more time together as a family, not just at Christmas but throughout the year. Notes on the illustration: The baby Jesus is sitting on the lap of his mother, the Virgin Mary. He is holding his hand up in a blessing. Before him kneels a king offering a gift of gold. This is Melchior, the oldest of the three kings who came to pay homage to the infant Christ. Behind Mary, in a red gown is her husband Joseph. According to tradition, Jesus was born in a stable. The donkey, the ox and the shabby straw roof remind us of this. The scene takes place against the background of a ruined palace with marble columns and steps. This refers to King David, a distant ancestor of Jesus. The ruin is symbolic and represents the old world: Jesus
represents the new, Christian world. Pieter Aertsen painted this large, colourful panel in around 1560. It is a varied scene with many attractive details such as the rather homely basket of what look like nappies beside Mary and the king’s entourage with camels on the left of the background. Only one of the three kings is pictured on this panel. This is the middle panel of a
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triptych “The Adoration of the Magi” painted in oils on a wooden panel, 167.5 x 179 cm. it is currently in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Time for the Shrine
“Being in the Rock Last month a party of Chaplains from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes arrived on pilgrimage at our Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.
D
uring a special concelebrated Mass at 12.30pm on Tuesday the 27th October, held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, His Lordship Bishop Charles Caruana welcomed the delegation of 18 pilgrim Chaplains, led by the Rector of Lourdes from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, in France. In his remarks the Bishop welcomed the visiting priests and religious and said “I am so happy
attended by many local people, almost filling the nave of the Shrine. The sung response during the service was ‘Your are the highest honour of our race’. After the Mass one of the Chaplains, Fr. Paul Horrocks o.m.l., explained that each year at the end of the summer pilgrimage season, a group of the Lourdes Chaplains go on a pilgrimage themselves to rest and recharge their batteries. This year they are spending 6 days in Seville as the guests
that that you are here because I want the word spread that the whole of Europe was consecrated to Our Lady of Europe over 7OO years ago.” He continued to thank almighty God for being able to be here and in peace and give him praise. The visiting Chaplains were welcomed by a strong contingent of local clergy and concelebrated with Fr. Azzopardi, Fr Binoy, Bishop Caruana, Fr. Grima, Fr, Johnathan, and Fr. Paul. The Mass was
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
of the Bishop there and came to Gibraltar for the day to visit the Shrine at Europa Point at the invitation of our Bishop Caruana. This is a welcome opportunity for them to relax and spend some time together after many months of ministering to the, on average, 6,000,000 pilgrims that visit Lourdes annually, although those numbers were swollen to around 9,000,000 during the anniversary year. Fr Paul, spoke of their work in the Sanctuary, explain-
Angela Sargent
is like being in God”
ing that the most popular way pilgrims searched for healing was to take a bath in the spring water, to drink it and to wash in it. He said that many people have a ‘fairly profound experience’ in doing this. He went on to say that “For the majority of pilgrims it is something like the Disciples’ experience at the Transfiguration, the wonder of Lourdes, and even after they ‘go down from the mountain’ the memory of what happened in Lourdes sus-
tains them. After returning to Lourdes, Fr Paul Horrocks wrote to Upon this Rock magazine to say “My first impression of Gibraltar was how striking the rock really is and that is because it is the size of a mountain. I found walking in the tunnels wonderful and it reminded me of how the rock is a symbol of God, like the rock of Massabielle which is the proper name of the Grotto where Our Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette. What is remarkable about going through the tunnels is that it is in God that we live and move and have our being as St Paul says in the Acts of the Apostles, so being in the tunnels is like being in God and with that is the sense of safety and security on the one hand, and on the other still having to do whatever we are able, to defend ourselves from the powers of evil. The wonderful view from the top of the rock is also a symbol of how, if we are in touch with God, our vision of
Fr. Charlie Azzopardi, Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe with Fr. Paul Horrocks o.m.l. Chaplain of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
life is broadened and in a way we are able to see some aspect of Him as well. I was very impressed with the friendliness of the people and the eagerness and dedication of the young people as evidenced in the servers who served at the Mass we celebrated with Bishop Caruana. Personally I was touched by the setting of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Europe almost as a mother at the frontier on the watch for anything that may en-
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danger her children. The devotion of seafarers to Our Lady and the opportunity for that which the Shrine offers is a real gift. Especially thinking of the insecurity of being on the water with the added threat of piracy even in our own day, and in not too distant waters if one goes through the Suez Canal. Your shrine helped me to be reminded of the strength and protection of Our Blessed Mother.”
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
WALSINGHAM
The Great Mystery “When I stepped inside the Slipper Chapel it was like coming home.”
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ecently I was invited (together with six other members of the Foreign Press Association in London) to go on a 2-day visit to England’s famous shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk. My first impression of the village with its winding roads and immaculately maintained Tudor buildings was that I had stepped into a time warp transferring me to the 16th century. I was brought back to reality by the modern pilgrimage facilities, especially the splendidly designed and very cosy new accommodation block opened a fortnight earlier by Prince Phillip. The extraordinary history of Walsingham began in 1061, some five years before William
the Conqueror invaded Britain. A pious widow by the name of Richeldis de Faverches, who had a great devotion to Our Lady, apparently had a vision during which the Blessed Virgin took her to Nazareth and showed her the house where the Annunciation had taken place, and where the Holy Family lived throughout Our Lord’s upbringing. Lady Richeldis experienced this vision three times, and on every occasion Our Lady commanded Richeldis to take note of the length, breadth and height of the house and to set up an exact copy of it on her estate in Walsingham. Thrilled with this command, Richeldis engaged skilled craftsmen to build the house exactly as it had appeared in her vision.
However, when it was completed she decided it was in the wrong place. Fortunately, another miracle came to her aid; heavy dew that had soaked the meadow overnight had left two rectangles completely dry, one of these patches was near two wells believed to be holy, so it was decided to lay the stone foundations of the wooden house in that spot. However, a further obstacle then arose; the workmen couldn’t get the foundations to fit the house. Lady Richeldis prayed throughout the night and, we are told, with the
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
aid of Angels’ hands, Our Lady caused the entire house to be lifted up and set down in another place, 200 ft away, much to the astonishment of the workmen when they arrived on site the following morning. And this is how a remote part of Norfolk became the location for England’s most famous pre-Reformation shrine. Over the following centuries countless miracles were reported to have taken place, and an entire organisation of priests and clerks were established to attend to the constant flood of pilgrims who came not just
Ruth Rees
from England but many foreign countries too, and great gifts of money and valuable ornaments were given to the Shrine. Among the many monarchs who went on pilgrimage to Walsingham, including Richard the Lionheart before he embarked on his Crusade, were Henry VI in 1435
and Henry VII who, it was written, “Having spent Christmas in Norwich, visited Our Lady’s church, famous for miracles, and made his prayers and vows for help and deliverance.” But it was a later Henry, formerly the most devout enthusiast of all for the Walsingham Shrine, who would later be responsible for its destruction: King Henry VIII. The downfall of Catholic Walsingham had begun in the mid15th century, continuing into the 16th century. Internal problems; troubles with training and discipline of the young Canons, accusations of scandalous behaviour (often untrue), and the sort of infighting common to all large enterprises, which, alas, gave fodder to those committed to the break with Rome. This suited the ambitious Reformists and resulted in many trumpedup accusations, trials and burnings of those who refused to take the oath of the King’s supremacy. Finally, the Shrine was destroyed. In 1946, the writer and Walsingham expert, H. M. Gillett, in describing that era wrote: “It was as if a great blight, a great curse
had fallen upon the countryside for those acts of National Apostasy in 1534.” It was not until the 1930s that Walsingham’s true revival began. The Anglicans built a very beautiful shrine which contained within itself a copy of the Holy House – in dimensions anyway, with brick walls rather than wooden, for, unfortunately, there were no surviving draw-
ings of Lady Richeldi’s miracleladen copy of the original wooden structure. Continued on page 15
PILGRIMAGE TO ROME
LED BY: FR STUART DATE: 24th – 29th January 2010 COST: £675 INCLUDES: Gibraltar - Malaga return transfers Direct Flight to Rome return 3 half day tours Half board basis HIGHLIGHT: PAPAL GENERAL AUDIENCE MORE INFO: Fr Stuart TEL: 20077135
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Stewards of the Earth D
GLOBAL WARNING
The debate about global warming that’s raging on the internet and in the rightwing press does not reflect any such debate in the scientific journals. The following is by George Monbiot in the Guardian recently. here is no point in denying it: we’re losing. Climate change denial is spreading like a contagious
T
disease. It exists in a sphere that cannot be reached by evidence or reasoned argument; any attempt to draw attention to scientific findings is greeted with furious invective. This sphere is expanding with
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astonishing speed. A survey last month by the Pew Research Centre suggests that the proportion of Americans who believe there is solid evidence that the world has been warming over the last few decades has fallen from 71% to 57% in just 18 months. Another survey, conducted in January by Rasmussen Reports, suggests that, due to a sharp rise since 2006, US voters who believe global warming has natural causes (44%) outnumber those who believe it is the result of human action (41%) A study by the website Desmogblog shows that the number of internet pages proposing that man-made global warming is a hoax or a lie more than doubled last year. The Science Museum’s Prove It exhibition asks on-line readers to endorse or reject a statement that they’ve seen the evidence and want government to take action. As of yesterday afternoon,
WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
1006 people had endorsed it and 6,1006 people had rejected it. On Amazon. co.uk, books championing climate change denial are currently ranked at 1,2,4,5,7 and 8 in the global warming category. Never mind that they’ve been torn to shreds by scientists and reviewers, they are beating the scientific books by miles. What is going on? It certainly doesn’t reflect the state of the science, which has hardened dramatically over the past two years. If you don’t believe me, open any recent edition of Science or Nature or any peer-reviewed journal specialising in atmospheric or environmental science. Go on, try it. The debate about global warming that’s raging on the internet and in the rightwing press does not reflect any such debate in the scientific journals.
Dom Sebastian Moore
Image: AP news agency.
The way we are living now is genocidal But how to motivate the will to see The bond between us and the earth as bridal And make this bite into us, you and me? And what now of a plethora of books That mock what science all reluctant knows, May the Spirit alert us to the shocks Of Swift to touch us in our heads and toes. We know already we are murderers Of truth and of the Logos in the flesh: What of Christ cosmic—surely the heart stirs The Spirit teaches us to see afresh. It is the word of truth we crucify: How make this evident to our deep eye?
Residents are rescued from their upstairs windows after ‘unprecedented’ rainfall in Cumbria last month wreaked havoc. Widespread flooding destroyed bridges and roads with fatal consequences.
Save me now from certainty in the ego My innate substitute for action first Clings to the mind as to the palate sago And is unworthy of the universe. S u r e l y we have to ask ourselves this question: of which should I be the more apprehensive: a scientific orthodoxy trying to dominate us, or our own extreme reluctance to look at something utterly dreadful, backed up by our whole psychological investment in the way we live, and the interests of big companies who are known to be employing writers to deny what the scientists are saying?
Your searching way wholly beyond my own Yet touching me where thought will nearly pass And near too to my heart too much alone
And when this certainty opposes you My friend whose ego says the opposite There’s nothing for the two of us to do But learn in the deep self of us to sit.
That warmed when you first touched me in the nave And I would revel in you now at last: What is it since then, that all new I have? ‘Pain-body!’ you reply with trumpet blast.
But am I sure that you too will descend To loss of what seems one’s identity And can one ask such a thing of a friend That is only my own escape from me?
So I must be now just as I was then, You in a harder focus crucified Risen for me in a new world of men Wherein my whole life long I still have lied.
You must believe that I am tortured by This inner conversation where I lie.
Let this lie be undone in Eucharist For all the life, all passive, I have missed.
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
WALSINGHAM
Ruth Rees
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
New History of Our Lady of Europe Published
During the Anniversary of 700 Years of Devotion.
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n April of the Anniversary year, in time for the Great Celebrations at Europa Point, Bishop Caruana’s new History of Our Lady of Europe was published. The 116 page volume relates the story from 710 onwards in a very readable and even exciting manner as the dramatic events surrounding the statue we know and love so well unfold. This book offers a history of the devotion to Our Lady of Europe which originated in 1309 in
and Stephen. The book was published by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana and is available at the Cathedral Multi-Media Centre, on Main Street, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, and from St. Theresa’s Church. No family in Gibraltar should be without one, as it details such an
Gibraltar, when Ferdinand IV of Spain, on capturing the Rock from Moslem rule, dedicated the whole continent of Europe to Our Lady in what appears today as a truly prophetic act. The handy paperback format has a smart mat finish cover featuring a photo collage by Stephen Perera showing the statue or Our Lady of Europe with Jesus and the Eastern face of the Rock prominently in the background, the layout having been designed by Jennifer Ballantine Perera
important part of our history, and with a cover price of just £10.00 it is perfect for a Christmas present.
The Great Mystery continued from page 11 However, today’s pilgrims can enjoy a splendid view of what remains of the ancient Augustinian Priory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary which stands on a large green lawn. Now known simply as The Abbey, it was formerly the premier shrine of Our Lady in England, and nearby there is a modest plaque marking the very spot where once stood the genuine Richeldis replica of the Holy House. For me, the high spot of the entire visit was the beautiful little Slipper Chapel. When I stepped inside it was like coming home because of the presence of Our
Lord in the Holy Eucharist and that special quality of silence always present in a Catholic Church however grand or humble it may be. Built in the 14th century, the origin of its curious name goes back to the days when it was a simple wayside chapel for tired pilgrims from all over the world. On the last section of their long journey to Walsingham, it became a custom for them to finish the rest of their journey barefoot, leaving their slippers in the little chapel and collecting them on their return. By some miracle, although it fell into disrepair during the Reformation, the Slipper Chapel survived over the following cen-
Binham Abbey, not to be missed when visiting Walsingham
turies and in 1938, after some essential repairs and extensions, it was re-consecrated and became England’s Roman Catholic National Shrine, and Cardinal Bourne was the first Cardinal to return to Walsingham since the Reformation. Finally, if ever you are fortunate enough to visit Walsingham, don’t miss a side trip to Binham Priory,
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just a 20-minute car ride away. Built in 900 A.D. it had been a Benedictine monastery until the monasteries were destroyed. Some of its former architectural glory can be seen in the adjacent chapel now used as an Anglican parish church. Here, as throughout our visit, we had excellent professional guides who obviously loved their subject.
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Towards a Better Society
Taking an active
“I see the PCCG as a valuable forum for the public to voice concerns related to policing.”
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r. Joe Pons, present chairman of the Police Consultative Community Group was speaking to me after a public meeting held on October 22nd 2009. It was a well attended meeting compared to others in the past and a feeling of optimism was alive. The first speaker was Mr. Jaime Felices, Senior Youth Worker and a PCCG committee member who spoke feelingly about encouraging participation “at every level possible”. He has been at the forefront of youth matters over the past thirty
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
years and explained that though the PCCG is not enshrined in law, nor is it a pressure group, yet it is an ideal opportunity to bring matters to the police, encouraging them to react pro actively. Throughout his talk he exhorted the public to look ahead, pre-empting problems is always the better way and this could have a real impact on our daily living. Mr. Joe Pons has been chairman for two years and was heartened by the attendance at this meeting as he feels “the group was dormant for a few years and the feedback indicates it is worth continuing”. Joe’s
Anne Mesilio
interest in our Community talk outlined how the PCCG has been working, and also brought up the perceived lack of policing private estates during which the Commissioner, Mr. Louis Wink kept shaking his head. In his own address the Commissioner talked of balancing priorities and assured the meeting that private estates are policed and the police do react to criminal incidents. However, he went on to explain that traffic laws within a private estate cannot be enforced because it is a private road. This he referred to as “house rules”, these are not laws so cannot be policed. In answer to another concern he was emphatic that the police respond to calls with the urgency required at all times. Joe felt that this “clash” served to highlight the profile of the group in the media and showed how the PCCG will reflect public concerns and voice them and “we value that”, the Commissioner accepted. The PCCG is a nongovernmental organisation, not
an ‘instrument’ of the police, not an exercise in public relations and is independent and apolitical. The Police Authority (PA) is the constitutional group to look at policing matters and people may approach them with their concerns. Why then the PCCG? Throughout our talk I found this mild mannered man genuinely interested and committed to the idea of a personal approach to dealing with crime more quickly and the training of police officers to communicate positively with our youth. “Treat the younger man/woman as your brother/ sister”, (Tim 5; 2). Back to my question, why then the PCCG? He explained, “let me say first that the PCCG has always advocated the creation and existence of a Police Authority, but the PA does not sit around the table with the person who brings concerns where these can be addressed there and then. Sometimes that’s all that’s required with a police officer present to allay fears and
offer advice”. I changed tack a little and asked him why, in his address he mentioned meeting with Mr. Daniel Feetham, our present Minister for Justice, and I wondered how this might help?. “Mr. Feetham has been tweaking and tuning our laws and I feel that maybe some laws can be adjusted for more policing to take place in private estates”, he offered by way of an example as this is a commonly held view by many in private estates. He went on to acknowledge that the Royal Gibraltar Police have a heavy workload, e.g. anti-terrorism vigilance and recognises that sometimes concerns coming from the PCCG “may appear too trite”. The police is a civil force empowered by a government in democratic countries responsible for keeping public order. It is a wide brief and does depend on the public to assist them in matters which are of concern to them. In ancient Greece citizens were authorised to act in a police
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capacity and this probably kept everyone vigilant and aware. There is a certain apathy in our society and the reality of getting people to participate as fully as Mr. Felices advocated has become passive, a sort of ‘not my business, let someone else do it’, attitude. The PCCG are ready, willing and able, with continued on page 26
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Christian Christmas Traditions
How to Build a Crib The crib or ‘belen’ is central to the Christian tradition and has very long roots in Gibraltar, but...
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n many homes the Christmas Tree has become the focus of the celebrations. It is worth remembering that even if you haven’t done it for years, building a crib is easy and it does not have to be expensive to incorporate a nativity scene into your family celebrations. It doesn’t have to be fancy or antique. It doesn’t have to be shop-bought. The idea behind a nativity scene is the birth of Jesus, so as long as there are a few basic elements present
the celebration and the spirit of Christmas are present too. Here’s a list of elements usually found in a crib scene. Some are essential to the story of Jesus’s birth, and some are not. Baby Jesus – I have seen people use everything from a Cabbage Patch Kid with an old towel wrapped around it to a Play-doh baby in a Barbie crib, from a store-bought ceramic figurine to a tiny origami baby. One thing is for sure: there has got to be a baby Jesus. Mary – Jesus’s mother, the
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Virgin Mary, is usually shown dressed in blue or light brown coloured garments. Joseph - Mary’s faithful husband-to-be, Jesus’s fatherly caretaker, usually has a bearded face and wears long, dark colored robes. Angel - Can be your typical angel with wings and glitter or a simple figure in prayer. The angel is usually seated higher up than the rest of the figurines, so get creative and hang or boost your angel in the scene. Shepherds – They followed the star that guided them to the babe in the manger. Long robes, shepherd’s staffs, and some sheep usually make their presence known. Three kings – These wise men came to worship Jesus and bring him gifts shortly after his birth. Precious metals and stones adorn their brightly coloured garments. Animals – Usually camels, donkeys, and sheep, the animals join the scene since Mary and Joseph couldn’t find any place to
WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
stay in the inns in Bethlehem. Depending on the type of nativity you have or are making, your setup will vary. First choose a place to set the scene. If yours is a large scene (using a doll as Jesus, for example), you might want to find an open area where people can walk around and enjoy your creative handiwork. Many cribs are set up where the wider community can see them, in patios for instance. Even within the home often a whole sideboard is cleared and dedicated to the shrine in a central room. For smaller scenes, use your coffee table, a shelf, or an extra end table. Try to make sure your nativity will be noticed, wherever you decide to set up. If you want to have a little barn or shed-like enclosure to house the scene, that’s fine, but it’s not necessary either. Some people also like to lay hay or “angel hair”, white fluffy cloud-like material, underneath the scene as a base. It’s entirely up to you, though.
A ‘Plasticine’ crib built by pupils at Loreto Convent School last year.
The baby Jesus should always be the centre of the scene—after all, he’s the reason we’re celebrating! Mary and Joseph are usually set to the left and right of Jesus, if he’s placed in a manger or criblike set-up. Some nativities show Mary holding Jesus. It’s a nice touch, and makes the whole scene appear more intimate. Shepherds and animals circle around the holy family, and wise men are also gazing from a bit of distance. All should be facing Jesus, as the centre of attention in the scene. Some families have the practice of gradually building the nativity scene throughout the weeks of advent. The gathering is spread out over time, sometimes to accompany the relevant passages from the Bible, and figures are placed accordingly. I remember one family where the youngest son took it upon himself to move the star closer to the stable each day. What’s nice about this practice is that it makes the progression of events clearer by showing how, and in what order, they may have occurred. This means, of course, that the manger lies empty in the barn. Animals may be displayed, but the people shouldn’t arrive at
CRIB COMPETITION 2009
the beginning. Mary and Joseph travel closer to Bethlehem, and arrive on Christmas Eve. Then place the shepherds and their animals closer so that they arrive on Christmas to see baby Jesus when he is born at Midnight on Christmas Eve, or after the family return from Mass. The wise men shouldn’t arrive until January 6th, or ‘Los Reyes’. However you decide to make your nativity scene, make sure to involve as many people as possible and to think about the meaning in the beauty of the first Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
ENTRIES ARE INVITED FROM
HOMES, SCHOOLS, GROUPS OF NEIGHBOURS, SHOPS, OFFICES, RESTAURANTS and other PLACES OF WORK ENTRY FEE - £5.00.
JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE on MONDAY 14th December 2009
Winners will be notified and Presentations will be held at St Theresa’s Church during the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday 24th December at 5.30pm ENTRY FORM
Please cut out this Entry Form and hand it in at the Cathedral Bookshop in Main Street, with your Fee, by Thursday 10th December 2009.
Contact Name:_______________________________________ Group Name:________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ TELEPHONE OR MOBILE NUMBER:
___________________________________________________ ENTRY FEE : £ 5.00 ~
PAID - YES / NO
DATE ENTRY FORM HANDED IN AT BOOKSHOP:______
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Christian Outreach
Your mission is to be L
ast month the YWAM teams descended upon Gibraltar with in a blaze of publicity attracting huge crowds to three days of ‘Extreme’ events and this month most of Gibraltar’s Christian churches, and many schools are participating in ‘HeartBeat!’ a Christian Music Festival lasting two weeks and encompassing a myriad of different genres. Two very different groups with very different outreach modes. But why is it so important to Christians to share the message of the gospel that they travel the world often going through extreme hardship and personal danger? Earlier this year Holy Father’s Message on Mission Day went some way to explain. “The goal of the Church’s mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history towards God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential
“In truth, the whole of humanity has the radical vocation to return to its source.”
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
and fulfilment. It is in this perspective that the disciples of Christ throughout the world work, struggle and groan under the burden of suffering, even offering up their own lives. I strongly reiterate what was so frequently affirmed by my venerable predecessors: the Church works not to extend her power or assert her dominion, but to lead all people to Christ, the salvation of the world. We seek only to place ourselves at the service of all humanity, especially the suffering and the marginalised, because we believe that ‘the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today... is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity’”. “In truth, the whole of humanity has the radical vocation to return to its source, to return to God, since in Him alone can it find fulfilment through the restoration of all things in Christ. ... This new beginning can already
YWAM Team members went to extremes to attract the attention of a wide audience. Above the GTX cyclist is somersaulting over 3 volunteers lying on the stage.
inspired! be seen in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, Who draws all things to Himself, renewing them and enabling them to share in the eternal joy of God. ... The Church’s mission is to spread hope ‘contagiously’ among all peoples. This is why Christ calls, justifies, sanctifies and sends His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God, so that all nations may become the People of God”. “The universal Church, which knows neither borders nor frontiers, is aware of her responsibility to proclaim the Gospel to entire peoples. ... The measure of her mission and service is not limited to material needs, or even to spiritual needs confined to the sphere of temporal existence; rather, it is transcendent salvation, fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom, although ultimately eschatological and not of this world, is also in this world and within its history a force for justice and peace, for true freedom
and respect for the dignity of every human person. The Church wishes to transform the world through the proclamation of the Gospel of love. ... With this message I renew my invitation to all the members and institutions of the Church to participate in this mission and this service”. “It is therefore necessary to renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel which is a leaven of freedom and progress, brotherhood, unity and peace. I would ‘confirm once more that the task of evangelising all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church’, a duty and a mission which the widespread and profound changes in presentday society render ever more urgent. At stake is the eternal salvation of persons, the goal and the fulfilment of human history and the universe”. As this article is prepared for print Gibraltar’s Christian Mission Teams are on Main Street to promote the ‘HeartBeat!’ Music Festival.
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Diocesan News N
New investitures to the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
A
t St. Bernard’s Church on the 4th November, six new Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were invested by His Lordship, the Bishop Rt. Rev. Mgr. Charles Caruana, Grand Prior of the Order for Gibraltar. This Order, of ancient origin, recognised and enriched in privileges by the Supreme Pontiffs through historic, juridical and spiritual bonds is under the benign protection of the Holy See. It has for its main purposes:a) to strengthen in its members the practice of Christian Life, in absolute fidelity to the Supreme Pontiff and according to the teachings of the Church, observing as its foundation the principles of charity of which the Order is a fundamental means for assistance to the Holy Land.
b) to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, particularly those of and in the Latin
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Patriarchate of Jerusalem, with which the Order maintains traditional ties. c) to sustain the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy
WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Land. In 1985 the Order was instituted in Gibraltar through the late Bishop Edward Rapallo.
News and Events
Fr. Bill’s A Celebration of Married Life Farewell Invitation close families for photographs, refreshments and a slice of “LA TARTA”.
You are most cordially invited to attend the Farewell Eucharist for Fr BILL WATSON, at which he is scheduled to Preside and Preach. This Eucharist is to be held, DV, on The FIRST SUNDAY of CHRISTMAS 27TH DECEMBER 2009 AT 10.30am (Reception following) The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar. Fr Bill is the Precentor of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, The Assistant Chaplain, The Chaplain of the Port of Gibraltar, (The Mediterranean Mission to Seafarers), and The Chairman of the Cathedral Arts’ Council Telephone: (+350) 20075745 Mobile: (+350) 54026292
PHOTO: Members of the Christian Family Movement take gifts to the altar at one of the special Anniversary Masses held at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned in recent years.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
S
A New Dimension in Your Marriage
ince 1996 THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT (C.F.M.) has organised a yearly service for married couples who wish to renew their married vows. Couples whose 25th, 40th, 50th, or 60th Wedding Anniversary fell between January 2009 and December 2009 are invited to participates. Forms are available at the Catholic Bookshop, 215 Main Street, for those wishing to join the celebrations to fill
out and return. They will then receive an invitation to renew their married vows at a service to be held at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned, Gibraltar on Friday 12th February 2010 at 8p.m.. The Rt. Rev. Charles Caruana CBE, CStJ, GPKHS, Bishop of Gibraltar will preside at the service. During the service each couple will receive a certificate and invited to the Catholic Community Centre with their
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For further information contact: Eliott & Macu Dobinson T: 20079586 or 58008309 Ernest & Jane Povedano T: 20070976 or 54007961
Marriage Care Gibraltar Counselling Service Tel: 20071717
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Praise in Poetry and Prayer
THE WAYS OF JESUS By Lawrence A. Bellotti Jesus gently enters our lives With his most wonderful heart Offering his mercy and attention Which will never part He shows so much concern Towards his poor neighbour Reaching the sick and lonely And healing them as a favour He always has the time To bring his love to people Especially those who are forsaken Whose hearts are very feeble In his considerate manner He does so much good As he fondly cares for others And creates a welcome mood The ways of Jesus are perfect Like a real friend he behaves By means of his selfless attitude Many lost persons he saves He comes to teach us To love one another To forgive our neighbour And treat him like a brother He asks us to believe God’s love is always true Which remains within us As a gift for what we do He reminds us so patiently God is the guiding light Which shines in our souls forever And makes our path so bright
SPONSORS OF UPON THIS ROCK
Painting: Young Jesus helps his father.
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WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Gibraltar mentioned in the Breviary Hymn to God, my God, in my Sickness J
ohn Donne, (pronounced “dun”) was born 21st January 1572 on Bread Street in London, England, into a Catholic family at a time when Catholicism was illegal in England. Donne was the third of six children. His father, also named John Donne, was of Welsh descent, and a warden of the Ironmongers Company in the
City of London. Donne’s father was a respected Catholic who avoided unwelcome government attention out of fear of being persecuted for his religious faith. John Donne his son, became an English Jacobean poet, preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love
poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially as compared to those of his contemporaries. Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends.
S
In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London and died 31 March 1631. His poem reproduced below, has become a prayer in the Breviary and will be of particular comfort to anyone going through at time of hardship or sickness. It is encouraging that these words were written almost 438 years ago.
ince I am coming to that Holy room, Where, with the Quire of Saints for evermore, I shall be made the Music; As I come I tune the Instrument here at the door, And what I must do then, think here before. Whilst my Physicians by their love are grown Cosmographers, and I their Map, who lie Flat on this bed, that by them may be shown That this is my South-west discovery Per fretum febris, by these straits to die. I joy, that in these straits, I see my West; For, though their currents yield return to none, What shall my West hurt me? As West and East In all flat Maps (and I am one) are one, So death doth touch the Resurrection. Is the Pacific Sea my home? Or are The Eastern riches? Is Jerusalem? Anyan, and Magellan, and Gibraltar, All straits, and none but straits, are ways to them, Whether where Japhet dwelt, or Cham, or Sem. We think that Paradise and Calvary, Christ’s Cross, and Adam’s tree, stood in one place; Look, Lord, and find both Adams met in me; As the first Adam’s sweat surrounds my face, May the Last Adam’s blood my soul embrace. So, in his purple wrapp’d receive me Lord, By these his thorns give me his other Crown; And as to other’s soul I preach’d thy word. Be this my Text, my Sermon to mine own, Therefore that he may raise the Lord throws down.
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PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
Join Unicef in the world of Social Media
D
id you know that UNICEF is on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and would like you to join them? These easy-to-use platforms allow people and organizations to connect online. In UNICEF’s case, this interaction serves an important cause: ensuring health, education, equality and protection for the world’s children. Subscribe to UNICEF on YouTube: Join thousands of
on MySpace: A pioneer in social media, MySpace enables UNICEF to reach out to thousands of ‘friends’ with rich multimedia content. Share it all with your own MySpace community. Follow UNICEF on Twitter: Twitter’s social-messaging utility, available via your computer or mobile device, lets
YouTube subscribers in advancing UNICEF’s life-saving efforts through the power of video. Stay up to date with the latest UNICEF news from around the world. Become a ‘fan’ of UNICEF on Facebook: This popular socialmedia tool allows UNICEF to bring informative content – including video, audio and photos – to thousands of Facebook ‘fans’. Engage with other fans and start your own discussions. Become a ‘friend’ of UNICEF
you stay con-
Taking an active interest in our Community
continued from page 17 new members, to inject some new life and interest, to channel and also provides a platform for suggestions and ideas that may be worth considering and putting forward to other departments. For instance, the urgent question of young children being carried as passengers on mopeds and
the danger of this could be highlighted in an awareness campaign before a serious accident or fatality occurs. In order to contact the group to make an appointment to meet with them, please call the RGP no; 20072500, an invitation will be issued to you to come to their next meeting at New
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Mole House, usually the last Thursday of the month. This is an interactive meeting with police officers present to offer advice and answer questions. (The PA meetings are not geared for a fully interactive exchange between the police and the public but are more for official meetings between themselves
WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
and the Commissioner to discuss policy). This group exists for you, helping you take an active interest in your community, and its aim is promoting good relations between the police and public so that law and order will thrive all the more.
Extracts from a Summery by the Author
‘Spirit Of The Phoenician’ The Story of a Gibraltar Family by Joe L. Caruana to be launched this month.
T
he book is a biographical account of a Maltese family that eventually settled in Gibraltar with historical notes dating around 1800’s of the family’s travels. -Joe uses the ancient Phoenicians as his possible ancestors starting with a dream that brings an ancient Phoenician vessel, a ‘Bireme’ to the shores of Gibraltar. - The story continues with an account of the ‘Said’ and ‘Caruana’ families that takes the reader to Port Said, in Egypt, the birth place of the writer’s father and home of his grandmother’s relatives at the time when the Suez Canal was being built.
- Of Malta, fatherland of the Caruana’s and a very important Phoenician colony. Stronghold of the Knight Templars. The adventurous Maltese people who travelled the Mediterranean as did the Phoenicians, some luckily ending in a tiny Rock called Calpe, in the Bay of Carteia, or the “ Bay of the high mountain”, Gibraltar, where our restless story starts and ends. - He reveals his personal joys and tragedies, his big spiritual change that takes us to Rome meeting the Holy Father and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Active lay-evangelist within the Catholic Church in Canada and the start of a Catholic television programme that reached 1.2 million households in Canada.
The start of Camp Emmanuel, for the treatment of drug addicts and alcoholics. - Hundreds of youngsters, adults and Religious from Gibraltar went on Spiritual Retreats to the Camp. The first to start a Drug Awareness Campaign in drug-torn Gibraltar in the late 1980’s, being the first to give talks to schools and parents on Drugs, as well as being Founder of the Narcotics Anonymous in Gibraltar in 1991. - The book is richly illustrated with photos and secret papers never seen before.
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The Launch of the book is planned for the 10th December at the St. Bernards Catholic Social Club in the Community Centre, Zoca Flank.at 7.00pm Sir Robert J. Peliza KBE. ED and former Chief Minister of Gibraltar will be making the Introduction.
PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND
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